Books, Articles, and a New Initiative Coming August 15th

Why are Theologians Unhappy? | Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on Matthew 13 and the Parable of the Sower.Every seed hears the word, but not every seed bears fruit. Some receive it with joy, yet have no root. Others hear and understand, becoming deeply rooted in Christ.Jesus reveals that lasting faith is more than an emotional response or intellectual interest. True understanding comes only by remaining rooted in Him, the eternal Word.The Christian life begins by hearing Christ, grows through understanding Him, and bears fruit by remaining rooted in Him. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ectplus.org/subscribe [https://www.ectplus.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

From Selling Porsches to Catholic Theology | Dr. Richard DeClue

In this episode of the Encyclopedia of Catholic Theology podcast, Dr. Richard DeClue reflects on his journey from studying biology and selling Porsches to becoming a Catholic theologian and professor at the Word on Fire Institute. He discusses his formation at Belmont Abbey College, Boston College, and the Catholic University of America, before exploring Eucharistic ecclesiology and why the Eucharist is essential to understanding the Church's origin, nature, structure, and mission. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ectplus.org/subscribe [https://www.ectplus.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Ethics is Never “First" in the Christian Life | Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on Matthew 11 and Christ’s words: “You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned and revealed them to little ones.” Jesus is not condemning intelligence or praising ignorance. He reveals that the mysteries of God are not mastered through human ingenuity but received through union with Him. The little ones are those who allow themselves to be shaped by Christ rather than relying upon themselves. Divine reality is greater than any human mind can grasp on its own. The Christian life does not begin with moral effort or self-improvement. It begins with Jesus, who reveals the Kingdom to those willing to receive it. Only little ones are content to live in Him. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ectplus.org/subscribe [https://www.ectplus.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Does the Eucharist Make the Church? | In Focus

What is the relationship between the Eucharist and the Church? In this episode of In Focus, Dr. Richard DeClue introduces Eucharistic ecclesiology — the study of the Church understood through her intrinsic connection to the Eucharist. He defines the theological framework, traces the Eucharist's role in the Church's origin, nature, structure, and mission, and shows how the sacrament is not merely something the Church does, but what makes her the Church.For more, read Dr. DeClue's article Eucharistic Ecclesiology here: https://www.ect.org/en/article/eucharistic-ecclesiology?previousUri=%2Farticles This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ectplus.org/subscribe [https://www.ectplus.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Family is not "Big Enough” for Divine Love | Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on Matthew 10 and Christ’s challenging words: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.”Jesus is not asking us to love our families less. Rather, He reveals that no human relationship is capable of bearing the fullness of the love He desires to give us.The deepest loves of family and friendship are real and good, but they remain finite. Only Christ is infinite enough to sustain the love for which the human heart was created.When we love Jesus first, our love for others is not diminished—it is transformed. In Christ, we learn to love our family, our neighbors, and even ourselves with a love that shares in His own divine charity.Only Jesus is great enough to become the reason for every other love. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ectplus.org/subscribe [https://www.ectplus.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]