logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
30m 9s

WOF 421: 7 Ways to be Spiritually Great

BISHOP ROBERT BARRON
About this episode

Friends, we all strive to be spiritually great. We want to be magnanimous, great-souled men and women. But how do we get there? The Church offers a concrete seven-fold path, and that's what Brandon Vogt and I discuss on today's "Word on Fire Show" episode.

A listener asks, I'm coming back into the Church after a 15 year absence, and all the words [of Mass] have changed. What happened?

00:00 | Intro
00:55 | Bishop Barron's California recap
02:18 | How spiritual works of mercy relate to corporal works of mercy
05:08 | Why loving others includes meeting spiritual needs
05:44 | 1) Admonish the sinner
08:24 | 2) Instruct the ignorant
10:17 | 3) Counsel the doubtful
13:32 | 4) Comfort the sorrowful
15:54 | 5) Bear wrongs patiently
19:00 | 6) Forgive all injuries
22:18 | 7) Pray for the living and the dead
26:18 | Listener question
28:32 | New book—Ethics for Beginners by Peter Kreeft

Links


NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Up next
May 11
WOF 535: Bishop Barron on Bishop Fulton Sheen
Welcome back to the Word on Fire Show. I'm Matthew Petrusek, senior director of the Word on Fire Institute and the host of the Word on Fire Show. Thank you for joining us. The faithful recently rejoiced at the news that Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the great American evangelist who l ... Show More
32m 58s
Apr 27
WOF 534: The Evangelical Power of the Old Testament
Welcome back to the Word on Fire Show. I'm Matthew Petrusek, senior director of the Word on Fire Institute and the host of the Word on Fire Show. Thank you for joining us. The Old Testament is about three-quarters of the Bible. It is theologically and morally impossible for Chris ... Show More
41m 17s
Apr 13
WOF 533: Hollywood & Catholic Priests
Welcome back to the Word on Fire Show. I'm Matthew Petrusek, senior director of the Word on Fire Institute and the host of the Word on Fire Show. Thank you for joining us. Hollywood is not known for being friendly to Christianity in general or Catholicism in particular, especiall ... Show More
39m 1s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2025
Q&A (Part 2) - How to Hear God, Boundaries as Christian, Spiritual Warfare, +
<p>Part two of our Q&amp;A. Navigating your journey with Jesus + the prayer to accept him into your life and become Christian. A few questions asked: </p><p>- how to hear God, and how to build a relationship with him</p><p>- How to overcome spiritual warfare</p><p>- what boundari ... Show More
1h 1m
May 2025
HOW TO RESPOND BIBLICALLY WHEN FALSE TEACHERS SHOW UP AT YOUR HOUSE
It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Segment 1 • Why do you always say “my never before nicotine-stained fingers”—what’s the story? • How should Christians view cadaver dissection in medical training? • Should I invite Jehovah’s Witnesses ... Show More
55 m
Aug 2024
EP 40: Saved by Grace
<p>How can you transform past shame into a powerful testimony for Christ? Join me, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/immeganashley/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Megan Ashley</a>, on this episode of In Totality, where we unravel the true power of faith and submissio ... Show More
55 m
Sep 2025
An Insider’s View on Trans Violence: A Call for Understanding, Love, and Grace | The Jesus People Podcast Episode 36
<p>In this powerful episode, Neeza Powers shares how a life-altering encounter with Jesus reshaped identity, purpose, and courage, just 95 days in. From leaving life as “Nicole” to discovering the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom, Neeza and Ryan wrestle with how boldne ... Show More
1h 8m
Jun 2024
Spirituality, Spiritual Warfare, & Spiritual Authority
<p>Welcome back to another episode of the Stay True Podcast with Madison Prewett Troutt! This week, Madison breaks down a very popular and requested topic: Spirituality. Madison will turn to God's Word for answers on what the Bible says about manifesting, crystals, and horoscopes ... Show More
56 m
Jul 2025
EP 354: You Don’t Have to Be Perfect—Just Present | Resilient Hope Summer Series
Have you ever struggled to connect with others? In this episode, Christine Caine continues unpacks the powerful encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman in John 4. She reveals how Jesus built bridges instead of walls—choosing compassion over condemnation, relationship over ... Show More
22m 55s