Can prayer and friendship overcome polarization?

Can Catholics come together in deeply polarized times? Fr. James Martin is joined by Tim Busch, a businessman, philanthropist, and one of the most prominent Catholic lay leaders in the United States. He is the co-founder and chairman of The Napa Institute, which brings together clergy, scholars, business leaders, and other lay Catholics to explore the Church’s mission in contemporary culture. He’s known for his “salon dinners,” where he brings together people with different perspectives from within the church to break down walls and build friendships.  Together, Tim Busch and Fr. Jim discuss: Reaching out and listening to people, even when we disagree ideologically   Contemplative prayer for busy people  How our spirituality can help us remain open to people who believe or practice the faith differently than we do Chapters: 0:00 We all can be pastoral to one another 3:32 Tim’s leadership with the Eucharistic procession  4:45 Salon dinners – bringing Catholics together from diverse perspectives 11:57 The impact of Legatus on Tim Busch 17:15 Contemplative prayer for a busy person 22:32: Experiencing God in daily life  25:15 How to find God while suffering 29:45 What’s the Napa Institute? 34:40 Bridging divides in the Catholic church 41:59 Audience Question: How do I know if I’m giving enough of my time and material resources to those in need? Read Maggi’s spiritual advice column for this episode here: https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/10/26/tim-busch-spiritual-life-father-james-martin Links from the show:  Lowering the temperature in Catholic culture wars—over a meal Breaking bread and ending culture wars  Tim Busch and Jim Martin bring left and right Catholics together over dinner and wine   Support The Spiritual Life by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at:  thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices