2nd Scrutiny: 4th Week of Lent

Jesus calls us to be cured of our spiritual blindness.

Lenten Scrutinies and Catholic Sexual Ethics Challenged

In which we discuss the nature of the Lenten Scrutinies, and what they have to do with the candidates for baptism (Catechumens) and those who are baptized a well. We'll have a discussion of Catholic sexual ethics, why its not a fringe issue, and why the discussion is often taken up with outdated arguments.

2nd Sunday of Lent, 2023

The Ax Reboot Explained

1st Sunday of Lent: Resisting Temptation

A look at the readings for the Mass of the 1st Sunday of Lent, and how the devil tries to work on us

Link to Bishop Barron's reflection on the Temptation on the Desert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5DurfJ-e2k  --  It's not the one I referred to in the video, and he's reflecting on Luke's account, but it's still, obviously, worth the listen.

The AX PodCast Reboot Part 1: Ash Wednesday

AX Podcast: Very Superstitious: The Rise of Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism Among the Young

The AX Podcast: Season 4 Episode 9

Topics: The Rise of Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism Among the Young. A look at the lives of Joan Didion, Betty White, Peter Bogdanovich and, Michael Lee Aday, aka Meat Loaf. Why am I getting so many targeted advertisements for online gambling? 

S2 E7 The Easter Vigil

The AX: S2 E3 Holy Week

We will go over the origins of Palm Sunday in more detail, along with the liturgies of Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Then I'll explain why buying "Satan Shoes" is a bad idea - as if the name weren't enough.

The Return of the AX: Ep. 1, S. 2

Reflections on Lent and the connection between free speech and evangelization

Two for One: Episodes 13 and 14

Episode 13: What is the Enlightenment and Postmodernism?

An overview of the first few chapters on Stephan Hicks’ book Explaining Postmodernism and what it has to do with our present social and political situation.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/17ZxZ74ZucDjiF5EU0rakJ

Episode 14: Cleaning up Postmodern Enlightenment 

Offering some clarifications on my critique of Stephan Hicks’ book on postmodern, sandwiched around tributes of Eddie Van Halen, and three Baseball Hall of Famers we lost recently: Bob Gibson, Whitey Ford and Joe Morgan.

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/0gJuOuyxclKpU1VR3pU4Mg

Episode 11: The Importance of Context, Context, Context in Reading Scripture

A review of the Mass readings for the 27th Week in Ordinary Time. We’ll take a look at the MLB playoffs. And finish with a word of thanks

The link to Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ax-podcast/id1529939534#episodeGuid=7ae69ec9-d28b-4a4a-963f-9f4fb6b30446

The AX Podcast Episode 10: The Cult of Saints?

What do we mean by the cult of saints? Do Catholics worship or adore saints? How did the cult of saints develop? What is the relationship between the liturgical seasons, aka the Proper of Time, and the celebration of saint’s days, aka the Proper of Saints? What are some saint’s days coming up in the beginning of October?

Link to The AX Podcast on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7mmkVktlWCOFfHM8ILqZX0?si=UsRt8RRFQx-nu49WvPrVpQ

Episode 9: The Liturgical Year and the Lectionary, More on Religion in P...

Episode 8: Do Catholics Want a Theocracy?

• Does God have a preferred form of government? What is the role of faith in public life? Should religious people serve in the civil government and the courts?
  
  Aquinas 101 on Law in General and the Natural Law :
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYc-7...
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjlmn...

Episode 7: Human Justice and God's Mercy

This episode I take a look at the Gospel reading for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Please leave comments, suggestions or your own thoughts.

Episode6: Netflix-Drama, Jimi-Hendrix + 50

https://anchor.fm/fr-thomas-provenzano-sdb/episodes/Episode-6-Netflix-Drama--Jimi-Hendrix--50-ejjvr8

How should a Catholic respond to the latest Netflix controversy? Should we cancel our subscriptions? Remembering Jimi Hendrix 50 years after his untimely death. An appeal to remember that life is worth living and addiction doesn't have to end in asking "What if?"

If you or someone you love is suffering from substance abuse please seek the help you or they need: 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357) 

Narcotics Anonymous: https://www.na.org

Alcoholics Anonymous: aa.org

Samaritan Daytop Village: In the New York/New Jersey area: http://www.samaritanvillage.org/contact-us

Contact your local Catholic Charities: https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/find-help/

For family members of those suffering from addiction:

Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org

Podcast Episode 5: Being a Priest After 9/11

A reflection what it means to live as a priest and a Catholic in the post 9/11 years.

 https://anchor.fm/fr-thomas-provenzano-sdb/episodes/Episode-5-Being-a-Priest-After-911-ejfi92

Podcast Episode 4: More on Purgatory and Why "The AX"?

Some final thoughts on the Catholic doctrine of purgatory and an admittedly rambling explanation for why I chose to call my blog and podcast The AX.

https://anchor.fm/fr-thomas-provenzano-sdb/episodes/Episode-4-More-on-Purgatory-and-Why-The-AX-ejak9j

Podcast, Episode 3: Dealing with Loss

 My mother, Edythe Provenzano, died this past Monday afternoon after suffering a fall and a stroke in February of this year. Her passing comes only eleven months after my father died in October of 2019. This has been a difficult time, but also one of hope. Both believed in Jesus Christ as their savior and strove to live by His Way. In this episode of the podcast I reflect on my personal journey of grief and hope. 

I ask you to please pray for the repose of souls of Edythe and Anthony "Sonny" Provenzano. Please, also pray for those souls who have no one to pray for them.

https://anchor.fm/fr-thomas-provenzano-sdb/episodes/Episode-3-Dealing-with-Loss-ej659e