Joy In Truth: Recent Episodes
Deacon Frederick Bartels
In the spirit of the New Evangelization, Joy In Truth podcasts cover a variety of topics of interest, and seek to infuse culture with the truth and saving power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Is “once saved, always saved,” also known as “eternal security” biblical? Where and with whom did this doctrine first originate? Is it found in the early Church, in apostolic tradition, or the Church Fathers? Are there any dangers in believing in this doctrine? In this episode, those questions and more will be examined. Stay tuned! […]
This episode briefly explores the gift of human freedom, including some of the ways in which it is abused and pushed passed its limits, such as with situation ethics. William of Oakham was a notable figure whose philosophy undermined a proper understanding of human freedom and how it’s used. Freedom is not the power to […]
The antidote to Satan’s domination and nefarious influence is Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Receiving the saving sacraments, meditating on Scripture, prayer, living a life of virtue, and otherwise living the Catholic life—these are the only solutions.
What was Jonah about? Why did Jonah not want to go to Nineveh? Why was he angry when Nineveh repented of its sins and God had mercy on its inhabitants?
Where is God’s hand in COVID-19? With the eyes of faith, we discover it in many places and in many ways. In fact, there’s no part of this pandemic in which God is absent. Not anywhere.
Where is God’s hand in COVID-19? With the eyes of faith, we discover it in many places and in many ways. In fact, there’s no part of this pandemic in which God is absent. Not anywhere.
In celebrating Palm Sunday, often called Passion Sunday, we commemorate our Lord's entry into Jerusalem to undergo his passion and death by crucifixion.
In celebrating Palm Sunday, often called Passion Sunday, we commemorate our Lord's entry into Jerusalem to undergo his passion and death by crucifixion.
St. Paul declares that Christians rejoice in their suffering. Wait. Rejoice in suffering? How’s that possible, and what does it mean in these uncertain times of pandemic?
St. Paul declares that Christians rejoice in their suffering. Wait. Rejoice in suffering? How’s that possible, and what does it mean in these uncertain times of pandemic?
We live in trying times. Mass is closed to the faithful. People are suffering in various ways. What is God’s providence, and where does it fit into all this?
We live in trying times. Mass is closed to the faithful. People are suffering in various ways. What is God’s providence, and where does it fit into all this?
Many Catholics and other Christians have questions in terms of fasting and abstinence during Lent. Is fasting important? Is it required? Is it spiritually beneficial? And what's abstinence all about?
Many Catholics and other Christians have questions in terms of fasting and abstinence during Lent. Is fasting important? Is it required? Is it spiritually beneficial? And what's abstinence all about?
Many Catholics and other Christians no longer believe the devil is a real, personal and spiritual being—a fallen angel. Which is all to Satan's advantage.
Many Catholics and other Christians no longer believe the devil is a real, personal and spiritual being—a fallen angel. Which is all to Satan's advantage.
Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden was recently denied Holy Communion by Fr. Robert Morey for obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin.
Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden was recently denied Holy Communion by Fr. Robert Morey for obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke’s gospel is the most famous parable of all time. Why? Because it’s one of the greatest love stories of all time. But it’s not all roses. It’s also a story about broken hearts and rebellious, broken sons. It’s a story that teaches we must never think God to be a permissive, unjust Father. It’s a story that reminds us we must never presume on salvation and glory without merit and a full return to the arms of God.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke’s gospel is the most famous parable of all time. Why? Because it’s one of the greatest love stories of all time. But it’s not all roses. It’s also a story about broken hearts and rebellious, broken sons. It’s a story that teaches we must never think God to be a permissive, unjust Father. It’s a story that reminds us we must never presume on salvation and glory without merit and a full return to the arms of God.
Fasting and abstinence offer many spiritual benefits. What does it mean to fast and abstain from flesh meat during the season of lent for Catholics? Is it beneficial? What's involved? Are Catholics obligated to do these things?
Fasting and abstinence offer many spiritual benefits. What does it mean to fast and abstain from flesh meat during the season of lent for Catholics? Is it beneficial? What's involved? Are Catholics obligated to do these things?
At all times and places, God labors to draw you to himself. Are you aware of God’s presence? The prophet Hosea gives a beautiful description of the gracious mercy and compassion of God, who allures his fallen people to himself by speaking to their hearts with words of love.
At all times and places, God labors to draw you to himself. Are you aware of God’s presence? The prophet Hosea gives a beautiful description of the gracious mercy and compassion of God, who allures his fallen people to himself by speaking to their hearts with words of love.
When Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed,” he emphasized the importance of the virtue of faith. Through faith, we seek Whom we cannot see and enter into a personal relationship with Jesus. It’s about getting to know who he really is. Doing so requires reaching out in self-entrustment.
When Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed,” he emphasized the importance of the virtue of faith. Through faith, we seek Whom we cannot see and enter into a personal relationship with Jesus. It’s about getting to know who he really is. Doing so requires reaching out in self-entrustment.
What do you have to do with Jesus of Nazareth? This podcast, recorded after Palm Sunday, explores the importance of Jesus' saving passion, death, burial, and resurrection in your life.
What do you have to do with Jesus of Nazareth? This podcast, recorded after Palm Sunday, explores the importance of Jesus' saving passion, death, burial, and resurrection in your life.
This podcast discusses the reality and nature of the Catholic Church as a holy and pure mother who brings the members of Christ's body into being through her words of truth and sacraments of life.
This podcast discusses the reality and nature of the Catholic Church as a holy and pure mother who brings the members of Christ's body into being through her words of truth and sacraments of life.
This podcast explores the first discipline of Lent: prayer. It discusses the first degree of prayer in the Catholic spiritual tradition, the way of beginners, aka., the purgative stage. St. Teresa of Avila, the great Doctor of Prayer, utilizes an analogy of a garden in order to illustrate how to advance in prayer and the love of God.
This podcast explores the first discipline of Lent: prayer. It discusses the first degree of prayer in the Catholic spiritual tradition, the way of beginners, aka., the purgative stage. St. Teresa of Avila, the great Doctor of Prayer, utilizes an analogy of a garden in order to illustrate how to advance in prayer and the love of God.
Holy Trinity Sunday. God is one and God is Three. One God, who is three Divine Persons. Explore the Catholic dogma of the Holy Trinity, the foundation of the Christian divine faith, and the temporal mission of God by which the incarnate Son is sent into the world in order to rescue man from his sins.
Holy Trinity Sunday. God is one and God is Three. One God, who is three Divine Persons. Explore the Catholic dogma of the Holy Trinity, the foundation of the Christian divine faith, and the temporal mission of God by which the incarnate Son is sent into the world in order to rescue man from his sins.
As part of a university course project I’m involved in which entails presenting the Catholic and Christian faith in the modern world, I recently took a trip down to the local university here in town and interviewed some of the students there. I interviewed eight people whose religious beliefs were quite diverse.
As part of a university course project I’m involved in which entails presenting the Catholic and Christian faith in the modern world, I recently took a trip down to the local university here in town and interviewed some of the students there. I interviewed eight people whose religious beliefs were quite diverse.
On Good Friday of the Lord's Passion, some of the priests and deacons in the area of my local parish were asked to give meditations on the seven last words of Christ. I was asked to give my meditation on Christ's second last word: "Today you will be with me in paradise." The following podcast is a reconstruction of that meditation.
On Good Friday of the Lord's Passion, some of the priests and deacons in the area of my local parish were asked to give meditations on the seven last words of Christ. I was asked to give my meditation on Christ's second last word: "Today you will be with me in paradise." The following podcast is a reconstruction of that meditation.
Our gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Lent is taken from John 11:1-45. It’s a very beautiful gospel, rich in meaning and filled with a number of wonderful elements. Its main thrust is the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This podcast focuses on the words of Jesus Christ given to Martha, Lazarus's sister, in the context of the general resurrection: "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" What will take place at the general resurrection of the dead? What will the glorified body the followers of Christ receive be like?
Our gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Lent is taken from John 11:1-45. It’s a very beautiful gospel, rich in meaning and filled with a number of wonderful elements. Its main thrust is the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This podcast focuses on the words of Jesus Christ given to Martha, Lazarus's sister, in the context of the general resurrection: "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" What will take place at the general resurrection of the dead? What will the glorified body the followers of Christ receive be like?
The question of whether we have a personal relationship with Jesus is a valid and important question, not just for Catholics but for every person on the face of the earth. How do we develop this essential relationship with the incarnate Son of God? What are some of the marks of such a relationship? This podcast takes a look at this question in reference to the gospel proclaimed on the 4th Sunday of Lent, taken from John Chapter 9.
The question of whether we have a personal relationship with Jesus is a valid and important question, not just for Catholics but for every person on the face of the earth. How do we develop this essential relationship with the incarnate Son of God? What are some of the marks of such a relationship? This podcast takes a look at this question in reference to the gospel proclaimed on the 4th Sunday of Lent, taken from John Chapter 9.
The podcast below explores the gospel passage from Luke 6:36-38, on judging others, specifically the way v. 37 is misunderstood, misquoted and misused: "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven."
The podcast below explores the gospel passage from Luke 6:36-38, on judging others, specifically the way v. 37 is misunderstood, misquoted and misused: "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven."
The ancient practice of fasting is often set aside today, viewed as unimportant. If it is undertaken at all, it is often done for purely physical benefits. As important as that is, more important is the spiritual benefits of fasting as an act of penance, as well as an act of voluntary suffering engaged for the love of God over self.
The ancient practice of fasting is often set aside today, viewed as unimportant. If it is undertaken at all, it is often done for purely physical benefits. As important as that is, more important is the spiritual benefits of fasting as an act of penance, as well as an act of voluntary suffering engaged for the love of God over self.
This podcast is based on the gospel for March 9, 2017. The message is the importance of seeking to know who Christ really is, in order to enter into intimate communion with him, rather than seeking extraordinary signs, such as those found in private revelations and perhaps miraculous events.
This podcast is based on the gospel for March 9, 2017. The message is the importance of seeking to know who Christ really is, in order to enter into intimate communion with him, rather than seeking extraordinary signs, such as those found in private revelations and perhaps miraculous events.