Fr. Fabian and Fr. Bruce Riebe reflect on Saint Bonaventure's legacy of faithfulness in small things, the meaning of true freedom in light of America's 250th anniversary, and the Eastern Church's commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the first six Ecumenical Councils. They trace the doctrinal battles at Nicaea, Constantinople, and Ephesus that shaped the Nicene Creed and safeguarded the truth of Christ's divinity and humanity. The hosts close with the Sunday Gospel parable of the wheat and the weeds, exploring God's patience and the call to let His Word take root in the heart.
This week on Be Not Afraid, Fr. Fabian and Fr. Bruce Riebe open with five key facts about Saint Bonaventure, the "Second Founder of the Franciscans," whose memorial falls on July 15. Known for continuing to wash dishes even after being named a cardinal, Bonaventure's motto — "do common things well and be constantly faithful to small matters" — anchors a discussion on humility and holiness in ordinary life.
Fr. Bruce shares reflections from his July 4th homily at Our Lady Immaculate Heart Parish in Ankeny, connecting America's 250th anniversary to a call for the nation to be "godly again" and grounded in faith, hope, and charity.
Fr. Fabian then brings a Byzantine Catholic perspective, explaining the Eastern Church's commemoration (the Sunday falling between July 13-19) of the Holy Fathers of the first six Ecumenical Councils — Nicaea, Constantinople I, Ephesus, Chalcedon, Constantinople II, and Constantinople III — and how these councils shaped the Nicene Creed and defended core truths about Christ's divinity and humanity.
The episode closes with the Sunday Gospel (Matthew 13:24-43), the parable of the wheat and the weeds, as the hosts discuss God's patience, the possibility of conversion, and letting God's Word take root in the heart.
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