Podcasts about Eleventh

In this episode of The Sauna Trail, Hudson and Daniel join Risto to look at a few unique saunas in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They have a rich culture of sweat bathing, and most of the saunas are home-built and unique.LINKSWebsitehttps://www.thesaunatrail.comInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thesaunatrailFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/thesaunatrailMUSICDirge of the Night by Tied With TwineCONTENTS00:00 Intro01:50 First sauna02:58 Second sauna: Is it a sauna?03:39 Third sauna05:33 Fourth sauna05:57 Fifth sauna06:20 Sixth sauna06:43 Seventh sauna07:33 Eighth sauna08:02 Ninth sauna08:49 Tenth sauna10:16 Eleventh sauna12:00 Twelfth sauna

Episode SummaryIn episode #51, wisdom keeper and astrologer Chris Skidmore, joins the podcast for a profound conversation exploring the intersection of myth, astrology, and social cohesion. Chris and podcast host, Jef Szi, delve into the the 12 House System of Astrology as a "mythic language" and ancient teaching device that can provide guidance for exploring human nature and our social realities. After framing astrology not so much as a predictive tool or literal science, but rather as a rich, symbolic framework for understanding the human condition, Chris and Jef discuss the organization and significance of the 12 house system. Along the way they highlight various features of this "medicine wheel" as an archetypal ally for personal and social development. From there, the conversation homes in on the critical axis of the Fifth and Eleventh houses. Jef and Chris connect this house-system polarity to Jef's recent experience at the Grateful Dead's (Dead and Company) 60th anniversary shows in San Francisco. The performer-audience relationship become the metaphor they use to examine the dynamics between our "individual fire" (the Fifth House's focus on creative self-expression) to "collective connection" (the Eleventh House's domain of community and social contribution). Later on, Jef and Chris call upon a rarely mentioned Greek Olympian God, Hephaestus, to further illuminate to the 5th/11th House axis. Hephaestus is a figure of both woundedness and masterful craftsmanship and lore surrounding his disfigurements.Both The Dead and the Hephaestus become pertinent tales through which the various connections and tensions that occur between the creative soul and social responsibilities can be known—how our personal struggles and creative passions of doing what we love can be supported or troubled by mass, social pressures of our times. What Chris and Jef land on is these matters of love, creativity, shame, and community are not isolated, but are integral to how we navigate our human condition. Ultimately, there's a consequential dance taking place between a life that finds its real loves and pleasures and finding our place and contribution to society. In the beginning, middle, and end, The Astrology of Self-Love, & Society masterfully links personal emotional experiences to a broader, archetypal framework, offering a new way to view our creative lives and the pressures of mass society. I hope you enjoy this conversation and it's implications as much as I did getting to interview Chris. About Chris Skidmore:Chris Skidmore is the host of On The Soul's Terms Podcast. He is also a practicing psychotherapist, astrologer, biodynamic cranial-sacral therapist who currently resides in Bali. Be sure to drop into Chris's podcast to follow his work on the 12 Houses, or call upon him for an astrology reading.*****

August 30, 2025Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 12 - Psalm 75:1-2, 6, 9; antiphon: Psalm 75:7Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 12:20-13:5, 33-34; 1 Kings 14:1-16:28; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24“We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near.” (Psalm 75:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Tomorrow's introit reminds us of this blessed reality: the Name of the Lord is near. In fact, it is so near, it is upon you!These are some awesome and particularly appropriate words for an introit—psalm verses for entering our Lord's sanctuary and being brought into His presence.You were given the ability to call on our holy and Triune God at your Baptism, when the Lord used your pastor to speak and wash you into new birth from above. In those joyous moments, the Name of the Lord came near as He placed His name upon you! “I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Now the name of the Lord is so near, it is on you. In you. At Baptism, you were blessed with the Gift of calling on Him in prayer. Praying, praising, and giving thanks. God brings you, His child, to talk with Him “as dear children ask their dear father.”The Word of the Lord continues bringing His name near. Your pastor preaches. In Bible Class, you are taught that Word, as His name comes near. The Word is spoken in conversations of encouragement among faithful family and friends, and that brings God's name near, too.Of course, the high point of every Lord's Day is when the Name of the Lord is near, coming with the holy and precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Here is the greatest moment of the presence of God. The clearest, most felt and experienced nearness of God and His Name. With His own flesh and blood, Jesus brings the name of God in, with, and under Him to permeate you, bless you, and nourish you with His forgiving and saving presence. Where His name is, there He is to make you His own.So here we are, entering the sanctuary of the Holy Trinity, with His name washed onto us from Baptism and repeatedly placed on us with Word and Sacrament. With that holy name upon us, Jesus, who makes His name near, makes us worthy to enter His church building and receive Him yet again in Word and Sacrament, and we respond with giving thanks.We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. (Psalm 75:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Baptized into Your name, most holy, O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I claim a place, though weak and lowly, Among Your saints, Your chosen host. Buried with Christ and dead to sin, Your Spirit now shall live within. (LSB 590:1)Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

#sioux #nativeamerican #folktalesIn the first story, we hear why it is bad to put the fox in charge of the hen house. And in the second one, we hear about an all consuming greed personified.Source: Wigwam Evenings: Sioux Folk Tales Retold by Eastman and EastmanNarrator: Dustin SteichmannMusic: In The River: A Protest Song - Raye Zaragoza (creative commons)Sound Effects: nature_fire_burning_crackle_fireplace by Sage Tyrtle (creative commons)Podcast Shoutout: That Florida Feeling PodcastListener shoutout: Hamilton BermudaPicture credit: By Gertrude Spaller - Smith, Carrie J. The Easy Road to Reading Third Reader. Chicago: Lyons and Carnahan, 1917. Page 73., Public Domain,

August 28, 2025 Today's Reading: Catechism: How Can Bodily Eating and Drinking Do Such Great Things?Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 11:1-26; 2 Corinthians 6:1-18Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. (Small Catechism, SA)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Augustine had a lot to forgive. He was a wild child who knowingly avoided the Lord. His father was a pagan, but his mother was a Christian, so he was no stranger to the Church. Still, he was not a fan. This spiraled into one bad choice after another, so Augustine believed many false teachings and Manichean philosophies, lived in sin, fathered a child without marrying the mother, and still refused the biblical pleadings of his own mother.As a Manichean, he believed that the soul was good and the body was evil. Augustine would have a hard time wrapping his brain around a biblical unity of body and soul. This would carry over to the Lord's Supper. For Augustine, before coming to faith, the Eucharist would be extremely difficult to understand. How could the good and holy God take on flesh that would be evil? And how would He then take on flesh, in and with something earthly like bread? It's all so confusing; How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?It is not just the bodily eating and drinking that does these things. The Lord works a miracle with the Sacrament. Each and every time, the Word of God, along with the eating and drinking of that bread and wine, gives the real and true flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. And that flesh and blood is not evil or corrupt, like the early Manichean Augustine thought. It is Body and Blood that is good and perfect and holy, placing your God into you, so you taste and see that the Lord is good!In time, God rescued Augustine from his sin and brought him to faith. The extremely intelligent scholar and great speaker became a humble catechumen and member of the Church, and later, a great bishop and saint.Augustine had a lot to forgive. You do, too. That is precisely why our good and holy Lord took on flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary. That is also precisely why He gives us His holy and precious Body and Blood in the Eucharist. As the perfect and holy body of Jesus enters you, your corrupt body is sanctified from within. Forgiveness, life, and salvation are given through these words, Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins so that you may be strengthened and preserved in body and soul to life everlasting. Amen.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Thy body, giv'n for me, O Savior, Thy blood which Thou for me didst shed, These are my life and strength forever, By them my hungry soul is fed. Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood Be for my soul the highest good! (LSB 619:1)Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

August 27, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 13:22-30Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 9:1-9; 10:1-13; 2 Corinthians 5:1-21“Strive to enter through the narrow door… And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 13:24a, 29)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. St. Monica encouraged her son, Augustine, toward the narrow door. She lived out her faith as an example. She prayed for her son and sought advice from her pastor and bishop, St. Ambrose. Yet it felt like nothing she did could move her son to faith.Meanwhile, Augustine seemed to stray further from the narrow door of Christ and into the wide open perils of the day. His education introduced him to unbiblical and anti-Christ philosophies. In our times, we might say that he went off to school and partied, never checking out the campus ministry. He even fathered a baby outside of marriage.There was nothing Monica could do to make Augustine go to the narrow door. For that matter, nothing that Augustine could do or say or think would get him to that door either. But that's the point.The Holy Spirit is the One who calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies. God answered Monica's countless prayers favorably and eventually brought Augustine to faith. He turned him around and crafted Augustine into one of the greatest pastors and teachers of the faith in the history of the Church. But all of that had nothing to do with Augustine's or Monica's choices. It was the work of God.The Spirit led Augustine, as He has led you, to the saving Gospel of Christ. The broad and easy road of this world is tempting and looks fun, but it only leads to death and destruction. Looking for other paths and entrances only leads to “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” It is the narrow door of Christ alone that brings you salvation.  Be comforted, dear friends in Christ! In this passage, Jesus tells you that you have already been called to faith. You don't need to look any further. The Holy Spirit has gathered you and multitudes from east and west, from north and south, to recline at table in the kingdom of God. As you receive the Holy Eucharist at His Table, He gives you the forgiveness and strength to continue the way to and through the narrow door of Jesus to be resurrected and live with Him eternally. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, who is the Comforter of those that mourn, and the Salvation of those that hope in You, who graciously regarded the tearful pleading of saint Monica for the conversion of her son Augustine: grant, we implore You, that we may truly lament our sins and be made worthy to obtain Your gracious pardon; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

August 26, 2025 Today's Reading: Hebrews 12:4-24 (25-29)Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 8:22-30, 46-63; 2 Corinthians 4:1-18“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Peace. In the news, we hear about working toward peace in places like Israel and its neighbors, Russia and Ukraine, China, North Korea, and many more. We can define this word regarding international politics as getting along with other nations and ending any conflict and violence. Yet so much more is packed into the word “peace.”Peace can describe the perfect relationship of God and humanity, of an individual with everyone else, and all creation. God created everything, relating to it all in His peace. On the other hand, Satan and his cronies despise God and His peace. They work at frustrating His peace among people and creation. Sadly, all too often, we are willing to jump on the bandwagon of working against God's peace by making everything about ourselves. “Me! Me! Me!” we cry, fixating on what makes me happy, even if it is not good or helpful or loving for others. Old Adam isn't very peaceful, is he?The Lord speaks through the author of Hebrews today, telling you to strive for peace and holiness. Your old sinful self could never do this. Christ Jesus, however, can and did. With His suffering, death, and resurrection, He restored our peace with God. This peace is now delivered by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit has called you by the Gospel, enlightened you with His gifts, sanctified and kept you in the true faith. As He does this, He is drawing you back into a healed and restored relationship with God—that is His peace!That's right! As God's baptized child, you have received His peace. Now you live in faith, and God tells you here in Hebrews to continue in that peace. Strive for it. Work towards it. Be an instrument of God's peace with everyone. How? You strive for peace as you encourage others to hear His Word and receive His Sacraments. You strive for peace as you live out your faith by loving and serving your neighbor, placing them and their needs above your own. And the Spirit does exactly that, giving God's peace to you and through you.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord be our light when worldly darkness veils us; Lord, be our shield when earthly armor fails us; And in the day when hell itself assails us, Grant us your peace Lord: Peace in our hearts, where sinful thoughts are raging, Peace in Your Church, our troubled souls assuaging, Peace when the world its endless war is waging, Peace in Your heaven. (LSB 659:3,4)Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

August 25, 2025Today's Reading: Isaiah 66:18-23Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 7:51-8:21; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18“The time is coming to gather all nations and tongues, and they shall come and shall see my glory.” (Isaiah 66:18b)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In the Harry Potter Wizarding World, non-magical people are called “Muggles,” or for a more vulgar slur, “Mud Bloods.” The Israelites who first heard Isaiah preaching today's reading would have heard the Hebrew word “goi” (nations) and would have had very better-than-you, condescending attitudes. How dare Isaiah preach Law to them, and that God would gather these Mud Blood Gentiles to Himself?!The history of the world has taken a very different turn, and so many times the tables were turned, and Gentiles have persecuted the descendants of Israel with better-than-you, condescending views. Whether we have participated in or ignored this particular sin, we all fall into the trap of thinking too highly of ourselves, and join the ancient Israelites.Still, the Holy One of Israel brings you joy today as He proclaims that He gathers His Church not only from the Children of Israel, but from lowly goi like you!    The Lord gathered all to see His glory at the birth of Jesus. God demonstrated that Christ was for all when He announced the birth to humble Jewish shepherds in Bethlehem, senior citizens in the Temple like Simeon and Anna, and to the goi, with Wise Men traveling from other lands to see “He who has been born King of the Jews.”The Lord gathered all to see His glory at Calvary. At the moment when it seemed least likely and looked like a horrific defeat, God was displaying His perfect and holy glory. In the crucified Jesus, we see a perfect and loving God who gave His life for us all. This ultimate compassion has no equal and truly shows the glory of the Lord.The Lord gathered all to see His glory at the resurrection of Christ. First, He had angels announce it to women (turning upside down any cultural expectations). Then, He appeared to His apostles. And later, hundreds of others. In a little while, He called St. Paul to preach to the goi all over the Roman Empire, and the other apostles gradually expanded their mission through the known world.Someday, the Lord will gather all to see His glory at the Last Day. Every tribe, people, and language will see the coming of the Lord of the Nations and King of Creation. He will raise all the dead and give eternal life to you and all believers in Christ. The Holy One of Israel desires to gather all to see His glory, and in faith, live with Him forever.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.We are called to stand together With the saints of ages past, With the patriarchs and prophets In the faith they once held fast; Promises and hopes they treasured Now we find fulfilled at last! (LSB 828:1) Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. More than just rules, God's law reveals God's nature—and exposes ours. In this message, Pastor Lutzer explores three transformative insights into why God gave us His law. Anyone who truly loves will uphold the Ten Commandments. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://offerrtw.com or call us at 1-800-215-5001. 

God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. More than just rules, God's law reveals God's nature—and exposes ours. In this message, Pastor Lutzer explores three transformative insights into why God gave us His law. Anyone who truly loves will uphold the Ten Commandments. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1407/29

The Ten Commandments defined holiness for God's people. As believers, we follow the law fulfilled in Jesus' new commandment: to “Love one another, as I have loved you.” In this message, Pastor Lutzer identifies the objects of love we ought to have, including our neighbors. Love is the fulfillment of the Law. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://offerrtw.com or call us at 1-800-215-5001. 

The Ten Commandments defined holiness for God's people. As believers, we follow the law fulfilled in Jesus' new commandment: to “Love one another, as I have loved you.” In this message, Pastor Lutzer identifies the objects of love we ought to have, including our neighbors. Love is the fulfillment of the Law. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1407/29

After studying the Ten Commandments, many are uncomfortable with their prohibitions. But they are tied together with love. In this message from Mark 12, Pastor Lutzer defines the primary object of our love: God Himself. Do we love God just verbally or with intensity and passion? This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://offerrtw.com or call us at 1-800-215-5001. 

After studying the Ten Commandments, many are uncomfortable with their prohibitions. But they are tied together with love. In this message from Mark 12, Pastor Lutzer defines the primary object of our love: God Himself. Do we love God just verbally or with intensity and passion? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1407/29

In this raw and unforgettable episode, we sit down with Renzo, a man whose story takes us from the halls of an Ecuadorian naval academy to the darkest corners of addiction — and finally, to redemption and love. Sent away as a teen in hopes of “straightening out,” he returned with more of taste for alcohol than ever. By 21, he was smoking meth. A move to the East Coast meant a fresh start… until heroin took over. His desperation ran so deep he once faked appendicitis — and had a perfectly healthy organ removed — just to score pain meds.After countless relapses, he finally got sober in his forties. The same day we recorded this episode, Renzo proposed to his girlfriend and they are now engaged — a full-circle moment for someone who never thought love or freedom was possible. Now, he works in treatment and shares his story to prove that no matter how far gone you feel, it's never too late to come back.This one's wild, honest, and packed with hope. You don't want to miss it.Can't wait to hear what you guys think!DM me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Message me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen AD FREE & workout with me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!

The Eleventh sermon in our series: "Strangers in a Strange Land""This is What a Church Should Look Like"Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-5

August 5, 2025 - Welcome back. This is the ninth special edition episode of The Terrible Podcast, which will be posted after the Pittsburgh Steelers wrap up each one of their 2025 training camp practices. It's Tuesday night, and Alex Kozora joins me to discuss what he observed at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe earlier in the day. As usual, Alex and I go through all of the position groups and give you the rundown on as many players as possible in the shortest amount of time. In case you missed it, you can read Alex's Tuesday practice report here. Thanks to Len Testa at touringplans.com for once again sponsoring these special-edition episodes during Steelers training camp. Thanks for listening and don't forget to call or email with questions or comments, and please pass us along to your friends! steelersdepot.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. More than just rules, God's law reveals God's nature—and exposes ours. In this message, Pastor Lutzer explores three transformative insights into why God gave us His law. What if we could see God's holiness and our brokenness with absolute clarity? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29

God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. More than just rules, God's law reveals God's nature—and exposes ours. In this message, Pastor Lutzer explores three transformative insights into why God gave us His law. What if we could see God's holiness and our brokenness with absolute clarity? This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://rtwoffer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337. 

The Ten Commandments defined holiness for God's people. As believers, we follow the law fulfilled in Jesus' new commandment: to “Love one another, as I have loved you.” In this message from Mark 12, Pastor Lutzer identifies three objects of love we ought to have. Love is the fulfillment of the Law. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29

The Ten Commandments defined holiness for God's people. As believers, we follow the law fulfilled in Jesus' new commandment: to “Love one another, as I have loved you.” In this message from Mark 12, Pastor Lutzer identifies three objects of love we ought to have. Love is the fulfillment of the Law. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://rtwoffer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337. 

A senior software engineer for Turso, Thorpe is part of an experimental program in the Maine state prison system that allows incarcerated people to work remote jobs from custody. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode Dr. Jenkins looks into the events and movements in the Latin world that lay the foundation for the claims of the late-medieval Roman popes, and how the two questions of the filioque and the powers of the pope became intertwined. Still Points https://tinyurl.com/StillPoints From the Morning Watch https://tinyurl.com/HaikuPsalms

In this episode, Julian of Norwich is drawn into the radiant joy of Christ—the joy He takes in His Blessed Mother, and the glory revealed in His glorified Face. In the Eleventh Shewing, Christ lovingly invites Julian to “see her”—to behold the Virgin Mary as He does, with delight and reverence. Through Julian's vision, we glimpse the profound place of Mary in Christ's heart and in the life of every Christian. In the Twelfth Shewing, Julian is lifted to contemplate the joy of Heaven: the Beatific Vision, where the saints behold the Face of Christ and are fully seen, fully known, and fully loved. Drawing from Julian's text, Scripture, the Catechism, and the wisdom of the saints, this episode opens the mystery of divine joy that begins in Christ's Passion and culminates in eternal glory. The post Ep 8 – The Eleventh and Twelfth Shewings – All Shall Be Well w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In the summer of 1984, Alton Coleman and Debra Brown embarked on one of the most disturbing killing sprees in American history—spanning six states in just seven weeks. Their victims ranged in age, race, and gender, and their crimes were marked by brutality, manipulation, and randomness. What makes this case even more chilling is that Coleman and Brown were partners in both life and murder—becoming the only couple ever placed together on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list. --For early, ad free episodes and monthly exclusive bonus content, join our Patreon!

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Jeffrey Morrow. Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Second Corinthians 12: 1-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 34: 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 Alleluia: Second Corinthians 8: 9 Gospel: Matthew 6: 24-34   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Crisis Group experts, Ali Vaez, Mairav Zonszein, Max Rodenbeck, Yasmine Farouk and Michael Hanna to discuss the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Richard first talks with Ali about how Iranians are experiencing the conflict, the damage Israeli strikes have inflicted on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile program and military leadership, and whether Iran's regime might offer concessions to end the war. Richard then turns to Mairav and Max to discuss Israeli public sentiment and Prime Minister Netanyahu's objectives in Iran. With Yasmine, he explores how Gulf Arab states view the war. Finally, Richard talks with Michael about President Donald Trump's shift from opposing Israeli strikes on Iran to seemingly supporting them, divisions within his base over the U.S. joining the war, and whether Washington will bomb or can still find a diplomatic off-ramp.For more, check out our latest statement, “How Trump and Tehran Can Find an Eleventh-hour Exit from an Escalating War” and our Iran page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. John Bergsma. Ordinary Weekday First Reading: Second Corinthians 11: 18, 21-30 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 Alleluia: Matthew 5: 3 Gospel: Matthew 6: 19-23   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24Mammon is another word for money. Jesus is clear that you must choose to serve either God or money, but not both. A divided heart does not suffice. Saint John of the Cross, in His spiritual classic “Ascent to Mount Carmel,” explains something similar. He says that our desires must become completely purified to the point that all we desire is God and His holy will. Every other desire in life must be purged away so that we are singularly devoted to God. Does this mean that God and God alone should be the object of all of our love? Yes, indeed. But that truth must be properly understood.When we consider the calling we have been given from God to love, it is true that we must love not only God but also many other things in life. We must love family, friends, neighbors, and even our enemies. Hopefully we also love other aspects of our lives, such as our vocation, our job, our home, a certain pastime, etc. So how do we love God with singular devotion when we also have many other things we must love?The answer is quite simple. The love of God is such that when we make God the singular object of our love and devotion, the love we have for God will supernaturally overflow. This is the nature of the love of God. As we love God, we will find that God calls us to love Him by loving other people and even various aspects of our lives. As we love what God wills us to love and as we express our love for all that is contained in the will of God, we are still loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.But back to our Scripture above. Why is it that we cannot love God and money? “Mammon” in this passage must be understood as a love that becomes an unhealthy attachment and desire. Money is such that we can “love” it by allowing our desires for it to become disordered and, thus, exclude the will of God from that “love.” Money is not evil when it is used solely in accord with the will of God. In that case, the money we use will give God great glory. But when money, or any other object of our desire, begins to take on a life of its own, so to speak, then that desire will be at odds with our love of God. To love God and God alone means we love God and all that He wills us to love in life.Reflect, today, upon the necessity of being singularly devoted to God. As you commit yourself to this exclusive love, consider also whom and what God calls you to love in and through Him. Where does His perfect will lead you, and how are you called to show your love of God through the love of others? Consider, also, any ways in which you have allowed an unhealthy attachment to money or anything else in life to distract you from the one and ultimate purpose of your life. Allow God to purge those unhealthy desires and false “loves” from your heart so that you will be free to love as you were made to love.My Lord and God, You are worthy of all of my love. You and You alone must become the single focus of all of my love. As I love You, dear Lord, help me to discover all that Your will directs me to love more and all that Your will calls me to detach from. May I choose only You and that which is contained in Your holy and perfect will. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time by Ms. Joan Watson. Ordinary Weekday/ Romuald, Abbot First Reading: Second Corinthians 11: 1-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 111: 1b-2, 3-4, 7-8 Alleluia: Romans 8: 15bc Gospel: Matthew 6: 7-15   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

Read Online“The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.” Matthew 6:22–23Every Scripture passage, in a spiritual sense, can teach us many lessons. Saint Thomas Aquinas, in his commentary on Matthew's Gospel, offers one interpretation to the passage quoted above by saying that the “eye” in this passage refers to your intention and “your whole body” refers to all of your actions that follow from your intention. Therefore, when your intentions are in line with God's will, the actions that follow will be also. This is a very practical and useful lesson for your journey toward holiness.With this insight from Saint Thomas, we must look at our intentions in an honest and complete way. What are your intentions in life? It's easy for us to form various intentions that may seem good as well as some that are contrary to the will of God without even realizing it. We may intend to get a good night's sleep on one occasion. Or intend to have fun with family and friends on a certain day. Or we may intend to cook a good meal, clean the house, do well at work, etc. There are many momentary intentions that are good and are a normal part of daily living. However, the most important intention to consider is that which is the deepest of them all. What is the most central, foundational, and fundamental intention by which your life is directed?The primary intention that you should work to acquire is to give God the greatest glory possible in all that you do. Giving glory to God is accomplished when you choose Him and His holy will above everything else in life. When this is the deepest and most fundamental intention of your life, everything else will flow from it. All secondary intentions and actions will align with this central focus and work toward its accomplishment. But when there are other “first intentions” that you have on the most fundamental level, then all the rest of your intentions and actions will be misguided and directed in a disordered way.Reflect, today, upon the most fundamental intention you have in life. Doing so will require a considerable amount of interior reflection and honesty. It will require that you sort through the many things that motivate you and the decisions you make each and every day. Reflect upon the primary purpose of your life, which must be to give God the greatest glory possible by choosing and living His perfect will. Do all of your daily actions align with this ultimate goal? Commit yourself to the holy work of examining all of your actions in this light so that you will more fully achieve the purpose for which you were created.God of all glory, You and You alone are worthy of all my praise. Your will and Your will alone must become the foundation of all that I choose in life. Give me the spiritual insight I need to look deeply at all that motivates me and all of my most interior intentions in life. May all of my intentions and all of my actions have as their goal Your eternal glory. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Károly Ferenczy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Listen to Fr. Steve's homily from 6/19/25.Thanks for listening! Please leave us a rating and/or review, and share on social media or with a friend! You can email ashley@rootedinthereallyreal.com with any questions or suggestions. God bless.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. John Bergsma. Ordinary Weekday First Reading: Second Corinthians 9: 6-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 112: 1bc-2, 3-4, 9 Alleluia: John 14: 23 Gospel: Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

Read Online“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” Matthew 6:14–15It's truly amazing how often our Lord exhorts us to forgive. Much of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, from which we have been reading all week, continually calls us to offer mercy and forgiveness to others. And in the passage above from the end of today's Gospel, Jesus offers us the consequences of not heeding His exhortations.This passage is a sort of addendum to the “Our Father” prayer which immediately precedes it. The Our Father prayer gives us seven petitions, one of them being “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” It's interesting to note that as soon as Jesus taught us this prayer with its seven petitions, He then re-emphasised one of those petitions by stating it again as is seen in the passage quoted above. This added emphasis should assure us of the seriousness of this petition.At first, Jesus simply tells us to pray for forgiveness “as we forgive.” But He then makes it clear that if we fail to do so, we will not be forgiven ourselves. This should highly motivate us to make every effort possible to completely forgive others from the deepest depths of our hearts.Who do you need to forgive? Forgiveness can be a confusing endeavor at times. The act of forgiveness gets confusing when our feelings do not reflect the choice we make in our will. It is a common experience that when we make the interior choice to forgive another, we still feel anger toward them. But these disordered feelings should not deter us nor should we allow them to cause doubt in what we need to do. Forgiveness is first an act of the will. It's a prayerful choice to say to another that you do not hold their sin against them. Forgiveness does not pretend that no sin was committed. On the contrary, if there were no sin committed, then there would be no need for forgiveness. So the very act of forgiving is also an acknowledgment of the sin that needs to be forgiven.When you make the choice to forgive another, and if your feelings do not immediately follow after, keep forgiving them in your heart. Pray for them. Try to change the way you think about them. Do not dwell upon the hurt that they have inflicted. Think, instead, about their dignity as a person, the love God has for them and the love you must continue to foster for them. Forgive, forgive and forgive again. Never stop and never tire of this act of mercy. If you do this, you may even discover that your feelings and passions eventually align with the choice you have made.Reflect, today, upon any lingering feelings of anger you experience. Address those feelings by the free and total choice to forgive the person with whom you are angry. Do so now, later today, tomorrow and on and on. Go on the offensive against anger and bitterness by overwhelming it with your personal act of forgiveness and you will find that God will begin to free you of the heavy burden that a lack of forgiveness imposes.My forgiving Lord, You offer the perfection of forgiveness to me and call me to do the same toward others. I pray for Your forgiveness in my life. I am sorry for my sin and beg for Your mercy. In exchange for this holy gift, I pledge to You today to forgive everyone who has sinned against me. I especially forgive those with whom I remain angry. Free me from this anger, dear Lord, so that I may reap the full benefits of Your mercy in my life. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: William Hole, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Shane Owens. Ordinary Weekday First Reading: Second Corinthians 8: 1-9 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146: 2, 5-6ab, 6c-7, 8-9a Alleluia: John 13: 34 Gospel: Matthew 5: 43-48   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

Read Online“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” Matthew 6:16–18Many today have abandoned the holy practice of fasting. Fasting is a powerful penitential practice that bestows great benefits upon the soul. The act of self-denial from certain food and drink, choosing instead simple nourishment from time to time, such as bread and water, or a reduced amount of food, greatly strengthens the soul and disposes a person to many spiritual blessings. Too often, we live for fleshly satisfactions and fall into the trap of trying to indulge our appetites on a regular basis. But doing so has the negative effect of tempting us to neglect the more important spiritual desires for holiness. By depriving ourselves of sensory delights from time to time, we become more disposed to seek the true and lasting delights that come only from God's grace. Therefore, this passage above presumes that we do regularly fast and engage in other forms of self-denial. Do you fast? Do you engage in other forms of self-denial on a regular basis? Daily prayer, reading the Scriptures, learning about the lives of the saints, and regular participation in the Sacraments all lead us closer to God and make us holy. But fasting and self-denial are also very important, so it is essential that we strive to embrace them as a part of our spiritual growth.In this passage, Jesus specifically calls us to seek the interior rewards that come from fasting and self-denial. He points out that if we use fasting as a way of gaining praise from others, then we lose the spiritual benefits of our fasting. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving must all be done in a way that they are as hidden as possible so that our acts are truly sincere and not done so as to receive the earthly rewards of the admiration of others.Additionally, the lesson taught in this Gospel can also be applied to other areas of our lives. For example, if you are suffering from some illness or some form of bodily pain or discomfort, then of course you should seek the necessary medical attention. But these physical ailments also offer us another opportunity for spiritual growth when they are embraced in a silent and interior way. Even our pain or discomfort can be transformed into grace if we choose to embrace it with joy, offer it to God as a sacrifice, and keep it to ourselves as a silent gift given to God.Reflect, today, upon your practice of fasting, as well as every other opportunity you have each day to make silent and interior sacrifices to God. If you do suffer from some daily cross that is beyond your control, then try to turn it into a spiritual offering to our Lord. And if you are able to freely embrace fasting on a regular basis, then try to prayerfully commit to this practice. Try to do it every week, especially on Friday in honor of the Good Friday sacrifice made by our Lord. Don't underestimate the value of these hidden sacrifices. Make them a regular part of your spiritual life and God will bestow upon you many spiritual riches from Heaven.My sacrificial Lord, You denied Yourself of many earthly delights, especially when You fasted for forty days in the desert. Help me to take seriously this obligation to fast and to mortify my appetites. And help me to do so in a hidden way. May my life continually imitate Your perfect sacrifice so that I may become more like You every day. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Ivan Makarov, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Listen to Fr. Steve's homily from 6/17/25.Thanks for listening! Please leave us a rating and/or review, and share on social media or with a friend! You can email ashley@rootedinthereallyreal.com with any questions or suggestions. God bless.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Scott Hahn. Ordinary Weekday (Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time) First Reading: Second Corinthians 6: 1-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98: 1, 2b, 3ab, 3cd-4 Alleluia: Psalms 119: 105 Gospel: Matthew 5: 38-42   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” Matthew 5:43–45Jesus continues to deepen and clarify His call to His new command to love of others. The love to which He calls us is radical, total, and can be very challenging at first. He calls us to move far beyond the Old Testament understanding of justice by commanding that we love everyone, including those who persecute us. This call to love is not an option but a command. It's a requirement for every Christian.In implementing this command, Jesus gives us not only the command itself but also offers some very practical advice on how we can achieve this depth of love. He says that we should not only love our enemies but that we should pray for them when they persecute us. First of all, an “enemy” is one who tries to inflict some form of harm on us and, generally speaking, sins against us. The common response to these experiences is to defend ourselves and fight back. So the first step is to reject any such temptation. As Jesus said in the Gospel passage prior to this one, “offer no resistance to one who is evil.”Today's Gospel passage takes us even further. The practical advice our Lord gives is to “pray for those who persecute you.” This command not only requires that you reject the temptation to “get back” at a person or even to simply “resist” what they do to us. You must now pray for them. Praying for someone who sins against you is an act of the greatest charity and generosity. And it's a very practical way to imitate the abundant mercy of God. For that reason, praying for your persecutors radically transforms you interiorly and makes you holy. In a sense, the evil another does to you has the potential to be transformed into a gift given to you, because it gives you an opportunity to return prayer for an injury inflicted. And that is a very real and practical gift we must embrace by this new command of our Lord.Reflect, today, upon those for whom this new commandment calls you to pray. Whose sin has inflicted some hurt or injury upon you or your family? Who do you hold a grudge toward? Whoever comes to mind, commit yourself to deep and sustained prayer for that person. Pray often for them and continue that prayer for as long as the persecution continues. Doing so will transform any and every attempted malice issued toward you into grace for them and holiness for you.My Lord of abundant mercy, Your command to pray for those who persecute me was first lived by You to perfection. You prayed for those who crucified You as You hung upon the Cross. Give me the grace I need to not only forgive but to also pray for those who have and continue to try to inflict harm upon me. Give me a heart so filled with mercy that every sin committed against me is transformed into love and my own holiness of life. Jesus, I trust in You.Image:  The Sermon on the Mount, via Web Gallery of ArtSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Read OnlineShould anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” Matthew 5:41–42As the faith of Israel developed over the centuries, prior to the coming of Christ, there were various stages of advancement in morality. Prior to the establishment of moral laws in the Old Testament, it was common for families to inflict severe vengeance upon other families when harm was done to them. This caused ongoing violence and feuds. But advancements were made when the law of retaliation was established which said, “When a man causes a disfigurement in his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has disfigured a man, he shall be disfigured” (Leviticus 24:19–20). This was a new form of justice that forbade the vengeance from being more severe than the crime that was retaliated against. At the time, this helped end ongoing family feuds that continually escalated.It is this law of retaliation that Jesus addresses in our Gospel today. The new and much higher form of morality that Jesus taught called His disciples to “offer no resistance to one who is evil” and to turn the other cheek when evil was done to them. Though strict justice requires satisfaction for sin, Jesus' new teaching was that mercy pays every debt. First, His mercy bestowed upon us, for the forgiveness of our sins, pays the debt of our sins when we truly repent and change. But if we desire our debts to God for our sins to be forgiven and repaid, then we must do the same to others, holding nothing against them.But Jesus goes even further. In the passage quoted above, Jesus exhorts His disciples to a new and radical form of charity and generosity. This new moral code was how the children of the Kingdom of God were now called to act. It was not enough to only forgive and to forget the debt one owes you because of their sin. Mercy now requires us to “Give to the one who asks” and to walk “two miles” with one who only asks you to walk one mile with them. In other words, Christian charity far exceeds every concept of strict justice and even goes beyond basic forgiveness. This was certainly a new and radical teaching from our Lord.Think about this new moral law in your own life. What level of “justice” do you most commonly live by? When someone wrongs you, do you live like those prior to the Old Testament laws by seeking to get back at them to an even greater degree than the harm done to you? Do you live by the law that seeks the equal justice of an eye for an eye? Do you seek to forgive and offer mercy as a payment for the debt another has incurred by the sin they have committed against you? Or, ideally, do you strive to go even beyond the act of forgiveness and bestow mercy in a new and generous, superabundant way? This last level of love is difficult to obtain and live, but it is the way our Lord treats us and it is the way that He calls us to treat others.Reflect, today, upon any hurt you may currently be struggling with. And consider the way in which you have been dealing with that hurt. As you seek to understand this new law of love and mercy given by our Lord, pray to Him that He will give you the grace you need to give to others the same level of mercy that God gives to you.My generous Lord, You offer Your mercy in superabundance. You not only forgive when we repent, You also restore us to far greater heights of holiness than we could ever deserve. Give me the grace I need, dear Lord, to offer this same level of mercy and love to those who have sinned against me. I forgive all who have hurt me. Please help me to also love them with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Eugène Burnand, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.