Godsplaining

Martial arts can cultivate discipline, courage, strength, and preparedness—but what happens when fighting becomes entertainment?

In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Joseph-Anthony wrestle with the morality of combat sports, including MMA and boxing. Is there a legitimate place for violence and aggression in the Christian life? How are self-defense and martial arts different from fighting for spectacle? And should Christians be concerned about entertainment built around watching one person physically harm another?

The friars discuss virtue, courage, self-defense, the history of combat sports, the discipline found in martial arts, and the potential physical and spiritual dangers of turning violence into entertainment.

Is watching UFC or MMA morally different from watching other sports? When does athletic competition become blood sport? And what does our attraction to violent spectacle do to us as viewers? Listen to the episode to hear what the friars have to say, then let us know what you think in the comments.

 

Join the men of Exodus 90 and Fr. Gregory Pine for a Holy Speech Challenge starting Oct 1st: https://exodus90.com/godsplaining

 

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TOMORROW: Join Fr. Gregory and Fr. Patrick for the annual Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage Young Adult Vigil on Friday, Sept. 25th from 6-9pm. This is a free event for young adults. Register: https://godsplaining.org/dominican-rosary-pilgrimage-young-adult-vigil-2026/

 

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Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://amzn.to/4r1rc2l

O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://amzn.to/4xJz1MF

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Training the Tongue: https://amzn.to/4hilfLa

Your Eucharistic Identity: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101879094-17193693

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Why has Brideshead Revisited endured as one of the great Catholic novels?

Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure dive into Evelyn Waugh’s masterpiece and its unforgettable exploration of grace, conversion, sin, beauty, Catholic culture, and God’s relentless pursuit of the human heart.

From Charles Ryder’s encounter with the Flyte family to Sebastian’s struggles, Julia’s conversion, and Lord Marchmain’s powerful final moments, Brideshead Revisited portrays a God who continues to draw His children back to Himself, even when they resist Him.

The friars discuss their favorite characters and scenes, the novel’s depiction of Catholic life, and what Waugh’s famous “twitch upon the thread” reveals about the mysterious workings of grace.

Warning: This episode contains spoiler alerts!

 

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Join the men of Exodus 90 and Fr. Gregory Pine for a Holy Speech Challenge starting Oct 1st: https://exodus90.com/godsplaining

For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-rosary?utm_source=godsplaining&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=stdominic

 

Attn: Young Adults! Join Fr. Gregory and Fr. Patrick for the annual Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage Young Adult Vigil on Friday, Sept. 25th from 6-9pm. This is a free event for young adults. Register here: https://godsplaining.org/dominican-rosary-pilgrimage-young-adult-vigil-2026/ 

 

Fr. Gregory and Fr. Joseph-Anthony are headed to Pittsburgh, PA for a Day of Recollection on Saturday, Nov. 21st at Epiphany Church! Learn more and register: https://godsplaining.org/thy-will-be-done-a-day-of-recollection-in-pittsburgh-pa/ 

 

Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org

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Support the Podcast

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Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://amzn.to/4r1rc2l

O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://amzn.to/4xJz1MF

Witness: https://amzn.to/4hgfmOC

Training the Tongue: https://amzn.to/4hilfLa

Your Eucharistic Identity: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101879094-17193693 

St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://amzn.to/4ijPWkm

Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://amzn.to/4zZjH04

 

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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org

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What does Divine Mercy really mean, and why is it so central to the Christian life?

Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, joins Fr. Gregory to unpack the message of Divine Mercy, the extraordinary life of St. Faustina, and the profound connection between God’s mercy and the sacraments.

Fr. Alar is a priest of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and serves as provincial superior for the congregation’s province. A prominent teacher and evangelist of the Divine Mercy message, he is also the author of Understanding Divine Mercy and Understanding the Sacraments.

In this episode, Fr. Alar explains why Divine Mercy goes to the very heart of the Gospel message. He and Fr. Gregory discuss what it means to call mercy God’s “greatest attribute,” the relationship between the Sacred Heart and Divine Mercy, and the rich symbolism contained in the Divine Mercy image. They also explore some of St. Faustina’s extraordinary experiences, the authority Christ entrusted to priests in the Sacrament of Confession, and the remarkable promise associated with Divine Mercy Sunday.

Can any sin be greater than God’s mercy? What’s the difference between trusting in mercy and presuming upon it? And what does Jesus desire to accomplish in us through Divine Mercy?

Tune into the full conversation to find out and let us know your questions on Divine Mercy in the comments below.

 

Learn more about the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception: https://marian.org/

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Attn: Young Adults! Join Fr. Gregory and Fr. Patrick for the annual Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage Young Adult Vigil on Friday, Sept. 25th from 6-9pm. This is a free event for young adults. Register: https://godsplaining.org/dominican-rosary-pilgrimage-young-adult-vigil-2026/

 

Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org

Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining

 

Support the Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining

Shop merch: https://godsplaining.org/store/

 

Shop Books Written by the Friars

Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://amzn.to/4r1rc2l

O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://amzn.to/4xJz1MF

Witness: https://amzn.to/4hgfmOC

Training the Tongue: https://amzn.to/4hilfLa

Your Eucharistic Identity: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101879094-17193693

St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://amzn.to/4ijPWkm

Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://amzn.to/4zZjH04

 

Connect on Social Media

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godsplaining/

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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org

To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org

How should Catholics think about mental health? Is anxiety or depression primarily a psychological issue, a spiritual struggle—or can it be both?

In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure discuss the relationship between faith, therapy, psychology, and mental health. They explore why psychological struggles are real without defining the whole person, when it may be appropriate to seek professional help, the role of spiritual direction and Christian community, and why psychological and spiritual health should be integrated rather than confused.

They also consider a difficult reality: sometimes healing doesn't happen in the way we hope. What does the Christian life look like when a struggle must be managed rather than completely resolved?

Join Exodus 90 for St. Michael's Lent with with Fr. Columba Jordan starting on August 12th: https://exodus90.com/godsplaining

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Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org

Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining

Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining

Shop merch: https://godsplaining.org/store/

 

Shop Books Written by the Friars

Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://amzn.to/4r1rc2l

O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://amzn.to/4xJz1MF

Witness: https://amzn.to/4hgfmOC

Training the Tongue: https://amzn.to/4hilfLa

Your Eucharistic Identity: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101879094-17193693

St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://amzn.to/4ijPWkm

Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://amzn.to/4zZjH04

 

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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org

To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org

Do Catholics really have to go to Mass every Sunday? And why does the Church call it an “obligation”?

In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Patrick Briscoe unpack the Sunday Mass obligation and explain why obligation and freedom aren’t enemies. In fact, having certain non-negotiable commitments can free us from constantly having to decide what matters most.

The friars discuss why Sunday Mass should be a question of when—not whether—why even a less-than-ideal Mass is still worth attending, how worship gives God what He is due, and why the Mass provides a foundation for the entire week.

They also explore what can be lost in being “spiritual but not religious,” the importance of worshiping as a community, and the surprising freedom that comes from allowing our lives to be ordered toward God.

 

Join Exodus 90 for St. Michael's Lent with with Fr. Columba Jordan starting on August 12th: https://exodus90.com/godsplaining

 

For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-rosary?utm_source=godsplaining&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=stdominic

 

Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org

Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining

Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining

Shop merch: https://godsplaining.org/store/

 

Shop Books Written by the Friars

Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://amzn.to/4r1rc2l

O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://amzn.to/4xJz1MF

Witness: https://amzn.to/4hgfmOC

Training the Tongue: https://amzn.to/4hilfLa

Your Eucharistic Identity: https://amzn.to/4x85dbv

St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://amzn.to/4ijPWkm

Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://amzn.to/4zZjH04

 

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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org

To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org