Best Ascension Catholic Faith Formation Podcasts (2025)

1
Day 342: Generous Hearts (2025) 22:14

Play Pause

19h ago22:14

22:14

Fr. Mike comments on the growing divide between Judaism and Christianity that Paul experiences on mission in Acts 21. In 2 Corinthians, Fr. Mike explains the difference between Godly grief that brings us to repentance, and worldly grief that leads us to destruction. We also learn about the importance of imitating the generosity of Christ. Today's r…

1
Day 342: Trinitarian Prayer (2025) 18:42

11h ago18:42

18:42

What is the significance of praying to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? As we explore the path of prayer, the Catechism elaborates on the concept of trinitarian prayer and underscores the importance of establishing a relationship with each member of the Holy Trinity. Fr. Mike emphasizes that Christ is the focal point of Christian prayer, a…

1
Day 341: The Theological Virtues (2025) 13:58

12h ago13:58

13:58

The Catechism reveals the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love as additional “wellsprings” of prayer for us to connect with the Father. Fr. Mike explains that we must enter into prayer with faith, pray in hope, and love as God loves us. Fr. Mike also addresses the Catechism's view on praying in the present, not looking at the past or future…

1
Day 341: Eternal Weight of Glory (2025) 23:25

2d ago23:25

23:25

In our reading of Acts 20, Fr. Mike reflects on the healing of Eutychus, Paul's willingness to suffer for the sake of the Gospel, and Paul's tender affection for the people he ministered to. In 2 Corinthians, Fr. Mike also highlights Paul's encouragement to hold onto the hope of beholding the glory of God with unveiled faces and to persevere in our…

1
Day 340: The Power of the Holy Spirit (2025) 21:19

3d ago21:19

21:19

Fr. Mike emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit exemplified in Paul's interaction with those in Ephesus in Acts 19 and reminds us that God wants to fill each of us with the same Holy Spirit so we can walk in his strength. Fr. Mike also highlights the power of sacramentals, the reality of demons acknowledging Jesus, and the importance of removing t…

1
Day 340: Scripture and the Liturgy (2025) 15:07

1d ago15:07

15:07

How do we pray? Prayer is essential for our relationship with the Lord. The Catechism teaches that we must study the Scriptures, learn how to pray, and have the will to pray. Fr. Mike shares two different sources of prayer: the Word of God and the Liturgy of the Church. He explains how the Holy Spirit guides us in prayer and teaches us how to speak…

1
When the Turkey Is Gone — The Leftovers 23:13

3d ago23:13

23:13

The turkey may be gone, but the spiritual leftovers can linger. Jeff breaks open the two struggles that often emerge after family gatherings—unforgiveness and envy—and shows how the Gospel invites us to something better. Email us with comments or questions at [email protected]. Text “jeffcavins” to 33-777 to subscribe and get Jef…

1
Day 339: Priscilla and Aquila (2025) 15:50

4d ago15:50

15:50

Fr. Mike reminds us that God uses crooked lines to make a straight story, like Paul’s witness to Priscilla and Aquila as they encounter the person of Christ and become missionaries. Just like Apollos accepted correction, Fr. Mike invites us to courageously open ourselves up to learning and growing. Today’s readings are Acts 18, 1 Corinthians 16, an…

1
Day 339: Prayer of Praise (2025) 13:20

3d ago13:20

13:20

We examine both prayers of praise and also the “nuggets” for this section on the forms of prayer. Fr. Mike emphasizes that praise is giving God glory for who he is. He also emphasizes that the Eucharist is the ultimate prayer of praise, and that every time we pray we are joining our lives to the saints and prophets who have gone before us. Today’s …

1
Advent 2025 Week 1: Keeping Christ in Christmas 25:00

5d ago25:00

25:00

Janet and Bridgett start this Advent season by discussing how we may or may not be keeping Christ in Christmas. With all the secular attractions and busyness of the season, we can lose sight of the real reason for the season. Join them as they explore this reality and how to slow down and recognize Christ in this season of preparation. Baby Step: T…

1
Day 338: Intercession and Thanksgiving (2025) 13:04

4d ago13:04

13:04

We look at two more forms of prayer: intercession and thanksgiving. Fr. Mike emphasizes that in the age of the Church, intercession, or asking on behalf of another, is participating in Christ’s mediation. He also emphasizes that in all things we must give thanks, even in times of suffering and grief. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2634-2…

1
Day 338: Death Defeated (2025) 21:41

5d ago21:41

21:41

As we continue along the path of our forefathers in faith, Fr. Mike reminds us that we live in the same era as the Apostles and have the same Holy Spirit. Just like St. Paul stood out by imitating Jesus and sharing the Gospel, we are called to do the same. Fr. Mike also discusses our duality as both body and soul as it relates to Christ’s resurrect…

1
This is a Scary Parable 24:49

5d ago24:49

24:49

Many are called but few are chosen. Gomer and Dave discuss the Parable of the Wedding Feast and invite us to reflect on these important questions: Am I in the kingdom? And if so, am I wearing the right garments? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get th…

1
Day 337: The Importance of Love (2025) 23:31

6d ago23:31

23:31

Fr. Mike unpacks the events in Acts 16, describing Paul’s trust in the Lord as God frees him from prison. He connects St. Paul’s conversation about spiritual gifts to the well-known “love” chapter in 1 Corinthians, explaining how love and donation of self gives purpose to the spiritual gifts. Today’s readings are Acts 16, 1 Corinthians 13-14, and P…

1
Day 337: Blessing, Adoration, and Petition (2025) 23:13

6d ago23:13

23:13

Prayer in the age of the Church takes on many different forms. Together, we examine specifically blessing, adoration, and petition. Fr. Mike emphasizes the beauty that all of our prayers of blessing are a response to God’s blessings for us. He also explores how common and spontaneous prayers of petition to our Father in heaven truly are, but in the…

1
Day 336: Jesus Hears Our Prayer (2025) 13:55

7d ago13:55

13:55

We arrive at the conclusion of the article on how Jesus prays, teaches us to pray, and hears our prayer. Fr. Mike examines the remarkable beauty and simplicity of the “Jesus Prayer.” He also examines Mary's Fiat and Magnificat, and how she can pray and intercede for us. He concludes with an invitation to prayer by saying it is more important to pra…

1
Day 336: The Council at Jerusalem (2025) 29:05

7d ago29:05

29:05

Fr. Mike walks us through the Church’s first council in Acts 15 and highlights the importance of the Church’s authority in the question of circumcision for Gentile converts. He also draws our attention to Paul’s treatment of God the Father and God the Son as equal but not the same. This sheds light on Paul’s conversation about head coverings for wo…

1
The Immaculate Conception: Meeting God in Our Lowest Parts 19:21

7d ago19:21

19:21

Do you ever feel intimidated by Mary’s holiness? In this special episode recorded at the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Dr. Sri unpacks the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, explaining that Mary’s holiness doesn’t distance her from us—instead, it reveals that God is drawn to our littleness and delights in meeting us right where we are…

1
Day 335: Run the Race (2025) 22:33

8d ago22:33

22:33

As we continue to follow the missions of Paul and Barnabas, Fr. Mike highlights the fickle nature of humanity and the futility of striving for the praise of men. He also encourages us to remain courageous in the tribulations we face, finding strength in other believers, and running toward the eternal and imperishable goal of salvation. Today’s read…

1
Day 335: Jesus Teaches Us to Pray (2025) 18:52

8d ago18:52

18:52

At the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to pray through his own prayer to the Father. As we watch Jesus pray, his prayer becomes our template for our own prayer. Fr. Mike emphasizes that our prayer should not just be external, but rather should be an internal conversion of heart. This internal conversion of heart involves many aspects such as,…

1
Day 334: How Jesus Prayed (2025) 19:35

9d ago19:35

19:35

We look at how Jesus prays in this section of the Catechism. It is revealed how Jesus learned to pray, the frequency of his prayers, and where he prayed. Jesus brought his needs to the Father including his last words and final “loud cry”. Through his example of filial prayer, we are able to pray to the Father as sons and daughters. We can ask him f…

1
Day 334: The Meaning of Fasting (2025) 23:58

9d ago23:58

23:58

Fr. Mike highlights the importance of prayer and fasting, instructing us how to fast and empty ourselves to feel our spiritual need for Christ. He also discusses faithfulness in vocations and living out the life God has called you to. Today’s readings are from Acts 13, 1 Corinthians 7-8, and Proverbs 28:4-6. For the complete reading plan, visit asc…

1
Day 333: The Psalms (2025) 13:15

10d ago13:15

13:15

The Psalms are essential and powerful prayers. Through praying the Psalms, we are giving praise to God and expressing our belief while simultaneously nourishing our faith. In the Psalms, we are reminded of God’s love, faithfulness, and presence, even in the dark moments of our lives. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2590-2597. This episode…

1
Day 333: Peter Is Rescued from Prison (2025) 22:11

10d ago22:11

22:11

Today begins with Acts 12 and the miraculous rescue of Peter from prison by an angel. Reflecting on this story, Fr. Mike helps us grapple with the mysterious reality that we are each called to say "Yes" to God’s destination for us, even when we might not know the way. Lastly, Fr. Mike delves into St. Paul's hard teachings to the Corinthians on sexu…

1
Do You Play the Comparison Game? 19:40

11d ago19:40

19:40

Do you tend to compare yourself to other people? Jeff explores how the habit of comparing ourselves to others—especially in a world shaped by social media and expectations—can rob us of gratitude and distort our identity. Email us with comments or questions at [email protected]. Text “jeffcavins” to 33-777 to subscribe and get Je…

1
Day 332: Barnabas and Paul On Mission (2025) 24:52

11d ago24:52

24:52

Fr. Mike begins by explaining the confusion experienced by the early Christians as they struggled to integrate the Gentiles into the Church. We also hear more about Barnabas, missionary companion of St. Paul, who was named by God as the "Son of Encouragement." Lastly, Fr. Mike delves into the history surrounding paganism and hedonism in pre-Christi…

1
Day 332: Prayer Converts Our Heart (2025) 18:41

11d ago18:41

18:41

The Catechism discusses the significance of prayer beginning with the prophets and their observations about the Temple and ritualism. It is noteworthy that while we must worship the Lord externally, this must be in tandem with prayer and cannot remain external. With Fr. Mike’s insight, we see that our thinking affects how we act, and our behaviors …

1
Day 331: Peter Preaches to the Gentiles (2025) 22:15

12d ago22:15

22:15

In today’s reading from Acts, the Holy Spirit guides Peter to initiate ministry to the Gentiles, beginning with the family of Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Upon hearing Peter preach, Cornelius’ entire household receive the Holy Spirit and are baptized. Commenting on today's second reading from 1 Corinthians, Fr. Mike reminds us to pursue Christian …

1
Day 331: The Foundations of Prayer (2025) 19:28

12d ago19:28

19:28

Do we know how to pray? The Catechism depicts Moses learning how to pray and uses this as an example of prayer and relationship with God. The Catechism goes on to talk about David and his experiences with prayer and the Psalms. As Fr. Mike points out, “humility is the foundation of prayer,” and we need honesty, trust, and a willingness to engage in…

1
Day 330: The Revelation of Prayer (2025) 21:38

13d ago21:38

21:38

As the Catechism reveals, we are made for worship and called to a relationship with the Lord through prayer. God is the initiator and wants us to walk with him as he “tirelessly calls each person to the mysterious encounter known as prayer.” Fr. Mike reminds us that just like Abraham in the Old Testament, the more we get to know the Lord through pr…

1
Day 330: Saul's Conversion (2025) 20:59

13d ago20:59

20:59

Fr. Mike breaks down Saul's miraculous conversion, explaining the significance of Jesus sending Ananias to heal Saul, and how it reveals that Jesus works through his Church just as powerfully as he worked through the incarnation. Fr. Mike also reminds us that if we belong to the Lord, we will have to participate in his suffering. Lastly, as we conc…

1
The Kingdom of Heaven is Like… 50:25

13d ago50:25

50:25

Think your actions don’t matter? Don’t be fooled; the Gospel is made up of small acts with great faith. Gomer and Dave remind us that this world is not our home. Our aim should be Heaven and our hearts should always be set on the Lord. How are you living for Heaven today? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your quest…