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Better Bad Ideas with Sean O'BrienSean Takes On Your Questions! | Better Bad Ideas w/Sean O'Brien | Ep. 44This week Sean answers your questions! Special thanks to our Launch Sponsor, Keches Law Group! Visit https://www.KechesLaw.com for your legal needs.
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Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:58 - Government Shutdown
08:18 - UPS Plane Crash
11:50 - Biggest Obstacle To Organizing The Next...
2025-11-191h 02
Deep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastWow. I wrote a novel! Plus, I think it's worth reading!Send us a textHoly smokes, my friends, I wrote a book! "A Brave New Algorithm" by Sean O'BrienYou can find it on Amazon and Walmart's website. Give it a good rating!In this episode, you'll hear the story behind it, the writing process, what challenged me and fascinated me, and why I think it is awesome!
2024-06-1221 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastEmmaus Bible Study #2: The Lamb of God (Old and New Testament Fulfillment!)Send us a textWe took a super deep dive into the scriptural roots of Jesus as the Lamb of God. Super cool stuff! Here are our passages we looked at.Old Testament:1) Genesis 22: 1-192) Exodus 12: 3-13, 463) Leviticus 16: 4-10; 20-234) Isaiah 53: 4-7New Testament:1) The Last Supper and Passion narratives2) 1 Cor 5:7-83) Revelation 5:5-10; 19:6-9; 22:1-5And the bonus for checking out Abraham and Isaac and how that foreshadows Jesus: https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/abrahams-sacrifice-of-isaac-origen/
2022-05-2444 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastEmmaus Bible Study #1: Jesus, the Light of the World (foreshadowing and fulfillment)Send us a textHere's some great stuff. These Road to Emmaus Teachings have four layers: OT figures and prophesies, New Testament fulfillment in Jesus, Jesus in the living prayer of the Church today, and what it means in our life.The biblical citations are:Gen 1:1-5Exodus 13:21-22Isaiah 49:6 (also 42:6 and 60:1 are relevant)John 1:1-9Luke 2:29-32John 8:12 (and John 9)Revelation 21:22-25
2022-05-1738 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSacraments #7: Are the Sacraments Necessary? We need some key distinctions!!!Send us a textAre they necessary? Absolutely!There are three kinds of necessity:1) Absolute2) Relative3) By PreceptEnjoy!
2022-05-1039 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSacraments #6: Sacraments of Initiation and...Restored Order?Send us a textHowdy ya'll! I talk about the Sacraments of Initiation today (Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion). There is some basic theology here, along with some pastoral experiences. With the question of restored order (putting Confirmation before First Holy Communion), the fact that Confirmation provides the basic capacity for perfect spiritual activity leads me to like the idea of doing Confirmation before the most perfect spiritual activity (reception of Holy Communion). I don't think it's a complicated argument, and certainly we have many cultural complications.
2022-05-0132 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastDo you have a problem with authority? With trust? Our current cultural crisisSend us a textI dive into what is authority and what is trust. Authority is something that comes from God and is part of being human...in the home...in the community...in the Church. But what happens when we can't trust those people that are there? There are no simple solutions, but maybe this can help us take some solid steps forward.
2022-04-1930 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSacraments #5: How to make the sacraments powerful in your lifeSend us a textThe sacraments are done by the doing (ex opere operato), but that doesn't mean you're going to experience the change. We must dispose ourselves. We should (1) have faith, (2) repent, and (3) be filled with eager desire. And the more intensity we bring to that, the great will be our disposition be. The sneaky bit is that any intensity that we can must up is already a gift from the Lord! Therefore, we would do good to ask for that gift.
2022-04-1932 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSpecial Edition!!! A Holy Week Reflection on a Pilgrimage to the Holy LandSend us a textI had the marvelous opportunity to visit the Holy Land recently, and I want to share it! I think this can transform your prayers this week by making it seem all the more tangible. May we more deeply enter into the liturgies of Holy Week in order to be united in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ, that is, His Death and Resurrection.
2022-04-1147 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSacraments #4: Effective Sources of Grace: Can something spiritual come from something physical?Send us a text
2022-04-0534 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSacraments #3: Did the Sacraments come from Jesus or the Church?Send us a textWe firmly believe that Jesus instituted and promulgated the seven sacraments. We have the witness of Sacred Scripture that I highlight, and this can give us great confidence. We receive this also unabashedly from Sacred Tradition.
2022-03-2933 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSacraments #2: the Relevance of the Sacred Sign of Each SacramentSend us a textThere's too much detail for each of the seven sacraments to give a summary....with the exception of the distinction between form and matter. Matter is the physical stuff of anything, and form is the shape in which it is. A statue has the matter of clay or marble, while the form is that of a human body. The sacraments have something like that in each case. There is the tangible thing that is brought to the sacramental ceremony (water, oil, bread, wine), and then there are the words of the mini...
2022-03-2234 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSacraments #1: What are they? Why do we have them?Send us a textWe look at the definition of a sacrament: (1) a sacred sign (2) instituted by Christ (3) to efficaciously give grace (4) and so build up the Church. Each dimension is essential.There are three parts of all the sacraments: the "sacrramentum" (the visible sacrament that the Church celebrates), the "res" (the inner grace that is put into the soul), and the "res et sacramentum" (the enduring element of the sacrament that allows the grace to be accessed in the future).The sacraments are fitting because of two primary reason (among others):1) G...
2022-03-1531 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastThe Mass Part 3: How to Best Pray at MassSend us a textThis is my favorite in the series: how to pray at the Mass! Ready to have your life transformed? Well, tune in. This is something that totally rocked my world, but it wasn't part of my catechesis as a kid--nor in my bachelor's degree in theology! But it's super relevant so that when we're at Mass, we're giving God our best.
2022-03-0831 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastThe Mass Part 2: Why Do I Have to Go to Mass on Sunday?Send us a textWhy do we have to go to Mass on Sunday? Well, it's so good, and shouldn't we do good things? A deeper answer looks at our duties and responsibilities towards God: just as we owe our parents care and support for their care and support for us when we were most vulnerable, so we owe God our everything (thanks, praise, etc.) since without Him, we're jack squat. We have a duty to return to Him a sacrifice of thanks and praise. Not to mention, it is the universal experience of the early Church. We pr...
2022-03-0725 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastThe Mass Part 1: Why do we have the Mass?Send us a textWe are hoping the pandemic is nearing its conclusion with the vaccine rolling out in force, so it is fitting to ask a few questions. Why do have the Mass at all? Well, Jesus said "Do this in remembrance of me." But it is also fitting for God to give it to us as a continuation of His Presence, of His Sacrifice, and of His Communion with us. Plus, it's fitting for us because we are physical and social creatures, and that's how we do important things: in a physical and social way.
2022-03-0617 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastUkraine, Peace, and Our Lady of FatimaSend us a textThis is kind of where we're at, as we hope that we can be peacemakers at home and abroad.
2022-03-0532 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastMy Personal Best Lent Ever, plus some tipsSend us a textHere I share my own testimony, and then breakdown what Lent is Scripturally and how to dive into it.
2022-02-2527 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Romans #7: Conclusion--Bodies as Living Sacrifice; Be transformed by the renewal of your mindsSend us a textSo I cheated a little. It's not so much as a commentary on all these chapters (primarily since they are a smattering of many moral nuggets). Instead, I focused in on TWO verses! Romans 12:1-2 "I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,"
2022-02-1635 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Romans #6: Salvation and the Jewish People--How's that work?Send us a textWe dive into what St. Paul talks about regarding the Jewish people and the coming of Jesus Christ. The covenant and the promises, etc. were given to the Jews to prepare them for Jesus, but what if they miss Jesus? St. Paul writes in his sorrow that they still have a special place in salvation history and all they have to do is be received by the Lord.
2022-02-0830 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Romans #5: Baptism, the Existential Fight, the Holy Spirit... Take down of "Once saved, always saved."Send us a textHowdy ya'll. We dive into chapters 6-8. Chapter 6 talks about our entrance into Christ's death and resurrection through Baptism. Chapter 7 address our fight for the fulfillment of our sanctification (flesh vs spirit, the power of sin, Paul's own battle). Chapter 8 gets into the fulfillment of all this in glorification, in our sonship, in reception of the Holy Spirit...our glorification even through suffering!Some people use the end of chapter 8 to claim "once saved, always saved." This attitude takes it out of context, simply because we know of the real fight there...
2022-02-0132 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Romans #4: Hot Topics! Justification? By faith alone? Faith and work?Send us a textI love this stuff. Here, we take a deeper look at chapters 4 and 5. St. Paul unwinds what is meant by justification and discusses the importance of faith for justification. It's important to look at his example of our Father in Faith, Abraham, as well as the parallel between the Old Adam and the New Adam, who is Jesus Christ. By justification, we pass from the slavery, sin, and death of the Old Adam to the freedom, grace, and life of Jesus Christ. I love this stuff.
2022-01-2535 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Romans #3: The Core of the Gospel ProclamationSend us a textHere we take a deep dive into Romans 3:21-26. In many way, this is the everything. It is beautiful in its simplicity (we are justified in Jesus redemption by faith) and really awesome in its theological exploration of what is meant by redemption, expiation, justification, faith, etc.
2022-01-1832 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Romans #2: The Universality of SinSend us a textHere, we walk through the next chunk of St. Paul (1:18-3:20). Both gentiles and Jews are equally accountable for their lack of covenantal fidelity, gentiles in accord with the revelation of God's presence and decrees as observable in nature, Jews in accordance with the Law received by Moses. In the face of God's righteousness (covenantal fidelity), our infidelity is not negligible. God help us! And indeed He does. We'll get into that in #3.
2022-01-1136 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Romans #1: The Gospel as the Power of God for SalvationSend us a textWe are starting a new commentary! The Gospel is the power of God for salvation. With some introductory comments, I then get into Paul's zeal for his Gospel mission. I define the righteousness of God as His covenantal fidelity. I explain more about the definition of the Gospel, as well. God bless!
2022-01-0433 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastVirtues: Charity for the Kingdom!Send us a textI love this stuff. It's all about love! And charity is the chief of the virtues. I walk through defining charity, and then I do a step by step commentary on "Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. That is love God with all your intentions, with your passions, with your mind, and with all your outward actions.
2021-12-2831 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastChristmas with St JosephSend us a textIn honor of the year dedicated to Saint joseph, I give a reflection on his point of view of the mystery of the birth of Jesus Christ and some of the things we can do to imitate his virtues that he expressed at that time. Many blessings to each of you and may Saint Joseph intercede on our behalf!
2021-12-2226 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastVirtues: Hope for the KingdomSend us a textHere in this episode of hope, I address hope as desire for the Kingdom of God and a reliance on God's help. That means we have to lean away from presumption, pelagianism, and despair. It's easy to think "I'm a good person. I don't need God." But it's wrong. We need God's help, and he's very ready to provide it!
2021-12-2028 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastVirtues: Faith for the Kingdom!Send us a textHere we dive into faith and reflect on Abraham our Father in Faith who exemplified "the obedience of faith" that St. Paul talked about. In our crisis of faith, we must hold fast to these two dimensions: trust and obedience.
2021-12-1431 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastWokeism Meets Jesus: How should Christians make sense of being "woke"?Send us a textWokeism is a bad word for some; for others, it's salvation. What about for Christians. We need to use our brains to see how the God-given worldview helps us to interpret this new, secular movement.
2021-12-0731 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastVirtues: Temperance for the KingdomSend us a textWe talk about temperance, the habitual disposition to moderate our passions and impulses. The fruit of temperance is serenity. We have so many impulses that we need to control: food, sex, domineering attitudes, shopping, rest, work, social media...not to mention any addictions.
2021-12-0732 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastVirtues: Justice for the KingdomSend us a textWe dive into justice today. Justice is the firm disposition to give to God or someone their due. It can be either the justice of exchange (the swapping of goods or services), distributive justice (the sharing of the community goods with the individual), or the justice that "gives back" (when we give our duty to the whole--I called this retributive just...but it's not! Sorry!).
2021-11-3032 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastVirtues: Fortitude for the KingomSend us a textWe dive into a little catechesis on fortitude! Fortitude is the habitual disposition to withstand any obstacles. It must be done prudently recognizing any fear but not being a slave to it. It can be expressed either as patience, as someone just has to withstand the obstacles that are coming at the person, or as courage, we someone walks forward in the good despite the obstacles that it will entail.
2021-11-2333 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastVirtues: Prudence for the Kingdom of GodSend us a textPrudence is the use of right reason to direct our actions. It identifies the way to get there. It identifies the golden mean between extremes. It commands virtuous actions like a charioteer. It includes deliberation (not acting rashly), judgment (not waiting for ever or using the wisdom of the world), and execution of the decision (which is aided by the other virtues, otherwise it's just a pretty intention).We get there by:1) Seeking advice2) Knowing the purpose of life and how to get there3) Deliberating decisions4) Waiting for...
2021-11-1631 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastNew Series! Introduction to the Virtues: What is the purpose of life?Send us a textWe walk through the Nichomachean Ethics of Aristotle and look step by step at his thought process of noting that (1) each craft has an end, (2) there are minor crafts that serve greater crafts, (3) there is a craft, an art, a "know-how" above all things to which all other crafts are directed, (4) this is called happiness, or human flourishing, (5) to understand it better, we need to know what is unique about human beings, (6) human beings have parts of the soul that are shared by plants and animals, but the rational part highlights our unique...
2021-11-0930 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastThoughts and Observations of a New PastorSend us a textJust thinking some things through out loud.
2021-10-2629 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastFiscal Policy Meets Jesus: Ethics Regarding Inflation, Labor Issues, National SpendingSend us a textIt's relevant here. Check this out for clear thinking based on Gospel values regarding our current national situation.
2021-10-1959 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastCapital Sins: Greed and GluttonySend us a textWe dive in again for a discussion on these two capital sins, which I believe are both leveraged by consumerism. Buy more! Do more! Consume more! Eat more! And so on. But let us prepare ourselves to be victors on Earth so that we may arrive in Heaven! We'll look at the background for these sins and also some tips to avoid them.
2021-10-1237 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastCapital Sins: Anger and EnvySend us a textThanks for tuning in again. We shift gears to address how we can bolster up our defenses against the wickedness and snares of the devil, and work for a deeper victory for Christ allowing is Kingdom to take deeper root.In this episode, I talk about anger and envy. We don't spend as much time with these sins, but these sins are much more the cause of division and injury so often. Let's look into these so that we can conquer them with the help of God.
2021-10-0525 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastCapital Sins: Lust and SlothSend us a textThanks for tuning in again. We shift gears to address how we can bolster up our defenses against the wickedness and snares of the devil, and work for a deeper victory for Christ allowing is Kingdom to take deeper root.In this episode, I address two of the greatest sins in our contemporary world. Lust seems to be the greatest manifestation of sin, while sloth seems to be the basic handle hold that Satan used to get a hold of us in our modern culture. Let us pursue chastity and diligence/dev...
2021-09-2833 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis Podcast(New Series!) Capital Sins: Our Predominant Fault and PrideSend us a textThanks for tuning in again. We shift gears to address how we can bolster up our defenses against the wickedness and snares of the devil, and work for a deeper victory for Christ allowing is Kingdom to take deeper root.In this episode, I introduce the topic by talking about what sin is and how helpful it is to identify our predominant fault. Then I address what pride is. It's much easy to pursue virtue with we are not clueless with how we might fail to get there!
2021-09-2132 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSaints for the New Evangelization: St. John Paul IISend us a textSt. John Paul II--the great promoter of the New Evangelization. He spoke of this new oomph in the church as evangelization as it continues to do what the Church has always done, but describes it as new because of new methods, new ardor, and expression. He lived this in beautiful ways, as well as established a solid intellectual backing for this from his position as a priest/bishop in Poland as well as from his position as the bishop of Rome. St. John Paul II, we love you! Pray for us!
2021-09-1429 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSaints for the New Evangelization: St. Therese the Little FlowerSend us a textWe have another round of Saints for the New Evangelization! I'm a big fan of St. Therese of Lisieux. She reminds us of the way of spiritual childhood, the way of trust and confidence in the God of love who only asks our love in return. She happens to be the co-patron of missions along with St. Francis Xavier. May we all share in her warmth, love, suffering, and grace which she re-invests in her love for the Lord.
2021-09-0733 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSaints for the New Evangelization: St. Philip NeriSend us a textSaint Philip Neri is the bomb. I love his oratory. I love how God put him at the center of the Church so God could work out a deeper reform. I love his depth of pastoral wisdom and guidance of souls. I love how he made himself radically available to people. Praise the Lord for him!
2021-08-3126 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSaints for the New Evangelization: St. Francis XavierSend us a textThree Saint Francis's, but for a good reason! They have a significant share in the charism of evangelization, and that's something we can all share in and adopt. St. Francis Xavier can inspire us to works of mercy, to prayer, to kindness, to apostolic zeal, and to poverty.
2021-08-2431 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSaints for the New Evangelization: St. Francis of AssisiSend us a textWe continue the series on St. Francis of Assis. He's so dang good! His conversion story is wonderful, and the inspiration that flows from his life is transformative: his poverty, his simplicity, his apostolic zeal, his rooting in the Church, his penitence, his prayer, his suffering, his happiness. May God raise up more like him!
2021-08-1737 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSaints for the New Evangelization: St. Francis de SalesSend us a textWe start a new series on saints that can inspire us and guide to enter into the New Evangelization. We've been given a great inheritance, and it's our task to soak it up and share it with others! St. Francis de Sales can inspire us to under the truth of the Catholic faith in relationship with our separated Protestant brothers and sisters, show us the importance of living holiness in our daily life, and highlight the absolute need for a heroic kindness and gentleness.
2021-08-1029 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastJohn Chapter 6: Moses, Miracles, and the Bread of Life (a good one)Send us a textI love this stuff. John 6 was soooo good. This draws on Moses' prophecy that there will be a prophet like him, and this chapter highlights that Jesus is precisely that profit.
2021-08-0331 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastChristian and Secular Social Justice: What's the Dif?Thanks for joining me on another episode! Justice is rendering to another their due, and since it is a relation of two people, it is necessarily social. I note the difference between these two forms of social justice, the secular and Christian, noting that they have different fruits, the fruits of the Spirit or the fruits of the flesh. I dive deeper into each of them, and come up with four practical ways to advance social justice in our day:1. Be superb listeners, outside of our bubble if at all possible.2. Find forums for dialogue--facebook is greatly ins...
2021-07-2735 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastMy Life as a New Pastor (the Inside Scoop)Send us a textHello everyone,Today, all is revealed. I don't have too much secret, but I don't have too many opportunities to share what might be very interesting to many people. Please say a little prayer for me!Fr. Sean
2021-07-2027 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 42-50 (Joseph Part II and the Summary of the Themes of Genesis!)We have arrived at the end, my brothers and sisters! Here are some of the major themes of Genesis:1) Creation--its order and goodness, what it reveals about God and humanity2) The covenant and promises, which reveal God's mercy and hope for the future3) The reality of sin, the consequences of sin, and the opportunity that God always has for those who repent.4) God directs all of history, and HE chooses the instruments that HE wants.5) Children are a gift from God6) Faith and trust in God, even prioritizing Him over f...
2021-07-1333 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 34-41 (2 Crazy Stories and the Story of Joseph Pt 1) ***INTRODUCING THE PODCAST'S NEW NAME ***We dive in again into Genesis to soak up some of this profound wisdom, looking at the story of Genesis, with also some crazy little stories
2021-07-0628 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 28-32 (Jacob's Return to Legitimacy)After Jacob cheated his brother multiple times, and having been cheated by his uncle and now brother-in-law, Jacob now returns to the land that was promised to him and his descendants, but he must confront his brother...and and mysterious angel.
2021-06-2933 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 22-27 (Lies and Cheats: Isaac, Esau and Jacob)We have some wild stories here about what God does, how He calls, and how He is faithful to His instruments of salvation, even if they're not so faithful. God writes straight with crooked lines.
2021-06-2235 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 20-22 (Abraham is Tested with Child Sacrifice)We have a good episode this week as we look closely at a few little episodes in the narrative, and then zoom in for a deeper investigation of the testing of Abraham, when God calls upon him to sacrifice his son, his only son, the son of promise, to God. You'll absorb the drama of the narrative, plus hear the foreshadowing of the Son of God who will be sacrificed.
2021-06-1529 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastCorpus Christi: How the Eucharist didn't change my life...until I discovered this truth that dynamized the Mass! (this is a good episode!)Send us a textFor 22 years of my life I went to Mass every Sunday and even daily Mass for a number of those years, but it didn't do anything for my spiritual life. The Mass wasn't the problem, my disposition was the problem. Listen to this episode to find out what totally changed it for me, and what I TRULY BELIEVE will change it for you and for the Church.
2021-06-0619 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 18-19 (Sodom and Gomorrah)We dive into the story here today. We hear about God's justice, God's mercy, the power and pattern of intercession, and always more on the incompatibility of evil with God's plan.
2021-06-0126 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 16-18 (Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar)This episode dives into the nitty gritty of how God bides his time for the opportune moment to Give Abram and Sarai a son...which is not quick enough for them. This is the story of their distrust, of Hagar's rise and fall and rise again, and the birth of Ishmael. We conclude with the hopeful laughter of Jacob and the doubtful laughter of Sarah, who will give birth to a son named Jacob, which means laughter.
2021-05-2525 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 12-15 (Melchizedek and Covenant--my favorite theme!)Send us a textWe dive into some of the great stories of Abram, of his sleazy sin, of his heroism for his nephew, for his generosity with God, and for the reception of the most important covenant. The covenant that was established is a particular favorite theme for me because it gives us the context and language to understand the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross and helps us to enter into the New Covenant with joyful sobriety.
2021-05-1834 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 11-12 (Babel and Intro to Abram)Send us a textWe dive into the story of the Tower of Babel where God leads people away from our pride and our tendencies towards uniformity. We also start to look at the story of Abram and we get into the three key dramas of the story of Abram and his family. They are the three promises of (1) land, (2) descendants, and (3) blessing.
2021-05-1131 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 6-10 (Noah and the Flod)Send us a textAgain, we dive deep into Genesis, this time looking into the epic story of Noah and the flood. Trivia question that might not be as easy as it looks: How many of each type of animal did Noah take on the ark?
2021-05-0432 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 4-5 (Cain and Abel)Send us a textHere, we dive deep into the story of Cain and Abel, and talk about some practical conclusions from the genealogies that we here after their story.
2021-04-2731 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 3 (Inherited Original Sin and the Problem of Evil)Send us a textThis episode is more of a theological reflection of some of the major questions that arise from the account of Adam and Eve's sin. I dive into what is Original Sin and some basic approaches to address what is commonly called "the Problem of Evil."
2021-04-2023 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 3 (Consequences of Sin)Send us a textAs a good father disciplines his children to keep them on the path of goodness, so we read how the Eternal Father disciplined Adam and Eve after their fall from original harmony. We see great signs of hope here, that God did not curse them, but gave them a path of return to right relationship with God.
2021-04-1335 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 3 (The Original Sin)Send us a textHere, we dive into the primordial sin of Adam and Eve. There is some good stuff that offers us some insights into temptation, to why we like to be tempted, and the immediate result of that sin.
2021-04-0633 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 2 (Creation of Adam and Eve)Send us a textThis week we begin with the question of how do we interpret the Bible when it contradicts itself, as it does here in the very first two chapters of Bible. Then, I have a little discussion on evolution and the Church's relationship to that. The latter half is comments on the creation of human beings in this second chapter. It's super good stuff. I love it all.
2021-03-3032 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 1 (Creation of Humanity in the Image of God)Send us a textHere we zoom into the creation of humankind as image of God.
2021-03-2324 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastComments on Genesis 1 (the cosmic order)Send us a textWe have a new series! I begin a commentary on Genesis since there is so much fundamental goodness and essential truth. The order of creation, the Word by which it was created, the goodness of all existence, and the consecration of time are all themes that we will take up.
2021-03-2028 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastFeast of St. Joseph HomilySend us a textWe honor this great and heroic man, who laid down his life in absolute discipleship for his son, not biological but more than foster son. Let us do him honor by imitating his virtue and calling upon his intercession.
2021-03-1909 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastEquality Act: What it is and Why it matterSend us a textThe Equality Act is knocking at the door step of the United States, and this will have a profound effect on the US and on those who agree. It may be well intentioned, but it will be the most significant violation of religious freedom in recent memory.1) We have universal human right because of our dignity that arises from our spiritual nature. Our spiritual nature puts us in relation with God, so we owe him our mind and will, our belief and our choices. Rights are what defend this primordial responsibility, the...
2021-03-1018 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis Podcast(From the Archives) The Mass *Bonus*: The Mass through the Lens of HeavenSend us a textThis was the most influential thing for me in learning how to pray. A priest in seminary gave us seminarians the script of what I read here today, and it totally blew me away. Catalina Rivas recounts how Jesus and Mary walked with her through the Mass and allowed her to see and hear the things that are generally beyond the veil. It was super beautiful and it has guided my prayer through the Mass for years. I can't confirm the veracity of the vision, but it's at least good and vibrant theology! Seems...
2021-03-0338 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastThe Oratory of St. Pius: Starting Soon!I'm super pumped about this! The Oratory of St. Pius is starting on Feb 18, and it will be continue indefinitely! I talk about the inspiration and the background from St. Philip Neri, and then talk about what this oratory is and some of the awesome things about it. It is hosted at St. Pius X in Tulsa, but any person is welcome. Each week will have a different practical, simple, spiritual theme that will be drawn by talking about the lives of the saints (which I love!). The schedule is:...
2021-02-1722 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastI Have a New MicrophoneHello all, I have a new microphone for the glory of God. I hope it is fruitful as I chug along trying to be of service to many. I'm happy to address any questions that you might have so please send them my way by whatever means you have to communicate. Please email me at frsean@spxtulsa.org and I will hopefully be able to address your zealous questions! Many blessings!Fr. Sean
2021-01-2703 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastEthics of Vaccines Part 2: sorting out opinion from truth, the responsibilities regarding reading and sharing informationSend us a textWelcome to the podcast! Last time I talked specifically about the ethics of the vaccines, commenting on the general ethics of it and then regarding the Coronavirus vaccine. Now I will address the challenge of receiving truthful, reliable, and honest information about anything, but specifically regarding making a rational decision to get or not to get the coronavirus vaccine. I'm not a scientist so I will not be talking about scientific material. Enjoy!
2021-01-2040 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastEthics of Vaccines Part 1: what's good, permissible, and badSend us a textWelcome to the podcast! Here I simply offer the teaching of the church, describing the general ethics of vaccines. And then I InInspecifically about the vaccines against covid-19. In a nutshell, you may receive the vaccines that are currently available, but please know of the moral complication involved. In the second part that will come out next week, I talk about how to make sense of information that is out there when it is difficult to trust the different news sources.
2021-01-1428 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastAdvent with MarySend us a textHave a merry Christmas everyone! As a little gift to you all, here is a reflection of what Mary's Advent would have looked like and how we can learn from it. Blessings!
2020-12-2328 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastThe Relevance of Our Lady of Guadalupe TodaySend us a textIt turns out we have more parallels to the ancient Mexicans than anyone would be inclined to think! If she healed them of their societal ills and brought forth massive conversions, why do we doubt she can do that today?! Let's have a great devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe!
2020-12-1725 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSpiritual Mentorship (and beyond) Part 3: Heart Speaks to HeartSend us a textSpiritual Mentorship is important, but it has limits. We must attend to the core of personal contact, which is none other than the core (corazon!) of the person. St John Henry Newman chose as his motto, cor ad cor loquitor, heart s peaks to hear. He draws on St Paul and St Philip Neri (see biography of Bacci), as well as his own experience as an oratorian, the spiritual descendants of St Philip Neri. We must communicate with hearts of humans before we communicate with humanity.
2020-12-0930 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSpiritual Mentorship Part 2, the BasicsSend us a textLast time, I spoke about the importance of spiritual mentorship, and now I talk about some of the basics. I have four points: care for the person, having an organic relationship, sparking their imagination, and drawing them forward.
2020-12-0230 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastSpiritual Mentorship Part 1, the ImportanceSend us a textHowdy y'all! Anyone want a spiri'tual guide, a spiritual mentor? Anybody want to be one? This was Jesus' plan! I talk about the desire, the biblical roots, my own experience, and what you need to do. Enjoy
2020-11-1829 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastThe Gospel Message... What exactly is that?Send us a textMy brothers and sisters! I proclaim to you that I am adding here and now THE Gospel Message! The proclamation! It's uber important, and any kid after 3rd grade should be able to tell it to you. Yet, can we put it into words? I break it down into 4 parts: 1) goodness of creation, 2) reality of sin, 3) Jesus and His Cross, and 4) repentance and living in his Church.
2020-11-1125 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastThe Spiritual Life: The Heart of Our VocationSend us a texthello everyone! Here I talk about the importance of cultivating a firm and true relationship with Jesus Christ for our own personal vocations. We need Jesus to be at the heart of our hearts in order to share this great love with others. May your and my ministries be fruitful (even if you're not an employed minister!)
2020-11-0430 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastFaith and the Vote Bonus!Send us a textWelcome to the bonus episode for our series on the faith and the election. I read "Immigration and the Next America" by Archbishop Jose Gomez, and wanted to share some of his Christian-based, experienced-based, and reason-based thoughts on immigration. I really respect his thoughts on this. I have a little clarification from the previous episode and just a little thought on where the US is at currently, too!
2020-11-0432 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastFaith and the Vote Part 3: Getting Practical with Real IssuesSend us a textThanks for joining us! In this episode I get very practical about forming our consciences. With a little review and some introductory comments, I then dive into some practical and real commentary on issues to help us all be formed by true values in accordance with the hierarchy of those values.
2020-10-2834 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastFaith and Vote Part 2: the Church, Capitalism and CommunismSend us a textAmerica is a capitalist country! But what about the up and coming new socialists? What should we think? This is part 2 of 3! In this episode I define what capitalism and communism is and then recognize that in our modern world in the United States we are not really dealing with the pure form of either. I talk about the church's role in making distinctions and encouraging and discouraging different realities in the political world, and then I address some of the things that the church actively encourages and discourages.
2020-10-2132 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastFaith and the Vote Part 1: Relation of Church and StateSend us a textWelcome to the relaunch of Fr Sean's Podcast! Here, I walk through the reasons why we have both Church and State from the perspective of the created order, and then look at what is the distinct role they each play. I then highlight what their relation might look like, as they are obviously separate, but not necessarily enemies of each other. We talk about some examples through history.
2020-10-1434 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastChristians and Tattoos with the Catholic Man ShowSend us a textThe guys with the Catholic Man Show invited me to their show and I talked about tattoos, I'm a bit of an expert, oddly enough, at least with the ethical side. I think this is super helpful to have a balanced attitude for the modern use of tattoos, for people in the middle or in either extreme. Plus, this was just super fun.
2020-09-1648 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastLife is Awesome: Intro to BioethicsSend us a textI talk about what is fascinating about life itself. If we don't know what's important about life, it is difficult to cherish, protect, and love life! This was a talk given at Theology on Tap in the Diocese of Tulsa in 2017. Thanks to the guys with the Catholic Man Show who recorded this and shared it with me.
2020-09-0250 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastFinal Sermon at St. Anne'sSend us a textAs I said goodbye to the parish, I left with great hope that we all be saints!
2020-08-2512 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastMy Summer of Spanish StudiesSend us a textI've studied a lot of Spanish this summer, and praise God, it's been going great! But I've learned other things too, and I thought it might be interesting to share.
2020-08-1928 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastTips from the Garden: An AnthologyThis summer, beginning with the coronavirus quarantine, I did a lot of gardening and a lot of online evangelization work. That combined into the series on Instagram and Facebook called "Tips from the Garden." It might be a fun thing for the podcast!
2020-08-1112 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastConclusion of the Simple Teachings of the Revealed GodSend us a textI'm begin with a thorough review of what we have covered in this series, and then conclude with a discussion on how we can accurately speak of God through analogical speech. Yet how could I omit the great conclusion of the great teacher of church teaching, St Thomas Aquinas! His story is the best conclusion I could think of!
2020-07-3126 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastContemporary Questions of Jesus Identity: Part 8 of Simple Teachings of the Revealed GodSend us a textWe begin by recapping last week's episode on the journey through the early Church councils, leading to the great dogmatic definition at the council of Chalcedon. now we look at more contemporary questions about the identity of Jesus, namely Jansenism and Modernism.
2020-07-2431 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastThe Early Church's Clarification of Jesus Identity: Part 7 of Simple Teachings of the Revealed GodSend us a textThe Church is summoned to stand up and defend her Spouse and Saviour! However, not having great clarity on the truth of who Jesus is, many got false ideas of the Lord. And so, God raised up saints to bring forth the splendor of Truth. In the early Church councils, we will slowly learn the importance of distinctions of who Jesus Christ is. He is the eternal Divine Logos in which his perfect Divinity and perfect humanity are united with no mixing or separation.
2020-07-1745 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastJesus, the Divine Logos: Part 6 of Simple Teachings of the Revealed GodSend us a textIn this sixth part of the series, I look at who Jesus is as the Logos of God from all eternity. He is God and with God, and all things came to be through Him. We even bear the mark of this rational and ordered divine nature in our own human nature.
2020-07-1032 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastThe Relation of The Father and the Son: Part 5 of Simple Teachings of the Revealed GodSend us a textIn this episode we look at the relationship of the eternal Father and of the eternal Son, particularly as it is seen and given witness to in Scripture, with an emphasis on the words of Jesus Christ about Himself and the Father.
2020-07-0331 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastScriptural Foundations of the Holy Trinity: Part 4 of Simple Teachings of the Revealed GodSend us a textIn this podcast I look back into the Old Testament to see traces and hints of the most Holy Trinity, and then I draw on the more explicit teachings found in the New Testament. It wasn't until the year 200 that we have the word Trinity, but still we have the foundations of Trinitarian faith from the beginning!
2020-06-2629 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastWhat Do We Learn About God from Creation? Part 3 of Simple Teachings of the Revealed GodSend us a textGod created the world and left his stamp in this world! That's a good thing, because it helps everyone come to God in some capacity. God is transcendent and above creation. He is rational, good, intimate, and community.
2020-06-1930 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastThe Fundamental Revelation of God: Part 2 in Simple Teachings of the Revealed GodSend us a textWho is God? God is the transcendent lover, condescending love, condescending transcendence. That is to say, the two big points of who God says he is is (1) the Almighty Other, and (2) the one who draws close to us.
2020-06-1235 minDeep Dives with Fr Sean: the Super Catholic Catechesis PodcastWho Reveals God? Pt 1 on Simple Teachings on the Revealed GodSend us a textI begin this series by considering what this revelation is? Who is doing this revealing? God chooses to reveal Himself freely for love, and simply for our good. As it is addressed to us by God Almighty, we have a real responsibility to the great Gift, which is Himself! We also humble ourselves to interpret it on accordance with the means God provides, through grace, through prayer, and through the Church.
2020-06-0528 min