Archdiocese of New York Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Espaillat delivered an unconventional but powerful keynote address at the 20th annual Los Angeles Catholic Prayer Breakfast on September 16, weaving together rap lyrics and biblical teachings to challenge the 1,600 attendees gathered at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Angelus, the official publication of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, reported.

The Bronx-based bishop, known for his work with youth ministry and his popular podcast “Sainthood in the City,” drew wisdom from unexpected sources. During his address, he quoted what he called “philosophers” from the hip-hop world.

“As the great philosopher Ice Cube said: ‘You need to check yourself before you wreck yourself, because it’s bad for your health, right?'” Bishop Espaillat asked the crowd, using the rapper’s words to emphasize the importance of self-reflection and personal accountability, Angelus reported.

“Another great philosopher, Eminem, once said, ‘The world, feed it beans, it’s gassed up,'” using this quote to discuss how the world can become inflated with false promises and empty pursuits.

Bishop Espaillat connected these modern references back to Scripture, drawing from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans. He emphasized Romans 5, highlighting how “hope does not disappoint,” and Romans 12:12, which calls believers to “Rejoice in hope. Be patient in suffering. Persevere in prayer.”

The bishop focused on authentic faith that moves beyond mere belief to action. “Real, genuine faith is accepting: accepting God, accepting his word, accepting the sacraments,” he explained. “And then you just can’t stay there, like many Catholics do on a Sunday. What’s your response?”

Addressing the young people in the audience, Bishop Espaillat challenged them to live authentically: “When you’re fake, they smell it. And by the way, to all of my young people, let me tell y’all this: If you don’t like fake, don’t be fake because that’s the problem. You call yourselves Catholic? Live it. Don’t just talk about it. Be about it.”

The bishop connected contemporary struggles with spiritual emptiness, arguing that when people “don’t believe in anything, despair sets in.” He urged Catholics to overcome their tendency toward silence and share their faith: “Faith will not be given to the world if we don’t come out and give it to them. It’s our job. It’s our duty. God gave you a mouth, use it.”

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