Hearing the Voice of God

Friends, the Book of Jonah is one of the shortest books of the Bible, yet it’s packed with profound truths about hearing and obeying the voice of God. On today’s episode of “The Word on Fire Show,” Brandon Vogt and I discuss this powerful little book.
A listener asks, why did Jesus show up when he did and not at a different point in time? What would the world look like had he showed up later, or not at all?
00:00 | Intro
00:46 | Bishop Barron on Catholic Schools Week
01:51 | Bishop Barron’s recent conversation with Jordan Peterson
02:47 | Intro to the book of Jonah
04:41 | Jonah’s opening narrative
09:25 | Lessons from Luke’s road to Emmaus and Jonah
11:00 | The significance of Jonah’s storm
14:31 | The significance of Jonah’s fish
16:58 | Answering Jonah’s critics
18:22 | Jonah’s concluding narrative
20:17 | Jesus’ words on Jonah
22:48 | More resources on Jonah
23:34 | Listener question
26:17 | New book-“Princesses of Heaven: The Flowers”
27:13 | Special announcement about future of WOF Show
---SHOW NOTES---
“A Journey with Jonah”: bit.ly/3OzQpPu
“Princesses of Heaven: The Flowers”: wordonfire.org/princesses
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[@basedgeorgewashington]

I am a 25 year old man who was raised Roman Catholic. I strayed from God in my adolescents. I have recently come back. I’ve always considered myself a seeker of truth and the further I sought truth, the more God became obviously true. I thank Bishop Barron because he is helping me on my path. God bless anyone that reads this, and I hope that if you haven’t found God he will allow himself to find you.

[@carolhart9812]

Thank you,❣️. I too, am a returning Catholic at age 75 yrs. I am so blessed to be drawn back to Jesus❣️. I thank The Blessed Virgin Mary❤🙏🙏🙏

[@Lagunaticmom]

Praise to the Lord for calling you back to himself! The Father embraces all of his prodigal children - of which I am one also. May God use you to bring others to the kingdom. And God bless you. 🙏❤️

[@Tommytoolsqueezer]

Similar story to mine. 33 years old.. I was born again 2 years ago. Best thing ever happened to me

[@aaliermo3024]

Alleluia! Praise the Lord! I love reading stories about returning to our Lord. God bless you all!

[@corinnecavanagh3047]

Welcome home!

[@robpetrone2459]

We will miss you, Brandon. Thank you so much for all your years of work on the podcast.

[@LoveTruthBeautyGoodness]

This show has been part of my spiritual journey. God bless you in your new role Brandon. You will be missed. Looking forward to the new host and as always to your spiritual wisdom Bishop Barron.

[@aliceglado]

God is not real.

[@LoveTruthBeautyGoodness]

@aliceglado May the true light shine upon you.

[@martinz6445]

As Chaldean/Assyrian Christian from Northern Iraq, we love this book and we fast for 3 days every year called Baotha or fasting of Nineveh followed by most Eastern Churches

[@eliwithgod4848]

What dates?

[@martinz6445]

@@eliwithgod4848 It's Always 3 weeks before Lent, Monday to Wednesday, this year was January 22-24, 2024

[@eliwithgod4848]

Thanks! God bless you!

[@declancooney1029]

⚔⚔⚔God bless the Christains of Iraq, esp. Nineveh⚔⚔⚔Yeshua Akbar✝Jesus is Great, the only One to rise from the dead✝✝✝

[@curlyfro97]

@@martinz6445 God bless you

[@allyjohnston3151]

So long Brandon, we will miss you, but good luck on your journey

[@zhuangjingmei1168]

Thank you Brandon. I can't thank you and Bishop Barron enough for helping me to move towards the Catholic religion. Lost for many years but both of you have shepherded me in my spiritual journey. PTL for bringing both of you into my life.

[@rhwinner]

Peace be with you, and welcome! ❤

[@michellebeer8809]

Thank you Brandon. I always look forward to The Word On Fire Show. You make it very easy to watch. You are a talented host. You will be missed. Thank you Bishop Barron. You speak my language and I love to listen to you. You are a great source of learning for me and inspiration as well.

[@pattya1679]

I only found Word on Fire in the last 2 years. It has been so stimulating to my faith and understanding of the Bible and my Catholic Church. Thank you Brandon for all you've done. You will be missed.

[@cathyhollingsworth1179]

Sending prayers up for you Brandon on your new venture, you will be missed! God bless you🙏🏼

[@outofoblivionproductions4015]

Going out on top Brandon. Thank you for your affable presence, your beaming face, and your sharp on point intellect, which made your rapport with Bishop Barron natural and inspiring. Thanks be to God.

[@amandaclapp6936]

WE LOVE YOU BRANDON!!! You will be missed. Thank you so much for all the work you've done through this podcast and everything you do for Word on Fire. We can't wait for the cameos. Of course, welcoming Matt, but celebrating you now after eight years of powerful work. This show has been huge for me in my faith journey. God bless you.

[@ginakendrick2581]

My father Guy absolutely loves listening to you he’s 86 years old he went to church every day of his life now he is suffering from depression please I ask you to help him by praying for him that our Lady would sustain him

[@clairetrebaol-clark4177]

Prayer to the Holy Spirit to console and encourage your dad, Guy, to find a focus of joy and purpose.

[@bdnl6268]

i WLL INCLUDE YOUR DAD IN MY PRAYERS.

[@robertoadsuar5379]

I’m praying for your father right now🙏🏻

[@Lagunaticmom]

I think I’ve only been listening since 2019 but I have enjoyed Brandon’s gentle style of interviewing and teaching. I will miss your presence on these podcasts. 🙏

[@lauralynch1158]

Thank you for all your warmth, intelligence, and enthusiasm, Brandon. I wish you every blessing in your chosen focus on the publishing wing of Word on Fire. While you will be missed, I'm sure it was a prayerfully guided discernment, and I look forward to you being back as a guest. You and Bishop Baron have been a great team. Your successor has big shoes to fill!

[@ckordiolis]

We’ll miss you Brandon. Thank you 🙏 for all your years of hard work and dedication. We appreciate it. God bless you on your future adventures!

[@0_3_6_9_0]

Thank you Brandon and Bishop Barron.

[@paulamoses408]

Brandon, you will be missed! No one can take your place! I wish you well keeping the Word on Fire publishing going strong! God bless you!

[@victoriagomez7556]

What a wonderful team you both make❗️Brandon with deeply provocative inquiries and Bishops equally thought provoking responses. You’ll be missed, Brandon, but I have no doubt you will bring much of the same depth and insight into your new position. Whomever our next host is has big shoes to fill but I will enjoy “ walking” with him. Congratulations! And best of luck.

[@joanamayerdecarvalho9272]

Brandon, thank you so much for your contribution to my faith with all your questions to Bishop Barron. I wish you all the best for your new work ❤

[@joanamayerdecarvalho9272]

From Portugal thank you thank you thank you and God bless you

[@cynthialoza6295]

Thank you, Brandon and Bishop Barron, for your wisdom and the enlightenment. God bless!

[@fennycruz6714]

Thank you bishop barron for having brandon vogt for the podcasts since 2015. God bless brandon and thw word on fire. We will miss this tandem.

[@maryalfiler9834]

Love and strength to you Brandon. God bless you in your new endeavors.👣❤️‍🔥🌈

[@m.k.m.3395]

Thank you so much, Brandon, for all you do. Thank you, Bishop Barron. Praying for your ministry

[@user-yh3bl6bp3j]

So sorry to see you go Brandon, You really are a breath of fresh air, your wonderful smile , you have such a lovely way about you. I’m so glad to hear that you’re not leaving word on fire … God bless you in everything you do. I’m sure whatever you turn your hand and heart to , it will be wonderful. Many many of Gods blessings to you from Ireland,

[@lorimcclure2651]

The two of you have made such a good team. These podcasts have been informative, inspirational, and always interesting. Congratulations on your new role, Brandon! I'm so glad you're not leaving Word on Fire.

[@Jana-jg5ob]

May God bless you in your new role, Brandon. Thank you for this show!

[@paulabardell-np9qc]

Yes, bittersweet, Brandon! You are an amazing host! I will miss seeing you regularly😥 I have never met you in person, but I feel like you are a friend. I followed you with Fr Blake and miss him too! Anytime I hear that you are involved with anything, I check it out. I think you of as the reliable, authentic face, along with Bishop Barron, of Word on Fire. Thanks be to God that you will still be doing great work with Word on Fire🙏🙏🙏 God bless you and your beautiful family❤️❤️❤️

[@peterbrookes3824]

Thank you Brandon and best wishes and God bless from the UK 🙏💕

[@mapaz555]

Thank you Brandon, wishing you all the very best. We’ll miss seeing you but may you be blessed and filled with God’s grace as you move forward. We appreciate all you do. Thank you Bishop Barron and thank you Matthew for for taking on the task. Bless you all.

[@anneturner2759]

God bless you Brandon , what a gift you have obviously been to so many at WOF. Well done , I will miss your adorable face and kind way , and of course the way you evangelize. Congratulations, and best of luck and fulfillment in your new role. Now, Bishop Robert Barron don’t you dare or even think of going anywhere… God bless you .

[@mariasoderberg1366]

Thank you, Brandon! I have loved this podcast with you, and Bishop Barron. I've learned so much! God bless you, in all you do, with the publishing focus. Bless Bishop Barron, your family, your colleagues and your new host! We will miss you! Thank you, again!

[@dannyserrano100]

Thank you Brandon, we surely miss you

[@JR-nr5rr]

God bless you Brandon. You are an absolute legend. I have profited so much from this show.

[@susanhsiang2197]

Thank you, Brandon, for what you had and will continue to contribute towards this great program. May God bless you and Bishop Barron always !

[@julietokoth]

Thank you for this lovely show. We shall miss you, Brandon. All the best in your future role. You and Bishop are a joy and inspiration to listen to.

[@litojosiec3812]

Thank you, Brandon! Stay blessed🙏🏻

[@janettapearl332]

Brandon, thank you so much for your work on this podcast. I have learned so much listening to your work with Bishop Barron. I'm so glad you aren't going too far away. May God bless you and keep you in your new role. ❤

[@londonsmith5348]

Damn it, Brandon! I loved you on here!! God bless, man.

[@christinavolkmann7895]

Thank you so much, Brendan! May God bless you in your work and all your life! 🙏🙌

[@josephcaristo]

You have made your mark with your books and podcasts, etc. Brandon. You have shown what can be achieved with common sense and the absolute truth of Catholic beliefs that have prevailed for centuries with your actions and intellect. You have been the perfect foil for the inspired bishop. Deo Gratias!

[@andresteves4979]

I thank you Brandon for pioneering Word on Fire show...the dynamic duo of the Catholic church. Do show up when the occasion permits... again thank you and Mabuhay

[@LoidaLimop]

Thank you Brandon. all the best!

[@tedtobias2752]

This is awesome! Part of my Lenten promise this year is to prayerfully read through a chapter of the book of Jonah every day of Lent. Of course, since the book is only 4 chapters, I will have read it 10 times by the end of the 40 day season. Thanks to Bishop Barron and the Word on Fire team for another awesome production.

[@bonniemcgrath2406]

Thank you Brandon! God Bless you! 🙏

[@carolhart9812]

And thank you, and bless you Bishop for all you do❤🙏🙏🙏

[@Vakadua]

God bless you, Bishop Barron! Thank you for fulfilling your vocation!

[@Nuns_Fret_Not]

God bless you, Bishop Barron! And God bless you, Brandon! Thank you both for sharing your wisdom and joy!

[@brendamyc3173]

Congrats Brandon!

[@stevenbuckley8272]

God Bless you Brandon and thank you for your hard work & effort in bringing us these faith filled & encouraging shows. Thank you Bishop and welcome Matthew Petrusek, love & prayers in Christ🙏

[@eviepj1219]

The best of success to you, Brandon, with your new direction! Love these podcasts! ❤🌼

[@arinzehenryxaviestaeze2839]

God bless you Brenden for the good times.. Long live word on fire.

[@user-zz8rg9nt4i]

Great messages!

[@margaretbearsley7439]

Wishing you all the best, Brandon. Go well, and God bless you. Thank you too Bishop Barron, from New Zealand.❤

[@annatomani1563]

Brandon, first I would like to thank you for this show, I have learned a lot from each episode and also wishing you many blessings from our Lord and Saviour and I am sure whatever new responsibility you assume you will shine in it as well. What is interesting is that we lose uninformed, week and confused catholics to others and what we receive in return are great, exceptional and faithful catholics from others. God bless everyone in Word on Fire and its listeners and viewers.

[@roseykamerer2222]

I like Jonah! God's word is speaking to us every day! We must listen.

[@user-lw7ju1ip7w]

,,SALUT PRIETENE BARRON,ISUS TE IUBEȘTE "!!!!!

[@xqp5503]

Thank you BRANDON, I am relatively new to the show BUT you will be missed. Success in your new roles🙌🏼💪🏼🙏

[@curlyclouds9]

Excellent episode. Jonah is so short but so thought provoking- so many layers

[@lesborbasdeborawingell9837]

Dear Brandon, thank you for your wonderfully prepared podcasts and Bishop Barron for your inspired answers. You have both strengthened my faith in ways unimaginable. Recently, I was chosen to be the CWL Faith chair at my parish and I used your podcast on the spiritual acts of mercy for my first reflection giving credit to you of course! Brandon, I will miss the stories of your delightful family and farm animals. Best wishes to you and your family. God bless you both!❤

[@lettyc833]

Thank you, Brandon and Bishop Baron! You and what you both and your support staff do to spread and deepen our understanding of God's Word are indeed so much blessings! May our Good Lord continue to keep and bless you more abundantly! - Letty from Philippines

[@FakePale]

I follow a few Catholic content creators, and recently quite a few videos have been popping up in my recommended about learning to listen to and interpret God's voice, at a time when it's precisely the kind of thing I need to hear

[@angelamfranco3583]

All the best! And thank you for all you have done!

[@user-su9iq6et1c]

"God Has The Final Sayings. Amen."

[@vincenttolve9756]

Thanks, Brandon, for all you have done to make this a great, helpful series. We will miss you and wish God's continued blessings on you and your family.

[@Chirokea]

Thanks, Brandon, and hope to see you around

[@eileenschubert1706]

Gods blessings on your future endeavors!!!❤️💥🙏👏

[@BrendanEReed]

Thank you Brandon for your excellent producing and hosting of the podcast! Always look forward to it. Best wishes as you focus on publishing. And of course a huge thank you to Bishop Barron and Matthew for continuing the podcast!

[@mlast3264]

Thank you Brandon for your service. Bishop thank you for your witness

[@TecOneself]

It was nice seeing you Brandon Vogt, in every podcast! Waiting for the edition of your book selection!!! 💐💐💐💐

[@ivahelf4077]

GOD Speed Brandon! Thank you for all your hard work , Ideas & contribution!. You will be missed!🥰🙏🙏🙏

[@poppabirdy]

God bless Brandon!!!

[@TLMuse]

Thank you, Brandon-tempering the bittersweetness I hope is a sense of a job well done! And this was a deeply insightful episode to leave on. May God bless your future work at Word on Fire. -Tom

[@simonjonasmusic8410]

All the best to you, Brandon. You were a pivotal part of my journey and I'm very thankful for your work with Bishop Barron.

[@lisamarieyavarone2362]

Brandon! I object--am I allowed to object? You are a treasure, with a face for podcasts, not publishing :) God bless you and your beautiful family as you make this career/responsibility shift in the world of Word on Fire. I am going to miss you and thank you for all you've done, do, and will do for all of us! Peace.

[@judithgrace8359]

We will miss you Brandon. You’ve been an awesome host. God bless you and your future endeavors.

[@antzc]

Will miss you Brandon. God bless you in all you do.

[@lesacarroll5983]

Thank you, Brandon!! Your work with Bishop Barron has catapulted my knowledge and my faith to areas previously unknown to me! I am so grateful to have found your work! Blessings on your new endeavors!

[@sandradigras1396]

God be with you Brandon it has been a great pleasure following you and Bishop Barron. Enjoy your editorial challenge.

[@cherilupinski-lilly4147]

Thank you, Brandon! You will be missed on the show; however, I wish you all the best! May God continue to bless you and your family.

[@richardorduno6492]

Brandon come back as soon as you can I will always miss (hey Brandon) god bless brother

[@salverabanillo8719]

Thank you, Brandon! You will be missed. Thank you for all you do/ for being a channel of blessings to many by your work as a host, evangelizer, and your many other roles. God bless you. 🙏🙏🙏

[@Vakadua]

Thank you, Brandon! Godspeed! I've loved the podcasts! I've learned so much!

[@brendamyc3173]

God goes into the depth of our hearts and cleanses them and heals them.

[@CyprianVox333]

And I’ll take with me the memories - to be my sunshine after the rain -it’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday B2M 👏 👏 👏 thank you Brandon

[@mildredbernadas8639]

Brandon you have been such a blessing in this program. Salamat! Thank you!

[@gelobalsita8626]

Thank you, Brandon, you're a great man of faith!

[@gracesebs]

Thanks, Brandon for these great podcasts and looking forward to catching up with the publications

[@jessiekamau7176]

Thanks Brandon for your contributions for spiritual growth to a multitude of people globally. I wish you all the very best in your new role 👍🏿

[@dbg24370]

Thank you Brandon we are blessed to have you

[@f.l.fargose6446]

Thank you Brandon. God bless you. Blessings for future endeavors.

[@JP-bn2ct]

I know it will be boring to hear another "Thank you Brandon, " but best to you in your new role! I will miss hearing Bishop Baron asking about your beautiful family!

[@rubymarple7156]

Thank you so so much Brandon, Prayers for you, your family and all that this next part of your journey will be for you all , GOD BLESS, Prayers for HIS continued BLESSINGS 📿🐸🫠💝🙏💯

[@eloisajimenez-martinez7668]

Thank you, Brandon! God bless you on this endeavor...

[@staceyspargo5897]

Thank you Brandon for your gentle, encouraging voice, your intelligence. You contribute to the forming and provoking interest in The Word on Fire for those listening and listening. You will be missed. Much happiness, in your new endeavor in the Publishing side of things. Again thank you. May God bless you!

[@MariaRomero-gw3mo]

Brandon thank you for everything 🙏

[@bettystroup7821]

Thank you Brandon. I’ve enjoyed your presence and leadership as you joined Bishop Barron on these WOF podcasts. BTW, I also followed your Burrowshire podcasts and speakers who joined you on those talks. Learned a lot about Catholicism. Thanks and best of luck and great blessings on your new endeavors on publishing side of WOF.

[@oddsandexabytes]

Brandon, thank you for everything you have done! Word on Fire was an important part of how I found my way to the Catholic Church. I expect to be confirmed into the faith this Easter. 🙂

[@benoiz9781]

We'll miss you Brandon!

[@livia.2016]

Thank you Brandon for all your work, how good to hear that you are going to stay and continue your work in _Word of Fire._ May the Blessed Virgin Mary hear your prayers.

[@WilliamNoelle]

May God continue to bless you Brandon as you focus on your other duties at Word on Fire. You've done such an excellent job and have blessed so many on their spiritual journey. I can testify to this personally as this podcast has been instrumental in my reversion back to the faith.

[@vinniep2612]

Thanks Brandon! You will be missed; best of luck in focusing your talents on the publishing arm of WOF. God's abundant blessings on you!