Inside Star Gate with Paul Smith (Military Psychic Spies, Remote Viewing) – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

In 1983, US Army junior officer Paul H. Smith was asked to become a psychic spy for the military. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli welcome Paul to the show to discuss his work doing secret intelligence jobs, the nature of Remote Viewing, and what happened with Project Star Gate.

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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.

RosaryArmy.com. Have more peace. Visit RosaryArmy.com and get a free all-twine knotted rosary, downloadable audio Rosaries, and more. Make Them. Pray Them. Give Them Away at RosaryArmy.com.

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The Weekly Francis – 26 May 2021

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 21 May 2021 to 26 May 2021.

General Audiences

Homilies

Letters

Messages

Regina Caeli

Speeches

Papal Tweets

  • “Together, we can seek the truth in #dialogue, in relaxed conversation or in passionate debate. To do so calls for perseverance; it entails moments of silence, yet it can patiently embrace the broader experience of individuals and the #CulturalDiversity of peoples.” @Pontifex 21 May 2021
  • “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience. #LaudatoSiWeek” @Pontifex 21 May 2021
  • “Tomorrow evening the Vigil of Pentecost will be celebrated in Saint Stephen’s Church in Jerusalem to implore the gift of peace. Let us #PrayTogether, pleading to the Holy Spirit so that Israelis and Palestinians may be open to living together as brothers and sisters.” @Pontifex 21 May 2021
  • “Each year sees the disappearance of thousands of plant and animal species. Most become extinct due to human activity, and will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us. We have no such right. #Biodiversity #LaudatoSiWeek” @Pontifex 22 May 2021
  • “The Holy Spirit, the love of God, acts in our spirit. He comes down “within the heart”, as “the soul’s most welcome guest”. He is the very love of God, who does not abandon us. #Pentecost Homily” @Pontifex 23 May 2021
  • “Let us open our hearts to the gift of the Holy Spirit, which makes us feel all the beauty and truth of God’s love in the dead and Risen Christ. And it spurs us to go out, to witness to this Love that always precedes us with his mercy. #Pentecost” @Pontifex 23 May 2021
  • “#LetUsPrayTogether for the situation in Colombia, which continues to be worrying. I exhort everyone to avoid, for humanitarian reasons, behaviours that are damaging for the population in exercising the right to peaceful protest.” @Pontifex 23 May 2021
  • “Let us also pray for the populations of the city of Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, forced to flee due to the eruption of the great volcano, Mount Nyiragongo.” @Pontifex 23 May 2021
  • “Holy Spirit, Paraclete Spirit, comfort our hearts. Our Advocate, sweet counsellor of the soul, make us witnesses of the “today” of God, prophets of unity for the Church and humanity, and apostles grounded in your grace, which creates and renews all things.” @Pontifex 24 May 2021
  • “Let us entrust ourselves to the maternal intercession of Mary Most Holy so that the Holy Spirit may descend in abundance upon the Church of our time, fill the hearts of all the faithful and kindle in them the fire of his love.” @Pontifex 24 May 2021
  • “On the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, let us #PrayTogether for our dear brothers and sisters in China. May the Holy Spirit guide and help them to be bearers of the happy message, witnesses of charity, and builders of justice and peace in their country.” @Pontifex 24 May 2021
  • “Today the “Laudato Si’ Year” concludes. I thank those who participated with many initiatives throughout the world. It is a journey that we must continue together, listening to the cry of the Earth and of the poor.” @Pontifex 24 May 2021
  • “The Paraclete is telling the Church that today is the time for comforting. It is more the time for joyfully proclaiming the Gospel than for combatting paganism. It is the time for bringing the joy of the Risen Lord, not for lamenting the drama of secularization.” @Pontifex 24 May 2021
  • “It is the time for pouring out love upon the world, yet not embracing worldliness. It is more the time for testifying to mercy, than for inculcating rules and regulations. It is the time of the Paraclete! It is the time of freedom of heart, in the Paraclete.” @Pontifex 24 May 2021
  • “The #LaudatoSi’ Year has brought about a concrete action project called the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, a path that will involve our communities in various ways so that they may become totally sustainable in the spirit of an integral ecology. Laudato si’ – Official Website” @Pontifex 25 May 2021
  • “When we pray, we need to be humble, so that our words are actually prayers and not just idle talk that God rejects. #Prayer #GeneralAudience” @Pontifex 26 May 2021
  • “The Holy Spirit is the Gift of God who helps us to be free people, people who want and know how to love, people who understand that life is a mission to proclaim the wonders that the Lord accomplishes in those who trust in him.” @Pontifex 26 May 2021

Papal Instagram

Closing Time – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The 11th Doctor meets up with Craig again and now Craig’s son, Stormaggedon. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Cybermen story, the way this episode bridges to the season finale, and what it does right and wrong.

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Practical Tips for Being Charitable with Others

A correspondent writes:

I’ve never seen you treat someone uncharitably in a conversation, so my question is, how can I grow in that area so that I’m not allowing my approach to be a stumbling block to my interlocutor?

I have the intention to not stand in the way of truth with my approach but sometimes I fail and could use some practical tips.

Thank you very much! You are too kind!

Regarding being uncharitable, this is something we all have to wrestle with, and we all fail sometimes. “We all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man” (Jas. 3:2).

I try, in any statement destined for the public (whether spoken or written) not to say anything that I would not say to a person’s face.

Getting in the habit of speaking charitably even when a person is not there probably has a spillover effect even when the person is there–i.e., I learn to keep the charitable speech filter on all the time, rather than turning it on and off. At least that’s the goal.

I also try to put myself in the other person’s position as much as possible. If I wouldn’t want something publicly said to me, I don’t want to say it to or about the other person.

In some cases, it may help to think in terms of other, closely related parties as well. For example, suppose I was in a conversation with a man and his wife and children also were present. There are certain things I would not want to say to him in front of those he cares about, lest I undermine him as a husband and father (the same thing would apply with the sexes reversed).

If I wouldn’t want something said about me in front of my loved ones, I shouldn’t say it to another person in front of his loved ones. Nobody should be mocked in front of those they hold most dear.

While these people may not be physically present for a conversation, in the age of the Internet, a person’s loved ones could see the conversation–either live or after the fact–and even if they don’t, the person’s fans will see it, and people care about how they look and are made to look in front of their online followers.

So, the Golden Rule continues to apply: If I wouldn’t want something publicly said about me, I shouldn’t say it about someone else.

All of those are considerations that deal with the reasons not to be uncharitable, but there are also positive reasons to be charitable, which relate directly to one’s own self-interest.

For example, my interlocutor himself is more likely to take me seriously and thoughtfully if he can see I’m being friendly and fair minded toward him.

And, if I’m in a public conversation and those observing it see that I’m clearly being charitable, they will think more positively of me and be more open to what I have to say.

(Conversely, if my interlocutor comes off as less charitable or uncharitable, the audience will correspondingly take a negative view of him and what he is saying.)

There are thus multiple reasons that favor a charitable approach, and by keeping these factors in mind and putting them into practice, the discipline of taking a charitable approach becomes a habit and second nature, though (especially with certain individuals) it can be a challenge and there can be lapses.

Of course, all this deals primarily with how one says something rather than what one says. It is a false charity if one shies away from telling truths that need to be spoken in a given conversation.

Going into minor or tangential matters can display a lack of charity (e.g., you can look like you are beating someone up or going down rabbit trails, even if you remain pleasant and calm), but the main truths that are relevant to a conversation need to come up, even if they are uncomfortable. Yet, with practice and discipline, they can still be spoken in a charitable way.

This is the first time I’ve tried to articulate some of these thoughts, but I hope they are helpful.

The Ensigns of Command (TNG) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Data in command. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this episode where Data has to take command all by himself to deal with life and death situation and learn what leadership is.

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The Medical Mystery of “the Toxic Woman” (Gloria Ramirez, Toxic Lady) – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

In 1994, a young woman was rushed to an ER and as she was being treated bizarre things started to happen to the nurses and doctors. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at what happened to Gloria Ramirez and the hospital staff and what could explain the strange events surrounding her death.

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.

RosaryArmy.com. Have more peace. Visit RosaryArmy.com and get a free all-twine knotted rosary, downloadable audio Rosaries, and more. Make Them. Pray Them. Give Them Away at RosaryArmy.com.

Whole Mission Marquette Method Natural Family Planning Services. Unveil the mystery of you and your spouse’s combined fertility using an evidence-based, highly effective, and moral way of avoiding or achieving pregnancy. Discover more from a licensed healthcare professional at mmnfp.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.

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The Weekly Francis – 20 May 2021

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 13 May 2021 to 20 May 2021.

General Audiences

Homilies

Messages

Regina Caeli

Speeches

Papal Tweets

  • “The Solemnity of the #Ascension lifts our gaze upwards, beyond earthly things. At the same time, it reminds us of the mission the Lord has entrusted to us here on earth. May the Holy Spirit guide us in the good battle we must wage.” @Pontifex 13 May 2021
  • “Our lives and the history of the world are in God’s hands. Let us entrust the Church, ourselves and the entire world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Let us pray for peace, the end of the pandemic, a penitent spirit, and our conversion. #OurLadyofFatima” @Pontifex 13 May 2021
  • “If the family is not at the center of the present, there will be no future; but if the family takes off again, everything will take again. #Birthrate” @Pontifex 14 May 2021
  • “The family is the harmonious union of the differences between man and woman, capable of opening themselves to life and to others. Let us #PrayTogether for families so that they might remain united throughout these difficult times and lend a hand to those in need. #DayofFamilies” @Pontifex 15 May 2021
  • “The abuse of minors is a ”psychological murder“, it takes away their childhood away. Therefore, the protection of children against sexual exploitation is a duty of every state. Also needed are reporting, prevention and efficacious help for the victims.” @Pontifex 15 May 2021
  • “All of us are responsible for the communications we make, for the information we share, for the control that we can exert over fake news by exposing it. All of us are to be witnesses of the truth: to go, to see and to share. #WorldCommunicationsDay” @Pontifex 16 May 2021
  • “On this Feast of the #Ascension, while we contemplate Heaven, where Christ has ascended and sits at the right hand of the Father, let us ask Mary, Queen of Heaven, to help us to be courageous witnesses to the Risen One in the world, in the concrete situations of life.” @Pontifex 16 May 2021
  • “Today I wish to lay upon the Lord’s altar the sufferings of the people of #Myanmar and pray that God will convert all hearts to peace. Do not lose hope: Jesus is interceding before the Father for all of us, that he keep us from the evil one and set us free from the power of evil.” @Pontifex 16 May 2021
  • “The commitment to #peace and #fraternity always originates from the grass roots: everyone can do something, however small. Everyone can be dedicated, even in small ways, to build fraternity, to work toward reconstructing what is broken instead of fomenting violence.” @Pontifex 16 May 2021
  • “The Lord always hears the cry of his people and dries their tears. Dear brothers and sisters of #Myanmar, do not stop looking up to heaven. Keep the faith! Homily” @Pontifex 16 May 2021
  • “Let us pray constantly that the Israelis and Palestinians may find the path of dialogue and forgiveness. Let us pray for the victims, in particular for the children; let us pray for peace.” @Pontifex 16 May 2021
  • “Today “Laudato Si’ Week” begins, to educate more and more to listen to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor. I thank the numerous participating organizations, and I invite everyone to participate.” @Pontifex 16 May 2021
  • “I invite all men and women in our world to make good use of the gifts that the Lord has entrusted to us to preserve and make his creation even more beautiful. #LaudatoSiWeek” @Pontifex 17 May 2021
  • “In order to ensure the proper care of our common home, we must become a “we” that is ever wider and more co-responsible, in the profound conviction that whatever good is done in our world is done for present and future generations. #LaudatoSiWeek” @Pontifex 18 May 2021
  • “When we become aware of our distractions in #prayer, what can help us confront them is to humbly offer our heart to the Lord so that He may purify it and refocus it on Him.” @Pontifex 19 May 2021
  • “In these days of preparation for the Solemnity of #Pentecost, let us ask the Lord to send us the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that we may persevere in our life of #prayer with humility and joy, overcoming difficulties with wisdom and determination.” @Pontifex 19 May 2021
  • “Technology based on the use of highly polluting fossil fuels needs to be replaced without delay. There is reason to hope that humanity at the dawn of the 21st century will be remembered for having generously shouldered its grave responsibilities. #LaudatoSiWeek” @Pontifex 19 May 2021
  • “On this 500th anniversary of St. Ignatius’ wound in Pamplona, I invite everyone to join in this journey of conversion with the pilgrim Ignatius, so that we may be renewed and see all things new in Christ. #Ignatius500” @Pontifex 20 May 2021
  • “Let us #PrayTogether today for victims of the climate crisis and continue to work so that the earth may truly be a common home where everyone can have their place. #LaudatoSiWeek” @Pontifex 20 May 2021

Papal Instagram

The Web Planet – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The First Doctor in an ambitious science fiction story for its time. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this serial that features very alien characters and situations, some clever and witty dialogue, and trenchant social commentary.

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The Survivor (TAS)

A missing philanthropist is found by the Enterprise, but how are the Romulans involved? Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this story that at the time could only have been realized in animation, plus the amazing voice work of guest star Ted Knight.

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Nostradamus! (His Secret Technique Revealed! Astrologer? Prophet? Psychic?) – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

The 16th century French seer Nostradamus continues to fascinate the public. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli ask whether he could predict the future, how we should interpret his prophecies, and what was the secret technique he used to compose them.

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.

RosaryArmy.com. Have more peace. Visit RosaryArmy.com and get a free all-twine knotted rosary, downloadable audio Rosaries, and more. Make Them. Pray Them. Give Them Away at RosaryArmy.com.

Whole Mission Marquette Method Natural Family Planning Services. Unveil the mystery of you and your spouse’s combined fertility using an evidence-based, highly effective, and moral way of avoiding or achieving pregnancy. Discover more from a licensed healthcare professional at mmnfp.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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download