E174: Blindness, Poverty, and Christmas w/ Fr Robert Spitzer

12/24/24 • 83 min

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In today’s Christmas episode, I sit down with the brilliant Fr. Robert Spitzer—renowned theologian and philosopher—to reflect on the mystery of Christmas and the profound lessons we can draw from suffering and humility. Fr. Spitzer also shares how his blindness has deepened his faith, transforming a challenge into a blessing.The story of salvation begins with a baby—helpless, vulnerable, and entirely dependent. Jesus entered our messy, broken world not in grandeur but in a humble manger. His Incarnation calls us to embrace childlike trust and humility, showing us that strength is perfected in weakness.Join us as we explore why Christ might have chosen such a humble beginning, how suffering can deepen our spiritual lives, and how the Incarnation changes everything.Check out Fr Spitzer's work: https://www.magiscenter.com/A big thank to our partner, EWTN, the world’s leading Catholic network! Discover news, entertainment and more at https://www.ewtn.com/ Check out our Sponsors: -Hallow: https://www.hallow.com/lila Enter into prayer more deeply this season with the Hallow App, get 3 months free by using this link to sign up! -Good Ranchers: https://go.goodranchers.com/lila Purchase your American Meat Delivered subscription today and get a free add-on of beef, chicken, bacon, or salmon! Use code LILA for $25 off! -EveryLife: https://www.everylife.com Buy diapers from an amazing pro-life diaper company and use code LILA and get 10% off!-Seven Weeks Coffee: https://www.sevenweekscoffee.com Buy your pro-life coffee with code LILA and get up to 25% off!00:00:00 - Intro00:00:32 - Welcome, Fr Spitzer00:01:10 - What’s the tradition of celebrating Christmas?00:02:29 - Modest means is the main thing00:11:31 - Why such a specific birth narrative?00:12:34 - Hallow00:13:58 - Jesus is true man00:15:14 - Jesus doesn’t get special privileges00:16:01 - Free choice00:21:52 - Why the slaughter of the innocents?00:22:57 - Good Ranchers00:24:13 - God’s project is not limited to a single group in a single era00:27:55 - If you’ve got everything in this world...00:37:14 - EveryLife00:38:02 - Fr Spitzer’s Blindness00:45:41 - Seven Weeks00:46:39 - Fr Spitzer felt utterly humiliated00:58:57 - We must become like children01:06:17 - Mother Angelica’s quote01:11:04 - Scroll of Isaiah01:14:02 - Why did Jesus come as a baby?01:21:10 - Every child is the Christmas miracle

Previous Episode

E173: Antisemitism, Mentors, & Content Creation w/ Trent Horn

What does it truly mean to be anti-Semitic, and why does this hatred continue to persist today? In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Trent Horn, Catholic apologist and host of the popular Council of Trent podcast, to explore these critical questions from a Christian perspective.

We dive deep into the troubling rise of anti-Semitism and unpack the idea that “being based can send you to hell.” Trent also shares insights into the creative process behind his apologetics podcast, revealing how he selects topics that resonate with his audience.

Check out the Counsel of Trent channel: https://youtube.com/@counseloftrent

A big thank to our partner, EWTN, the world’s leading Catholic network! Discover news, entertainment and more at https://www.ewtn.com/

Join our Locals community: https://lilarose.locals.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LilaRose865

Check out our amazing sponsors:

-We Heart Nutrition: https://www.weheartnutrition.com/ Get high quality vitamin supplements for 20% off using the code LILA.

-EveryLife: https://www.everylife.com Buy diapers from an amazing pro-life diaper company and use code LILA and get 10% off!

-Seven Weeks Coffee: https://www.sevenweekscoffee.com Buy your pro-life coffee with code LILA and get up to 25% off!

-Crowd Health: https://www.joincrowdhealth.com/ The new alternative to health insurance - sign up and use the code "LILA" for a special deal of $99 for your first 3 months!

00:00:00 - Start

00:01:03 - Too Far With Laura Horn

00:05:01 - Trent and Laura doing a book

00:07:45 - Hobbies vs Vocations vs Jobs

00:08:48 - Primary Vocation and Death

00:12:35 - intro - A lot of mom’s feel the pressure

00:14:27 - Litany of Humility

00:15:06 - Genuine Interest Brings Best Results

00:15:47 - Clickbait

00:18:05 - Trent’s Approach to Content

00:23:35 - Importance of Understanding Other’s Positions

00:26:41 - What’s the most important topics you’ve covered?

00:29:36 - Loyalty vs Tribalism

00:32:46 - Fraternal Correction

00:43:25 - Bas Rutten

00:49:59 - Antisemtism is wrong

01:05:28 - A movie that keeps Trent up at night...

01:08:16 - Cultivating Next Generation of Apologists

01:11:55 - Trent wants to become Mr. Miyagi

01:14:06 - Trent’s Mentors

01:16:09 - Gen Z Lacks Mentors

01:22:46 - Cooking

Next Episode

E175: He Went Undercover And Exposed Planned Parenthood w/David Daleiden

Join me for a conversation with my longtime friend and former investigative journalism colleague, David Daleiden. David is the mastermind behind the campaign that exposed Planned Parenthood’s illegal trafficking of baby body parts. Posing as a biotech vendor, he captured explosive undercover footage of key figures at Planned Parenthood discussing partial-birth abortions and other practices designed to harvest intact tissue for research institutions willing to pay a premium. In our discussion, David opens up about his ongoing legal battles and we explore the best strategies for advancing the pro-life movement, especially in light of recent election results and new appointees. This conversation is essential for anyone who cares about the future of civil rights in our country—both for the unborn and those who boldly defend them.

Check out David's website: https://www.centerformedicalprogress.org/

Join our Locals community: https://lilarose.locals.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LilaRose865

A big thank to our partner, EWTN, the world’s leading Catholic network! Discover news, entertainment and more at https://www.ewtn.com/

Check out our Sponsors:

-Good Ranchers: https://go.goodranchers.com/lila Purchase your American Meat Delivered subscription today and get a free add-on of beef, chicken, bacon, or salmon! Use code LILA for $25 off!

-We Heart Nutrition: https://www.weheartnutrition.com/ Get high quality vitamin supplements for 20% off using the code LILA.

-Seven Weeks Coffee: https://www.sevenweekscoffee.com Buy your pro-life coffee with code LILA and get up to 25% off!

00:00:00 - Start

00:01:29 - Welcome, David

00:02:43 - Growing up California Public School

00:04:48 - How did you become passionate about pro-life?

00:07:29 - Abortion is most common surgery in America

00:10:47 - Seven Weeks

00:11:35 - Catholic faith and abortion teaching

00:14:35 - Founding of CMP

00:16:28 - Stem cell lecture in college

00:22:05 - Paying $17,000 for aborted stem cells