In this on-the-road Sunday Reflection, I'm talking about the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (how's that for a title?!) along with Fr. Burke Masters of St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Hinsdale, Illinois, where we held a sold-out REBOOT event a couple weeks ago.

Jesus is king. Full stop.

And it's not the typical kind of kingship. He doesn't take more when he has everything. He gives more when he has nothing left. In today's Gospel, Jesus is literally about to die and he is promising eternal life to a criminal hanging on a cross next to him.

When you are hanging on the cross of your own struggles, do you trust in the Lord's kingship? He's right there with you...offering you so much more than your current circumstances.

If you make him the center of your life, he will transform you in every way and you can live out your royal identity through him—even when you are at your weariest or most broken.

But we can't let other distractions and "priorities" take his throne.

In his youth, Fr. Burke Masters was obsessed with baseball—and he was good at it. He hit a game-winning grand slam to send his team to the College World Series!

But eventually he converted to Catholicism and realized that God, not sports, should be at the center. In this video, he shares his beautiful vocation story that took him from the baseball diamond to the priesthood—and back again. In addition to being pastor of a thriving parish outside Chicago, he serves as chaplain for the Chicago Cubs!

You never know what path God has in store for you, but he is lifting you up on that journey. Be sure you are lifting him up as your king, too.

Timecodes
0:00 Christ the King: a different kind of royalty
1:03 Jesus gives more when He has nothing left
2:35 When you feel drained, that’s your time to shine
4:36 Fr. Burke Masters: from baseball dreams to priesthood
6:03 Putting God first (even above sports)
8:20 The danger of making anything else your “god”
10:10 The prince who forgot he was royalty

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Who or what is most likely to become a “false king” in your life?
2. Think of a time when you felt drained, discouraged, or “empty.” Looking back, how did God meet you in that weakness?
3. Jesus shows kingship not by taking but by giving when he has nothing left. How does this challenge your idea of what power, success, or dignity looks like? Where might Christ be calling you to give more?
4. Fr. Burke Masters gave up baseball for God—and God gave him something better. Have you ever experienced God returning something you surrendered to Him in a transformed way? If not, where might God be asking you to trust Him like that?
5. Who in your life models “royal dignity” in Christ—even in suffering? What's one practical way you can proclaim Christ as king in your life this week? It could be a prayer, a sacrifice, giving up a habit, or something you stop giving power to.

-----

Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk

-----

Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0

-----

Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage to Poland and Prague: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/12693/

-----

Learn more about CORE, Real Life Catholic's new Confirmation prep experience for the next generation to be released in 2026: https://bit.ly/4p6HrsW

As a 10-year-old, Sister Marilyn of the Sisters of Mary watched her father murdered by family friends—then grabbed his gun to take revenge and had her finger on the trigger.

Something stopped her in that moment, but the trauma of that experience hardened her heart with thoughts of anger and revenge. She felt like a failure and couldn't trust anyone.

In front of the Blessed Sacrament years later, Jesus met her in that memory…and turned a would-be taker of life into a spiritual mother who gives life to thousands of the poorest children on earth. She found her vocation and the Lord miraculously healed her wounds.

In this powerful conversation, we talk about trauma, forgiveness, Eucharistic healing, and the Sisters of Mary’s mission to the poorest of the poor around the world.

Timestamps

0:00 Intro
1:35 Sisters of Mary: “Sisters and Mothers”
5:19 The day her father was killed
12:10 Running for the gun… and why she didn’t pull the trigger
16:00 The hidden lie: “I’m a loser”
18:10 A priest’s counsel that opened the door to healing
24:10 Adoration: meeting Jesus inside the memory
26:50 From taking life → giving life: discovering her vocation
33:05 Saying the killer’s name before Jesus—and forgiving
39:00 The Sisters of Mary across 7 countries
41:15 “The poorest of the poor” (more than material poverty)
49:45 A student’s story: “Why do I feel nobody loves me?”
53:40 Final encouragement: your wounds can become windows to God

Whatever you've gone through, the Lord is ready to heal you. In all things, God works for the good of those who love him. Pursue his grace in the sacraments. Bring your trauma to the foot of the cross and spend time in Adoration. The Resurrection is on the other side of your trauma. You are not alone.

........

Learn more about the Sisters of Mary: https://worldvillages.org/sisters-of-mary/

........

Sign up for the Daily Anchor for FREE and receive daily reflections, updates, and encouragement from Chris Stefanick to help you live with the joy you were made for: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk

........

Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0

........

Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages

Are you afraid it will get instantly awkward around the water cooler if you mention Jesus or talk about your faith?

Yeah, it might. And Jesus told us it would be this way! His message is uncomfortable because he claims divinity. If he is who he said he was, then it has to change everything. We have to change EVERYTHING about the way we are living. And a lot of people don't want to do that.

But you know what we should fear more than an awkward silence? Denying Christ...or depriving others of the chance to know and love the Lord because of our lack of an invitation. We should care about other people's souls!

Evangelization is not easy. There are countless martyred saints who gave their lives while proclaiming Christ to people who didn't want to hear it.

But you have so many opportunities to share the hope of our faith with other people in your every day life. Don't be a sissy when it comes to sharing your faith. Risk the awkwardness. Be yourself. Lead with love. You might save someone's life.

-----

Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk

-----

Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0

-----

Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage to Poland and Prague: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/12693/

-----

Learn more about CORE, Real Life Catholic's new Confirmation prep experience for the next generation to be released in 2026: https://bit.ly/4p6HrsW

What if your calling isn’t something you have to chase… but something God already wrote into your soul?

In this new episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, Dr. Bob Rice—Franciscan University professor, deacon, and joy-filled Catholic dad—joins me for a deep dive into how to discover your unique charisms, live out your personal vocation, and find meaning in being the one-of-a-kind person God made you to be.

We discuss how to discern your own personal gifts, how to see your family as a “religious order” and identify your family charism, and why holiness doesn’t make you boring.

He also offers some thoughts on the vocation of a deacon—what it is, what it isn't, and why it's important.

This conversation is so packed with insights (and great analogies) from Dr. Bob that you might have to watch it twice!

As St. Catherine of Siena reminds us, "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire." I pray this conversation can be the spark that helps you to discern and share your unique gifts as a precious child of God.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro
3:56 What is a charism? (Dr. Bob explains)
6:00 Your vocation is now—not “someday”
10:00 Holiness doesn't make you boring
14:09 Discernment 101: stages, signals, and the “gift card” analogy
22:00 What a deacon really is (and isn’t)
27:24 Priest vs. Deacon
30:28 Your family as a religious order with a mission
40:00 How to name and guard your family’s charism
52:29 Praying the Magnificat together

........

Sign up for the Daily Anchor for FREE and receive daily reflections, updates, and encouragement from Chris Stefanick to help you live with the joy you were made for: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk

........

Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0

........

Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages

On the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Jesus reminds us: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”

He was speaking of his Body—and by baptism, you are joined to that Body. That means the Church is a living temple right now: the Church Triumphant (in heaven), the Church Suffering (in purgatory), and the Church Militant (us!).

As a member of the Body of Christ, you are consecrated for holiness. And you've got some work to do! Namely, building up the kingdom of God on earth in your everyday life. And you know who did that really well? The saints!

In this on-the-road reflection, I'm joined by Fr. Jonathan Meyer, a priest in Bright, Indiana where I recently hosted a REBOOT event, to talk about making the invisible visible—icons, sacramentals, and relics—and how surrounding yourself with the saints can inspire you in your personal pursuit of holiness.

Fr. Meyer shows us his incredible saintly relic collection (including St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare, St. John Paul II, St. Padre Pio, St. Mother Teresa, and even a reliquary with the Twelve Apostles and fragments of the True Cross!).

We also peek at his St. John Vianney–inspired bedroom setup (epic!) that reminds him how he is supposed to live when he wakes up in the morning. And we visit Ars Café, the parish's no-distraction coffee shop space to actually listen and build real relationships.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro with Fr. Meyer & the Feast of St. John Lateran
0:46 – “Destroy this temple…” What Jesus meant
0:49 – Church Triumphant, Suffering, and Militant (Lightning round!)
1:45 – Why Catholics use tangible reminders (icons, sacramentals)
2:35 – Fr. Meyer's relics collection
6:15 – St. John Vianney’s room… in Indiana?!
8:07 – You are consecrated for holiness
8:45 – “Go to Mass” (yes, even the license plate!)
9:01 – Ars Café: listen, slow down, evangelize through friendship

Together—saints and fellow sinners—we are all part of the living temple of the Church! Heaven is closer than you think. The saints are praying for you. And Jesus is building his temple in you.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. How does seeing the Church as the Body of Christ—rather than just a building—change the way you think about your faith life?

2. What helps you keep your heart fixed on heaven in the middle of ordinary life?

3. What visible signs in your home or parish help you remember that you belong to something eternal?

4. Where is God calling you to “build the Church” in your daily life—home, work, friendships, community?

5. What could you change in your environment—music, images, schedule—to draw your heart closer to God?

-----

Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk

-----

Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://moj.reallifecatholic.com

-----

Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage to Poland and Prague: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/12693/

What happens after we die?

If the answer is "nothing," then what are we doing here? The good news is that we ARE headed somewhere. Our Christian hope changes everything—we have our eyes fixed on heaven as a final destination.

As Pope Benedict XVI wrote, our entire story can be redeemed by a good ending. Jesus won that victory for us, so death becomes a comma instead of a period. This hope also grants us the opportunity to perfect ourselves after death—and to pray for those who have died before us who are in Purgatory preparing to meet the Lord.

We can even reconcile with our loved ones through these prayers and sacrifices for their souls. You can help get them to heaven...and they will be made pure once they get there. The sin and wounds of their earthly existence will be erased. It's a beautiful and healing aspect of our theology!

Learn more in my video reflection and join me in praying a decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the holy souls in Purgatory. Hope does not disappoint!

Chapters:

0:00 Is your life going somewhere?
1:52 Pope Benedict XVI on hope
4:38 Proof from near death experiences
6:30 The Church’s teaching on purgatory
9:40 How to reconcile with loved ones who have died
11:30 Pray a decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet with us

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. When you think about your “final destination,” what emotions come up—fear, apathy, hope? Why?
2. How does believing that “if the ending is good, the whole story is redeemed” change the way you view your struggles and failings?
3. What are your thoughts on Purgatory? Did any part of the Church’s teaching on purgatory surprised you or bring relief?
4. Is there someone who has died with whom you still feel “unfinished business”? What concrete prayer or sacrifice can you offer for them this week?
5. After praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, did you notice any shift in your heart (peace, forgiveness, gratitude)? Who can you invite into this hope right now?

-----

Watch my interview with John Burke on near death experiences: https://youtu.be/-9Y-hE_ZFQM

-----

Sign up for updates from Real Life Catholic to hear about our upcoming series on joy: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk

-----

Pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/chaplet-of-the-divine-mercy-387

-----

Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage to Poland and Prague: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/12693/

Remember when making friends was simple? Somewhere between adulthood, social media, and COVID…we forgot how.

In this new episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Maggie Craig—speaker and author of Friendship Reset—to talk about the loneliness pandemic that is eating away at society and how we can turn the tide in our own lives and relationships.

We unpack why we’re more connected than ever yet more isolated than ever, what toxic friendships really look like, whether men and women can really be friends, how to form relationships that actually help you become a saint, and much more.

You’ll laugh, be challenged, and walk away with actionable tips to cultivate the friendships God made you for.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro
5:43 Loneliness statistics
6:18 Why have we forgotten how to make friends?
8:12 What’s a toxic friendship?
12:03 When is it time to reset a friendship?
16:04 How to rebuild a broken friendship
17:00 Courage, vulnerability, and holiness
24:05 Can men and women really be friends?
29:35 How to be vulnerable
34:39 A message to introverts
39:54 Everyone wants new friends

If you’ve been feeling isolated, this conversation will remind you: you were made for real, life-giving relationships. Build a community of holy friends who will help get you to heaven. Don't settle for less!

Check out Maggie's book "Friendship Reset": https://www.amazon.com/Friendship-Reset-Ditch-Drama-Find/dp/164680385X

........

Sign up for the Daily Anchor for FREE and receive daily reflections, updates, and encouragement from Chris Stefanick to help you live with the joy you were made for: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk

........

Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic: https://moj.reallifecatholic.com/

........

Join Chris Stefanick and Fr. Dave Pivonka on pilgrimage to Assisi: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/1226/

........

Join Chris and Natalie Stefanick on a pilgrimage to beauty in Kauai: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/kauai/

.........

Join Chris Stefanick on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/cs-holyland2026/

We all know it's impossible to avoid suffering. But what if there was a way to respond to the suffering in your own life—from serious tragedies to everyday difficulties—in a way that ultimately led to peace?

In this powerful episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Dave VanVickle, a husband and father who’s walked through some of the deepest suffering imaginable.

From raising multiple children with serious health challenges to losing his beloved wife Amber to cancer when she was only 40 years old, Dave has faced hardship and grief that would break most people.

But through this pain, Dave found a path that allows him to surrender his suffering to Christ and transform it into a peaceful acceptance grounded in love.

Suffering is STILL hard, but Dave shares a perspective of gratitude and grace that will help you to offer up your daily crosses and not take any of your blessings for granted.

This episode isn’t just about grief—it’s about finding hope in the resurrection when you're living through Good Friday.

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:51 His children's health challenges
7:20 His wife Amber's journey through cancer
14:33 What it means to “offer it up”
17:28 Managing grief
19:24 Preparing your spouse for death
26:30 The peace that surpasses understanding
29:00 Learning to live again after loss
32:13 Living in the moment with gratitude and love
35:41 When you feel abandoned by God

Jesus didn’t suffer so you wouldn’t have to. He suffered so you’d know how to. If you’re in pain, if life doesn’t make sense right now—this conversation is for you. You’re not alone. Christ is with you in the cross, and he’s preparing you for heaven through these trials.

........

Sign up for the Daily Anchor for FREE and receive daily reflections, updates, and encouragement from Chris Stefanick to help you live with the joy you were made for: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/subscribe

........

Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic: https://moj.reallifecatholic.com/

........

The Chris Stefanick Show will soon be premiering on EWTN+ Streaming! You can start watching more great content at: EWTN.com/ondemand/

........

Join Chris Stefanick and Fr. Dave Pivonka on pilgrimage to Assisi: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/1226/