At long last, I’m excited to share the new podcast from me and Fr. Tito. It’s called Minor Characters, and the idea is simple: bring on a friar each week to share about their life. The friars are rarely the center of attention, often playing minor character roles in people’s stories, but they have a lot to tell. And they’re characters.
We all know the benefits of social media. We know what fun it can be and how it can change lives for the better. But this isn’t the case for everyone. And so I have to ask: does social media make your life better? If not, then Lent is the perfect time to make a change.
Trying to be more active on TikTok this year
Not to contradict the last post… (for some people TikTok is a sin they need to get away from, but not for everyone. Regardless it’s the most used app for young people and it’s important that we create good content for them) I’m trying to devote more energy to making TikTok videos this year. Here are a few from last week.
Don’t let the lack of videos this week lead you to believe that it was a boring seven days. Oh no no no! Out in the real world, we have Catholic Schools Week celebrations at the high school and elementary school, which included a wonderful mass with the bishop, an all-day adoration marathon at the school, and some fun and games. That said, I still have one video to share.
Can Charity Be Bad?
As a Franciscan, but really, as a Christian, I have a deep commitment to the poor. Jesus tells us that he is with them and that we must serve them if we want to enter his Kingdom. Nothing will ever change the fact that we must help those in need.
But that doesn’t mean that all charity is particularly helpful or good for individuals. Sometimes, the things we do are more effective at quieting our conscience and getting us away from the poor than they are at actually addressing poverty.
More on its Way!
Today, Fr. Tito and I recorded the first episode of our upcoming podcast. It went really well, but we also had some technical issues that we want to fix before moving on to new episodes. This might push us back one more week… If today was any indication of things to come, it’s going to be worth it.
From the Vault, Worth a Rewatch
There may not be any new videos this week, but with nearly 500 videos on the channel, I can guarantee you haven’t seen them all. If you haven’t seen this one in a while, give it another watch.
One thing I planned to do this year was post a newsletter each week. After going 0/3 to start 2024, I’m back on track, and committed to keeping it that way. But hey, it’s not like I don’t have an excuse! The week before Christmas I was named temporary administrator of a local church, I teach a senior class at the high school, chaplain at an elementary school, campus minister at a college, and just spent a week in Philadelphia on a mission trip with high schoolers.
Oh, and then there’s this online ministry… Just that little thing.
What I will say is that, despite not posting here, I have been making videos and I have been planning new things. Let’s get into it.
Don’t Settle for Just Okay
One of the most challenging lines of Scripture comes from Revelation: “I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” That is never something you want to hear.
This year, I want to recommend that many of us are more lukewarm than we think. We need a fire under us, passion to guide us.
Eucharist is More Than Adoration
Rightly so, the bishops have emphasized a renewed commitment to the Eucharist in recent years. I love it. What I don’t love is how narrowly focused it’s been so far. We need more.
The Bible has Little to say about homosexuality… but not Nothing
Whenever the Bible is invoked to support a political ideology, Christians should be cautious. It certainly has something to say to the world, but there are many who bend its words to support their ideas. Homosexuality is no exception. Let’s take a look at what the Bible actually says.
Serving the Lost and Broken
As I mentioned above, I spent the week chaperoning a group of students in Philadelphia where they served at St. Francis Inn, a soup kitchen run by the friars since the 70s. It was a cold, powerful, life-changing experience for many of them.
Over the past 13 years, Breaking in the Habit has been many things. I said since the beginning that I wanted to use the media of the day to spread the Gospel, meaning that I needed to be open to adaptation as the world changed. With this in mind, 2024 is going to see some major changes.
For one, Everyday Liminality is going to come to an end. After five and a half years and over 175 episodes, Fr. Tito and I think it’s time to hang it up. We said from the beginning that our primary motivation for starting the podcast was to keep in touch, and that has certainly been accomplished. We’ve both enjoyed our weekly conversations, and think that at least a few people enjoyed listening to us, but the amount of time we were putting into it wasn’t matching the number of people we were reaching. Something new is needed (hold that thought.)
Similarly, Fr. Patrick and I need to put Upon Friar Review on hiatus. As much as we’ve both loved making these episodes, there are some things that take a higher priority than making YouTube videos. Hopefully more to come in the future.
But not everything is bad news. In fact, I’m really excited for this last bit. Starting in a few weeks, Fr. Tito and I will be replacing Everyday Liminality with a new podcast, something we think will have wider appeal and uniquely Franciscan. I don’t want to give everything away until we official release, but I think you’re going to have a new favorite podcast with this cast of characters.
We hope to record our first episode next week, so we’re right around the corner!
What a wonderful day it is! Our God has become like us so that we can become like him. I pray that this day/season/celebration may be a reminder to you of your place in God as his child and that you will live by the example of Christ in all that you do.
Overflowing Generosity
Despite being the richest country in the world, many face hunger. The students at Mount de Sales Academy and St. Peter Claver Church are trying to do something about this.
It’s Not About Santa
For many, Santa Claus is the symbol of this season. Christians have played a part in creating this character, but so have many others. I’m not suggesting we cancel Santa, but I do think we should be aware of his complicated origins.
It’s about Jesus, Food for the World
Have you ever thought about the connection between the birth of Christ and the Eucharist? I’d like to suggest that the manger is the symbol that ties them together.
Vanquishing Evil
What we celebrate today is light in the darkness, that no evil can overcome the power of God. And there is a lot of evil in the world, and even more in movies. Which got us thinking… who is the ultimate movie villain?
Giving Life Hope
Wit Jesus, everything is going to be alright. Everything. This season, give yourself completely to him and he won’t let you down.
Today at mass, God speaks through the prophet Isaiah: “Comfort, give comfort to my people.” How do we do this in the face of stress and tragedy. The only answer is to remind them of the one who is to come, Jesus Christ, who will make everything right.
In many people’s minds, rules are burdensome. But they need not be. Approached properly, they are the guideposts that keep us on the right path and together with others. Deep down, we like rules because we need the rules. Now, learning what the rules actually are… that’s a different story. Let me try to help.
And Be Cautious of Unlimited Wealth
Mr. Beast is the most popular man on YouTube. He creates videos that people want to watch and turns his popularity into generous donations for others. What’s not to like? Well, we have a few cautions.
There have been few movies this century as powerful as No Country For Old Men. A story about the inevitability of death and the conquering power of evil, it may leave some depressed. Not Christians. We can watch this movie with a sober disposition, accepting that death is coming for us, but without the fear of the movie’s characters.
Happy Advent!
Be sure to remember that Christmas isn’t here yet. Embrace the season of waiting, remembering that we long for more than just presents.
Breaking In The Habit 