Episodes

What does it mean to say that God is three persons in one being? How is that even possible??
In this episode we unpack one of the biggest mysteries of the Christian faith.

Why did God make us? What else did he make? Are bad angels a legit thing??
In this episode, we discuss the origins and creation of the universe. 

Original sin can seem a little... unfair. Why do I have to suffer for something Adam and Eve did? Does the Catholic church teach that we're all born terrible people? (Spoiler: it doesn't.)
In this episode we discuss the elevation and fall of man.

How can Jesus be both God *and* a human being? Did Jesus know that he was God from the moment of his birth?
In this episode, we discuss Jesus Christ, Son of God.

So what's the deal with Mary? Do Catholics worship her? Why do we say she's *our* Mother and not just the Mother of God?
In this episode, we discuss Mary, the Immaculate Mother of God.

Was the Crucifixion necessary, or could God have saved us another way? If Christ suffered for my sins, how come I still suffer?
In this episode, we discuss Christ's death on the cross, and what it means for us as Christians.

How can we be sure that the Resurrection really occurred? How was Jesus' Resurrection different to Lazarus'? Why do we say Christ 'descended into hell' in the Creed?

In this episode, we discuss Christ's Resurrection, and what it means for us as Christians today.

Why did Jesus *ascend* into heaven instead of just... disappearing? What's going to happen at the end of time? Do Catholics believe in the Antichrist?

In this episode, we discuss Christ's Ascension into heaven and his Second Coming at the end of time.
 

The Holy Spirit can feel like the most abstract and distant person of the Holy Trinity. How do we relate to Him? How can we know when He's speaking to us?

In this episode we discuss who the Holy Spirit is, and what His role is in our lives and in the life of the Church.

Why do we need a Church to tell us what's right and wrong? Can't we just rely our own consciences? Why isn't the Church more open to different opinions?
In this episode we discuss the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

Why does the Church need a hierarchy? Is the Pope always infallible? What is the role of people who aren't priests or religious in the Church?

In this episode we discuss the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

Death! Heaven! Hell! Purgatory! The end of time! Merry Christmas, you're welcome.

Welcome to Part Two of the Catechism!

In this episode we briefly introduce some key ideas around sacraments and the liturgy that will guide the next few episodes. What is a sacrament? Why do we always say the same things at mass? Why do I have to worship in a church?

Do we have to be baptised to go to heaven? What if you're a good person who's never heard of Jesus? Is baptism in a Protestant church valid?

In this episode we discuss the first of the three sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and communion).

What's the deal with Confirmation, is it just a symbolic coming-of-age ceremony? Why is it necessary? And what does it give us that the other sacraments don't?

In this episode we discuss the often-misunderstood sacrament of Confirmation.

This is a big one, this one. The Eucharist is the heart and soul of our lives as Catholics. But how does it work? How can Jesus' body and blood truly be present in the consecrated bread and wine?

In this Episode, we discuss the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

How can the Mass be a sacrifice if Christ has already offered the one definitive sacrifice on the cross? Why are only Catholics allowed to receive communion?

In this second episode on the Eucharist, we discuss the Holy Mass.

Why do we need to confess our sins to a priest? Do Catholics all just have huge guilt complexes? Why not just go straight to God and say sorry?

In this episode, we talk about the sacrament of Confession.
 

How come so few people are cured when they receive this sacrament? Why does God allow us to experience sickness and suffering? Does this sacrament actually do anything, or is it just symbolic?

In this episode, we discuss the Anointing of the Sick.

What is a priest? Why can't women be ordained? Are there any married Catholic priests? (Yep.)

In this episode, we discuss the sacrament of Holy Orders.

Why does the Church's definition of marriage seem so restrictive and archaic? What makes marriage different from other kinds of unions? What's the point of marriage?

In this episode, we discuss the last of the seven sacraments

Holy water, rosary beads, crucifixes, medals... is all this extra stuff really necessary? Isn't it all a bit superstitious? How are Catholic funerals different from secular ones?

In this episode, we wrap up Part Two of the Catechism with a discussion of sacramentals and funerals.

Welcome to Part Three of the Catechism!

In this episode, we discuss freedom and the call to holiness. What does it mean to be free? What are the limits to freedom? Should everyone have the right to act and speak freely?

What makes an action right or wrong? How do I know if I'm doing the right thing? Can my conscience always be trusted?

In this episode we discuss the sources of morality and the role of the conscience.

What's the difference between mortal and venial sin? How do I know when I've committed a sin? What does it mean to be a virtuous person?

In this episode, we discuss the personal dimension of our relationship with God.
 

What is a society? What's more important: my individual rights or the common good? Do all societies need authority figures?

In this episode, we begin our discussion of the social doctrine of the Catholic Church.

What are human rights? Does everyone have the right to the same things? What does 'equality' mean?

In this episode, we round off our discussion of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church.

How are we saved? Through faith, works, or both? What is grace? Can I earn grace or is it just a free gift from God?

Today we wrap up our introduction to Catholic morality by looking at one of the most significant areas of division between Catholics and Protestants. 

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth.”

What does it mean to love and serve God? What counts as 'other gods'? Are images of Jesus, Mary, and the saints graven images?

"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain."

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work."

Why is it so bad to take God's name in vain? Why do I have to go to Mass every Sunday? How late is too late to rock up to Mass? Can I go to work on Sundays?

"Honour your mother and father."

Does honouring our parents mean doing everything they say? What if your parents are terrible? Are children free to make their own moral decisions?
 

"You shall not kill."

Is it wrong to kill someone in self-defense? What about the death penalty? Why is hatred a sin against this commandment? 

"You shall not kill."

Is abortion ever morally permissible? What about euthanasia? What does the Church teach about people who have committed suicide?

"You shall not kill."

What constitutes a "just war"? Is it permissible to accumulate weapons of mass destruction?

In this mini episode, we wrap up our discussion of the fifth Commandment.
 

"Thou shalt not commit adultery."

What does it mean to be a man or a woman? Does difference between men and women mean inequality and sexism?

"Thou shalt not commit adultery."

What is the purpose of sex? Does the Catholic church just have a massive negative hang-up about it?

"Thou shalt not commit adultery."

What is the point of marriage? Is divorce a sin? What about contraception, or IVF?

"You shall not steal."

What actually constitutes stealing? Is anything absolutely my own? How much should I give to others?
 

"You shall not steal."

What does a just economic system look like? Is work necessary? Do wealthy nations have an obligation to help poorer ones?

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

Is there such thing as objective truth? Is it ALWAYS better to tell the truth? Are there situations where it's better to lie?

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

Is it ever okay to lie? Can gossip be a mortal sin? Is it okay to publicly call someone out for doing the wrong thing?
 

"You shall not kill."

Is it wrong to kill someone in self-defense? What about the death penalty? Why is hatred a sin against this commandment?