Does it feel like being Catholic is almost impossible today?
In this episode of The Catholic Talk Show, Ryan Scheel & Ryan Dellacrosse join with Jamie Baxter, Founder & CEO of Exodus 90 to talk about if Christianity is too hard and puts too many burdens on people.
They explain how spiritual discipline, sacrifice and community ultimately lead to the fulfilling, joyful life God desires for us!
Embrace the Challenge
Being Catholic is not a set of burdensome rules. “Asceticism isn’t about doing hard things just to do hard things—it’s ultimately a means to a much greater end, which is union with God and love,” Jamie says. These challenges are part of our call to true greatness. When we push beyond our comfort zone, we start to rely on God’s grace and discover that genuine discipleship changes us into courageous witnesses—not weary followers shackled by fear.
Discover Lasting Joy
Our culture’s obsession with ease and instant gratification falls short of what we really need. “We’re not as happy as we’ve ever been, and sociological research suggests almost the inversion, which, from a Catholic perspective, you’d expect,” Jamie says. Start with spiritual discipline, like daily prayer, honesty about our struggles and detachment from distractions. This creates space for deeper joy, one anchored in God’s loving presence, rather than fleeting comforts that fail to satisfy the human heart.
The Power of Sacrifice
Sacrifice moves us closer to Christ and with each other. “When we look at the lives of the Saints, I don’t know a single story where it ends with ‘and they lived comfortably ever after’,” Jamie says. Acts of penance, fasting or simply going the extra mile for friends, family or strangers are concrete ways to share in Jesus’ own self-giving. By willingly embracing difficulties, we become more capable of loving, forgiving and building relationships rooted in compassion.
The guys say that living the faith wholeheartedly will change our hearts and the world!
Watch this episode below 👇
“When you pray, enter into your room, and having shut the door, pray to your Father in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you.” – Matthew 6:6 🙏
Credit: George Ryan via ChurchPOP
