logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2023
17m 45s

Day 44: The Scandal of Evil

ASCENSION
About this episode

If God is a good Father and creates a good world, why does evil exist? The Catechism addresses this profound and often painful question. Fr. Mike helps us understand how to reconcile sin, evil, and suffering with God’s loving Providence. He assures us that while God does not remove evil, he does redeem it, offering himself as the solution. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 309-314.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

Up next
Today
Day 246: Mercy and the Mystery of Sin (2026)
Jesus reveals God’s offer of loving mercy to sinners. To accept this gift, we must identify and admit our failings. Recognizing our sins enables us to further cooperate in our redemption. Sin can be understood and categorized in several ways, but every sin wounds our nature and d ... Show More
24m 37s
Yesterday
Day 245: Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit (2026)
As we end our exploration of the virtues, we learn about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts perfect our virtues and increase our ability to respond to God’s guidance and inspiration. The fruits of the Holy Spirit perfect us, are signs of a life lived in the Spirit, and are ... Show More
19m 19s
Sep 1
Day 244: The Virtue of Charity (2026)
The greatest of all the theological virtues is charity. Fr. Mike explains that charity, or love, is to love God above all things for his own sake and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This includes loving our enemies and also obeying God's commandments, two actions that are not ... Show More
21m 43s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2022
Day 64: Consequences of Sin (2022)
Fr. Mike explains why God would give the Israelites such drastic consequences for their sin, and how it reveals his divine plan and infinite mercy. Today's readings are Numbers 15, Deuteronomy 13-14, and Psalm 96. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinaye ... Show More
22m 50s
Dec 2022
Day 356: God Is Love (2022)
Today Fr. Mike reminds us that God created us out of love, for love. Fr. Mike also points out where the Catholic Church draws her doctrine on the difference between mortal and venial sin, as well as what St. Paul means when he teaches that there is only "one mediator" between God ... Show More
25m 19s
Mar 2023
Day 64: Consequences of Sin (2023)
Fr. Mike explains why God would give the Israelites such drastic consequences for their sin, and how it reveals his divine plan and infinite mercy. Today's readings are Numbers 15, Deuteronomy 13-14, and Psalm 96. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinaye ... Show More
22m 50s
Dec 2023
Day 356: God Is Love (2023)
Today Fr. Mike reminds us that God created us out of love, for love. Fr. Mike also points out where the Catholic Church draws her doctrine on the difference between mortal and venial sin, as well as what St. Paul means when he teaches that there is only "one mediator" between God ... Show More
25m 19s
Sep 2022
Day 255: God Is Good (2022)
Fr. Mike guides us through another chapter of Jeremiah and connects it to the sorrow and pain we hear in Lamentations. He reminds us that, even with such evil and desperation filing the world these days, God is still good, and we still have reason to hope in him. Today's readings ... Show More
29m 25s
Mar 2024
Day 64: Consequences of Sin (2024)
Fr. Mike explains why God would give the Israelites such drastic consequences for their sin, and how it reveals his divine plan and infinite mercy. Today's readings are Numbers 15, Deuteronomy 13-14, and Psalm 96. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinaye ... Show More
22m 50s
Oct 2022
Day 297: Using Good Things for Evil (2022)
As we read from Proverbs and Sirach, Fr. Mike points out how everything God has made is good, but we can use those things for evil ends. We also reach the conclusion of 1 Maccabees today. The readings are 1 Maccabees 16, Sirach 38-39, and Proverbs 23:29-35. For the complete readi ... Show More
20m 32s