It’s no secret—within the Church we encounter many problems: scandals, division, human failure. If you’ve ever felt frustrated or even disillusioned, you’re not alone. A lot of people look at the mess and think, why stay?
In this episode, I sit down with Monsignor James Shea to break down what so many people get wrong about the Church’s struggles—and why the mess isn’t a reason to leave, but actually a reason to stay. Too often, we expect the Church to be perfect, but from the very beginning, it never was. One of Jesus’ own apostles betrayed Him—and yet, Christ still chose to build His Church on imperfect people, just like us.
We’re diving into some powerful and eye-opening topics, including:
Why people expect the Church to be perfect—and why that expectation will always lead to disappointment.
⚡ The biggest mistakes people make when trying to “fix” the Church—and how misguided solutions can actually make things worse.
The shocking way God heals corruption—through saints as the Church’s immune system—and how He raises up holy men and women to bring renewal in every generation.
Why utopian thinking leads to frustration, disillusionment, and even despair—and how we can shift our mindset to see the Church as Christ intended.
✝️ The powerful reason Jesus chose to build His Church on flawed, broken people—and how that should change the way we approach our faith.
Here’s the truth: The Church has never been perfect, not even in the time of the apostles. But history proves that when things look the darkest, God raises up saints to fight back. The scandals and struggles of today are real—but they’re not the end of the story.
If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, discouragement, or disappointment in the Church, this episode is for you. Because the answer isn’t to run—the answer is to become part of the renewal. Holiness is the antidote. And maybe, just maybe, God is calling YOU to be one of the saints this generation desperately needs.
Watch now, and let’s talk about why the Church is still worth fighting for.
Join the mission! Become a Missionary of Joy: https://reallifecatholic.com/moj/
........
Enter to win a FREE pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe for you and a guest by following this link! https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimage-giveaway/
........ ✈️ To learn more about all of Real Life Catholic Pilgrimages visit: https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/
........
✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration in your inbox. https://reallifecatholic.com/opt-in/
........
LIFE: The Journey of Real Life Catholics is HERE! Watch the first episode for FREE on our exclusive streaming platform: https://bit.ly/3yIWG72
.........
️ Listen to 3-Minute Reset, my NEW podcast with Pat Lencioni for working Christians: https://apple.co/3RHoSg2
.........
Listen to the "Chris Stefanick Show" as a podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…
Popular Podcasts
Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!