A Catholic Take

Guests:

1. Mike Koeniger – Former U.S. Coast Guard
   • Trump: U.S. Will Act on Greenland ‘Whether They Like It or Not’
   • Trump says US needs to ‘own’ Greenland to prevent Russia and China from taking it
   • US used sonic weapon on Venezuelan troops, report shared by Leavitt claims
2. Prof. Matthew A. Tsakanikas – Substack
   • Reading the Apocalypse with Saint Augustine
   • Evangelicals’ support for Israel is dropping
   • Settler violence in the Jordan Valley expels Palestinians from one of the few towns left standing

Other Links:

• Young Adult Catholic Writers Guild
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• GET THE ICR MAGNET HERE

The News:

• US military carries out large-scale strikes against Islamic State targets across Syria
• Iran Warns of Strikes on U.S. Troops as Trump Weighs Action; 538 Iranian Protesters Reported Dead
• POPE LEO CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON HUMAN DIGNITY
• Federal prosecutors open criminal investigation into the Fed and Jerome Powell
• CARDINAL ZEN DENOUNCES ‘BERGOGLIAN SYNODALITY’
• Judge blocks Trump from freezing $10 billion in child, family aid to five US states

Saint of the Day:

• St. Ælred – Abbot & Confessor (d. 1166-67) – Superior of the Cistercians in England – “The English St. Bernard”

Gospel of the Day:

Mark 1:14-20

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

Guests:

1. Rob Marro, Jr. – Catholic Writer
   • Malachi Martin: In the Shadows of the Vatican
2. Dr. Anthony Stine – Return to Tradition
   • Bp. Barron Criticizes Synodality
   • Was the liturgy ignored during the first consistory of Pope Leo XIV?

Other Links:

• Young Adult Catholic Writers Guild
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• My Catholic Will – use promo code 14STATIONS
• iCR+
• Station of the Cross/iCR Merch!
• GET THE ICR MAGNET HERE

The News:

• Senate advances resolution to block Trump from using military in Venezuela
• Venezuelan Regime Confirms Now Negotiating Sale of Oil to U.S.
• IRAN REPORTEDLY SHUTS DOWN INTERNET AS PROTESTS GROW
• Judge disqualifies NY U.S. Attorney and quashes subpoenas against Letitia James
• Nicaraguan cardinal absent from Rome consistory
• ARIZONA BILL WOULD CRIMINALIZE CONFESSIONAL SEAL

Saint of the Day:

• St. Adrian of Canterbury – Abbot & Confessor (d. 709-10) – Abbot of Ss. Peter & Paul, later known as St. Augustine’s – friend of St. Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury

Gospel of the Day:

Luke 5:12-16

It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

Guests:

1. Michael Haynes – Per Mariam
   • Consistory: Day 1 in Review
   • Cardinals Underscore Peace, Unity and Listening as Pope Leo XIV Opens Extraordinary Consistory
2. Nicholas Cavazos – The Traditional Thomist
   • Woman fatally shot in Minneapolis ICE operation identified
   • Minn. archbishop pleads for peace after ICE shooting

Other Links:

• Young Adult Catholic Writers Guild
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• My Catholic Will – use promo code 14STATIONS
• iCR+
• Station of the Cross/iCR Merch!
• GET THE ICR MAGNET HERE

The News:

• U.S. Forces Board & Seize Russian-Flagged Tanker
• DHS confirms fatal shooting involving ICE in Minneapolis
• SATANISTS LOSE BID TO OVERTHROW INDIANA PRO-LIFE LAW
• Trump announces plans to ban large investors from buying homes
• Pope Leo names New York auxiliary bishop to lead Diocese of Rochester
• WHITE HOUSE LOOKS AT PROCURING GREENLAND

Saint of the Day:

• St. Apollinaris the Apologist – Bishop & Confessor (d. 2nd cent) – Bishop of Hierapolis

Gospel of the Day:

Luke 4:14-22

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

Guests:

1. Jordan Pacheco – Glad Trad Podcast
   • Letter to Cardinals Offers Solution for TLM Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s First Consistory
   • Program Details Emerge for Pope Leo XIV’s First Consistory with Cardinals
2. Jeff Cassman – Website
   • How to Get Into Homeownership Sooner: 14 Practical Strategies That Actually Work in an Inflationary Economy
   • Why a 50-Year Mortgage Fails the Financial Test—and What Catholic Social Teaching Requires
   • The Valley of Death: Why $100,000 Is the New Poverty

Other Links:

• Young Adult Catholic Writers Guild
• iCatholicMobile
• My Catholic Will – use promo code 14STATIONS
• iCR+
• Station of the Cross/iCR Merch!
• GET THE ICR MAGNET HERE

The News:

• California GOP Rep Doug LaMalfa dead at 65
• Wyoming Supreme Court strikes down abortion pill ban
• HIGH DEMAND LEADS TO MORE EXORCIST TRAINING
• Indiana GOP Rep. Jim Baird ‘Responsive’ After Car Accident
• Jan. 6 defendants hold march on fifth anniversary
• NO MORE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING

Saint of the Day:

• St. André Bessette – Confessor (d. 1937) – Lay brother of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, in Montreal – founder of St. Joseph’s Oratory

Gospel of the Day:

Mark 6:45-52

After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.

Guests:

1. Aaron Kildow – Oil Analyst/Trader/Strategist
   • Venezuela Oil Update: Maduro Out, What’s Next for Production?
2. Michael Hichborn – Lepanto Institute
   • “Interfaith Chapel” at a Catholic University

Other Links:

• Young Adult Catholic Writers Guild
• iCatholicMobile
• My Catholic Will – use promo code 14STATIONS
• iCR+
• Station of the Cross/iCR Merch!
• GET THE ICR MAGNET HERE

The News:

• Maduro pleads not guilty to drug trafficking charges
• Tim Walz announces he will not seek third term
• 30 MASSACRED IN HORRIFIC MARKET ATTACK IN NIGERIA
• Hegseth announces action against Mark Kelly
• One in Custody after Incident at JD Vance’s Home
• CHARLOTTE PRIESTS SUBMIT DUBIA OVER LITURGICAL CHANGES

Saint of the Day:

• Ss. Caspar, Balthazar & Melchior – The Three Magi – Mentioned in the Martyrology on the feast of the Epiphany, January 6th

Gospel of the Day:

Matthew 2:1-12

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise Men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet:

‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod summoned the Wise Men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” When they had heard the king they went their way; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Guests:

1. Mike Koeniger – Former U.S. Coast Guard
   • Maduro and His Wife to Face ‘Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy’ Charges in New York, U.S. Attorney General Says
   • US forces killed ‘large part’ of Maduro’s security team during capture, defense minister says
   • Rubio indicates U.S. won’t run Venezuela but will use oil blockade as leverage for changes
   • Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado: “This is not a legitimate president…”
2. Aaron McAfee – Catholic Author
   • Ufology and Mysticism Are on the Rise

Other Links:

• Young Adult Catholic Writers Guild
• iCatholicMobile
• My Catholic Will – use promo code 14STATIONS
• iCR+
• Station of the Cross/iCR Merch!
• GET THE ICR MAGNET HERE

The News:

• TRUMP THREATENS IRAN OVER SUPPRESSION OF PROTESTS
• Maduro and His Wife to Face ‘Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy’ Charges in New York
• Dollar rises to start 2026 after biggest annual drop in eight years
• ISIS PLOT REPORTEDLY FOILED IN NORTH CAROLINA
• Heavy rain, high tides cause flooding along stretch of Northern California
• Kentucky Woman Arrested in Home Abortion Case

Saint of the Day:

• St. John Neumann – Bishop & Confessor (d. 1860) – Redemptorist missionary – Bishop of Philadelphia – first male American citizen and first American bishop ever canonized

Gospel of the Day:

Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.