Bishop Barron on Intentional Discipleship

[@skylerbailey9027]

I really want to thank you for this video. I was raised in an atheist family, and was confirmed Catholic last year. My family was thoroughly perplexed by my decision to enter the Church, and they have questioned me many times as to why I became Catholic. I've never had an adequate answer, as it was really a gradual process that took several years. This video describes my experience perfectly without citing any specifics, and really helps me to understand the stages of the transformation that has taken place. Many of your videos have been a huge help to me in understanding the richness and the essential rationality of Catholicism. Thank you.

[@sherryweddell1218]

Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us, Skyler. It is one of the great privileges of this work to have heard many similar stories. You are certainly not alone! What is so moving is how you responded to and said "yes" to God's grace calling you to more!

[@mariaornelas7856]

Thank you Bishop Barron, may God bless youalways!

[@jayceelincoyt]

Father this is a great and inspiring video. It gives me an awareness of my solemn duty to bring Christ to others.

[@hrvatinvelic2255]

Thank you for your encouraging words, Father Robert!

[@PeteSeeker455]

Thanks for the video Father- that really made me think of how I need to spread the Word every day! Pete D.---

[@deaconpladek]

Thank you Father Barron. Your ten minute segment felt like the Spirit of God speaking directly to me about a scripture passage I will be preach on in two weeks. What a blessing.

[@anthonyfranklin5228]

Good sound way for evangelizing, thanks Father!

[@lassothemoon25]

Love Sherry Weddell's book Intentional Discipleship and you gave great insight into it!

[@iloveamerica007]

this priest is awesome. and im not catholic.

[@SuzanneWalsh98]

An excellent video which highlights the key concepts of Intentional discipleship allowing individuals to grow in their faith. Nicely done!

[@pawelosi1]

Thank you, Fr. Barron!

[@sundevilification]

Onward Christian Soldiers. I can't lose. God has got my back. Starting on the streets of Seattle at 4:30 A.M. daily. Amen.

[@Onebillionstories]

Some 'bridge of trust...' Couldn't agree more Fr Barron. We use that saying all the time at OneBillionStories. We are bridge builders from the 'digital continent' to real world encounters; that is where the people will see His face.

[@johnp708]

As the song goes..."They will know we are Christians by our Love..."

[@theprofessor91]

Father, I stumbled upon your videos while I was taking a college course on Lucretius, the most fervently atheist and secular of ancient philosophers. Not only that, but I was reading Stephen Greenblatt's "The Swerve," a tirade against the Medieval, pre-modern Catholic church. Ironically, the path of fervent atheism led me right to this series. I found your treatment of "The Swerve" balanced and illuminating: though I would not call myself a Catholic, I would call myself curious! This is a wonderful project you are doing.

[@rlburton]

RCIA starts in a few weeks! It's a once-a-week meeting where the priests and nuns go over Catholic Church doctrine one topic at a time and you can ask as many questions as you want. Then at the end if you choose you are able to become a Catholic at the Easter Vigil.

[@Trinity-ng7en]

@rodney, it's not just priests and nuns who teach about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. I am a laywoman with a Masters and I do most of the teaching of this process, it's as much about discerning God's call and being formed as a Catholic Christian as it is learning the doctrine. It is a wonderful process that allows one to explore the thresholds Fr. Barron was discussing. @Scott Long, curious is good, if God is calling you to a deeper faith the RCIA process can help discern where you're being led. Blessings on your journey.

[@Kineticflow23]

Truly amazing Father!

[@marlonherno6386]

Sometimes the heart is locked but the mind is open. Ohters, the mind is latched but the heart is not locked. No matter the route you ultimately must get to the soul of the person are you trying to lead to begin thier own journey in this life, to the King, who is Je

[@trishknaut1031]

Matthew 28:19-20: "therefore go and make disciples of all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you and surely I Am With You Always to the end of the age."

[@puroboludeo1]

Amazing

[@Shenanirats]

I've never considered myself a good evangalist. I'm more about the theology and the black and white bits, not so great at personal, touchy-feely spiritual stories. This video is very helpful as I can see opportunities a little clearer in terms of "bridge building" through the small things. My friends are strangely a majority of atheists and non-christian spiritual types.

[@margarethhuapcent1270]

Truth for ever! All we can't understand now in Heaven God help us with his intense and deepesr LOVE before He érase all our memories giving us a new name and new dress with him? Thank you Mommy Mary! Thank you God Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I have more Diamonds, gold, silver, emeralds and all precious Stones for Heaven in Earth. 😇😇😇👼🔥☄️🕊️💐💗

[@treasureisland3809]

Deep and true.

[@romancatholic9519]

What dragged me into the Catholic Church was really Mr. Teresa and the Eucharist. Only the Catholic Church celebrates truly what Jesus wanted. Jesus wants to have a very close relationship with us. That's why he willingly gives us his body. He wants to be the food for our spiritual journey. Not partaking in the body of Jesus is a way of insulting him. It is a hardening of one's heart. No other faith system does a founder or prophet offer up their body as a sacrifice for the good of others. Jesus is still languishing on the cross today suffering for our sins, and he is doing that willingly.

[@maclingo1794]

Fr. Barron, Forming Intentional Disciples is a great tool for Catholic evangelization and I'm glad you're plugging it. I have a request though: are you aware of the Alpha program? it offers an incredibly simplistic and flat and just downright Protestant portrayal of Christianity (Jesus the surpassingly "nice" savior, you know what I mean) and is intended to be an introduction to the faith, yet it is making remarkable gains in Catholic milieux as a tool for evangelization. It's hard fighting on the ground because it is so popular and appealing to some of the more fallen elements of our culture, could you do a video explaining what is wrong with Alpha that I would be able to show my parish?? I'd be much obliged.

[@RoscoeKane]

As an atheist, I have: 1) trust. I have a trusting relationship with some Catholics, including my grandmother. 2) curiosity. I am curious about religion, including Catholicism. I ask questions and seek to understand. But I am not sure about (3 real spiritual openness. All people should keep their minds open to having their beliefs challenged and transformed, this is how we learn and grow. It is entirely possible that I could be a catholic at some point in the future, I might change in many ways. Indeed, as Father Barron pointed out is seems that Catholics are especially open, with ex-Catholics making up the second largest religious group in the USA. That means they changed. But to me it seems unlikely that I would be a Catholic (or any religion) in the future based on my research about personality and psychology. I am probably at stage 4 for southern baptists, I go to some of their church events and enjoy tanking about faith with them and participating in some things. Thoughts?

[@BishopBarron]

Roscoe Kane I agree, friend. But this includes the willingness to have secularist and materialist ideologies challenged! It's interesting to me that people seem to think materialism is somehow a default position and that a religious view is the one that has to be defended or argued for. The view that matter is all that exists is, in fact, a philosophical position susceptible to serious criticism. Also, as Chesterton said, an open mind is like an open mouth: it's finally meant to close down on something nourishing.

[@RoscoeKane]

Fr. Robert Barron If we use methodological naturalism to investigate the world, as science does which is working out great so far, we just haven't discovered any non-material parts of nature. This doesn't mean it doesn't exist of course, but if it does I don't know anything about it. Materialism does go a step to far in claiming that material is all that exists, really it's just all we know about. Also, it sounded like you said that you shouldn't have an open mind... Really? Why not? How will you know if you make a mistake? How are we going to make progress?

[@JRLeeman]

There's a difference between taking an open mind to the material and the ideal. If you take an open mind to the material, that's a logical fallacy, because it is inherently changeable or obscure, but the ideal is, to use a physics term, quantised, it has a fixed value that can be absolutely learned. Materialism to me seems illogical. I came to this revelation an odd way, though, through a philosophical exercise. I quite like football (soccer), and I established that tactically the game has evolved over time such that there is a superior way to play the game. Did the players imbue the game with that superior way? No, because it transcends generations of players, from Pelé to Messi. Hence, the category for the way the game is played must has already existed. It is the same in all aspects of life, especially physics. The laws of physics are fixed - names like Bosons and Fermions and Hawking Radiation are so given because a particular scientist discovered the phenomena, but if they hadn't, others would have recognised the laws and named them differently, because the laws of physics are fixed and transcend and predate humans by billions of years. Every material thing we come to understand is a recognition of a law that was fixed before we existed - so the category for what that thing is must be independent of us. The source of this must be God.

[@RoscoeKane]

"Every material thing we come to understand is a recognition of a law that was fixed before we existed - so the category for what that thing is must be independent of us." I agree "The source of this must be God." I definitely do not agree! It could be a natural necessity, of something not yet fully understood.

[@RoscoeKane]

I currently have a "side." I am a non-believer, an atheist, I doubt the existence of God.

[@archsword2446]

I pray to Jesus for more vocations to the Order of St. Camillus, the Diocesan, the Minims and the Order of St. Augustine from US and Canada.

[@rlburton]

Fr. Barron, I was wondering if you had any advice for approaching and ministering to "Catholics" who reject Vatican II, and the teachings of St. John Paul II?

[@rachealbrimberry8918]

there are plenty of Latin masses they could attend.

[@Mekanizer8]

If they reject V2 and every pope since pope Pius XII that is what we call Sedevacantism. It’s been denounced as being heretical by JP2 I believe. I could be wrong on that but Sedevacantism is dangerous none the less.

[@ajayNemintane]

SHORT, TO THE POINT, INSIGHTFUL AND INSPIRING =)

[@alienheadgains1977]

I love your videos Fr. Barron! Can you tell me what the name of the song is that you use for your intro and ending?

[@LostArchivist]

The evangelist's great quandary: You come to a mansion of many doors, now, you must discover which, doors are unlocked and what series of doors lead to the owner. Sometimes the heart is locked but the mind is open. Others, the mind is latched but the heart l, though shut, is not locked. No matter the route, you ultimately must get to the soul of the person you are trying to lead to begin their own journey in this life, to the King, Who is Christ.

[@romancatholic9519]

you tell Robbie! Teach the heathens!!

[@SanzL1]

I continue to practice, despite recent disappointments in the Church. I saw a post within the past few weeks--this was on Facebook--about the top ten things we need to be happy, and apparently this was something Pope Francis said. One of the ten was NOT to proselytize about Jesus. I wonder how Pope Francis squares this statement with biblical injunctions and the evangelical work of the Church. Did you, or anyone else here, see this? Thoughts?

[@SanzL1]

Yes, thanks very much. A most helpful link and distinction.

[@AunHasanAli]

thank you for this excellent video. would you say that individuals proceed through these stages again and again as their faith grows deeper and deeper? in other words, after passing the threshhold of intentional discipleship, does one need to pass the threshhold of trust once again, except this time to gain a deeper understanding, and so on and so forth?

[@sherryweddell4006]

Aun - This is Sherry Weddell. You are asking an excellent question. Yes, we can pass through these stages again at turning points in our walk with God - new obediences or as in my case, entering the Catholic Church from a fundamentalist background. I was startled to find that the thresholds exactly described my own turning points although I didn't learn about them until years afterwards.

[@AunHasanAli]

Sherry Weddell Thank you, Sherry.

[@Fersomling]

Hi, Fr. Barron! Thanks for your work! I converted from the Jehovah Witnesses in the 70s and was baptized and confirmed by His Grace Archbishop Carney in Vancouver. The Watchtower Society teaches that Jehovah Witnesses are in a "spiritual paradise," but the real spiritual paradise is Catholicism. One question, Father: I have a burning desire to bring the Jehovah Witnesses into the Truth, into the Church. How do I do it? Thank you! a.m.D.g.

[@rachealbrimberry8918]

Was reading the NY Times (Sunday edition from a couple of weeks ago) HUGE article on divorced Roman Catholics...and most of them, sometimes because they had been divorced then remarried, didn't want to leave the church, but didn't have any other recourse. That's terrible for them....what a horrendous choice to have to make--between someone you love and the church you love. Horrible. And simply because they haven't dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's.

[@CATHOLICAPOLOGIST1]

According to the world almanac and book of facts 2014, there are 1,200,850,000 Catholics in the world

[@jdbrando]

Father, will you ever comment on Israel and Palestine?

[@Naturalhit]

Off topic: do you plan on doing a review on the movie Persecution.

[@normchouinard8766]

Fr. Barron, I have experienced a problem with people in the 3rd threshold. They typically ask a question about some part of Catholic doctrine that I don't feel qualified to answer. How do I handle this?

[@BishopBarron]

Get better educated in the faith, or become better acquainted with good resources. Have a couple of go-to books to recommend.

[@donovanbacalski5812]

On a more immediate level, it's fine be honest that you don't know the answer but promise to find out and then follow up. Weddell writes in the book that people appreciate that honesty and respect such efforts. The follow up can be the stickler; I'm always "meaning to" but getting distracted. Definitely put Intentional Discipleship on your list, too! It sounds like you're doing good missionary work if people come to you with questions.

[@sherryweddell1218]

Norm - as Fr. Barron noted in his video, the third threshold of openness is the hardest to cross so those of us who are seeking to help someone make that journey can find it tricky. At bottom, this threshold is about "openness" to the possibility of personal and spiritual change, not struggles with specific doctrines. It is acknowledging to God, to yourself, and possibly to another person that you are open to the *possibility* of change triggered by an encounter with Jesus in the midst of his Church. No commitments, no signing on the dotted line but open to a whole new horizon. Many people cross this threshold long before they resolve all their questions or issues with Church teaching. Intercessory prayer is hugely important at this threshold as many obstacles - interior fears, relational pressures, and even the enemy can crop up at this point to derail movement. As their evangelizer-companions, our faithful friendship and prayerful patience with their struggles is critical - even if we can't answer all their questions.

[@QuisutDeusmpc]

***** I am certainly not speaking for Fr. Barron or trying to steal his thunder, but moving from agnosticism/atheism to fundamentalist Protestantism, to evangelical Protestantism to the catholic Church, the mystical Body of Christ, there have been a few books that were influential for me, that I consider appropriate to recommend as "go-to" books to honest seekers: "The Strangest Way: Walking the Christian Path" by Fr. Robert Barron. I wish I had read this book in 1991. Considering it was published in 2002, it simply wasn't available. This book is both literary and logical engaging both the mind and the heart. Winsome without being cloying, and reasonable without being tedious. It presents before you a banquet (Taste and see that the Lord is good, cf. John 1: 39 or John 7:17), that is both delicious and nutritious and leaves you wanting more (The Spirit and the Bride say Come, Rev. 22:17). This isn't a shameless plug - everyone from Dostoyevsky to Bob Dylan, from Dante to Flannery O'Connor, from Matthias Grunewald to Chartres cathedral, from infinity and beyond...an excellent introduction that masters can appreciate (no less a plug than Br. Patrick Hart OCSO who writes and edits for the Cisterican Pub series') and in which beginners may wonder. The Call / Gospel & Apologetics & the Spiritual Life & Theology - hard to define. "Mere Christianity" by C. S. Lewis (I was at a place in my atheism / agnosticism where I considered Christianity "unreasonable", "incoherent", "superstitious", "irrational". This book went a looooong way in little more than a hundred to two hundred pages to dispel those myths. Lewis is cogent, precise and clear without being pedantic, tedious, and boring. His conception of Christianity is balanced (both faith and reason), learned, and enchanting - a top shelf apologetics book, accessible for the high school graduate and engaging for the baccalaureate and graduate level persons). Apologetics. "Life and Holiness" by Thomas Merton (Fr. Louis), OCSO. Merton was on his way to becoming a N. Y. literary figure. Disillusioned by the "War to End All Wars" (he was born after it, but lived in the poverty of its aftermath in Europe) and its reprise, WWII, he was enraptured by God and began a spiritual journey during his time at Columbia University that led to entrance into the Church and becoming a Cistercian monk. This is a fantastic book on the spiritual life (one's personal relationship with God). Spiritual Life. "Essence of Prayer" by Ruth Burrows OCD. Sr. Ruth has lived as a cloistered Carmelite nun and is a master of prayer (from a below average layperson's point of view). All of the problems I struggle with in prayer (believing it is my work of currying favor with God, or treating God like a vending machine with my requests, etc.; a subjective self centered, dysfunctional, narcissistic focus on myself instead of a loving gaze of gratitude and dependence on the Incarnation, and Paschal Mystery of Christ from a loving Father that we participate in through the Spirit in sacramental grace and the life of prayer, etc. I could gush about this book and the gold it contains for hours. Prayer. "YouCat" (Youth, average adult), "Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church" (Youth, average adult, above average adult), "Catechism of the Catholic Church" (Educated youth, educated average adult, average above average adult). Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI has hit the nail on the head with this one - anyone who wants to encounter the living Word, Jesus Christ, need only prayerfully read (lectio divina) any one of these catechisms - creed, cult, code, prayer (to borrow Peter Kreeft's categories) are meditatively presented with glossaries, cross references, with quotes and references to the major and significant minor patristic Fathers, theological doctors, and masters of the spiritual life. If doctrine or systematic theology, or a misconception that the Faith is not cogent, comprehensive or rational is your thing, these are the places to go. Dogma / Doctrine. I wouldn't hesitate to read and recommend these to any and every one. You could spend a good ten years here and feel you had both made progress and hadn't made a dent in the journey of a lifetime. I forgot to mention "Magnificat" magazine. A magazine/devotional/prayer book for Catholics. When I began to realize as a neophyte Catholic that prayer wasn't solely extemporaneous (a foible I picked up from my fundamentalist, evangelical Protestant days) and was primarily liturgical (extemporaneous is still OK, but no longer the only arrow in the quiver), "Magnificat" has and continues to go a long way to profoundly transforming me and my prayer life. If you are a lukewarm cradle Catholic with a busy schedule and don't know how to jumpstart your spiritual / prayer life, you simply cannot do better than this. Learned articles that are generally 3-5 pages long (3" x 5" 3-5 pages) on the spiritual life, one page quotes form the Fathers, saints, mystics, theologians, ecclesiastics actual writings, and formatted daily "Morning" and "Evening" prayer that takes less than 15 minutes to pray, as well as the Daily readings for Mass, hymns, "Night" prayer, illustrated with sacred works of art / icons that are explained, providing both verbal and visual media for meditation / prayer. Comes out monthly. Awesome, awesome resource for anyone, but particularly useful as an evangelistic tool for lukewarm, lapsed Catholics with little time on their hands who don't want watered down pablum. There is both milk for babes, and meat for adults here. Thank you to Monsieur Dumont and the Dominicans (particularly but not exclusively to Frs. Cameron and Cessario) as well as the past and regular lay contributors (Caryll Houselander, Madeleine Delbrel, Dr. Anthony Esolen, Heather King, James Monti, Dorothy Day, Richard Veras, Lisa Lickona, John Janaro, Jem Sullivan, et al). n. b. Sherry Weddell and Fr. Barron: I am looking forward to reading "Intentional Discipleship", thank you for the recommendation / presentation.

[@rlburton]

Try to be as well-educated about Christ and Scripture and the Church as you can, but at the same time don't feel like you have to have all the answers or that the intellect alone will be enough to convince them. I like to remember St. Bernadette of Lourdes; one of the Church's most revered saints, and she was dead last in her Sunday school Catechism class.

[@SuperSundevil1]

Father, you must watch the Purge films. It gets criticism for gun politics yet I viewed it as a commentary on violence, open evil and its effects on people.

[@SuperSundevil1]

Yet I am not dismissing the gun violence aspect.

[@rlburton]

Michael O'Neil Now I have not seen them, but I have seen the trailers, and while they do seem to have some merit by showing people that there is more to right and wrong than just "what makes the majority of people happy", in the end they looked mainly like slasher films.

[@PeteSeeker455]

I love Allison Hwang!! Anyone else out there feel the same way?? Pete D.---

[@DanR411]

So glad to hear that last summons, that discipleship isn't just for the clergy. We sometimes fall into this way of thinking that "religious" work is only for the clergy, when 95% of the Church is comprised of the laity. My prayer is that all of us take up that call to preach the Gospel at all times. And as St. Francis said, and when necessary, use words.

[@rlburton]

Yes, God calls each and every one of us to nothing less than sainthood. (point of fact, that's one of the most commonly quoted sayings of St. Francis, but there's apparently no record that he ever actually said it.)

[@jorgecampos5223]

Dear Bishop Robert Barron, I am not well informed about the Spiritual Coaching by an authority like you if it is possible to say it with these words. Let me put it in perspective: In Opus Dei, all members are united to both: the Archbishop of the Dioceses where the person lives and also to the Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Fernando Ocariz, actually I am NOT a member of Opus Dei as they only consider members to Priests ordained by Opus Dei Bishop, to Numeraries and Super Numeraries; but I belong to the next hierarchy, called "Cooperator", and I do have my official document nomination, which means, there is a commitment, I pray for members of Opus Dei and they pray for me as Cooperator. I was born the same day that St. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, he was born in 1902 and I was born in 1973, and the day he wrote the prologue of his work: "Meditated Rosary and Way of the Cross", it was the day and year I was born, so he has a very strong meaning and influence in my spiritual ordinary life. Anyway, straight to the point, St. Padre Pio during his life as a friar, he had many spiritual children, from all over the world, so from the deepest of my heart in the most profound love in Jesus Christ, could you accept me as your spiritual son? Can you be my Bishop, me being your spiritual son? I know I do not belong to your Dioceses, but at least be my Bishop as your spiritual son? Is it too much to ask you this? I humbly ask it. May God bless your apostolic work. You are a great testimony of Jesus Christ's teachings and I ask nothing in return but only your acceptance.

[@mattmorris9663]

Rev. Barron, I am not asking for a simply answer. The millennials are asking deeply experiential questions about gender identity, social justice in the LGBT community, and trans formative ways to long for Jesus and be part of his kingdom. I am not asking for the Church to call a Ecumenical Council. I am simply asking if the Body of Christ can act with authenticity to listen to the Spirit we hear daily?

[@rlburton]

Church Doctrine on those matters is clear, and Doctrine cannot ever be changed. Church law can be changed, but not Church Doctrine. People of LGBT have been blessed with the honor of bearing an unusually heavy cross, and should be welcomed, respected and loved with all dignity as they carry out their calling in celibacy.

[@Trinity-ng7en]

@Matt. There is a document put out by the United States Bishops called Always Our Children. You can find it at www.usccb.org. It tells that we love our children no matter what, however sex outside of marriage is a sin. Any kind of sex, homosexual or heterosexual. Then we get into the issues of why can't we have gay marriages in the Church? A very good question however one that deals with nature of persons, and undefined issues. Which no matter how eloquently I tried to make the point would be impossible given the restrictions of a post. :) suffice it to say, I empathize with the pain those who are gay experience. There are no easy answers for this, and yes there are Catholics who don't even understand fundamentally what is actually taught, but one of the things I tell my people is that the Catholic Church is run by God but facilitated by people. So we will hurt others, have to grow in understanding and more than a few time get hit with the Divine 2x4 to get to where God actually wants us. So I encourage you to look for where God is in your life, (we do actually have an encounter with the divine many times a day) pray, and forgive others for their ignorance if they speak with less than loving words. God loves each of his children even when we hurt each other.

[@drakejosh6962]

Come right with me through the veins of history, I´ll show you how God falls sleep on the job.

[@elporteroful]

Or maybe we humans have not been doing what He has told us to do.

[@FDRPR09]

father Robert Barron check this out: www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/uk-bans-teaching-creationism-state-funded-schools What is your opinion about this news that they are banning creationism in UK?

[@romancatholic9519]

Well Allison you have a point!!But there is something you don't realize.. Jesus sacrifice is eternal. Jesus is on the cross today. Jesus represents humanity at its most vulnerable, ie. when everybody turns their back on the weak and defenseless. That's when the victims seek the face of God, just like Jesus did. It is not just about the sacrifice of one man. Many men have sacrificed their lives for the good of others, like Bishop Oscar Romero for his congregation. Jesus' sacrifice represents all sacrifices of love. What is a sacrifice of one's life other than the greatest act of love? In today's world, where there is constant cheating and deception, we need such acts of genuine love. Who better to worship the human embodiment of love? Jesus sacrifice shows that God himself has faced this kind of desertion at the point he needed the most help. And also remember that Jesus forgave all generations on the cross. People crucify Jesus even today.

[@FDRPR09]

You have a mac computer hehehe :P

[@VQuiZ11]

Wired for god is a bit of an irresponsible position to take don't you think? An unfounded belief that tries to negate the vast expansive nature of the human experience, no thanks bud. Life is a strange dichotomy, its too big and too small for anyone to state absolutes.