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103: How St. John Paul II Answers the Modern Crisis

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Humanity is having an identity crisis of major proportions. People don’t know who they are. And it’s literally wreaking havoc across the world at this very instant.

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People are struggling on so many levels.

And St. John Paul II saw it coming. In fact, he provided the answers before many of the questions were even posed.

Expanding upon the work of St. Thomas Aquinas and others, he developed a philosophy of the person called, appropriately, “personalism.” It’s a way to make sense of who we are and the dignity each of us possesses.

And it’s so powerful!

So on this episode of the Art of Catholic, I asked Dr. John Crosby, an eminent philosopher at Franciscan University of Steubenville, to give us an overview of John Paul II’s famous way of looking at the human person so that we can understand more deeply who we are…and help the world figure it out, too.

Among other things we discuss:

  • Why even “regular” Catholics need philosophy
  • How John Paul II’s experience of Nazism & Communism shaped his thought
  • What is the “Personalist Norm” & why it changes everything
  • How to stop using God like a vending machine
  • How does John Paul II answer the problem of gender confusion?
  • Why so-called “mutual consent” is still a violation of the other person
  • How treating other people as “subjects” will revolutionize our relationships (This one changes everything!)

Sit back and enjoy an exploration of the grandeur of the human person…the grandeur of YOU!

God bless!

Matthew

P.S. Want more Art of Catholic? CLICK HERE

P.S.S. Help me produce more powerful, free Catholic teaching (and get exclusive interviews, books and other great stuff) by supporting the Art of Catholic on Patreon! Even $5/mo goes a long way! Thanks!

Experience the video study that changes lives! Around 10,000 people have already been through Catholic Mysticism & the Beautiful Life of Grace…and loved it!

“Spectacular!!!”

“This is the best, most powerful, most insightful study I have ever done, bar none.”

“I am bowled over…”

Part of Next Level Catholic Academy, this powerful series from Matthew Leonard is now available for rent. Check it out at CatholicMysticism.com.

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102: Finding Hope and Divine Mercy Amidst Terrible Tragedy

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The Lord wanted me to record this episode. I don’t say that lightly. He arranged it very deliberately…and now I know why.

In this episode of the Art of Catholic, Fr. Chris Alar of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception joins me to share a tragically beautiful story of suicide, suffering, and Divine Mercy that will certainly bring hope to any and all who are experiencing difficulties (large and small).

Some of the topics touched on include:

  • Why Divine Mercy always provides hope…even in cases of serious sin like suicide
  • Understanding the parameters and power of Divine Mercy
  • The humble beauty of St. Faustina
  • The 5 channels of grace given to St. Faustina
  • The powerful connection between the Virgin Mary and Divine Mercy
  • Spiritual principles of dealing with suffering

This is an episode that is going to really help a lot of people. Please share it!

God bless,

Matthew

P.S. Help me produce more powerful, free Catholic teaching (and get exclusive interviews, books and other great stuff) by supporting the Art of Catholic on Patreon! Even $5/mo goes a long way! Thanks!

Experience the video study that changes lives! Around 10,000 people have already been through Catholic Mysticism & the Beautiful Life of Grace…and loved it!

“Spectacular!!!”

“This is the best, most powerful, most insightful study I have ever done, bar none.”

“I am bowled over…”

Part of Next Level Catholic Academy, this powerful series from Matthew Leonard is now available for rent. Check it out at CatholicMysticism.com.

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100: Correcting the Christian View of Death

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Yes, He is risen! Yes, Christ has conquered death! But are we ignoring the obvious?

Have Christians lost sight of the powerful natural and supernatural aspects of dealing with the end of our earthly life?

In this special 100th episode of the Art of Catholic, I bring back John Henry Crosby, founder and president of the Hildebrand Project for a fascinating discussion revolving around a small, but powerful book titled Jaws of Death: Gate of Heaven by famous 20th philosopher Dietrich von Hildebrand.

You might remember both John Henry and von Hildebrand from my very first episode of the Art of Catholic. In that episode, we discussed how von Hildebrand was a major thorn in the side of Adolf Hitler.

In this episode we’ll discuss some thought-provoking insights from von Hildebrand about our passing out of this life and into the next, such as:

  • Why too many Christians take the “horror of death” too lightly
  • Identifying hints of the eternal in natural life
  • How the death of a loved one points to eternity
  • Why natural life without death would be a kind of Hell
  • The vital role of beauty in preparing us for a faithful death
  • How the virtue of hope prepares us for death

It sounds weird, but dwelling on death was never so enlightening:).

God bless!

Matthew

P.S. Help me produce more free Catholic teaching (and get exclusive interviews, books and other great stuff) by supporting the Art of Catholic on Patreon! Even $5/mo goes a long way! Thanks!