The Weekly Francis – 11 October 2022

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week, from 5 October 2022 to 11 October 2022.

Angelus

General Audiences

Homilies

Speeches

Papal Tweets

  • “It is important to know the passwords of our heart, what we are most sensitive to, to protect ourselves from those who present themselves with persuasive words to manipulate us, but also to recognize what is truly important for us. #Discernment #GeneralAudience” @Pontifex, 5 October 2022
  • “Today we remember #StFaustinaKowalska. Through her, God taught the world to seek salvation in his mercy. Let us remember this especially when thinking of the war in #Ukraine. Let us trust in God’s mercy which can change hearts. #Peace” @Pontifex, 5 October 2022
  • “#Prayer and self-knowledge enable us to grow in freedom.” @Pontifex, 6 October 2022
  • “In the school of the Virgin Mary, let us treasure in our hearts the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the Lord Jesus so as to become faithful disciples like her.” @Pontifex, 7 October 2022
  • “During this month of #prayer for the missions, let us learn to cultivate moments of silence and of contact with the Lord so that he might inspire us with the ways and means to be always faithful to our vocation as missionary disciples. #OctoberMissionary” @Pontifex, 8 October 2022
  • “Bishop Scalabrini, #FatherOfMigrants, looked forward, looked torward a world and a Church without barriers, without strangers, convinced that in sharing the journey of emigrants, it is not only problems that need to be seen, but also a providential plan.” @Pontifex, 9 October 2022
  • “Always include: in the Church as well as in society, still marked by such inequality and marginilization. Include everyone. Today, on the day on which Scalabrini becomes a saint, I think of migrants. Their exclusion is scandalous, it is sinful and criminal.” @Pontifex, 9 October 2022
  • “Right now, there is a migration in Europe that is making many people suffer and moves us to open our hearts: the migration of the Ukrainians fleeing from the war. Let us not forget war-torn Ukraine today.” @Pontifex, 9 October 2022
  • “Facing the danger of nuclear war, let us learn from history. Even 60 years ago there were huge tensions, but the way of peace was chosen. As the Bible says: “Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it” (Jer 6:16).” @Pontifex, 9 October 2022
  • “The Salesian Brother Artemide Zatti, filled with gratitude for all he had received, wanted to say his own “thank you” by taking upon himself the wounds of others. Cured of tuberculosis, he devoted his entire life to caring for the sick with tender love.” @Pontifex, 9 October 2022
  • “The Christian faith always asks us to walk together with others, to move beyond ourselves toward God and toward our brothers and sisters, and to know how to be grateful, overcoming the dissatisfaction and indifference that disfigure our hearts. #GospelOfTheDay (Lk 17:11–19)” @Pontifex, 9 October 2022
  • “I assure my prayers for the victims of the mad act of violence that took place three days ago in #Thailand. With deep emotion, I entrust their lives to the Father, especially the little children and their families.” @Pontifex, 9 October 2022
  • “Let us #PrayTogether that the Lord might shake us from an individualism that excludes others, to awaken deaf hearts to the needs of their neighbour. Let us overcome the fear, the indifference that kills, the cynical disregard that condemns to death those on the fringes!” @Pontifex, 10 October 2022
  • “I call on all people of goodwill to mobilize for the abolition of the death penalty throughout the world. Society can effectively repress crime without definitively depriving the offenders of the possibility of redeeming themselves. #EndDeathPenalty” @Pontifex, 10 October 2022
  • “Immersed in the mystery of the Church, Mother and Bride, let us also say with Saint John XXIII: Gaudet Mater Ecclesia! May the Church be overcome with joy. If she does not rejoice, she would deny her very self, for she would forget the love that begot her. #VaticanCouncilII” @Pontifex, 11 October 2022

Papal Instagram

A Mathematically Perfect Redemption (LD) – The Secrets of Star Trek

When a rogue exocomp stumbles on a primitive world, it can find redemption with Starfleet. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at the funny situation that brings up Castaway and Moana, and a multi-layered scheme that’s mathematically perfect.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Spoon Bending? (Metal Bending, Psychic, PK Parties) – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

In the 1970s and 80s, spoon bending and metal bending using your mind became a sensation. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss how the phenomenon began and search for the truth. Is it really mind over matter or is it a hoax?

Help us continue to offer Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?

Links for this episode:

Mysterious Headlines

This Episode is Brought to You By:
Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World is brought to you in part through the generous support of Aaron Vurgason Electric and Automation at AaronV.com. Making Connections for Life for your automation and smart home needs in north and central Florida.

Catechism Class, a dynamic weekly podcast journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church by Greg and Jennifer Willits. It’s the best book club, coffee talk, and faith study group, all rolled into one. Find it in any podcast directory.

Fiorvento Law, PLLC, specializing in adult guardianships and conservatorships, probate and estate planning matters. Accepting clients throughout Michigan. Taking into account your individual, healthcare, financial and religious needs. Visit FiorventoLaw.com

Deliver Contacts, offering honest pricing and reliable service for all your contact lens needs. See the difference at delivercontacts.com.

Want to Sponsor A Show?
Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

The Curse of Fenric – The Secrets of Doctor Who

Viking, Soviets, and sea monsters! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 7th Doctor story that sees this Doctor at his sneakiest and includes a vicar going through a crisis of faith, all set during World War II.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

This Episode is Brought to You By:
The Secrets of Doctor Who is brought to you in part by Jacqueline Brown, the best-selling author of The Light Series. Check out her new release, Altered, on Amazon or any fine bookstore. Learn more about her and her work at sqpn.com/brown

Want to Sponsor A Show?
Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more.

Can Catholics Follow Astrology? – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

In this mysterious bonus episode, Jimmy Akin and Cy Kellett discuss the origins of astrology, what it is and isn’t, and whether it’s permissible for Catholics to follow astrology.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

The Weekly Francis – 4 October 2022

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week, from 5 May 2022 to 4 October 2022.

Angelus

General Audiences

Homilies

Messages

Speeches

Papal Tweets

  • “#Prayer is an indispensable aid for spiritual #discernment, especially when it involves the affections, enabling us to address God with simplicity and familiarity, as one would speak to a friend. #GeneralAudience” @Pontifex, 28 September 2022
  • “Jesus feeds the multitude (Lk 9:10–17) and asks the disciples to ensure nothing is wasted. When food is not wasted, but is shared fairly, with solidarity, no-one is deprived of what they need, and the community can meet the needs of its poorest members. #FLWDay” @Pontifex, 29 September 2022
  • “Let us today entrust ourselves to the #HolyArchangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel, so they may protect us in the fight against the devil’s seductions, help us bring the Good News, and take us by the hand on life’s journey so we may cooperate in God’s plan of salvation.” @Pontifex, 29 September 2022
  • “Sometimes we human beings believe that we are the masters of everything, or on the contrary, we lose all self-esteem. #Prayer helps us to find the right dimension in our relationship with God, our Father, and with all Creation.” @Pontifex, 30 September 2022
  • “Altius, citius, fortius – communiter. #SportForAll OJIRmiS Speech@Pontifex, 30 September 2022
  • “We elderly people often have a special sensitivity for care, reflection, and affection. We are, or we can become, teachers of tenderness. In this world accustomed to war, we need a true revolution of tenderness. #IDOP” @Pontifex, 1 October 2022
  • “#ПомолимсяВместе, уповая на милосердие Бога, способного изменить сердца, и на материнское заступничество Царицы мира, духовно объединяясь с верующими во всем мире. #Украина #Россия #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “#МолімосяРазом, уповаючи на милосердя Бога, Який може перемінити серця, та на материнське заступництво Цариці миру, духовно єднаючись із вірними в усьому світі. #Україна #Росія” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Let’s #PrayTogether, trusting in the mercy of God, who can change hearts, and in the maternal intercession of the Queen of Peace, spiritually united with the faithful all over the world. #Ukraine #Russia #Peace
    pRGQjaN angelus@Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “После семи месяцев военных действий давайте использовать все дипломатические средства, даже те, которые, возможно, до сих пор не использовались, чтобы положить конец этой ужасной трагедии. #Украина #Россия #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Нехай же після семи місяців бойових дій в #Україні будуть введені в дію всі дипломатичні засоби, навіть ті, які, можливо, не застосовувалися досі, щоби покласти край цій величезній трагедії. Війна сама у собі є помилкою та жахіттям! #Росія #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “After seven months of hostilities in #Ukraine, let us use all diplomatic means, even those that have not been used so far, to bring an end to this terrible tragedy. War is an error and a horror! #Russia #Peace” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Политических лидеров стран я настоятельно призываю сделать всё возможное, чтобы положить конец продолжающейся войне, не втягиваться в опасную эскалацию, продвигать и поддерживать диалог. #Украина #Россия #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Політичних лідерів країн наполегливо прошу зробити все те, що в їхніх силах, аби покласти край війні в #Україні, не дозволивши втягнутися в небезпечну ескалацію, та просувати й підтримувати діалог. #Росія #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “I urge the protagonists of international life and the political leaders of nations to do everything possible to bring an end to the war, without being drawn into dangerous escalations, and to promote and support initiatives for dialogue. #Russia #Peace” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Опечаленный безмерными страданиями украинского народа в результате агрессии, я с такой же уверенностью обращаюсь к президенту Украины, призывая его быть открытым для серьёзных мирных предложений. @ZelenskyyUa” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Глибоко засмучений величезними стражданнями українського населення внаслідок зазнаної агресії, скеровую такий же сповнений довіри заклик до Президента #України бути відкритим на серйозні мирні пропозиції. @ZelenskyyUa” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Profoundly saddened by the immense suffering of the Ukrainian people as a result of the aggression they have suffered, I address an equally confident appeal to the President of #Ukraine to be open to serious proposals for peace. @ZelenskyyUa” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Мое обращение адресовано в первую очередь президенту Российской Федерации; я призываю его остановить эту спираль насилия и смерти, в том числе и ради любви к своему народу. #Украина #Россия@KremlinRussia_E” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “My appeal is addressed first and foremost to the President of the Russian Federation, imploring him to stop this spiral of violence and death, also for the sake of his own people. #Ukraine #Russia @KremlinRussia_E” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Да начнутся переговоры, способные привести к решениям, не навязанным силой, а согласованным, справедливым и стабильным, основанным на уважении человеческой жизни, а также суверенитета и территориальной целостности каждой страны и прав меньшинств. #Украина #Россия” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Нехай почнуться переговори, здатні привести до вирішень, які не нав’язані силою, а є узгодженими, справедливими та стабільними, що ґрунтуються на пошані до людського життя, як також до суверенітету та територіальної цілісності кожної країни, а теж до прав меншин. #Україна #Росія” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Let negotiations begin that will lead to solutions that are not imposed by force, but consensual, just and stable, based on respect for human life, as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country, and the rights of minorities. #Ukraine #Russia” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Я глубоко сожалею о серьёзной ситуации, возникшей в последние дни, и об очередных действиях, противоречащих принципам международного права. Это умножает риск ядерной эскалации, вплоть до неконтролируемых и катастрофических последствий во всём мире. #Украина #Россия” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Я рішуче засуджую серйозну ситуацію, що останніми днями створилася через чергові дії, суперечні з принципами міжнародного права. Так посилюється загроза ядерної ескалації з неконтрольованими і катастрофічними наслідками на світовому рівні. #Україна #Росія” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “I deeply deplore the grave situation that has arisen in recent days, with further actions contrary to the principles of international law. The risk of nuclear escalation thus increases giving rise to fears of uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences worldwide #Ukraine #Russia” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Война в Украине стала крайне серьёзной и угрожающей, и это вызывает большую обеспокоенность. Во имя Бога и во имя чувства человечности, живущего в каждом сердце, я вновь призываю к немедленному прекращению огня. # Украина #Россия #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Війна в #Україні стала настільки серйозною, нищівною і загрозливою, що викликає велике занепокоєння. У Боже ім’я та в ім’я почуття людяності, що мешкає в кожному серці, повторюю заклик негайно досягнути припинення вогню! #Росія #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “The war in #Ukraine has become so serious, devastating and threatening as to cause great concern. In the name of God and of the sense of humanity that dwells in every heart, I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire. #Russia #Peace” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Мій заклик, насамперед, звернений до Президента Російської Федерації, благаючи його зупинити, також і з любові до свого народу, цю спіраль насильства та смерті. #Україна #Росія @KremlinRussia_E” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Let us #PrayTogether that the Church, ever faithful to the Gospel and courageous in preaching it, may live in an increasing atmosphere of synodality and be a community of solidarity, fraternity, and welcome. #PrayerIntention https://t.co/RZlReEgtOe Video@Pontifex, 3 October 2022
  • “As we seek to save the planet, we must not neglect those who suffer. Carbon dioxide is not the only pollution that kills; inequality also fatally damages our planet. #SeasonOfCreation” @Pontifex, 3 October 2022
  • “#SaintFrancis of Assisi, who saw himself as brother to the sun, the sea and the wind, sowed seeds of peace everywhere, and walked alongside the poor, the abandoned, the infirm, the outcast, the least. Let us follow his example! #FratelliTutti #SeasonofCreation” @Pontifex, 4 October 2022

Papal Instagram

Hear All, Trust Nothing (LD) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Back to Bajor! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Lower Decks’ return to Deep Space 9, including appearances by Kira and Quark. They also discuss why this episode appeals to Trek fans so much and the many Easter eggs found in it.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Will God Give Me Whatever I Want? (Prosperity Gospel, Word Faith, Write Your Own Ticket with God)

The Gospels contain some remarkable statements about prayer. They’re found particularly in the Gospel of Matthew, though there are parallels in Mark and Luke.

These statements sound very positive—as if you can ask God for anything you want, and he’ll give it to you so long as you believe.

When people take these passages in isolation—apart from other things the New Testament says—they can develop a false theology of prayer.

In Protestant circles, there is a movement known as prosperity theology (also known as the prosperity gospel or the health and wealth gospel), according to which God wants all his people to be healthy, wealthy, and highly successful.

If a Christian does not have these blessings, then he either hasn’t asked for them or he hasn’t asked for them in faith. Either way he is at fault.

But a careful reading of the New Testament indicates this view is distorted.

One encouraging prayer text is found in the Sermon on the Mount:

Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Matt. 7:7-8).

Jesus doesn’t mention limits on what you may ask for, and you might suppose you could ask for absolutely anything and receive it.

But he also doesn’t give examples. He doesn’t say, “Ask for fabulous wealth, health, and success, and it will be yours.”

He thus may have something more modest in mind, and he may mean this primarily as asking for spiritual rather than material blessings.

In both Matthew and Luke, Jesus immediately gives an analogy based on fathers giving their children things to eat. In Matthew, Jesus concludes that God will give “good things” to his children (7:11), and in Luke he says that God will give them “the Holy Spirit” (Luke 11:13)—suggesting the passage may be primarily about spiritual “good things.”

When we look at the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, we do not find Jesus encouraging dreams of a lavish lifestyle.

In the Lord’s Prayer, he teaches us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (6:11), suggesting a daily, hand-to-mouth reliance on God—not fabulous riches.

Jesus goes on to explicitly state:

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (6:19-21).

He thus indicates earthly riches can be a spiritual distraction from God, and we shouldn’t set our hearts on them. He also says:

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (6:24).

He also tells us:

Do not be anxious, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well (6:31-33).

Jesus thus wants us to focus “first” on spiritual values and treat material needs as secondary. Rather than encouraging people to “dream big” about what God could give them, he encourages humble, ongoing dependence—asking God for what we need, not what we dream.

He certainly does not encourage us to imagine a success-filled life with no troubles, saying, “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day” (6:34). Again, the goal is living a trusting, spiritual life—not one of runaway success.

Another encouraging prayer text occurs when the disciples ask why they failed to cast a demon out of a boy, Jesus says it was:

Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you (17:20).

This seems paradoxical. Jesus says the disciples have “little faith” but then says that if they had “faith as a grain of mustard seed,” they’d be able to accomplish amazing miracles. If so, shouldn’t their little faith have been enough?

The solution is found by considering who really performs miracles—God—and God’s power is unlimited. Therefore, it ultimately doesn’t matter how big your faith is, because God is the one who performs the miracle.

The reason the disciples failed is that they had inadequate faith and weren’t properly trusting God. Perhaps they thought they had been endowed with magical exorcistic abilities and had lost sight of God when using them.

Another text ripe for abuse occurs in the next chapter:

Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven (18:19).

Sounds good, doesn’t it? Agree on anything, ask God for it, and it will be done.

But not so fast. This statement is introduced by the word “again,” telling us that we need to examine the context, because Jesus is restating a thought he has already been exploring.

When we check the context, we find that it isn’t accumulating property for oneself but Church discipline. Jesus has been telling the disciples how to deal with a fellow Christian who sins. He says that if the offender won’t listen to others, take him to the church, and if he won’t listen to the church, excommunicate him. He then says:

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (18:18).

The statement about agreeing “on earth” is in the context of exercising the power of binding and loosing, which deals with matters of spiritual discipline—not material prosperity.

When Jesus assures the disciples “again” of what will happen when they agree, he’s assuring them of the ability to bind and loose.

The final passage we should consider occurs when the disciples asked how the fig tree withered so quickly. Jesus replies:

Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and cast into the sea,” it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith (Matt. 21:21-21; cf. Mark 11:22-24, Luke 17:6).

This is essentially the same point we saw with the failed exorcism: It doesn’t matter the size of what you’re asking for, because God has the power to do anything. And Jesus puts the matter positively, saying that “whatever you ask” will be received.

But there is an unstated assumption that Jesus expects us to understand—that what we ask is in accordance with God’s will.

First century Jews knew not every prayer request is something God wills, and God’s will is the controlling factor.

Jesus himself bore witness to this in the garden of Gethsemane when he prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (26:39).

If the Son of God himself recognized that God does not will to grant every request, we’d better recognize it, too!

Jesus wants to encourage us to pray, and he may not mention this exception every time, but he expects us to recognize it.

It’s certainly found elsewhere in the New Testament. James warns those who boast of their business plans that they need to take God’s will into account, saying, “Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that’” (4:15).

He also identifies one of the causes of unanswered prayer: “You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (4:3).

Asking for unlimited wealth and success would be precisely the kind of prayer that won’t be answered.

And that may be a good thing, for Jesus also says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matt. 19:24).

Vampire-Human Hybrids and More Weird Questions – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

It’s a fifth Friday so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin more weird questions from listeners, including secret societies; binding demons; reenacting Catholic history; killing vampire-human hybrids; Neanderthals in the afterlife; and more.

Help us continue to offer Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?

Links for this episode:

This Episode is Brought to You By:
Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World is brought to you in part through the generous support of Aaron Vurgason Electric and Automation at AaronV.com. Making Connections for Life for your automation and smart home needs in north and central Florida.

Catechism Class, a dynamic weekly podcast journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church by Greg and Jennifer Willits. It’s the best book club, coffee talk, and faith study group, all rolled into one. Find it in any podcast directory.

Fiorvento Law, PLLC, specializing in adult guardianships and conservatorships, probate and estate planning matters. Accepting clients throughout Michigan. Taking into account your individual, healthcare, financial and religious needs. Visit FiorventoLaw.com

Deliver Contacts, offering honest pricing and reliable service for all your contact lens needs. See the difference at delivercontacts.com.

Want to Sponsor A Show?
Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Ranking the Companions (300th episode!) – The Secrets of Doctor Who

We’re 300! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha celebrate reaching the 300 episode milestone by discussing all the many Companions the Doctor has had over 6 decades and giving them tier rankings. Plus, who qualifies as a Companion?

Dom's ranking
Dom’s Companions ranking
Fr. Cory's ranking
Fr. Cory’s Companions ranking
Jimmy's ranking
Jimmy’s Companions ranking

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.