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

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: [email protected]

Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: [email protected]

Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long before he wrote “Wicked” Gregory Maguire has been weaving careful attention into his artistic pursuits and his prayer. He joins host James Martin, S.J. on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to talk about his spiritual journey, from a Catholic orphanage and formative education with religious sisters who helped him draw his first picture of God, to his current practice of seeing Jesus’ face on the margins. 

Timecodes


0:00 Introducing Gregory Maguire, author of “Wicked”


5:04 The tragic circumstances surrounding Gregory’s birth


11:42 Gregory’s first image of God


17: 45 Discerning the shape of his own ministry


25:42 The art of paying attention + studying people’s faces


35:55 Are there Christ-figures in “Wicked”?


40:40 The experience of being gay and marginalized


42:50 Audience Question: What advice would you give to a young, gay, Catholic striving to live authentically?

Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: [email protected]

Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York Times bestselling writer, Kathleen Norris, joins host James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to share her experience with Benedictine monks, which formed the basis of her beloved book "The Cloister Walk," and to introduce her new book, "Rebecca Sue," a memoir about her younger sister who had a developmental disability. Kathleen retrieves spiritual wisdom from the ancient desert fathers and mothers on dealing with perennial psychological challenges, including jealousy, boredom, and bad thoughts.

Timecodes:

0:00 Bad thoughts, not sin, was the focus in Early Christianity
1:10 The “Kathleen Norris-effect”
4:37 Getting to know the desert fathers and mothers
9:10 Kathleen Norris gets acquainted with monastic life
17:58 Hospitality is at the core of Benedictine spirituality
26:30 Rebecca Sue- Kathleen’s sister with a mental disability
30:57 Dealing with jealousy
33:15 Finding God in the desert
37:15 How the desert fathers and mothers dealt with sin
39:35 Acedia-restlessness, sadness, boredom
45:20 Audience Question: How important should it be that the parish we attend feel like a spiritual home?

Read Fr. Jim’s review of Kathleen's book, "Rebecca Sue": https://www.americamagazine.org/books/2026/02/12/review-kathleen-norris-on-a-sisters-love/

Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: [email protected]

Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Bryan Massingale is a Black, openly gay priest, but not, in his own words, “a hybrid car,” that can be segmented into identity categories. Instead, he’s compound reality, a mystery made by God’s grace. Bryan joins host James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to talk about the values of authenticity and integrity in his life and ministry. 

Timecodes:

0:00 Bringing God’s love forth

2:38 Why Bryan’s race and sexuality are significant

5:36 Challenges of being a Black and gay Catholic priest

11:35 How Bryan came out as gay

17:40 Authenticity frees us and others

25:55 Bryan’s advice to someone struggling with the church

29:38 The church’s tragic track record on racism

34:53 Why Bryan remains in the church despite racism

39:34 The spiritual practice of journaling & music

44:45 Audience Question: What can parents of L.G.B.T.Q. children do when their kids refuse to come to Mass?

Read Fr. James Martin's article reflecting on this conversation

Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at:  ⁠[email protected]⁠

Become a subscriber today at ⁠Americamagazine.org/subscribe
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices