The Mystery of Weight Loss – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

What’s so mysterious about weight loss? Given the American obsession with dieting even as we’re more obese than ever, evidently plenty. Jimmy Akin shares his own story and the science behind the way our bodies are designed to lose weight, rather than the way we’ve been doing it.

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Mysterious Headlines

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Resolution – The Secrets of Doctor Who

It’s a New Year and the Resolution of the 13th Doctor’s first season. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss the Doctor Who New Year’s special titled Resolution, what they think of the return of an old foe, and how it works as the season finale.

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The Lost Planet Vulcan – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

Did you know about the lost planet Vulcan? Not Mr. Spock’s planet nor the exoplanet around the star 40 Eridani, but one right here in our solar system. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the claims that such a planet exists between Mercury and the Sun and the evidence for and against.

Links for this episode:

Mysterious Headlines

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The Weekly Francis – 27 December 2018

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 6 December 2018 to 27 December 2018.

Angelus

General Audiences

Homilies

Messages

Prayers

Speeches

Papal Tweets

  • “May the symbols of the nativity scene and the Christmas tree allow a reflection of God’s light and tenderness to enter into family life. #Christmas” @Pontifex 21 December 2018 Present
  • “Let us entrust ourselves to Our Lady so that she may help us prepare our hearts to welcome Baby Jesus at his birth. #Christmas” @Pontifex 22 December 2018 Present
  • “The lights of the Christmas tree remind us that Jesus is the light of the world, the light of our souls that drives away the darkness of hatred and makes room for forgiveness. #Christmas” @Pontifex 23 December 2018 Present
  • “By contemplating God, who became a child, radiating light from the humility of the crib, we can also become witnesses to humility, tenderness and goodness. #Christmas” @Pontifex 24 December 2018 Present
  • “Christ is born for us! Come, all of you who are seeking the face of God. Here He is, the Child lying in the manger.” @Pontifex 25 December 2018
  • “The Church grows with the blood of the martyrs, men and women who give their lives for Jesus. Today there are many, even if they do not make the headlines.” @Pontifex 26 December 2018
  • “Looking at Jesus we see the face of the God who is Love, and we learn to recognize Him in the faces of our brothers and sisters.” @Pontifex 27 December 2018

Papal Instagram

The Man Trap – The Secrets of Star Trek

The Man Trap was the first episode of Star Trek actually to air on TV. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Original Series episode including the plausibility of a salt vampire and the amazing Beauregard the Plant.

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A Christmas Carol – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The Doctor Who Christmas special became a tradition when the series revived and some have been better than others, but perhaps this one was the best of all. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the 10th Doctor’s homage to Dickens, “A Christmas Carol.”

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When Was Jesus Born? – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

Christmas is December 25, but was that the actual date Jesus was born? Some claim evidence from the Bible and temple rituals. Other say evidence from the Bible show it isn’t or that it was just a co-opting of a pagan festival. Does it even matter? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at the claims and counter-claims about what we can and can’t prove about when Jesus was born.

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The Weekly Francis – 20 December 2018

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 2 December 2018 to 20 December 2018.

Angelus

General Audiences

Messages

Speeches

Papal Tweets

  • “This is the first step in order to grow on our journey of faith: listening. Before speaking, listen.” @Pontifex 14 December 2018
  • “Our life spreads light when it is given in service. The secret of joy is living to serve.” @Pontifex 15 December 2018
  • “Joy, prayer and gratitude are three ways that prepare us to experience Christmas in an authentic way. #Advent” @Pontifex 16 December 2018
  • ““O Wisdom from the mouth of the Most High, you fill the whole world. With strength and gentleness you order all things: come to teach us the way of prudence.” #AdventAntiphons” @Pontifex 17 December 2018
  • “Jesus knows well the pain of not being welcomed. May our hearts not be closed as were the houses in Bethlehem. #Internationalmigrantsday” @Pontifex 18 December 2018
  • “Be like Saint Joseph: a man of dreams, not a dreamer; a man of silence, because he respects God’s plan. #SantaMarta” @Pontifex 18 December 2018
  • “Advent is a time for us to prepare for the coming of Jesus, Prince of Peace. It’s a time to make peace with ourselves and our neighbours. #Advent” @Pontifex 19 December 2018
  • “God enters history and does so in His original style: surprise. The God of surprises always surprises us. #SantaMarta” @Pontifex 20 December 2018

Papal Instagram

The Battle at the Binary Stars – The Secrets of Star Trek

The second episode of Star Trek Discovery is really the 2nd half of the pilot episode. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this prelude to the series, including where it shines and where it falls short as a story and as a series premiere.

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The Shakespeare Code – The Secrets of Doctor Who

In his first proper adventure with Martha Jones, the 10th Doctor whisks her away to meet William Shakespeare. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Doctor’s inspiration for old Will, witches who are aliens, and the play that really was lost.

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