Scripture and Tradition
EWTN Favorite and Scripture Scholar Fr. Mitch Pacwa analyzes Church Traditions and Teachings in light of Sacred Scripture during this weekly live program.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 74
11/5/2024
Fr. Mitch discusses the gifts of the Holy Spirit that build up the Church and provide an antidote to cynical individualism, self-indulgence and isolation rampant in modern society.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 73
10/29/2024
Fr. Mitch begins a multi-faceted look into the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they transform believers, through external acts, and also interiorly, with an increase in virtues.
MAIL BAG SHOW
10/22/2024
Accompany Fr. Mitch as he answers more in-depth email questions about the Catholic Faith, the Church, Sacred Scripture and other important topics.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 72
10/15/2024
Fr. Mitch compares and contrasts the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost with the Mount Sinai manifestation of the Lord when He gave Israel the Ten Commandments.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 71
10/8/2024
Fr. Mitch discusses the first ever Novena, held in the Upper Room prior to Pentecost. He also looks at how the new 12th disciple was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 70
10/1/2024
Fr. Mitch discusses Christ’s Ascension and how He diverted the disciples’ attention from their own status to the power He will give them to accomplish their mission in the world.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 69
9/24/2024
In his LIVE, interactive Bible Study, Fr. Mitch talks about how Jesus’ passion and death will cause the disciples immense sorrow, but that His return will bring them great joy.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 68
9/17/2024
Through imagery in Isaiah 26, Jesus began preparing His disciples for His death. Fr. Mitch discusses how Jesus conveyed their grief and despair over His death would be temporary.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 67
9/3/2024
In his LIVE, interactive Bible Study, Fr. Mitch talks in depth about the Holy Spirit’s unique and strong power to convict from within, and how it is meant for our good.
8/27/2024
Fr. Mitch dives deep into some unanswered e-mail questions from viewers in this special question and answer mail bag show.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 66
8/20/2024
Fr. Mitch discusses the ways in which the Holy Spirit will specifically reveal the world’s error in its liberal attitude toward sin, righteousness and judgment.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 65
8/13/2024
Fr. Mitch highlights the Gospel of John when Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit, the importance of the Holy Spirit’s coming and the three tasks the Holy Spirit will accomplish.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 64
7/30/2024
Fr. Mitch discusses Jesus’ third announcement of His departure, with the promise of His gift of peace which will drive out fear and enable rejoicing over His return to His Father.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 63
7/23/2024
Take a look at the second announcement of Jesus’ Ascension, when Christ promises to send the Holy Spirit, so that all three persons of the Trinity will dwell within the Christian.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 62
7/16/2024
Father Mitch takes a look at distinct scripture passages and reflections on the meaning of Christ’s Ascension into heaven.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 61
7/9/2024
Join Fr. Mitch to deeply examine Jesus’ first announcement of His departure, followed by the four important instructions He gave to His disciples.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 60
7/2/2024
Fr. Mitch examines the Ascension Gospel narratives and how they provide an in depth look at the mission of the apostles, their successors and the whole church throughout time.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 59
6/25/2024
Fr. Mitch discusses why clergy, then and now, struggle to obey Jesus' commands as he examines Jesus' instructions to His disciples to keep the faith and spread the Good News.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 58
6/18/2024
Fr. Mitch looks at three questions Jesus posed to Simon Peter, what preceded them, and how in the context of the sex abuse scandal, Jesus offers insight into overcoming past hurts.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 57
6/11/2024
Fr. Mitch explores how Jesus knows our thoughts and the areas of our life most in need of conversion, just as He did with Thomas, Nathaniel, other disciples and even the Pharisees!
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 56
6/4/2024
Fr. Mitch tackles how to deal with skeptics and cynics in the Church and illustrates how fending off doubt can help form an intellectual support for authentic Catholic morality.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 55
5/28/2024
While discussing Christ?'s establishment of the Sacrament of Confession, Fr. Mitch examines how the benefits of Reconciliation can also come with certain risks.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 54
5/21/2024
Fr. Mitch discusses Christ's Great Commission and explores how Christ corrected the apostles' cowardice by explaining the Old Testament in light of His death and resurrection.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 53
5/14/2024
Fr. Mitch compares the apostles’ struggle to believe in Jesus’ resurrection with the present crisis where some clergy have avoided the doctrinal and moral demands of Catholicism.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 52
5/7/2024
Fr. Mitch examines the conversation between the resurrected Jesus and the two individuals on the road to Emmaus, and the appearance of Christ to the disciples in the Upper Room.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 51
4/30/2024
Fr. Mitch takes us back in time to the afternoon of Christ’s resurrection, as the Lord Jesus, according to St. Hegesippus, meets his own relatives and walks with them to Emmaus.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 50
4/23/2024
Fr. Mitch analyzes the events on the day of Christ’s resurrection. The actions of priests and elders who tried to stifle the good news of the risen Christ has many parallels today.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 49
4/16/2024
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 48
4/9/2024
As Catholics rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus on Easter, Fr. Mitch looks at the importance and meaning of this event that fulfilled the Scriptures in today’s live Bible study.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 47
4/2/2024
Fr. Mitch goes back to the beginning of creation and the start of Christ’s earthly life to better understand His statement from the Cross at the end, when He says “It is finished…”
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 46
3/26/2024
Fr. Mitch contrasts Christ’s love for souls with the selfish desires of narcissistic clergy who have abused these souls. Plus, what was Jesus really thirsting for on the cross?
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 45
3/19/2024
Jesus’ final words on the cross show how His fulfillment of Psalm 22 reaches atheists, abuse victims and others who are suffering and feel abandoned and far from the love of God.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 44
3/12/2024
Fr. Mitch contrasts the mockery experienced by Jesus with the love and compassion shown to Him by His mother, Mary, John the Apostle and Mary Magdalene at the foot of the Cross.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 43
3/5/2024
In his Bible study, Fr. Mitch compares Jesus’ experience of being mocked as He hung on the cross to the mockery that many victims of abuse experience from the people around them.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 42
2/27/2024
Fr. Mitch speaks on the implications of Jesus’ perceived guilt when he was crucified between two criminals, and how many abuse victims struggle to overcome their feeling of guilt.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 41
2/20/2024
Fr. Mitch uses the indignity Jesus suffered during his crucifixion to illustrate how abuse victims can encounter His healing power through their shared experiences of humiliation.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 40
2/13/2024
Fr. Mitch illustrates how the women’s compassion for Jesus along the Via Dolorosa is a guiding example for how the Church should approach those suffering from the abuse crisis.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 39
2/6/2024
Today’s focus on Catholics strong devotion to Jesus’ Way of the Cross, reminds us we all need frequent reminders that suffering is an essential component of being a disciple.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 38
1/30/2024
In his live, interactive Bible study, Fr. Mitch examines Jesus’ second trial before Pilate, and in particular, focuses on Pilate’s political expedience in his dealings with Jesus.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 37
1/23/2024
Fr. Mitch looks at the political aspects of Jesus’ trials, and draws parallels to how the sex abuse crisis has often become an occasion of politicizing accusations against clergy.
MAILBAG SHOW
1/16/2024
In today’s live, interactive Bible study, Fr. Mitch reaches deep into his mailbag to answer some of the viewer questions he hasn’t been able to get to in his previous shows.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 36
1/9/2024
In today’s Bible study, Fr. Mitch compares the sin of despair committed by Judas after his betrayal of Jesus, to the painful despair of sex scandal victims and their perpetrators.
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
12/19/2023
Fr. Mitch explains the Maronite Rite’s liturgical version of Advent and Christmas, beginning with the announcement to Zechariah and ending with the finding of Jesus in the Temple.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 35
12/12/2023
In his live, interactive Bible Study, Fr. Mitch looks at the suicide of the Apostle and Jesus' betrayer, Judas Iscariot, and examines the motives and effects of his betrayal.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 34
12/5/2023
In his look at the verdict in Jesus’ trial, Fr. Mitch points out legal procedural discrepancies that Caiaphas and others conveniently ignored in order to get a quick conviction.
11/28/2023
“If Jesus is with us, why doesn’t He answer our prayers?” “What happens after we die?” Fr. Mitch answers these and other viewer questions on this edition of his mail bag show.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 33
11/21/2023
In today’s Bible study, Fr. Mitch explains how Jesus’ silence in the face of accusations provided the means for him to accept our guilt and fulfill His role as “Suffering Servant.”
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 32
11/14/2023
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 31
11/7/2023
Fr. Mitch compares Peter’s denials of Jesus to clergy who have broken promises of celibacy and chastity due to loneliness, the lust for pleasure and the misplaced desire for love.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 30
10/31/2023
Fr. Mitch looks at Jesus’ trial in the court of Annas the High Priest, where he is brought before being sent to Pontius Pilate, and how Peter responds when the pressure is on him.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 29
10/24/2023
Fr. Mitch addresses the arrests, trials and media coverage that accompanied the clergy sexual abuse crisis and examines our Lord’s experiences at His trials before the authorities.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 28
10/17/2023
Fr. Mitch discusses Jesus’ arrest under cover of darkness, exposing the crowd’s cowardice, and fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy the shepherd would be stricken and sheep scattered.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 27
10/10/2023
In today’s Bible study, Fr. Mitch Pacwa compares Judas’ betrayal of Jesus to modern day clergy who foolishly seek position, power and status through their role in the Church.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 26
10/3/2023
Fr. Mitch looks at how Judas tried to reduce Jesus’ authority to make his act of betrayal easier to commit, comparing it to certain corrupt clergy who justify their own betrayal of the Good Shepherd and their own flocks.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 25
9/26/2023
Fr. Mitch uses the disciples sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane while Jesus prayed to illustrate that many people neglect or even avoid a serious prayer life, which makes them more susceptible to various temptations.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 24
9/19/2023
In today’s Bible study, Fr. Mitch looks at the agony Christ suffered during prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, how the angel strengthened Him, and the reasons many people neglect or even avoid a serious prayer life.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 23
9/12/2023
Jesus’ willingness to make himself vulnerable by going to Gethsemane is today’s Bible topic. Fr. Mitch shows how Jesus turns to intimacy with His Father in the face of his coming betrayal, trials, torture and death.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 22
9/5/2023
For today’s live, interactive Bible study, Fr. Mitch takes you to the Garden of Gethsemane. He draws upon Scripture from Isaiah 53 to help explain the role of the sufferings of Christ and His disciples.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 21
8/29/2023
In today’s Bible lesson, Jesus focuses His disciples’ attention on the importance of believing He is the Lord, but tragically, they’re oblivious to the clues revealing the identity of the traitor in their midst.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 20
8/22/2023
In today’s Bible study, Fr. Mitch examines in-depth the disciple’s discomfort about having their servant-minded Master wash their feet. He also explains how Scripture was fulfilled by Christ treating Judas as a friend.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 19
8/15/2023
Fr. Mitch discusses the washing of the disciples’ feet, and how Christ shows them He is truly “Teacher and Lord.” Then, Jesus turns His attention to the “unclean” one in the confrontation between good and evil.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 18
8/8/2023
In today’s Bible study, Fr. Mitch discusses how Jesus pushes Peter to be the leader he was meant to be. He also looks at Jesus’ washing of the apostles feet in context of the spiritual war between good and evil.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 17
7/25/2023
In his live, interactive Bible study, Fr. Mitch explains how Jesus taught His disciples that in order to lead, they must serve. We also learn about Satan’s desire to “sift like wheat” in order to destroy the Church.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 16
7/18/2023
Fr. Mitch explains why Judas was still fully responsible for his actions, even though they fulfilled Old Testament prophecies with the saving death of Jesus. The way a person accomplishes a good end matters greatly.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 15
7/11/2023
Today’s Bible study looks at the implications of Christ’s command to His disciples at the Last Supper to “do this in memory of me.” Fr. Mitch also examines how Jesus announces His betrayal and identifies the traitor.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 14
7/4/2023
Fr. Mitch Pacwa looks at the centrality of the Eucharist, and how Jesus united His apostles to Himself at the Last Supper and gave them a special share in His priestly action.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 13
6/27/2023
As he continues covering topics from his new book, Fr. Mitch looks at the institution of the Eucharist within the context of the Last Supper and the ordination of the twelve apostles as priests of Jesus’ new covenant.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 12
6/20/2023
Father Mitch examines The Last Supper in light of Christ’s supernatural foreknowledge of His disciples’ lack of understanding about His teachings on the Eucharist, and their eventual abandonment and betrayal.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 11
6/13/2023
Fr. Mitch uses the Apostles’ failures of faith to explain why Christ sends us out into the world with our moral and personal limitations, so we can clearly see the need for His divine power, wisdom, truth and goodness.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 10
6/6/2023
Fr. Mitch examines why many have a “prosperity gospel” theology that links obedience to God with the blessings of prosperity. This has led to a materialistic corruption that has even affected some of the Catholic clergy.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 9
5/30/2023
Today’s interactive Bible Study looks at Jesus’ second prediction of His death, and the need for humility. Father Mitch talks from experience as he brings up a tremendous lesson for contemporary clergy to learn from.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 8
5/23/2023
Fr. Mitch examines Jesus’ healing of two blind men on the way to Jerusalem. In between the physical healings, Jesus focuses on the spiritual blindness of the Apostles, who rejected any idea of His suffering and death.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 7
5/16/2023
In his Bible Study of the twelve apostles, Fr. Mitch turns to the Gospel of Luke to highlight how frequently Jesus prayed before choosing the Disciples. He also looks at their blind inability to understand Jesus.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 6
5/9/2023
If you always wanted to know more about the figures found in the Gospels, this program is for you. Fr. Mitch examines the listing and significance of the special groupings of the Apostles in the Gospel of Mark.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 5
5/2/2023
Fr. Mitch discusses Jesus’ selection of the Twelve Disciples, and how Christ intended they share in His authority and power, as spiritual fathers of the Church, despite their own particular limitations and sinfulness.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 4
4/25/2023
Fr. Mitch discusses the parable of the sheep and the goats. By identifying himself as the Son of Man, the Shepherd and the King, Jesus leaves no doubt that He alone can separate the good from the evil among the Gentiles.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 3
4/18/2023
Fr. Mitch uses parables from the Scriptures that exemplify faithful and wise vs. self-indulgent and wicked behaviors. Even bishops and priests will receive the consequences for their behavior, whether good or evil.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 2
4/11/2023
Fr. Mitch discusses the the reality of good and evil in the world, using passages from Old and New Testaments that illustrate Hell is real, and there is punishment for wrongdoing despite God’s capacity to forgive.
WHEAT AND TARES PT. 1
4/4/2023
Father and Doug Keck discuss the Didache, an early Christian treatise, and explore how this ancient manuscript describes the Mass as a sacrament and a sacrifice and outlines the roles of prophets, presbyters and priests.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 33
3/28/2023
Fr. Mitch introduces a new study series based on his book, Wheat and Tares, which uses the Gospels to show how Christ anticipated the current troubles within the Church, including the sins of the clergy and hierarchy.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 32
3/21/2023
In Mark 8, the Pharisees challenge Jesus’ ministry, asking for a sign to test Him. Fr. Mitch uses today’s Bible study to explain how the blindness is not limited to the Pharisees, it afflicts Christ’s disciples as well.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 31
3/14/2023
In today’s Bible study, Fr. Mitch recounts the second multiplication of the loaves and fish, and he explains how this miracle is linked to the institution of the Eucharist, which Jesus offered to Jews and Gentiles alike.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 30
3/7/2023
In today’s Bible study, Fr. Mitch explains Jesus’ desire for secrecy about his mission. Christ wanted to preserve His humility and meekness, and show that being Messiah is not primarily connected to performing miracles.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 29
2/28/2023
In this live, interactive Bible study, Father Mitch Pacwa concludes his discussion of the Syro-Phoenician woman’s interaction with Jesus and begins looking at the how Jesus healed a deaf man in Mark, chapter 7.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 28
2/21/2023
Fr. Mitch explains why we must listen to Jesus. He uses the story of the Canaanite mother to show the importance of listening as Jesus reveals His mission for the world, rather than us telling Him what we want to do.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 27
2/14/2023
The deadly storm on the Sea of Galilee is the subject of today’s Bible Study with Fr. Mitch. In the midst of the howling wind and towering waves, Jesus approached the disciples on the water, saying “Fear not. I am.”
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 26
2/7/2023
In his lesson on the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Fr. Mitch explains how Christ abundantly met the crowd’s need for sustenance, while maintaining His own focus on being alone with His Father in personal prayer.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 25
1/31/2023
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 24
1/24/2023
In today’s live, interactive Bible study, Fr. Mitch explains how Jesus reminds His disciples that the message they have to deliver will not be well received by everyone, but they need not fear. He will sustain them.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 23
1/17/2023
Fr. Mitch continues his contemplation and study of the martyrdom of John the Baptist in today’s live, interactive Bible study. Learn how this event both affected and inspired the Apostles to fulfill their mission.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 22
1/10/2023
Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fishes is today’s Bible study. Fr. Mitch explains how the effects of this miracle still linger in the Middle East because of the Evangelists faithful recording of traditions.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 21
1/3/2023
Today’s interactive Bible study examines how the crowds following Our Lord evoke His compassion and desire to perform many miracles, and how the disciples react to Jesus’ answer after they present Him with a problem.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 20
12/13/2022
Fr. Mitch explains why faith is necessary in the midst of grief, suffering and fear. Jesus invites us to reach a deeper level of faith, leading to an enhanced personal relationship with Him that raises us to eternal life.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 19
12/6/2022
Recounting the healing of the hemorrhaging woman and the raising of Jairus’ daughter, Fr. Mitch cautions us not to project our own small minded ideas of God onto how we approach Jesus, the Eucharist and the sacraments.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 18
11/29/2022
While traveling to heal Jairus’ daughter, Jesus encounters another woman in need of healing. Fr. Mitch explains the relationship between these 2 miracles, and how the gift of faith can be used by Jesus to make us whole.
BISHOP JOSEPH MOUAWAD INTERVIEW
11/22/2022
Fr. Mitch talks with Maronite Bishop Joseph Mouawad about the origins and culture of the Maronite Rite within the Roman Catholic Church here and abroad, and the difficulties currently facing his home country of Lebanon.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 17
11/15/2022
Fr. Mitch Pacwa discusses how evil, in its many forms, seeks to destroy everything it touches and all who cooperate with it. He uses the story of the Gerasene Demoniac as an example of the self-destructive force of evil.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 16
11/8/2022
Fr. Mitch continues his Bible study with a passage from Mark, Chapter 5. Jesus crosses over again to the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, where he begins his ministry with an exorcism in the land of the Gerasenes.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 14
11/1/2022
Fr. Mitch takes us back to the Old Testament book of Job and the Psalms to gain insight into the Lord’s relationship with the sea. And why the disciples Jesus called “men of little faith” couldn’t see the whole picture.
PRAYING WITH THE GOSPELS - JMG PT. 13
10/18/2022
Would we follow Jesus even if it entails poverty, insecurity, and danger? In today’s Bible study, Fr. Mitch examines the conversation Jesus had with a Pharisee about what was necessary to follow Him, and poses it to us.