logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
14m 43s

A Thorn in the Flesh

BISHOP ROBERT BARRON
About this episode
Friends, on this Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, our second reading is from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. The focus of the reading is “a thorn in the flesh” that was given to Paul “to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.” What was it? We don’t know, but whatever it was, it wasn’t trivial. We all have something like this—some physical, ps ... Show More
Up next
Jul 8
Let the Word of God Take Root in You
Friends, on this Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we continue our reading of the Gospel of Matthew. In chapter 13, Jesus gives a series of seven very memorable parables, the first four having to do with the growth of the kingdom of God. The first of these, which we’re reading f ... Show More
14m 56s
Apr 8
Both His Wounds and His Peace
Friends, peace be with you—an echo of the words of the risen Jesus in our Gospel for the Second Sunday of Easter, also called Mercy Sunday. Christ gives his disciples the gift of shalom (peace). But there’s an exceptionally important juxtaposition here: He also shows them his wou ... Show More
14m 57s
Jul 1
Your King Shall Come to You
Friends, on this Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, our first reading is from the prophet Zechariah, who is a very important figure for the Lord Jesus. The prophet predicts the arrival of a king, meek and riding on a donkey—a king who will “proclaim peace to the nations” and ext ... Show More
14m 48s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2025
2 Corinthians 11-12: Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
Paul's "thorn in the flesh" has sparked countless theories about physical ailments and personal struggles, but the answer may be simpler than we think. Seth and David explore Paul's third heaven experience and show how his thorn in the flesh connects to the pattern of Old Testame ... Show More
52m 32s
Jul 2024
07/07/24 A Thorn in the Side
Homily from the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. God can be glorified through our wounds, not merely in spite of them. We all experience brokenness. We all experience God's love through a broken lens. And yet we do encounter them in this way. Mass Readings from July 7, 2024: E ... Show More
17m 14s
Mar 2024
014 | Discover the Power of Grace
Hey sister, What is happening in this season of your life? For many of us – if not most of us in this messy middle, it’s a time that comes with transitions, changes, losses, limitations, lots of reflection – and questions without easy answers. In 2 Corinthians chapter 12 Paul rev ... Show More
24 m
Dec 2024
Day 344: The Thorn in Paul's Side (2024)
Fr. Mike recaps Paul's trial before the chief priests and the plot to kill him in Acts 23. As we conclude 2 Corinthians today, Fr. Mike reflects on the thorn in Paul's side, a weakness that he struggled with and begged God to take away. Fr. Mike invites us to reflect on our own t ... Show More
18m 34s
Dec 2022
Day 344: The Thorn in Paul's Side (2022)
Fr. Mike recaps Paul's trial before the chief priests and the plot to kill him in Acts 23. As we conclude 2 Corinthians today, Fr. Mike reflects on the thorn in Paul's side, a weakness that he struggled with and begged God to take away. Fr. Mike invites us to reflect on our own t ... Show More
18m 34s
Dec 2009
2 Corinthians 4
We are undergoing temporary affliction. 
2m 31s
Dec 2024
Day 341: Eternal Weight of Glory (2024)
In our reading of Acts 20, Fr. Mike reflects on the healing of Eutychus, Paul's willingness to suffer for the sake of the Gospel, and Paul's tender affection for the people he ministered to. In 2 Corinthians, Fr. Mike also highlights Paul's encouragement to hold onto the hope of ... Show More
23m 25s