We know that Jesus is coming back. Scripture says – in the words of Jesus – that we do not know the day nor the hour. It could be Monday, or it could be 5000 Mondays from now. The Bible tells us that God’s patience is for our benefit. We all have family and friends who are not practicing their faith. The Book of Revelation exhorts us to pray for Jesus’ second coming. But, what would happen to our loved ones if He returned today? What would our own fate be? How do you handle the tension between wanting Jesus to return soon, and knowing people who might not be ready? On Monday, let’s talk about this, and share with us what you think of this question.

This weekend is Pentecost Sunday. It’s the culmination of the Easter season, and reminds us of when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon his first disciples after His ascension into heaven. We often focus on God the Father, and Jesus the Son. But not always so much on the Holy Spirit, whom the Creed tells us is the “Lord and Giver of Life.” On Friday, in anticipation of Pentecost, let’s talk about how we incorporate the Holy Spirit in our daily lives and spiritual lives.

Life involves suffering. For some, a lot of suffering. What we “do” with that suffering is of the utmost importance. First, we can and should unite it to the suffering of Jesus during His passion and death in reparation for our own sins. But the Bible and the teachings of the Church make it clear that we can embrace our hardships for the spiritual benefit of others. In Colossians 1:24, St. Paul says that he even rejoices in the opportunity he has to suffer for others. At the heart of this notion of suffering for others is the Church’s understanding of the mystical Body of Christ including those in heaven, those on earth, and those in Purgatory. Has there been a time in your life when you accepted your suffering with the intention of God helping someone else? Perhaps you have even asked the Lord for suffering with the same thing in mind. Let’s have a conversation about this on Thursday’s show.

Most of us have pets. They all have their unique characteristics and ways of behaving. They often bond so closely with us that they either take on our traits, or they behave in a manner that resembles how we live. Often, we are able to see patterns in our pets that mirror the way our own lives are going. Perhaps it’s that they adapt well to other people. Maybe they exhibit signs of having once been wounded or mistreated. Or they may need a lot of patience and reassurance in certain circumstances. On Wednesday, let’s talk about the amazing relationships we have with the pets God created and brought into our lives.

In The Book of Esther, it says that she may well have been made queen “for such a time as this,” a time when she could most effectively serve her people. Have you ever thought of your life, and the fact that you were created, conceived and born in this time, versus, say, a thousand years ago, or a hundred years in the future? God knows exactly what He’s doing when placing each of us on this earth. The problem is, we often don’t know what that reason is. As you examine your life – the highs, the lows, the ups, the downs, the joys, the sorrows, your wounds and your strengths – has it occurred to you, even in some small way, why you are here, now, at this time in world and salvation history? You have a role to play in God’s design that no one else can play. Let’s talk about this on Tuesday’s show.

You’re likely familiar with the passage in the Bible where the sisters, Martha and Mary, entertain Jesus in Martha’s home. Mary decides to sit at Jesus’ feet attentively listening to Him. Martha complains to Our Lord that Mary has left her alone to handle all of the serving. What Jesus says after that is very important. He eventually tells Martha that Mary has chosen “the better part,” and that it won’t be taken from her. “Better,” but not “only.” In other words, Martha’s busyness, and Mary’s contemplation of Jesus, are both good. We’re all called to live each of those roles to some extent in our lives. Of course, Jesus calls some men and women to be more of one than the other. If you were to reflect on your life as a follower of Jesus, would you say you relate more to Martha or to Mary? Let’s talk about this on Thursday’s show.

There were so many calls, e-mails and social media comments on Tuesday’s show, we decided to do a part two on this topic:

A recent disturbing documentary titled, “Seattle Is Dying,” is a jaw-dropping expose of many cultural and societal ills that have nearly turned The Emerald City, long considered to be one of the most gorgeous places in the United States, into a gun-, drug- and filth-infested town. Not that there are no longer any beautiful and serene neighborhoods in and around the greater Seattle area. But the downtown core in particular has become like a desolate wasteland you’d perhaps see in a sci-fi movie. Seattle is not alone in its descent into the abyss. Many other parts of the country have either preceded Seattle, or are not far behind, in seeing this play out for them. The tent cities, the crime, the hypodermic needles, the empty liquor bottles, the weapons…the list goes on and on. And, to listen to some current and former law enforcement officers in Seattle, they are more often than not told not to enforce the laws regarding these circumstances. So, the question for you on Tuesday is, have you watched your beloved city go downhill in some very unfortunate ways? Do you feel helpless to do anything about it. Maybe your city is not dying in this fashion, but actually thriving today. Let’s have a conversation about this, since it touches upon so many areas of our faith.

A recent disturbing documentary titled, “Seattle Is Dying,” is a jaw-dropping expose of many cultural and societal ills that have nearly turned The Emerald City, long considered to be one of the most gorgeous places in the United States, into a gun-, drug- and filth-infested town. Not that there are no longer any beautiful and serene neighborhoods in and around the greater Seattle area. But the downtown core in particular has become like a desolate wasteland you’d perhaps see in a sci-fi movie. Seattle is not alone in its descent into the abyss. Many other parts of the country have either preceded Seattle, or are not far behind, in seeing this play out for them. The tent cities, the crime, the hypodermic needles, the empty liquor bottles, the weapons…the list goes on and on. And, to listen to some current and former law enforcement officers in Seattle, they are more often than not told not to enforce the laws regarding these circumstances. So, the question for you on Tuesday is, have you watched your beloved city go downhill in some very unfortunate ways? Do you feel helpless to do anything about it. Maybe your city is not dying in this fashion, but actually thriving today. Let’s have a conversation about this, since it touches upon so many areas of our faith.

This week is moving along quickly. On Thursday’s show, we want to hear from you if you have received God’s mercy in the form of a healing. Everyone has illnesses, injuries, etc. Some people must suffer a very long time, often without ever being healed. But for many, God’s grace, together with modern medicine and treatments, bring healing with them. A small number of individuals are healed without any rational explanation. If you fit into any of these categories, and you want to tell the world how grateful you are to have been healed, then we definitely invite you to call and share your take!

Thursday, on part two of Wednesdays topic, Jerry and Debbie will welcome your personal experiences of the devastating opioid problem facing our country, as well as many other countries around the world. What very often starts out as simply a matter of someone taking medications for an injury or an illness, sadly, turns into an addiction that can wreak havoc on the abuser, as well as his or her family and friends. Tragically, many lose their lives every year as a result of this disaster. Rather than delving deeply into facts and statistics about the epidemic, we want to hear if you have been personally impacted by it. This is sure to be a poignant and impactful conversation.