The Raising Catholic Podcast
Raising Catholic is just two Catholic dad's (and best friends) on opposite sides of the country, raising their families and deepening their faith as they study the Bible one book at a time. Join Josh Vegors (Nashville, TN) and Tim Summers (Reno, NV) every week to talk through their thoughts on scripture, life, and the world.
Episodes
In this episode of Raising Catholic, Josh and Tim walk through Matthew 4, exploring Jesus’ 40-day fast and the three temptations in the wilderness. They unpack how Jesus responds with Scripture, the devil’s misuse of verses, and what the episode reveals about Jesus’ humanity, divinity, and obedience.
The hosts also discuss Jesus’ move to Capernaum, the calling of the first disciples, and the start of his hea...
Welcome to Raising Catholic. We're just two Catholic dads and best friends on opposite sides of the country, finishing our study of 2 Maccabees and exploring its focus on Jerusalem, the motivations behind the actors, and how that history helps explain the world Jesus entered.
We discuss the Septuagint and how the deuterocanonical books shaped the early Church, the later Reformation responses, church councils that formalized the can...
Hosts Josh Vegors and Tim Summers unpack Second Maccabees 10–12 and draw Advent lessons about purification, prayer, and the foundations of spiritual victory.
They discuss the difference between guilt and shame, the healing power of confession, and practical practices—fasting, the rosary, and regular sacrifice of self—to purify body, mind, and spirit.
Simple takeaways: cultivate humility, participate in the sacrame...
Hosts Josh Vegors and Tim Summers unpack Second Maccabees chapters 7–9, reflecting on the brutal martyrdom of seven brothers and their mother and the death of Eleazar.
They explore themes of anonymity, resurrection, the Maccabean revolt, and how Jesus’ way of the cross contrasts with the urge to take up the sword, weaving in personal stories about parenting, faith, and family prayer.
Hosts Josh and Tim (with a guest appearance by Tim's brother Joey) unpack Chapters 4–6 of 2 Maccabees, exploring brutal power struggles, corrupt high priests, and the inspiring martyrdom of Eleazar.
They draw out themes of providential discipline, the weight of sacred history, and how these ancient stories speak to leadership, faith, and parenting today — with a look ahead to the revolt of Judas Maccabeus and more marty...
Josh and Tim unpack 2 Maccabees chapters 1–3, exploring its historical context, how it differs from 1 Maccabees, and why the author condenses earlier accounts. They discuss the Feast of Booths, the hidden tabernacle and ark at Mount Nebo, and the book's ties to Jewish and early Christian worship.
The hosts reflect on major themes like the scapegoating mechanism, Heliodorus’s dramatic conversion, and the striking paralle...
Two Catholic dads dive into 1–2 Maccabees and use the family’s struggle as a metaphor for the Church’s fight against external forces and internal betrayal. They contrast the Maccabees’ isolation with Paul’s evangelism, explore paradoxes like freedom and loving enemies, and reflect on fasting, prayer, and self-denial.
Interwoven with personal stories—a backcountry hunting trip, anxiety soothed by ...
Josh and Tim discuss chapters 10–12 of 1 Maccabees, exploring Jonathan’s ambiguous role as priest, ruler, and warrior, Rome’s limited diplomacy, and striking parallels to modern geopolitics around Jerusalem.
Amid carpool banter and parenting moments, they reflect on the power of alliances and friendships, the mimetic nature of influence, and why choosing who shapes you matters for faith and family.
Josh and Tim read 1 Maccabees (chapters 7–9), unpacking the book's breakneck battles, Judas Maccabeus's zeal, and the moral tensions between vengeance and mercy.
They trace short-term alliances with Rome, reflect on "mercenary hearts," and draw modern parallels about forgiveness, cultural contagion, and the need for objective truth.
Hosts Josh and Tim read 1 Maccabees chapters 4–6, exploring a priestly author’s focus on the ruined temple, Judas Maccabeus as a David-like leader, and the repeated theme of putting God first amid relentless battles.
They unpack vivid battle details (including war elephants), sacrificial heroism, the pragmatic limits of victory (a peace accepted because of famine), and the call to authentic faith — "God doesn&rsqu...
Two Catholic dads dive into 1 Maccabees chapters 1–3, unpacking its David and Joshua echoes, the crisis of faith under Hellenistic oppression, and how liturgical life and constant prayer sustain resistance. They wrestle with righteous violence, collaboration with oppressors, and the ongoing need for community and discernment.
Two Catholic dads share personal memories of grandparents, loss, and the power of place, then dive into 1–2 Maccabees to explain its importance for understanding Jesus’ time, the Jewish canon, Hanukkah, the Ark, and Catholic practices like praying for the dead. They introduce a "three by three" study plan to read three chapters and discuss three resonant points each week.
Two Catholic dads—Josh Vegors and Tim Summers—walk through the Book of Joshua, focusing on land distribution, the Levites’ cities, and the six cities of refuge. Their conversation links biblical structure to modern concerns: the role and burdens of priests, the importance of liturgy and sacramentality, and how culture and politics are shaped by what people worship.
Practical takeaways include why ordered liturgy f...
Two Catholic dads unpack difficult Bible passages about God "hardening" hearts (Exodus, Joshua) and reconcile this language with human free will using the sun/wax/clay analogy. They explore examples like Pharaoh, Judas, and opposing kings, and draw on Augustine to explain how pride, power, and refusal to surrender lead to hardened hearts.
The episode finishes with practical takeaways: cultivate a broken, receptive heart through sur...
Josh and Tim unpack Joshua (chapters 6–10), exploring Jericho, Ai, and the famous sun-standing miracle. They connect Israel’s battles to liturgical worship, discuss the necessity of worshipping God the right way, wrestle with faith and science in Scripture, and reflect on surrender, the fear of the Lord, and God’s desire for a contrite heart.
Two Catholic dads, Josh and Tim, walk through Joshua chapters on the Battle of Jericho and Achan’s sin—covering the unusual siege, archaeological notes about the collapsed walls and stored grain, the brutal aftermath for Achan, and how these stories point to themes of humility, communal responsibility, and God’s relentless search for humanity. They weave Scripture with personal anecdotes, reflections on grace (Bis...
On this episode of Raising Catholic, Josh Vegors and Tim Summers pray for Pope Francis after his passing, reflect on leadership in the Church during the Easter season, and share personal reactions.
They dive into Joshua chapters 4–6, exploring the stones of Gilgal, the second circumcision, the end of the manna, the commander of the Lord, and the lead-up to the battle of Jericho.
The hosts discuss the value of tradition and co...
In this episode of Raising Catholic, Josh and Tim dig into the opening chapters of Joshua, tracing themes of prayer, courage, and leadership. They explore Eucharistic and baptismal symbolism—from the Ark and the Red Sea to the Jordan River and the city of Adam—and reflect on how the Old Testament points toward Christ.
Using map study, personal stories, and practical insights, they discuss how petition prayer shapes and ...
Two Catholic dads prepare to dive into the Book of Joshua, exploring its big-picture themes: God’s fulfillment of the promised land, Israel vs. Canaan, and the spiritual battle for the human heart. They reflect on humility vs. pride, sanctifying grace, and how Old Testament struggles echo modern moral challenges.
Along the way they touch on famous moments like Jericho, Rahab, and the parting of the waters, and consider how su...
In this episode of Raising Catholic, Josh and Tim dig into Ephesians 4 to explore what it looks like to "speak the truth in love"—from youth ministry and parenting to friendship and accountability. They reflect on humility, the power of testimony, and the importance of spiritual brothers.
The hosts also address cultural shifts, the reality of spiritual warfare, and practical ways to build people up instead of tearing them dow...
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