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The Clintons agreed to testify in a congressional investigation related to their involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, Democrats unexpectedly flip a Texas Senate seat in a special election. And finally, Billie Eilish gets checked by the indigenous for her comments on "stolen land." All this and more on the LOOPcast!Get your FREE PHONE as a new Charity Mobile user with every new line — and FREE SHIPPING — with promo code LOOPCAST at https://bit.ly/LOOPcast-CharityMobile Families can now find over 100 faithful Catholic schools, colleges, and graduate programs that meet The Cardinal Newman Society's high standards of fidelity and formation in The Newman Guide. Request your FREE eBook copy of the 2025-2026 Newman Guide here: https://cardinalnewmansociety.org/loopcast Celebrate the Catholic contribution to the US on its 250th anniversary at the 21st annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast! 1500+ attendees will experience a beautiful morning of prayer, inspiring speakers, and more! https://bit.ly/LOOPcast-NCPB-2026 00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast06:23 SSPX Update12:26 Clintons to Testify36:29 Good News44:17 TX Special Election1:00:34 Twilight Zone1:09:00 Closing PrayerEMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org SUPPORT LOOPCAST: www.loopcast.orgCheck out the LOOPcast on Zeale: https://zeale.co Subscribe to the LOOP today!https://catholicvote.org/getloop Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-loopcast/id1643967065 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08jykZi86H7jKNFLbSesjk?si=ztBTHenFR-6VuegOlklE_w&nd=1&dlsi=bddf79da68c34744 FOLLOW LOOPCast: https://x.com/the_LOOPcast https://www.instagram.com/the_loopcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@the_loopcast https://www.facebook.com/LOOPcastPodcast Tom: https://x.com/TPogasic Erika: https://x.com/ErikaAhern2 Josh: https://x.com/joshuamercer Mary, Mother of the "Yes", you listened to Jesus,and know the tone of his voice and the beating of his heart.Morning Star, speak to us of him,and tell us about your journey of following him on the path of faith.Mary, who dwelt with Jesus in Nazareth,impress on our lives your sentiments,your docility, your attentive silence,and make the Word flourish in genuinely free choices.Mary, speak to us of Jesus, so that the freshness of our faithshines in our eyes and warms the heart of those we meet,as you did when visiting Elizabeth,who in her old age rejoiced with you for the gift of life.Mary, Virgin of the Magnificathelp us to bring joy to the world and, as at Cana,lead every young person involved in service of othersto do only what Jesus will tell them.Mary, look upon the Agora of youth,so that the soil of the Italian Church will be fertile.Pray that Jesus, dead and Risen, is reborn in us,and transforms us into a night full of light, full of him.Mary, Our Lady of Loreto, Gate of Heaven,help us to lift our eyes on high.We want to see Jesus, to speak with him,to proclaim his love to all.All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.
“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Peter's reaction to a miraculous catch of fish is more fearful than joyful in the presence Jesus' holiness. In final episode of The Magnificent 37, we examine three miracles involving the disciples' work and witness: the initial calling of the fishermen in Luke 5, the post-resurrection catch in John 21 that restores Peter, and the healing of Malchus' ear in Gethsemane. These signs reveal a Savior who provides abundantly for His Church, restores the fallen to service, and extends mercy even to His enemies in the hour of darkness. The Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minot, ND, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Luke 5:1–11, John 21:1–14, and Luke 22:50–51. To learn more about St. Paul's in Minot, visit anchoredminot.com. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
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A blind beggar cries out for mercy while a leafy fig tree stands barren of fruit. In this penultimate episode of The Magnificent 37, we explore a stark contrast between faith and fruitlessness. Jesus heals Bartimaeus, whose physical blindness is replaced by spiritual sight and discipleship. Conversely, the cursing of the fig tree serves as a living parable of judgment against a temple system that had the appearance of life but produced no fruit of repentance. Together, these accounts teach us about the power of persistent prayer and the danger of spiritual hypocrisy. The Rev. Peter Burfeind, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Union City, MI and Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Marshall, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 10:46–52 and Mark 11:12–25. To learn more about Our Savior and Agnus Dei Lutheran, visit facebook.com/oursaviorunioncity and agnusdeimarshall.com. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
“I am the resurrection and the life.” Nowhere is this claim more vividly demonstrated than at the tomb of Lazarus. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we stand with the weeping sisters of Bethany and the weeping Savior to witness the seventh and greatest sign in John's Gospel. While death seems final and the stench of the grave is real, Jesus proves that He is the Master over death itself. With a loud command, He calls the dead to life, foreshadowing His own victory over the grave and the future resurrection of all believers. The Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 11:1–44. To learn more about Trinity in New Haven, visit trinitynewhaven.com. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
Where are the nine? It is a haunting question that exposes the frequent ingratitude of the human heart. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we look at two distinct miracles: the provision of the temple tax from a fish's mouth and the cleansing of ten lepers. While the first shows Jesus' lordship over creation and His freedom as the Son of God, the second highlights the nature of true faith—faith that not only receives God's gifts but returns to the Giver with thanksgiving and praise. The Rev. Steven Theiss, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 17:24–27 and Luke 17:11–19. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
From Water to Wine: When Jesus Steps In – John 2 In this episode of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane explore John chapter 2, beginning with Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana and continuing through the cleansing of the temple. Together, they unpack what these moments reveal about Jesus' authority, compassion, and timing. From quiet transformation to bold confrontation, John 2 shows us that Jesus doesn't just improve our circumstances—He reorders what matters most. This conversation invites listeners to trust Jesus in both the celebration and the disruption. ____________________________________ Connect with Jamie: Website: www.jamieklusacek.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacek Connect with Jane: Website: www.janewwilliams.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” The disciples look for a cause, but Jesus looks for a purpose: “that the works of God might be displayed in him.” In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we study the healing of the man born blind. This narrative is as much about spiritual sight as physical healing; as the man's vision becomes clearer and his confession bolder, the Pharisees plunge deeper into the darkness of unbelief, proving that the worst blindness is the refusal to see Jesus as the Light of the World. The Rev. Jim Daub, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Havelock, NC, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 9:1–41. To learn more about St. Paul Lutheran, visit stpaulhavelock.com. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
What if your deepest longings aren't bad, they're just aimed too low? This week on The Cutting Room Floor, Neil and Scott dig into Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana and the details that didn't make it into Sunday's message. They talk about servants hauling heavy jars, why obedience often feels inconvenient, and how our everyday desires point to something far bigger than we expect. From baby pools at the beach to the smell of bread outside a packed restaurant, this conversation keeps circling one question: Are we settling for the sample when Jesus is offering the table? Challenge: Do what Jesus says. Trust Him with the results. Don't settle for the smell of the feast when you've been invited to sit down. Hosts: Neil Gregory & Scott Nickell What We Discuss: Why the servants matter more in the Cana story than we usually notice Obedience that feels small, but costs something Dirty water jars and why Jesus loves repurposing unlikely things Desire: not too strong, but too weak C.S. Lewis, baby pools, and missing the ocean right in front of us The danger of legalism and the ditch on the other side of freedom Why churches can feel fake and how pretending kills community Bars, belonging, and why everyone wants a place where they're known "Obey Jesus and leave the consequences to Him" The invitation to the feast and what keeps people from accepting it ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give
“I believe; help my unbelief!” This desperate cry from a father resonates with every Christian who has ever struggled in faith. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we examine two difficult healings: the two-stage healing of the blind man at Bethsaida and the exorcism of a boy with a mute spirit. These miracles show us that faith is not always a straight line and that Jesus meets us in our weakness. Whether clarity comes gradually or through a struggle against the forces of darkness, Christ remains the author and perfecter of our faith. The Rev. David Boisclair, senior pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 8:22–26 and Mark 9:14–29. To learn more about Our Redeemer, visit ourredeemerstl.org. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
Is the bread of children to be thrown to the dogs? When a Canaanite woman presses Jesus for mercy, she responds with profound faith that even the crumbs from the Master's table are enough. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we see Jesus extend His saving work beyond the borders of Israel. From the healing of the Syrophoenician woman's daughter to the Feeding of the 4,000 (a distinct miracle in Gentile territory), Christ reveals that His compassion and His bread are for all nations. The Rev. Jacob Hercamp, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Noblesville, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 15:21–28 and Mark 8:1–9. To learn more about Christ Lutheran, visit clc-in.org. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
At a wedding in Cana, we witness the first miracle of Jesus—turning water into wine—and discover five transformative principles for experiencing God's power in our lives.CONNECT WITH SHELTER COVE HERE AT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheltercove.. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheltercovelive TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheltercove Website: https://sheltercovelive.com #Wine #John #ShelterCove
“He has done all things well.” The crowds marveled as Jesus made the deaf hear and the mute speak. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we follow Jesus to Gennesaret, where the mere touch of His garment brings healing, and to the Decapolis, where He sighs toward heaven and commands, “Ephphatha” (Be opened!). These physical miracles point to the greater spiritual reality that Jesus opens our ears to hear His Word and loosens our tongues to confess His name, restoring the creation to its intended purpose of praising the Creator. The Rev. Keith Lingsch, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Naples, FL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 6:53–56 and Mark 7:31–37. To learn more about Grace Lutheran, visit graceofnaples.com. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
First Nations across the country are reporting a major loss of funding for children's programs after the federal government changed Jordan's Principle rules last February. Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation have been at a hearing at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal since October, accusing Ottawa of systematically underfunding on-reserve child and family services in Canada. We speak with lawyer Kent Elson.
Five barley loaves and two small fish are meager rations for a crowd of thousands, yet in the hands of Jesus, they become a feast. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we study the Feeding of the 5,000 as recorded by St. John. This sign points directly to Jesus as the New Moses and the true Bread of Life. He does not merely give us what we need for the body; He gives us Himself, satisfying the deepest hunger of the human soul in the wilderness of this world. The Rev. Matthew Kusch, pastor of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 6:1–14. To learn more about King of Glory, visit kogelgin.org. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
Holy Mother Church assigns the liturgical calendar to reinforce crucial lessons for our lives. Of the seven sacraments, two are designated by God for the good of society: the priesthood and marriage. At the Wedding at Cana, God specifically elevated what was natural to the supernatural by blessing that union. God's grace given through these sacraments are meant to give us the strength to fulfill their ends. In marriage specifically, we are are called upon to undertake the blessing that Our Lord gave us from the beginning, namely to be fruitful and multiply while also supporting our spouse with care and love.
“Have mercy on us, Son of David!” With this bold statement, two blind men confess what the religious leaders refused to see: that Jesus is the promised Messiah. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we encounter a rapid succession of miracles in Matthew's Gospel, including the healing of the blind and the casting out of a mute demon. These acts fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah that the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the tongue of the mute shall sing. Jesus once again through signs and wonders reveals that the Kingdom of God has indeed broken into our midst. The Rev. Joseph Cox, Director of Curriculum and Education at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 9:27–33 and Matthew 12:22–23. To learn more about Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, visit lslancers.org. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
Holy Mother Church assigns the liturgical calendar to reinforce crucial lessons for our lives. Of the seven sacraments, two are designated by God for the good of society: the priesthood and marriage. At the Wedding at Cana, God specifically elevated what was natural to the supernatural by blessing that union. God's grace given through these sacraments are meant to give us the strength to fulfill their ends. In marriage specifically, we are are called upon to undertake the blessing that Our Lord gave us from the beginning, namely to be fruitful and multiply while also supporting our spouse with care and love.
#catholic #sspxOn this Second Sunday after Epiphany, it is customary to speak about the sacrament of matrimony, because of the Gospel about the wedding feast at Cana.Today, however, I would like to speak about a different kind of marriage, the union that exists between Christ and His Spouses in the religious life.We have this incredible blessing here at St. Isidore's that the Consoling Sisters are planning to build a novitiate. This will be a place where young women will be prepared to become spouses of Christ.They will be prepared to enter into a way of life that has existed from the earliest days of the Church, wherein young ladies forego marrying and having a family in order to give their lives completely to Christ.There are three stages at every novitiate:first is the postulancy, which is the period of time when the young lady comes to the novitiate and adjusts to the life there. This usually lasts for six months.Second is the novitiate. It is started by the young lady taking the religious habit and receiving a religious name. The novitiate is a time for her to practice in earnest the three religious vows and for her to be trained in the religious life by the mistress of novices. The novitiate typically lasts for two years.The third stage is the taking of vows, also known as the first profession. That is the day when the young lady approaches the altar and binds herself to the three vows of religion for the first time. She takes the vow of poverty, whereby she can only use material things under the direction of her superior; the vow of chastity, whereby she does not seek any earthly love but only the love of Christ; and the vow of obedience, whereby she submits her will to the will of her superiors. She makes these three vows in order to give herself to Christ in the most perfect way possible. This is why she typically receives a ring on the day of her first profession. From that point, she officially lives the religious life and is given some assignment by her order. She leaves the novitiate and joins a community of sisters somewhere else.This special way of life, this beautiful way of life, is a treasure of the Catholic Church. The fact that the Catholic Church, and pretty much the Catholic Church alone, has promoted and fostered this way of life throughout her entire history is a sign of her holiness. The fact that millions of women have lived this way of life in the past 2000 years is a sign that the Catholic Church is truly a divine institution.This way of life is also a great gift to the world, because the nun is a very special kind of woman. She is a woman who is a bride of Christ, living a supernatural life and possessing a special kind of love that she brings to everything that she does. Her life of sacrifice and her intense love of Christ make her able to do great things for God in this world, that no one else can do.
“My name is Legion, for we are many.” On the shores of the Gerasenes, Jesus encounters a man so possessed by evil that he lives among the tombs, cutting himself with stones, decrying all who would try to help him. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we witness the absolute authority of Christ over the powers of darkness. Jesus casts the demons into a herd of pigs, demonstrating that one human soul is worth more to God than even a community's entire economy! The man, once naked and raving, is found seated, clothed, and in his right mind. What a beautiful picture of the restoration found in the Gospel! The Rev. Dr. John Rickert, pastor emeritus in South Carolina, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 5:1–20. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
The sea was a symbol of chaos and death for the ancient world, but for Jesus, it is merely a footpath. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we navigate the storms of life with the disciples in two harrowing accounts: Jesus calming the wind and waves with a word, and Jesus walking on the water. Whether sleeping in the boat or pulling sinking Peter from the depths, Jesus reveals Himself as the Lord of Creation who commands the elements and comforts His fearful people with the words, “It is I; do not be afraid.” The Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 4:35–41 and Matthew 14:22–33. To learn more about Trinity in Edwardsville, visit trinitylutheranministries.org. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
We all know what happened at Cana but what is the deeper meaning? It is much more than Jesus just turning water into wine. With so much to understand in this one passage, Fr. Chris Alar breaks it down so it is easy to understand and will help you to understand the significance of the role of Mary as intercessor. It is Biblical!
Fr. Robert McTeigue, S.J. reflects on the wedding feast at Cana to confront the loss of joy in a world that feels chaotic and burning. He calls us to rediscover peace and joy by clinging to Christ crucified, risen, and reigning. Watch on YouTube: They Have No Wine—Now What?
Twelve years of bleeding and a dying twelve-year-old girl. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we explore a "miracle within a miracle." As Jesus goes to save the daughter of Jairus, He is interrupted by a woman who touches His garment in faith. This "divine interruption" teaches us that God's delays are not God's denials. Jesus demonstrates His power over chronic illness and death itself, taking the dead girl by the hand and speaking the tender words, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The Rev. Steve Andrews, Jr., pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 5:25–43. To learn more about St. Matthew Lutheran, visit GraceFaithLove.org. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
January 18th, 2026: Our Lady Acts as Mediatrix; The Bond Between Cana & Calvary; She Left the Details Up to Him; The Epiphany of Cana
1 And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. 4 And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.[4] "What is that to me": These words of our Saviour, spoken to his mother, have been understood by some commentators as harsh, they not considering the next following verse: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye, which plainly shews that his mother knew of the miracle that he was to perform, and that it was at her request he wrought it; besides the manner of speaking the words as to the tone, and the countenance shewn at the same time, which could only be known to those who were present, or from what had followed: for words indicating anger in one tone of voice, would be understood quite the reverse in another. 6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. 7 Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. 9 And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, 10 And saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
In this familiar story of the water changed into wine, John the gospel writer points us back to "on the third day" when the old covenant was given (Exodus 19). There at the foot of the mountain God gave his people his words; at the Cana wedding Jesus, introduced as the Word of God, was there. And in Hosea the people are called back to God, to be raised "on the third day". At the Cana wedding Jesus' response to his mother points forward to the wedding where He will be the groom to his bride, the church. John records that the disciples understood and believed in Jesus. Do we really get Jesus?
A funeral procession leaves the city of Nain, carrying the only son of a widow, but it collides with the Lord of Life. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we witness a miracle of pure, unsolicited grace. No one asks Jesus to help; His heart simply breaks for the grieving mother. He touches the coffin, making Himself ceremonially unclean, to make the boy clean and alive. This raising of the dead foreshadows the day when Christ will wipe away every tear and death shall be no more. The Rev. Robert Smith, pastor emeritus in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Luke 7:11–17. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
Matt Slick Live (Live Broadcast of 01/16/2026) is a production of the Christian Apologetics Research Ministry (CA RM). Matt answers questions on topics such as: The Bible, Apologetics, Theology, World Religions, Atheism, and other issues! You can also email questions to Matt using: info@carm.org, Put "Radio Show Question" in the Subject line! Answers will be discussed in a future show. Topics Include: Matt Mentions a Recent Bible Study Topic/ Matt Talks About his Upcoming Debate Schedule/ Email Question—How do you Explain James 2, "Faith Without Works is Dead"/ What About Lydia in the New Testament?/Blaise Pascal/ Are we "Born" into Sin?/ Why Did Jesus Make the Comments at The Wedding of Cana?/When is The Kingdom to Come?/ What About Hell and Annihilationism?/ January 16, 2026
“Woman, you are freed from your disability.” For eighteen years, Satan through some malevolent spirit had crippled this woman...until Jesus arrives. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we examine two Sabbath healings in Luke: the woman with a disabling spirit and the man with dropsy. Once again, Jesus confronts the legalism of the Pharisees, teaching that the Sabbath was made for releasing captives and showing mercy. By healing on the holy day, Jesus fulfills the ultimate purpose of the Sabbath as a gift of God providing rest to the weary. The Rev. Jesse Baker, pastor of Family of Christ in Houlton, WI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Luke 13:10–17 and Luke 14:1–6. To learn more about Family of Christ, visit familyofchristhoulton.org. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
Thursday January 15, 2026I Week After Epiphany Today's readings confront us with the seriousness of sin—and the surprising kindness of God. In Genesis 6:1–8, the growing corruption of humanity grieves the heart of God, yet grace shines through as Noah finds favor in the Lord. Hebrews 3:12–19 issues a sober warning against hardened hearts, reminding us that unbelief and disobedience quietly distance us from the living God. Then, in John 2:1–12, Jesus performs His first sign at a wedding in Cana, turning water into wine and revealing His glory—not in judgment, but in joy and abundance.Together, these passages invite us to reflect on the posture of our hearts. Will we resist God and drift toward hardness, or will we respond to His grace and allow Jesus to transform the ordinary places of our lives into spaces of new life and hope?
El Pastor Carlos Stahl aborda el tema sobre la maldición sobre Canaán y las razones y causas de la maldición.
“Do you want to be healed?” This is a curious question from Jesus to a man desperately trying to make his way to a miraculous healing pool. Of course he wants to be healed! So, why does he put his hope in this “magical” pool? In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we first follow Jesus to the Pool of Bethesda and then into a synagogue, where He encounters men burdened by infirmity and a religious system steeped in legalism. By commanding the invalid to rise and the man with the withered hand to stretch it out, Jesus “breaks the law” so far as the Pharisees are concerned, but, in reality, He is reclaiming the Sabbath as a day of mercy. The Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding, pastor emeritus in Ft. Meyers, FL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 5:1–15 and Mark 3:1–6. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
January 14th, 2026: St Hilary of Poitiers & St Felix of Nola; When Fathers have Eaten Sour Grapes; Know Your Faith - St Hilary of Poitiers; The Wedding at Cana
“Son, your sins are forgiven.” With this shocking declaration, Jesus shifts the focus from physical paralysis to spiritual brokenness, even daring to call this sinful man, “Son.” In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we witness Jesus proclaiming the Word of God and preaching the Gospel as well as the extraordinary faith of friends who tear open a roof to bring a paralyzed man to Jesus when the crowds were too big. Instead of simply healing the man, Jesus forgives him, revealing that His primary mission is to absolve sin. This miracle challenges the religious leaders (who can forgive sin but God alone?!) and proves that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, demonstrating that true healing begins with reconciliation with God. The Rev. John Lukomski, pastor emeritus and co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 2:1-12. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
What if the reason your faith keeps falling apart is that you've built it on a deal God never agreed to?Too many of us walk into faith thinking it's a contract—“God, if you do this for me, I'll believe in You.” That makes sense until life hurts. When the money runs out, the diagnosis hits, or the prayers go unanswered, we're left wondering if God broke the deal. In this message, we look at John 2 and how the miracle at Cana reveals something far deeper than a magic trick. Jesus isn't interested in transactional faith. He wants trust that holds, even when the wine runs out.Real faith begins when the contract ends. Like the disciples watching Jesus turn water into wine or the paralyzed man lowered through the roof, it's not about the miracle—it's about what the miracle points to. When faith stops being about what Jesus can do for you and starts being about who He is, something shifts. Your foundation gets stronger. You stop interpreting God's love through your pain, and start trusting His heart when life doesn't make sense. That's where unshakable faith is born.
“Go; your son will live.” With these simple words, Jesus demonstrates that His power is not bound by geography or proximity. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we explore two profound instances where the Lord heals from a distance: the Official's Son in John 4 and the Centurion's Servant in Luke 7. In both cases, desperate men seek Jesus, yet they learn that He does not need to be physically present to effect a cure. These signs show who Jesus is and that His Word and authority alone bridge the gap between life and death. The Rev. Burnell Eckardt, pastor emeritus and editor-in-chief of Gottesdienst: the Journal of Lutheran Liturgy, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 4:46–54 and Luke 7:1–10. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
This week we're reading the story of Jesus disrupting Temple commerce during the festival of Passover as told in John 2:13-25. Unlike the other Gospels, which place this story at the end of Jesus's ministry, John places it at the very beginning, just after Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine in Cana. If that story had led us to think that Jesus was going to be all “yes,” this story puts us squarely into the “no.” In this case, Jesus's “no' is to the intersection of worship and business, as Jesus declares, “Do not make my Father's house a house of commerce.” But what does it mean that the temple—and by extension our own churches and synagogues—shouldn't conduct business related to worship? Sure, we see how having a church gift shop might be a bit over the top, but travelers need to exchange money, pilgrims need to buy animals for sacrifice, and pastors need to feed their families. Perhaps, we think, Jesus is holding out an idealized view of a future in which money is no longer needed for worship. But here and now, in a world in which money is in fact necessary, perhaps we can at least try to minimize business of worship, making sure our finances support true worship rather than designing our worship to bring in more business.
On Sunday we kicked off a new sermon series : Revealed and Given: A Journey with Jesus through Epiphany and Lent. In the coming weeks, we'll be looking at stories about Jesus from the four Gospels that disclose or reveal something important about Jesus' identity and mission. This Sunday, Rick Hutton will be preaching on another seminal Epiphany story, the wedding feast at Cana.
John's Gospel is so very unique. It slows everything down. Jesus' big first appearance is at an unnamed wedding where he trying to keep attention away from himself, and the impact is small. John is presenting Jesus as something different than what people expect. A counter to the culture, a resistance to the powers and their ways. The main resistance being joy. The sermon is based on John 2:1-11.
We've all created a version of Jesus that fits comfortably in our pockets—a Jesus who affirms what we already believe, who never challenges our assumptions, who exists primarily to serve our preferences. But John chapter 2 shatters these tiny versions by presenting us with the Lord of both wine and whip. In the wedding at Cana, Jesus reveals himself as extravagantly generous, transforming over 120 gallons of water into the finest wine—not because anyone earned it, but because God's abundance flows freely to those in need. Yet immediately after, we see this same Jesus fashioning a whip and driving merchants from the temple, confronting religious hypocrisy and systems that exploit the vulnerable. These aren't contradictory portraits but complementary revelations of who God truly is. Jesus fills our tables when we need comfort and flips them when we need correction. He liberates us from two distorted views of God: the stingy, legalistic deity who withholds blessing, and the passive, transactional figure we can manipulate through religious performance. The climax comes when Jesus declares himself the true temple—the place where heaven and earth meet, where God and humanity are reunited. His death and resurrection replace all religious transaction with gracious relationship. We're invited not to manage faith or perform for God, but to drink deeply from the wine of his grace while allowing him authority to overturn whatever keeps us from wholeness. The question isn't which Jesus we prefer, but whether we're willing to encounter the real one.
Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
The account of Jesus' first recorded miracle begins with the observation: “They have no more wine” (v. 3) and ends with the host declaring, “you have saved the best [wine] till now” (v. 10)! With the arrival of Jesus, comes a time of miracles—signs—that the old wine is no more and the new wine of god's grace and mercy has arrived. Christ is the Word, spoke the Word, and demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This episode begins at the beginning with the Wedding at Cana but also covers when Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law in Matthew 8:14–17. The Rev. Dr. Mark Femmel, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Maryland Heights, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 2:1–11 and Matthew 8:14–17. To learn more about Zion in Maryland Heights, visit zionmh.org. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We'll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
Pruning To Prosper - Clutter, Money, Meals and Mindset for the Catholic Mom
Opening Bible verse: John 2:1-12 The Wedding Feast of Cana. Fruit of this mystery is: To Jesus, Through Mary Are you so overwhelmed with clutter that you find yourself unable to make any decisions? Do you plan on decluttering only to find yourself standing in a room confused about where to start? Are you hoping motivation will strike and you'll get it all done in one weekend? If this sounds like you, let's work together. Book a one hour virtual coaching session via Zoom. Together we craft a decluttering plan and I walk you through the process. You'll complete much of the decluttering on your own time at your own pace. I just give you the roadmap and the accountability. Cost $77 per hour. Virtual Coaching Schedule Not sure what you need? No problem! Book a complimentary 15 minute clarity call. We'll meet via Zoom and see if working with me would benefit you. Email me at: tightshipmama@gmail.com to schedule a time. Looking for community of like-minded women? Join the private Facebook community here: Facebook Group Prefer to receive a weekly email with the monthly freebie like a group rosary, group declutter, or budget Q&As? Join my mailing list here: Monthly Newsletter Do you like to watch a podcast? Check out my YouTube channel here: YouTube For any other inquiries or guest appearances, please email me at: tightshipmama@gmail.com
MIRACLES: The Wedding at Cana is the fascinating story in the Gospel of John where the first miracle attributed to Jesus took place. All Things Catholic podcast at https://amzn.to/3zXtYjn Edward Sri books available at https://amzn.to/3YuNe14 The Gospel of John podcast at https://amzn.to/4dXkOkK Wedding at Cana book at https://amzn.to/3A3L8Mf Miracles of Jesus books available at https://amzn.to/49o2Szh Books about Miracles at https://amzn.to/4qLBHpr ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: All Things Catholic podcast with Dr. Edward Sri (episode 11jan2022: Do Whatever He Tells You) Ascension Press; The Gospel of John podcast (ESV Immersive Audio Bible) The Gospel of John-Chapter 2 (06jan2023). Audio excerpts reproduced under a Creative Commons license and/or the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pastor Derek Walker of the Oxford Bible Church delves into the 2nd sign miracle in the Gospel of John: the healing of the nobleman's son at the point of death by His word over a distance of 25 miles (John 4:46-54). This encounter revealed the kind of faith God wants to see in us. Through this miracle, learn about the importance of faith, the power of Jesus' word, and how signs and wonders are meant to lead believers to a deeper trust in Christ. Explore how Jesus' miracles were more than just acts of healing—they were messages intended to inspire faith in His teachings.
We begin our new series by looking at Jesus first miracle in Cana, as Pastor David Hughes teaches on obedience, faith, and trusting Jesus even when the outcome is not yet clear.
Send us a textWe explore why calling Mary Theotokos protects the truth of the Incarnation and how her yes leads us to the Eucharist. Scripture, the Council of Ephesus, Old Testament types, Cana, and the liturgical year form one clear path from Nazareth to the altar.• Mary as Theotokos grounded in Scripture• Council of Ephesus safeguarding Christ's unity• Old Testament types pointing to Mary and the Eucharist• Mary as Ark, Queen Mother, and living tabernacle• Cana as Eucharistic sign and model of obedience• Liturgical feasts that unite Marian devotion and Communion• Ecumenical insights and hope for Christian unity• Invitation to join our mission and grow Eucharistic faithBe sure to click the link in the description for special news itemAnd since there is more to this article, finish reading and check out the special offerVisit journeysoffaith.com website todayOpen by Steve Bailey Support the showJourneys of Faith brings your Super Saints Podcasts ***Our Core Beliefs*** The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our Faith." Catechism 132 Click Here “This is the will of God, your sanctification.” 1Thessalonians 4“ Click Here ... lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...” Matthew 6:19-2 Click Here The Goal is Heaven Click Here Please consider subscribing to this podcast or making a donation to Journeys of Faith we are actively increasing our reach and we are seeing good results for visitors under 40! Help us Grow! Why you should shop here at Journeys of Faith official site! Lowest Prices and Higher discounts up to 50% Free Shipping starts at $18 - Express Safe Checkout ...
Send us a textThis week on Here's What We Know, we're ending the year with a bang in this episode of Once Around the Country as we welcome singer-songwriter Will Jones! Join us for a relaxed, honest conversation that wanders through bluegrass roots, songwriting, fatherhood, and the beauty of keeping things simple.Will shares stories from growing up in Cana, Virginia, playing in a family bluegrass band tucked into the Appalachian Mountains, learning music before most kids learn multiplication tables, and waking his dad up singing gospel songs at six years old. Those early porch-front, small-town moments still shape how he writes and performs today.We also explore the grind of the road, lessons learned from nearly empty rooms, moments with artists like Josh Turner, Laney Wilson, Ashley McBryde, Jon Pardi, and Zach Brown, and how faith, family, and years of persistence have shaped his perspective.This episode is funny, reflective, and deeply human. It is about staying rooted, showing up honestly, and finding joy in the journey, even when it is messy.In This Episode:Bluegrass roots and Appalachian beginningsLearning music before learning mathWriting songs from real conversationsFatherhood, family, and finding balanceFixing old trucks between showsPlaying live with no tracks, no safety netLessons from empty rooms and long roadsWhy honesty still wins in country musicThis episode is sponsored by:Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)License #: 679261Bio:Will Jones is a country artist raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains and based in Nashville. A seasoned performer and songwriter, he blends mountain grit, soul, and timeless storytelling into a sound all his own.His sound is a love letter to the past and a firm handshake to the future—carving his own lane in country music.Website: https://willjonescountry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willjonesofficial/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillJonesCountry/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@willjonesofficialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCD_ZJSvhqWmy967s-_iaSgConnect with Gary: Gary's Website Follow Gary on Instagram Gary's Tiktok Gary's Facebook Watch the episodes on YouTube Advertise on the Podcast Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!
In this week's episode, The Obedient Heart, we turn to John 2:1–11 and witness Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana, where obedience opens the door to God's glory. As a simple problem meets unwavering trust, we see the power of identifying our need, asking Jesus for help, and doing whatever He says. From empty jars to overflowing wine, this passage reminds us that when we respond with obedience, Jesus reveals His glory—and invites us to see, believe, and trust Him more deeply.Support the showFind us at! Calvary.us