In this episode of The Normal Christian Life, Fr. Michael and Fr. Christopher sit down with David Mendoza to hear his powerful testimony of encountering God in dramatic ways — and how those encounters ultimately led him back to the Catholic Church.

David grew up in a Catholic family and experienced moments of God’s presence even as a child. But as a teenager he drifted away from the faith, becoming involved in drugs, partying, martial arts culture, and Eastern mystical practices.

Despite running from God, the Lord continued pursuing him.

David shares incredible moments along his journey — including supernatural encounters, prophetic dreams, experiences of the Holy Spirit, healing prayer, and powerful moments of evangelization where God used him to reach people in unexpected places.

Yet even after encountering the power of the Holy Spirit in charismatic and Protestant communities, David felt a growing hunger for something more: the fullness of the sacraments and the historic Church founded by Christ.

Through studying Scripture and the early Church Fathers, David eventually discovered that the Church Christ established still exists today in the Catholic Church.

In this conversation, David shares:

• His childhood encounters with God

• How sin and Eastern mysticism pulled him away from the faith

• Powerful supernatural experiences after returning to prayer

• His journey through charismatic Protestant ministry

• The role of the Holy Spirit in leading him to truth

• How the Church Fathers convinced him of Catholicism

• Why the Mass and the sacraments completed his faith

This episode is a powerful reminder that God never stops pursuing us, even when we wander far from Him.

And sometimes the Holy Spirit leads us through a long journey — only to bring us home.

What does it actually mean to love—not just in theory, but in real life?

In this episode, Fr. Michael Trummer is joined by Fr. Christopher Trummer and Mike Nolan for a deep, honest conversation on love (charity) as the greatest theological virtue. Moving beyond clichés and sentimentality, they explore why love is both a gift of grace and something we must actively cooperate with—and why knowing about love is very different from actually living it.

The conversation touches on:

• Why love is the only virtue that endures into heaven
• How love is fulfilled not by doing more, but by delighting in the other
• The difference between Christian love and merely “being nice”
• Why loving difficult people is essential for spiritual growth
• How unhealed wounds and failure to receive love make loving others so hard
• The relationship between agape (self-giving love) and eros (delight and desire)
• Why heaven is not a glorified vacation—but perfect communion

This episode challenges listeners to examine whether their love is rooted in busyness, duty, and performance—or in real communion, hope, and grace. It’s a practical, demanding, and deeply hopeful vision of love as preparation for heaven and participation in God’s own life.

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00:00 Introduction to Theological Virtues

00:58 The Paradox of Love and Grace

02:07 Love in the Context of Faith and Hope

03:38 The Uniqueness of Christian Love

08:21 Love as Preparation for Heaven

12:09 The Role of Emotions in Love

22:43 The Challenge of Loving Difficult People

25:55 Integrating Agape and Eros

41:35 Understanding Self-Agreement and Interior Brokenness

42:26 The Difficulty of Receiving Love

42:48 The Trinity and the Nature of Love

44:05 The Impact of Being Loved

44:43 The Heart Magnifies What It Receives

47:36 The Role of Security in Love

48:41 Experiencing True Friendship and Love

54:48 The Importance of Hope in Love

59:19 Patience and the Unveiling of Love

01:06:36 The Impossible Vocation of Love

01:11:55 The Necessity of Gentleness in Love

01:17:04 Closing Thoughts and Prayer

What is faith—really?

In this episode of The Normal Christian Life, we continue our series on the theological virtues by exploring faith: what it is, what it isn’t, and why it cannot be reduced to intellectual agreement or apologetics alone.

This conversation unpacks:

• Why biblical faith is relational and lived, not merely believed
• How faith engages the whole person—mind, heart, will, and action
• The proper role of reason in the life of faith
• Why dryness, doubt, and desolation do not mean faith is failing
• How God’s hiddenness can actually deepen trust
• The importance of community, testimony, and perseverance

Drawing from Scripture (especially Hebrews 11), the saints, and lived experience, we show that faith is not emotional hype or blind guessing—but a conviction that endures even when God feels absent.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Why doesn’t God feel close anymore?”
• “Is my faith weak if I don’t feel anything?”
• “How do I keep believing through suffering or silence?”

This episode offers clarity, realism, and hope.

Faith is a gift—and a response—that matures through trust, surrender, and perseverance.

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00:00 Introduction to Theological Virtues

02:17 Understanding Faith: Beyond Intellectual Assent

06:25 Personal Faith Journeys

09:48 Faith and Reason: A Harmonious Relationship

13:12 Experiencing God: Faith and Feelings

23:11 Faith in Action: Living Out Beliefs

30:07 Struggles with Faith and Desolation

31:44 Understanding God's Hiddenness

34:58 The Role of Suffering in Faith

50:35 The Importance of Community in Faith

53:24 Evangelization and Personal Testimonies

58:55 Concluding Thoughts and Prayer

As the Church concludes the Jubilee Year of Hope, the hosts discuss the profound significance of hope in the Christian life. They explain that hope is more than just a feel-good sentiment, highlighting its roots as a theological virtue that is central to overcoming adversity and recognizing God's hand in the midst of trials. They offer practical ways to cultivate this virtue day by day, face unavoidable suffering with faith, and keep hope alive in the dark times. This conversation emphasizes that true hope is anchored in the character and promises of God, surpassing mere human optimism.

00:00 Introduction to Hope

00:13 The Theological Virtues

01:12 A Poem on Hope

03:01 Hope in Practice

4:34 Hope Amidst Anxiety

07:43 Hope as a Choice

17:44 Hope and Suffering

24:54 Hope Beyond This Life

35:46 Acknowledging Discouragement and Hopelessness

36:30 Signs of Lacking Hope

37:25 The Importance of Dreaming with God

38:58 Living with Hope and Avoiding Cynicism

41:26 Balancing Grief and Hope

59:51 Daily Habits to Cultivate Hope

01:05:27 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Join hosts Fr. Michael Trummer, Fr. Christopher Trummer, and Mary Bielski as they discuss what it truly means to be holy. This episode tackles the common misconception that holiness is boring and instead presents it as an adventurous pursuit of God. They explore how genuine holiness involves our humanity, unique personalities, and the transformation by God's grace. Be inspired by the call to live a life set apart and discover what makes sainthood appealing in today's world. Whether you're curious about holiness or seeking to deepen your spiritual journey, this conversation will embolden you to embrace the adventure of becoming a saint.

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00:00 Introduction to Holiness

01:36 The Call to Adventure

03:17 Understanding True Holiness

04:54 Inspiration from the Saints

08:26 The Battle for Holiness

23:15 Embracing Trials and Suffering

34:35 The Radical Commitment to Holiness

35:34 Inoculated Against Authentic Christianity

36:02 The Joy of Following Christ Fully

36:30 Living a Life in the Spirit

37:47 The Process of Acquiring a Taste for God

Join Fr. Christopher Trummer and Fr. Michael Trummer in a heartfelt discussion on the challenges and importance of boldly preaching the gospel in today's society. In light of recent political violence, including the assassination of conservative speaker Charlie Kirk, the hosts explore what it means to speak the truth, even when it leads to opposition. Drawing from the life of Jesus and various scriptures, they address the balance between being loving and proclaiming the truth. They also share personal experiences and practical advice on overcoming the fear of conflict and rejection. This episode encourages believers to be courageous in their faith and to rely on the Holy Spirit for boldness in standing up for what is right. Support Our Mission through Patreon – patreon.com/TheNCLPodcast 00:00 Introduction: The Challenge of Speaking the Truth 00:52 The Complexity of Love and Conflict 01:46 Temptations and Challenges for Priests 02:42 Reflecting on Charlie Kirk's Assassination 06:38 Jesus' Teachings on Persecution 08:30 Balancing Love and Boldness 13:01 The Role of Priests and Parents 14:42 The Importance of Moral Teachings 18:59 Living Boldly in Faith 44:12 Practical Advice for Overcoming Fear 51:47 Closing Thoughts and Prayer