Praying in Temptation

Overview

In this episode, David Niles and Adam Minahan sip on Brothers Bond bourbon, celebrate the election of an American pope, and share updates on farming and upcoming interviews in Nashville. The main discussion focuses on the importance of prayer, particularly in moments of temptation, drawing from scripture, saints, and practical advice for building a prayerful life. The hosts also promote their upcoming pilgrimage and Patreon support.

Key Topics

1. Celebrating an American Pope

• American Pope Enthusiasm: The hosts humorously declare “everything is American now” with the election of an American pope, jokingly claiming spaghetti and the Catholic Church as American.
• Cultural Shift: They playfully note the Church is now “more profitable” with an American pope, reflecting their excitement for this historic moment.

2. Personal Updates and Farming Adventures

• David’s Farming Efforts: David shares his experience planting 576 kernels of corn (16 rows of 36) without tilling, following a “Back to Eden” approach using wood chips. He discusses challenges with nitrogen depletion in the soil, leading to poor growth, and plans to amend it.
• Family Teamwork: David describes a rewarding family moment planting with his daughters, using a power drill and raking to plant seeds, fostering teamwork and bonding.
• Farm Life: Updates include a nearly completed garden fence to keep out rabbits, 41 chickens, and a rooster confrontation. David’s son, Luke, caught his first rabbit, soon to be fried for dinner.
• Anniversary Trip: David and his wife, Haley, celebrated their 13th anniversary in Mexico, briefly mentioned as a joyful getaway.

3. Upcoming Interviews and Patreon Promotion

• Nashville Interviews: The hosts are heading to Nashville to interview Father Mike Schmitz, Michael Knowles, Matt Walsh, Harrison Butker, and possibly Candace Owens, among others. These interviews will be posted first on their Patreon page.
• Patreon Support: They encourage listeners to support The Catholic Man Show on Patreon to help spread the gospel in a manly way, with exclusive access to upcoming interviews. Visit thecatholicmanshow.com for details.
• Guest Teaser: The hosts announce an upcoming episode with Dr. Kent Litnoski, who offered insights on living Lent as a married man, with plans for him to return to Tulsa for further discussion.

4. Discussion on Prayer and Temptation

• Scriptural Foundation: The hosts focus on Matthew 26:41 (“Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”), reflecting on Jesus’ Agony in the Garden and the apostles’ failure to stay awake and pray.
• Theological Importance of Prayer:
• Union with Christ: Prayer during temptation unites us with Christ, who modeled prayer in distress, revealing man’s supreme calling (Catechism reference).
• Humility and Dependence: Prayer crushes pride and fosters reliance on God, countering the modern tendency to act independently of Him.
• Obedience: Jesus’ command to pray in temptation is reason enough to do so.
• Saints’ Wisdom:
• St. Alphonsus Liguori: Willfully neglecting prayer for a day is a venial sin, but neglecting it during temptation could be mortal, emphasizing prayer’s gravity.
• St. John Chrysostom: Prayer is owed to God as a matter of justice, regardless of one’s state in life, with a suggested minimum of 15 minutes daily.
• Origen and St. Jerome: The apostles’ failure to pray in the Garden shows the need for constant prayer to avoid falling into temptation, as temptation is inevitable but succumbing is not.
• James Montgomery Poem: “Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath, the Christian’s native air, the watchword of the gates of death, he enters heaven by prayer,” highlighting prayer as essential for salvation.
• Practical Applications:
• Breaking the Cycle: Prayer disrupts the “daydream” of temptation, engaging rational faculties to resist sin’s allure.
• Specific Prayers: Simple prayers like “Jesus, I trust in you,” the Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner”), “Mary, Mother most pure, pray for me,” and the St. Michael Prayer are highly efficacious during temptation.
• Change Location: Physically removing oneself from the source of temptation (e.g., leaving a computer or bar) can weaken its pull.
• Family Prayer: Quoting Fr. Clement Crock, family prayer offers a “holy violence to heaven,” infallibly drawing God’s blessings. The hosts discuss building habits like meal prayers to foster a prayerful family culture.
• Habit Building: Regular prayer, confession, and examination of conscience build resistance to temptation over time, often unnoticed until reflected upon later.
• Parenting Insight: A family’s rule allowing teenage sons to go for a run without questions to combat temptation (e.g., sexual) was praised for fostering open communication and practical solutions.

5. Pilgrimage Promotion

• Select International Tours: The hosts promote their October 2025 pilgrimage to Orvieto, Florence, Siena, Assisi, Cascia, San Giovanni Rotondo, Lanciano, and Rome, including a Wednesday papal audience. Listeners are invited to bring babies for a potential papal blessing.
• Details: Visit selectinternationaltours.com for more information on this and other pilgrimages, sponsored by a trusted partner for over 34 years.

6. Whiskey Tasting

• Drink of the Episode: Brothers Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a four-grain, high-rye bourbon at 40% ABV.
• Tasting Notes: Classic bourbon flavor with a baklava-like finish. Despite the rye, it lacks a strong rye flavor, making it smooth and enjoyable.
• Jim’s Rating: 3/10 on the “yummy scale,” surprising the hosts who found it delightful.

Memorable Quotes

• “Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath, the Christian’s native air, the watchword of the gates of death, he enters heaven by prayer.” – James Montgomery
• “The union of family prayers offers a holy violence to heaven and, where practiced, infallibly draws down God’s special blessing upon that home and that family.” – Fr. Clement Crock
• “Sin is actually insanity… when we engage in sinful activities, we’re being idiots.” – Adam Minahan

Call to Action

• Join the Pilgrimage: Sign up for the October 2025 pilgrimage at selectinternationaltours.com to visit holy sites and attend a papal audience.
• Support on Patreon: Visit thecatholicmanshow.com to become a patron, access exclusive interviews, and suggest questions for upcoming guests.
• Explore Prayer Resources: Incorporate simple prayers like “Jesus, I trust in you” and the St. Michael Prayer into daily life to combat temptation.

Sponsor

• Select International Tours: Leading pilgrimages to holy sites worldwide for over 34 years. Visit selectinternationaltours.com for details.

Closing

The hosts close with their signature toast: “We’re on the Lord’s team. The winning side. Raise your glass! Cheers to Jesus!”