Right Now with Ralph Martin

Cardinal Pell, a very well known solidly orthodox bishop, wrote a remarkable article in the journal First Things, in the December 2020 issue entitled Last Things. In it he details his remarkable "conversion” from the belief that hardly anyone would be lost – a version of the pragmatic universalism so common in the Church today – to a return to the more biblical worldview as taught by Jesus and the Apostles and carried forward in the Tradition of the Church and taught in Vatican Council II. From such a well known Church leader this is a remarkably honest and humbling confession and something about which we all need to examine ourselves. If he had absorbed the unspoken, prevailing worldview from the deficient culture of the world and the Church, have we? Do we need to make a similar change?

Sharon Doran joins Ralph to talk about her battle with cancer and how her suffering helped her discover the life-giving power of the Scriptures.Sharon is the teaching director of Seeking Truth Bible Study and has a podcast called Discerning Hearts Podcast.

In this short video Ralph shares how impacted he was by the simple but encouraging word conveyed by a Christian hymn. He thinks you will be encouraged too!

Peter Herbeck joins Ralph on the podcast this week to discuss what it means to live in the power of the Holy Spirit & under the lordship of Jesus.In this episode: A New Pentecost by Ralph Martin.

Ralph comments on the amazingly tender words of holy Mary as she appeared to St. Juan Diego at Guadalupe in Mexico almost 500 years ago. He believes that she intends them to be personalized and received as a word from her to each one of us. Some of what she says seems like it could be described as a “hug from Mary,” our heavenly mother.

This Christmas Eve, Fr. John Riccardo returns to the podcast to discuss the profound gift of Christ's coming among us in the flesh and what it means for us as his children and disciples.For more about this profound gift, check out The Rescue Project, offered by Fr. John's ministry Acts XXIX.

The charismatic gifts - emphasized in many of the documents of Vatican II - are a great blessing, but we can easily forget their ultimate purpose or be tempted to prize the gifts over the giver. As the Church continues to be awakened to the wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit, we must never forget that they exist to lead us to conversion, repentance, faith, and salvation.

Ralph talks about the importance of understanding and accepting the discipline of the Lord, it’s various manifestations, and its loving purpose.

Author and speaker, Immaculée Ilibagiza returns to continue her story of how God worked powerfully in her life. As a survivor of the Rwandan genocide she has an incredible testimony of faith, hope, and forgiveness.Did you miss Part One? Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/right-now-with-ralph-martin/id1536626967?i=1000738547197.

Immaculée Ilibagiza - author, speaker, and survivor of the Rwandan genocide - shares her powerful testimony of faith, hope, and forgiveness.Tune in again next week for Part Two!

This week, Ralph speaks about how disappointed Jesus' was that only one of nine lepers returned to thank him and recognize in him the power of God. Let’s be like that one leper and never forget to thank God for his blessings even in the midst of the sufferings of this life!

Peter Herbeck joins Ralph to review some powerful scriptures, emphasizing the importance of persevering until the end.

This week, Ralph notes that the concepts of heaven and hell – or even God and the devil – can seem a bit abstract. Ralph takes another look at these realities based on an exploration of the company we will keep. Life with the beautiful angels will be beautiful; life with demons will be like a perpetual horror movie. But ultimately, hell is FAR from just a movie; it is everlasting, actual horror!

Dominic Berardino, the president of Southern California Renewal Communities, joins Ralph to talk about the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory.

Two weeks ago, Ralph discussed Bishop Robert Barron’s reflections on Pope Francis’ papacy and what his legacy means for the Church moving forward. This week, Ralph offers ways to approach living in such times of uncertainty and disunity. Ralph particularly notes the profound reflections on participating more deeply in Christ’s passion, as found in Fr. Donald Haggerty’s book, "The Hour of Testing: Spiritual Depth and Insight in a Time of Ecclesial Uncertainty." Fr. Haggerty is a parochial vicar of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the Archdiocese of New York and the author of several books.To sign up for Renewal Ministries free monthly monthly newsletter visit: https://www.RenewalMinistries.net/newsletter.

Peter Herbeck joins Ralph to discuss important teachings of St. John Paul II and his impact on the work of Renewal Ministries.

In his May 12 article in First Things—Francis in Full—Bishop Robert Barron eloquently wrote of Pope Francis’ many positive accomplishments as well as some very serious problems such as a legacy of doctrinal and pastoral disunity. Bishop Barron’s evaluation of Pope Francis’ ministry provides a lens through which we can look at the serious challenges facing Pope Leo XIV and his great need for our prayer.

Fr. John Riccardo of Acts XXIX joins Ralph to discuss the only way to becoming a disciple--through true conversion & understanding the context of the greatest commandment.

Ralph talks about how much help he gets in prayer by meditating on the words in his "Magnificat," his daily aid in prayer.

After 25 years as an award-winning corporate advertising executive, Tom Peterson’s life radically changed forever through a powerful conversion experience on a Catholic men’s retreat. Soon afterward, he founded VirtueMedia and CatholicsComeHome.org. Catholics Come Home is a media apostolate that seeks to inspire, educate and evangelize inactive Catholics and others, inviting them to live a deeper faith in Jesus Christ, in accord with the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. On this week's episode, Tom joins Ralph to share about his journey of faith, his mission and ministry, and how God has been at work in marvelous ways to bring people back to the Church.