Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

What does it mean to be a priest today? In this episode, Gomer and Dave reflect on the beauty and burden of the priesthood—its spiritual power, real-world challenges, and the call to bold, Christ-centered leadership. With insights and wisdom from Pope Benedict, we explore how priests can renew their role as shepherds—and how we, as laypeople, can support them in their mission. Snippet from the Show If you're a priest and you learn and communicate the Faith, your parish is going to grow. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle discuss the importance of understanding priests; what their role is, how they should be set apart and how we should approach the priesthood. They also talk about the significance of sacrifice and the biblical roots of the priesthood. Snippet from the Show Jesus Christ is the high priest, he’s the unique mediator. There is no priesthood without Jesus Christ. When you are baptized into Christ, you enter into the role of priest, prophet and king. So the whole community, every Christian man and woman participates in the baptismal priesthood of Christ. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle are joined by cannon lawyer, Fr. Brian Austin. Together they discuss the origins of canon law, the difference between church and secular legal law, papal primacy, and discuss the role of the Catholic Church through the chaos of history. Snippet from the Show If you believe that God wants you to be happy then how does that change what law is? Well it goes from being the arbitrary, tyrannical, imposition of an authority over me, right? And the scariest thing is not the tyrant, the scariest thing is its arbitrariness. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Why does the Church need bishops? Dr. Michael Sirilla joins Mike Gormley and Dave Van Vickle to explore the role of bishops in the Church, referencing St. Thomas Aquinas' insights. They discuss the spiritual fatherhood, pastoral duties, and theological understanding of bishops. They also unpack the processes of selecting bishops and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the Church. Snippet from the Show "Bishops are more than administratros, they are spiritual fathers." We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle unpack Church history, explain papal theology, highlight the importance of Rome, and the importance of St. Peter. They also explain papal infallibility, what it is and what it is not. Snippet from the Show "So the Pope is supposed to be this thing of unity amongst the communion of the bishops, but he is not supposed to be the CEO of a bunch of franchises and that is an ugly way to view the Church." We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Have you ever wondered why Peter was the first pope? Do you question the idea of a pope or of papal infallibility? Where does priestly authority come from? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle continue their season of exploring church leadership through the examination of the Old Testament, the New Testament, the priesthood and the role of St. Peter. Snippet from the Show If Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament as the Davidic King, he has a right hand man as it were the chief steward of the house, he has what we would call today the Prime Minister, and that person, that Joseph, is Peter. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Are you ready for a new season of Every Knee Shall Bow? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle kick off their new season by addressing the topics they’ll cover in upcoming episodes regarding church hierarchy, where it comes from, all the common problems people have and many other topics around church leadership. Snippet from the Show Even in the face of incredibly competent leaders, that aren’t priests, that aren’t bishops, that isn’t the pope, Christ ordained and established that rule. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Gomer and Dave will return next week with a new season on Church hierarchy. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

How do you deal with pastor changes, church updates, and closing parishes? Are you trying to serve the church, but keep hitting roadblocks? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle explore what to do when you feel stuck in an unfortunate church situation and how to handle the chaos of change. Snippet from the Show It’s important to let this be a reminder to us that we follow Jesus Christ and not a building or a certain pastor or something like that. We have to evangelize, we have to be a church that goes out and grows. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Does the idea of apologetics intimidate you? Do you feel inadequate defending the Catholic faith, but want to build confidence in evangelizing? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle explain the gift of evangelization and how God wants us to participate in the good work He started. Snippet from the Show The sacraments are not our work to please God, it is God’s work to save humanity. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

What is your plan for Lent? Is there anything you’ve been avoiding that the Lord is tugging at your heart to revisit? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle explain where our focus should be and how Lent is a time to become more disciplined, virtuous and free. Snippet from the Show “The purpose of Lent is a time of quickening, a time of intensity, it’s a time of renewed focus. It is a time where we don’t give up our sin… it’s a time where we renounce good things.” We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

When you’re facing suffering, it’s very natural to ask why. However, if we suspend that question and instead ask ‘God, how can I love the most at this moment?’, you’ll get more answers than if you were to actually get the answer to your question. Today, Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle give tips on how to suffer well and weather the storms of difficulties. Snippet from the Show Tips from Mike and Dave on How to Suffer Well: Remind yourself that everyone is fighting their own battle. Remembering that everyone is suffering in their own way can take your focus off yourself and shift your focus to others. Have a reason for your suffering. Offering up suffering keeps your focus strong and your faith big. Be bluntly honest with God. Bring your anger to the Lord and allow Him to change your heart. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (Colossians 1:24) And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, w

How can there be pain and a loving God? Gomer and Dave explain how the Cross is the answer to the problem of pain and how we need to find our place in the crucified Christ. They also unpack the things that separate us from God in the midst of suffering. Snippet from the Show When you look at the Cross, you see the love of God, for you poured out. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Does our sin cause suffering? Yes and no. Gomer and Dave explore the complex relationship between sin and suffering. They discuss the nuances of attributing suffering to sin, the role of divine justice, and how miracles fit into God's greater plan. Snippet from the Show  We have to trust that in God's "no", there is something greater that is being done. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Why do innocents suffer? Why does God allow me to suffer in ways that keep from accomplishing good things? There are many parts to suffering that are difficult to understand and can build resentment within us. Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle address these questions and share how they help others let go of their resentment in suffering. Snippet from the Show God suffers for you for a purpose, but he also suffers with you in the darkness no matter how bad it gets. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

How can a loving God allow suffering to exist? This question may be one of the most asked questions about Christianity. Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle begin a new series on the Problem of Pain where they respond to this question. They begin by discussing why suffering exists, why God allows it to exist, and where God is at in our suffering. Snippet from the Show Suffering becomes transformed in the cross and resurrection. It becomes something that purifies and refines us so that we can draw closer to our Lord and grow our compassion and humility. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

New ventures, consecration to Mary, and struggles with productivity are just some of the topics that Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle touch on in this week’s episode. While somewhat random, Mike and Dave’s conversation offers encouragement and resources that will aid you in your discipleship journey. Snippet from the Show We all need to ask Mary to be a primary mover in our lives. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Dave VanVickle responds to some of your questions regarding spiritual warfare. The topics of these questions range from possession to scrupulosity to whether St. Michael is an archangel or not. Dave responds to each question with both wisdom and encouragement so that each of us can continue striving for greater union with God. Snippet from the Show The saints were people like you and I who responded generously to the call that God put on their life to be holy and follow him. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Are horoscopes actually dangerous? What should I do if a family member or friend is exploring the occult? Why is the occult against Catholic teaching? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle share information on popular occult practices we should avoid and what to do if you or someone you know has been involved in the occult. Snippet from the Show There is only goodness and the distortion of goodness. There is only God, and God has no infinite opposite. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Did you know that temptation is one of the biggest battles of spiritual attack? How can we avoid temptations? What should we do when we give in to temptation? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle discuss these questions and outline practical solutions for resisting temptation and repenting from temptation. Snippet from the Show We don't have to completely abandon society. We have the power of the Holy Spirit to challenge these things. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow