Podcasts about catholic edition

Patrick takes a look at thought-provoking topics such as the ethics of sterilization, choosing a Bible, and respecting statues in Catholicism. He responds to listener emails about community support and the complexities of remarriage for widows. Join Patrick as he continues to explore faith, society, and the everyday challenges we face. Mike (email) - I’m noticing a dramatic uptick in transgender rage bait stories and discussions ever since “liberation day” tanked the markets (00:41) Any recommendations for a good bible? Patrick recommends the Catholic Edition from Ignatius Press and the Ignatius Press Study Bible (04:02) David (email) – How do I know if someone is trying to scam me? (07:21) Candice (email) – Can a non-repentant non-Catholic on death row receive communion before his execution? (12:52) Madonna - I am a Catholic woman (widow) and met a man who is divorced. I’m not sure about his religion, baptism or if his marriage was valid in the eyes of the church. Before I even take one step forward, I need to know what the church considers a non-valid marriage. (19:56) Hazel (email) – Can I go to an Easter party on Holy Saturday? (25:17) Maria – Mary is not God, so how can she receive our prayers? (27:25) Linda - We have statue of Our Lady. A seer came from Medjugorje and saw Mary come out of this statue. People are praying at this statue outside of chapel. is this ok? Is this holding Mary above Christ. (31:15) Patrick and Cyrus read a few funny emails that came in during the break. (36:10) Alice (email) – Medjugorje was approved. (No, it wasn’t) (40:03) John - Is having a vasectomy a sin? If so, I didn’t know. (42:25)

Subscribe to Chicago Talk Show Host main channel on Youtube and show support! Thanks!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsjlEjFYs_Y Dr. E. Michael Jones is a prolific Catholic writer, lecturer, journalist, and Editor of Culture Wars Magazine who seeks to defend traditional Catholic teachings and values from those seeking to undermine them. Discussion topics: - Translate Hate proposal - The Cunning of Reason - The meaning of Advent - Language, identity, Logos - Recent news about drones and UFOs - The John Dee chapter in The Jewish Revolutionary Spirit - Libido Dominandi - Magic - Science

Our Hebrew friends have outdone themselves this time with a new guide to hate speech for Catholics and terms they should be banned for using. AJC - Translate Hate, The Catholic Edition: https://www.usccb.org/resources/TranslateHateCatholicEdition.pdf Let the USCCB know you do not support this document (be respectful): https://www.usccb.org/contact-us Original Video: https://www.bitchute.com/video/Z85jb4z5IRlm ___ Dr. Jones Books: fidelitypress.org/ Subscribe to Culture Wars Magazine: culturewars.com Donate: culturewars.com/donate Follow: https://culturewars.com/links

Patrick shares his top recommendation for teenagers seeking a reliable Bible—the Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, also known as the Ignatius Bible. Unlike the New American Bible, which has some problematic footnotes and explanations that can introduce doubt, the Ignatius Bible offers a clear, accurate, and modern translation without unnecessary confusion. Remember, having the right tools is key to deepening one's faith.   Bridget (email) – What is the name of the drug and rehab center in Florida? (00:35) Kailin (email) – My little sister asked me to be her confirmation sponsor. Do you have any tips on how to be a good sponsor? 06:09) What Bible is best for a teenager? (13:03) Could anyone have committed the sin of gluttony from eating the bread that Jesus gave? Jack - Should we chew the Eucharist or let it dissolve? (45:33) Hour 3 Patrick has a fantastic call from Thomas about becoming a Relevant Radio Parish Ambassador. He discusses the ease and joy of spreading the word about Relevant Radio at your parish, how to sign up, and the supportive materials you receive. It's a fulfilling way to give back and be part of a larger community. If you're passionate about Relevant Radio, head over to relevantradio.com/ambassador to get started.

Robert Tunmire has more than 44 years of experience in the franchising industry and is widely known for his ability to grow companies. He served as Executive Vice President of Neighborly (formerly The Dwyer Group) and for seven years he was the President of Glass Doctor, a  30-year old company. He also served as President and CEO of Neighborly/The Dwyer Group and President of Mr. Rooter Corporation, which is one of Neighborly's companies. Robert now serves as a Leadership Advisor in the Franchising and Entrepreneurship Industry in addition to being very active in Ministry to Men with the Catholic Church.  In 2006, Robert founded the Central Texas Fellowship of Catholic Men to support Ministry to Men in the Austin Diocese and continues to serve as President of the Advisory Board.   In 2018, Robert joined with a group of leaders in Ministry to Men across North America to found the Catholic Men's Leadership Alliance with the vision of equipping every diocese in North America with a vibrant   ministry to men.  He currently serves as President and Executive Director, and in 2020 Robert helped CMLA launch Heroicmen.com as a streaming platform for Catholic men.  Robert is also the co-author of No Man Left Behind, Catholic Edition, a guidebook for ministry to men in the Catholic Church today.    

The theme for this month is God's love! "We love, because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 (RSV) For downloadable and printable PDFs of each scripture verse, support us on Patreon at Patreon.com/JackieandBobby at the $5/month level. If you support us at the $20/month level, we'll share fun videos on how our family memorizes the scripture verses! Scripture quotations from this episode are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

There are many misconceptions about the Catholic faith, some rooted in faith-based questions, others on a simple dislike of the faith due to various reasons, many of which are understandable how they can think that. Bryan Mercer of Catholic Truth Organization calls in to answer many misconceptions people have of the faith and how to properly respond to those.  Stuff Mentioned: Catholic Truth.org – Bryan Mercier 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is used most by Protestants. But often it's the only one often used by them. It says it's helpful but not complete. Guests Socials: Producer Ben: @BeenBarron Bryan: @CatholicTruthOfficial Follow us on Instagram: @honest2god_ya Watch us on Youtube: @Honest2God Check out our parent network: The Quest Atlanta Check out who produces the show: Red Barron Media Listen on the Quest app: Android Apple

March 20th, 2023 - Join Joe and his guest Daniel Rodriguez to find out more about SpiritusTV, the Catholic alternative to YouTube! TheStationOfTheCross.com/ACT

Episode 68 With an episode about the difficulty of belief under our belts (see Episode 67), we each take the challenge of giving our best "pitch" to unbelievers: why should you believe in Christianity?  This is part one of that challenge, the Catholic's approach; a manly exercise of truth-telling aimed at a segment of the population in search for meaning.  We hope it provides a useful demonstration (full of resources), as well as an interesting comparison to the upcoming Protestant Part-2 (due out next week).  Dr. Chad Stolly sets off to diagnose, and prescribe a treatment for, what ails the unbeliever, as the General Practitioner for this episode.  Assisting with setting the stage for this appointment, with his caring bedside manner, is co-host Nurse Ben Neff.  The two talk through the symptoms at hand and work toward a conclusive cure.  How can someone who's a thoroughly modern skeptic reconcile that fact with their deep inclination toward purpose and meaning?  What reliable evidence is there for the existence of God and for the divinity of Christ?  Do miracles--for those who need them to believe--still happen, and where can they be found in the Catholic tradition?SHOW NOTES:Book Recommendation List:The Everlasting Man, by G.K. ChestertonIs Atheism Dead? by Eric MetaxasMere Christianity, by C.S. LewisThe Case for Christ, by Lee StrobelMore Than a Carpenter, by Josh McDowellHitchen v Lane Craig Debate:  christopher hitchens v william lane craig - YouTubeEric Metaxas Op Ed in WSJ:  Science Increasingly Makes the Case for God (catholiceducation.org)Eucharistic Miracle from Lanciano, Italy: Visit the relics of the Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano, Italy (aleteia.org)Fr. Spitzer's Shroud Presentation: Faith and Science - The Shroud of Turin - Ignited by Truth 2018 - YouTube 

Dr. Mark Giszczak, Associate Professor of Sacred Scripture at the Augustine Institute, recently wrote the book “Bible Translation and the Making of the ESV Catholic Edition.” In this book, He covers the conversations that preceded the ESV project and the promulgation of the Vatican document on translation, Liturgiam authenticam (2001). The meeting of the minds represented by the ESV translation philosophy and the Vatican's own translation norms is remarkable.  Dr. Mark Giszczak specializes in Old Testament Wisdom Literature as well as biblical theology and Catholic biblical interpretation. He blogs at https://catholicbiblestudent.com/    

In past episodes we've added such creatures as goats, cats, and everyday snakes to our Mephistophelean menagerie, but today… Here there be dragons. We're making the biggest addition ever – in more ways than one. We explore the history of devilish dragons and why these mythical monsters are so often associated with Satan.   SHOW LINKS Satanic Bay Area: Preorder our Halloween parody tract! San Francisco's best haunt: Terror Vault PopCrush: Mom Slammed Over Satanic Party Follow David's adults-only voice work at his Twitter The Penguin Book of Dragons, Scott G Bruce (2021) The Firedrake In Beowulf, Alan K Brown (1980) (info from Wikipedia) Natural History, Pliny the Elder (77 CE) Book of Beasts, Oxford M.S. Bodley 764, The Bodleian Library  The Bible - New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, Daniel 14 Early Jewish Writings, Bel & the Dragon Beowulf: An Introduction, RW Chambers (1921) The Monsters & the Critics, JRR Tolkien (1936) Dragons and Dragon Lore, Ernest Ingersoll (1928) WorldHistory.biz, St George & the Crusades, Samantha JE Riches (2015) St. George and the Dragon: Introduction, Whatley, Thompson, & Upchurch (2004) YouTube: Dragon Size comparison Beowulf: A New Translation, Maria Dahvana Headley (2020) Dragons: The Modern Infestation, Pamela Wharton Blanpied (1997) Reddit: How to spot a dragon using an illusion spell   GET IN TOUCH WITH BLACK MASS APPEAL Facebook Twitter Instagram Patreon Tabitha Slander's Instagram Discord server   SATANIC BAY AREA Website Facebook Twitter (as @SatanicSF) Instagram Sign up for Satanic Bay Area's newsletter On TikTok as DailyBaphirmations Coffee Hour is the third Thursday of every month from 6 – 8 pm at Wicked Grounds in San Francisco!

Insight from behavioral health group, the letter of James from Ignatius The Holy Bible RSV 2nd Catholic Edition.

Key Points: Best English translation: Revised Standard Version- 2nd Catholic Edition. Second best translation: New American Bible (Personal Study Edition) Study tips: 1Write notes IN MARGINS, or on sticky notes you can attach to the bible pages. 2) Use different colors of CRAYONS to highlight key verses. 3) Buy a CATECHISM of the Catholic Church, refer to bible passage index in back of it. 4) Read the bible through the eyes of the Church. (See #4 above) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/catholicbiblestudy/support

Documentary filmmaker Steve Oldfield joins me to discuss his new film on how the media and its celebrity accomplices joined forces to try to destroy an innocent kid. Sponsor: Happily -

Our special guest today is Robert Tunmire.  Robert has more than 40 years of experience in the franchising industry and is widely known for his ability to grow companies.  He served as Executive Vice President of Neighborly (formerly The Dwyer Group) from 1998 to 2019. For seven years he was the President of Glass Doctor, a 30-year old company. He also served as President and CEO of Neighborly/The Dwyer Group and President of Mr. Rooter Corporation, which is one of Neighborly’s companies. Until his retirement, Robert led the Franchise Development team in the recruitment of all new franchisees across the brands at Neighborly. He also took an active role in training new franchisees, and had a gift for building long term relationships with franchisees. Robert now serves as a Leadership Advisor in the Franchising and Entrepreneurship Industry in addition to being very active in Ministry to Men with the Catholic Church. In 2006, Robert founded the Central Texas Fellowship of Catholic Men to support Ministry to Men in the Austin Diocese and continues to serve as President of the Advisory Board. In 2018, Robert joined with a group of leaders in Ministry to Men across North America to found the Catholic Men’s Leadership Alliance with the vision of equipping every diocese in North America with a vibrant ministry to men. He currently serves as President and Executive Director, and in 2020 Robert helped CMLA launch Heroicmen.com as a streaming platform for Catholic men. Robert is also the co-author of No Man Left Behind, Catholic Edition, a guidebook for ministry to men in the Catholic Church today. Neighborly WebsiteChasing What Matters InstagramChasing What Matters Website 

Today is our final day of our walk through the gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us these 54 days. We hope you have enjoyed these reflections. We'd love to hear from you at our website, www.markandkatiemartinez.com. We will be taking a break as we prepare for season 4, see you soon! A Reflection John 21:20-25 “Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!'” (v 22) Jesus: “Follow me. This is what I desire of you. My little one, you spend too much of your time and energy preoccupied with others. Like Martha, you are “anxious and troubled about many things,” yet only, “one thing is needful” (Luke 10:41-42). You compare yourself to others, worrying that if they have success or joy or love, there will not be enough for you, as if My Father's resources were limited. Or, you take on their burdens. You believe that you must be responsible for their happiness or salvation, so you do all that you can to save them, as if they do not already have a Savior. Don't you see, child? You must trust Me. Trust Me to provide you with all that you need to be fully satisfied, and then trust me to provide the same for those you love. Do you not believe that I will do this? Of course, the Love of My Father is beyond your comprehension. It is impossible for you to understand how We can love each and every person individually and infinitely, or how Our Will of salvation can be played out in every person's life, if they allow it to. You only understand your own finite love, energy, and power, and believe that this somehow means that there cannot be enough of Mine to go around. So, you use your own limited resources to wrestle out the salvation of others, instead of doing what I have asked of you. You are missing out on the “better part” that Martha's sister, Mary, chose. My Love for you is infinite, vast, as far as the east is from the west, as high as the heavens and as deep as the netherworld. My Love for you embraced the cross and the grave, yet it could not be contained there. My Love for you rose from that grave, and it is My Love for you that waits every single day for you to meet me in the quiet of your soul, that I may embrace you, heal you, transform you, and lead you. My little one: choose the better part. You cannot choose for another. Come, follow me.” Am I letting comparison keep me from following Jesus? Am I worrying about another in a way that is keeping me from following Him to the extent that He wants me to? Prayer: My Jesus, I am sorry for the ways that I have distracted myself with comparison or false-burden bearing. Today, I choose You, to follow You as You have commanded me to. Embrace me, heal me, transform me, and lead me. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 53 of our reflections on the gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! Connect with us at our website, www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 21:15-19 “Simon, Son of John, do you love me more than these?” (v 15) Jesus' words recall Peter's fervent exhortation before His Passion: “Even though they all fall away, I will not” (Mark 14:29). Both He and Peter now know that Peter's promise was broken. But Jesus is tender with His beloved Peter. He sees the shame that is still plaguing him, and He seeks to draw him into His Mercy to bring him healing. Three times Peter denied Jesus. So, three times, Jesus asks him, “Do you love me?” And while Peter is exasperated, each time Jesus is giving him the chance to reverse his denial, He is applying a healing salve to Peter's wound. Jesus knows that Peter needs this healing in order to be what he was created to be. How many times has Jesus given us this chance? Like Peter, we deny Him, but like Peter, we always have the chance to come back to Him. He ardently desires to draw us near so that He can heal us, to bring us into His Presence and ask us, “Do you love me?” Can we answer Him now? Prayer: Yes, Lord, I love you. You know that I do. You know, also, that I am weak, wounded, and lost sometimes. You know that in those moments when fear overcomes me, or when I cannot feel Your presence, or when my emotions are too much for me, I forget. I forget Your love, I forget what You have done for me, I forget how I am supposed to be loving others. I lose trust and take matters into my own hands. I self-protect, self-rely, and self-love in an unholy way. But Lord, I hope. I hope in Your Mercy and in Your Love. I hope that when You look upon me, You see my desire to love and please You. Yes, Lord Jesus, I love you. Amen. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 52 of our reflections on the Gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! Find us on our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 21:9-14 “And although there were so many, the net was not torn.” (v 11) A hundred and fifty-three fish. This is the number of known types of fish in Jesus' time. It is a number that symbolizes completeness. The full net of the apostles is telling us something about the Kingdom of God. The Father's net is deep and wide and strong. By sending His Son into the world, He has cast His net over it. In His time on earth, Jesus began hauling in the catch. Each and every person is in the range of that net, and it is strong enough to hold them all. Though the multitude is enormous and varied, the net will not be torn. He can carry each of us back to the Father's house. But we will not be carried to heaven against our will. We have a choice. Oftentimes, we imagine the net to feel restricting. We only see that we are caught, and an inner voice urges us toward “freedom.” It says that if we stay, we cannot do all the things we want to do, and we believe it. Like our first parents, Adam and Eve, we doubt the goodness of God and we rebel. But if we truly listened to our hearts' desire, we would realize that in His arms is exactly where we want to be. True freedom is only found in the arms of the Father. How can this be? How can we find true freedom under what feels like a restraint? The answer is trust. We must trust that God is who He says He is: a God of Love and Mercy, a God who keeps His promises, a God who wants the absolute best for us. As we practice trusting God, the feeling of restraint will gradually be replaced with a freedom found within. The peace of God will replace the fear, and we will be able to relax in the arms of the One who loves us best. We, in turn, will cast our nets as we desire to share this peace, joy, and freedom. And in that glorious moment when we will be joined as one bride to the Bridegroom, Jesus, we will look with joy upon those who are with us. We will see the abundant and unique grace of God given to each one, and we will praise Him for all eternity, for the net was not torn. Prayer: Oh God, I praise you! I praise you for pouring Your grace and mercy out over the whole world. May I do my part in receiving Your gift, trusting in Your holy will and sharing Your grace and mercy with those in my care that we may be united together in heaven with You. Amen. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Thanks so much for joining us for our reflections on the gospel of John! Today is Day 51. Find us on our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 21:1-8 “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” (v 6) Another encounter with the Lord. Peter is so enthusiastic that he jumps from the boat just to be with Him that much sooner. He is alive, and He is here, with them on the beach of the Sea of Tiberias. They had worked all night long, no doubt using all of their best efforts to produce a fruitful catch. Only their best efforts weren't good enough. They produced nothing. But what a difference Jesus makes. With one command, He produces a catch so fruitful it is almost too much for them. Jesus can produce this fruit in us, too. On our own, we are like the apostles, working fruitlessly despite our best efforts. Sure, we can make some progress, but without Jesus, we will bear no fruit for eternity. We need His grace, His love, His power. God alone can raise the dead in our hearts; He alone can produce eternal fruit in us. Like Peter, we must let our love for Jesus take precedence over all else. He set out for the task of fishing, but in the end, it was the desire to be with the Lord that sent him diving into the sea. We must cease to be wrapped up in our efforts of doing and seek to spend more time just being with God. And in that time, Jesus will bear fruit in us. He will cast the net wide in our souls, in our families, and in our Church, and He will bring about a great catch. May we see that this catch is less dependent on our own efforts and more dependent on our trust in Him. Is there something in my life God wants me to stop doing so that I have more time to be with Him? Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, cast your net in me. Catch my heart for Jesus. Let me be totally His, that He may make of my life a great catch, and that all that I do will lead others back to Him. Amen. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 50 of our reflections on the gospel of John! Thanks so much for joining us. Contact us at www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 20:24-31 “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side.'” (v 27) “Intimacy is the fruit that grows through touching one another's wounds.” (Henri Nouwen) Jesus: “Intimacy with you is my heart's desire. To be so completely united with you, as the Bridegroom with His bride: this is why I came to earth. Here I stand. Come, place your finger in my hands, my feet, my side. Feel my Sacred Heart beating. Touch my wounds. See that what was meant for evil, my Father meant for good; what was once dead is alive, what was sorrowful has become glorious. This is the transformational power of the Holy Spirit, who brings the dead back to life. And that power is available to you. Will you now allow Me to touch your wounds? I know you are afraid. I know that to open up your wounds to me will likely open up great sorrow in you. It is true that exposing your wounds to Me may hurt. But as the Divine Physician, I alone can heal them. If you allow me to touch your wounds, I will transform them as My own have been transformed. I will turn your sorrow into dancing. I will turn your tears into laughter. Child, I can do this. If you allow Me too, I will. And when you are made whole, the intimacy you will know with Me will be more than anything you've ever desired or imagined. We will be one, and ‘no one will take your joy from you' (John 16:22).” Can I open my heart fully to the Lord today and allow Him to touch my wounds? Prayer: My Jesus, I do want your healing touch. I do want intimacy with you. Please, Lord, give me grace to allow you into the deepest places. Transform my wounds, that I may say with St. Augustine, “In my deepest wound I saw Your glory, and it dazzled me.” Amen. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 49 of our reflections on the gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! To contact us, visit our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 20:19-23 “Peace be with you.” (v 19) The apostles have locked themselves in a prison of fear and shame. Confused, afraid, and shocked from the reports of Mary, Peter, and John, they need Jesus' peace now more than ever. We, too, become trapped in our self-imprisonment of fear and shame. We build walls around ourselves and shut the doors, hoping to maintain some semblance of peace on the outside, whatever the turmoil on the inside. But that semblance of peace is false. It does not last, and it does not satisfy. We have to let go of our pursuit of this false peace, whatever its forms: clinging to control, quieting our interior unrest with exterior pleasures, avoiding conflict out of self-preservation. “Not as the world gives do I give to you,” Jesus promised us at the Last Supper (John 14:27). The peace that Jesus longs to give us is so much more than worldly peace. The peace of Jesus is an interior rest, a lying down in green pastures by still waters, a restoration of the soul (see Psalm 23). It is this peace that leads to a calm confidence in the Father's will. This peace allows us to trust Him more than the world. It is a powerful peace; powerful enough to crumble the walls of shame and fear in our hearts. When we have His peace, everything else that comes is secondary to it. This is the peace that only the Lord can give, the interior peace that gave the Apostles courage to later stand up and preach the gospel to all nations, even if it led to their death. With His peace, we can change the world. What is keeping me from accepting His peace? Prayer: Jesus, I need Your peace. Come into the inner room of my heart, and tear down the walls of fear and shame that try to keep You out. May Your peace reign in my heart and the hearts of all believers forever. Amen. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 48 of our reflections on the Gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! Find us at www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 20:11-18 “Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?... Mary.” (v 15,16) Mary Magdalene, overwhelmed with grief, yet still burning with love for her Lord, takes the first opportunity she can to be close to Him in His death. No longer under the requirements of Sabbath Rest, she visits the tomb as early as possible to attend to His body. But His body is gone, and her grief consumes her. Hopeless, powerless, and confused, she is blinded by her anguish, and sees nothing with the eyes of her heart. She cannot see the glory of the angels sitting before her. She cannot even see the glory of Her Lord when He approaches her. The Good Shepherd, “calls his own sheep by name… they know his voice.” (John 10:3-4) Jesus is a patient, loving shepherd. He sees His lost, confused little sheep and His heart is filled with love and compassion for her. So, He calls her by name: “Mary.” And in an instant, the clouds are removed from Mary's eyes and heart and Light shines through. Her heart skips a beat: she knows His voice. Her Lord is truly risen as He said. And the grief that overwhelmed her is replaced with shock and awe and a torrent of love that overcomes her and leads her to cling to Her Beloved Lord. The Risen Lord calls us each by name today. Close your eyes, and hear him call your name in your heart. He calls to you. Whether you are near or far off, He still calls. Hear His voice, then open the eyes of your heart to behold His glory. He desires to share the gift of His Risen Life with you, His little sheep. Prayer: My Jesus, You are Risen! I desire nothing more than to share in Your Risen Life. May I open my heart to You that You may come and dwell in me in a new way. You make all things new, make me new today. Amen. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Happy Easter! Jesus is Risen, He is Risen, Indeed! Thanks so much for joining us for Day 47 of our reflections on the gospel of John. Contact us at www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 20:1-10 “… the stone had been taken away from the tomb.” (v 1) The Father: “Don't you see, little one? I can roll away the stones. I can bring the dead places in your heart back to life. On your own, you cannot do it. The stones are too heavy for you. You are too weak. Is that hard for you to hear? For all of your life, you have seen your weakness as a disadvantage, or something to be ashamed of. But, “my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). When I see your weakness, my Spirit is attracted to your heart. When you surrender your weakness to me, you give my Spirit permission to come in and roll away the stones. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11) Oh, child, how I long to do this for you! Surrender. Let it go. Be weak. It is ok, you are safe here with me. I will not trample you; I will not belittle you or shame you. No, I will cradle you in my arms, and pour out my Spirit into your heart. He will come in and roll away the stones and bring the dead places back to life! “O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” (1 Cor 15:55) Have no fear, take courage! I am a God who keeps His promises. I am a God who brings the dead back to life.” Prayer: Father, it is unfathomable to me that You love me in my weakness. My whole life I have tried and failed to be self-reliant and strong, yet You tell me to surrender. Today, in the joy of the Resurrection, I surrender my whole heart to you, weakness, sin, talents, and all. Bring the dead back to life in me, that I may say with a full heart bursting with joy: Christ is risen! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia! Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 46 of our reflections on the gospel of John. Thank you so much for joining us. Find us at www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 19:38-42 “So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.” (v 42) Evil is the absence of good. Darkness is the absence of light. This day, today, is the absence of Jesus. The world without its creator is a dark thing, indeed. The hope and joy of nearly all of the disciples are buried in the tomb with Jesus' body. Their dreams of something new are crushed, and the future looks bleak. But Mary does not let her hope die with her Son. She has received a promise that, “he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:33). She clings to this promise with the faith of Abraham, who “(i)n hope he believed against hope… fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:18,21). So today, though still in mourning, she keeps the flame of hope alive in her heart, and she waits. There is a tomb in my heart. It is the place where I bury my dashed hopes and dreams and short-lived joys. These are the disappointments, the failures, the false hopes and heartbreaks. They are dead, so I place them in the tomb, roll the stone over, and walk away. But what if I didn't? What if I waited, like Mary, trusting in God's promises and anticipating their fulfillment? What if I allowed myself to mourn these things, yet still hoped for their resurrection? Could I keep watch at the tomb of my soul today, waiting for the Spirit to breathe new life into my dreams? Waiting is its own form of suffering, yet “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us” (Romans 5:3-5). Prayer: Mary, today I wait with you. May I follow your example and Abraham's, and let the Spirit produce hope in me as I wait for Jesus to raise me up with Him. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 45 of our reflections on the gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! Find us at www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 19: 28-37 “It is finished.” (v 30) The hour we have been waiting for and witnessed with Jesus has come to an end. The world is hushed as He breathes His last and the beating heart of the Word made flesh slows to a stop. The air is palpable as those around Him immediately feel a lack. The Light of the world has gone out, the Life that was once among them is now gone. He is gone. “But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.” (v 34) He pours out every last drop. He has taken the cup, the cup meant for us given to Him by the Father, and with it he has offered a libation of his own blood and water. He pours out every last drop on the heavenly altar before his Father. And with this offering, we are made new. Like a mother who pours out her own blood and water to birth her child, our Lord brings us forth anew in the Spirit, washed and transformed in His own blood and water. And in this moment in time that somehow transcends time, heaven touches earth to receive the sacrificial offering. It is finished. The offering has been made. The earth is desolate and dark again. Now we must wait. Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, renew in me a deep love for Jesus as I look upon His sacrifice for me. May I offer my own heart, too, with His on the altar, that I may die and rise with Him. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 44 of our reflections on the gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! You can contact us at our website, www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 19:17-27 “But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” (v 25) Mary the mother of Jesus has always been here. She was present at Jesus' coming into the world, the first to hear the definitive announcement. She gave of her own body, poured out her own blood for the Son of God to become man and dwell among us. She interceded to Him for His first public miracle, surely knowing that this would usher in the time of His Hour. And now she is here, at the cross. His hour has come. Her hour has come. She has long known that it would come. The words of Simeon echoing in her mind throughout His life are now playing loudly: “And a sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Luke 2:35). For many of us, this impending sorrow would be too much. We would run from it, try to prevent it, or find some way to control it. But Mary stays. She stays by the cross of her Son, and just as she interceded at Cana, she is interceding now. She allows her soul to be pierced as she looks upon her beloved. Through tear-filled eyes, she holds his gaze as He looks at her. “Woman, behold, your son,” He says to her. And she understands. So she turns to us, her children, now, and implores us: “Look at him, child. Look at what He has given for you. Look at what I have given for you. Behold, the Lamb of God, one without blemish, yet led to slaughter. He is taking away the sin of the world right now. I know it is hard for you to look, but you need to know the price. My Son has paid this price for you. But know this: if He has paid this price, then you are worth this price to Him. Yes, my child, you are worth it.” Prayer: Mary, how can I stand before you and Jesus, knowing what you both have given up for me? I know that I am not worthy, but He tells me that I am worth this price, that He loves me this much. May I live my life aware of the precious price He has paid for it, and may I give it away as lovingly as He gave away His. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 43 of our walk through the gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! Find us at markandkatiemartinez.com A Reflection on John 19:1-16 “I find no crime in him.” (v 4, 6) Pilate is conflicted. Despite asserting three times that he finds Jesus innocent, it seems he cannot release Him. The mob is unrelenting, demanding capital punishment and threatening Pilate with accusations of treason against Caesar. His resolve is weakening, and he is unsure of the right action here. This is the conflict of one without truth to guide him. He has no truth to judge the right way. So he lets himself be worn down by the crowds. But Jesus looks him in the eye and speaks the truth in love: “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above…” This is truth. Nothing that Pilate will do to Jesus has not been allowed by the Father. Truth says, “You think this world is all there is, that this power and control you have on earth is it. You think all is lost without it, and you must do whatever you can to keep it. But I know this is not true. I know that true power, true authority, comes from above. Whatever you propose to do, whatever happens, it has all been allowed by my heavenly Father. He sees and touches all that comes to pass, knowing, in His incredible Wisdom, how to bring good out of any and all circumstances. If you would seek truth, know this: God, the creator of the Universe, is holding everything in His hands. Nothing and no one fall through the cracks.” As we look upon Jesus today, beaten, mocked, and humiliated, may we see His witness to this truth. Love and Truth have driven Him here, standing before us bruised and bloodied. He lays down His life so that we may come to know this truth in our hearts: The Father has not allowed anything in our lives to touch us that would be too much for us. He has touched everything ahead of time, already knowing well in advance how to use our own weakness, sin, and suffering to bring about great goodness in our lives and the whole world. May we see Jesus and believe. Prayer: Father, you did not even spare your own Son so that I might come to know the truth of your great love for me. I am sorry, Father, for the times I doubt it. In the midst of my own suffering, come close to me, and let me feel your hands holding me up. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 42 of our reflections on the Gospel of John. Thanks so much for listening! To contact us, visit our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com A Reflection on John 18:28-40 “'Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice' … ‘What is truth?'” (v 37b-38a) Jesus is calling his lost sheep. He promised that those who are not of this sheepfold would hear His voice, and this is how they are to hear it: the truth. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and He has planted the seed of truth in the hearts of all of His followers, past, present, and future. It is a seed that sprouts into a searching, and a searching that makes the lost found. Oh, what beautiful Truth He is! He is the Word made flesh, the Son come down from Heaven. He is the Love of God incarnate, the Face of God that we can see. This Truth is a shockwave that heralds to all who will hear: “for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)! It is a Truth that changes the dignity of mankind forever, a Truth that has come to “proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). We have been oppressed by falsehood, by temptation and doubt, by sin. But the Truth will set us free, He will set us free, if only we will hear! Pontius Pilate has closed his ears to the truth. He believes only in what is set before him, and what he sees gives him no confidence in truth. The world is full of evil, of deception, of violence and hatred. Though Truth stands before him, he has closed the eyes and ears of his heart, and He will not hear. When we see only what sits before us, we will be deceived. The world is so much more than what we can see and hear with our human faculties. We must open the eyes and ears of our hearts, listen in the quiet, and hear Truth calling our names. What is keeping me from opening my ears to hear Him? Prayer: Jesus, may I sit today in the quiet and hear Your voice calling my name. You, Lord, are Truth. May your Truth be louder than the falsehood surrounding me. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 41 of our reflections on the Gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! To contact us, visit our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com A reflection on John 18:12-27 “Peter again denied it; and at once the cock crowed.” (v 27) Peter is stunned. He thought that this was the moment, that this was it. He knew and believed with all his heart that Jesus was who He said He was. He was the Messiah, the Rescuer of Israel and Savior of the World, the Son of God. Yet, what had just happened? When Peter was ready to fight for his Lord, he had been rebuked. And in the moment of shock that followed, Peter watched as Jesus let Himself be led away by a band of soldiers. What is going on? Shaking himself out of his stupor, Peter follows quietly behind. He keeps replaying the moment over and over again. Had he done something wrong? What had he misunderstood? How had he misunderstood? If only he could speak to Jesus now, Jesus would help him understand and tell him what he was supposed to do next. But he can't get to Him. He is let into the courtyard. “Are not you also one of this man's disciples?” he is asked. He is caught off guard. He looks at the maid, shocked. He blinks away the tears that have sprung into his eyes, as the icy grip of fear closes around his heart. He shakes his head, mumbling, “I am not.” He feels numb as the shame creeps into his soul. What has he done? He hears nothing but a roar in his ears, and, as he tries to warm his fingers, he can't even feel the heat of the fire. Another asks, and then another. No, no, he shakes his head. The tears are streaming freely now, and he turns away from the fire so as not to be seen. The cock crows, and a cry of agony is caught in his throat. He hears the words of the Lord echoing in his mind: “Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times” (13:38). The sob escapes, and he collapses to his knees. Prayer: Oh Jesus, how many times have I felt like Peter? I have been confused by the way my life is going, I have lost my trust in you, and in those moments, I have denied you. Oh Lord, I am so sorry. Forgive me, Jesus, forgive me. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Thanks so much for joining us for our reflections on the Gospel of John! Today is Day 40. You can contact us at our website, markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 18:1-11 “Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?” (v 11) It is quiet in the garden. Peaceful. This is a place that is familiar to the apostles. They have come here often with the Lord. They know this is a favorite spot for him to pray, for them to rest. So, they recline, and listen to the soft sound of the breeze rustling the trees, with no suspicion of what will happen next. It is so serene that they are lulled to sleep. The noise of the soldiers disturbs their rest. They open their eyes to see their torches approaching. What is a band of soldiers doing out here? Their hearts beat faster as it becomes clear that the mob is coming to the garden, to them, and they see Jesus taking steps to approach them. Jesus places Himself between the apostles and the soldiers. He stands as a wall of protection between them, taking on the hostility, as He will soon take the world's punishment upon Himself. “If you seek me, let these men go,” He insists. As the Lord speaks, they can feel the hostility rising in those surrounding them. Peter, with a surge of anger, pulls his sword and strikes. He is ready for this fight; he has been ready for a long time. But Jesus holds up his hand and rebukes him. The Lord is not going to put up a fight. He is going to go with them. He will drink the cup which the Father has given Him, the cup of punishment meant for us that He has accepted in our place. “Thus says the Lord: … ‘Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering; the bowl of my wrath you shall drink no more.'” (Isaiah 51:22) Prayer: My Jesus, as I stand here in the garden, witnessing all that is happening, I am struck with so many conflicting emotions: confusion and amazement, fear and anger. I am in awe that You can face Your enemies so steadfastly, and even more so that it is Your Love for me that leads You to do so. You have taken the cup out of my hands, and have taken my punishment upon Yourself. Jesus, I am not worthy, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 39 of our reflections on the gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! Find us on our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 17:20-26 “That they may be one even as we are one…” (v 22) On His last night on earth, Jesus turns His prayer now to us. We are those who, “believe in (Him) through (the apostle's) word” (v 20). And what does He desperately desire for us? What does He repeatedly ask for from the Father? That we may be one. He wants our unity. But how can we be one when our own hearts and souls are divided? Jesus: “Child, I see the pain and division even in your own heart. I see that you desire unity with Me, that you desire to be with Me, but I also see the other part of you, the part that is still clinging to the things of this world, hoping they will satisfy. I see that even though it is painful, you still cling to your wounds because in them is your identity. You don't know who you are without them. You have to let go, child, because when your very heart is divided, you cannot be united to another. Dear one, I would not ask you to let go if I did not have something to give to you. I know who you really are. You are the child of my Father, my beloved. You do not have to live this fractured life. I can bring everything together, make all things work together for your good, even your past wounds and sins. I can bring unity to your soul. And from this interior unity, you can extend love to one another and be one in each other. True unity is born out of complete self-giving and receiving, but you can only give yourself completely when you are completely one yourself. I have given my whole self to the Father, and I will draw you up into the unity that we have. As you dwell within Us, let the Love between Us, the Holy Spirit, flood your soul. Let Him mend all the pieces of your broken heart and bring unity back to your life. Be filled with this Love. Then turn, and give it to your neighbor. With the courage of a unified heart, you can give without fear. Let your love and unity shine forth, ‘that the world may believe that (the Father) has sent me' (v 21).” What is divided in my own heart? What wound or attachment am I still clinging to? Prayer: Jesus, I realize my own brokenness. I admit to you my own division. In your name, Jesus, I release my sins, wounds, and attachments to You. Unify my heart, so that I may love as You and the Father do. May Your Spirit come and heal all division within me, within my family, and within the Church. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 38 of our reflections on the gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! You can contact us at www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 17:1-19 “‘Father, the hour has come…'” (v 1) It is time. Since the crowds welcomed Him into Jerusalem, waving palms and shouting praises, Jesus has been telling us that his hour is come. That arrival set into motion the series of events that have happened and will happen next. And there is no going back. He has ministered to His most beloved, and now, lifting up His eyes, He returns to the gaze of the Father. And what does Jesus say in these last precious moments? He offers Himself, that the Father's will may be done. He prays for His apostles, that they may remain in truth, and He prays for us. Jesus' whole life, and now this last prayer, is one continual offering. I wonder what we will offer? Do we think of our lives in this way? Is it possible, friends, that your life is not about you? Most of us have probably spent a good part of life seeking to get the most out of it, or grasping for control, or, when that fails, numbing or coping to deal with the disappointment we inevitably face. But could there be another way? "Man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for himself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of self." (Gaudium et Spes, No. 24). Today we find this in Jesus' example. We are made in His image, and His life was all about this gift, this offering, this hour. What will our gift be? Prayer: Father, I want to give the gift of my life to You. Honestly, Father, I do not feel like it is enough. How can I ever give anything that is enough after what You have given me? But, like a parent who receives a handmade gift from their child, I know that You delight in my gift, because you see my heart, my desire to give to you. Jesus, help me to be like you, realizing my life is not about me, but about how I can love like You do. Only in this gift of myself will I truly find all that my heart desires: true freedom, love, and joy. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Thanks so much for joining us for our reflections on the gospel of John. Today is Day 37. Contact us at www.markandkatiemartinez.com A Reflection on John 16:16-33 “So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” (v 22) How often do we feel like the Apostles did: “What does he mean…? We do not know what he means.” (v 18). It is confusing because we can't always understand why we must have sorrow. When He has promised us great joy, why do our days feel like we are slogging through life? Why do our daily obligations, the little requirements of our vocation, make us feel crushed beneath a weight we cannot carry any longer? Jesus reminds us that pain is temporary. This sorrow is temporary. He reminds us that great sorrow is never without reason, like the woman in labor, our sorrow will bear life, if we let it. He doesn't just remind us, he promises us. “Your sorrow will turn into joy.” (v 20). And the Spirit, living in our hearts, reminds us of these promises. He gives us faith to believe them, and hope to trust in them. He gives us great love to fill our hearts with true joy, as we come to understand that all sorrow has meaning. When we come to know that, when we assent to the truth of that promise, then we are becoming who we truly are meant to be. When, even in the midst of sorrow and confusion, we can remember that promise, then it will come to fulfilment in us: our hearts will rejoice, and no one will be able to take our joy away from us. Prayer: Oh, Jesus. I get so discouraged by life sometimes. It all feels like too much. Jesus, in these times, send your Spirit down like a fire into my soul, so that I remember your promise: my sorrow will turn into joy. I believe, Jesus, help my unbelief. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 36 of our reflections on the Gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! Find us on our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 16:1-15 “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” (v 12) Without the Spirit, we are spiritually immature. There are things we cannot bear. Like Peter, when pressed, we will deny our beloved Lord. Sometimes, we can't feel Jesus' presence. In those moments, we are desolate, frustrated, angry even. Why does He leave? Why can He not stay with us always? And yet we know, we see, there is no growth without pain. We come to understand that if we were to constantly be fed by our Lord, like spiritual infants, we would not mature. Come, Holy Spirit! We know we are weak. We know that without You, we cannot grow in intimacy with Jesus. Without You, we will deny, we will reject. You alone can transform our hearts. Our human hearts are not able to love as Jesus loves, but you can transform us. You can take our stony hearts and make them soft flesh. And instead of being thrown about by the wind, you will anchor our hearts to Christ. You attach us to Him. We know in our hearts that He alone can satisfy our heart's desire. But we don't always know how to let Him. We don't know how to grow. Like the seed in the field, we cannot make ourselves grow in this way. But with you, we can. With you, we can be who the Father has created us to be. With you, we can truly love those He has given us to love. With you, we can be transformed into a new creation in Christ. Prayer: Holy Spirit, I give you permission to come into my heart. Transform it. Give me the gift of fortitude for the things I cannot bear. Thank you, Jesus, for sending me your Spirit, so that I may grow as the Father desires. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 35 of our reflections on the Gospel of John. Thanks so much for listening! You can contact us at www.markandkatiemartinez.com A Reflection on John 15:18-27 “But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.” (v 24) Jesus, I think I know you. I think I know the way you work. I think I know who you are. But then, things don't go as planned. I am hurt. I am confused. I'm not sure if I even really knew you at all. When I'm faced with this new knowledge, I realize I have a choice. I can choose to accept you and this circumstance. I can see it as a way I am called to change and grow, a place you want to transform in my heart. Or I can reject you. I can reject the way you are working, the things you are doing. I can reject You because this is not the way I thought of You and so I feel it must not be You. I think this is what it was like for the Pharisees. I think they had a picture in their minds for what the Messiah would look like. Someone who was more like them, maybe, or someone who came from a prominent family. Someone who would say they are doing everything right: they are right in their judgements and they don't need to change! But you weren't what they expected. You rejected their judgements, ate with sinners, called simple people to follow you. And this was too much for them. What they had in mind didn't line up with the image in their heads and they had a choice to make. And many chose to reject you. Because rejecting you was easier than changing. And in rejecting you, they rejected the Father. Lord, I don't want to reject you, but sometimes it feels like the change you want me to make is so big, so hard. It seems easier to say, “I can't do it.” Lord help me to see you as my shepherd, gently calling me to better food and better drink. When you call me to change, you are calling me deeper into your heart, to a place of joy unspeakable. Prayer: Jesus, open my eyes to the places where I reject you, the places where I need to let you transform me. Change my heart, Lord, from hard stone to soft flesh. Let me be molded by you. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 34 of our reflections on the gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! To contact us, visit our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 15:12-17 “This I command you, to love one another.” (v 17) “I see your heart. I see the pain of failure, the regret of strained relationships. You have failed to keep my commandment. I have asked you to do one thing, to love one another, and you could not even do that. Child. Do not let your heart be troubled. You must not expect to be always perfect. You must expect your failure. Not out of hopelessness, but in humility, knowing that with failure comes opportunity: opportunity for mercy and reconciliation, for growth and greater love. The one who has been forgiven much, loves much. To love is not easy. It is not easy to lay down one's life. It is not easy to lay down your right to be hurt, nor your desire to be right. I know this. I experienced the pain of love. I wept over my beloved Jerusalem. I sweated blood in anticipation of my sacrifice. It was not easy. I see the pain, the torture in your own heart, when the sacrifice of love seems unbearable. I know that opening your heart to another is opening your heart to agony, but fear not, for agony leads to resurrection. The sacrifice and pain of love is the dying to sin and selfishness that leads to life. Love is a communion of persons, a continuous intimacy of self-gift that never ends and gives life to one another in a way that is always expanding, always growing. It is unity, oneness of heart. It is saying to the other, my life is all wrapped up in yours, your sorrows are my sorrows, and your joys are my joys, not because I cannot live without you but because I choose “we” over “me.” I love you, child. Will you not love one another?” My Jesus, I am sorry it is so hard for me to love as you love. Forgive my egotism and pride. May all that I am and do be wrapped up in you, so that I love with nothing but the love you have placed in my heart. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Thanks so much for being with us today! We are continuing our reflections on the gospel of John. To contact us, visit our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com A Reflection on John 15:1-11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (v 11) “Your joy is in abiding. Yes, it is in bearing fruit, in keeping my commandments, but first, in abiding. If you abide in me, the rest will follow. You are a branch, and I am the vine. My Life flows through me into you. Close your eyes. Listen to your heart beat. As the blood flows through your body, bringing life to every part, so my Life flows too. The Life flowing through you is Love, it is Truth, it is the Holy Spirit. When you abide in me, He and I abide in You. Rest here. Abide in me. Let your heart be filled with Life. Let it fill you, then let it overflow. And from the overflow, you will bear fruit. My Father, the vinedresser, does all things according to His plan. There will be times of pruning. Times of dormancy. Times when you feel lost, pained, confused, and alone. Still, abide in me. Come back to this place, and let the beat of your own heart be your reminder of my life flowing through you. Abide in me, and let your joy be full.” My Jesus, sometimes it is hard just to abide. I feel like I must be doing something to earn your love. Help me to remember that you have done it all, that your love is pure gift, and that nothing I do can change that. I love you, Jesus. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 32 of our reflections on the gospel of John; thanks so much for joining us! Contact us at our website here: www.markandkatiemartinez.com A Reflection on John 14:15-31 “I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you.” (v 18) Jesus says to us: “I know it is sometimes hard for you to understand. There are times when you feel my Presence so keenly in the room with you that you could reach out and touch Me, and other times when you wonder if you every really felt Me at all. You wonder how it could be that I will come to you, especially in your doubt that I am there at all. It is ok, little one, to wonder. It is ok to not have all the answers. It is ok to admit that you don't understand. But know this: you are not alone. I am with you. I am with you like the sun shining warm on your back, like the air that you breathe, like the beat of your heart. Close your eyes and listen. Listen to my voice in rhythm with your heart: I am here, I am here, I am here. The Spirit, the Counselor, the Advocate, He is within you. And where He is, I dwell also. We have come to you and made our home with you. So, child, you are never alone. You are not alone when the loneliness becomes overwhelming. You are not alone in the shame of your sin you worry you will never rise from. You are not alone when despair creeps in and it feels as though all hope is lost. Child, you are never alone. Close your eyes. Listen to the rhythm of your breath. Feel my Spirit within you like the wind. Open the eyes of your heart to my Presence. I am here, I am here, I am here.” Oh Jesus, thank you for the gift of your presence within me. In the moments when I cannot feel your presence, let me never forget your promise that you are with me, and that you are a God who keeps His promises. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 31 of our Reflections on the Gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! Contact us at our website: www.markandkatiemartinez.com A Reflection on John 14:1-14 “And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (v 3) Jesus says to us: “That where I am you may be also… Do you see, child? Do you understand? My whole purpose is wrapped up in this: that you may go where I go, that I may be a way for you back to my Father and yours, that we will be together for all of eternity. I am here. I have prepared your place. I am waiting. Will you come? Will you follow the way I have laid out for you? The way that I Am? Yet I do not sit idle. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it. I wait for you to ask me. I will work all things for your good. It is as the Father wishes. No one has ever seen God, yet he who has seen me has seen the Father. And His will is for you. His desire is for you, as is mine. All of heaven awaits your entrance into glory. I tell you, there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10). Do not let your heart be troubled. My heart is for you, child. I am with you always. Come to me, and I will give you rest.” What is the longing of my heart? Will I ask it of Him in hope and trust? My Jesus, how I long for your rest, the rest that comes from knowing that I am totally and unconditionally loved by you. Give me all that I need so that I may find my Way to you and to the Father. Jesus, I trust in you. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 30 of our Lenten Reflections on the Gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! Find us on our website: www.markandkatiemartinez.com A Reflection on John 13:21-38 “When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit…” (v 21) Our Lord is troubled. We see the pain on his face, hear the anguish in His voice. Knowing what He knew, that after the cross came the resurrection, that the pain of His passion would be transformed in His Glorified Body, He still felt troubled. When our Lord entered into the human condition, He entered into everything: He felt deeply, He was tempted, He wept, He sweated blood in great anxiety. So now, faced with the betrayal of a close friend, He feels it keenly. But He does not stop it. He allows the plan of the evil one to proceed, despite his heartbreak. Because He knows that the schemes of the devil and of men are but threads woven by the Father into the great tapestry of Salvation. And the thread that matters, the thread of Love, woven throughout, holds it all together. And it is in that unbreakable thread, the everlasting Love of God, that the Father is glorified. “Love one another; even as I have loved you… you also love one another.” (v 34). This is the love He commands us to emulate: the love that looks into the face of His betrayer with compassion, even while feeling deeply the pain of the betrayal and knowing its cost. This is how He has loved us; this is how we are to respond to His love. And it is with this love, that we can console our Lord's troubled heart. Will you do this? My Jesus, I want to ease your troubled heart with my love for you and my love for others. Let me come close. I cannot take away Your pain, but I can be with You in struggle. Here I am, Lord Jesus, I love you. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Thanks so much for joining us! Today is Day 29 of our walk through the gospel of John. We'd love to hear from you - contact us at our website: www.markandkatiemartinez.com A Reflection on John 13: 1-20 “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and tied a towel around himself.” (v 3-4) Here, we are given a glimpse into the mind and heart of our Lord. Jesus fully knows who He is, where He has come from and where He is going. He knows his Kingship, His rightful reign over all creatures. Yet, he stands, lays down His garments as He will soon lay down His life, and in what must have been puzzling to His Apostles, ties a towel around Himself. He has just preached to any who would listen, “Unless a grain of wheat falls and dies…” and now He gives them a final lesson of humility, of what it means to die to self, before the great lesson of His passion. The Apostles are perplexed. Peter again rebukes the Lord and is chastised. He still has much to learn. “Do you know what I have done for you?” says the Lord. “Do you know what I have done for you, child? I, the Lord and King of the Universe, Savior of all mankind, will this day stoop to wash your feet if you allow me too. In this world, you will have trouble and temptation. You will be tempted to believe that you, the servant, know better than the master. You will question my ways. You will rebuke me. And, if you do not learn the lesson I am teaching you here, that it is better to give than to receive, to serve than to be served, you will reject and betray me. I have loved you to the end, dear one. Let me wash your feet, let me serve you and give all to you, that your heart may be transformed in my Love.” My Jesus, I am mystified by this example You've given. I imagine you in all your glory, kneeling to wash my feet, so dirtied by the scum of sin and worldly attachments. You stoop to serve me, though I have done nothing to deserve it. May Your Love so fill me up that I may joyfully serve those around me from Your abundance. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 28 of our Lenten reflections on the gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! To contact us, visit our website: www.markandkatiemartinez.com A Reflection on John 12:20-50 “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (v 25) The hour has come. Jesus has arrived at the point of no return. Everything now points to his passion and death. But that means that everything now points also to His Resurrection. Jesus has revealed the Father, revealed His love and heart for His people Israel and for the whole world. He has lived out that part of his mission. And now we begin the culmination of that mission, when He will be lifted up to draw all to himself, “for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world” (v 47b). “Unless a grain of wheat falls and dies…” he tells us. He is preparing us for what is to come, and he is teaching us a great truth for our own lives. He has taught us how to live, and now He is teaching us how to die. We are to lose our lives, to die to selfishness, sin, and fear. But we do not do it alone. Our Lord would not have it any other way but to enter the struggle with us: “Now is my soul troubled.” He knows what He must do. He can feel the weight of it all. In that moment of anguish, he calls out to the Father, “Glorify your name!” And the Father answers: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” Oh, that we could follow this example of Jesus! Oh, that we could feel our troubled hearts, give them over to the Father, and in the midst of it all, cry out, “Glorify your name!” Because, as the Father looks down on Jesus, so He will look down upon us, “I have glorified it, child, in you. And through this circumstance, I will glorify it again. I will bring glory into your life and the lives of those around you. Because child, if you die, you will bear much fruit. So, do not be afraid, my Son goes before you. He will shepherd you into new life, and my will will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Father, I am sometimes scared to lose my life in order to gain it. Remind me of Your great love for me, for whom you did not even spare your only Son. Remind me that you will call me to die to only what hinders my way to you, and that you will raise up in me a divine purpose that will bring me far more joy than anything I could imagine. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 27 of our Lenten Reflections on the Gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us. To contact us, visit our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com. A Reflection on John 12: 12-19 “The world has gone after him.” (v 19) The crowds, their attention and affection aroused by the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection, are praising Jesus as the Messiah, welcoming Him into the city of Jerusalem as Zechariah prophesied. Their excitement is well founded. No other prophet since Elisha had raised a man from the dead. This, at last, must be the Messiah that was promised to bring freedom to Israel. But, “His disciples did not understand this at first.” (v 16). Jesus did not come to overthrow Rome to free Israel, but to overthrow the ruler of the world, Satan, to free our hearts. The world has gone after him, but perhaps for the wrong reasons. But what a difference a week can make. A week is enough time for bitterness, fear, and jealousy to do their work. And within a week, the one given a King's welcome will be given a thief's execution. The leaders of the people see only the threat of Jesus. They see nothing of his mission. And because they cannot see beyond their own narrow worldview, they seek to destroy that which threatens their world. Where is God's plan not within my expectations? What are the things that I don't understand? And how do I react? Will I humbly accept the ways of God even if I don't understand? Or will I rebel against Him? “O, the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33) My Father, I sometimes have no idea what you are doing in my life. I struggle to understand and try to take charge, but my inability to control is terrifying to me. When it feels like too much, remind me that you, my loving Father, know exactly what I need and will provide me with the grace to endure. I love you, Abba, and I trust you. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 26 of our walk through the Gospel of John! Thanks so much for joining us! We'd love to hear from you - contact us at our website: www.markandkatiemartinez.com A Reflection on John 12:1-11 “Jesus said, ‘Let her alone…'” (v 7) Mary, overwhelmed with love for Jesus, is compelled to act on that love. He is the Christ, the one who resurrected her brother, and now he is the king of her heart. She prepares for him a costly gift, one pound of pure nard, worth 300 days' wages. And as they are reclining for their meal, Mary quietly approaches Jesus. The eyes of all are on her as she sits at His feet and lovingly pours the ointment over them. It mingles with her tears of love, of gratitude, of awe. She pours out every last drop, so that the house is filled with its fragrance. When the oil is spent, she gently wipes His feet with her hair. She is captivated in her task, aware only of her Lord before her and the love for Him that burns within her. As she finishes, she rests in His gaze, aware that He is well pleased with her gift. Her heart is full, and on her own accord she will never leave His side. But the moment passes all too soon. With the grumbling of Judas, her heart becomes troubled and doubtful. Is he right? Should she have sold the oil instead? Perhaps the Lord would have been more pleased if she had done so. She knows His heart is for the poor, the lost, the sick, and the broken. She had wanted to show Him how much He meant to her, but maybe He didn't want such an extravagant showing. Devastated, she looks into His eyes, searching for the confirmation that what Judas said was true. But instead of disappointment, she sees only Love. “Let her alone,” He says, looking straight into her eyes, “The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me” (v 8). I am well pleased with you, my beloved sister, you have done well. Jesus, I want to love you like Mary did. But then the doubt creeps in and I begin to worry about my motives. Teach me to Love as she did. Help me to remember that you are well pleased with my acts of love, and that you see my heart. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Thanks so much for joining us! We hope these reflections have blessed you this Lent, and we would love to hear from you! Please email us at markandkatiemartinez@gmail.com or leave a review on your favorite platform. You can sign up for our email list here. A Reflection on John 11:28-57 “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” (v 37) How often do we echo some version of that question in our hearts? Could not He who cleansed the lepers have healed my sickness? Could not He who raised Lazarus have saved my child? Cannot He who rose from the dead Himself do something about the evil that runs rampant in the world? We hear the stories of miracles done by Jesus in the Gospels, and we wonder, “Where are you, Lord? Why is there still so much sickness, pain, suffering, evil?” The doubt creeps in. The lies whispered to our hearts: He doesn't care. His power is limited. He is not there. But “Jesus wept” (v 35). Knowing that Lazarus' death was only temporary, that he would in mere minutes call His beloved friend out to life again, Jesus wept. He felt keenly the pain, the suffering of Lazarus, the grief of Mary and Martha. He sees our pain, dear friends. He sees, and He weeps with us. He feels our grief, our confusion, our frustration. Even knowing what we do not know, what we cannot know, that soon He will redeem our pain, resurrect the dead parts of us back to life, He still weeps. That is how intimately connected He is with you and me. We have not felt anything that He does not feel with us. So, we can trust Him with everything. All the pain, all the frustration, all the questions. Lay it all at His feet. And look up at Him, see Him spreading His arms on the cross for love of you, and even if you cannot feel it, know that this, too, He will raise up. He has laid down His life and taken it up again (10:18), and He desires to do the same for us. Lay it all down and trust in Him. My Jesus, I get so discouraged when I look out at the world and see suffering and when my own pain feels like too much. In those moments, give me grace to look to You, to remember that You see it all and that You who loved me enough to die for me are holding it all in Your Hands, and this too, You will raise up. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 24 of our walk through the Gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! You can sign up to receive email updates here. A Reflection on John 11: 1-27 “And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” (v 22) Martha is in mourning. A spark of hope led her and Mary to send for Jesus, for surely the Lord, who loved Lazarus, would come and heal him as He had healed so many before. But He did not come. And now her brother lies dead in the tomb. The hope crushed within her; all she can do now is grieve. But then she receives word: He is coming. Something stirs within her, the spark that was so nearly quelled kindles. Not content to sit and wait, she runs to meet him on the road. She falls to her knees, and lays her grief at His feet. “Lord, if you had been here…” she begins. She is overwhelmed with sorrow. Through her sobs, she expresses her heart to the Lord. Without fear, she lays bare all that she has been feeling, all that has been building within her for the last four days since her brother died. And with that tiny spark of hope and a mustard seed of faith, she makes her heart known to Him: “And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Can we do the same? Can we go to the Lord and lay it all at His feet, and can we repeat those words of Martha? Can we acknowledge His Lordship over all, can we trust in the wisdom of His ways even when they are not our wishes? And even if He does not answer us as we hope he would, can we answer as Martha does: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God”? (v 27). My Jesus, I come to You, with just a spark of hope and a mustard seed of faith, knowing that is all You ask of me. I lay my worries, fears, and grief at Your feet. I do not know how You will answer me, but I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you. And Yes, Lord, I believe that are the Christ, the Son of God. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 23 of What Do You Seek, our Lenten reflections on the gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us! To subscribe by email, go here. A Reflection on John 10:22-42 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.” (v 27-28) Jesus: Do you hear this, child? Do you hear the promise? No one shall snatch you out of my hand. You are mine, little one. The Father has given you to me and I to you. If you will come with me, I shall take you by the hand and we shall go to my Father's House. I am the Light for you to see, the Door for you to enter, the Way for you to follow, the Truth for you to abide in, the Life for you to live forever. It will not always be easy. There will be times when you forget the feel of your hand in Mine. You will look up and not be able to see Me. The way will appear dark and difficult. Your feelings will deceive you, and perhaps even your hope will fade to nothing. Your heart will feel low and anguished, or nothing at all. You will feel as if you cannot possibly go on, and you will look back upon the Way you have walked and wonder if it was all for naught. Do not let your heart deceive you, child. For though you may not feel my Presence, I am with you always. And it is in those darkest moments that I am able to come closest to your heart, and you are able to come closest to My Heart in its agony, and together we will cry out, “Abba, Father!” “And no one is able to snatch (you) out of the Father's hand.” (v 29) Prayer: Oh Jesus, when the way is hard I lose sight of you so easily. I lose hope of getting back on track and feel as though I am completely alone in the world. In those times, grant me just enough faith to remember that You are with me and that I am never truly alone. Let me rest in my Father's hands with you by my side and trust that whatever it is I am facing, you will bring me through it. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 22 of our Reflections on the Gospel of John. Thanks so much for listening! To subscribe by email, go here. A Reflection on John 10:1-21 “He calls his own sheep by name.” (v 3) Jesus says to us: My dear, little sheep. Oh, how I love you. Do you hear me? I am calling for you. I know your name and I know your heart. I see it all, and I call you still. I am calling you out: out of this life you are living, out of the snare of sin, out of the darkness of shame. Will you follow? Will you let go of the old and put on the new? Oh how I desire to give you the new. The new, soft heart of flesh that knows fully that it is loved. The new, pure garment of white to show the purity of the soul washed clean. It is no easy thing, to step out of what is old and comfortable. But if you trust me, if you listen to my voice, and take that first step, I will give you all of that and more. I will lead you to green pastures and still waters (Psalm 23:2). And I will always be with you. There is another voice you hear. It is the voice of the enemy, the voice of a stranger. Perhaps it has already become all too familiar. It is the voice that whispers, “You are not enough… your sins are too much… you are not loved… you are not wanted… stay where you are because to leave would be too much risk and too much pain… you are safer here.” You need to know that that is not My voice. Listen to the voice of Love. Listen to My voice. “I am the good shepherd… and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (10:14a, 15b) I am calling your name, my dear, little sheep. I have already laid down my life for you. You have nothing to do but take that first step, come out to me, and let me lead you. Prayer: Oh Jesus, I want to step out in trust, but many troubles come, many voices call that disturb my peace. Help me to close my heart to the voice of the enemy, to hear your voice, and to trust You. Jesus, I trust in You! Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Readings from the Orthodox Christian lectionary for the Tuesday of Cheesefare (not the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste): Epistle: Jude 1:1-10 (NKJV)  Gospel: Luke 22:39-42, 45-23:1 (NKJV) The scripture readings are taken from the Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, Princeton, NJ. OrthodoxLectionary.com, by The Ambigua. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/orthodox-lectionary/message

Welcome to Day 21 of Lent and Day 21 of our reflections on the gospel of John! Thanks so much for listening. To subscribe by email, go here. A Reflection on John 9:1-41 “Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind.” (v 32) A man born blind. Darkness is all he knows. He sits near the temple, begging, unable to work because of circumstances beyond his control. The darkness before his eyes matches the darkness in his soul, as he hears the whispers day in and day out, in one form or another, similar to the disciples' question to Jesus: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (v 2). Shame weighs heavy on the man's soul as he believes what he has heard all his life, that this blindness has a cause, that he or his parents are at fault. And what could he do? There is nothing to do but beg and hope that some would have pity on him. There is no hope of healing because for a man born into blindness, there is no cure. But then he hears the words of Jesus: “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents…” Could this be true? The smallest of cracks begins to break through the black wall of shame around his heart. Small, but big enough to let a bright beam of Light shine in. He hears the teacher's words: “I am the light of the world,” and feels the wet, cold clay on his eyelids. “Go, wash,” the teacher tells him. So he does. And the dark wall of shame in his soul comes crumbling down as he blinks his eyes and takes in the light for the first time. He can see. Not only that, but the joy bubbling up in his heart is like nothing he has known before. The darkness is gone. The Pharisees question the man, but he refuses to let their disbelief and resentment bring him back down into the darkness, “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They cast him out, but they cannot cast out his new-found hope. Jesus, you are the light of the world. Only you can break through the walls that shame has built in my heart. Lord, I believe. Let your light shine in my soul, that it may shine out to all the world. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Thanks so much for joining us for Day 20 of our walk through the Gospel of John! You can subscribe to our email list here. A Reflection on John 8:31-59 “The truth will make you free.” (v 32) The Pharisees are denying what they cannot, or will not, understand – they have become the children, not of God, not of Abraham, but of Satan, the father of lies (v 44). They “cannot bear to hear (Jesus') word,” because it is truth, and the truth is a bright, blinding light in their darkness. “For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (3:20). The darkness is in me. Like the Pharisees in Jesus' time, it is so deep that I almost don't realize it is there. I cover it with disingenuous works, short-lived coping mechanisms, and a false mask that sends the message to the world that, “everything is fine.” But Jesus sees through it all. His light is so bright that He can see into the depths, into the places in my heart that have believed and given into the father of lies. Will I deny it like the Pharisees? Will I assert that everything is fine, that what I am doing is enough, that I don't need to change, don't need the light, because I have grown so accustomed to the darkness that not seeing is a comfort and to see would be too much? Or will I look up and see the eyes of my gentle Savior, the one who has endured the cross and grave so that I would not have to stay in darkness but could, if I chose to, rise with Him in the light? He sees the darkness, sees the lies I have believed, and he reaches out his hand to me and whispers, “You don't have to stay in slavery. The truth will make you free, I will make you free.” Jesus, dispel the lies in my heart. I renounce Satan and all his empty promises. I ask the Father's blessings on my heart so that I may always remember my true identity as His child and remain in Your Light. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Thanks so much for listening! Sign up for our email list here. A Reflection on John 8:12-30 “He who sent me is true…” (v 26b) The Pharisees continue to question Jesus. I imagine his exasperation. I remember the times when, like Him, I explain and repeat and explain more, desperately trying to be understood. But there is a difference. When I am at my wits' end, frustrated for being written off and misunderstood again and again, my frustration is rooted in selfishness. I am trying to put forth my own will. I want the other to know and understand, and perhaps to respect and admire, me, for my own sake. But Jesus' purpose is entirely different from mine. Jesus came for one purpose, to do the Father's will: “I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me.” (v 28b) And his repetition and perhaps even frustration at the misunderstanding of those around Him is not for his own sake. Jesus wants the other to know and understand the Father, for their sake. He wants to give them His own light, the light of the world, so they may know the way to where He is going. He is desperate for them to know, so that they may share in the Father's blessing, for “you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.” (v 24) “'You are my witnesses,' says the Lord, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.'” (Is 43:10-11) Do I believe that nothing and no one can save me but Jesus? Jesus, I am so unlike you. You show love for those who continue again and again to show disbelief despite the many signs and gifts you give. I am one of those lost sheep. I keep straying and wondering why I am lost, why I can't see or feel the light anymore. Jesus, be my Light. Cut through the darkness in my soul and show me the way to the Father. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 18 of our Lenten Reflections on the gospel of John. To receive our reflections, subscribe here. A Reflection on John 8:2-11 “No one, Lord.” (v 11a) Silence. Only the sound of my quick, shallow breathing. The muffled thuds of stones being dropped to the ground. And as I open my eyes, still pointed to the ground, I can see pairs of feet turn, and slowly walk away. One pair remains. The sandaled toes point to me. I slowly raise my eyes to the ankles, the hem of the tunic, the knees bent to the ground, the finger resting in dirt next to Him. He looks up at me. He looks as no one ever has before. And I am hit with a wave of emotion: confused and ashamed and thrilled and amazed all at the same time. Who is He? What does he want with me? He must be a holy man. Why else would the authorities take me to him? But I sensed something in them as they led me to Him, a suspicion, a deep jealousy. They do not want Him there any more than they want me there. We are both rejected. Yet this is the man to whom they turn to seal my fate? He is not like them. He does not answer their demand, but rather challenges them to play their own game. And He wins. And they walk away. And we are left alone. “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” He looks into my eyes as he asks this question and I can barely speak. I know that I was caught in my sin, that the law demands justice, that He knows that, too. But as I return His gaze, my shame melts away. The darkness in my heart that has made its home there for so long starts to give way, and Light breaks through. “No one, Lord,” I breathe out. He smiles the slightest smile, the smile of a shepherd who has just found his beloved lost sheep, and says “Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.” My Jesus, I am the woman caught in adultery. I have knowingly sinned against you and I come to you knowing that I deserve punishment even unto death. But you look on me with Love, and that Love changes me. Your Love makes me desire to never sin again. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 17 of our Lenten Reflections. Thanks so much for joining us! You can subscribe to receive our podcast here. A Reflection on John 7:25-8:1 “I have not come of my own accord.” (v28a) How blind and obstinate we can be. We hear Jesus' words, words that promise us eternal life, life giving food and thirst-quenching water, but we won't trust what we do not understand. We see His miracles: transforming water into wine, multiplying bread, healing paralytics, yet we question where He comes from. We will not let our hearts be changed by what He's doing. And we will not admit our own weakness and failings in the midst of a power that is beyond us. Instead, we judge, question, consider ourselves above Him. But Jesus is not swayed by our reaction. He knows that His purpose on earth is to do the Father's will, and He will do it regardless of the acceptance or understanding of others. Does He desperately want us to turn back to Him? Yes! Out of His desire to give us His very self, He stands and proclaims in the midst of those hostile to Him: “If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink” (v 37). But will our hard hearts change His determination to do His Father's will, even to the point of death? Absolutely not. His love for us does not depend on us. He is never changing. So, He will continue on His way to the cross, though his hour has not yet come. And He will endure His agony, His Passion, His death. He will be sorrowful, rejected, and abandoned. Because He is looking to the day when the Spirit will flow out the hearts of believers like rivers of living water, not for his own benefit, but for the good of those who love Him. Jesus, I am sorry for all of the times that I have rejected you because I did not understand what you were doing. I know that all that you do, you do for love of me. I trust that my Father's will is for my good. Let your Spirit flow out of me like living water to those I meet today, that they, too, may know that they are loved by You. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It is Day 16 of our Lenten Reflections! Thanks so much for joining us. If you have enjoyed these reflections, please share, leave us a review, or email us at markandkatiemartinez@gmail.com. You can receive the podcast and show notes via email by subscribing here. A Reflection on John 7:1-24 “He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.” (v 18) It is the feast of Tabernacles. Jesus has gone up to Jerusalem in secret because those in authority feel threatened by him and are seeking to kill him. But now he makes his presence known. He has gone to the Temple to teach and is speaking with the authority of a Teacher. It's hard to understand why he would do this. He says one thing and then does another. He goes in secret and then teaches publicly. His time has not yet come, yet he has come and is in the Temple conversing with those who are trying to kill him. Sometimes things happen in our lives that we don't understand. We think God is calling us one way, but then He closes that door. We pray for an answer to prayer but don't receive what we were wanting, or we wait and wait and feel like no one is listening. He knows. He sees. He is with us, and he speaks to us: “My ways are not your ways, child. My ways are the Father's ways, and all that I do, all that I say, is from Him. I seek His Glory. I proclaim His teaching. And I am true. In me, there is no falsehood, and you can trust me. I know you do not understand, but that is because there are some things that are beyond your understanding. But I am with you always, even in those moments. When you do not understand, look at my hands and see the wounds I endured for you. Look at my side, feel the flesh torn for you, feel my Sacred Heart beating with love for you. Look into my eyes. When you do not understand, rest there, trust me. In time, all will come to light and I will make all things new for you, my beloved.” Jesus, so many things that happen are beyond my understanding. I want to know why, but I can hear you calling me to trust in you. I know that you will reveal your will to me in your time. Come, Holy Spirit! Please give me the gift of trust. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 15 of our Lenten Reflections! To receive these reflections by email, subscribe here. A Reflection on John 6:41-71 “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.'” (v 45) The people are murmuring. Like “seed sown on rocky ground,” they have heard the word of God with joy, but upon encountering a difficult teaching from Jesus, they begin to question, doubt, and fall away (Mt 13:20-21). They've asked again for a sign like manna in the desert, and Jesus answers with a promise of the bread of eternal life. Yet rather than letting the words burn in their hearts (Lk 24:32), they ask, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (v 52). They are too attached to their worldly understanding (the limitations of the flesh Jesus speaks of) to understand that these words come from no ordinary man, but from him who has seen the Father.. Let us hear these words, not with stony hearts, but with hearts of flesh burning within us: “Truly, truly, I say to you,” Jesus implores. Do you hear the yearning in His voice? This is a truth He desperately desires for you to hear: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (v 53). He came so that we might have life, and have it abundantly (Jn 10:10). And this is how we are to have it: to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Seven times, Jesus emphasizes those words. Seven times, he implores us to partake. This is the heart of the Father, this is the heart of the Son: for us to receive His flesh and blood so that we might abide in Him and have eternal life. And the people will not accept it. They leave. Jesus watches them go, does nothing to stop them. This teaching is critical to His mission. He has come to bring the bread of Life to save us all who are in the desert of spiritual death, and He will not compromise. He turns to the twelve, turns to me, and asks, “Will you also go away?” Can I answer as Peter did? My Jesus, give me a heart burning with desire for the bread of Life, your body and blood in the Eucharist. I will not reject the gift of living bread, because I believe as Peter did. I make his words my prayer: “Lord, to whom shall I go? You have the words of eternal life; and I have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 14 of our Lenten Reflections on the Gospel of John. Sign up here to receive these reflections in your email. A Reflection on John 6: 25-40 “Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you?” (v 30) Jesus has performed a great sign: he has taken five loaves and two fish and fed the 5,000. Barely a day has passed, yet the people have already forgotten the wonder they felt feeding on the miracle. They have seen the sign, but in the struggle to believe Jesus' words, they begin to doubt and demand more. They desire more tangible proof. But Jesus is not here to promise worldly satisfaction. “Not as the world gives do I give to you,” he says to the Apostles at the Last Supper (John 14:27). He has come not to give merely physical bread but His very self, “the food which endures to eternal life… I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” (v 27, 35) How many times do we desire more? More proof, more signs, more miracles? “Jesus,” we pray, “if you could just do this, then I would trust, then I would follow you.” We have seen miracle after miracle, sign after sign, yet still we doubt. Our forgetful hearts still hunger and thirst because we have yet to fully come to him, we do not yet fully believe in him. We seek worldly satisfaction, when we know that the world will never truly satisfy. He knows it, too. He wants to give us so much more; He wants to give us the bread of Life, His very self. Will you come to Him? Will you believe and trust and let him satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst? My Jesus, my heart is troubled with doubt more often than I want to admit. I am sorry for doubting your words, your love. Jesus, I want to be filled with you. I want the peace that only you can give. Please, Lord, come into me and sit on the throne of my heart so I can be truly satisfied. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 13 of What Do You Seek. Thank you so much for listening! If you haven't already, you can sign up for a podcast link and show notes on our website here. A Reflection on John 6:16-24 “It is I; do not be afraid.” (v 20) It is dark. The sea is rising and falling, and our little boat is at its mercy. The wind whips my hair into my eyes as the water stings my skin. We are far out into the sea, isolated by the waters surrounding us, yet I don't mind it much. I am still marveling at the miracle we witnessed that day. The Lord has supplied our every need, even feeding the crowds with just five loaves and two fish. The bread that he gave had filled us, overflowing into twelve baskets. Now, as we cross the sea, I ponder all that has happened. Suddenly, my brothers are shouting and pointing. It seems as though something is coming towards us, but there is nothing but sea around us, what can it be? Is it a man? A man cannot walk on the water. My pulse quickens, I try to breathe but feel suffocated. What can it be? Is it an angel? A demon? We are here, defenseless, in the middle of the sea, and our Lord, the only one who can save us, is not with us. “It is I; do not be afraid.” I recognize my Lord's voice before I can make out His face, and relief floods my soul. It is He. He is here. He is with us. We have nothing to fear. What is the sea surrounding you today? We often feel isolated, in a lonely place where no one can save us. But He can. He can reach you, no matter where you are, no matter what is surrounding you. He has the power to come to you. He walks toward you, reaching out His hands to embrace you, and as He does, He whispers into your ear: It is I, child, I am here. Do not be afraid. Jesus, I feel so alone sometimes. I feel like no one can reach me, no one can help. Lord, in those moments, may I close my eyes and hear your words in my heart, “It is I, do not be afraid.” May I rest in your embrace, may the beat of your heart soothe my soul as I place myself in your care. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 12 of our Lenten Reflections on the gospel of John! If you'd like to receive a link to the podcast and these show notes to your email, subscribe here. A Reflection on John 6:1-15 “But what are they among so many?” (v 9b) The people have come, drawn to Jesus by his words and works. They are driven by curiosity and desire, a hunger to see and understand who this man is. Jesus sees their spiritual hunger. He wants to answer the question burning deep in their hearts: are you the one? Yet he does not seek to do it all Himself. “How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He asks. His apostles do not know what Jesus has in mind, and only see the physical limitations – there are so many people and only five loaves and two fish to be had, and “what are they among so many?” Jesus asks me a similar question, how will you serve my people? I look around and inside myself. Dear Jesus, there is so little here. I have little to give, what good can it do? He gazes upon me with the same love with which He looked upon His apostles. Give it to me, little one. Let me show you how much I can do with so little. There is a deep, deep hunger in the world today. I can satisfy, but I want your help. Will you trust me? Will I give of myself? Or will I give in to fear, hopeless that I can give anything that would be of any help? My dear Jesus, I want to help feed the hunger of your people. I give you all that I have, all that I am. It is so little, Lord. But I trust that you can do big things with my little efforts. Here I am, Lord, do with me what you will. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Thank you for joining us for our Lenten reflections, day 11! To receive a podcast link and transcript of the reflection sign up here. A Reflection on John 5: 19-47 “The Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing.” Consumed with jealousy and confusion, the religious leaders of Jerusalem are incredulous at Jesus' words and actions. Not only did he heal and command a man to carry his mat on the Sabbath, but he called God his Father. So, He answers their incredulity, seeing their stony hearts and desiring more than anything to turn those hearts to flesh: Dear heart of stone, I know that I am not what you expected. I know that the unexpected can sometimes bring you great fear. Having given in to hopelessness, you have turned your heart over to trust only in what you can see and feel and measure. But I can give you so much more than that. I can give you life. The kind of life that makes your stony heart turn to flesh. And it will swell with joy and peace and anticipation of the glory of God. “For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.” (v 21) I do not do this on my own authority, although that would be enough. My witnesses are John, the great works you have seen me do, the voice of the Father, the scriptures, even Moses himself, “for he wrote of me.” Is this not enough for you? Dear heart, “do not be faithless, but believing.” (Jn 20:27) The Father has sent the Son to give life. Do I believe? Do I accept the gift of Jesus Himself, the gift of life that He gives? My Father, thank you for the gift of life, thank you for the Gift of your Son. With all my heart, I accept this Gift and ask you to make my heart a heart of flesh, so that it may beat in rhythm with the heartbeat of Love. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 10 of our Lenten reflections on the gospel of John. Sign up to receive the podcast link and reflection transcript here. A Reflection on John 5:1-18 “Do you want to be healed?... Rise!” (v 6b, 8a) In Jerusalem, a man has been sick for 38 years. He sits by the pool in hopes of receiving healing, but he can't get there in time. He needs someone to help, and no one has. Jesus sees him and sees the resignation and despair on the man's face. While it should be obvious, Jesus still asks: “Do you want to be healed?” The man doesn't answer his question, but rather launches into an explanation: “I have no man to put me into the pool…” (v 7). But that's not what Jesus asked for. While others may be distracted by the man's external suffering, Jesus looks straight to the heart. He has come to show us the Father's heart, and the Father's heart is for us to be healed. Now, He looks into my heart. Do I want to be healed? Some of the wounds I have been nursing are years old, perhaps even older than this man's sickness. I know they are there; I know I can't heal them on my own. Yet despite the ache and pain that they continue to cause, I have become complacent and comfortable with them. Perhaps they allow me to continue in a pattern of sin, or perhaps the idea of allowing someone into those very deepest places is too terrifying, too much. But Jesus looks at me with the same tenderness he had for the sick man. “Do you want to be healed?” And all of a sudden, I am faced with a power that is stronger than my weakness, a power that can reach down into those deep places and tear out the bad roots, the lies, the strongholds, and bring healing to my heart. And it is terrifying. But then I hear him say, “Rise.” And I am flooded with peace as I stand. I rise, and I know that those wounds no longer define me. They are a part of the story but not the end. I stand in my new identity as beloved, and I am ready to walk. Yes, Lord Jesus, I do want to be healed. Heal me. Give me the strength to receive your healing and then to stand and walk in the Father's Love. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 9 of our reflections on the gospel of John. Thank you for joining us! If you'd like to receive our podcast link and reflection via email, please sign up for our email list here. A reflection on John 4:27-54 “So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city…” (v 28) The Samaritan woman had come to the well for water. Yet, when she returned to the city, she left her jar. She had come alone, in the heat of the day, the shame of her sin isolating her. But at the well that day, she encountered the Messiah, He who could give her living water. And now that water is like a spring inside of her; her material needs are no longer her main concern. She leaves the jar, and with it, her shame. The living water is bubbling up so that she can't help but tell all those she meets, “Come and See!” The woman had an encounter with Jesus and came away transformed. Haven't I met Him? And am I transformed? Have I let Him change me? Do I feed on doing the will of the Father (v 34), or am I concerned with earthly food and drink, control and affirmation? Through God's grace in every moment, His living water is in me, but in order for it to spring up to eternal life, I must receive and partake. Like the woman, I must let His presence, His gift, change me. Only then will I be able to leave my shame, as she did, and walk away healed and transformed. What is stopping me from transformation? Will I surrender the strongholds in my heart to Him? Jesus, come and give me faith and trust like the Samaritan woman. I want to be transformed by you. I open my heart to your living water. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 8! Thank you for walking with Jesus through the gospel of John with us. To receive an email with the podcast link and transcript, sign up for our email list here. A reflection on John 4:1-26 “Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink.'” The Lord thirsts. Later, on the cross, Jesus will say again, “I thirst,” (Jn 19:28) for all to hear. But here, in this lonely place, Jesus expresses that thirst for just one soul, the Samaritan woman. The God-man, who has taken on our humanity, thirsts, not only for water, but for her. The bridegroom longs for his bride, for her to be filled with the living water that alone can satisfy her deepest longings. He longs to bring her into His Father's embrace, where she will receive true belonging. “When God sees sin, He sees pain in us” (St. Julian of Norwich). Jesus sees through the woman's sin to the pain in her heart. He thirsts for me. He sees me, on the outskirts, condemned, lonely, ashamed. He sits, quietly observing me, and then he catches my eye. “Give me a drink,” he says. I'm taken aback. I look around. Is he speaking to me? He stares gently at me in a way that pierces me to my heart. What could Jesus possibly want from me? I falter, I wonder why, but I don't refuse. He looks into my eyes, into my heart, and he says, “Child, I see you. I know your sin, but more importantly I see your pain. I see how you have lived, trying to fill a thirst, an ache, in your heart. I can heal that ache, if you let me. I can quench your thirst so that you are filled to the brim and overflowing. Will you let me do this for you?” Will I? Am I willing to be so seen by Him? Or will I hide behind the walls of self-protection I have built in my heart? Jesus, I long to be filled with living water. Tear down the walls in my heart that are between us and enter into the deepest parts of my soul with your healing water. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 7 of our reflections on the gospel of John. Thank you for joining us! To receive a link to the podcast and the transcript of the reflection, please sign up for our email list here. A Reflection on John 3:22-36 “He who has the bride is the bridegroom…” (v 29a) Jesus is the bridegroom. The Lamb of God who comes to take away the sin of the worlds is also the bridegroom who has left His Father to cleave Himself to His bride. But who is the bride? Who is the one who will receive the love of Him who is Love? It is me, us, the whole Church. Maybe that is strange to think about. Yet how else could He satisfy our hearts? We are yearning to see God because we are yearning to be loved, and to love in return. We desire to be chosen, holy and beloved (Col 3:12). And the Word made Flesh chooses us. He makes us holy, setting us aside for Himself, and He calls us His Beloved. Yes, the bridegroom has come. The one whom our souls love has come into the world to unite us with Himself. It is not enough just to be our rescuer. He wants to be one with us, giving us a share in his divine heritage, that we may become “partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:4) John the Baptist recognizes this, and “rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice.” (v 29b) His mission is complete. His joy is full. Jesus comes to me now, desiring to bring all that the Father has given Him. Will I let Him take His place on the throne of my soul? My Jesus, my bridegroom, come into my heart and remain there with me. Help me to be more like John. Increase your presence in my soul, and decrease all that is contrary to you. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today is Day 6 of our walk through the gospel of John this Lent! Thank you for listening; if you have enjoyed our reflections, please share them, leave us a review or rating, or contact us on our website, www.markandkatiemartinez.com. To receive a link to the podcast and these notes via email, subscribe to our email list here. A reflection on John 3:1-21 “For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (v 17) A visit from Nicodemus in the night gives way to one of the most well-known verses in all of Scripture: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” A discourse about rebirth in the Spirit leads to this beautiful proclamation of God's intent: He is for us. Hear it again: He is for you. Jesus did not come to condemn, although He rightly could have. As the Son of God who sits at the Father's right hand, He has every right to judge and condemn. But that is not his intent. He came to save us. Rather than judging us and finding us wanting, He steps in our place, taking on the punishment that is rightly ours. He bears our burden. Jesus has come out of God's love. We are chosen, desired, loved by the Father so much so that He has sent His Son, both of them knowing full well what the ramifications would be. Jesus has come because He sees the pain, the brokenness, the sin in us and He wants to reclaim us as His Father's. He is for us. Knowing that, can we finally let Him in? “The light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light.” (v 19) When we are in darkness, our eyes grow accustomed to the lack of light. So much so that when the light comes, we are temporarily blinded. The pain of adjusting to the light makes us want to go back to the dark. Perhaps this is why it's so hard to let Him in. But if we will wait, if we will accept the temporary pain of adjusting to the light, of allowing Jesus to come and clean out what is not of Him, He will save us. Jesus, I do not want to live in darkness. Come, shine your light into my soul and reclaim what is rightfully yours. I am a beloved child of the Father, and you will save me. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 5 of our Lenten Reflections! To subscribe to receive a link to the podcast and this transcript by email, click here. A reflection on John 2:13-25 “Zeal for thy house will consume me.” (v 17, Ps 69:9) Jesus comes to the Temple, a house of prayer, the dwelling place of His Father. Rather than right worship, he finds there greed, filth, impurity. Zeal consumes Him, and He drives them out. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God?” (1 Cor 6:19) We are each the Father's house. That same passion that Jesus has for the Temple, he has also for us. When Jesus turned the water into wine, He gave us a glimpse of the Father's heart for the broken-hearted. When he drives out the money changers and animals, he is showing us the Father's will. Before He can truly fill us, He must first empty us of all that stands between us and Him. He wants to cleanse us with His love and mercy, so that He can come into our hearts and fill every corner of our souls. We must look into our hearts and acknowledge the wounds and strongholds, the stains of sin, the self-righteousness that reside there. We must renounce those things that keep Him out. Then, He can come in and truly make His home in us. Will we be like the Pharisees, asking, “What proof do you have?” Or will we humbly submit to his cleansing? What does He find when He comes into my soul? Will I allow Him to drive out those things that are not fit for the Father's house? My Jesus, you see everything in me, the good and the bad. In your name, Jesus, I renounce all that is in me that is not of You. I submit to you. Cleanse my soul of all that keeps me from attaching wholly to you. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

If you'd like to receive a transcript via email, go here. A Reflection on John 2:1-12 “They have no wine.” (v 3) Mary's words here are not a question. They don't even seem like a request. They simply make a statement, with which she reveals the situation to Jesus and her heart to us. Mary's heart is for the broken-hearted, the empty-handed. She sees the weakness that we are encumbered with and she knows just what to do: go to her Son. Jesus' words are confusing: “O, woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” And yet, His actions speak clearly. The next moment, the Word unveils his power over the material world and transforms the water into wine. What Jesus did not say, he communicated with this miracle: Mary's heart is his heart. As she is for the broken-hearted, so is He. His mission is her mission. As He has come to bring us into communion with the Father, so has she been given to us as a powerful intercessor for that purpose. We are not alone. We have a mother who sees, who brings us to Jesus, and asks on our behalf. She reminds us, as she reminded St. Juan Diego, “Am I not here, who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?” And she sees. She sees where we have “no wine,” the dark corners of our souls that are empty, the deep abyss of desolation that we try fervently to fill with cheap substitutes. And she brings Jesus to us; she shows him our emptiness, and what does he do? He fills us up with the good and everlasting wine. What are my places of emptiness? What am I trying to fill them up with? Mary, my mother, you see me. My emptiness, my weakness, my quiet desperation. Please bring your Son Jesus into these places, and ask Him to fill me up where I am lacking, so that I may reflect His glory like you do. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Day 3 of our Reflections on the Gospel of John. If you'd like to receive the transcript by email, go here. A Reflection on John 1: 35-51 “What do you seek? ... Come and see.” (v 39) These are the very first words of Jesus in the Gospel of John, spoken to the first Apostles. Jesus could see their longing; He knew why they were there. Still, He asks because He wants them to recognize and give voice to their desire. He wants the same for us. Close your eyes, and hear Him say those same words to you. He gazes into your heart, already knowing your wants and needs, your sins and wounds, yet waiting to hear your answer. “What do you seek? Do you know, child, what will satisfy your heart's desire? You may come to me looking for answers, but do you know, truly, what your soul cries out for? When you let go of all the false idols, all the counterfeits, can you feel the desire quell within you?... Come and see. I will show you. I see what is in your heart, and if you will let me, I will satisfy your thirst, measure for measure, even overflowing.” Will you let Him change you as the first Apostles did? They “stayed with him that day,” and after living an encounter with Jesus, they couldn't help but spread this news. What will your response be? When you hear Him saying, “Come and see,” will you go to meet Him in your heart of hearts? Will you allow yourself to be so changed by that encounter, that others will see the change in you and come to know Him more through you? He is calling you to a greater intimacy with him, an intimacy you may not have known was possible on this earth. He sees the question in your heart, and he wants you to come and see. All that is left is for you to take the first step. Are you ready? Jesus, I long to meet you in my heart. I desire intimacy with you there. Help me to prepare my heart. Remove the impediments and heal the wounds that keep you out. Make your home in me. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Day 2 of Lent and our reflections. If you'd like to receive this transcript by email, go here. A Reflection on John 1:19-34 “Who are you?” (v 19b) There is something different about John the Baptist. It couldn't escape the notice of the Pharisees. This strange man drew big crowds to the Jordan River, so they sent messengers to ask him: “Who are you?” They were confused by who this man could possibly be: he is obviously anointed for some great work of God. And in their pride, they demanded answers, perhaps in an attempt to keep up the façade of control. The result is a self-imposed spiritual blindness. We all have wounds that hinder our own ability to see. Some we know about, but refuse to acknowledge. Others we may not even realize are there; we know them only by their fruits: bitterness and resentment, vanity, pride, gluttony and addiction, jealousy, sloth. Sometimes, like the Pharisees, we are blinded by our own righteousness: we turn the spiritual life into a checklist, a goal to be met, an outcome to control. Our sins, disordered desires, and pride cloud our eyes and keep us from seeing Jesus. It is time to ask ourselves: what is hindering my ability to see? What is clouding my vision? When John saw Jesus, he was able to see Him as He really is, to see the Spirit descend upon Him. May the Spirit descend into our hearts and show us the places where we need to be healed, so that we can truly see the Lamb of God. We trust in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, all flesh shall see it together.” (Is 40:5) Come, Holy Spirit, remove the scales from my eyes. I invite you into my heart to show me what is a hindrance. Come and bring Jesus, the divine Physician, to heal my wounds and open my eyes. I will do my part by letting go and releasing the sin and control I cling to. May I recognize the glory of Jesus as John did. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It's Ash Wednesday! Today we begin our walk with Jesus through the Gospel of John.  May we spend our Lent growing closer to Jesus so that we can more fully partake in Easter joy.   To receive this transcript via email, subscribe here! A Reflection on John 1: 1-18 “No one has ever seen God…” (v 18) The longing for every human heart is, ultimately, to see God.  This longing was placed deep within us at creation.  “In the beginning…” as John echoes Genesis, our first parents walked intimately with God.  They saw Him.  “Blessed are the pure of heart,” Jesus says, “for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)  Adam and Eve were created pure, able to see God, but with original sin came the shattering of original innocence.  No longer pure of heart, they could no longer see Him.  And from that moment, man's existence could be characterized as a deep longing to behold the face of God. The apostle Philip gives voice to this longing later in the gospel, when he urges Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied.” (John 14:8)  Jesus answers:  “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) Yes, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (v 14)  By taking on human flesh, Jesus becomes the God that we can see.  “No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.” (v 18) The first step in any process of growth is awareness, so we start here.  We sit in this awareness that once we had intimacy with God and now, we do not.  But it is available to us.  Maybe not to the fullest extent as it will be, but it is.  Jesus has made the Father known.  Through him, we can have life and have it abundantly.  He wants to fill up our hearts to overflowing.  He wants us to say, with John: “We have beheld his glory, glory as of the only-begotten Son from the Father… And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:14b, 16) Do I realize the longing in my heart?  Do I believe that Jesus can fill it? Jesus, Here I am.  I do recognize a deep ache within me, and I acknowledge that only you can fill it.  I long to see the Father.  Show me the way, Jesus, that I may experience the abundant life you have for me on this earth, and share in your Eternal Life in heaven. Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

You asked for it and we delivered. Welcome to the first ever Face-Off to finally settle "Who is the better Catholic" Matt Walsh or Michael Knowles? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why I know these people are 1. Heretics 2. To be called out as such 3. Liars and here is the interview where Emo Jones falls short many times in a row to a calm interviewer. https://youtu.be/Y3mr9OPbNCY at 11:18 meant tay-Tay Marshall, not Tay-Tay jones, but you know how it is with these grifters, they soon all blend together in a fog of heresy for me.

I've never played this game... but Father Pat has :)  We talk...  Mary the Mother of God  Angelic Warfare  El Camino Challenge  Eating your Priest's Pizza

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