The Family Room (The Quest)
Join co-hosts Mari Cleveland from St. Jude the Apostle and John Gordon and Craig Wesemeyer from St. Peter Chanel as they speak with authors, theologians, and local priests and lay leaders to provide your family encouragement, resources, and hope. Enjoy heartfelt stories and engaging conversations with Catholics who are excited to share their life experiences and acquired wisdom to help your family continue to live out your faith with joy.
Apr 30, 2025
The Power of The Cross
Fr. Mitch Pacwa, Scripture scholar, author, TV and radio host
Nobody likes crosses and yet we are asked to take up our cross daily in order to follow Jesus. Father Mitch Pacwa has uncovered a deeper meaning behind carrying that cross and shares it with us in his book, St. Paul on the Power of the Cross. In this interactive study guide, Fr. Pacwa breaks down the importance of suffering as seen through the eyes of St. Paul, who writes, “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” (1 Cor 1:18) Using historical context and Scripture meditations, Fr. Pacwa introduces St. Paul’s theology of the cross, which drives home the importance of embracing our suffering as a way to overcome the power sin has over us.
He further explains how, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the words of Jesus, the priest unites our suffering to Christ’s on the altar. What we personally offer of our own lives at Mass becomes united with His death at that moment. Through Fr. Pacwa’s careful exegesis of Paul’s writings, you will come to understand the power of the cross to transform us when we embrace it rather than run from it.
Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. is a renowned Jesuit Scripture scholar, author, popular EWTN television and radio host, as well as the founder and president of Ignatius Productions. Fr. Pacwa is fluent in twelve languages and has received his Master of Divinity and S.T.B. at Loyola University, magna cum laude, and a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Old Testament at Vanderbilt University. He has authored over twenty books, including Wheat and Tares: Restoring the Moral Vision of a Scandalized Church.
Resources:
Nobody likes crosses and yet we are asked to take up our cross daily in order to follow Jesus. Father Mitch Pacwa has uncovered a deeper meaning behind carrying that cross and shares it with us in his book, St. Paul on the Power of the Cross. In this interactive study guide, Fr. Pacwa breaks down the importance of suffering as seen through the eyes of St. Paul, who writes, “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” (1 Cor 1:18) Using historical context and Scripture meditations, Fr. Pacwa introduces St. Paul’s theology of the cross, which drives home the importance of embracing our suffering as a way to overcome the power sin has over us.
He further explains how, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the words of Jesus, the priest unites our suffering to Christ’s on the altar. What we personally offer of our own lives at Mass becomes united with His death at that moment. Through Fr. Pacwa’s careful exegesis of Paul’s writings, you will come to understand the power of the cross to transform us when we embrace it rather than run from it.
Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. is a renowned Jesuit Scripture scholar, author, popular EWTN television and radio host, as well as the founder and president of Ignatius Productions. Fr. Pacwa is fluent in twelve languages and has received his Master of Divinity and S.T.B. at Loyola University, magna cum laude, and a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Old Testament at Vanderbilt University. He has authored over twenty books, including Wheat and Tares: Restoring the Moral Vision of a Scandalized Church.
Resources:
- St. Paul on the Power of the Cross published by Sophia Institute Press
- Other books by Fr. Pacwa available from the EWTN Religious Catalog
- Every Wednesday evening on the TV show EWTN live, Fr. Pacwa interviews various guests seeking to teach and prepare us for evangelization.
