Father Fessio in Five

101: Life is Like a Greek Race

In Hebrews 12, St. Paul talks about running a race sounded by a cloud of witnesses with Christ as our model. Father Fessio beautifully explains this metaphor by pointing out details that only the Greek words reveal.

100: Unpacking St. Ignatius’ Suscipe Prayer

In this special 100th episode of Father Fessio in Five, Father explains part of St. Ignatius’ Suscipe prayer where we ask the Lord to “Take our memory, intellect, and all my will.” This episode will help you pray this beautiful prayer more deeply!

99: A Jesuit Speaks About Gender

Fr. Fessio talks about gender and claims that there are three genders?! But listen closely . . . he’s not saying what you may think . . .

98: Did Jesus Have Faith?

It seems like Jesus would not have faith because he is God. But Father Fessio reflections on Hebrews 12:1–4 where Jesus is said to be a “pioneer and perfector of our faith.”

97: What is Our “Daily Bread”?

When we ask God to give us our “daily bread,” are we asking God simply for enough food to eat each day? Father Fessio explains. . .

96: Forgive Our "Debts" or "Trespasses"?

Binge Father Fessio in Five! You may have noticed a flurry of episodes in the past day and that is because we are bringing Father Fessio in Five to YouTube. We updated our equipment so that you can now watch Fr. Fessio on YouTube as well as listen to him here on the audio apps.
In this episode, we pray the Our Father every day, but do we always fully understand, and what we are saying? Father Fessio breaks down two phrases in the Our Father so that you can pray it more intentionally and fervently.

95: Inspiration of Scripture

Fr. Fessio explains how the Catholic understanding of “inspired writings” is very different than that of Islam or Mormonism.

94: C.S. Lewis and the Historical Critical Method

Fr. Fessio reads a passage from Miracles by C.S. Lewis to explain the proper use of the historical critical method.

93: The Historical Critical Method

How can the historical critical method enhance our understanding of Scripture without detracting from it? Find out in this episode!

92: God With Us

In this two-part episode, Father Fessio examines the yearning of Isaiah to see the face of God.

91: The Great Mystery

Father Fessio reflects on great mystery which according to St. Paul is “Christ in us” and the hope of glory.

90: Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Why do we ask God to “lead us not into temptation” in the Our Father? Father Fessio explains that this statement has its roots in the Old Testament and that “temptation” actually refers to a place. . .

89: From Faith to Agape

Looking at the Greek words, Father Fessio explains the progression of thoughts in 2 Peter 1:5–7 where St. Peter says that we should make every effort “to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly love, and finally brotherly love with love.”

88: Why Reread Things?

Father Fessio highlights why it is so important for us to reread profound, perennial, and permanent things, most especially the Scriptures.

87: Imperfect Offerings

When we go to Mass, we offer our whole selves to God, even our weaknesses and faults. Father Fessio reflects on the beauty of the Mass and highlights the many places where we ask God for His mercy.

86: Creating a Network of Reliable Information

There is a lot of unreliable information in this day and age. To combat this problem, Father encourages us to form your own NRI (Network of Reliable Information).

85: Fake It Till You Make It

While this motto is often used to encourage people to lie, Father Fessio argues that this a noble way to “fake it until you make it.”

84: Are You Thankful for Neologisms?

We take many things for granted, and in this episode, Father Fessio reflects on neologisms or new words as a way of appreciating language and those who have shaped it in the past.

83: The Significance of the Cross

Fr. Fessio explains why the symbol of the cross embodies the essential message of Christianity. With this episode, Fr. Fessio has recorded an episode for every year of his life. Also stay tuned because when we return next week for “Father Fessio in Five,” we will have a new look and new recording equipment!

82: Why God Wanted Us to Discover Wine

Fr. Fessio continues his discussion wine making and argues that God wanted us to discover wine.

81: Fr. Fessio Explains Wine Making

As an example of God’s beautiful design in creation, Fr. Fessio details the science of wine making.

80: God in the Atomic World

The more we study creation and the microscopic world, the more we find God.

79: Is Jesus Present in Every Molecule of the Eucharist?

Fr. Fessio encourages Eucharistic reverence while avoiding scrupulosity.

78: Can We Call Somebody a Fool?

Jesus calls the Scribes and Pharisees “blind fools,” but in the same Gospel He says that those who calls their brother “a fool” are subject to the fires of Gehenna. So how are we to reconcile these two passages?

77: His Mercy is on Those Who Fear Him

Fr. Fessio examines Mary’s longest discourse, the Magnificat, to explain what kind of mercy God offers to those who fear Him.

76: Faith in God

Drawing on the Fathers of the Church, Fr. Fessio outlines what it means to have “faith in God.”

75: Thrown Into The Fire

At the end of the age, will all people be thrown into the fire?

74: Hope in a Chaotic World

The Prophet Jeremiah laments the corruption of the next generation but finds his hope in God.

73: Have I Fought the Good Fight?

Saint Paul says we must fight not just well, but BEAUTIFULLY.

72: Notes from the Underworld

Who is going to hell? Most, a few, all, none? Stop asking the wrong question.