Podcasts about Forty Days

Beyond allowing for costume and scene changes are there thematic reasons for the transitions in Passion? Alex Asp returns to offer insight into three songs that stem from the fallout of "Is This What You Call Love."Follow Alex on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/alexasp44/Look at the Sondheim Database project here: https://www.sondheimdatabase.com/Send feedback to puttingittogetherpodcast@gmail.comKeep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/puttingittogetherpodcastTwitter: https://twitter.com/sondheimpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sondheimpodcast ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Craig Okpala

Acts 1:1-11 Guest: Pastor Bob Illman

FORTY DAYS ON EARTH After Jesus had descended into Paradise and hades he took the keys of hell and death and re-inhabited his entombed body. He then sealed the offering of his shed blood on Calvary to his Father in Heaven for the purification of the sins of the whole earth. He returned to the earth that same day in a resurrected body that could never ever die again. This resurrected body was without the constraints of a limited physical body, but it could be seen and recognized as a natural body. After that, He appeared in another form (heteros morphe – an altered form or nature) (Mark 16:9) Jesus returned to the earth in Jerusalem where he heard that the temple priests had fabricated a story that his body had been stolen by the disciples and that they had overcome the temple guards and raided the tomb. He set off walking from Jerusalem in the direction of Galilee, where he had said he would meet with his disciples. He saw two men walking together in serious discussion and he greeted them and joined them as they walked, but Holy Spirit had supernaturally veiled their eyes from recognizing him (Luke 24:13). They were taken aback that this stranger seemed to know nothing of what had happened in Jerusalem over the last few days. They explained patiently to this stranger the things about Jesus, that he did miracles and that he was a great prophet and how their chief priests and rulers delivered him to be condemned to death and crucified. They said to Jesus they were hoping that it was Jesus who was going to redeem Israel as he had said that he would rise on the third day, and today was the third day. As they walked the 12 K journey to Emmaus Jesus quoted to them passage after passage from the writings of the prophets, beginning with the book of Genesis and going right on through the Scriptures, explaining what the passages meant and what they said about himself, and  something happened in their hearts as they listened to him. They appealed to him to stay with them as they finally arrived at Emmaus, even though he had told them he was going further, so Jesus accepted their offer to at least stay and have a meal with them. During the meal Jesus took some bread, and prayed a blessing over it, and as he broke the bread their eyes were opened and immediately, they recognized who he was and at that very moment Jesus vanished from their sight. This could well be called the firstfruits communion service - a prophetic illustration of how our times of fellowship and communion in remembrance of Jesus open up to us a deeper revelation of who Jesus is as we sit in the presence of God in the unity of the Holy Spirit. After Jesus had disappeared the two men decided to go back into Jerusalem and find the disciples who were in hiding, afraid of what was going to happen to them because of the rumors that were going about that they had stolen Jesus' body. They found them and were whisked inside and the doors were locked behind them. They told them of their journey with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, and their miraculous meal with him where he had suddenly vanished. While they were still talking Jesus appeared in their midst while the doors remained locked. The disciples panicked, and thought they were seeing a ghost, but Jesus explained to them that he was not a ghost because a ghost didn't have bones and flesh, and he asked them to touch his hands and his feet and to see for themselves.    Jesus stretched forth his hands and his peace hit their hearts. He breathed his Spirit upon them and they received the impartation of his peace. They immediately felt at one with Jesus and with each other. But this was just a mere foretaste of what was to come, as it would only be after his final ascension and being seated at the right hand of Father that Holy Spirit would be sent to dwell within them. On the day of Pentecost Holy Spirit would be sent from Father and from himself upon all humanity.  He asked them if he could have something to eat, so James brought back some steamed fish and some honeycomb and Jesus accepted it and ate it. Jesus noticed that Thomas was not amongst them and he told them he would see them in a few days at Galilee, and he vanished once more. The disciples all gathered at Galilee eight days later and Jesus again miraculously appeared to them and this time Thomas was present. He knew that Thomas had not believed that he had risen, even though the other disciples had said that they had seen him. Jesus held out his hands towards Thomas and told him to have faith and believe and to touch his hands and his side where he had been pierced. Thomas did this and said, ‘My Lord and my God'. Jesus acknowledged that in seeing and touching he now believed. He went on to tell Thomas that there would be many who will believe without even seeing him and that they would be greatly blessed for that kind of faith.  Jesus appeared to them again one morning after seven of them had been out fishing all night and had caught nothing. He stood on the shore and watched them fishing but they didn't realize that it was him. They had taken two boats out, one larger boat, rigged for catching and one auxiliary boat, which helped with baiting and with the haul.  Jesus shouted out to the fishermen from the shore asking them if they had yet caught anything and they said no they hadn't. Then Jesus told them to throw out the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and they would get plenty of fish, and when they did they couldn't draw in the net because of the weight of the fish. Then John called out to Peter ‘That is the Lord', and at that, Peter put on a robe and jumped into the water and swam ashore. The rest of the disciples stayed in the boat and pulled the loaded net close to the shore. They looked over to where Jesus was, sitting with Peter and they saw that a fire was kindled and fish were frying over it, and there was bread. Jesus told them to bring some of the fish they had just caught, so Peter went and helped them drag the net ashore and bring some fish. There were 153 large fish and yet the net hadn't torn. Jesus then invited them to come and have some breakfast and Jesus went around serving them the bread and fish. That was the third time Jesus had appeared to them since his return from the dead. After they had all enjoyed breakfast together Jesus called Peter aside. He knew there were things that had to be said between them. Peter's soul was in a turmoil of regrets, shame and guilt. Time and again he had asked himself why he didn't stand up for Jesus instead of disowning him three times when he was asked if he knew him. He had remembered when the rooster crowed that Jesus had predicted that he would deny him three times. What was Jesus going to say to him now – would Jesus disown him, even rebuke him three times? But Jesus asked Peter three times, in three different ways whether or not Peter loved him. The first time Jesus used the word phileo which means brotherly love and Peter said yes of course he did, and Jesus said to him feed my lambs. Jesus asked him a second time, using the same word, phileo and Peter said emphatically Yes lord – you know I do! And Jesus again said to him feed my lambs The third time Jesus asked Peter if he loved him he used the word agape which means a sacrificial love, higher than any other kind of love. Peter said Yes Lord, and he meant it with all his heart. And this time Jesus said to Peter feed my sheep. And so Peter humbly gave himself up to the ownership of God's love. As a true representation of a flawed humanity owned by God's love, Peter was mercifully forgiven and accepted. It was also this moment that owned him, not his past, or his uncertain future.  This would also continue to be his greatest gift to God, the gift of his each moment to God. As Peter would go on in life, he would have faced his many imperfections, and he may well have learned to return to that special moment on the seashore, where he could surrender to the ownership of God's love and shed his fears, growing in faith and being transformed into God's nature. The bible says that Jesus met with over five hundred people over those forty days, and in the book of Acts it describes the final time that he met with his disciples when they asked him if this was now the time for him to free Israel from Rome and restore his people as a mighty nation, and again Jesus realized that they still did not understand the nature of his Kingdom, but that they would soon learn. He told them that only his Father had set these times, and they were not for them to know. He also told them that they would testify about his death and resurrection with great power. He instructed them not to leave Jerusalem and that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit in just a few days and receive the promise of the Father.  Suddenly a dazzling light shone within a billowing white cloud above them. Jesus turned to them all and raised his hands in blessing. He did not need to say goodbye. As he began to rise slowly heavenwards he was enveloped in the cloud, and as they stood together looking into the cloud that had taken him they saw the shining figures of the now familiar two men in white standing to one side who told them that the same cloud that they saw taking Jesus into eternity would also bring him back one day to that same place - in total glory and triumph, and The Plan of Salvation will have been fulfilled. And so, they waited just as he had instructed them, and after ten days the Holy Spirit fell upon them on the day of Pentecost. Jesus had told them he would join their lives to his risen life and they would become one in Spirit with him. The Holy Spirit would take Father's love, and his own words, and place them in the hearts of men and women, as a deep consciousness of his indwelling and abiding life.  The Holy Spirit had accompanied Jesus every moment of his life on earth. He had joined himself to the human spirit of Jesus and had felt every feeling that Jesus had felt. He had known every one of his thoughts, and he had communicated every thought from Father God to him. Those thoughts became words in the mouth of Jesus, and The Holy Spirit caused those words to have life and power to all who heard Jesus speak. In this way Holy Spirit had also experienced life within humanity on the earth.  The Holy Spirit would become the bond between Heaven and earth for all time. He would fall like rain from Heaven upon the souls of mankind, seeking to awaken the spirit of humanity to the cosmic truth of what Jesus had done in joining mankind to God.  Humanity could now live in the new law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus and win its struggle against the mindset of lostness and separation called the law of sin and death.  Within the human pain of this struggle against lostness and separation would be found the cry of Holy Spirit wrestling to join the minds and hearts of people to God. It is the Spiritual energy of God's love that would never cease its activity in the human heart, subduing human nature, that it might resonate with the nature of God. His ministry of intercession is working moment by moment in our lives to bring about the healing and saving of our souls. Whenever this truth is embraced by a human heart, that heart will at last find itself at home, around the Family table, where it was destined eternally to be.        

Today's music selection is "Wake Up, Jesus," by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Dear Gravity," by The Wonders.

Today's song selection is "Oh, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus," by Paul Zach. Today's instrumental music is "Pilgrim," by Some Were at Sea. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "Passover Song," by Iamson. Today's instrumental music is "Dear Gravity," by The Wonders. Licensed through artlist.io

Today's music selection is "Mercy," by Iamson. Today's instrumental music is "Pilgrim," by Some Were At Sea.

Today's song selection is "The Kingdom of Jesus," by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Pilgrim," by Some Were At Sea. Licensed through artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "Hosanna Song," by Paul Zach. Today's instrumental music is "Dear Gravity," by The Wonders. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "How Long," by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Heartache," by Amick Cutler. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "The Lord Will Have His Way," by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Pilgrim," by Some Were At Sea. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's song selection is "We Abide, We Abide in You," by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Compass," by Some Were At Sea. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's song selection is "In the Fields of the Lord," by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Heartache," by Amick Cutler. Licensed through Artlist.io

Today's song selection is "Your Labor is Not in Vain," by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Dear Gravity," by The Wonders. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "I Wanna Know," by Iamson. Today's instrumental music is "Pilgrim," by Some Were At Sea. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "Joy Will Come," by Paul Zach. Today's instrumental music is "Oh Dear Child," by Amick Cutler. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "Eternal Hope," by Paul Zach. Today's instrumental music is "Heartache," by Amick Cutler. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "Mercy," by Iamson. Today's instrumental music is "Dear Gravity," by The Wonders. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's song selection is "Psalm 126," by Bifrost Arts. Today's instrumental music is "Compass," by Some Were At Sea. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's song selection is "Come, All who are Weary," by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Pilgrim," by Some Were at Sea. Licensed through Artlist.io.

This blogcast explores “Pressing in While in the Desert: Getting Over the Mid-Lent Slump" written by Danielle Schmitz and read by Meghan Abando.In this blog post, Danielle shares some advice to rekindle our Lenten fervor as the long penitential season continues. When we find ourselves in “the mid-Lent slump,” we need to remind ourselves of why we committed to Lent in the first place. When we are able to remember this “why,” we are given new strength to continue into the desert, to press in with Jesus into the discomfort, leaning on Him for strength, because we realize we aren't alone in the desert. All of this, however, can be very difficult without practical steps to return to Jesus in the desert. Here are some that I have found to be most helpful when Lent becomes difficult. Consciously make the action in prayer to repent for falling away from your Lenten commitments and “reset them” with Jesus. Explicitly write out your Lenten commitments again. This step of “resetting” gives you a clean slate moving forward in Lent, so you feel less tempted to fall back into whatever your previous situation had been.Find your “why” in Lent. What is the reason that you chose each of your Lenten commitments? What do you hope to gain with them or in what way do you hope to grow with them? When you become tempted to fall away from your commitments, these “whys” will give you a reason to keep going.Build your Lenten commitments into your daily schedule. While the commitments may start out as obligatory this way, as you gain consistency in your practice of them, you will find joy in doing so and will desire to complete them each day.Have an accountability partner. Find someone you trust who can walk with you throughout Lent, checking in to make sure you are staying faithful to your commitments. But more importantly, this person can be someone who you can turn to when things get difficult for support and encouragement. Most importantly, as you press into Lent in the midst of the “slump,” remember the Lord's unending mercy and love for you. As it says in Joel 2, God desires for us to return to Him with contrite hearts so that He can pour out His mercy and grace onto us. When you find yourself struggling in Lent, turn back to Him in all His kindness, and ask Him to walk with you and give you the strength you need to continue following Him into the desert. Author:Danielle Schmitz is a Communications Associate for the Catholic Apostolate Center, where she assists in the updating and creation of social media content for new and ongoing projects at the Center. Danielle is a student at the Catholic University of America studying Marketing and Theology. Originally from San Jose, California, Danielle is currently studying abroad in Gaming, Austria with Franciscan University of Steubenville. Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Today's music selection is "Your Labor is Not in Vain," by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Heartache," by Amick Cutler. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's song selection is "Create in Me (Psalm 51)," by Paul Zach. Today's instrumental music is "Heartache," by Amick Cutler. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "Instrument of Peace," by the Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Dear Gravity," by The Wonders. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "Illuminate the Shadows," by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Compass," by Some Were At Sea. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "Christ is Lower, Still," by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Heartache," by Amick Cutler. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "Come, All Who are Weary," by the Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Dear Gravity," by The Wonders. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's Music Selection is "He is Given," by Bifrost Arts. Today's instrumental music is "Oh Deal Child," by Amick Cutler. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's song is "East/West, Psalm 103," by Paul Zach. Today's instrumental music is "Compass," by Some Were At Sea. Licensed through artlist.io.

Today's song selection is "Have Mercy On Me," by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Dear Gravity," by The Wonders. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "He Will Not Cry Out," by Bifrost Arts. Today's instrumental music is "Heartache," by Amick Cutler. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "Psalm 126," by Bifrost Arts. Today's instrumental music is "Pilgrim," by Some Were At Sea. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "When Your Kingdom Comes," by Paul Zach. Today's instrumental music is "Dear Gravity," by the Wonders. Licensed through Artlist.io

Today's music selection is "Good to Me," by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Oh Dear Child," by Amick Cutler. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Sequence Hymn #455 O Love of God, How Strong and TrueOffertory Anthem "Pie Jesu" from Requiem (Rutter) Lawren Casagrande, soloistCommunion Hymn #571 All Who Love and Serve Your CityPost-Communion Hymn #150 Forty Days and Forty NightsTHE COLLECT OF THE DAYO God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from thy ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of thy Word, Jesus Christ thy Son; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.FIRST READING Genesis 15:1-12,17-18Reader A reading from the Book of Genesis.The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.”ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.PSALM Psalm...

Today's music selection is "I Wanna Know," by Iamson. Today's instrumental music is "Dear Gravity," by The Wonders. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "All Will Be Well," by Paul Zach. Today's instrumental music is "Compass," by Some Were At Sea. Licensed through Artlist.io.

Today's music selection is "All Who Are Weary, Come" by The Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Heartache," by Amick Cutler. Licensed through Artlist.io.

The First Sunday in Lent; Luke 4:1-13

Today's music selection is "At All Times," by Paul Zach. Today's instrumental music is "Compass," by Some Were At Sea. Licensed through artlist.io

Today's song is "In Labor, All Creation Groans," by Bifrost arts. Today's instrumental music is "Oh Dear Child," by Amick Cutler, licensed through Artlist.io

Today's song is "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," by Iamson. Today's instrumental music is "Pilgrim," by Some Were At Sea, licensed through artlist.io

Today's Song is "Always With Me," by Iamson, Today's instrumental music is "Heartache," by Amick Cutler. Licensed through Artlist.io

Today's Song is "God the Maker," by the Porter's Gate. Today's instrumental music is "Dear Gravity," by The Wonders. Licensed through Artlist.io

Today's song is "Rise Up" by Bifrost Arts Today's instrumental music is "Compass," by Some Were At Sea. Licensed through Artlist.io

Today's song is "From the Dust," by Paul Zach Today's instrumental music is "Pilgrim," by Some Were At Sea. Licensed through Artlist.io