Praying with the Bible during Lent | The Spiritual Life Podcast

How can Scripture help deepen our prayer lives this Lent? The New Testament scholar Ben Witherington III joins host James Martin, S.J., to share his own paths of prayer- through scripture, music and poetry.

Timecodes:

0:00 Who is Ben Witherington III?
3:40 What do scholars mean by the ‘historical Jesus’?
6:33 The last 7 words of Christ
7:57 Biblical roots of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving
11:10 Ben reclaims his faith and is called by God
17:30 Praying with the Bible and grief
33:20 Where to start reading the Bible
34:55 Christianity is a historical religion
40:55 Why Catholics should read the Bible
44:58 Audience Question: How do I hear the readings at Mass with freshness?

Read Fr. Jim’s spiritual advice article on this episode: https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/02/17/ben-witherington-james-martin-scripture-scholar-spiritual-life/

Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: [email protected]
Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe

America Media is the leading provider of editorial content for thinking Catholics and those who want to know what Catholics are thinking. To become a subscriber, visit https://www.americamagazine.org/subscribe

Sign-up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/2Ka4SOi

Follow us on Social Media:
• America Media on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Kal3Ll
• America Media on Twitter: http://bit.ly/2viJosZ
• America Media on Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Ka5q6O

Support more videos like this: http://bit.ly/2vgqm6A
Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe