The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.

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What is prayer and how can we pray? How do I know if God is responding to my prayers? What does it mean to live a spiritual life? “The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.,” focuses on how people experience God in their prayer and their daily lives. The show combines practical wisdom with deep reflections from spiritual masters and well-known seekers, all tracing the mystery of God’s activity in their own lives. You can visit the show's webpage at www.americamagazine.org/thespirituallife.

  1. Filipino Cardinal “Ambo” David on hearing God's voice in the Bible

    5D AGO

    Filipino Cardinal “Ambo” David on hearing God's voice in the Bible

    In this episode of The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J., Fr. Martin speaks with Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, Bishop of Kalookan, Philippines. Elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2024 by Pope Francis, the ministry of Cardinal “Ambo” has been marked by a deep solidarity with those on the margins, with whom he’s established 21 urban mission stations in poor communities affected by violence.  With a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of Louvain, Cardinal Ambo shares his Ignatian approach of “reading between the lines of scripture,” without forgetting the very important “dots” we connect through biblical scholarship.  Timecodes: 0:00 Prayer is necessary to survive  2:50 What’s an Ignatian approach towards scripture? 5:19 How Cardinal Ambo received his nickname and why he prefers it to “Your Eminence” 7:28 Cardinal Ambo’s early calling to the priesthood 14:05 Biblical scholarship establishes the dots, Ignatian Contemplation helps connect them 21:30 How studying Aramaic allows Cardinal Ambo to better understand Jesus 24:50 The urban mission stations that bring hope to the poor 30:40 What characterizes Filipino-Catholic spirituality? 32:30 Audience Question: How does Jesus’ resurrection change reality? Read Fr. Jim's article on Ignatian contemplation: Coming Soon Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min
  2. How Andrew Sullivan experienced God amidst fear and agony

    APR 28

    How Andrew Sullivan experienced God amidst fear and agony

    James Martin, S.J., speaks with Andrew Sullivan, the renowned political commentator and Catholic writer, about faith, identity and spiritual transformation in this deeply personal episode of “The Spiritual Life” podcast. Having struggled through the AIDS crisis of the 80s and 90s, Andrew opens up about the initial fear of gay people in the Catholic Church and the remarkable shift that he believes has taken place over the past few decades. Chapters 00:00 Who is Andrew Sullivan? 4:20 Homosexuality and the Catholic Church 11:14 State of the LGBTQ movement 15:35 How Pope Francis dispelled fear 21:38 God in the midst of agony 31:31 Andrew's turbulent Catholic life 41:04 Staying rooted spiritually 44:55 Reconciling personal experience in the church Links: Fr. Martin's spiritual advice column on this conversation: https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/04/27/james-martin-andrew-sullivan-spiritual-life “The Weekly Dish”: https://andrewsullivan.substack.com/ Virtually Normal: An Argument About Homosexuality: https://www.amazon.ca/Virtually-Normal-Argument-about-Homosexuality/dp/0679746145  Interview: Andrew Sullivan on being openly gay and Catholic by Thomas H. Stahel: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2022/11/10/vantage-point-america-andrew-sullivan-244119 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    55 min
  3. Cardinal Blase Cupich on how the Mass can change your life

    APR 21

    Cardinal Blase Cupich on how the Mass can change your life

    Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago,  joins James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to talk about his vocation story, the spiritual power of the Mass, and the necessity of  preaching the Gospel during  tumultuous political times.  Cardinal Cupich is the Archbishop of Chicago, one of three U.S. cardinals who currently runs a diocese, and is also a member of the Dicastery for Bishops. 00:00 Who is Cardinal Cupich? 2:32 Explaining Lectio Divina 5:33 Explaining the Liturgy of the Hours 8:17 Cardinal Cupich's vocation story 12:32 Prayer isn't just personal 19:40 How the Mass changes your life 25:48 The spiritual life of a bishop 29:12 Working with Pope Leo XIV 32:32 Being political vs. preaching the Gospel 37:00 Audience question: Why is Confession important? Links: Fr. Jim’s spiritual advice column on the Sacrament of Confession Cardinal Cupich's archdiocesan column Cardinal Cupich on retrieving the Consistent Ethic of Life Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min
  4. Pádraig Ó Tuama on poetry, conflict resolution, and the stations of the cross

    APR 14

    Pádraig Ó Tuama on poetry, conflict resolution, and the stations of the cross

    The poet and theologian, Pádraig Ó Tuama, joins James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to talk about how poetry and the Taizé community became a lifeline for Pádraig after he was subjected to multiple exorcisms, attempting to cast out his homosexuality as a form of conversion therapy. Pádraig is the host of On Being’s podcast, “Poetry Unbound,” and has published volumes of poetry, essays, a memoir and has written on theological topics. His books include:  Being Here: Prayers for Curiosity, Justice, and Love Kitchen Hymns Timecodes: 0:00 What do you really want? 1:25 The conversion therapies inflicted upon Pádraig Ó Tuama 7:00 Pádraig’s younger years among the Catholic charismatic movement 11:24 How Pádraig accepted his homosexuality and renewed his faith 17:40 Coming out as a poet and being haunted by Emily Dickenson  25:44 Pádraig’s understanding of prayer 32:25 Practicing the Stations of the Cross  37:45 Required spiritual practices for reconciliation 43:20 How to deal with criticism 51:40 Audience Question: What practices can I bring from retreats into my daily life? Read Fr. Jim's article reflecting on poetry and prayer. Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    57 min
  5. Our human desire for God, with the Augustine scholar James K.A. Smith

    APR 7

    Our human desire for God, with the Augustine scholar James K.A. Smith

    James Martin, S.J., is joined by James K.A. Smith on the “The Spiritual Life” podcast. Jamie is a leading scholar of St. Augustine, and a professor of philosophy at Calvin University. He’s written several books—including Desiring the Kingdom, You Are What You Love, On the Road with Saint Augustine, and his latest, Make Your Home in This Luminous Dark: Mysticism, Art, and the Path of Unknowing. Together, they chart the contours of St. Augustine’s life, spirituality, and theological patrimony in the Church, along with Jamie’s own spiritual life.   Timecodes: 0:00 Adopting a refugee spirituality 1:40 Introducing James K.A. Smith and Augustinian spirituality 6:39 Jamie meets God through his wife’s family 11:00 How St. Augustine became a spiritual lifeline for Jamie 13:30 A thumbnail sketch of St. Augustine’s life 19:10 “Everybody’s got a hungry heart”  30:40 Praying with the German mystic Meister Eckhart 33:46 Tracking your desires in the spiritual life 36:10 The relationship between Pope Leo XIV, the Augustianians, and Augustine45:15 Audience Question: How can we reconcile the "two churches" of today: a church that follows Jesus and a more "worldy church"? Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min
  6. Catholic and Anarchist: The Spiritual Wisdom of Dorothy Day

    MAR 31

    Catholic and Anarchist: The Spiritual Wisdom of Dorothy Day

    Editor-in-chief of Orbis Books, Robert Ellsberg cut his teeth as an editor of The Catholic Worker newspaper when he was just 20  years old. There he also traded literary notes with the great Catholic writer, activist and now “Servant of God,” Dorothy Day. On this episode of “The Spiritual Life,” Robert joins host James Martin, S.J., to share what he learned from Dorothy and his time at the Catholic Worker about ordinary holiness.  Timecodes: 0:00 Spiritual improv at the Catholic Worker 1:15 Introducing Robert Ellsberg, Orbis editor-in-chief 3:15 A primer on Servant of God, Dorothy Day 7:00 How Robert Ellsberg fell into the Catholic Worker at only 20 y.o. 13:50 Robert’s spiritual crisis and eventual conversion to Catholicism 15:50 Life at the Catholic Worker and getting to know Dorothy Day  22:40 “Don’t call me a saint” and Dorothy’s own expression of holiness 32:46 Letting go of the need to have the last word 35:33 Encountering God in nature 37:12 Audience Question: What saints can assist my prayer when I feel desolation around the church? Read Fr. Jim's ⁠article on Dorothy Day Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min
  7. Kate Bowler on how to accompany those who are suffering

    MAR 24

    Kate Bowler on how to accompany those who are suffering

    American culture often tries to emphasize “learning lessons” in the middle of suffering. For example, “Everything happens for a reason.” But Kate Bowler doesn’t think those “lessons”  are coming from God; rather, God draws close to the brokenhearted and accompanies them. On this episode of “The Spiritual Life” podcast host James Martin, S.J. is joined by scholar of American religion history, Kate Bowler, who is also the creator of the popular podcast “Everything Happens” and the author of bestselling books including Everything Happens for a Reason (and Other Lies I’ve Loved) and No Cure for Being Human. Her latest book is Joyful, Anyway! Timecodes: 0:00 God’s grace is not like math 1:05 Who is Kate Bowler? 5:22 How getting diagnosed with stage 4 cancer changed Kate’s faith 11:55 What not to say to someone who is suffering 19:38 How to accompany those who suffer 26:37 The problem with happiness and “good vibes only” 31:32 The paradox and practice of joy 44:10 Kate’s spiritual practices of honesty and service 47:35 Why its so hard to suffer in America 50:00 Audience Question: How do we believe in a just and loving God in the midst of an unjust and unloving world? 56:30 Kate’s blessing Read Fr. Jim's article on suffering Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 4m
  8. Jesuit musician Cristóbal Fones on praying with the Pope

    MAR 17

    Jesuit musician Cristóbal Fones on praying with the Pope

    Cristóbal Fones, SJ, is many things- a talented musician, a Jesuit and the international director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. He joins host James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to share how he learned to pray from a place of deep emotional connection and authenticity, and how, from his new post at the Vatican, he coordinates the prayer petitions for the Catholic church. Timecodes: 0:00 Why we pray with Cristóbal Fones 1:00 Understanding the morning offering and the Sacred Heart 7:10 The pope has a prayer network  16:08 Praying with the Sacred Heart includes our emotions 23:50 Cristóbal is called to be a Jesuit and inculturate Christ’s message in music  37:00 Music can affect how you relate to God 46:32 What Jesuits do on retreat 51:00 Audience Question: Why do Catholics pray to saints and how does that work? Read Fr. Jim's article on The Sacred Heart Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    57 min
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What is prayer and how can we pray? How do I know if God is responding to my prayers? What does it mean to live a spiritual life? “The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.,” focuses on how people experience God in their prayer and their daily lives. The show combines practical wisdom with deep reflections from spiritual masters and well-known seekers, all tracing the mystery of God’s activity in their own lives. You can visit the show's webpage at www.americamagazine.org/thespirituallife.

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