Bonus Points: Recent Episodes
Nick Astle
Bonus Points is the official podcast for Mr. Astle's theology class. Join us as we "put out into the deep" (Luke 5:4) and explore the world of Catholic theology and beyond.
Website: BonusPointsPodcast.com
This show is proud to be faithful to the magisterium of the Catholic Church.
As recently as a hundred years ago, the ember days were a familiar part of the Catholic year. These quarterly "mini-Lents" were a way to mark the change in the seasons, to thank God for the gifts of the earth, to fast, and to ordain new priests. Made optional in the 1960s, they have almost completely disappeared from the Catholic experience. In this episode of Bonus Points, we're talking about the history of the ember days and why I think we ought to consider bringing them back.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
Throughout the Bible, many mysterious figures appear about whom we know very little. One of these enigmas is the "disciple whom Jesus loved" or the Beloved Disciple who shows up in John's Gospel. Though traditionally identified as the apostle John, the son of Zebedee, scholars have proposed many candidates, such as Lazarus, Nicodemus, and John "the Elder". In this episode of Bonus Points, we examine the evidence to try and solve the mystery of the Beloved Disciple.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
The Holy Grail - the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper - is one of the most well-known and sought-after relics in Christian history. Considered lost by many, it has inspired quests in everybody from King Arthur to Indiana Jones. But it really lost at all? In today's episode of Bonus Points, we're talking about the history of the grail legend and where I think it might be today.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
Catholic life is full of prayers and objects, from Rosary beads to saint medals. One of the most popular medals is the St. Benedict medal. Like other saint medals, it has a depiction of the saint on the front. But unlike others, the St. Benedict medal also has an exorcism prayer engraved on it. Is this just superstition, or is it a crucial weapon in the spiritual fight? Find out on today's episode of Bonus Points.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
Miracles are common throughout Scripture, but do they still happen today? There are many who claim that they have received miraculous healings, or that God has communicated with them in a special way. Are any of these genuine? Is there any way to know? On today's episode of Bonus Points, we're looking at the Church's guidelines for investigating miraculous healings and private revelations.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
In the last episode, we talked about what we know about Mary Magdalene. Today's episode of Bonus Points builds on that by talking about some lessons that I've learned from her. From the value of humility to the importance of contemplation, Mary Magdalene has much to teach us.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
Mary Magdalene is one of the most prominent women in the Gospels, but also one of the most mysterious and misunderstood. From a strong medieval devotion to modern conspiracy theories, Mary Magdalene's name comes up again and again throughout history. In today's episode of Bonus Points, we're talking about what we know about this woman. We're especially focusing on whether Mary Magdalene is the same woman as Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, and the unnamed repentant woman who anoints Jesus in Luke 7.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
1,500 years ago, St. Benedict of Nursia wrote his Rule for Monasteries, the most influential document in Western monasticism. The Rule governs every aspect of life as a monk, and is used by thousands of monasteries to this day. The Rule also has plenty to say about the qualities of a good abbot. In today's episode of Bonus Points, we're looking at what all of us can learn about good leadership from St. Benedict's portrait of a good abbot.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
"Do you not know that all the drivers race the race, but only one wins the Piston Cup?" St. Paul never said that, but he might have if he had seen the Pixar classic Cars. Thanks to the toddler who controls my TV, I've now seen Cars somewhere around a thousand times, and I have some thoughts. On today's episode of Bonus Points, we're talking about the spiritual lessons we can learn from Lightning McQueen.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
When I was preparing for Confirmation in eighth grade, I chose St. Peter as my Confirmation saint. I chose him because I had forgotten to do the assignment where I was supposed to research different saints and prepare a presentation, and I was confident that I could talk about St. Peter off-the-cuff. Since then, he's had a lot to teach me, so I guess he doesn't have any hard feelings about the way I chose him. On today's episode of Bonus Points, we're talking about some of those lessons that I've learned from the School of (the) Rock.*
*This is the only rock-related pun in the episode. I promise.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
I know that it's a cliche to talk about how transformative it is to become a parent, and I know that I'm certainly not an expert as a father. But I also know that being a parent has taught me a lot about prayer, and experiencing my own fatherhood has had an effect on my experience of God's fatherhood. In this episode of Bonus Points, we'll explore some of those lessons, and some ideas about prayer that have developed since I became a dad.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart on the Friday following the feast of Corpus Christi. In today's episode of Bonus Points, we're talking about this devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: where it comes from, how it works, and why it's one of my favorite devotions. ❤️🔥
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
Bonus Points is back from its spring-semester hiatus, and we're ready for an awesome new season! It's been some time since the last episode, so it seemed fitting to make this episode about, well, time. As Catholics, we have many ways of marking different parts of the day, the week, and the year. We even have some celebrations that only happen a few times each century! On today's episode, we're talking about some of the ways that we mark time as Christians, their Old Testament roots, and why this is so important to begin with.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
Each year at the Easter Vigil, we hear the Exultet (or Exsultet), also known as the Easter Proclamation. Not only is it an announcement of Christ's victory, it's also a whirlwind tour through salvation history. Oh, and it talks about bees more than the average song. In today's episode of Bonus Points, we're talking about some interesting parts of one of my favorite prayers of the liturgical year.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
Sometimes when we pray, we have a very tangible experience of God's love and closeness. Prayer is enjoyable, and we feel like we could spend all day in the chapel. Other times...not so much. What causes dryness in prayer? What can we do about it? On today's episode of Bonus Points, we're talking about what to do when you don't want to pray.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
A little over a week ago, I was part of a class trip to Washington, DC. Between the bus ride and the museums, I had a few thoughts in my head throughout the day about what spiritual value we can take from the idea of a field trip. On today's episode of Bonus Points, we'll talk about how field trips remind us of the need to "go out" as a Church, the importance of our incarnational and sacramental worldview, and how field trips remind us that God is in control, not us.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
Everybody knows that food is important for us physically. If you don't eat, you will die. But food is much more than just fuel to sustain our bodies. Food is about tradition, culture, and what it means to be family. In this episode of Bonus Points, we're talking about what food can teach us about the meaning of tradition.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
Last time, we talked about how monastic life is not just for a select few, but is the "reference point for all Christians" according to Pope Saint John Paul II. We focused on the three evangelical counsels and how they apply to all of us, not just monks and nuns. In today's episode, we're looking at what other lessons we can learn from the monastery, from the value of a stable routine to the importance of the Word and the centrality of the Eucharist.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
In the West, we sometimes think of the monastic life as one "option" among many. It's good for those who are called to it, but doesn't have much to offer the rest of us. In the Eastern Catholic world, however, the monastic life is seen as the ideal to which all Christians aspire. John Paul II called it the "reference point for all the baptized" in Orientale Lumen. In today's episode of Bonus Points, we're talking about how to live like a monk no matter what state of life you are in.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
For most of history, having a good memory was essential for success. Today, most of us are content to "outsource" our memories to our phones and the Internet. But perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to forget the importance of remembering. This episode of Bonus Points will offer some reflections on the spiritual significance of memory, especially its role in the liturgy.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Bonus Points is proud to be a #Catholic podcast. 🇻🇦
Do you know what animal is mentioned most in the Bible? Or where to start reading your Bible in the first place? This installment of Question & Astle includes a little bit of everything, from the existence of the multiverse to the end of the world.
On this episode, we discuss:
- Are all angels male?
- What animal comes up most in the Bible?
- I want to start reading my Bible more, but I don't know where to start. Any advice?
- Can Christians believe in the multiverse theory?
- If the multiverse is real, does God see every universe, or just ours?
- Can the Vatican declare war on another country?
- Why didn't the Pharisees try killing Jesus again after the Resurrection?
- Revelation describes the Euphrates drying up. Are we living in the events of Revelation?
- Is swearing a sin?
A note from Mr. Astle: I haven't been making episodes consistently for the last few weeks - sorry! The end of our grading period (always a busy time) coincided with oral surgery that kept me from speaking for a few days. Now that things are settling down (and mouths are healing) we should be back to normal.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Thanks to Nativity sets and Christmas cards, you probably have a pretty clear mental image of Christ's birth. Amid the shepherds and animals, we often imagine three lavishly-dressed travelers bearing gifts. Each January, the Catholic Church celebrates the arrival of the Magi, but how much do you really know about these wise guys? In this episode of Bonus Points, we're talking about the Magi: who they were, where they came from, and what prompted them to traverse afar.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Every year around Christmas time, we hear claims that Jesus was not actually born on December 25th. Headlines, articles, and youtube videos tell us that the date was chosen to coincide with a Roman pagan holiday, like Saturnalia or Sol Invictus. What should we make of these claims? Does the Bible tell us when Jesus was born? If not, where does the December 25th date come from? On this episode of Bonus Points, we're putting out into the deep waters of biblical chronology to answer those questions and more.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
The Advent season is more than just pre-Christmas, or even the first season of the Catholic liturgical calendar. Rather, it is an opportunity to focus on what St. Bernard of Clairvaux called the "three comings of Christ". During Advent, we commemorate the First Coming (the Nativity), we prepare for the Second Coming at the end of time, and we open our hearts for Christ's coming here and now through grace. On this episode of Bonus Points, I'm joined by author and speaker Mike Pacer so that we can talk about living Advent well.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Catholics are known for good fish fries and loving Mary a whole lot. In this episode, we're talking about the latter. While more can always be said about Marian devotion, this week on Bonus Points, we're talking about what it means to call Mary a Queen, a Mother, and the Model of discipleship. I'll also give a little bit of my own experience with devotion to Mary, and how we can all be more like Our Lady.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
The Rosary is a powerful spiritual sword, wielded by the Church since it was given to St. Dominic by Our Lady in 1208. It has been recommended by saints, popes, and millions of ordinary Catholics, but is often misunderstood. In this episode of Bonus Points, we'll talk about the history of the Rosary, why I personally came to love this devotion, and how to pray it well.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Many people mistakenly think that the saints are boring. They imagine the saints as a uniformly dull group of "nice" people. In reality, the saints represent the vibrancy and diversity of humanity itself. A stunning example of this is St. Olga of Kiev. She may have brought Christianity to the Kievan Rus, but nobody would have ever called her "nice." Find out more about this warrior woman of a saint on today's episode of Bonus Points.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Anna Camacho knew that she wanted to work with her hands, but had no idea where to go from there. She asked St. Joseph, the patron of workers, to intercede for her, and CORDA Candles was born. Today, Anna creates handcrafted candles with scents inspired by saints and the faith. In today's guest speaker episode of Bonus Points, we talk about devotion to Saint Joseph, starting a candle company, and trusting God's plan for our lives.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Many Christians are hesitant to celebrate Halloween because of its supposedly pagan origins. But in reality, Halloween is a Catholic holiday! In this episode of Bonus Points, we'll talk about Halloween's origin as "All Hallow's Eve," the vigil of All Saints' Day. We'll also talk about how Halloween came to be associated with death and all things spooky, where various Halloween traditions come from, and how to celebrate an authentically Catholic Halloween.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Since its release in 1999, The Matrix has become an icon of the science fiction genre. It brought talking about "the Matrix" into the common vocabulary, and raised questions about society, technology, and the nature of reality itself. The movie is dense with Catholic themes, and we try to unpack some of them in this week's episode of Bonus Points.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
There is great spiritual value in being able to live in the present moment. Nevertheless, we all have various tendencies that get us stuck in the past or the future, and prevent us from living fully in the here and now. In this week's episode of Bonus Points, we're taking a Catholic approach to encountering God in the present moment.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Did Jesus get pimples? Can the Pope own stocks? This week on Bonus Points, I'm taking questions from my seventh-period juniors. They're a creative bunch, and their questions are anything but boring. It's time for more Question & Astle!
On this episode, we discuss:
- Whether extraterrestrials need Baptism
- Why the headquarters of the Church is Rome, not Jerusalem
- How to summon demons (but definitely don't do it)
- Whether Jeffrey Dahmer could be in Heaven
- Whether Jesus could get acne
- Whether the Pope can trade on the stock market
- How the Church has its own government
- Whether there is such a thing as a "living saint"
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
For many people, the only contribution that their faith life makes to their dating life is a set of rules. Does faith have more to say about dating than a set of "thou shalt nots"? On this Guest Speaker episode of Bonus Points, I'm joined by Catholic author and speaker Steve Pokorny as we discuss the joy of living a Christ-centered relationship. We talk about practical tips for intentional dating that is free, total, faithful, and fruitful. You don't want to miss this one!
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Curiosity killed the cat...can it also kill your soul? St. Thomas Aquinas calls curiositas a vice that is opposed to the virtue of studiositas, or studiousness. In this episode of Bonus Points, we'll see what Aquinas says about curiosity and why it is a vice. More importantly, we'll talk about how to cultivate the virtue of studiousness.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
St. Teresa of Avila famously prayed, "from sour-faced saints, Lord, deliver us!" St. Thomas Aquinas not only called mirth a virtue, but said that a lack of mirth is a sin. In this episode of Bonus Points, we'll consider humor and jokes from a theological perspective. We'll see what Aquinas says about the virtue of humor, and look at some examples of Jesus' sense of humor. Finally, we'll ask a few questions about the moral implications of jokes. This will be a good one, no joke.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
God doesn't just want us to rest, he commands us to rest. But rest is a challenge for many of us. Genuine recreation can be difficult, especially when it is far more tempting to turn off our brains in front of a screen. In today's episode of Bonus Points, we'll talk about the biblical command to rest and how we can live it out in our own lives.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Like it or not, work is a necessary part of life. But is it all bad? In this episode of Bonus Points, we'll compare common attitudes toward work with the Catholic Christian worldview. In the biblical understanding, work is neither an evil to be avoided nor the source of your worth. Rather, it is a way of being a co-creator with God, and a way of sanctifying the everyday.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Sometimes, we think of the saints as superheroes: they live among us mere mortals for a time, but they're not really like us. It's easy to forget that the saints were people too, and they didn't always get it right. Today on Bonus Points, we're looking at four saints and blesseds who strayed very far from the life of virtue before experiencing a conversion. Remember: being a saint is about where you end up, not where you begin.
On today's episode:
- St. Augustine, the famous prodigal whose mother prayed so hard for his conversion, she became a saint, too.
- Blessed Carino, the assassin who martyred St. Peter Martyr.
- St. Moses the Ethiopian, an infamous murderer and gang-leader who became a monk.
- Blessed Bartolo Longo, former satanic priest.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
The world of Catholic liturgy can get complicated, especially when there are all sorts of unique objects with strange names. Today, we're talking about some of the most unique and the strangest. You probably won't see these at Mass on Sunday (but you might).
In this episode of Bonus Points, learn about:
- The maniple, a forgotten armband vestment
- The crotalus, a liturgical noisemaker
- The fistula, the Eucharistic straw
- The penitential wand, a stick used to complete a pilgrimage
- Liturgical pincers and other unique Eucharist delivery devices
UPDATE: A few hours after I recorded this episode, I found a great article about the penitential wand on Liturgical Arts Journal. Check out the link in the show notes for a more thorough historical background.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
The Book of Psalms, also called the Psalter, is one of the most important collections in human history. For centuries, it has been the prayer book of Israel and the Church. At 150 psalm-chapters, it is the longest book of the Bible. It also appears in the Mass more than any other, with nearly every Mass containing most or all of a psalm. In this episode of Bonus Points, we'll talk about how to incorporate the psalms into your prayer life.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
I love the start of the school year, and it's so exciting to be back in the classroom with my students. I also get the chance to meet some new ones and welcome them to our community. On this bonus episode of Bonus Points, I'll share a little bit about what's new in my professional life this year. This episode is also a great introduction for new listeners, because I talk about what this podcast is all about.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
It is likely that, at this very moment, somebody in the world is praying the Liturgy of the Hours. This ancient prayer forms the backbone of daily life in a monastery and is prayed by priests, religious, and many laypeople. In this episode of Bonus Points, we'll talk about where the Liturgy of the Hours (or Divine Office) comes from, how it works, and why you should consider adding it to your prayer routine.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
This week on Bonus Points, it's time for more questions from you, the listener. We'll talk about conspiracy theories in general, as well as a few Catholic ones. I wasn't trying to make an episode with mostly conspiracy theories, it just happened that way. Maybe it was a conspiracy.
Questions:
- What do you think of conspiracy theories, and do you believe any of them?
- What's in the Vatican Secret Archives?
- Was Jesus married to Mary Magdalene?
- What's the deal with indulgences?
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Every summer, thousands of young people attend a Steubenville Youth Conference and encounter the Lord in a powerful way. On this episode of Bonus Points, Mrs. Astle joins me to talk about our experience at one of the main campus conferences earlier this summer.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
All statistics indicate that anxiety disorders are more prevalent now than ever before. In this episode of Bonus Points, occupational therapist Valerie Allard joins us to talk about a Catholic Christian approach to generalized anxiety disorder. Whether you experience anxiety or interact with those who do, you won't want to miss this one!
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
For hundreds of years, the Pope has been protected by an elite Swiss military unit known as the Swiss Guards. In this episode of Bonus Points, we'll talk about how "the world's smallest army" was formed, the famous Last Stand of the Swiss Guard, and how guardsmen are trained today. Trust me, they're more than just the funny uniform.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
When studying any piece of literature, one of the first questions you have to ask is "What's the genre?" After all, a history book and a fairy tale should be read very differently. This applies to the Gospels, too. Are they meant to be read as legends? Nuggets of wisdom framed on a (mostly unimportant) story? In this first-ever "Guest Speaker" episode of Bonus Points, I'm joined by Jonathan Allard as we discuss how we can know the genre of the Gospels.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
It seems like no matter where you're from or what you do for a living, there is some saint in heaven who is especially looking out for you. We call them patron saints, and there seems to be one for just about everything, from lost items and lawyers to whales and Wales. In this episode of Bonus Points, we'll talk about where the Catholic custom of naming patron saints originated and how a saint is named as a patron. Then, we'll look at a collection of odd and interesting patron saints, including:
-Disappointed mothers (St. Monica)
-Ugly people and coffee (St. Drogo)
-Headaches (St. Denis of Paris)
-Pilots (St. Joseph of Cupertino and Our Lady of Loreto)
-TV (St. Clare)
-The Internet (St. Isidore of Seville)
And, as a bonus, we'll talk about how St. Anthony became the famous patron of lost items.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Let's face it, the Bible is not always easy to understand. Even a passage that seems straightforward on the surface often has many layers of deeper meaning. How can we go deeper with our reading of Scripture, and how do we know whether an interpretation is good? That's what we're talking about on this episode of Bonus Points
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Lectio Divina ("Sacred Reading") is an ancient way of praying with the Bible. In today's episode of Bonus Points, we're going through the steps of Lectio Divina and talking about how to prayerfully hear and respond to God's Word.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
We all know some Bible stories, but do we know THE story? In today's episode of Bonus Points, we're summarizing the main plot of Sacred Scripture. Spoiler alert: It's a love story.
Today's episode is on the longer side, but when you consider that we're summarizing a 1,500 page book...well, 40 minutes is still a pretty good deal.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Most of us know that we should be reading the Bible more...but if you've ever picked it up and tried, you know that this isn't always easy. In today's episode of Bonus Points, we're beginning a new series on how to start reading Sacred Scripture. We'll start with "What is the Bible?" and why we should read it. In future episodes, we'll get a "bird's eye view" of the story, talk about how to pray with Scripture, and give some practical advice about understanding and interpreting what you read.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Most Catholics accept Pope Francis, formerly known as Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio, as the legitimate pope. But if you ask a (very) selective group in Kansas, they’ll tell you that it’s really Pope Michael, formerly known as Dave.
Is Pope Michael the real pope? Short answer: No.
Long answer: Nooooooooooo.
Find out more in this episode of Bonus Points.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Since I started this show, no topic has been suggested as frequently as this one. Do the movies get it right when they depict exorcisms? Are demons real? What can they do to us and what can we do to them? In this episode of Bonus Points, we talk about how demons interact with us and what we can do to fight back.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Ben Kenobi may have said, "Trust your feelings," but should you? Jedi philosophy has a lot to say about emotions and attachments, and in this episode of Bonus Points, we'll see how that compares with the Catholic approach. This is part three in our "Star Wars & Spirituality" series; check out episodes 004 and 009 for the first two parts.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
It is simple, yet profound. It is a way of simultaneously calling upon the powerful name of Jesus and obeying St. Paul's command to "pray without ceasing." I'm referring, of course, to the Jesus Prayer. A classic from the Byzantine world, there is something here for everybody. In this episode of Bonus Points, we talk about what the Jesus Prayer is, where it comes from, and how to do it.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Since the Early Church, we have always venerated the physical remains of the saints. In this episode of Bonus Points, we'll talk about why we venerate relics, where they come from, and how we know that they're real. This is going to be a real first-class episode, no bones about it.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Four episodes in one week!? It must be a special occasion: the Sacred Paschal Triduum! There's so much that happens during our liturgies this week, and a lot of it is only seen once a year. On this episode of Bonus Points, we will go through Holy Saturday's Easter Vigil with a missal in hand and talk about some of the unique elements.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Welcome to the Sacred Paschal Triduum, the most sacred season of the liturgical year. There's so much that happens during our liturgies this week, and a lot of it is only seen once a year. On this episode of Bonus Points, we will go through Holy Thursday and Good Friday with a missal in hand and talk about some of the unique elements.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Since January, I have been participating in Exodus 90, a ninety-day spiritual exercise for men. Fasting, cold showers, holy hours, and more...it's a tough (but good) three months! As the 90 days draw to a close, I reflect on how my experience has been and which of the disciplines gave me the most trouble. It's another Bonus Points bonus episode!
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
This week, I'm answering more questions submitted by you, the listener. Which apostle would I want with me in a fight? What's the deal with aliens? Find out the answers to these questions and more on this episode of Bonus Points!
Questions:
- What is the best Star Wars movie?
- Which apostle would you like to have with you in a fight?
- What is your opinion on Christianity in the Lorax cinematic universe?
- Do you believe that God created aliens along with us on earth?
- If we knew that intelligent aliens existed, would this disprove Catholicism?
- Why do we call them the pearly gates?
- Could an angel possess somebody the way a demon does?
- Did St. Peter die by being crucified upside-down?
- Does the Bible mention dinosaurs?
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
How do you make a saint? In this episode of Bonus Points, we'll walk through the process of canonization, from the opening of the cause to the honors of the altar. Why is a miracle required, and how do we know it was a real miracle? Find out in this second episode of a series on the communion of saints.
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Catholics are known for having a strong devotion to the saints, but is this a good thing? In this episode of Bonus Points, we talk about why Christians should not be afraid to pray to the saints and how to grow your own devotion to the heroes who have gone before us. This is the first episode of a series on the communion of saints!
Website: https://www.BonusPointsPodcast.com
Scripture doesn't tell us much about Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. He's more of the "strong, silent" type. But what can we know about him? That's the question on today's episode of Bonus Points.
Website: https://www.bonuspointspodcast.com
A Bonus Points bonus episode! Over spring break, I went on a silent retreat, and I can’t wait to tell you what it’s like. Website: BonusPointsPodcast.com
This is getting out of hand. Now there are two of them! Two episodes of Star Wars & Spirituality, that is. In this episode of Bonus Points, we’re finding similarities between Revenge of the Sith and Genesis 3. We’ll also see what Anakin’s fall can tell us about all sin.
Make sure you check out Christ-Centered Life, a new podcast from my good friends Mark and Kendra.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyzlb1ABT-ShV0gtvazeIfg
Website: https://www.bonuspointspodcast.com
Today, I’m answering questions submitted by listeners. Can you smack your guardian angel? Did Jesus have any siblings? Can you smack the pope? Tune in and find out!
Questions:
- Would it be considered worse to worship a false god or no god?
- What would happen if you accidentally smacked your guardian angel? (And could your guardian angel smack you?)
- Did Jesus have any biological brothers or sisters?
- What would happen if the pope committed a crime?
- What would happen if you slapped the pope?
The Catholic world includes an incredible diversity of approaches to the spiritual life, and every religious community has their own unique focus and personality. Today, we’re looking at one of my favorites. They’re prayer pros. They’re contenders at contemplation. They’re Carmelites.
The original title of this episode was We Talk About Encanto. It was supposed to be a play on "We Don't Talk About Bruno" but it felt like a stretch. Anyway, in this episode, we talk about Encanto. (Credit for the final title of this episode goes to my wife, who is much smarter than I am.)
Sometimes we become so familiar with certain Bible stories that we have no idea how much is waiting beneath the surface. Today, we’re going to find references to ALL 7 Catholic sacraments by going deeper with a few familiar passages from John’s Gospel.
What does a Jedi have in common with a monk? It's not a joke, it's the topic of today's episode! We'll also compare the Force with the Holy Spirit in this first episode in our series on Star Wars.
Most believers recognize that prayer is important, but few would say that they’re good at it. Today, we talk about how to form a prayer habit and take your prayer to the next level.
In this episode, we're looking at one of my favorite movies: Jurassic Park. This movie raises a few interesting theological questions, like whether it is morally acceptable to clone dinosaurs. We'll also talk about whether dinosaurs are kosher under the Law of Moses, and more!
What is this show and why should you care? Those are the questions for this first, introductory episode of Bonus Points.