In this episode, we map the devil’s subtle tactics—Deception, Division, Diversion, and Discouragement—onto the six pieces of the Armor of God, revealing how ordinary temptations infiltrate our daily lives. Drawing on Scripture and patristic texts ,you will be equipped with tactics against the everyday enemy, finish the race, and keep the faith.
From the burning of the magic books in Ephesus to the unquenchable fire on Slane, from Elijah’s heavenly blaze to St. Bartolo Longo’s dramatic conversion. Join us as we put on the Armor of God, receive the authentic gifts of the Spirit, and pray for the fire of the Holy Spirit to illuminate our lives and defeat every deception.
In this episode, discover how to lay down the armor of self-reliance, self-promotion, and self-protection, and be clothed in Christ’s own righteousness. Like Naaman and David, learn the freedom of obedience and vulnerability—the true “armor exchange” that turns weakness into strength.
"Discover how St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s ‘Little Way’ can be a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. Hear her childhood dream of demons fleeing from her gaze, and learn how childlike trust, Psalm 23, Psalm 8, and insights from Big God, Little Devil show us to rest in God’s provision and walk boldly in His presence."
Homily on the Triumph of the Holy Cross
The snake may bite, but the Cross has drawn out the poison. The Spirit has filled you with antivenom. The wound you carry can become your greatest authority in Christ.Walk in that victory today. Lift high the name of Jesus—the name above every name.
Another Prayer Activation for Shaking Off Fear
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In the conclusion of Holy Spirit Activate, Fr. David Dodd, TOR, brings it all together with a powerful reflection on the gift and presence of the Holy Spirit. Drawing from Scripture, Church teaching, and the Catechism’s affirmation that Confirmation perpetuates the grace of Pentecost, Fr. David challenges listeners to awaken to the reality that the same Spirit who transformed the apostles lives within us today.
This episode highlights what it means to be an ambassador for Christ, a tabernacle of His presence, and a light in a world that desperately needs warmth, clarity, and hope. Fr. David weaves together themes from throughout the series—charisms, spiritual authority, the mission of the Church—and ends with a moving prayer of commissioning, encouraging every listener to go forth boldly, empowered by the Spirit.
This is more than a conclusion—it’s a call to action. The Church isn't waiting on God. God is waiting on His Church. Will you say yes?
In this episode of Holy Spirit Activate, Fr. David Dodd, TOR, reflects on the gift of wisdom—the first charism listed by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 12. Unlike human intellect or clever strategy, this wisdom is a supernatural gift that enables believers to see situations from God's higher perspective. It’s not just about knowledge; it’s about direction, discernment, and divine insight.
Fr. David explores the biblical foundation of wisdom, drawing from St. Paul’s letters, the life of Daniel, and the witness of the early Church. He unpacks how wisdom often accompanies prophecy, serving as God's guidance for how His plans are fulfilled in our lives and communities. Through personal stories and practical examples, he challenges listeners to believe that divine wisdom is not just for saints or scholars, but for anyone open to being used by God—especially in the face of modern challenges.
With heartfelt encouragement, Fr. David calls believers to pray for wisdom, recognize their spiritual influence, and bring heavenly solutions to earthly problems—all for the glory of God and the building of His kingdom.
In this episode of Holy Spirit Activate, Fr. David Dodd, TOR, explores the often overlooked gift of the interpretation of tongues. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 14, Fr. David unpacks the distinction between private prayer in tongues and public messages in tongues—clarifying how the gift of interpretation functions not as a literal translation, but as a Spirit-led understanding of what God is communicating through a supernatural utterance.
Though speaking candidly about his limited personal experience with this particular gift, Fr. David humbly encourages listeners to pursue it, emphasizing that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are meant to build up the Church. He reflects on how the interpretation of tongues, like music or poetry, conveys meaning beyond words, touching hearts and inviting deeper communion with God.
This episode is both a gentle teaching and an invitation to explore more of what Scripture offers. Fr. David encourages all believers to grow in hunger for the Spirit’s work and to take a fresh look at 1 Corinthians 14 with open hearts and expectant faith.
In this episode of Holy Spirit Activate, Fr. David Dodd, TOR, explores one of the most misunderstood and deeply personal charisms of the Holy Spirit—the gift of tongues. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 12, Church tradition, and teachings from the saints, Fr. David clarifies what this gift truly is: speech inspired by the Holy Spirit in a language unknown to the speaker, given primarily as a means of praise and personal edification.
With humility and joy, Fr. David unpacks common misconceptions about tongues, shares personal experiences, and highlights testimonies from saints like St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and St. Teresa of Avila. He emphasizes that this gift is not about spectacle or confusion but about a childlike surrender to the Spirit, especially when human language falls short of expressing the depth of love and gratitude for God.
Whether you're skeptical or curious, this episode offers a thoughtful and pastoral perspective on the gift of tongues—inviting listeners to consider what it might mean to praise God beyond words, and to grow in trust, humility, and intimacy with the Lord.
In this conversation, Fr. David Dodd explores the profound nature of prayer, emphasizing the importance of understanding how to pray rather than just what to pray. He delves into the teachings of the catechism, the example of Jesus, and the intercessory role of figures like Abraham, highlighting the intimate relationship believers can have with God. The discussion encourages listeners to recognize their inherent communion with God and to approach prayer as a natural and vital part of their spiritual lives.
Takeaways
We are often taught what to pray, but not how to pray.
Prayer is a living relationship with God, not just vocal recitation.
The catechism provides deep insights into the nature of prayer.
Jesus invites us into a relationship with the Father through prayer.
Our desire to pray is already a response to God's desire for us.
Prayer is more valuable than oxygen; it sustains our spiritual life.
Intercession is a powerful act of compassion and communion with God.
Jesus' prayer life serves as a model for our own.
God is always attentive to our prayers; we need to ask with confidence.
The essence of prayer is to live in communion with God.
Sound bites
"You already have God's attention."
"God is good beyond measure."
"Jesus teaches us how to pray."
Chapters
00:00 The Essence of Prayer: A Call to Deeper Connection
09:57 Understanding Jesus' Prayer: A Model for Us
18:20 Intercession and Compassion: Abraham's Example
27:56 Living in Communion: The Heart of Prayer
In this episode of Holy Spirit Activate, Fr. David Dodd, TOR, unpacks the gift of discernment of spirits, as mentioned by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 12. This powerful charism enables believers to perceive the spiritual influences behind thoughts, emotions, situations, or people—whether they come from God, the enemy, or our own fallen human nature.
Fr. David reflects on the rich tradition of discernment in the Church, especially through the insights of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and draws on personal experiences and examples from Scripture to illustrate how this gift operates in real life. From the "Peter tingle" of Spider-Man to the reality of angels and saints, he invites listeners to grow in spiritual awareness and sensitivity to the invisible yet active presence of both good and evil spirits.
This episode is both a practical guide and an invitation to deeper communion with the Holy Spirit. With openness and humility, Fr. David encourages listeners to renounce what does not belong in heaven and to welcome the peace, joy, and love of the Holy Spirit into their daily lives.
In this episode of Holy Spirit Activate, Fr. David Dodd, TOR, leads a powerful reflection on the gift of miracles, as listed by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 12. Fr. David explores how miracles differ from healings and how they serve as visible signs of God’s power and presence—acts that only God can accomplish, often in ways that defy natural explanation.
Through compelling testimonies and deep scriptural insight, Fr. David highlights how miracles still happen today: from restored hearing to creative miracles that defy medical expectations. Emphasizing the role of faith, testimony, and the authority believers carry as ambassadors of Christ, this episode challenges listeners to trust that God still desires to reveal His glory through His people.
Whether through acts of provision, physical restoration, or impossible breakthroughs, miracles remind us that heaven is meant to touch earth—and God delights in showing up when we show up in faith.
Conclusion to the series on fruits of the Holy Spirit.
In the Eucharist we receive the Incarnate Love of God to continue God's incarnate presence on the earth.
Episode 5
In this episode of Holy Spirit Activate, Fr. David Dodd, TOR, reflects on the charism of healing as described in 1 Corinthians 12. Drawing from Scripture, Church teaching, and personal experience, Fr. David unpacks how healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—is a sign of the Savior’s presence among His people.
Referencing the book of Sirach and the ministry of Jesus, Fr. David emphasizes that all healing ultimately flows from God. Whether through the sacraments, the hands of physicians, or the prayer of the faithful, God’s desire to restore and renew His people remains the same. This episode also explores the Church’s sacramental tradition of anointing the sick, reminding us that the healer still walks among us—through His body, the Church.
With humility and encouragement, Fr. David invites listeners to participate in this gift by praying boldly, trusting in God's timing, and recognizing the profound ways He continues to make all things new.
In this episode of Holy Spirit Activate, Fr. David Dodd, TOR, explores the gift of the Word of Knowledge—a powerful charism of the Holy Spirit that reveals how deeply God knows and loves us. Drawing from Scripture and real-life encounters, Fr. David explains how this gift allows believers to speak truth into the lives of others by revealing what matters to God from their past and present.
Through the examples of Jesus with Nathaniel and the Samaritan woman, we see how the Word of Knowledge opens hearts to faith and invites people into a personal encounter with Christ. Fr. David also shares practical insights on how to grow in this gift, step out in faith, and be a vessel of God's love in everyday life.
Tune in to be inspired, challenged, and encouraged to recognize the ways God is already speaking—through you and to you.
The Joy of the Lord is my strength
In this episode of Holy Spirit Activate, Fr David leads us into the supernatural gift of prophecy–the ability to hear the voice of God and speak his word in love and power
From Moses longing that “all God’s people would prophesy” to Peter proclaiming it fulfilled at Pentecost, prophecy has always been at the heart of the Spirit’s mission. Fr. David breaks open what it truly means to be a prophet—not necessarily as someone predicting the future, but as one who brings God’s voice in the present moment. In this episode you’ll learn:
How prophecy is part of your baptismal identity
Why prophetic words are meant to build up, cheer up, and draw people closer to God
The difference between teaching and prophetic inspiration
How to begin discerning and delivering prophetic words, even with simple images or Scriptures
Why God wants to speak through you, not just to you
Activation challenge: Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight one person in your phone contacts who needs an encouraging word. Reach out, ask how you can pray for them, take their need into your prayer time, and be open to how God speaks–through a word, image, Scripture, Then boldly, share it in love.
YOU WERE MADE TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE. NOW IT’S TIME TO SHARE IT
How people approach Jesus determines what they receive from him. Jesus opens his heart to us, but our disposition determines what we receive. We won't receive much if we come to Mass treating it like a performance. If we approach Jesus hungry, tired, desperate, and in need, he will open His Heart to us
Quotes from the Saints
“How sweet was that kiss of Jesus, It was kiss of love” (St. Therese on her first communion)
“Oh what are these sufferings to me in comparison to one daily Holy Communion (receiving Eucharist in the times of great trial)
“Nothing is capable of giving me such sensible joy as the reception of the bread of life” (St Margaret Mary Alacoque)
“In that little host is the solution to all the problems of the world” (Saint John Paul II)
“When you look at Jesus on the cross, you understand how much Jesus loved THEN, when you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now” (Saint Theresa of Calcutta)
“When we go before the Blessed Sacrament, let us open our heart; our good God will open His. We shall go to Him; He will come to us, the one to ask, the other to receive. It will like a breath from one to another” (St John Vianney)
Faith is more than just believing the right ideas; it is bold mountain-moving power that puts God's promises into action. It is not passive belief but appropriating the faith of Jesus that commands fig trees to wither and mountains to move.
Drawing from Mark 11 and Hebrews 12, we are invited to activate our spiritual authority as beloved sons and daughters and speak to the situations in our life that do not reflect the Kingdom of Heaven.
In this episode you will learn:
The difference between intellectual faith and charismatic faith
Why authority comes from identity, not feelings
How Jesus teaches us to speak with faith, not just about it
What it means to pray with confidence as a son or daughter of the Father.
How to identify the "mountains" in your life-and speak to them with holy boldness
Activation challenge: Identify one area of your life that does not reflect heaven-fear, shame, anxiety, and sin-and speak to it in the name of Jesus. Then read Hebrews 12:1-2 and ask for the faith of Jesus to take root in you.
Bonus: Pray with someone today for God to move in their life.
Faith is not for saints and superheroes-it's for you!
What if WWJD didn't just mean What would Jesus do but What will Jesus Do through you? Unpack the radical truth that Christians are called to live supernaturally
Why the gifts of the Holy Spirit-charisms- are essential to our mission?
How Peter walking on water reveals Jesus' invitation to live beyond the ordinary
The difference between the Isaiah gifts and the charismatic gifts
Why charisms are not about showing off, but showing love
How the Holy Spirit equips us to bring heaven to earth right where we are
Activation: Read 1 Corinthians 14:1 and begin asking: Where is God asking me to bring his love today?