Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2019

088: The Astounding Doctrine of Deification

by Matthew Leonard

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There is one doctrine of the Church that changes everything…and I mean everything!

And once you get it, your understanding of salvation is radically transformed.

I’m talking about deification.

Yup! You and I are were created to be divine!

St. Peter declares very clearly that we are destined to become a “partakers” of the divine nature of God (2 Pt 1:4). But that’s not the only place in Scripture this amazing doctrine is found.

It’s all over the place!

So to unpack what it is and where it’s found in the Bible, I invited Curtis Mitch on to the Art of Catholic podcast. (He’s the guy who wrote the amazing commentary in the very popular Ignatius Catholic Study Bible.)

There’s nobody I’d rather have on the program to address this from a scriptural point of view.

Here are just a few of the highlights of this episode:

Christ’s words about deification
Where deification is found in the prayers of the Mass
Why our deification was always God’s goal
How prayer relates directly to the process of deification
How deification sheds light on Adam’s Fall in the Garden of Eden
Why the Incarnation of Christ is the key to understanding deification

I loved this conversation with Curtis, and so will you.

So sit back, hitch up your pants, and get ready to hear why you are destined to be a god…literally.

God bless!

Matthew

P.S. It’s coming MAY 1st! CLICK HERE to be notified so you get in before the doors close!

“The most dynamic, clearest path to spiritual transformation you’ll find anywhere.” – Mike Aquilina, Author & EWTN Personality

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Posted on Thursday, March 14, 2019

086: Dr. Brant Pitre Blows Your Mind on Mary

by Matthew Leonard

I’ve got ten bucks that says you’ve never heard a lot of this stuff.

When I was coming into the Church 20 years ago, I struggled mightily with the Virgin Mary. Partly, it was because I couldn’t find Marian doctrine and devotion in Sacred Scripture.

I was blind.

Eventually, I came to realize how deeply Mary is woven into the fabric of the sacred text once you know how to really read the Bible.

But Brant Pitre just blew my mind on a few things I’d never heard.

(That’s saying something given the fact that I’ve produced an entire series on Our Lady.)

You’re going to love this.

So sit back and enjoy a wide-ranging, but pinpoint discussion on some incredible truths about Mary that will make you marvel at the handiwork of God.

Among other things we discuss:

The deep connection between Israel’s Ark of the Covenant and Mary
How the Book of Numbers provides evidence of Mary’s Perpetual Virginity and why Joseph was abstinent…so cool!
Scriptural proof that Mary could’ve easily made a vow of virginity (as the Church Fathers teach)
How the Collyridians (you’ve heard of them, right?) prove Catholics aren’t Marian idolaters
Why John calls himself the “beloved disciple” and how it relates to Mary

This is one of the best interviews I’ve ever had on the Art of Catholic. Don’t miss it!

God bless!

Matthew

P.S. It’s coming in a little more than a month! Don’t miss out on Next Level Catholic Academy and take your spiritual life to new heights! CLICK HERE to learn more.

“The most dynamic, clearest path to spiritual transformation you’ll find anywhere.” – Mike Aquilina, Author & EWTN Personality

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Google Podcasts | RSS

Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2018

081: Kings, Prophets, & Popes

by Matthew Leonard

What should we do?

That’s the question that keeps coming up in my conversations and email exchanges.

What is the appropriate response of faithful Catholics to this ongoing crisis?

While some are leaving and others are all-out attacking, most of us are caught somewhere in the middle.

We’ve always thought of ourselves as faithful Catholics. We’ve always honored our priests and bishops. We’ve always been a bit awed by the papacy.

So we’re torn.

We want this all to be fixed, but don’t know what tools are really at our disposal. We’re not totally sure what attitude and posture should we take.

That’s what I want to address in this episode. And I’m going to do it with Sacred Scripture.

I think it gives us some pretty clear direction. So in this podcast we’ll discuss:

The Scriptural origins of the Catholic priesthood
Why it can never be “us” vs “them”
The role of the Holy Spirit in choosing a pope
Extremely important takeaways from the story of King Saul and David
The powerful tool used by the prophet Daniel
The end result we should all be praying for

Based on what’s going on, this is an important episode that will provide some rich food for thought as you discern and pray about your personal response to the crisis.

God bless you and keep the Faith always!

Matthew

P.S. HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!