As Christians, we are called to “love one another.” OK, so that doesn’t mean telling everyone you know, “I love you.” But because of so many factors, even family members have trouble saying that to one another. Some fathers can’t get the words out to their children. Even some spouses have difficulty telling one another that they love them. If we really love someone, why is it hard to say the words, not to mention show them through our actions? Jerry and Debbie will discuss this on Monday – with your takes – at Noon and Midnight ET on EWTN Radio.

Today, Jerry and Debbie welcome Catholic Answers apologist Karlo Broussard to the show to discuss Purgatory. As Catholic Christians, we know from Scripture and history that if a soul dies in a state of grace, but not quite purged of the last vestiges of self-love (in other words, with its love not yet wholly centered on God), then a type of purification is required prior to entering Heaven. This is called Purgatory. But just what is Purgatory? A place? A period of time? Is it suffering? Is there joy? Can a soul that goes to Purgatory eventually go to Hell? Can we live this life so as to avoid Purgatory altogether? Should be a lively conversation – as always, with your great takes and questions.

Karlo Broussard

Let’s face it. Spouses are definitely “roommates.” But much more than that. Especially in a sacramental marriage, they are called to be fully united in thought, word and deed. That doesn’t mean that they can’t have their own “space.” In fact, having individual hobbies and activities can be quite healthy. But what happens when the flame of marital love begins to dim, to the point where a husband and wife are more or less “co-existing” under the same roof? How can the spark of love be reignited? Jerry and Debbie welcome Rose Sweet to the show on Wednesday to discuss this challenging scenario. Be sure to tune in at Noon ET!

Rose Sweet can be found at http://www.rosesweet.com.

Music is a huge part of our daily lives. Everywhere we go, everywhere we turn, there is music playing. Whether it’s on a radio station, in the grocery store, at the gym or elsewhere, we’re inundated with various types of music every day. It’s easy to tap your toes and sing along without really giving a lot of thought to what the song might be saying. Or, the message may be very clear, but you find that you just like to listen to it. Like so many forms of media and entertainment, music can be a vehicle for both lifting our spirits toward God or tearing them down. On Tuesday, join Jerry and Debbie and share your take on how you guard your mind and heart with regard to the music you listen to.

The 2016 Summer Olympic Games get underway on Friday, August 5. Do you believe the whole Olympic “brand” has changed over the years? A few things to consider: The debilitating debt that countries assume just for the “honor” of hosting the Olympics (and the fact that the billion-dollar facilities they build for the Olympics often are never used again); the all-too-frequent scandals involving the bribing of Olympic officials; the fact that it was once the global stage for young, unjaded amateur athletes, and is now mostly professionals; the mind-boggling prices that advertisers pay to be seen on network TV, in spite of falling viewership; performance-enhancing drug use, just to name a few. The Olympics most assuredly are not what they once were. Do you still watch? Do you still root hard for your home country? Do you think winning an Olympic medal means what it once did to the majority of athletes? Share your take on this provocative topic with Jerry and Debbie on Monday at Noon ET.

AUDIO ARCHIVE::

So many young people have been brought to faith – or back to the faith – through the efforts of Christian musicians. When they won’t listen to their parents, their teachers, their confirmation sponsors, they may very well pay attention to the sounds of Christian recording artists. This show will be a look at the power of Christian rock to bring young souls to faith in Christ. Join Jerry and Debbie on Monday when they welcome Daniel Oberreuter of  The Thirsting, a rising Catholic band that will be performing next month at World Youth Day in Poland.

http://www.thethirstingcatholic.com

www.thethirsting.org

RESOURCES:

Don’t forget to log on to Jerry and Debbie’s website to post your prayer intentions, sign up for our newsletter, book a speaking engagement and more. Bookmark the site today – http://www.jerryanddebbie.com. 

The Knights of Columbus are a fraternal order of men who uphold the Catholic faith and support the Church in a variety of ways. Jerry Usher is a fourth degree Knight. Debbie Georgianni’s husband, Marty, is also a fourth degree Knight. How well do you know the Knights and what they do? Are you a Knight yourself? This is your chance to tell the world how proud you are to serve in this prestigious organization. Jerry and Debbie will be joined by Sir Knight (fourth degree) John Bertrand on Friday. He has held many positions within the Knights of Columbus, including at the state level in California.

Let Jerry and Debbie and the entire Take 2 family remember you and your intentions in prayer. Log on to http://www.jerryanddebbie.com today and post yours. And feel free to let others who have posted know that you are praying for them. You can also sign up for our newsletter and contact us about coming out and speaking in your area. Log on today!

One of the Church’s corporal works of mercy is burying the dead. The body is worthy of a dignified final resting place. So, how are we supposed to treat the bodies of the deceased? Is cremation allowed by the Church in all circumstances, or just in special circumstances? If we bury bodies, are Catholic Christians bound to be buried in consecrated ground, i.e. cemeteries? What about some people’s wishes that their remains be scattered in the mountains or at sea? Join Jerry and Debbie for this most informative discussion – along with our guest, Dr. Carol Houghton, a canon lawyer for the Diocese of Harrisburg, PA – on Wednesday.

Remember, Jerry and Debbie can be found at http://www.jerryanddebbie.com. There, you can schedule a talk, get your very own special Holy Land Rosary, post intentions on our prayer wall, sign up for our newsletter and so much more!

Most of us have heard the saying, “It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” The reason is because cursing the darkness does nothing to dispel the darkness. Lighting even one candle causes light – however little – to cut through the darkness. In today’s world, we have a choice with all the evil going on: squirm and scream about how bad things are, or boldly go forth and proclaim the light of Jesus Christ. Which one will we choose? Share your take with Jerry and Debbie on Tuesday.

If you want to “light up” your parish or conference, you can schedule Jerry or Debbie (or both) to come and speak on a number of vital faith topics. Find out how at http://www.jerryanddebbie.com. There, you can also leave you intentions on our prayer wall and purchase your very own, once-in-a-lifetime Holy Land Rosary that was taken to many very powerful sites, including the Churches that mark the birth place and burial place of Jesus!

This is not a show about socialism or the re-distribution of wealth. If someone has worked hard and earned his money, more power to him. But it still remains a glaring scandal that there are individuals in the world today who could fund the needs of small nations in perpetuity, yet often choose to channel their wealth toward oppression and objective causes. And in some states and countries, people live in abject poverty directly across the street (this is no joke) from those who live in large and expensive mansions. Something’s wrong here. How can we as a race allow some to literally die for lack of basic needs like food and water, when others occupy homes that have hallways and rooms that they will likely never visit? Share your take with the world on Monday.

Post your special intentions on the prayer wall at http://www.jerryanddebbie.com. And there are still some once-in-a-lifetime Holy Land Rosaries available there. They are handmade of olive wood and were taken to sites like the Church of the Nativity (the site where Jesus was born) and the Church of the Resurrection (where his actual tomb is today). Get one for yourself and another for someone you love!

Prayers courtesy of http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com….

Dear Lord,
Help me find firm ground in this shaky economy.
As I seek work and assistance,
Give me strength not to be anxious when I seem to be going nowhere;
Give me patience not to despair when things look bleak;
Give me serenity to know you are here with me, helping me to carry my crosses each day;
So that I may do Your will,
For the salvation of souls
And my Eternal Life.

This one is slightly longer, but expresses a similar sentiment:

Dear Lord,
In this time of uncertainty,
Be my rock in a world built on sand;
Be my oasis of grace and peace in a world of tension and turmoil;
Help me to carry my cross gracefully, as you did in Your Passion;
Help me to follow Your beam of light in the midst of this darkness;
Help me to see Your will in all things
And show others Your comfort and strength.

Keep me calm when tempers flare up;
Keep me sane in a crazy world;
Keep me focused on the houses in Heaven
rather than the houses of cards collapsing around me;
Keep my eyes focused on the prize of Heaven
and not lose hope in You in this world or in the world to come;
Make me compassionate in dealing with others;
Let me see my travails as carrying my cross and sharing in Your Passion, for the love of You and for the salvation of souls, including mine.
And may all my difficulties be ultimately for my good and Your glory. Amen.