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5 episodes with during holy week
3 episodes with during holy week
2 episodes with during holy week
2 episodes with during holy week
2 episodes with during holy week
2 episodes with during holy week
2 episodes with during holy week
2 episodes with during holy week
2 episodes with during holy week
During Holy Week, when we remember Jesus's journey to crucifixion and resurrection, understanding the Lord's Supper takes on special importance.Drawing from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, we explore how Jesus transformed the Passover meal into something revolutionary during that final gathering with his disciples. Just as lamb's blood on doorposts once saved the Israelites from death in Egypt, Christ's blood—the ultimate Lamb of God—now saves us from sin's eternal consequences. The bread representing his broken body and the cup symbolizing his blood create tangible reminders of an intangible salvation.This ordinance operates across time dimensions—looking back at Christ's sacrifice ("I remember that you died in pain so I can live in power"), grounding us in present fellowship with believers, and pointing forward to Christ's triumphant return. Like upgrading from disposable cameras to iPhones, Jesus established a new covenant infinitely superior to the old. Where repeated animal sacrifices once provided temporary atonement, his single perfect sacrifice covers all sin for those who believe.At communion's heart lies forgiveness—both receiving it through Christ and extending it to others. As Ephesians 4:32 reminds us, we forgive "as God in Christ forgave you." When unforgiveness tempts us (that poisonous mindset where we drink toxins hoping others die), the Lord's Supper reorients our hearts toward the grace we've received.Whether you call it communion or the Lord's Supper, this sacred practice invites us to remember, rejoice, and recommit ourselves to the One whose body was broken and blood was shed that we might live. Will you approach your next communion with renewed appreciation for what it truly means?Support the show
Grace for My Home | Christian Moms, Growing in Faith, Spirit-Led, Hearing from God, Sowing Truth
Text me a message! I would love to hear from you!Pride forms a barrier between us and growth. When we believe we have all the answers, we create no space to receive new wisdom or healing. This spiritual principle appears throughout Scripture - God exalts the humble but resists the proud. Why? Because humility acknowledges our need for something beyond ourselves.Jesus consistently bypassed religious elites to fellowship with society's outcasts. When questioned about dining with "sinners," His response was profoundly simple: "Those who are well have no need for a physician." Only those who recognize their sickness seek healing. During Holy Week, we're reminded how Jesus entered Jerusalem on a humble donkey. The common people recognized Him while religious authorities questioned His authority, unable to see God's work because it didn't conform to their expectations.Many of us struggle with the idea of submission because those in authority over us, who were supposed to protect us, hurt us. When those meant to protect us cause harm instead, walls form. We associate submission with control rather than its true purpose: receiving protection, wisdom, and growth from those further along the journey. God never forces submission - He guides and instructs while preserving our freedom to choose. True authority serves rather than dominates.The most extraordinary miracles often aren't physical but internal - deep healing of wounded hearts that transforms victims into vessels of healing for others. This restoration begins with humility to admit we need help and continues as we forgive what we cannot forget. Your healing journey isn't just for you; your testimony builds faith in others that their wounds aren't beyond God's reach.Are you struggling with trusting authority? Has pride built walls that keep even God at a distance? Consider how humbling yourself might create space for the healing and growth you've been seeking. Your breakthrough may be just one prayer away: "Lord, help me." Get a free copy of The Grace-Filled Home: 5 Essentials to Creating a Home Where Faith Can Grow Get your free copy of: 7 Powerful Prayers to Pray Over Your Husband Get the List! Our 35 Favorite Family Read-Alouds Purchase a copy of my latest book! Covered in Prayer: 31 Prayers to Cover You and Your Children in God's GraceIf you enjoy this episode and want to buy Audrey a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ajmccrac73dFor more mom encouragement visit graceformyhome.comJoin My Email List!Follow me on ...
In this episode, we conclude our Lenten book study by focusing on the epilogue and sharing ideas on how to prepare for the Triduum. During Holy Week, our Lord invites us to join Him on His Paschal journey. We reflect on how He takes on our suffering, sin, and brokenness and brings them to the Father so that death may be destroyed forever. We also talk about the importance of remembering how God has transformed our lives, the call to “be not afraid”, and how our Lord is restoring our deepest identities. You are in our prayers dear friends, and we will see you again in the Easter season! Heather's One Thing - Glory: Women's Gathering (June 6th-8th 2025) Heather's Other One Thing - The Pause App from Wild at Heart Sister Miriam's One Thing - Peaceful Guitar Playlist from Spotify Michelle's One Thing - Everything about Easter (the Liturgy, flowers, decorations…everything!) Announcement: We will be taking a two week break for Easter and will see you again on May 5th! Journal Questions: Where do I need the Lord to grow my capacity? Where do I still need resurrection? What sorrowful places in my life need a reminder of the Lord's victory? Where in my life do I despise or push away or idolize my humanity? Discussion Questions: How can you embrace a kingdom mindset this Holy Week? What has been your Jubilee story? How do you see your humanity as an obstacle rather than a gift to the world? How does the Lord want to personally and individually restore your humanity? Quote to Ponder: “There are ways of being crucified that do not involve rough wood and heavy nails, but a love beyond our capacity to love, which means a love that has been given to us by God.” (Catherine Doherty) Scripture for Lectio: “The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, The King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “do not be afraid daughter of Zion; look your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt.”” (John 12:12-15) Sponsor - Mary Powathil: Mary Powathil, a Houston-based iconographer and fine artist, creates sacred artwork that invites us into a deeper relationship with God. Mary's work has been featured worldwide, at the National Eucharistic Congress, and even the upcoming Sugar Land Arts Festival. Her icons serve as windows into heaven and can be commissioned or printed. Mary also designs custom prayer books to help families grow in holiness through daily prayer. Her art truly can be used as tools for living a faith-filled life. Visit www.marypowathil.com or follow her on Instagram @mkpcreates. Use code ABIDE10 for 10% off your first order! Commissions Original Artwork for Sale Prints for Sale A Look at the Icon Design Process Timestamps: 00:00 - Mary Powathil 01:25 - Intro 02:18 - Welcome 03:44 - Our Personal Resurrection Stories 05:24 - Do Not Be Afraid 08:10 - Speaking Truth 09:39 - Honor and Honesty 11:09 - Restoration of Our Deepest Identities 13:14 - The Importance of Remembering 15:13 - Humanity 17:11 - An Individual and Unique Love 17:49 - Pray for Priests and Holy Week Services 21:03 - The Tears that Fell 22:49 - One Things
During Holy Week, we remember the suffering and triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ. And what he did then still speaks to us today. Listen as we explore what God is like in our darkest hour.
Love is the most powerful force on Earth, yet it's often misunderstood because we view it in selfish ways. It's easy to love when it's convenient, but Jesus calls us to a higher standard—love that serves others, even when it's difficult. That kind of love we're called to live isn't possible on our own; we need the help of the Holy Spirit to love like Jesus. Yet that cost leads to transformation, not just for the one loved, but for the one loving.During Holy Week, Jesus didn't just speak about love; He lived this kind of love. From washing the feet of His disciples to willingly going to the cross, Jesus showed that real love always comes with a cost. If you've been holding on to past pain or disappointment, maybe it's time to release that and cling to the Source of love Himself.Scriptures ReferencedJohn 3:16, 13:33-34, 14:21; 1 Corinthians 13:4-13; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 13:8Key InsightsYou cannot love God and not love people.Loving people isn't easy because people are people.Jesus was weird, and we are called to be weird, too.Love that costs you nothing is not love that transforms anything.Love doesn't just forgive failure, it makes space for it.Prayer TargetsPlease join us in prayer for:A hunger for the Word.Tears for the lost.Testimonies to share.Get sermons delivered automatically: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Your Favorite Podcast AppWe would love it if you would consider joining us in person for one of our Sunday gatherings.Gathering TimesSundays, 9:00 AMSundays, 11:00 AMThursdays, 6:00 PMContact InfoSpringhouse Church14119 Old Nashville HighwaySmyrna TN 37167615-459-3421 Additional ResourcesConnect online: Download our appVisit our website at SpringhouseSmryna.com.Subscribe on YouTubeGiving: Online tithes and offeringsJoin us online: LivestreamLearn what we believe.Find out what ministries we support.Discover Springhouse Theatre CompanyCCLI License 2070006
We preview Holy Week in Puglia, the week leading up to Easter. During Holy Week many towns in Puglia hold elaborate processions and ceremonies to commemorate the Passion and Death of Christ. These rituals are often marked by solemn music, prayers, and the use of symbols and images that evoke feelings of sorrow and mourning. From the Vattienti of Martina Franca and the Pappamusci of Francavilla Fontana to the Procession of Maria Addolorata in Taranto. Whether you are a believer or not, there is something deeply moving about the devotion and passion that is on display during la settimana santa. For more detail and photographs from the events mentioned in this podcast episode, visit our Puglia Guys guide to Easter in Puglia: The Passion and Pain | Aspects of Holy Week in Puglia. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia (including videos in our stories from Holy Week events).
April 4, 2025Today's Reading: Mark 13:24-37Daily Lectionary: Genesis 47:1-31; Genesis 48:1-49:28; Mark 13:24-37[Jesus said,]“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Mark 13:28-31)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.During Holy Week, Jesus foretold what the end of time would be like. Looking around, He mentioned the budding of the trees and the emerging leaves. If you look around you, you see that, too. Jesus wants springtime to remind you that Jesus and His return are near. He is coming again. That seems like a strange message just a few weeks before Easter. Usually, we think about the end of the world in the fall and winter as the days grow short and the darkness lengthens. Here, Jesus mentions it with new life and restoration and the plants growing again. The Last Day is, after all, a continuation of Easter and a celebration of new life.Wait, you haven't thought about the end of the world as a fulfillment of Easter and new life before? That's fair. But do it now. Easter is a spring festival because Passover originally happened in the spring and was observed after that in the spring. As the leaves start to bud on the trees and flowers grow and people start to plant their gardens, reflect that this new growing season points ahead to the “new season” of God's restoration when the current heavens and earth are replaced with the perfected, restored heavens and earth. In a couple of weeks, look at the Easter lilies and think, “Not only is it springtime, but Jesus' resurrection is preparing me for eternal life!” As Jesus prepares you for Easter, He also prepares you for His return in glory when the Tree of Life will bear fruit every month (Revelation 22:1-2), and all things will be new and perfect. Springtime is great, but the eternal life of resurrection with God is even better! Look forward to that day of new life that began when Jesus rose from the grave to new life at Easter.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Herald, sound the note of triumph; Christ has come to share our life, Bringing God's own love and power, Granting vict'ry in our strife. Sound the trumpet! Tell the message: Christ, the Savior king, is come! (LSB 511:4 and refrain)-Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Visit the timeless rhythms of the Christian life with award-winning author Harold L. Senkbeil. As he addresses the concerns and pressures of the world today, you'll discover that even while the world is dying, Christ's death brings about life. True life. One that He offers to you. Order Now!
He Is Risen: From Good Friday to Easter! MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus was the perfect Passover Pascal sacrificial Lamb on Good Friday. The events of Holy Week changed the world with His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Holy Week, this week leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus, was a week full of events in Jesus' earthly life – arriving in Jerusalem on Sunday to the adoration of vast crowds and being hailed as “King”; entering into Jerusalem through the “East Gate”, the gate predicted for the arrival of the Messiah; visiting, teaching and debating in the Temple; celebrating Passover with His disciples, thereby instituting the sacrament for us of the “Holy Communion”; on Friday, being tortured and crucified on the Cross, and taking onto Himself all the sins of the world and becoming the Sacrificial Lamb when He called out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”; completing the work, at His actual death on the Cross, that He come to earth to accomplish; nothing occurring on earth during His death on the remainder of Friday and Saturday; and arising, alive, from the tomb Sunday to be seen and to converse with His disciples. These seven days, in the life of the God-Man Jesus, changed everything for all the world! After the events in the life of Jesus during this Holy Week, it was apparent to His friends and disciples that Jesus was who He said He was – Jesus was the Messiah sent by God to fulfill God's New Covenant for those that had faith in Jesus as God's son and followed Jesus in their lives. This promised Messiah opens up a spiritual world of communication directly with God for those of us that follow Jesus. Not only did Jesus arise from the dead 2000 years ago, He is alive today and seeking a relationship with us! During Holy Week, Jesus left us a pattern for how to live an abundant Christian life today -- die in ourselves; take up His Cross; and follow Him – as Paul tells us in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.". We cannot be “crucified with Christ” if we live with a life-focus on “me, myself, and I”. He is risen, but do our lives reflect Jesus' sacrifice for us; are we “crucified with Christ”? TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 16:24-25; 1 Peter 4:1-6; John 12:24; Mark 8:34. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers Are the Enemy's {devil's} Target to Mess You Up and To Destroy Your Relationship with God”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
He Is Risen: From Good Friday to Easter! MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus was the perfect Passover Pascal sacrificial Lamb on Good Friday. The events of Holy Week changed the world with His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Holy Week, this week leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus, was a week full of events in Jesus' earthly life – arriving in Jerusalem on Sunday to the adoration of vast crowds and being hailed as “King”; entering into Jerusalem through the “East Gate”, the gate predicted for the arrival of the Messiah; visiting, teaching and debating in the Temple; celebrating Passover with His disciples, thereby instituting the sacrament for us of the “Holy Communion”; on Friday, being tortured and crucified on the Cross, and taking onto Himself all the sins of the world and becoming the Sacrificial Lamb when He called out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”; completing the work, at His actual death on the Cross, that He come to earth to accomplish; nothing occurring on earth during His death on the remainder of Friday and Saturday; and arising, alive, from the tomb Sunday to be seen and to converse with His disciples. These seven days, in the life of the God-Man Jesus, changed everything for all the world! After the events in the life of Jesus during this Holy Week, it was apparent to His friends and disciples that Jesus was who He said He was – Jesus was the Messiah sent by God to fulfill God's New Covenant for those that had faith in Jesus as God's son and followed Jesus in their lives. This promised Messiah opens up a spiritual world of communication directly with God for those of us that follow Jesus. Not only did Jesus arise from the dead 2000 years ago, He is alive today and seeking a relationship with us! During Holy Week, Jesus left us a pattern for how to live an abundant Christian life today -- die in ourselves; take up His Cross; and follow Him – as Paul tells us in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.". We cannot be “crucified with Christ” if we live with a life-focus on “me, myself, and I”. He is risen, but do our lives reflect Jesus' sacrifice for us; are we “crucified with Christ”? TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 16:24-25; 1 Peter 4:1-6; John 12:24; Mark 8:34. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers Are the Enemy's {devil's} Target to Mess You Up and To Destroy Your Relationship with God”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
This is our Good Friday service, a remembrance held at the traditional hour of the crucifixion of Jesus. It begins with the chiming of the hour, which sets the mood. It includes a reading of two chapters of the Fourth Gospel that describe the arrest, condemnation, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus, a familiar and agonizing section to hear and recall. Rev. Maggie Jarrell, our Pastor of Children and Families, delivers the Good Friday Meditation. The title comes from the scripture reading as Pilate asks Jesus, “What is truth?” In a sense, Pilate's question to Jesus is, “What's the point?” a question we often ask. We put off discomfort and pain, but avoiding such things is not possible because we are not in control. God keeps on loving us, no matter, and this suffering of the son of God reminds us that God knows our suffering and pain and loves no matter the situation. Solidarity with those who suffer means we take risks and give up comforts, but the example of Jesus who worked for the suffering and in so doing, also suffered, stands in front of us. During Holy Week we do not flinch from the truth because of God's great love for us. God is with us; we are not alone. We know Easter is on the horizon.
During Holy Week, people all over the world remember Jesus's words on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Did God really abandon Jesus on the cross? Or was Jesus quoting these specific words at this specific moment for a specific reason? In this final episode of “Out of Context,” we unpack Jesus's use of a rabbinic technique called “remez” to make a bold claim about his supreme confidence in God's faithfulness. Once you understand the context of these powerful words, you'll be inspired by the knowledge that even in our darkest moments, God doesn't leave us or abandon us!
Hosanna to the King! Salvation is here!! Can you imagine what it was like just days before Jesus was crucified? At this time, the crowds that gathered to see Jesus did not know what was about to take place, but there was great excitement as he arrived in Jerusalem. In this week's podcast, Pastor Daniel Kolenda shares a message of celebration and praise. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" During Holy Week, let's prepare our hearts and come together this Easter weekend to worship Jesus Christ, our Savior. He is worthy of ALL our praise!
During Holy Week will you confess who Jesus is?
The Faith Explained with Cale Clarke - Learning the Catholic Faith
During Holy Week, the figure of Judas Iscariot looms large. Who was he? Where was he from? Where did he go? What do we know? What does the Bible say? And, what is the “Gospel of Judas?”
The Cale Clarke Show - Today's issues from a Catholic perspective.
During Holy Week, Peter failed miserably, but later succeeded, with Jesus' help. Plus: Mistaken Identity at the Masters: how a good deed got rewarded!
During Holy Week we remember the last supper Jesus had with his disciples on Maundy Thursday and commemorate the crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday, but what was happening on Saturday? Alyssa Robinson asks Rev. Gracie Millard about different theories about Jesus's time in the tomb, what the Bible says, and what the United Methodist Church believes.
Who Is Responsible For Jesus' Death?Ephesians 1:7-8a “ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us.”During Holy Week the fact that Christ died for our sins is on the top of our minds. As we go through the week we are all anticipating Good Friday, which is only Good Friday now that we know what happened and why it happened. Back when it happened, no one was calling it good Friday. It was a day filled with complete and utter sadness. The Savior, the Messiah had been murdered. How could that be? It was not only heart breaking, it was confusing. Why didn't He save Himself? He helped all those people over the last three years, he brought Lazarus back from the dead, why couldn't He just come down off of the cross? No one understood, no one heard Him when He told them what was going to happen. It definitely did not feel like a “Good Friday.” The reason we celebrate it as “Good Friday” is because we understand why Jesus had to die on the cross. We understand His passion for a greater purpose. We understand that the Jewish chief priest and elders were not responsible for Jesus' death. We understand that Pontius Pilate and the Romans were not responsible for Jesus' death. We understand that Judas is not responsible for Jesus' death. Jesus died on a cross because that it was He was sent here to do. Jesus died on a cross to redeem us from original sin and reunite us with our heavenly Father. Jesus came to fulfill the Father's plan. I have been listening to the Catechism in a Year podcast with Father Mike. I am learning to so much about who God is, who Jesus is, who the Holy Spirit is. I am also learning a lot of about what the Catholic Church actually says about a lot of things as I think the world can kind of take what they think the church is saying and then get it all twisted up. Father Mike said he was talking to a man one time that was really upset because the man said Catholics blame the Jews for Christ's death and yet Christ dying was a good thing because He saved us from our sins. So why do we blame the Jews when it was a good thing? Father Mike explained that we do not blame the Jewish people for Christ's death. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which spells our exactly what the Catholic Church believes, #598 says, “In her magisterial teaching of the faith and in the witness of her saints, the church has never forgotten that "sinners were the authors and the ministers of all the sufferings that the Divine Redeemer endured." Taking into account the fact that our sins affect Christ himself, the church does not hesitate to impute to Christians the greatest responsibility for the torments inflicted upon Jesus, a responsibility with which they have all too often burden the Jews alone: we must regard as guilty all those who continue to relax into their sins since our sins made the Lord Christ suffer the torment of the cross, those who plunge themselves into disorders and crimes crucify the son of God a new in their hearts (for he is in them) and hold him up to contempt. And it can be seen that our crime in this case is greater in us than in the Jews as for them, according to the witnesses of the apostle, "none of the rulers of this age understood this for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.” We, however, profess to know him. And when we deny him by our deeds, we in someway seem to lay violent hands on him. St. Francis of Assisi said, “Nor did demons crucify him; it is you who have crucified him and crucify him still, when you delight in your vices and sins.” This really hit me when I heard it. I have heard many people say the Jewish people killed Jesus. I would always say, yes, some did, but not all of them. However, I never really thought of it like this. I never thought of us all having a part in it because Jesus died for our sins, all of our sins, every single person on the the planet, past, present and future. None of us can escape responsibility for it. I don't know that our responsibility for His death should be our focus. I don't know that we should focus more on that than the fact that He died to release us, to set us free from sin. I think when we think of Jesus dying on the cross we should celebrate what He did for us. Our freedom came at such a high cost. I think the fact that He took our sins with Him to the cross and that sin no longer has dominion over us is definitely where we should focus our thoughts.However, I do think it would be good to take some time every now and then, especially during Holy Week, and examine your behaviors. Take a look at your life and your choices. Are you continuing to crucify Christ daily with your choices? I have been thinking a lot about what St. Francis said, “Nor did demons crucify him; it is you who have crucified him and crucify him still, when you delight in your vices and sins.” We all talk about how horrible the crucifixion was. We talk about how amazing it is that Jesus died for our sins, but what an awful experience. That pain and that suffering is nothing we would ever want anyone to go through again. And yet, St. Francis is saying when we continue to delight in our sins we crucify him still. That is powerful to me. Maybe it is just the Holy Spirit convicting me, maybe that is not resonating with you or sticking with you. I hope that is the case. However, I felt moved to share it with you in case it did resonate. In case it did cause you to stop and think about the various ways you may be delighting in your vices or your sins. Lent is a time when we usually stop and take a look at our vices. We see which ones we want to take a break from for the 40 days of Lent. We examine our lives and how we want to live differently during Lent. Maybe we are being called to live differently every day and not just during lent. Do we have vices or sins that we need to give up once and for all and not keep turning back to them? Are we doing things on a regular basis that are causing Jesus more pain that we need to? Can we stop these things? Yes, I know we can stop these things if we choose to because Jesus defeated sin when He died on the cross. Sin no longer has dominion over us. If we partner with God to give up our vices, to give up our sins, He will help us. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!This episode is not too make you feel guilty. I am not saying you alone are responsible for Christ's death on a cross. We all, as a human race are responsible because He died for our sins, each and every one of us. The point is not to feel guilty, the reason I shared this with you is so that we can all take a look at our lives and see the things that we may still be doing on a consistent basis that are continuing to hurt Jesus. The first step in changing anything is to be aware something needs to change. This is why I felt compelled to share this with you. If you heard what St. Francis said you and felt convicted to change something, great! If you didn't, that is great too. God puts on our hearts what He wants us to work on. If you didn't feel compelled to change anything then that is great. This may not be an issue for you. I know it resonated with some of you though. I know it did with me too. Dear Heavenly Father, I pray you bless everyone listening to this episode today. Lord, please put on our hearts any recurring sins you want us to change. Please put on our hearts any ways we are not showing up in the best way we can. Lord, we thank you for sending your Son to die on a cross for us. We know it wasn't easy and it came at great cost to you. We love you Lord, you are amazing. We thank you for taking away our sin and the hold that sin had over us. We ask you Lord to help us remember that sin no longer has dominion over us. Help us to remember we are stronger than our desires. Help us to remember, just because we want it doesn't mean we have to have it. Help remind us of the strength and power we have because you are within us. We love you Lord and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy and powerful name, AmenThank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I am so excited to bring you a witness tomorrow from my mother in law. She was brave enough to step out in courage and share two witnesses about two different times when God showed up for her. I know you will love it! I look forward to bringing that to you tomorrow. Remember Jesus loves you and so do I! Go out and celebrate life today!
Excerpts are from New American Bible Revised Edition and Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina (affiliate links) Thanks for supporting Lectio Divina Reflections. When you click through the Amazon affiliate links in this description and make a purchase, we may earn commissions that help support this channel. A reading from the holy Gospel according to John The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him. Before Passover and after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus goes to the house of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus for a dinner they invited him to. John tells us that Mary takes a liter of costly perfumed oil and anoints the feet of Jesus and dries them with her hair. At this, Judas Iscariot complains, saying that the oil should have been sold to give to the poor. He says this not because he cared about the poor but because he held the money bag and would steal from it. Jesus says to Judas: “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” Seeing large crowds of Jews go to see Jesus there, the chief priests plot to kill Jesus and Lazarus. Because of Lazarus, many people were coming to believe in Jesus. In Jesus' rebuke of Judas, there is tenderness toward Mary's anointing. During Holy Week, what little extravagance of love can I offer the Lord? God, you are outside of time; yet, your Son recognizes his time on earth was coming to an end. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, just as he would soon be at the feet of the Twelve, the servant of servants washing them clean of sin. Help me understand the paths of those who came to believe in you, whether through their heart or head. Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, Mary said to him: “I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Others came to believe in you through the works your Son performed while on earth, witnesses to his many miraculous healings. In the first reading from Isaiah, you say: “I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand.” There is only so much time to come to believe in you, Lord, and remain firm in belief; take initiative, take me by the hand. God, grant me the grace today to use the things of this world for your glory. Creator of heaven and earth, you are a light for the nations. Open my eyes today to see the light and do what is pleasing to you. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Readings YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lectiodiv/videos Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/lectio-divina-daily-reflections/id1637258440 Web: https://lectiodiv.wordpress.com Support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=85589341 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lectio-divina-daily/support
Season 5 begins with a six episode block of conversation about Elijah and Elisha. For this block, Neil and Fiona are joined by Elaine Duncan, Chief Executive of the Scottish Bible Society. For the final episode in this mini-season, discussion begins with a question about how expectant we are to see miracles in the everyday. Conversation then turns to a discussion of the latter events of Elisha's ministry, where miracles abound. about the role of the prophet and the relationship between Elijah and Elisha as observed in 2 Kings 4:1-7:2. Glover's Others brings another little known Bible character to our attention along with the reminder of the prize on offer for the spotter of the sequence. After Easter, we'll be studying the book of the Acts of the Apostles. Join us then! This episode was engineered and edited by Aimee Higgins. ------- The Outspoken Bible is hosted by Fiona Stewart with Neil Glover and Elaine Duncan. All opinions are those of the individual contributors and don't necessarily reflect the view of the Scottish Bible Society as an organisation. ------- Shownotes: In advance of next term, you might like to invest in a copy of Love, Death and Resurrection - the whole New Testament in a form that sheds new light to a familiar story. Get in touch here or by emailing outspoken@scottishbiblesociety.org. ------- During Holy Week, listen out for 5 special episodes with reflections on the Easter story in Luke's Gospel. After Easter, we'll be speaking our way through the Acts of the Apostles.
For 5 weeks in our Passion Series, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ to observe the events that took place during the last week of his life. This week is referred to as Holy Week on the Christian calendar - and today we're learning that Jesus got angry - and righteously so - upon his visit to the Temple. During Holy Week, on Palm Sunday Jesus entered Jerusalem with incredible fanfare. Then, Jesus then goes on to defy the expectations of the Jewish people. He did this by showing a display of righteous anger, turning over tables in the Jewish Temple. Jesus did this because merchants were wrongly buying and selling goods at the house of God. Later that week, we learn that Jesus dies on Good Friday and rises from the dead 3 days later on Easter. But, before we can celebrate Easter, we will experience Jesus' “Passion,” which is His suffering born out of love for us. You can journey along with us in the Gospel of Mark, which covers the last 8 days of Jesus' life in its final 6 chapters. In this message, we take a deeper dive into the Gospel account of Mark 11, where Jesus enters the Jewish Temple courts and drives out merchants who were buying and selling there. Many of Jesus' followers and the Jewish people in Jerusalem expected Jesus to come and act as a King, defying cruel Roman government rulers. Instead, he defied the Pharisees and religious leaders of the time. It may be hard for many Christians to imagine a Jesus that gets angry. We may tend to picture Jesus as meek and mild, Jesus as full of grace and love. But, the truth is, even in Jesus' great love, there are things that angered Him - and what was happening in the Temple was a great injustice. It's important for Christ followers to understand the journey of Jesus and the suffering He endured for us… so together let's learn about the week that changed the world. Watch this message from Pastor Zach Taylor, and learn about Holy Week, the most sacred 7 days in Christianity. #Passion #Anger #Passover #Temple #HolyWeek #Easter #GospelofMark #Jesus #Christianity #ChristianChurch #LiquidChurch
During Holy Week, Jesus engages with the Pharisees, Sadducees and Herodians as they all seek to trap Him politically, theologically and legally. Jesus' answers to their questions leave them marveling and the crowds astonished as He deals with a variety of issues: what does citizenship and allegiance look like? What will heaven be like? How does God want us to live in the here and now? And lastly Jesus asks them a question they cannot answer: whose son is the Christ?
During Holy Week, Jesus engages with the Pharisees, Sadducees and Herodians as they all seek to trap Him politically, theologically and legally. Jesus' answers to their questions leave them marveling and the crowds astonished as He deals with a variety of issues: what does citizenship and allegiance look like? What will heaven be like? How does God want us to live in the here and now? And lastly Jesus asks them a question they cannot answer: whose son is the Christ?
During Holy Week, Jesus showed his disciples what love looks like. He humbly served them by washing their feet. He selflessly sacrificed by putting others ahead of his own life. Part of celebrating Easter is living the new life Jesus has given to us. Today, Jesus reminds us that everyone around us will know we are his disciples by our new life of love. Our sermon is based on Acts 11.
Good Friday and Easter mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the climax of the Christian church year. There's no doubt these are the events at the heart of our Christian Faith. During Holy Week, Christians around the world pause to remember and celebrate the great gift of salvation that we receive through Christ's sacrifice. The Apostle Paul teaches us that we receive this gift of salvation by faith, but he also makes clear, it's not just something that happens to us, but that we participate in both Christ's death and resurrection as well. Join us as we study Paul's teaching and discuss what it means and how it impacts our lives as faithful followers of Jesus Christ today.
During Holy Week, Mark and Cameron have been reflecting on the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, inspired by a sermon by Dan Reed, Grace's director of discipleship and education. According to Mark's Gospel, after entering the city, Jesus heads to the Temple to “look around at everything.” In this episode, we ask why the Temple is his destination, and what it must have been like to look around it with the cross in mind. Mentioned in this episode: “Hosanna in the Highest: Christ the King and the Coming Cross,” by Dan Reed
He Is Risen: From Good Friday to Easter! MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus was the perfect Passover Pascal sacrificial Lamb on Good Friday. The events of Holy Week changed the world with His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Holy Week, this week leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus, was a week full of events in Jesus' earthly life – arriving in Jerusalem on Sunday to the adoration of vast crowds and being hailed as “King”; entering into Jerusalem through the “East Gate”, the gate predicted for the arrival of the Messiah; visiting, teaching and debating in the Temple; celebrating Passover with His disciples, thereby instituting the sacrament for us of the “Holy Communion”; on Friday, being tortured and crucified on the Cross, and taking onto Himself all the sins of the world and becoming the Sacrificial Lamb when He called out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”; completing the work, at His actual death on the Cross, that He come to earth to accomplish; nothing occurring on earth during His death on the remainder of Friday and Saturday; and arising, alive, from the tomb Sunday to be seen and to converse with His disciples. These seven days, in the life of the God-Man Jesus, changed everything for all the world! After the events in the life of Jesus during this Holy Week, it was apparent to His friends and disciples that Jesus was who He said He was – Jesus was the Messiah sent by God to fulfill God's New Covenant for those that had faith in Jesus as God's son and followed Jesus in their lives. This promised Messiah opens up a spiritual world of communication directly with God for those of us that follow Jesus. Not only did Jesus arise from the dead 2000 years ago, He is alive today and seeking a relationship with us! During Holy Week, Jesus left us a pattern for how to live an abundant Christian life today -- die in ourselves; take up His Cross; and follow Him – as Paul tells us in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.". We cannot be “crucified with Christ” if we live with a life-focus on “me, myself, and I”. He is risen, but do our lives reflect Jesus' sacrifice for us; are we “crucified with Christ”? TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):Matthew 16:24-25; 1 Peter 4:1-6; John 12:24; Mark 8:34. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers' Righteousness Will Flow, with the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, from Their Heart Through Their Personal Relationship with Jesus”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
During Holy Week 2022, Ben and Lucius take time to think through the key doctrines surrounding the reason for the cross, and how understanding these doctrines help us reflect on Christ's sacrifice.
During Holy Week, we reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that was offered for our salvation. Let's talk about that today on Life's Beautiful Journey!
During Holy Week, we hear the four Servant Songs found in Isaiah, as well as recall the events of Holy Week as told to us by Saint John's Gospel. Fig Monday, the first day of Holy Week, calls us to remember both the first Servant Song, as well as the events at the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary after Lazarus has been raised from the dead. The scripture passages are Isaiah 42:1-9 and John 12:1-11. Father Blackburn is the preacher this evening.
On this Laetare Sunday, in which the joy of Easter can already be glimpsed in the distance, the first reading takes us directly to the first celebration of this feast by Israel in the Promised Land. The journey through the desert was finally over, and the People of God ate for the first time of the fruits of the land that the Lord would place in their hands. It was also the last time they fed on manna, for that was the sustenance of a pilgrim people, and they had finally reached the goal. It must have been a day of great joy for all the children of Israel, to see that God always keeps his promises, that those who put their hope in the Lord are never disappointed. We, however, are still advancing through the desert of Lent, and today the liturgy invites us to joy, contained but profound and beautiful joy, that is born of hope. Like Israel, we too will reach the end of our journey and rest in the Promised Land that is the risen Christ. We need only to follow the path that God himself has traced out for us and that today invites us to allow ourselves to be forgiven by God. St. Paul said, "We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." and this is what Jesus himself reminded us in the parable of the Prodigal Son. This parable we have just heard is found exclusively in the Gospel of St. Luke, so we only hear it at Sunday Masses every three years. Nevertheless, it is one of the most beautiful and relevant pages of Sacred Scripture, because it offers us the most perfect portrait of the Heart of our heavenly Father, masterfully painted by the words of his Only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the story of our life, and I confess that it never ceases to surprise me because in it I always find new riches that I had not considered before. It is a story as deep as the sea and with which we feel so deeply identified because we recognize ourselves in two of its main characters. The first is the younger son. You are that son, and how many times have you turned away from God and made use of the gifts He gave you to wound His good Heart? Our Father never tires of waiting for us. It is the humility of God that made St. Francis exclaim: "Tu sei amore, carità. Tu sei sapienza. Tu sei umiltà. You are love. You are charity. You are wisdom. You are humility.” God is so humble that He accepts it when we treat Him as a second fiddle and abandon Him for other loves or when we make Him suffer when we do not respond to His Love. He always waits for us and persists in His love by accepting the humiliation to which we subject Him when we prefer other things or persons to Him, trusting that we will return to Him, attracted by His Love which is infinite! God's home in which we experience the warmth and joy of a love we do not deserve is His infinite Mercy. This Lent, let us return to Him to console Him and to let love have the last word in our lives. We should also recognize ourselves in the elder son because how often we justify our lack of charity by saying that "we are right!" This is a point that my dear Father Valverde used to underline: the elder brother was right, but he did not have love. When he says to his father: "‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.'” Deep down we must grant that he is right, that his Father seems to be very unfair because what the eldest son has said is totally true. It is true, but in that truth there is a lack of love. This son was not on the same wavelength as his father, because his Father does not reason according to the criteria of our human justice, which is always small and imperfect, but rather according to the bottomless depths of his love for us. How many arguments and how many problems in families would disappear if, instead of arguing and wanting to have the last word, we would learn to love more and not seek to always be right! Ah, but for that we must be humble like our Father, and we are very proud and always want to win over our brothers and sisters! I'd like to end with this story. Last February I had to go to Los Angeles to arrange some paperwork at the Spanish Consulate. I finished shortly after eleven o'clock, and went to the Cathedral to try to go to confession there. I arrived before noon. A Mass was starting at 12:10, and I asked about the confession schedule. I was told that there were two hours of confession per week. You can't imagine how sad I was to hear that information, not so much for myself, but for the people of California. In the most important church of that diocese, which is in downtown Los Angeles, a place where people are continually passing through, where there are four priests assigned by the Archbishop to cover the pastoral needs of that community, there were only two hours of confessions. Thanks to God and the generosity of Father Joal and Father Timothy, we have 25 hours of confessions every week here. During Holy Week, we will offer 60 hours of confessions. The words of the Lord in the Gospel come to mind: "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." (Lk 12:48) Dear brothers and sisters, "we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God". As St. Bernard says: "God, when he loves us, desires only to be loved." Well then, may we all feel this Lent the joy of our Father's embrace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, may we no longer distance ourselves from true love and may our joy be to live close to the One who loves us without measure.
Audio recordingSermon manuscript:To the disciples it appeared that everything was going well as Jesus made his way into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. In fact, things were going very well. If they would have thought back on the past few years they would have recalled things that kings and prophets would have liked to have seen and heard. Jesus did many powerful signs. He made the blind see and the deaf hear. He fed the 5,000 and the 4,000. Jesus taught as one having authority, instead of like the teachers who were only trying to fill the time and cash their paycheck. Many were converted to faith in him. Jesus's overwhelming success might be one of the main things we should have in our mind's eye when we imagine that Palm Sunday. All around Jesus there were spontaneous acts of love, honor, and devotion. There was no campaign manager artificially pumping up the crowds with stirring music. That wasn't necessary. The crowds loved him, and worshipped him, and this is the only way to understand their actions: They threw down their garments on the road so that the donkey's colt, a small animal carrying a fully grown man, might walk on them. They cut palm branches in their hands and waved them about. Nobody was embarrassed. Nobody was self-conscious. All that they were conscious of was Jesus. They wanted to catch sight of him. They were praising God joyfully, with a loud voice, for all the miracles that they had seen. The words that the crowd said were heavy with all that those words signified. They sang, “Blessed is the king who comes in the Name of the Lord.” They are identifying Jesus as the king. This would have come as news to Pontius Pilate, the highest Roman official in that region, or to Herod, who ruled in Galilee. Jesus had no earthly office or authority. He was a poor Jew from the hinterlands. But these people recognize him as king. Furthermore, they do not recognize him as the king pending the approval of the Roman Caesar or any other human authority. They say that he is the king who comes in the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. They do not see Jesus as an upstart, making his way to the top by his own bootstraps. They recognize him as the Christ, the anointed King, sent by none other than God himself. How else could he have done the signs or taught the way he taught? Believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, which means “the anointed one,” is the shortest Christian creed. These people have this confession of faith. The other thing that the crowds say is so outrageous that it makes the Pharisees embarrassed. They say, “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” This was a bit too much for the Pharisees. The Pharisees, like every believing Jew, was looking for the Christ, the one who would be like King David, but King David was just a man. The Pharisees fear that these people's theology is getting dangerously out of whack. A human being might be able to bring about peace on earth, but what is this about peace in heaven? Only God rules in heaven. Furthermore the people are giving him glory in the highest. Only God, and certainly no man, should be given glory in the highest. The Pharisees tell Jesus that his disciples are in need of a stern rebuke. But Jesus is not alarmed. The Pharisee's theology is correct, as far as that goes. But they do not see what the people see, and therefore they are wrong. The people see that Jesus is God. All glory, laud, and honor are to him, the Redeemer King. If he were but a man, then it would be inappropriate to say what they had said. Since he is God in the flesh, what they have said is entirely appropriate. All creation sings its praises to Jesus the King: Fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. Palm Sunday is when everything was going splendidly for Jesus's disciples. This is just how they had hoped everything would go once it was revealed to them that Jesus is the Christ. Exciting things were in store. Oh, the places they might go! It's just a matter of time, they think, before the Gentiles start coming to Jerusalem with their expensive gifts. That will be sweet. And they had been with Jesus from the beginning. It's good to be friends with the king. But, as you know, at the end of this same week Jesus would appear before Pontius Pilate, battered and bruised. There he would declare, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, I would have commanded my angels so that I never would have been handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my kingdom is not of this world.” The crown that was placed on Jesus was not a crown of gold, but a crown of thorns. His throne was a cross. He was not held in honor, but was mocked and shamed. Those Pharisees who thought that he was blaspheming on Sunday probably thought that he was getting his comeuppance on Friday. It is fairly common, even among Christians, to look at Good Friday as the day the music died. But that is the wrong way to look at it. If anything, you could perhaps think of this event as a change in key in Jesus being king. It's like one of those bridges to a higher key that really brings the whole thing home. Good Friday was not an accident. It was not a derailment of Messianic hopes. For the disciples it certainly seemed that way at the time. They had dreams of sitting at Jesus's right and his left, being great in the eyes of their fellow human beings. But their sights were not set high enough. What the crowds sang on Palm Sunday was entirely accurate, even if they might not have fully realized it or understood how it might come about. This king who comes in the Name of the Lord brings about peace in heaven. Jesus's peace brings to an end the devil's accusations. The devil accuses us of our sins and would have us hate and fear God as a harsh judge. And he is a judge. He declares Jesus to be guilty and punishes him in our place. The punishment that should fall upon us, falls upon this divine king, until he is crushed and dies under the weight of it all. Thus there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. The devil cannot accuse us of our sins before God because the Lord is our righteousness. The fact of the matter (and this is no wishful thinking, but a plain fact) is that God's peace and God's good will is towards men. God's favor rests upon mankind because Jesus the Christ has achieved peace in heaven. Even if, through progress and hard work, we were able to achieve world peace, cure cancer, and cure COVID while we're at it, together with all the other ambitions we might set for ourselves, these would be nothing compared to what this king does. Even if we were able to roll back all the curses and punishments that came with sin, we would still be alienated from our Creator. This king brings about reconciliation between God and sinners. Jesus works peace, good will, and happiness. But none of the great works this king does can really be seen now. They can only be known by faith alone. Many people get lost when the music changes its key. It's too high and they can't sing it. They are more interested in the things of this world: How do I get people to do what I want them to do? How do I use the limited resources to my greatest advantage? I look at you and I think, “What can I use you for?” All people are necessarily enslaved to their desires, whatever those desires might be, unless they are set free by dying and rising. We have to be born again by the water and the Spirit to see the kingdom of God. We have to die with Christ and be raised with Christ. We have to be baptized. Otherwise we will stick with what we have been doing since we were a baby. We will do whatever we can to manipulate others, to achieve our own ends. Jesus the king opens up a different way of looking at life. Instead of looking for how you can use others, you can look for how you can serve them. Instead of trying to lord it over others and have them serve you, you can become as the least and the servant of all. You can walk in the footsteps of your teacher and master. He came not to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many. There is a tremendous change that takes place with the disciples' thinking from the way the disciples had been thinking on Palm Sunday. Those who continue to believe that Jesus is the Christ even after he is crucified, died, was buried, and on the third day rose from the dead have their thinking changed very much. You can tell it by their actions. The apostles did not go out into the world to create little kingdoms for themselves. They did not gather a following so that they could sit on thrones and live richly at the expense of others. Insofar as the Holy Spirit blessed them, they poured themselves out rather than trying to collect as much as they could. They were no longer afraid of suffering and loss. They were glad to suffer for the benefit of others. This also, just like with our Lord Jesus Christ, can be too high of a key for people to appreciate. It sounds dreadful, in a way, that we should love to the point of suffering and even death. What kind of glory is that? Suffering and death look terrible. There's no crown of gold. The adoring crowds are nowhere to be found, and we just might get the reward of abuse and scorn instead. But do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. It is good to love others, no matter what anybody else might say. It is better to give than to receive, no matter what anybody else might say. It is better to serve than to be served, no matter what anybody else might say. During Holy Week there is something divine and beautiful going on, even though it can only be seen by faith alone. Apart from faith it looks like a tragedy. With faith it is seen for what it really is—peace in heaven. This is also true in the lives of Christians. The Holy Spirit works to bring about the image of God in them, the image of Christ the crucified. This is not a defeat. It is a victory. You can tell by the way the song goes. It is high and beautiful. So hark the glad sound! The Savior comes. The Savior promised long. Let ev'ry heart prepare a throne and ev'ry voice a song. Amen.
“The Resurrection of Jesus,” says the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ, a faith believed and lived as the central truth by the first Christian community; handed on as fundamental by Tradition; established by the documents of the New Testament; and preached as an essential part of the Paschal mystery along with the cross.” The resurrection is not reincarnation. It's not reanimation. Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, second Person of the Blessed Trinity really and truly died on the cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and rose again from the dead. During Holy Week, our podcast featured Dr. Jeremy Holmes discussing the Gospel of John chapter 19—the cross. During this Easter Octave, Dr. Kent Lasnoski joins us to discuss John chapter 20 and the resurrection.
We find ourselves entering into the holiest week of the year . . . Holy Week . . . which begins with Palm Sunday. During Holy Week we witness a vast array of emotions ranging from sorrow and sadness. We witness rage and anger. We see both love and hatred coming from the crowds surrounding Our Blessed Saviour. And additionally before the week is over we are witness to amazement, disbelief and wonder at the rising from the dead of Our Blessed Saviour. But one emotion we are also witness to is "regret."
During Holy Week, as we contemplate the last hours of Jesus’ life, we get an intimate look at how Jesus prays to his Father. Starting with our Lord’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, we hear Jesus talking to God the Father about the upcoming moments of his life. He continues to pray through his Passion all the way until his last breath—a model that we as sons and daughters of God can follow as well. But what does Jesus show us about what it means to truly pray “Abba, Father”? Ascension is proud to partner with authentically Catholic institutions and organizations committed to spreading the Gospel. Learn more about the sponsor of this episode, Ave Maria University. (https://tinyurl.com/yc67p3cj)
During Holy Week, we will meditate on the events that unfolded with those who walked most closely to Jesus for three years. Today, we warm ourselves by the fire with Peter to hear him deny even knowing Jesus. Join us in bringing your imagination to Mark 14:66-72. Background music from "Soul Breaker" by Alex Mason and the Minor Emotions. Connect with us: Website: NikkiRach.com Twitter: @MeditationBible Facebook Group: Spiritual Disciplines for Today Email: Nikki.Rach@NikkiRach.com
Join us this evening on Zoom at 8p. During Holy Week, consider yourself invited to reflect on your story and history in fresh ways as Jesus' story shapes us. Jesus' final days on earth are an interruption, a gracious interruption of steadfast, unflinching love in response to our human fickleness and most destructive tendencies. Today we reflect on why Jesus said it was better that he go away in John 14 and what that means for how we now can pray and talk to and have access to God.
During Holy Week, we follow Jesus on his way to The Upper Room where he celebrated what’s called The Last Supper. We also follow Him to the cross. The cross alone convinced a cold and unbelieving world that God is love. All show notes at Father Kubicki – Prayer Reflections March 30, 2021 - This podcast produced by Relevant Radio
You can find the accompanying worship guide here. During Holy Week, consider yourself invited to reflect on your story and history in fresh ways as Jesus' story shapes us. Jesus' final days on earth are an interruption, a gracious interruption of steadfast, unflinching love in response to our human fickleness and most destructive tendencies. Today's reflection is based upon Mark 14:1-11 and John 12:1-11 when Jesus is anointed for burial at Bethany.
Is the noise keeping you from hearing God? During Holy Week, try to be intentional with the journey, and listen for God. Rev. Bob Grussing reflects on distractions, noise, Holy Week, and Psalm 46:10.
During Holy Week, we see our own humanity. Bishop Richard F. Stika delivers the delivers the homily at the 9 a.m. Palm Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tenn.
You can find the accompanying worship guide here. During Holy Week, consider yourself invited to understand your story and history in fresh ways as Jesus' story shapes us. Jesus' final days on earth are an interruption, a gracious interruption of steadfast, unflinching love in response to our human fickleness and most destructive tendencies. Today's reflection is based upon Matthew 21:12-17 when Jesus disrupts the order of the Temple in Jerusalem in order to bring healing.
During Holy Week we will be having a Palm Sunday Service, Maundy Thursday service 7:30pm, Good Friday service (7:30) and Easter service 10:00AM. Hope to see you there! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wellingtonheightschurch/support
[Comment: Healing] Friends of the Rosary: Tomorrow we start the Holy Week with the feast of Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, which commemorates Jesus' humble entry into Jerusalem to observe Passover. From tomorrow's Passion Sunday and until Holy Saturday, on April 3rd, we will reflect upon the events leading up to Jesus' death by crucifixion. During Holy Week, Jesus shows us the suffering of the Cross, which is necessary for our salvation and eternal life. This is a mystery we hardly understand. Our life is a fight against sin and evil. Our salvation comes through love. We heal by loving Jesus Christ through the Virgin Mary and by loving our neighbor through charity. This must be a source of joy. The Joyful Mysteries today teaches us how we should behave. Ave Maria! [Written by Mikel A. | TheRosaryNetwork.org, New York] ___ Premiere Daily Broadcast at 7:30 pm ET on YouTube.com/TheRosaryNetwork | Today's Holy Rosary in Video after the broadcast
Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hannover, ND and Zion Lutheran Church in New Salem, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 12:13-17. Despite theological and political differences over paying taxes to Rome, the Pharisees and Herodians find common ground in their hatred of Jesus. During Holy Week, they come to Jesus in an effort to trap Him. As they flatter Him with words they likely do not mean, they end up speaking the truth about Jesus and His judgment. Their words prove true as Jesus skillfully evades their trap and teaches the truth of God’s Word. He forces them to produce the coin used to pay the tax, the coin that bore Caesar’s image and idolatrous inscription. Using His enemies’ answer against them, Jesus refuses to play their game as He upholds the God-give authority of earthly governments, all the while indicating the overarching authority that God has over everything and everyone. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel account, and he never lets up the pace. As one deed of Jesus comes right after another, always paired with His authoritative Word, St. Mark proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, revealed conclusively by His death on the cross.
Lent is a forty day period of preparation and anticipation during which we make our hearts ready to celebrate Good Friday and Easter. Traditionally, that preparation involves three things: repentance, fasting, and almsgiving, as well as reflecting on Jesus’ journey to the cross in the gospels. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and you are invited to reflect, repent, and remember your human frailty through a podcasted audio service and the receiving of ashes on the evening of February 17th, as a drive through in the Sherman Street parking lot.The stations of the cross will be set up in the church parking lot throughout Lent so that you can spend some time meditating on Jesus’ journey to the cross through this long-standing tradition of the Christian church. There will be images, reflections and prayers for you to visit on your own and at your own pace. During Holy Week, we will add interactive elements to the stations to enhance the experience for all and to make it more accessible to children.
This week, Bishop provides an update and some words of encouragement for the Diocese as we continue to navigate the Coronavirus pandemic. Then, it’s on to the Feasts of two saints…Saint Joseph the Worker and Saint Catherine of Siena….followed by listener-submitted questions. Questions: • One benefit of having to watch the Chrism Mass on-line this year was that I was able to see what you were doing at the altar more clearly. During Holy Week liturgies at the Cathedral, I usually have to sit way in the back. Sometimes behind a column! I was wondering about the oils that were in each container and what you added to them? • Why did the veil of the temple tear in two at the moment of Christ’s death? • Can you give us an update on the seminarian situation in our diocese? • Does the Church have an official position regarding living wills? —— Truth in Charity is brought to you in part by Notre Dame Federal Credit Union. —— Live: www.redeemerradio.com Follow us on social media: www.Facebook.com/RedeemerRadio www.Twitter.com/RedeemerRadio www.Instagram.com/Instagram Submit your question(s): Call / Text (Holy Cross College text line) – 260-436-9598 Online – www.RedeemerRadio.com/AskBishop E-mail – AskBishop@RedeemerRadio.com Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes | Google Play | SoundCloud | RSS
Jesus’ resurrection is without purpose if we don’t become his body in our world. Passage: John 20:1-18 Make sure you go to pointlomachurch.org for all the latest on how the COVID-19 precautions are effecting various programs at the church. Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our Sunday services have moved online to one time at 9:30am. We would love to see you there! During Holy Week, we will still be meeting "virtually". For event happenings: http://pointlomachurch.org/connect/events/ To register for any event: http://pointlomachurch.org/register If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ Music in this podcast by Marc Shaw
Welcome to a special edition of Around the Word in 180 Days called “While We Wait…..” where we read the Bible with our brothers and sisters in the public schools. During Holy Week, we will have a special edition of the special edition! As Christian educators, let's pause, pray, praise and provide encouragement for this special time. For this week only, we will read through much of the passion story anticipating the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! I have chosen John 13, John 18, John 19, John 20 and John 21 for our readings for the Holy Week story. We will read the whole chapter and then highlight one scripture from the chapter to "say and pray."
The Passover was one of Israel’s seven feasts that reveal God’s plan for man. During Holy Week, Jesus fulfilled three of the four spring feasts, More ...
The Passover was one of Israel’s seven feasts that reveal God’s plan for man. During Holy Week, Jesus fulfilled three of the four spring feasts, More ...
During Holy Week we celebrate together the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior - Jesus Christ. But have you ever wondered when God first told us about a Savior to come? Dive deeply with me into Genesis 15 to look at the covenant God made that guaranteed the Messiah, who came at the right time in history.
Welcome to a special edition of Around the Word in 180 Days called “While We Wait…..” where we read the Bible with our brothers and sisters in the public schools. During Holy Week, we will have a special edition of the special edition! As Christian educators, let's pause, pray, praise and provide encouragement for this special time. For this week only, we will read through much of the passion story anticipating the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! I have chosen John 13, John 18, John 19, John 20 and John 21 for our readings for the Holy Week story. We will read the whole chapter and then highlight one scripture from the chapter to "say and pray."
Welcome to a special edition of Around the Word in 180 Days called “While We Wait…..” where we read the Bible with our brothers and sisters in the public schools. During Holy Week, we will have a special edition of the special edition! As Christian educators, let's pause, pray, praise and provide encouragement for this special time. For this week only, we will read through much of the passion story anticipating the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! I have chosen John 13, John 18, John 19, John 20 and John 21 for our readings for the Holy Week story. We will read the whole chapter and then highlight one scripture from the chapter to "say and pray."
Welcome to a special edition of Around the Word in 180 Days called “While We Wait…..” where we read the Bible with our brothers and sisters in the public schools. During Holy Week, we will have a special edition of the special edition! As Christian educators, let's pause, pray, praise and provide encouragement for this special time. For this week only, we will read through much of the passion story anticipating the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! I have chosen John 13, John 18, John 19, John 20 and John 21 for our readings for the Holy Week story. We will read the whole chapter and then highlight one scripture from the chapter to "say and pray."
During Holy Week, a group of many high-profile pastors, teachers, authors and artists are teaming up for a 10-hour live stream to encourage the church. Find out more about this special event in this episode with host Taylor Berglund.
During Holy Week, the liturgy of the monastery reverts to a plainer, more ancient form. The tradition of reading before Compline is maintained by reading part of the Last Discourse before Compline on the Wednesday of Holy Week, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Tonight we read John 14.1 to John 15.11 in English. The Revised Standard Version has been used. This section, John 17, is read on Good Friday.
During Holy Week, the liturgy of the monastery reverts to a plainer, more ancient form. The tradition of reading before Compline is maintained by reading part of the Last Discourse before Compline on the Wednesday of Holy Week, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Tonight we read John 14.1 to John 15.11 in English. The Revised Standard Version has been used. This section, John 15.12 – 16.33, is read on Maundy (Holy) Thursday.
Palm Sunday. We spend all year asking Jesus to walk with us during our darkest times. During Holy Week, Jesus calls us to walk with him during his
Welcome to a special edition of Around the Word in 180 Days called “While We Wait…..” where we read the Bible with our brothers and sisters in the public schools. During Holy Week, we will have a special edition of the special edition! As Christian educators, let's pause, pray, praise and provide encouragement for this special time. For this week only, we will read through much of the passion story anticipating the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! I have chosen John 13, John 18, John 19, John 20 and John 21 for our readings for the Holy Week story. We will read the whole chapter and then highlight one scripture from the chapter to "say and pray."
During Holy Week, Fr. Simon gives six practical ways to keep your faith strong in trying circumstances.
Holy Week: The Stations of the Cross In this episode we decided to pray through the Stations of the Cross, found in St. Faustina’s Diary. During Holy Week, we wanted to take this opportunity to quiet our hearts and reflect on our Lord’s suffering and death, so we can enter in more fully. We hope that you will use this as a prayer resource and pray with your families or on your own. Sponsor: The Hallow app Hallow is a Catholic prayer and meditation app that helps us deepen our relationship with Christ through 5-30 minute, audio-guided contemplative prayer sessions. Think Headspace or Calm, but authentically Catholic. The app includes everything from Lectio Divina on the daily Gospel, to the Rosary, to daily Examens, to meditations focused on preparing for bed in the evening (including Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours), to minute meditations for moments of temptation or thanks, and much more. In the app, you'll find a session focused on spiritual communion for the many separated from physical Mass during a time of crisis, as well as praylists for a variety of spiritual needs, like being "Stuck at Home", or seeking patience or healing. Hallow currently offers daily Lenten meditations, and is currently producing meditations for Palm Sunday and the Easter Triduum. You'll find lectio divina with Mass readings, Spiritual Communion, Holy Hours, chant, and more. Get an extended free trial of the app for 3 months! using promo code: Abide Resources St Faustina’s Way of the Cross Chaplet of Divine Mercy The Divine Mercy Novena Discussion questions: What part of the Stations of the Cross spoke to you? How can you enter into Holy Week in a new way this year? What does it mean to you, that Jesus suffered and died for you, so that you could be with Him in heaven forever? Journal Questions: Reflect and pray on Mt 26:40 “Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?” How can you keep watch with Jesus during Holy Week? Quote to Ponder - “Do not be afraid of sufferings; I am with you.” - The Diary of St. Faustina (151) Scripture for Lectio Divina - “Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?” Mt 26:40
God wants us to know that we can trust in His care for us. Passage: John 7:37-43 Make sure you go to pointlomachurch.org for all the latest on how the COVID-19 precautions are effecting various programs at the church. Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our Sunday services have moved online to one time at 9:30am. We would love to see you there! During Holy Week, we will still be meeting "virtually". For event happenings: http://pointlomachurch.org/connect/events/ To register for any event: http://pointlomachurch.org/register If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ Music in this podcast by Marc Shaw
During Holy Week, Jesus talks about the ministry he wants to carry out after his ascension - his ministry through the Church. What do we learn about diligence, faithfulness, and preparedness? Tune in today! Amended readings: March 9: Mark 12 March 10: Mark 13 March 11: Matthew 25 #raisedwithjesus #welstoledo #jesusfortoledo @breadforbeggars . . . Show Notes Click here to find a nearby congregation or church home. yearbook.wels.net Bookmark: bit.ly/biblebookmark2 Facebook: Raised with Jesus www.facebook.com/raisedwithjesus www.facebook.com/breadforbeggars Contact Pastor Hagen with questions, suggestions, or improvements: (419) 262-8280 pastorhagen@icloud.com Instagram: @raisedwithjesus http://instagram.com/raisedwithjesus/ Twitter: @raisedwithjesus http://twitter.com/raisedwithjesus Resurrection - Maumee: Worship on Sundays at 9:00 AM. Bible class & Sunday School follow at 10:20 AM. 2250 S. Holland Sylvania Rd - Maumee, OH (419) 262-8280 Zion - Toledo: 3360 Nebraska Ave Worship on Sunday mornings at 10 AM, followed by 11:15 AM Bible Class Interested in having your kids attend Zion School? Contact Principal Scherschel: (509) 847-3148 Hosanna - Monclova: Sunday morning 9 AM Bible class, 10:15 AM Worship 8353 Monclova Rd +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Do you have questions, or want more discussion on a topic? Text Rev. Peter Hagen: (419) 262-8280 Or email: pastorhagen@icloud.com Monday-Friday: Bible reading with brief commentary Saturday Study Podcast: Longer audio from an outside source Sunday Sunday Preview: Preview of the day’s worship service, focusing on the gospel lesson & its theme. All rights reserved. Produced 2020 by Pastor Hagen Many thanks to Joseph McDade and Koine for the free usage of their music. Support them here: www.koinemusic.com https://josephmcdade.com/music All outside audio sources have been listed, and are believed to be used properly under standard academic usage. Please let Pastor Hagen know if an error or omission has been made in that regard. Find us online: www.resurrectionmaumee.com www.raisedwithjesus.com Facebook: Resurrection Maumee www.facebook.com/resurrectionmaumee Youtube: Search for “Resurrection Maumee” https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPssBIBdaISa_slxz2Knozw Image used with permission from http://jtbarts.com/gallery/the-word-of-god-series/psalm-119-105-lamp-to-my-feet-light-to-my-path/ EHV - Evangelical Heritage Version (New Testament & Psalms) copyright 2017. Used by permission. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Bible History Commentary, Werner H. Franzmann. Copyright © 1980 by WELS Board for Parish Education. 2929 North Mayfair Road Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53222 All rights reserved. Published 1980
During Holy Week, Jesus has some high-stakes discussions with his enemies. How does he answer - and how do his answers help our discussion? Tune in today! Amended readings: March 9: Mark 12 March 10: Mark 13 March 11: Matthew 25 #raisedwithjesus #welstoledo #jesusfortoledo @breadforbeggars . . . Show Notes Click here to find a nearby congregation or church home. yearbook.wels.net Bookmark: bit.ly/biblebookmark2 Facebook: Raised with Jesus www.facebook.com/raisedwithjesus www.facebook.com/breadforbeggars Contact Pastor Hagen with questions, suggestions, or improvements: (419) 262-8280 pastorhagen@icloud.com Instagram: @raisedwithjesus http://instagram.com/raisedwithjesus/ Twitter: @raisedwithjesus http://twitter.com/raisedwithjesus Resurrection - Maumee: Worship on Sundays at 9:00 AM. Bible class & Sunday School follow at 10:20 AM. 2250 S. Holland Sylvania Rd - Maumee, OH (419) 262-8280 Zion - Toledo: 3360 Nebraska Ave Worship on Sunday mornings at 10 AM, followed by 11:15 AM Bible Class Interested in having your kids attend Zion School? Contact Principal Scherschel: (509) 847-3148 Hosanna - Monclova: Sunday morning 9 AM Bible class, 10:15 AM Worship 8353 Monclova Rd +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Do you have questions, or want more discussion on a topic? Text Rev. Peter Hagen: (419) 262-8280 Or email: pastorhagen@icloud.com Monday-Friday: Bible reading with brief commentary Saturday Study Podcast: Longer audio from an outside source Sunday Sunday Preview: Preview of the day’s worship service, focusing on the gospel lesson & its theme. All rights reserved. Produced 2020 by Pastor Hagen Many thanks to Joseph McDade and Koine for the free usage of their music. Support them here: www.koinemusic.com https://josephmcdade.com/music All outside audio sources have been listed, and are believed to be used properly under standard academic usage. Please let Pastor Hagen know if an error or omission has been made in that regard. Find us online: www.resurrectionmaumee.com www.raisedwithjesus.com Facebook: Resurrection Maumee www.facebook.com/resurrectionmaumee Youtube: Search for “Resurrection Maumee” https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPssBIBdaISa_slxz2Knozw Image used with permission from http://jtbarts.com/gallery/the-word-of-god-series/psalm-119-105-lamp-to-my-feet-light-to-my-path/ EHV - Evangelical Heritage Version (New Testament & Psalms) copyright 2017. Used by permission. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Bible History Commentary, Werner H. Franzmann. Copyright © 1980 by WELS Board for Parish Education. 2929 North Mayfair Road Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53222 All rights reserved. Published 1980
In the book of Ephesians, we are admonished to wake up from our slumber. WAKE UP and be aware - Wake up and be active, wake up and make a positive change. During Holy Week of 2018 we were afforded the opportunity to expound on what the Apostle Paul was saying in Ephesians 5. Take a listen.... Recorded at New Hope Baptist Church, Ann Arbor MI April, 2018
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.' 2. Mary brought Jesus to Elizabeth and John the Baptist in her womb. Mary leads all people to Jesus! The more you develop a relationship with Mary, your spiritual mother, the more she will help you live your relationship with Jesus. Poland may be the last completely Christian nation in the world. I know it is not 100% but it is close. And why has their faith survived, even after 70 years of pressure from Government enforced atheism under the Soviet Union. Because of their deep relationship with Mary, the Mother of Jesus and Our Mother. Poland's love for Mary is seen in their love for the Icon of the Black Madonna kept at the Monastery of Czestochowa. I saved an image of this icon on your email. Tradition holds that it was painted by St. Luke, the writer of the Gospel and later taken from Jerusalem to Constantinople and then Poland. During Holy Week of 1430, robbers attacked the monastery looking for treasure, finding none they took whatever religious good, chalices, etc. and even the Holy Icon, but miraculously as they carried it away it become so heavy, they could go no further. They dropped it in the mud and slashed the Virgin's face with a sword, and the Icon began to bleed. With the 3rd stroke of the sword the attacker died. Frightened they left it desecrated in a puddle of blood and mud. The monks pulled the icon from the mud, a miraculous fountain appeared, which they used to clean the painting. The icon was repainted in Krakow, but both the arrow mark and the gashes from the sword were left and remain clearly visible today. 3. In the year 1655, the Lutheran King of Sweden, Charles X, attacked Poland. This invading force, known as the Deluge was stopped at only one place the fortress monastery of Czestochowa which contained the miraculous icon of the Black Madonna. As he stood beneath the ramparts of the monastery the Swedish General Muller contemptuously exclaimed "We will have that henhouse down in three days." But that is not how things turned out. Both Polish and Swedish witnesses testified that that during the siege, the Holy Virgin of Czestochowa appeared above the monastery, leading the defenders and directing their fire. A testimony of this miraculous apparition of the Blessed Virgin was given by the Swedish General Muller. After the siege of Czestochowa, General Muller spent some time in Krakow. In one of the churches, he gazed on a picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Asked the reason for his amazement, he said in reply that what convinced him to retreat from the siege of Czestochowa was a visit from a noble woman. Her words and menacing look severely warned him. He did not know who the woman was until he saw this image of Mary in the Church. Then he knew it was the Blessed Virgin Mary herself who turned him away from destroying the Monastery that housed her Icon. “Impossible,” he was saying about the Image. “This is like the Virgin that appeared to me and directed a canon against me by her hand. But on earth something like this does not seem possible. O Celestial and Divine thing! That which I feared beyond measure has shown again in her majestic face.”
This episode covers some of the specific benefits the Millers have found by moving to Mexico. Besides saving money on food and rent, they enjoy the beautiful surroundings, they walk more, hike regularly, eat local food, live like locals, and take local transportation. They have lost weight, they are healthier, they have less stress, they have made many friends, and they are happier. Key Takeaways: [1:22] Marc welcomes you to Episode 142 of the Repurpose Your Career podcast. Career Pivot is the sponsor of this podcast; CareerPivot.com is one of the very few websites dedicated to those of us in the second half of life and our careers. Check out the blog and the other resources delivered to you, free of charge. [1:51] If you are enjoying this podcast, please share it with other like-minded souls. Subscribe on CareerPivot.com, iTunes, or any of the other apps that supply podcasts. Share it on social media or just tell your neighbors and colleagues. The more people Marc reaches, the more people he can help. [2:09] Marc has uploaded the manuscript of Repurpose Your Career, Third Edition to KDP Amazon, the self-publishing arm of Amazon.com. Marc has ordered multiple proof copies of the paperback edition, to send to the volunteers of the Repurpose Your Career release team to review for fit and finish. [2:31] The release team is moving from reviewing the book to getting ready to write reviews. Members of the review team who have committed to writing a review on Amazon after publication, and are willing to spend $.99 for the initial Kindle version, will get a PDF version of the book to read before the publish date, and later a paperback. [2:53] Marc plans a soft launch of the book on Thursday, September 12, and a hard launch on Monday, September 16, followed by both a virtual and a real book tour starting Monday. [3:14] If you are interested in joining the review team, please go to CareerPivot.com/RYCTeam. [3:24] Marc has recorded many podcast guest appearances, some of which have already been published with more to come. Go to CareerPivot.com/launch you’ll find all the links of all the podcasts.[3:38] Marc will be in Austin the week of September 22nd, the New Jersey area the week of September 29th, and D.C., the following week. Marc would love to meet his readers and listeners. [3:51] Marc has multiple events planned for Austin, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Marc will then have a meet-and-greet in D.C. You can find the events on CareerPivot.com/launch. [4:09] Next week, Marc will interview Russ Eanes. Russ is a member of the Career Pivot Online Community who left his job more than a year ago at the age of 60. Russ suffered a double whammy: both his industry and his career path were disappearing. [4:25] Come listen to his story of getting lost and finding his way to writing a book and starting a business to help others self-publish. [4:35] This week’s episode will be Marc’s one-year reflection on being an expat. Marc and his wife have lived in Ajijic, Mexico for a little over a year. He will reflect on what he has learned and how the Millers have changed in the last year. [4:59] You will find all the posts and podcasts on becoming an expat at CareerPivot.com/Expat. [5:17] Marc introduces his reflections on the first year of living in Mexico as an expat. He recorded this episode on August 19, 2019. [5:28] The Millers arrived in Ajijic on June 23, 2018, after a three-day drive from Austin, Texas. Their planned three-month experimental trip turned into four months and while they were there they decided to sign a lease. It has been 14 months since they left Austin, Texas. The Millers have lived in Ajijic for about 12 of those months. [6:00] The one-year lease on the casita the Millers are renting is running out and they are signing another one-year lease. During this next year, they will decide whether to rent or to buy something. Marc has written a large number of blog posts and podcasts on their move to Mexico and they are found at the Expat link above. [7:00] On June 21, 2108, the Millers drove the four-hour drive from Austin to Laredo, Texas and spent the night. Fairly early the next morning, they crossed the border and met Juan Pablo Chavez, who guided them through the immigration process and started driving them to Ajijic, on the North Shore of Lake Chapala. [7:36] Lake Chapala is the largest lake in Mexico, about a 40-minute cab ride from the Guadalajara Airport in Guadalajara, the second-largest city in Mexico. It was a two-day drive from the border. They stayed overnight in Matehuala, which is where they always stay when they drive back and forth. [8:05] The drive down was pretty easy. Mrs. Miller kept the two very large cats company in the back seat. They drove about seven hours each day. The Millers have since made the trip, multiple times by themselves. [8:31] When the Millers first arrived, they rented a one-bath, one-bedroom house, outside of Ajijic, in Riberas del Pilar, a bedroom community, booming with expats. [8:53] The Millers spent the rainy season summer in Riberas and looked for a rental for January. It turned out they had to take action sooner than January. Just as in Austin, everyone is moving there, real estate prices are going up, the old gringos don’t like the new gringos, locals are being priced out, and there is a lot of gentrification. [9:59] Earlier than planned, the Millers started looking for a rental, and signed a lease for the casita in Ajijic starting September 3, 2018. The casita is half a block from the plaza, which puts them right in the middle of things. It’s kind of loud, but not as loud as Austin. [10:26] When the Millers moved in, they had a special seven-foot-tall cat tree made by a retired local named Nacho (Ignacio) for a third of what they would have paid in the U.S. They scheduled to go back to Austin for six weeks at the end of October and clean out their condo for rental. [11:08] It was a nice three-day drive back. The cats were well-behaved and the roads are almost entirely toll-roads between Guadalajara and Laredo, except for around 10 miles at Lagos de Moreno. The truck traffic on the highways is amazing. [12:02] Back in Austin, the Millers discovered six weeks was not enough time! They had rented a five-by-ten-foot storage room in South Austin that they filled up. They got rid of almost everything they owned. They had planned to process their resident visa applications in Laredo. They canceled the appointment when they ran out of time. [12:52] The first week in December, the Millers traveled back and spent Christmas in Mexico. The owner of a restaurant they frequented invited them to her home for a Christmas Eve party! Parties in Mexico extend into the early morning, so they didn’t stay that long. [13:43] The Mexican people take Christmas and New Year’s very seriously, with a lot of celebration. [13:51] The Millers traveled back to Austin in late February for a speaking engagement Marc had in early March. They found some friends in Ajijic to house-sit and watch their cats for this three-week trip. The Millers stayed with friends in Austin. [14:20] One of the things that stands out to the Millers every time they go back to Austin is how noisy Austin is and how little they enjoy it, contrasted with Ajijic. In Mexico, there are always fireworks (cohetones) exploding, music blaring from cars, and festivals. It is loud. But the U.S. seems to have a constant “white noise” of traffic, machines, etc. [15:28] Americans ask if the Millers feel safe in Mexico. Marc contrasts Ajijic to SWAT Teams across the street from his condo in Austin and various problems that just don’t occur in Ajijic. [16:31] Before the September trip, Marc and his wife had taken a hike up the nearby mountain. Marc calls Ajijic Paradise with an average temperature of 72°. The lake, about four blocks away is at 5,000 feet. The mountains behind them go up to about 7,000 feet. They hiked up to a waterfall and it was not a hard hike. [17:11] Since the Millers returned to Ajijic in December, Mrs. Miller hikes up into the mountains just about every day for one, two, or three hours. It’s beautiful. [17:30] Because of frequent walking, Mrs. Miller has lost significant weight. Marc has lost enough to be the same weight now as when he graduated from college. On their Spring trip to Austin, they bought new clothes to fit better. [18:09] Mrs. Miller can shop in Mexico but Marc is 6′4″ so it is very challenging to find Mexican clothes to fit him. He buys some things from Amazon.com.mx. The Millers have found that they still eat out too much, as it is very inexpensive to eat out in Mexico and the food is so good. [18:48] For the equivalent of $25.00, the Millers can eat entrees, wine, and split an appetizer at a fine Italian restaurant. The same meal in Austin would have been over $100.00. [19:04] The Millers are eating well. They have lost weight. They are living, as much as possible, like locals. This year, they started taking Spanish classes from the Lake Chapala Society with many other gringos. They have an amazing teacher, Berta, who is getting her teaching certification. She is really good with gringos! [19:53] The Millers have gotten into a regular rhythm of things they do. Mrs. Miller goes to Yoga two or three times a week. Marc goes once a week. Mrs. Miller hikes almost every day. [20:11] Marc hikes on Fridays with the Ajijic Hiking Group, which is a bunch of organized and friendly gringos. There are a variety of hikes of different difficulties available to interesting spots and ceremonial grounds. [21:23] The rainy season runs from June through October with about 30″ of rain. It only rains at night. The rest of the year is pretty dry. How long will it stay a Paradise? There are lots of folks moving there, so it’s hard to say. [22:03] The Millers are living on about $2,500 a month. Mrs. Miller turns 65 in September and they have just enrolled her in Medicare and Social Security, over the phone with the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara. They could have done it online. They are maintaining a U.S. address in Austin. [22:42] Both Marc and Mrs. Miller have changed. Their stress levels are way down. They are learning Spanish slowly. Almost every establishment they visit speaks some English, so it’s easy to get by with only English. [23:06] Marc asks gringos in Mexico. “Will you go back?” For many, and for Marc and Mrs. Miller, they just don’t see themselves going back. [23:22] Marc counts it a big benefit that he doesn’t get TV in Ajijic, especially not cable news! Marc subscribes to the Austin American-Statesman newspaper and Apple News on his iPad. Being a news junkie, Marc has turned a lot of the news off. [23:45] The Millers are happier and healthier. They are associating with the local population more and more. They are surrounded by businesses and restaurants. They have American friends who have been in Ajijic for years. They all lose weight because they walk everywhere. [24:23] If you live like the locals, eat like the locals, and transport like the locals, you’ll live longer, healthier, happier lives. If you want to live like a gringo, you can, and packaged food is available, but it is more expensive, and not as healthy. [25:16] A lot of expats, particularly the Canadians, come for the winter, from December to April. During Holy Week, there was a huge shift this year with all the Canadians disappearing and many Guadalajarans moving into their vacation homes. [26:20] April and May is the hottest time of the year. It gets up to 90° and 65° at night. The humidity is 10% to 20%. Marc always wears a hat and long sleeves to protect from burning. [27:13] The Millers know how much money they are spending. Last week they drove into Guadalajara to go to Home Depot and Costco. Costco carries American products that aren’t available elsewhere in Mexico. They sell VitaMix, a favorite of Marc’s. [27:58] The Millers are making a trip back to Austin for the book tour and combining that with a trip to New Jersey for Marc’s 45th high school reunion. On this trip, the Millers plan to empty their storage room. Except for the condo they are renting out, this will free them up from their ties to Austin. [28:28] With Mrs. Miller on Medicare, she will not need health insurance in the States, but Marc will buy a temporary health insurance policy for about $7.00 a day. Mrs. Miller already has doctor’s appointments set up. The medicine she takes for thyroid is only available in the U.S. She gets a year’s prescription at a time. Other expats do the same. [29:18] To learn more about the medical aspects of being an expat, please listen to this podcast episode: CareerPivot.com/Episode-131. To learn about the financial challenges and the technology, please see these blog posts: How to Move Abroad — Banking and Making my Business Location-Independent. [30:08] Marc does not plan to move back to the States until he is on Medicare, more than a year-and-a-half from now if he ever moves back. [30:31] Marc hopes you enjoyed this episode. If you have any questions for him, please leave a comment at the show notes at CareerPivot.com/episode-142. [30:46] The Career Pivot Membership Community continues to help the approximately 50 members who are participating in the Beta phase of this project to grow and thrive. The community has moved on to the next phase where community members who have experienced success get to share their successes and teach others. [31:04] This is a community where everyone is there to help everyone else out. They have been hovering at about 50 members for a while. Members are experiencing successes like going back to work, starting new businesses — even someone buying a franchise. Some leave the community when they’ve found success, while others stay. [31:26] Their legacy stays with the community as they have built an extensive library of forum entries and discussions. Marc will be publishing shortly testimonials of what they got from being part of this community. There are successes in just about every week. [31:52] Marc is recruiting members for the next cohort. If you are interested in the endeavor and would like to be put on the waiting list, please go to CareerPivot.com/Community. [32:03] Those who are in these initial cohorts set the direction. This is a paid membership community with group coaching and special content. More importantly, it’s a community where you can seek help. Please go to CareerPivot.com/Community to learn more. [32:22] Marc invites you to connect with him on LinkedIn.com/in/mrmiller. Just include in the connection request that you listen to this podcast. You can look for Career Pivot on Facebook, LinkedIn, or @CareerPivot on Twitter. [32:39] Please come back next week, when Marc interviews Russ Eanes on his journey of getting lost and finding a direction. [35:30] Marc thanks you for listening to the Repurpose Your Career podcast. You will find the show notes for this episode at CareerPivot.com/episode-142. [33:00] Please hop over to CareerPivot.com and subscribe to get updates on this podcast and all the other happenings at Career Pivot. You can also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, the Google Podcasts app, Podbean, the Overcast app, or the Spotify app. Marc will add to this list soon as he is finding new places to listen!
During Holy Week let's remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us. We are now accepted in the beloved because of Calvary! Later, Jesus knew that everything had been done. To make the Scriptures come true he said, “I am thirsty.”[a] 29 There was a jar full of sour wine there, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it. They put the sponge on a branch of a hyssop plant and lifted it to Jesus’ mouth.30 When he tasted the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and died. John 19:28-30, ERV
The post 04/16/19- Bishop Campbell- Living The Catholic Life: “Consumatum est,” and “I thirst,” for water and souls. During Holy Week, sacrifice and making something sacred. The Imitation of Christ and what Holy Week reveals about Him. appeared first on St Gabriel Catholic Radio.
During Holy Week we were joined by other Christian Churches in the area for Stations of the Cross.
During Holy Week, when we walk with Jesus in his Passion and ultimate death on the Cross, we are offered the chance to enter God’s suffering in the way that God enters ours. While we know that our show of care does not change Jesus’ ending, or make the suffering go away, we are reminded that—as ‘God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every other name’—we, too, are strong and will be okay. Take a moment. Still yourself amidst your hectic day and listen to CHA's Reflection for Holy Week.
During Holy Week of this Lenten season, join us as we reflect on Jesus' final days on earth. Adapted from Max Lucado's book, He Chose the Nails, let us fall deeper in love with a Savior who so willingly died to set us free.
During Holy Week, Blane speaks on the betrayal of Jesus by both Judas and Peter.
Download | Subscribe (FREE) In this episode, Rev. Gibson and Johnny Gwin discuss the story and lessons in the Palm Sunday Gospel. Through the dramatic reading of the physical and existential journey of Jesus, and exploring the Way of The Cross, Beverly lays out a roadmap to lead us through the coming week of Holy Week. We walk with Jesus from being welcomed by Jerusalem as a hero, to him self-emptying emotion and power, to his brutal death on the Cross. Do we look at the real self-sacrifice, shame, and suffering Jesus endured for us? What things in life do we do to betray Jesus? When are we like Judas? Like Peter? Do we show up for God using our gifts, talents, and resources to help Christ and our whole community? The Church needs to be seen as a place for you to give back (sacrifice) to your community not a "what's in it for me" mindset. During Holy Week and Easter, try to see Christ in the challenges, frustrating and ugly things in life? Could you see Christ in dealing with the most difficult people in your life? Perhaps your calling is not to judge and retaliate; maybe your roll is to serve those frustrating and challenging people. What You Will Here: > What's a dramatic reading of Palm Sunday Gospel? > Mystery Plays is a very old traditions of Church > Infotainment for the ancient > Bringing the hassles and distractions of the world into the Church and Mass > Starting Palm Sunday in the garden - the beauty and the challenges > Palm Sunday sermon is challenging for many priests > Beverly lays out roadmap of leading through the coming week of Holy Week > Passio - root word for passion - means suffering and pain > Passion and love - can be a painful endeavor > Walk on the way of the cross to find the way of peace > Self-offering and pouring yourself out - Self-emptying > John's Gospel - the dinner with Jesus at Mary & Martha's home with Lazarus - a human and tender moment > Washing of the feet - Nard and Mary - a precious offering > Judas questions the use of the nard oil > The existential journey of Jesus heading to Golgotha > Jesus grieves and pleads in Gethsemane > The consumer culture glosses over the pain and suffering of The Passion - we sanitize > What is in it for me? - Church shouldn't be this way > The Way Of The Cross - the taunting and the shaming - sanitizing > Twitter shaming and Jon Ronson > Social media and when the world turns on people who makes mistakes > Turning on a "hero" > Jesus as the ultimate outsider - Nothing good comes from Nazareth > The mob mentality of Jerusalem turning on Jesus > "Sealed with a kiss" - does that have to do with Judas kissing Jesus > What was Judas's motive to betray Jesus? > Judas had turned well before the betrayal > The shame moments: Peter denying 3 times, the bag of money, the crowds shouting "Crucify Him!" > Palm Sunday - a story of shame and failure > If you want to be a leader - you have to be a servant of all > Maundy - Queen Elizabeth viewed that her sovereignty was thrust upon her by God to serve her subjects > If you are only doing Church for you then you are missing the point > What is faith that doesn't encompass suffering? > Holy Week Challenge: Attempt to see Christ this week in all things - not just the brighter parts of life and the pleasant people. > Try to see Christ in the challenges, frustrating and ugly things and in the worst people in your life > Perhaps your roll is to serve those frustrating and challenging people > The mob mentality in biblical context and in the Church parishioners > Easter is the Christian Superbowl > Easter is the start of the spiritual year > The 3 acts of the Easter Season > God resurrected by the agent of Jesus > Human leaders do not self-sacrifice and voluntarily giving away of power > Military as a self-giving and true sacrifice > Peggy Noonan - What has happened to the American Dream? > Noonan: we have simplified and commoditized the national ideals we use to hold so important > Balancing between taking for yourself and giving to others > Historically looking at the place of the Church in community, social initiatives and services > A greater good for all of us when giving up of one's self > Joseph of Arimathea - shows up at pivotal time and is an excellent example of someone using his gifts and resources to help Christ, his followers, and the whole community Readings Referenced: Isaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 26:14- 27:66 What do you think about Pulpit To Pew? We would love to hear what you think, or maybe what you would like us to talk about on an upcoming podcast. Email producer Stacy Wellborn at stacywellborn@gmail.com and join in the conversation. Like Pulpit To Pew Podcast? Here’s how you can help the show: 1. Like our Facebook Page 2. Subscribe (for FREE) to Pulpit To Pew on Apple iTunes (or Overcast App) 3. Rate and review the show on Apple iTunes This one helps us a ton – seriously! Thanks for listening and have a great and peaceful week.
During Holy Week, we see the fullness of God's love towards us - that Jesus would choose to become a man like us and suffer and die for us.
During Holy Week this year, James caught up with Archbishop Wilson for a chat about Easter, the Australian Catholic Youth Festival, engaging young people with their faith, his view on our role as Christians in regards to the recent tragedy in Brussels, and much more.
As Easter draws closer, we all need the reminder that new life is coming. Hope is on its way—and so is spring! During Holy Week there are a few special celebrations to look forward to. On Easter weekend we celebrate the new life offered to us through Jesus.
As Easter draws closer, we all need the reminder that new life is coming. Hope is on its way—and so is spring! During Holy Week there are a few special celebrations to look forward to. On Palm Sunday weekend we celebrated Baptism at every weekend service.
During Holy Week 2012, the Duke-Cambridge collaboration led by Professor Jeremy Begbie of Duke University Divinity School met at the Easter at King's celebration. Part 1 of 3 highlights the meeting that took place between Cambridge Scholars and Duke Scholars to discuss Scottish composer James MacMillan's new Passion setting.
Summary of today's show: After emerging from the silence of the conclave that elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Seán O'Malley of Boston met with reporters from Boston and beyond to discuss voting in the conclave, his impressions of the new Holy Father, and what he takes away from the experience. Also, Scot Landry provides his perspective on the events as a pilgrim in St. Peter's Square. Finally, we look at the upcoming Sunday Mass readings. Listen to the show: Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: Today's host(s): Scot Landry Today's guest(s): Cardinal Seán O'Malley Links from today's show: Today's topics: LIVE From Rome: Cardinal Seán's first press conference after the conclave 1st segment: Thank you Rick. Welcome everyone, those listening in Boston and in these weeks of papal transition, those listening to the Station of the Cross from upstate New York and on iCatholic Radio. The world is learning so much more about our New Holy Father, Pope Francis. We are hearing reactions from Cardinals who participated in the Conclave to his election. We are also learning from his actions and from his first homily to the Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel a little bit more about his priorities as Pope. We will hear Cardinal Sean's reactions in the first half of the show and then reflect on Pope Francis' first homily as our Holy Father in the second half of the show. But first, have you ever wondered what it would be like to be standing in Saint Peter's Square to see the white smoke, to hear “Habemus Papam” and the new Pope's former name, and then to receive the Apostolic blessing. Until Wednesday night in Rome, I wondered about that too. But I had such a privileged opportunity to be there for the surprise of an earlier election than most anticipated and then to see, hear and experience what it was like. At around 7pm, when the smoke appeared, it was raining heavily in Piazza San Pietro. So you needed to move around the umbrellas to see the sightlines. Here is how I reacted: Then after a period of waiting, here is what it sounded like in St. Peter's Square when they announced who the next Holy Father would be. [audio src=http://media.thegoodcatholiclife.com/2013-03-14-Habemus-Papam-Announcement.mp3] Then about 10 minutes later, we heard the first words from Pope Francis. [audio src=”http://media.thegoodcatholiclife.com/2013-03-14-Pope-Francis-Remarks.mp3”] Then our New Holy Father gave us his first Apostolic Blessing. The whole experience was tremendously moving. For a complete description of what it was like, please visit TheGoodCatholicLife.com and see . We'll be back after this and we'll listen to Cardinal Sean's press conference yesterday with the Boston Media. You are listening to The Good Catholic Life. 2nd segment: Welcome back to the Good Catholic Life on our 2nd full day of the papacy of Pope Francis. Yesterday at the Pontifical North America College, Cardinal Seán greeted the press from Boston. It was a packed room just of Boston journalists. There asking questions were Lisa Zoll from the Associated Press, Joe Mathieu from WBZ radio, Lisa Hughes from WBZ-TV, Kim Khazei from WHDH, Heather Unruh from WCVB, Patricia Thomas from Associated Press TV, Lisa Wangness and David Filipov from the Globe, plus their camera operators and producers. In my brief conversations with Cardinal Seán before and after the media events, it was very apparent that he rejoiced in the election of Pope Francis and that he was extremely happy he would be returning to Boston to celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week. We'll begin with his opening statement and then you'll hear questions from the journalists around the room. Cardinal Seán: Well obviously, for everyone in the Church, that decision of Pope Benedict to resign was a shock, and in some ways, a crisis for us. To be without a Pope is being [spiritually] orphaned. So, the Conclave has given us a new Holy Father, a new representative for the Church, and a new Vicar of Christ. So it's obviously a moment of great joy for the whole Catholic world. Being a part of it was a very humbling and moving experience. The Conclave is a very prayerful experience. It's almost like a retreat. I know that when you read the Italian papers, it seems like it a political campaign, or like the primaries or something. [Laughter] It really is a spiritual and prayerful experience of discernment. When you walk up with a ballot in your hand and stand before the image of the Last Judgment and say, “with Christ as my witness, I am voting for the one whom I feel is the one God wants to do this [Petrine Ministry]. This is a great responsibility. Obviously, we're delighted that the Holy Spirit moved us to elect Pope Francis. I certainly approve of the name! [Laughter] It is a great thing for us to have a Pope from the New World. I won't say he's the first non-European [Pope], because early on there were African Popes in the Church. He's the first one from our hemisphere and obviously that's a part of the world where half of the Catholics live. Also, almost half the Catholics in the United States are also Hispanic. The Pope is everyone's Holy Father, but it's a wonderful connection for him to have that cultural and linguistic tie with so many of the faithful. We're also happy to see the interest of the press. [Laughter.] So many have been credentialed to cover this event. Last night, from the loggia looking down at the multitude in the Square, listening to the roar of enthusiasm, seeing all the flashes going off, hearing the papal anthem being played, and listening to the Holy Father's words, and asking the people to pray with him and praying the very simple prayers that all Catholics know: The Our Father, The Hail Mary, The Glory Be. It was very moving. Rachel Zoll from the Associated Press: Could you talk a little bit about how you got to know Pope Francis? How long have you known him? Cardinal Seán: Well, I first met him in different meetings over the years. A couple years ago I was his guest in Argentina. I have always known of him and been an admirer of his. He's very close to a number of the Capuchins in Argentina, who are the members of my order. [Followup] Rachel Zoll from the Associated Press: Would it be fair to say you know him very well? Cardinal Seán: Yes. Joe Mathieu from WBZ radio. Good morning and thank you for spending time with us. We appreciate you for being so generous. Your name has been thrown around in the Boston press, Italian press, International press for some many days with so much speculation. I am wondering if you feel a sense of relief this morning that you have the same job? Cardinal Seán: As I told someone this morning, if the only prerequisite for being Pope was not wanting the job, I would have been the most qualified Cardinal in the Conclave. [Laughter.] So, of course, I was gratified by the warmth of the Italians in their enthusiasm for me. But that's because they love St. Francis. They got a Pope Francis anyway, so I hope they're satisfied. [Laughter.] Lisa Hughes from WBZ-TV. When we were here last night, Your Eminence, Cardinal Dolan described the moment when Pope Francis said “accepto.” He said that there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Can you describe that moment when former Cardinal Bergoglio accepted this honor? Cardinal Seán: Well, obviously, we were all hoping that he wouldn't decline. [Laughter.] It was a very moving moment. Afterwards, each one of us went up and kissed his ring, hugged him, and congratulated him. It was a very moving experience, truly. Kim Khazei from WHDH. I wanted to just ask that about the popularity. Even though you said you bought a round trip ticket, a lot of people thought that you would be a great fit for the job. Your humility. What else is there about you that you might have been able to bring to the table? You also spoke about Pope Francis, particularly you talked about reforming the Church being a priority. Do you expect to see more the same or change in the Catholic Church? Cardinal Seán: Pope Francis is coming out of Latin America where there is such a contrast of rich and poor, and so many very grave social problems. He is a man who is very much impassioned by the desire to make the Church present to people in their suffering, relieve the suffering of the poor, and make them feel that it is their Church. I think that is going to have repercussions in this pontificate. [Followup] Kim Khazei from WHDH. With some of the pain people have felt back home in Massachusetts and in the United States, with the scandal, do you think there will be healing there? Cardinal Seán: I'm confident that there will be. This is a man who has a great sense of mission. He values transparency. I have great confidence that he will further the process of healing in our Church. Heather Unruh from WCVB - It's great to see you. Thanks for having us today. Can you tell me your reaction when you realized that this was would be the first Jesuit Pope? What does he significantly and uniquely bring to the Papacy? Cardinal Seán: The Jesuit order is one of the most important orders in the Church. I make a lot of jokes about Franciscans and Jesuits [laughter]. Their educational ministry and their presence in our missions is so great. They are known for their discernment. We need a wise and discerning leader in the Church at this time. I'm sure that he will help to re-energize the Catholic identity of Jesuit education and be a great source of encouragement to the Jesuit order throughout the world. It's been a long time since we've had a religious as Pope. I think having somebody in the consecrated life as Pope is also a way of lifting up this vocation in the Church, of men and women religious, who so often around the frontlines throughout the world. We're very, very pleased that we have a Jesuit Pope. Patricia Thomas from Associated Press TV - A Jesuit priest said to me this morning that Pope Francis came out without the mozetto on top of his vestments. This is a Pope who's not going to fit in with the ‘silk and fur atmosphere' of the papal court? Do you agree with that? Also, Thursday he is supposed to go to Castel Gandolfo. How do you think his relationship with the Pope Emeritus is going to work? Cardinal Seán: I'm sure that he will have a very great relationship with Pope Benedict. In fact, I was touched that one of the first things he did [last night] was to ask people to pray for Pope Benedict, and he expressed gratitude for his ministry. Obviously, as a Latin American, he doesn't have the same weight of European history that people from this continent have. So I think he's probably to be a little freer to perhaps jettison some of the traditional things. Those traditions are important to our people too, so there has to be a balance between what is appropriate in the 21st-century and what is a holdover from the past. Scot Landry from TheGoodCatholicLife.com and The Pilot- Cardinal Seán you mentioned you like the name Francis that he took. St. Francis had a mandate to rebuild the Church, primarily spiritually. Do you think that's the significance of him choosing the name Francis, that he thinks he has a mandate to rebuild the Church? Cardinal Seán: I think that there are three themes in St. Francis that he's identifying with. I haven't spoken with him about this, so I'm sort of reading his mind. Certainly , he rebuilding the Church, the reforms of government in the Church and so forth [is one]. Also, certainly Francis as a universal brother. Francis wanted to be a brother to everyone. We have the famous “Brother Sun, Sister Moon.” Yesterday he spoke about the brotherhood, the fraternity, that he wants to reign in the Church and in the world. That people look at themselves as brothers and sisters. That's a very Franciscan theme. Also, St. Francis's love for the poor. For St. Francis the poor person was the Sacrament of Christ. Christ emptied himself, took on the form of a slave, and embraced the cross for love of us. For Francis, the poor person was a sacrament of Christ. That's the vision that Pope Francis has and that's why he chose that name. He was very clear right from the beginning. He said this is in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, not Francis Xavier who was the Jesuit. [Laughter]. Rachel Zoll from the Associated Press: Can you talk a little bit about the stability and some the challenges ahead for this Pope? There was some surprise about age. There were expectations and built up that perhaps somebody younger would be chosen as Pope, so that the Pontificate would be a little bit longer. Can you talk about that a little bit? Was that assumption wrong? Cardinal Seán: Obviously the assumption was wrong. [Laughter.] I think age was a consideration, but there were other considerations that weighed more heavily I think on the discernment process. Whether the Pope's reign is long or short is not particularly important. Pope John XXIII was older when he was elected and so was Pope Benedict. I think the experience that he has and the gifts that he brings to the ministry are so precious and wonderful. Joe Mathieu from WBZ Radio - Cardinal Seán, it's been reported many times over the past 12 to 24 hours that Cardinal Bergoglio rejected many of the luxuries that are enjoyed by many Cardinals across the world: no limousines; no mansions; he lived in a small apartment; cooked his own meals they say; took the bus to work. I'm wondering to what extent you relate with that lifestyle and whether this is going to be a change in lifestyle for all Cardinals around the world. Cardinal Seán: I'm not sure what the impact will be. Certainly, the simplicity with which he has lived [is a example for all]. I think he's been very faithful and has tried to live his religious life even as a Bishop and as a cardinal. That's a good example that we hope will have an impact. Lisa Hughes from WBZ-TV. Your Eminence, what do you want to people in Boston to know about Pope Francis today? Cardinal Seán: Well, just that is a very good man, and that he's going to be a good leader for the Church. His experience of coming out of Latin America is also very important to us in the New World, and particularly, in the growing immigrant populations in Boston. I think there will be a great sense of joy and identification with the Holy Father. I'm curious to see what will happen this Summer at World Youth Day. They were already talking about 2 to 3 million young people in Rio. But that was before they counted on all of Argentina coming, [laughter] and the rest of Latin America. It will be quite a wonderful event. [Followup] Lisa Hughes from WBZ-TV. Will you go? Cardinal Seán: Yes. Kim Khazei from WHDH: Cardinal Seán, when you first walked into the room and made your opening remarks, you said you were moved when Pope Francis asked people to pray. It brought you close to tears. What specifically where you were reflecting on that made you so emotional? Cardinal Seán: They were simple prayers that all Catholics know. From children to old people, to those who have university education, and those who are illiterate. Those prayers unite us all in the same family of faith. It was beautiful to see how he was able to hush hundreds of thousands of people who were cheering and so enthusiastic. He was able to bring them to the moment of prayer, to be in God's presence. [Followup] Kim Khazei from WHDH: Did this whole experience end up being one of the most important moments of your life? Cardinal Seán: I never imagined as a child that someday I would be a part of the Conclave. Some of you may be old enough to remember there was a movie out – “The Cardinal” - many years ago. Although the storyline was not the most edifying, they were famous for the way they replicated the scene in the Sistine Chapel. I never imagined that someday I would be in that Chapel, taking that oath before Christ the Judge of the world, and being part of choosing a new successor to Saint Peter. Heather Unruh from WCVB: I know you've made it clear, Cardinal Seán, that you looked forward to that round-trip ticket home. What are you most looking forward to? I know that if you had been as Pope, you would give up the entire life that you've known so far. So now that you know if you're returning to Boston, and the things you love, what are you most looking forward to? Cardinal Seán: During Holy Week, we have the Chrism Mass, which to me is one of the most important moments of the year. I gather with all the priests, we renew our vows to serve God's people, we bless the oils that are used as our tools for baptisms, confirmations, and anointing of the sick. That's always a very important moment for priests. I look forward to sharing that moment with my priests each year. [Followup] Heather Unruh from WCVB: Are you also looking forward to some of the smaller things in life, the things that you like to do? Maybe you could elaborate on if you have a favorite street you walk on. Cardinal Seán: Well I think just being able to go out and walk. [Laughter]. People talk about the palace that the Pope has and everything. He's a prisoner in a museum. [Laughter]. It's not a wonderful life. In fact, I read Cardinal Dziwisz's book about his experience being Pope John Paul II's secretary for so many years. In that book, he reveals that John Paul II used to sneak out [of the Vatican] to go skiing. Nobody knew about that. I was so happy, [laughter] because the Italian government, The Gendarmes, the Army and everyone else would have had a fit. But they used to put him in the backseat of the car and go out and go skiing. I hope Francis will be able to sneak out occasionally, to go to a tango show or something. [Laughter.] Patricia Thomas from Associated Press TV - Last night I was standing at the obelisk just like I was when Cardinal Ratzinger came out in 2005. It was taking longer. I was standing with a lot of Italian photographers who were joking around saying, “it's taking so long, he must be panicking back there because he doesn't want to do it.” Why was it taking so long? Was he doing the tango? [Laughter.] What was going on back there? Cardinal Seán: Well, there was such a crowd of people. Just getting him through took a long time because everybody wanted to congratulate him. A lot of the workers came in at that time. Also I think that they also wait to give people the time to get to the Piazza. I think he could have gone out earlier. The Sistine Chapel is right near the loggia. From the Sistine Chapel, we first prayed the Te Deum, a hymn of Thanksgiving. Then we greeted the Holy Father individually. Then we started walking over toward the big window. Then there was a big crowd out there [in the loggia] that kind of slowed things down. [Overall] I think the plan is always to give enough time for people to get to the Piazza once the word gets out that there is white smoke. Scot Landry from TheGoodCatholicLife.com and The Pilot- Cardinal Seán, you've just gone through a week of General Congregation meetings and a couple of days in the Conclave. You've been a priest for more than 40 years, a Bishop for more than 25, and a Cardinal for 7 years. What have you learned new, over the last week or so, that has helped you appreciate the beauty of the Catholic Faith more, that you look forward to sharing with Catholics in the Archdiocese of Boston? Cardinal Seán: The catholicity of the Church. Being with the Cardinals from all over the world and listening to them talk about the experience of the faith and their people in Asia and Africa and South America and North America and Europe. The mission that we share as Catholics. Our fraternity in the Church, as brothers and sisters in the Lord, through our baptism. It's a very moving experience. Lisa Wangsness from the Boston Globe. Could you talk about the kind of relationship you expect to have as Cardinal Archbishop of Boston with the new Pope. Do you expect to invite him to Boston? Do you think because you share a love for Latin America and the Spanish language, that you'll have any particular mission or projects that you'll be working on? Cardinal Seán: It's a little early to forecast. Certainly, as Cardinals, we are at the disposition of the Holy Father and are his advisors. I told him that whatever we can do to help, we stand ready. We would look forward to inviting him someday to Boston. It would be good. It's been a long time since we've had a Pope there. John Paul II was there in 1979. So we're due. [Laughter.] David Filopov from the Boston Globe. We have heard snippets of things that the Pope has said that portray a humility and a sense of humor. Where you there at the toast, for example, when he said “may God forgive you all” [for electing me]. How does he come across as a person? Is he really the soft-spoken, self-deprecating man that was seen glimpses of? Cardinal Seán: He is. He's very disarming. I had lunch with him yesterday before the vote [laughing]. At that point, he seemed very weighed down by what was happening. Last night, I think that was at peace in his heart that God's will has been accomplished in his life. He's very approachable. He's very friendly. He has a good sense of humor. He's very quick and a joy to be with. [Followup] David Filopov from the Boston Globe. Father Lombardi told us that he didn't use the papal car but rather he rode back on the bus with the other Cardinals. How was the atmosphere? Were you surprised that he rode back on the bus? Did you expect that? Cardinal Seán: That's what I would've expected. Lisa Wangsness from the Boston Globe. Can you talk a little bit about the time you spend with him in Buenos Aires in 2010? Cardinal Seán: I was there on business for the USCCB, the Bishops conference, and I was his guest. We did have the time to visit and talk a lot about this situation of the Church in Latin America. We spoke a lot about our some of our mutual friends. He gave me a great CD that I enjoy very much. It is the Misa Criolla, which is Argentine music for a Mass arrangement. It was a very pleasant and very informal visit, because my business for the USCCB was not precisely with him. With him, it was more of a social visit. [Followup] Lisa Wangsness from the Boston Globe. Were you at his house? Cardinal Seán: Yes. [Followup] Lisa Wangsness from the Boston Globe. Did you visit his apartment? If so, can you describe it? Cardinal Seán: He lives in the part of the Chancery, which is a church office building. There's an apartment in there and perhaps his secretaries. I'm not really sure who is in the other apartments. Those are Cardinal Sean O'Malley's remarks at the press conference yesterday with Boston media. I'd like to highlight 7 points from his remarks that stood out to me. Cardinal described the Conclave as a very prayerful experience. It's almost like a retreat. It really is a spiritual experience of discernment. When you walk up with a ballot in your hand and stand before the image of the Last Judgment and say, “with Christ as my witness, I am voting for the one whom I feel is the one God wants to do this [Petrine Ministry]. This is a great responsibility. He also mentioned it was so easy to pray looking at the ceiling and the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Cardinal Sean was thrilled that he took the name Francis and he made sure to emphasize that Pope Francis took the name to emulate St. Francis of Assisi. He speculated that he did it for 3 reasons – Because of St. Francis' mission to rebuild the Church. Because of St. Francis' emphasis that we all are brothers and sisters in the Lord. And because of St. Francis' love of the poor. Cardinal Seán expressed his happiness at coming home to Boston soon and clarified that he didn't want the job with his typical humor: “As I told someone this morning, if the only prerequisite for being Pope was not wanting the job, I would have been the most qualified Cardinal in the Conclave. [Laughter.] So, of course, I was gratified by the warmth of the Italians in their enthusiasm for me. But that's because they love St. Francis. They got a Pope Francis anyway, so I hope they're satisfied.” [Laughter.] Cardinal Sean became emotional when he described the experience looking at the crowd in Piazza San Pietro and Francis calling them to prayer. He said “Last night, from the loggia looking down at the multitude in the Square, listening to the roar of enthusiasm, seeing all the flashes going off, hearing the papal anthem being played, and listening to the Holy Father's words, and asking the people to pray with him and praying the very simple prayers that all Catholics know: The Our Father, The Hail Mary, The Glory Be. It was very moving. They were simple prayers that all Catholics know. From children to old people, to those who have university education, and those who are illiterate. Those prayers unite us all in the same family of faith. It was beautiful to see how he was able to hush hundreds of thousands of people who were cheering and so enthusiastic. He was able to bring them to the moment of prayer, to be in God's presence. Cardinal Sean said that age was a consideration, but there were other considerations that weighed more heavily I think on the discernment process. He commented that whether the Pope's reign is long or short is not particularly important. Pope John XXIII was older when he was elected and so was Pope Benedict. I think the experience that he has and the gifts that he brings to the ministry are so precious and wonderful. Cardinal Sean said that he's most looking to returning to Boston for Holy Week. He said “During Holy Week, we have the Chrism Mass, which to me is one of the most important moments of the year. I gather with all the priests, we renew our vows to serve God's people, we bless the oils that are used as our tools for baptisms, confirmations, and anointing of the sick. That's always a very important moment for priests. I look forward to sharing that moment with my priests each year. In describing Pope Francis personally, Cardinal Sean said that he knew him well and mentioned that Pope Francis is very approachable, very friendly, has a good sense of humor, he's very quick thinking and a joy to be with. Next on the Good Catholic Life, we'll discuss Pope Francis' first homily to the Cardinals and to the world. Please stay tuned. 3rd segment: Yesterday, Pope Francis met with the Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel at 5pm for the Celebration of Mass. He preached without written remarks and he did it from the pulpit instead of sitting in a chair. It was very different from what we've seen over the last couple of decades. It was impressive to me, given all he's been through over the past few days, to hear him deliver such an eloquent homily off the cuff. Here is a translated version of what he preached, courtesy of There is something that I see that these three readings have in common: movement. In the first reading it is the movement of a journey; in the second reading it is the movement in building the Church; in the third, the Gospel, it is the movement of confession. Journeying, building, confessing. First, Journeying. “House of Jacob, come, let us walk together in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5). This is the first thing that God said to Abraham: Walk in my presence and you will be blameless. Journey: our life is a journey and when we stop it does not go on. Journey always in the presence of the Lord, in the light of the Lord, seeking to live with that blamelessness that God asked of Abraham in his promise. Second, Building. Building the Church. Stones are spoken of: the stones have a consistency, but they are the living stones, stones anointed by the Spirit. Building the Church, the Bride of Christ, upon that cornerstone that is the Lord himself. Building is another form of movement in our life. Third, confessing. We can journey as much as we want, we can build many things, but if we do not confess Jesus Christ, the thing does not work. We will become a welfare NGO but not the Church, the Bride of Christ. When we do not journey, we stop. When we do not build upon the stones, what happens? Everything collapses, loses its consistency, like the sandcastles that children build on the beach. When we do not confess Jesus Christ, I am reminded of the words of Léon Bloy: “Whoever does not pray to the Lord, prays to the devil.” When we do not confess Jesus Christ, we confess the worldliness of the devil, the worldliness of the demon. Journeying, building-constructing, confessing. But it is not that easy, because in journeying, in constructing, in confessing, there are problems, there are movements antithetical to the journey: they are movements that take us backward. This Gospel continues with an important moment. The same Peter who had confessed Jesus Christ said to him: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. I will follow you, but let's not talk about the cross. This is not a part of it. I will follow you in other directions, but not to the cross. When we journey without the cross, when we build without the cross and when we confess a Christ without the cross, we are not disciples of the Lord: we are worldly, we are bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, but not disciples of the Lord. I would like for us all, after these days of grace, to have courage, precisely the courage, to walk in the Lord's presence, with the cross of the Lord; to build the Church upon the blood of the Lord, which was poured out on the cross; and to confess the only glory there is: Christ crucified. And in this way the Church will go forward. It is my wish for all of us that the Holy Spirit – through the prayer of Our Lady, our Mother – bestow upon us the grace of journeying, building, confessing Jesus Christ crucified. Amen. Those are the words from the first homily of Pope Francis yesterday in the Sistine Chapel. A few things struck me. He's a talented preacher to do this off the cuff. We are in for some great homilies during his pontificate. He used down to earth analogies, such as sandcastles on the beach that get washed away. He used powerful, striking language. He said if we don't confess Christ and put him at the center of our mission, we become a welfare NGO. He said we need to confess Christ with the Cross. And to his brother bishops – and through them to us – he challenged us by saying “without confessing the cross, we are not disciples of the Lord: we are worldly, we are bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, but not disciples of the Lord. That's tough. I loved how he described that we are always moving. We are either moving forward in the spiritual life or if we're just trying to stay in place we'll regress. He implored the bishops and the entire Church to walk with courage proclaiming the Cross of Christ. The last thing was that he ended his homily calling on the Blessed Mother. I believe Pope Francis will be known someday for his Marian Devotion just like Blessed John Paul II was. I can't wait until his next homily at his installation Mass on Tuesday morning. We'll take a look forward at this Sunday's Mass readings next. You are listening to the Good Catholic Life. 4th segment: Welcome back to The Good Catholic Life here from Rome. For our new listeners, we often try to end our week by turning toward the Sunday readings. Hearing them on Friday gives us the chance to reflect on them before we join our Brothers and Sisters at Mass on Sunday. Thus says the LORD, who opens a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, who leads out chariots and horsemen, a powerful army, till they lie prostrate together, never to rise, snuffed out and quenched like a wick. Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers. Wild beasts honor me, jackals and ostriches, for I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for my chosen people to drink, the people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise. Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 17, 2013 (John 8:1-11) Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” Now some reflections (courtesy of ): Last week, Jesus preached to us the parable of the Prodigal Son, which stressed the Father's undying love for his wayward child, the meaning of genuine repentance and the sadness of the older brother who couldn't share his father's joy. In today's Gospel, that STORY (parable) about God's forgiveness becomes REALITY, in the encounter of Jesus with the woman caught in adultery and with all the “older brothers” who were trying to get her killed rather than trying to bring her to mercy. Just as Jesus wanted us last week to see ourselves as the prodigal son, who acted as if his father were dead and squandered the inheritance of love, so he wants us to see ourselves in the woman caught red-handed. Moreover, just as the Lord wants us to recognize that often we can behave like the older brother in the parable who resents mercy given to sinful siblings, so, too, the Lord wishes us to drop whatever stones are in our hands and use even other's sins as a reminder of our own. The Church gives us this reading on the fifth Sunday of Lent to remind us, first, of the horror and the just consequences of sin; second, of the incredible gift of God's mercy; and third, of what we need to do to receive that mercy. The first big lesson in today's Gospel that the Church wants us to grasp this Lent. Each of us is like that woman caught in adultery, whether or not we've been captured by others in the act of committing such a sin. In the revelation God gave us in the Old Testament, He revealed that every sin is really adultery, because it is being unfaithful to the covenant of love we have entered into with God. He referred to Israel as his adulterous bride, and, in some ways, each of us are part of that adulterous bride. Each of us merits to be stoned. But, as we see in St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians, Christ laid down his life to make his bride holy and spotless. He, the only one who fully merits to be able to cast a stone, took the stones, the bullet, intended for us and died out of love so that his bride wouldn't have to. Such great love is supposed to lead to three reactions on our part: The first is to have a just horror for our sins and to recognize how deadly they are The second thing is to come to receive his mercy The third reaction is to stop judging others and begin to extend God's merciful forgiveness to them That will conclude today's episode of The Good Catholic Life. For recordings of today's show and all our previous shows, please visit our website, TheGoodCatholicLife.com. We encourage you also to follow our daily blog from Rome which is also available at TheGoodCatholicLife.com and to view George Martell's photos on BostonCatholicPhotos.com. For our production team of Rick Heil, Dom Bettinelli, George Martell and Karla Goncalves, this is Scot Landry saying so long from Rome, God Bless You and Have a wonderful weekend!
Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams Today's guest(s): Father Paco Anzoategui, Pastor of St. Stephen in Framingham and Director of the Spanish Apostolate Links from today's show: Today's topics: Fr. Paco Anzoategui and Hispanic ministry in Boston Summary of today's show: Fr. Paco Anzoategui joins Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams to talk about his journey from Mazatlan, Mexico, to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Boston and how he credits the Blessed Mother for his vocation in a direct way. Fr. Paco also discusses Hispanic ministry in the Archdiocese and the US, including the trend of the growing Hispanic majority, plus why some Hispanics leave the Catholic Church for Evangelical churches, and how to make one parish family that includes both English- and Spanish-speaking communities. 1st segment: Scot welcomed Fr. Matt Williams back from a month off from the show. Last week he was a the Theology of the Body institute in Pennsylvania. He heard Dr. Janet Smith, an expert on Catholic teaching on human sexuality. The institute's mission is helping people understand Bl. John Paul's Theology of Body, which is all about love. 2nd segment: Scot welcomed Fr. Paco to the show. Scot said Fr. Paco is both a pastor and director of the Spanish apostolate. He asked him to share his background. He grew up in Mazatlan, Mexico, in a very Catholic family. That was the origin of his vocation. He went to Catholic schools his whole life, most of them in a Xaverian missionary school. The missionary zeal appealed to him in high school, but he didn't think of being a priest. But he was finishing high school in 1979 when Pope John Paul came to Mexico. This made such an impact on his life and that of all Mexicans, especially when he addressed the young people of Mexico as the hope of the world. Something happened to him then and he couldn't stop thinking about those words. The Lord made clear to him that he was being called to be a priest. He became a Xaverian priest in 1988. He studied for the priesthood in the United States. He came to the run by the Xaverians. He was quickly found by the bishops and inserted into the Spanish apostolates. He was incardinated as a diocesan priest in 2004. He lived there for his first 9 years of his priesthood. It's especially beautiful because of the walking rosary and at Christmas they put up many lights. Scot asked Fr. Paco to explain the process of incardination. Fr. Paco said it's a canonical process by which a man who is already a priest becomes part of a diocese at the request and agreement of both the superior of the religious congregation and the local bishop. It lasts for five years. He was first assigned to St. John the Baptist in Peabody, and the pastor at the time was Msgr. John McDonough. At the end of the five years, he was incardinated. He was sent then to St. Patrick in Lawrence for two years and then to St. Rose of Lima in Chelsea. Now he's in St. Stephen in Framingham. All those parishes have large Spanish-speaking populations. His entire priesthood, he's been assigned to multicultural parishes. Fr. Matt asked Fr. Paco about his great devotion to Our Lady. Fr. Paco said if he's a priest today, it's because of Our Lady. Growing up in Mexico, the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe is very prevalent. He grew up with that devotion. He remembers at the end of high school as he considered the priesthood, he was afraid he wasn't qualified. One day he prayed in church and was led to a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe where he consecrated himself to her at that moment if the call to vocation was true. He has since had amazing confirmation that she was listening to his prayer. He was ordained in the Marian Year of 1988 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on the Feast of the Annunciation. He had lost his parents and sister six months before his ordination and his devotion to Our Lady kept him going. As he walked down the aisle of the church and saw the statue of the Immaculate Conception, he felt Our Lady telling him that she brought him to this moment. Then his first assignment was Our Lady of Fatima shrine. At the important moments of his life, she was there. He tries to spread devotion to her everywhere because she always finds a way to keep us close to her son. Scot asked if Mexicans are particularly close to Mary because of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Fr. Paco said Mexico may be 95% Catholic but 100% Guadalupano. Even the non-Catholics have picture of Guadalupe in their homes and cars. He remembers his mother praying the Angelus at noontime every day and praying the rosary. Scot asked if Spanish speakers in Peabody, Lawrence, and Chelsea came from the same places. Fr. Paco said St. John the Baptist had a young Hispanic community when he arrived at the time. The community was mostly Dominicans and some Puerto Ricans. In Lawrence, they were majority Dominican again. But in Chelsea it was mainly Central American—Salvadoran and Guatemalan. In Framingham, it's also Central American, but also Colombian, Mexican, and Cuban. 3rd segment: Scot asked about St. Stephen Parish. Fr. Paco said he is in team ministry with Fr. Albert Stankard. The majority of the community is Hispanic. They get close to 700 people for Mass on Sunday. They are trying to integrate the two components of the parish, so they are one parish family. They have made great progress to bring the community together. Every year they have a Family Day, bringing dishes from their cultural background. They also have a parish picnic. During Holy Week, they have bilingual services together. When people pray together and see the same love for the Lord and Our Lady, it transforms people. Scot said when he travels to Rome, he loves to see the universality of the Church and the richness of all the cultures within the Church. He said in the history of the Archdiocese, we've solved the immigrant Catholic problem in different ways. We used to build a different parish for each language group. Today, we try to integrate communities into one. This helps prevent the necessity of closing parishes in the future when the language need has gone away. Fr. Paco said one thing that helped a lot was working with the staff to convey the spirituality of integration. They found people of both Anglo and Hispanic backgrounds for parish council and other ministries. It's only when you bring two groups to the same level, that both feel that the other is not favored, that they can become integrated. One way to do that is to make sure that you don't do everything separately. Over time, it conveys a powerful message to the parish: This is who we are and we're going to celebrate who we are. We are not threatened by each other. We are family. They also do bilingual bulletins and have worship aids that are bilingual. So they all hold the same hymnal and look at the same bulletin, even if they are looking at different languages on the page. When people see each other during worship, during social events there's a willingness to reach out and get to know each other better. Fr. Matt asked about the youth groups for different languages. Fr. Paco said they have two groups for different age groups. Anglo youth are often younger than the youth involved in Hispanic youth group. He added that in the youth group, the children are usually second generation and are very comfortable in English. Many even want to take religious education in English. This makes it easier for the young people to bridge the cultures. 4th segment: It's time to announce this week's winner of the WQOM Benefactor Raffle. Our prizes this week are two audio CDs by Catholic theologian and educator Jeff Cavins: “Are You Happy?” and “How to Simplify Your Life”. In “Are You Happy?”, Jeff notes that everyone wants to be happy, this seems so obvious that it hardly needs mentioning. But what is the secret to happiness? We all want to be happy, but how do we achieve it? To answer these crucial questions, Jeff asks a more fundamental one: “What is it in your life that you are continuously desiring and seeing?” Answering this question is the key to understanding what will truly make you happy. For “How to Simplify Your Life”, Jeff observes the chaos of modern life: got to get it, got to see it, got to have it, got to be it; deadlines, commitments, the things I need to do, whether for work or family. How can you navigate though the stress and strife? “Just simplify,” Jeff says. But don't just buy a weekly planner or listen to an Anthony Robbins “success” tape or read Seven Habits of Highly Successful People. As Jeff points out, simplicity is not an external but an inner struggle. In this inspiring presentation, you will learn practical ways to separate the wheat from the chaff in your life; to stop organizing the frantic and urgent calls in your life and answer the one true call to right relationship with Christ. As Jeff notes, we live in a world filled with worry, and this worry translates into excessive activity that “burns out” many in our culture. Discover discernment tools to help you clear away the internal and external clutter in your life, and learn the keys to true success, joy, and peace. This week's benefactor card raffle winner is Debra Michalski from Somerset, MA. Congratulation, Debra! If you would like to be eligible to win in an upcoming week, please visit . For a one-time $30 donation, you'll receive the Station of the Cross benefactor card and key tag, making you eligible for WQOM's weekly raffle of books, DVDs, CDs and religious items. We'll be announcing the winner each Wednesday during “The Good Catholic Life” program. 5th segment: Scot said many statistics say that most of the growth of the Church in the US is due to Hispanics. For Catholics under 35, a majority are Hispanic. This trend is likely to continue in this direction. Fr. Paco said according to the latest US Census, there about 50 million Hispanics in the US and about 68% are believed to be Catholic. By 2025, it's believed that Hispanics will be the majority of Catholics in the US. Hispanics come to this country mainly with a Catholic heritage. Protestantism doesn't have a large footprint in Latin America, although even that's been growing. He noted that the 15% of Hispanics in the US who are Evangelical has been doubled in the past 10 years. He said some of the younger generations are being assimilated into the dominant culture. More important than maintaining their culture, they need to maintain their faith. They need to help them have an encounter with Jesus that transforms them. Fr. Matt asked why they're leaving and why are they going to Evangelicalism? Fr. Paco said there isn't one answer. One reason is that Hispanics in general are seeking to be in community. Sometimes the policies in some US churches don't make it easy for them to get the sacraments, especially since the policies in their own countries were less rigorous. For example, to receive confirmation they need to go through a formation program in the US, even if they know their own faith very well. If someone moves a lot, they can't complete a long program. This is particularly acute for migrant farm workers. Fr. Paco said we need to be accommodating. We need to be more welcoming and not to be so precise in everything. Not that we don't need regulations, but that we have to look at the particular circumstances and be flexible. Because this is what they find in the Evangelical churches. They find a welcome and a sense of community. For Hispanic people, the church is their second home and the priest is like their father, and if they don't find that in the Catholic parish, they will find it elsewhere. Fr. Paco said 80% of Hispanics in the US find the Catholic Church very welcoming. Scot said storefront churches are specifically targeting immigrants by using very Catholic-like symbolism to encourage them to come and check out their church. Fr. Paco in many parishes with Spanish Masses, they don't offer anything beyond the Mass. Cardinal Seán has said he wants parishes with Spanish ministry, they must offer more. Hispanics want Bible studies, charismatic groups, Marian groups, and youth groups. That connects people to their parish more. Scot said 37 of the 291 parishes in the Archdiocese have at least one Mass in Spanish. How does the Apostolate coordinate and connect those parishes? Fr. Paco said his office offers services to respond to the needs of each of the parishes. They provide programs that bring people together rather than multiplying efforts. They also try to find Spanish-speaking priests and other lay pastoral ministers for parishes. He also said so many of the priests who have served part of their priesthood in the St. James Society in Latin America come back speaking Spanish and knowing much more of the culture. This means that priests are available to provide the sacraments. Fr. Paco said he has seen a growth in the Spanish-speaking diaconate and lay leadership programs, including catechists. They are doing well for the near future. As for priests, they are counting on so many priests who should be retired already. Fr. Paco said the charismatic movement has been a part of his spirituality and he has found it appeals to more than just Hispanics. People who follow the spirituality helps people to grow in their faith and grow more excited about it. They have prayer group Mondays in English and Fridays in Spanish. Fr. Matt said he met Fr. Paco while he was in seminary at a healing service and asked him to explain healing ministry. Fr. Paco said it happens within the context of the charismatic renewal ministry. It comes from the miracles of Jesus and brings them closer to people, with the message that Jesus is alive and continuing to heal people today. When people open up to the power of the Holy Spirit, he's seen miracles. He noted that it's distinct from the Sacrament of the Sick. Everyone can come forward and receive prayers of healing.
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