Refreshing Bread

"As Mary could not hold on to the Jesus she had known, so we cannot hold on to the lives we have always known. To Golgotha we must go, bearing the cross of this pandemic with us, but where we are going is to the empty tomb, proof that death is not the end of the story. For, you see, Christ is risen—and so are we." +John Michael Botean --- Music: Scott Buckley - Tears in Rain

Bishop John Michael Botean CHristmas Message (2019)

Are you in a worrying mode? Worrying about worries? Best time to listen to this episode. Music: Kevin MacLeod ("Thunderbird", "Immersed")

Fear is a movement of the sensitive appetite. We experience it every day in different forms. Probably one of the greatest human fears is of the unknown - of death. How do we deal with that? Listen to this episode by Fr. Calin Tamiian to find out the answer. Music: Kevin MacLeod ("Our Story Begins", "In the Hall of the Mountain King", "Almost New"- see incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0 License.

Can you imagine a world in which kindness would be on everybody's lips as a result of the way in which people guide themselves daily? If kindness would be the currency that we use in every single relationship? Kindness is not just something that happens to us overnight. It is the result of many such efforts that can have a "butterfly effect" in the world that we are living. Music: Kevin MacLeod

What does the opioid crisis in Ohio and a lamb can have in common? Listen to Br. Seoirse's meditation on this stringent subject. Music: Kevin MacLeod Visit us at www.refreshingbread.org

This week's word is "revenge". How many times have you thought about "paying back" to someone who has heart you? What if there is another way, a better way to cope with this? Listen to Sr. Theresa's answer in overcoming her own challenge of dealing with the desire to take revenge. Music: Kevin MacLeod Visit us at www.refreshingbread.org

This week's word is "memory" and it's a search for a defining story answering one of the greatest human questions: who are we? Brought to you by Sr. Theresa. Music: Kevin MacLeod www.refreshingbread.org

This is a new series entitled "The Word of the Week" - One word, one story, one action. Episode 1: Incense (with Sr. Theresa Koernke) Music: Kevin MacLeod - Relent www.refreshingbread.org

The fourth element of the Church's Mission is Diakonia, service among others, as a way of living. Music by: Kevin MacLeod

The third element of the Church's Mission is Koinonia, the communion or fellowship with God and other Christians. Music by: Kevin MacLeod

Welcome to Refreshing Bread and our series, “The Mission of the Church Today”. Here is Father Calin Tamiian. This is Father Calin Tamiian again welcoming you to the series “The Mission of the Church Today”. We’re going to speak about liturghia. Liturghia is a Greek word that speaks about the praise and the worship that we are due to God. We use the word in English as liturgy both in East and West as a modality to name all those beautiful rituals that we are presenting as we sanctify the people of God. But liturghia goes much deeper than just those rituals and praises that we see in the public marketplace or in our churches. Liturghia is the way in which we exhibit or piety first individually and then as a Community of Faith, as the body of Christ. And when I speak about piety in my tradition as a Byzantine Catholic priest I merely go to my first image in my childhood of my grandmothers and the women in the villages in the Carpathian Mountains I grew up in. I remember the way in which they entered the church. Everything was so gracious, everything was speaking of a presence in the spirit, and even though often their theology was probably lacking a lot of understanding, their hearts were singing, their body was praising, and their mind was focused on one thing - to give thanks publicly to their presence in the Liturgy, to the deep gratefulness and reverence they had for God. So, liturgy for us needs to start the same way: wherever we are and wherever the Spirit of God brings us to witness to him to proclaim the good news, again it's not just the level of our words and our attitude towards the world, but it needs to come from a deep spiritual life. For that I often remind people if we eat several times a day and sometimes we would like to snack between the meals, do we pray likewise? Because as we need food and water to take care of our bodies we also need the exercise of piety in the praises that we bring to God who is the source and the author of all our lives. For that, what is your practice of liturghia today? How do you praise the one who doesn't need anything else from us, but just a deep heartfelt and bodily expressed thank you. When I’m thinking of the importance of liturghia, this story comes to mind. It is said that during the Russian Revolution of 1917, there was a group of monks living in a monastery. The commander of the Communist Party in that area decided to make an example out of them. Supposedly the monks were all fat and enjoying a good life. So he thought it would be an easy target to point out to the crowds that really religion has no power. And for that he brought out the crucifix from inside the monastery and asked the monks to spit on it and to step on it if they want to save the lives. An interesting thing happened right there in front of all the people. Under the pressure of such persecution the abbot looked at his brothers and said “Brothers, even though we had lived in the past in no accordance with the world of God, today it's important for us to witness to his presence among us”. And instead of spitting or trampling over the crucifix he bowed down and worshiped it, thus, a beautiful sign of the power of liturghia. This story ends with the fact that each and every single one of those monks ended up dying that day, but they died as Saints. And the Liturgy is the way in which the saints come together to worship and to witness and to work in the vineyard of the Lord every day of our lives. This is the end of episode 2 in the series “The Mission of the Church Today”. Refreshing bread is a production of the Romanian Catholic Diocese, Eparchy St George in Canton, Ohio. Today's episode was offered by Father Calin Tamiian. Our editing and technical support is cared for by Mr. Raul Botha. Thank you so much for listening. Music by: Kevin MacLeod ("Evening Melodrama", "Revival", "Runaways")

”Nu te teme, turmă mică.” Acestea sunt cuvintele lui Isus. Ele apar în Evanghelia Sfântului Luca (12:32), cuvinte pe care le-am ales ca moto al episcopatului meu cu douăzeci și unu de ani în urmă. Poate, acum, meditând asupra acestui moto, ați fi tentați să răspundeți "Dar de ce să nu ne temem? Trăim în momente înspăimântătoare!" Într-adevăr, lumea pare a fi un loc mai înspăimântător decât în aceeași perioadă a anului trecut, sau chiar cu șase luni în urmă, sau poate chiar săptămâna trecută, când ne îndreptăm instantaneu spre un fel de haos național și global, nefamiliar nouă și plin de presimțiri negre și de temut. Și nu există lipsă de "stăpâniri, autorități, și puteri [ale] acestui veac întunecat" (Efeseni 6:12) dispuse și capabile să se hrănească din teama noastră, să o folosească în moduri care par a amenința însăși existența rasei umane. ”Nu te teme, turmă mică.” În acest sezon de nopți lungi și de zile reci, mi se pare consolator să-mi amintesc aceste cuvinte ale Maestrului, deoarece El i-a sfătuit pe discipolii Săi să devină dependenți în totalitate de Dumnezeu. Nu ne putem uita la puterile instabile și tranzitorii ale acestei lumi pentru a ne oferi securitatea de care avem nevoie, pentru a trăi o viață demnă de a fi numită "umană". În schimb, nu trebuie să privim mai departe de o simplă iesle într-o peșteră întunecată din Bethlehem pentru a răspunde la toate întrebările noastre și pentru a găsi rezolvare tuturor problemelor noastre. În acea iesle sălășluiește misterul numit Emanuel, ”Dumnezeu este cu noi.” Dar trebuie să privim noi înșine în iesle; nimeni nu poate privi într-însa în locul nostru și să vadă ceea ce noi am putea vedea. Totuși, un lucru este sigur: ieslea nu este goală… Când ne uităm în ea, ochii lui Dumnezeu privesc înapoi spre noi cu iubire necondiționată și îndurare veșnică. Ne spune că suntem în siguranță cu El, iar eu Îl cred. Iar acum, în acest ceas solemn și dătător de speranță, vă doresc să regăsiți siguranța și pacea care vine de la cunoașterea lui Isus în acest Crăciun. Muzica: Kevin MacLeod - Meditation Impromptu 01

"Fear not, little flock." So go the words of Jesus from the Gospel of St. Luke (12:32) which I chose as the motto for my episcopal ministry twenty-one years ago. Perhaps, now, thinking about my motto, you might be tempted to ask, "Why not be afraid? We live in frightening times!" And indeed, the world seems a scarier place than it did this time last year, or even six months ago, or perhaps even last week, as we tumble headlong into a kind of national and global chaos, unfamiliar to us and full of foreboding and dread. And there certainly is no lack of the "principalities and powers" of which St. Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12, willing and able to feed off of our fear, to make use of this fear in ways that seem able to threaten the very existence of the human race. "Fear not, little flock." In this season of long nights and cold days, I find it comforting to remember these words of the Master as he advised His disciples to depend totally on God. We cannot look to the unstable, transitory powers of this world to provide us with the security we need to live a life worthy of the name "human." Instead, we need look no further than a simple manger in a dark cave in Bethlehem for the answer to all of our questions and the solution to all of our problems. In that manger lies the very mystery of Emmanuel, God-With-Us. But we must look into that manger ourselves; no one can gaze into it for us and see what we would see. Still, this much is certain: that Manger is not empty. When we look into it, it is the very eyes of God looking back at us with unconditional love and everlasting mercy. He says we are safe with Him, and I believe Him. May you too know the security and peace that comes from knowing Jesus this Christmas. Music: Kevin MacLeod - Meditation Impromptu 01

First in this series of 4 episodes on the mission of the Church today, Fr. Calin speaks today about kerygma (the power to proclaim) and how this power is present and can be used in our own lives.

While "Refreshing Bread" is transforming, enjoy the gift of Bishop John Michael Botean. Christ is Risen! What a gift!

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Adrian Rosca meditates upon the simple but often forgotten truth: Jesus has come to call sinners and heal them. Those who are well are not in need of healing. Since we are all sinners in one way or another, Jesus calls us, you and me. How do we respond to his call? In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Adrian Rosca Mark 2:14-17 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Adrian Rosca reminds us that dishonesty equates victims. In contrast, God is fair and right and expects the same from us. God is perfects and expects us to be perfect. Loves honesty and integrity and will bless us if we are just and fair. Proverbs 10:31 – 11:12 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Adrian Rosca makes an insightful analogy: imagine receiving two invitations to dine at different restaurants. The first is in the best restaurant in town, the second is a place almost shut down by the health inspector. Which one will you accept? Similarly, in our reading wisdom’s invitation to humanity is to a banquet at her house, with best food and drinks, great people and all are welcome. Foolishness, invites humanity to a different kind of meal – stolen food, eaten in secret; death is her guest. Which one will you choose? Proverbs 9:12 - 9:18 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Adrian Rosca speaks about wisdom as a “treasure of blessings.” Wisdom offers us life in God’s favor. This is the abundant life, this is the best life, this includes eternal life. Wisdom is knowing the perfect will of our loving God for every aspect and choice of life. It is the ability and knowledge of making decisions in every part of our life. Proverbs 8:32 - 9:11 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Adrian Rosca meditates upon wisdom as a personified being who invites us all to be attentive to her words and influence in human society, calling out people from all walks of life. Wisdom is the voice who stands among the people and demands attention; she is the guiding force to all human affairs. Wisdom is God’s delight! Proverbs 8:1-21 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Ovidiu Marginean is reflecting on the importance of our need to preach, teaching and acting with compassion just like Jesus did. Mark 1:35-44 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Ovidiu Marginean is reflecting upon the destroying power of the person who gives in the temptation of adultery. Proverbs 6:20 – 7:1 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Ovidiu Marginean is reflecting on the importance of our community. Just as in the case of ants or bees, a Christian life lived as a group where each member works for the good of the community not just themselves, is ultimately a life wisely lived. Proverbs 6:3-20 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Ovidiu Marginean is focusing on wisdom and marriage. Wisdom is having God always connected to one's marriage through ongoing communication and sharing with one's loved one the joys and sorrows of the day. Proverbs 5:1-15 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Ovidiu Marginean is reflecting on wisdom, our preserver and safe guarder, but also the power of understanding, as goals we should all pursue in our daily living. Proverbs 5:15-6:3 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Ovidiu Marginean is reflecting on the practical advice this section of proverbs on marriage, namely the emphasis placed on fidelity, which is key for a good life in marriage. Proverbs 5:15- 6:3 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Calin Tamiian meditates on Jesus' true love and courage as visible in his story of healing during the Sabbath. Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-5 Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Calin Tamiian focuses on the idea of doing good for our neighbors today - not tomorrow or the week after - but in the present moment. Proverbs 3:19-34 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today's episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Calin Tamiian meditates on how the Lord disciplines us. These moments are opportunities to grow. Discipline and some reproof although not pleasant in the moment, if done in love might bring good fruits in the end. Proverbs 3:1-18 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Calin Tamiian explores further the wisdom of God, one that does not change from one season to another, from one generation to another. This understanding will enable us to make our life more pleasant, prudent in regards to our temptations, and compassionate with our brothers and sisters in their realities. Proverbs 2:1-22 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Calin Tamiian is reflecting on the focus we place on our material and spiritual security. Security is of great importance to all of us. Yet, all the dimensions of our security, including our future are encompassed in the wisdom of God. Consequently, an easy heart is one that puts not its hope and faith into the things of the world but it comes from trusting God. Proverbs 1:20-33 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Calin Tamiian is reflecting on God’s wisdom and our foolishness. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Fools despise wisdom and instruction. We are fools when we are full of ourselves. Yet in the fear of the Lord we will find the true knowledge. Are we humble enough to let God guide us in this season of Lent and hear God’s voice in the voices of our brothers and sisters? Proverbs 1:1-20 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Meditation by Fr. Cristian Laslo Today’s reading presents us part of the Testament that Christ left for his followers. After His passion, He anticipates the apparition of false witnesses; He reassures his disciples about the end of the ages, and he impels them to a virtuous life, for “all things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.” (2 Corinthians 10, 23). We heard about the false prophets that will rise, those who never knew God, but will try to impose their ideas about Him; those who will ask for benefits for their sweet poisoned words. They were always present in the history, and always will be, but God said: “I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied” (Jeremiah 23, 21). All Scripture talks about the wolves dressed in sheepskin, inviting us to stay away from them, and to protect our Tradition and Sacraments. Regarding the end of the world, Jesus reminds us about the words of the Psalmist: “Of old thou didst lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They will perish, but thou dost endure, they will all wear out like a garment. […] thou art the same, and thy years have no end.” (Psalm 102, 25-27). All the creatures have a beginning and an end, and all the matter will change its shape, but God will be always the same. In this life the mankind has the same faith: “…one fate comes to all, to the righteous and the wicked, to he good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good man, so is the sinner; and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath.” (Ecclesiastes 9, 2). The difference will be made at the Last Judgment by the way we have lived our lives. The Gospels of this week lead us like a cortege through the last days of our Savior on the Earth. From Gethsemane to Golgotha we have witnessed the human weakness in all its shapes, but also the perfection brought by Jesus in the deified body. At the light of the Resurrection, Christ’s Passions are a triumphal march to life. The book of Isaiah prophesies about Jesus: “… he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53, 12b). This verse is a good start when we meditate upon our lives. Do we feel sorry for our transgressions? How often we confess them? In order to maintain the grace and the Truth in our lives, do we use the prayer and the biblical readings? How often? Luke 21, 8-9, 25-27, 33-36

Meditation by Fr. Cristian Laslo The Roman soldiers are taking Jesus up to Golgotha for the supreme sacrifice. For them it was only an amusement, for the Jews a revenge, but for the rest of mankind it was an act of kindness and mercy, the supreme act of love for the humanity. In the praetorium, or the Pilate’s palace court Jesus is stripped of his shirt and beaten without reason. Pilate thought that like that he could temper the Jewish accusers, but they did not have enough; they’ve received Barabbas, and now they wanted Jesus’ life. The soldiers are taking Jesus out of town, to the place called Golgotha and they are crucifying Him. Still, Jesus was praying for them. Unfortunately, the sacrifices for God were not stopped on Golgotha, but that was only the starting point for persecutions. Millions of Christians have died all over the places under this world rulers, and many are dying even today in Africa, Middle East or Asia. Just as Jesus, they are calling in their sufferings: “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?” (Psalm 22, 1). For their belief insults have broken their hearts,..., they have looked for pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but they found none. They gave them poison for food, and for their thirst, vinegar to drink (cf. Psalm 69, 20-21). One can think of Christianity that it’s a morbid religion which calls to self sacrifice upon the world’s altar, and God is a bloodthirsty deity. But God is only thirsty for our love and kindness, and wants from us to kill the unclean desires in our bodies and souls. He is telling us: “Look to yourselves, that you may not lose what you have worked for, but may win a full reward”. (2 John 1, 8). Jesus Christ killed in himself the worldly temptations, gave Himself for the salvation of all. In anticipation for the Lent, how do we fight with the daily temptations? How do we prove the love for our neighbor? In agony Jesus was praying to the Father for his oppressors. Are we usually praying for others? Mark 15, 20. 22. 25. 33-41 Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Meditation by Fr. Cristian Laslo Today’s Gospel is inviting us to reflect upon our Savior who is brought in front of the world’ rulers to be judged for revealing God’ love for mankind. Trying to interfere as little as possible in Jewish community, Pilate offers them to choose between Jesus and Barabbas, a killer. And they have chosen the killer. Jesus’ dialog with Pilate is more like a friendly talking than an interrogation. At Pilate’s questions, Jesus is not answering; He didn’t come to justify Himself. He came to act accordingly to the Father’ will. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53, 7). Just like his disciples, the multitude seems to have forgotten the miracles that were done for them. They were already fed, healed, resurrected. They got what they expected, and now, after they have spread their clothing at His feet, they want Him dead. And they found even an alternative to be release: a killer who disobeyed the roman ruler and thought that he will free the land of Israel into a rebellion. Jesus was ready for this too. He was prepared for the supreme sacrifice which have shaken the world and its numbness, for “… the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, to know him who is true…” (I John 5, 20). Today we are working for our bread, we are praying for a miracle when we are sick, and we might have little confidence in front of the death. But children are killed in their mothers’ wombs, elders and veterans are abandoned on the streets and it seems that Jesus has died on the Cross. Where is He nowadays? Where is He when we need Him? Well, He is still alive in the Sacraments and acts pale through the humblest instruments who chose Him into their lives. The evil ruler of this world puts us to choose between Christ our Savior and the sweet deadly sin. Whom we choose today? Mark 15, 1-15 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Meditation by Fr. Cristian Laslo In today’s Gospel we meet Jesus praying in Gethsemane garden, where He is found by Judah and the Temple’s guard. Through a kiss Jesus is identified, caught, and brought in front of a illegitimate court. They are bringing him false testimonies, but He doesn’t collaborate with the vicious men. Revealing Himself as the Son of God, they accuse Him of blasphemy, and they are sending him at the Roman authority. When we read the end of chapter 14 in the Gospel according to Mark, our heart can be filled with resentment against Jesus’ disciples. On the one hand is Judah, who for a few pennies betrays his Master, his friend, his brother. On the other hand most of the other apprentices, astonished and tired, fled. Peter has an salvific attempt, but he is appeased by Jesus. He also finds the courage to follow the crowd into the courtyard of the high priest, but here he will deny his Master too. Just like Job in his sufferings, Jesus could have said: “… my acquaintances are wholly estranged from me. My kinsfolk and my close friends have failed me…” (Job 19, 13-14), or just like the Psalmist: “Thou hast caused my companions to shun me; thou hast made me a thing of horror to them” (Psalm 88, 8). He was left alone in front of this world’ rulers… Because they could not accuse him, malicious witnesses rise up; they asked of things that he knew not. They requite Him evil for good; His soul was forlorn. (cf. Psalm 35, 11-12). And yet, just as Daniel the prophet, He told them: “I saw in the night vision, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, there came on like a son of man and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him…” (Daniel 7, 13-14). For these words he was punished: “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting.” (Isaiah 50, 6). And then “the kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed” (Psalm 2, 2). The resentment seems justified, the hate against the traitor and cowards also. But us, as followers of Jesus through the Baptism, how do we defend Him against today’s judgments? Do we have the courage to sit next to him when He is betrayed? Do we dare to pull out the sword of love and understanding when He is attacked, spited and denigrated? How often are we preach Him in front of our family, friends, and of the whole world? Mark 14, 43 – 15, 1-2 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Meditation by Fr. Cristian Laslo “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord, throughout your generations you shall observe it as an ordinance for ever.” (Book of Exodus 12, 14). Chapter 14 from the Gospel of Mark contemplates of the Last Supper, and Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. It also reveals the the perverted nature of mankind, using the image of the corrupted Judah and the weakness of the other disciples. Jesus is observing the Mosaic law before the Passover, sitting together with his brothers… true the corrupted ones. He knew them well, their desires, their dreams, their weaknesses. Yet, He didn’t choose them by their human impulses, but by their spark of divinity hidden deep into their conscience. The greedy Judah, the incredulous Thomas, the immature John, the unreliable Peter, the unstable sons of Zebedee… all in the same room, all at the same table, all receiving the true Body and Blood of Christ. After dinner they weren’t able to assist at the vigil in the garden. Yet they were forgiven, for they were sons of God. First letter of John reminds us: “By this it may be seen who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother…” (I John 3, 10). The true model of love is again Jesus, who laid down his life for us. Today’s lesson is the love for our neighbors, for our brothers and sisters. But how can we take the model of Jesus into our lives? “If anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide him?” (v. 17). Are we capable of such of love? Are we aware of observing such a commandment? How do we find power TODAY to believe in the name of Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he commanded? Mark 14, 10-42 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Meditation by Fr. Cristian Laslo In today’s Gospel Jesus is ready to enter in Jerusalem as the true Son of Man, like the old kings of Israel. His disciples are preparing the colt on which no one has ever sat, the crowds are spreading their garments on the road, and leafy branches, crying out loud “Hosanna!...” The King is bringing the new life to the mankind. A very ridiculous trend in every generation is to be concerned about the end of the world, about the apocalypse. If not, we are investing time in all kind of projects or hobbies, neglecting more and more the most important project which is our soul. And most of us have forgot that we have a soul, the living part of our existence, the only part that is everlasting and will live after our bones will be dried out and our memory long forgotten. This week's Gospel wants to remind us about the true meaning of our life, describing us a very human face of our Savior. In chapter 11 from Mark, we meet Jesus as he’s approaching to Jerusalem for the last time. He is surrounded by his disciples and a large crowd, and his entrance into the town reminds of the second book of the Kings: “every man… took his garment and put it under him and acclaimed…” (2 Kings 9, 13). As a man, and after many years surrounded by his disciples and the needy crowds, Jesus understood his mission, his call, his duty to the Father in Heaven. He was sent to become the Lamb of God, the one who takes upon himself the sins of the world, the one who will restore the bounds between the mankind and God. He had no time to think upon apocalypse, upon ending of all ages and generations… He had a different mission. His mission was to spread the eternal life to his creature, to call them out of this life’s mirage and open their eyes, our eyes to the true meaning of our existence. His mission was to eradicate the work of the evil, the sins out of our souls and bodies. St. John in his first letter warns that so far “many antichrists have come” (I John 2, 18) and “he who commits sins is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning.” This warning is for us today as it was for our forefathers: what kind of work are we doing into this world? How do we live our lives and who is guiding us? Are we the true followers of Jesus or have we lost our path by sins? Mark 14, 10-42 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Radu Titonea meditates on the way we give. When we don’t have but give, it is not the amount that counts, but the heart or intention behind the giving. Similarly, when we have more, we don’t have to always do the math, but rather focus on God’s and our own satisfaction for the help that we have provided. All in all, in this life, the more we give, the more we will receive. Luke 20:45-47; 21:1-4 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Radu Titonea meditates upon the only extravaganza Jesus made in his life – accepting the ointment poured on him by the woman. When we do something to please God, even if it looks like a waste, it is not. God deserves our best, because God is the best. Mark 14:3-9 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Radu Titonea encourages us to be attentive moment in and moment out, because we know not when the end is coming. Being prepared through confession, prayer and good relationships enforces us to constantly consider the two directions of our lives: developing our relationship with God and our relationship with other human beings. Mark 13:31-27; 14:1-2 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Radu Titonea invites us to stop and think for a moment how might Heaven look like. Mark 13:24-31 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Radu Titonea meditates on the end of times. The real question is not whether it is coming or not. The appropriate question is if it comes today, am I ready? Mark 13:14-23 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Radu Titonea meditates on how those who believe in the gospel and try to live accordingly to their beliefs are being rejected and persecuted by the society or even by their own families. Society’s focus on individualism seems to be in contrast with Jesus' teaching of loving one's enemy. Mark 13:9-13 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Adrian Rosca meditates on the need for persistent prayer in our lives both during the good times but especially during the difficult times. As we pray we begin to realize that ultimately what we want is what we need, and what we need is to bring our thinking, dreams and ambitions totally in line with God’s way of seeing things. Luke 18:2-8 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Adrian Rosca reminds us of our ephemeral nature. One day the great buildings and structures of our lives will fall. The very things we built our trust upon to give us identity, meaning and security will eventually collapse. Life changes, loved ones die, relationships break up, bodies get sick. Nevertheless, God’s dwelling in our heart cannot be destroyed… Mark 13:1-8 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Adrian Rosca meditates on the story of Jesus' presentation in the temple, with a special focus on Mary and Joseph. Their experience, always stretching their beliefs and faith is a powerful source of inspiration for us all. Luke 2:22-40 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Adrian Rosca invites us to think about the two major commandments Jesus gives to the Scribe: love your God and love your neighbor. One cannot exist without the other. The question is how do we apply it in our daily living? Mark 12:28-37 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Adrian Rosca challenges us to consider the difficult times when just like the Sadducees we are tempted to ask Jesus trick questions and doubt his presence and influence in our lives. In this situation, remembering the times of consolation, when Jesus' was a felt presence is a powerful exercise to remind ourselves of his eternal commitment to our well-being. Mark 12:18-27 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In today’s episode of Refreshing Bread, Fr. Adrian Rosca meditates about humans being the light of the world. We need to share our light with everyone we encounter. How do we share our light? God invitation is for us to shine generously through our day to day acts. Matthew 5:14-19 Music: Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)