Podcasts about Gehenna

A Sermon for the Sixth Sunday after Trinity St. Matthew 5:20-26 by William Klock In last Sunday's Gospel we were with Jesus and Peter in that fishing boat as Jesus preached to the crowd on the shore.  I said that I had a pretty good ides the sorts of things Jesus was preaching, because both Matthew and Luke preserve versions of his favourite sermon about the kingdom.  Today's Gospel gives us a snippet of Matthew's version of that sermon.  In Matthew 5:20 Jesus says to the gathered crowd, “I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  In the words leading up to this, Jesus was preparing the people to hear this.  He talks about being the salt of the earth and the light of the world and a city set on hill and a light held high on a lampstand for everyone to see.  “That's how you must shine your light in front of people!” he says, “Then they'll see what wonderful things you do, and they'll give glory to your father in heaven.”  Do your works, does you the way you live make people take notice and give glory to God?  That's a tough one, isn't it?  And then, just in case people might be thinking that Jesus came to do away with the law and the prophets: “Don't suppose that I came to destroy the law or the prophets,” Jesus said, “I didn't come to destroy them.  I came to fulfil them!  I'm telling you the truth: until heaven and earth disappear—and since that won't happen this just means never—not one stroke, not one dot, is going to disappear from the law until it's all come true.  So anyone who relaxes a single one of these commandments, even the little ones, and teaches that to people, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.  And anyone who does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”  And this is where Jesus says those words, “Yes, let me tell you: unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.”   Because Jesus was doing and saying so many things that a lot of people thought weren't right, I suspect some people thought that Jesus was teaching an easier way to the kingdom.  The Pharisees were mad because he didn't seem to keep the law with the same zeal that they thought everyone should, but I suspect there were others who thought Jesus was offering them a way to God without all the spiritual rigor and rules.  Just this week I found myself talking to someone who had left an orthodox, biblical church a few years ago and is now worshipping at a United Church.  The reason: “They aren't so strict.  They let people be themselves.  They aren't so bound to the Bible.”  In other words: The United Church offers a way to God that you can follow on your own terms.  I suspect some people thought Jesus was doing a sort of First Century Jewish version of that.  And so Jesus makes it clear that this is not the case.  No, just the opposite in fact.  Not even the Pharisees with all their zeal for torah, not even they meet the standard.  Later in the sermon he'll go on to talk about the wide and narrow way that will lead Israel to destruction and the narrow gate that few can find and the narrow and difficult way beyond that leads to the kingdom.  No, Jesus hasn't come to relax the standard.  Not at all. But before we can go on we need to ask a couple of questions.  When Jesus talks about “righteousness”, what does he mean?  Well, for the Jews “righteousness” was bound up with torah, with the law and with God's covenant.  A righteous person was someone who was faithful to God and to the covenant and that meant, fundamentally, that he was faithful in living the law that God had given his people. The name “Pharisee” means “separated one”.  That's what Israel was supposed to be.  The Lord had delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt to be his people and he gave them a law, he gave them torah, as a way of life that would separate them and that would make them distinct from every other people on earth.  When the nations looked at Israel they were supposed to be moved to give glory to God.  But for most of their history, the Israelites didn't do a very good job of being that separate and distinct people.  They were selective in their obedience.  They worshipped idols.  And so just as he cast Adam and Eve out of the garden and out of his holy presence, the Lord cast out Israel and sent her in exile to Babylon.  Righteousness means “covenant faithfulness” and if Israel wasn't going to be faithful to the covenant, then in order to be faithful himself to the covenant, the Lord would have enact the covenant curses that he promised would befall his people if they didn't keep their end of the covenant—if they were unrighteous. As I've said before fairly recently, the Pharisees knew all of this.  More than that, they believed that the exile was, after a fashion, still ongoing.  Because Israel was still ruled by pagans and because the Lord's presence had never returned to the temple.  They desperately wanted an end to Roman rule and even more than that, they prayed for the Lord's return.  But that wasn't going to happen as long as Israel was still unfaithful—still lacking in righteousness.  So the Pharisees decided to set an example.  They weren't just going to obey the law as best they could; they were going to live their whole lives as if they were priests in the temple.  They wouldn't just keep themselves from sin.  They'd keep themselves ritually pure at all times.  They were ready for the Lord to return.  If only they could get everyone in Israel just as ready!  But not everyone in Israel was as interested in righteousness as they were.  There were a lot of people who just weren't as serious about God's law as they were.  But worse were the compromisers—the Jews who gradually assimilated to the pagan ways of the Greeks and Romans and the people who willingly and knowingly became traitors to the covenant: tax collectors and sinners. Think of it this way: The Pharisees saw themselves in the midst of a culture war.  And they knew it wasn't the first time Israel had faced a culture war.  And so their heroes were the righteous men of Israel's past culture wars.  One of those heroes was Phinehas, one of Aaron's grandsons.  In the book of Numbers we read how Balak, the King of Moab, had hired a prophet to curse the Israelites.  But the prophet, Balaam couldn't do it.  Every time he opened his mouth to curse the Israelites, the Lord caused blessings to spill out.  So Balak, instead, sent a bunch of beautiful Moabite women to infiltrate the Israelite camp and to entice the men of Israel to worship the Canaanite god Baal with them.  Isreal's first culture war.  The men were enticed into sexual immorality and then into idolatry—those two always go hand-in-hand.  But Phinehas, came upon one of the Israelite men in flagrante delicto with one of these women.  Filled with holy zeal, Phinehas grabbed a spear and ran them both through together.  That was the end of Israel's first culture war and Phinehas became a hero for his righteous zeal. But much more recently, the Pharisees looked back on the heroes of the Maccabean Revolt—about 160 years before.  In those days Judah was ruled by Greeks.  And the Greeks just sort of thought that because their culture was so superior to everyone else's, everyone would just assimilate given the chance.  Think of Gus in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  “There are two kinds of people: Greeks and everyone who wish they was Greek.”  But no matter how many temples or gymnasiums the Greeks built, the Jews wouldn't assimilate.  Antiochus IV Epiphanes had enough of it and finally outlawed the law.  If you circumcised your son, you and he would be executed.  He defiled the Lord's altar by sacrificing a pig on it.  In Second Maccabees we read a horrific story of seven brothers and their mother who were tortured and gruesomely martyred when they refused to eat pork.  Jews were forced to offer sacrifices to Zeus.  Mattathias Maccabeus was watching as one Jewish man caved into that pressure.  The writer of First Maccabees tells us how Mattathias burned with zeal for the law, just like Phinehas had.  He ran forward and killed the man at the altar, then turned and killed the King's soldier.  That would kick off a revolt against the pagan Greeks.  But the Maccabean revolutionaries didn't just go after their foreign rulers; like Mattathias they went after compromising Jews as well. They were the inspiration for the Pharisees.  The Pharisees didn't have that kind of power.  They couldn't force anyone to keep the law or to keep it better.  But they had the same kind of zeal.  They desperately wanted, they prayed for the Lord to return to Zion to destroy the Romans and all the other unrighteous pagans—and all the compromisers like the tax collectors and sinners in Israel, too. And—getting back to Jesus peaching on the hillside—and Jesus now says that even that kind of zeal, that kind of righteousness isn't enough to get folks into the kingdom.  In other words, to the people who were coming to Jesus thinking he was making it easier—kind of like some modern liberal spirituality that you can shape to your own liking—Jesus says, “No.  I didn't come to make it easier.”  But then he condemns even the Pharisees.  They were the most righteous people around and even they weren't going to make the cut.  So what now?  Imagine all the people holding their breath to hear what Jesus is going to say next.  They really, really want to know.  Before he ever started preaching, they'd seen him doing all the Messiah things: casting out demons, healing the sick and the blind and the deaf.  They knew without a doubt that the God of Israel was somehow acting in and through Jesus, so they had to think that when he preached, he preached with authority and he spoke for God.  He's got their attention now.  Now they want to know what it means to be more righteous than even the Pharisees. So Jesus goes on and says, “You have heard it said to the people of old, ‘You shall not murder'; and anyone who commits murder shall be liable to judgement.  But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgement; anyone who insults his brother with foul and abusive language will be liable to the lawcourt; and anyone who says, ‘You fool,' will be liable to the fires of Gehenna.”   And Jesus keeps going on like this.  If we skip down to 5:27—picking up just were today's Gospel ends—Jesus says something similar about adultery.  “You have heard it said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.'  But I say to you: everyone who gazes at a woman in order to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”  On and on.  Divorce falls in Jesus sites too: Divorce is wrong.  Marriage is a life-long covenant.  Tell the truth, he says, and you won't need to make oaths for people to believe you.  The law commanded justice and put limits on retaliation, but Jesus says, “Don't resist evil with violence”, “turn the other cheek”.  “When someone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat, too.  When someone forces you to go one mile, go a second one with him.”  And in verse 43 Jesus puts a cherry on top of all this.  They knew that the law was about loving your neighbour, but then they got the idea that the only people who were their neighbours were their fellow Jews.  Love your neighbours, yes, but hate your enemies—people like the Romans, the tax collectors, and the sinners who openly rejected God's law and covenant.  Love your neighbours.  Pray for God to smite your enemies.  And Jesus says, “No!  I tell you: love your enemies!  Pray for people who persecute you!”  Why?  “So that you may be sons [and daughters] of your Father in heaven.”   Do you want to have a share in the kingdom?  Do you want to be a child of the Father?  Do you want to know how to have a righteousness—a covenant faithfulness—greater than even the Pharisees?  Do want people to glorify God when they see how you live?  Then love the way that God loves.  That's what righteousness has always been about: it's been about a people that conforms to the heart of God.  Righteousness is about sinlessness, but it goes deeper than that and that's what the Pharisees and so many others in Israel had forgotten even though it was there all along: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbour as yourself.” Brothers and Sisters, this is what kingdom people look like in a culture war.  They love the way God loves.  This is the narrow gate, this is the difficult path that leads to the kingdom and life with God.  It's hard.  All we have to do is look around us.  Things haven't changed much since Jesus preached this two thousand years ago.  We're in the middle of a war ourselves and it seems like Christians are prone to the same two failures.  There's a ditch on either side of the road.  You fall into the ditch on this side when you give in and compromise.  Whether it's the Judeans who went along with the Greeks, leaving their sons uncircumcised, eating pork, and making offerings to Zeus or the Christians today who give up and buy into the pagan world's notion that love is whatever you make it, anything goes, and we can all live and fellowship with God on our own terms.  Brothers and Sisters, compromise with a godless and anti-gospel culture isn't the way.  Jesus didn't come to make it easier to get into the kingdom, but there are a lot of people and churches today who think that the answer to the culture and to dwindling interest in the gospel is to lower the bar and to make it easier to think of yourself as a Christian.  Appealing to the cultural moment might get you a few followers in the short term, but it will land you in the outer darkness, weeping and gnashing your teeth just as surely as the opposite error will. The opposite error—the ditch on the other side of the road—is Phariseeism.  And that happens when we forget that the gospel wins not through violence and force but when Christians love the way that God loves.  Brothers and Sisters, no amount of compelling, force, violence, or political power will ever move the heart of an unbeliever to give glory to God because of what they see in us.  But in the midst of a culture war it's very easy for God's people to think that seizing the reigns of power is the answer.  We'll do anything, compromise just about anything, team up with just about anyone no matter how ungodly they are, to get our hands on that power.  And we can do it all with a zealousness like that of Phinehas or Mattathias that feels so right.  We try to meld Caesar and Jesus together, forgetting that Caesars bloody and violent way is the opposite of the gospel, which conquers through love.  You can't trust in Jesus and at the same trust in horses and chariots.  You can't trust in Jesus and at the same time trust in political power.  Jesus demands our allegiance and our trust—all of it and without compromise.  And it's when we give him that full allegiance that we have the loving heart of God.  It's when we're willing to follow Jesus as we turn the other cheek, as we give both our shirt and our coat, as we go the extra mile, even as we go to our own deaths, it's then that world takes notice and give glory to God.  That's how the gospel captivates hearts and transforms the world. Brothers and Sisters, that's the narrow gate and the difficult path.  Don't give up on righteousness when the going gets tough.  And never forget that law is ultimately about loving God and loving our neighbours—everyone—the way God loves them—enough to give his own son.  Love them as God does—even your worst enemy—even to point of sacrifice.  That's how God once captivated your heart and it's how he will captivate theirs. Jesus stresses just how important this is.  Going back to the end of our Gospel in Matthew 5:23 he says, “So, if you are coming to the altar with your gift and there you remember that your brother has a grievance against you, leave your gift right there in front of the altar, and go first and be reconciled to your brother.  Then come back and offer your gift.”   We probably miss the significance of this.  To go to the temple in Jerusalem to make an offering to God was the peak of righteousness, of covenant faithfulness.  This took precedence over everything else.  No one.  No. one.  Would go to Jerusalem.  And remember, Jesus is preaching in Galilee, a three day's journey from Jerusalem.  No one would trek all that way, carrying their animal for sacrifice or buying one at an exorbitant price at the temple, wait their turn, and then standing there with the priest ready to make the sacrifice, suddenly realise they needed to go all the way back home to make something right with a brother or a sister.  Yes, I think Jesus is using a bit of hyperbole here, but he wants to drive his point home, because this is how people—especially the Pharisees thought.  If you were doing it for God, nothing else mattered.  Think of the priest and the Levite in Jesus' parable, leaving a man for dead on the side of the road lest they become ritually impure.  For all their talk of loving God, they'd forgotten just how much God loves us and they'd failed to live it out.  That's why they grumbled when Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners.  They'd forgotten that all of heaven rejoices over a sinner who repents. No, says Jesus.  Never think that you're honouring God if, at the same time, you're failing to love your neighbour the way God loves him.  Never think you're doing God's work if, at the same time, you've compromised his call to faith and to faithfulness.  Never think you're building the kingdom if, at the same time, you're compromising its principles.  Instead, stop what you're doing and make things right.  Go back and love your neighbour.  Reconcile and make things right with him.  Remember that you serve the God who gave his son out of love in order to reconcile sinful you to himself.  Have that kind of love in your heart and let it shape every thing you do. Brothers and Sisters, every Sunday we recite those words of Jesus: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”  Don't just mindlessly say those words.  Be shaped by them.  Love God and love your neighbour with everything you've got and then you will have that righteousness greater even than that of the scribes and the Pharisees. Let's pray: O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

On today's episode, we dive deep into the spiritual journey of Aaron Abke, a returning guest who has continually challenged and expanded our understanding of the divine, the scriptures, and the very fabric of our spiritual beliefs. Raised as a third-generation pastor's kid, Aaron's upbringing was steeped in evangelical Christianity, but his quest for truth led him down a path that diverged dramatically from his roots. This divergence was not born out of rebellion, but from a deep and sincere desire to understand the teachings of Jesus, which he felt had been obscured by centuries of dogma and distortion.Aaron's story is one of profound awakening. He began to question the very foundations of his faith during his time at Oral Roberts University, where he studied biblical hermeneutics, exegesis, and early church history.Through rigorous study, Aaron began to see contradictions between the teachings of Paul and the words of Jesus himself. This realization sparked a journey that would take him far beyond the confines of traditional Christianity, into the rich and diverse spiritual traditions of the East. “What if this is true, right? If you're a Christian listening to this, what if this is true, that your Master Jesus had his gospel distorted and changed over time and lost to time, and you've been following mostly a false gospel of his?” Aaron asks, challenging us to consider the possibility that the Jesus we know today may not be the true reflection of the historical figure who walked the earth.Aaron's exploration of Eastern philosophies, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism, opened his eyes to the universal truths that transcend religious boundaries. He found striking similarities between the teachings of Jesus and those of other spiritual masters, leading him to a deeper understanding of Jesus as an enlightened being, rather than merely the figurehead of a specific religion. “Jesus was an enlightened avatar, like so many of the other ones that have graced our planet,” Aaron explains. This realization led him to see the common threads that run through all major spiritual traditions—a truth that is universal and unchanging, despite the cultural and historical differences that shape how it is expressed.In this episode, Aaron delves into the concept of hell, a topic that has been used for centuries as a means of control and fear within religious institutions. He explains how the original Hebrew and Greek texts have been mistranslated, leading to the widespread belief in a literal hell as a place of eternal torment. “The word that Jesus used in every single reference was the word Gehenna, which was like the city garbage dump of the day,” Aaron clarifies. He challenges us to reconsider what we've been taught and to explore the true meanings behind these ancient texts. Aaron's insights reveal a Jesus who was more concerned with spiritual enlightenment and liberation than with enforcing rigid doctrines or instilling fear.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/next-level-soul-podcast-with-alex-ferrari--4858435/support.

There's something profoundly liberating about peeling back the layers of history and finding the raw, untamed wisdom beneath. On today's episode, we welcome Neil Douglas Klotz, a scholar and mystic whose journey into the Aramaic roots of Jesus's teachings unveils a radically different understanding of the man, his message, and the world he lived in.The Jesus many of us have encountered is a product of centuries of translation, political maneuvering, and cultural adaptation. The blue-eyed, English-speaking figure who stands at the center of Western Christianity is a far cry from the Aramaic-speaking mystic who roamed the hills of ancient Palestine. Neil Douglas Klotz takes us back to the beginning, to the words that Jesus actually spoke, words that vibrate with an entirely different rhythm than those found in the King James Bible. “If you read ‘spirit' in the New Testament,” he says, “just put ‘breath' over that word, because that's what the Aramaic also means.”It is in this forgotten wisdom that we find a Jesus who wasn't simply demanding belief but rather inviting participation.One of the most profound mistranslations, according to Klotz, is the oft-quoted phrase “believe in me.” In Aramaic, the more accurate translation is “believe like me.” This shifts the message entirely—Jesus wasn't asking for blind devotion but instead urging people to embody faith in the way he did, to step into the divine flow as he had.The Aramaic worldview, Klotz explains, did not divide existence into rigid dualities. There was no separation between body and soul, breath and spirit, heaven and earth. The kingdom of heaven, Jesus said, is not some far-off celestial domain but something “within and among” us. The words for “within” and “among” are the same in Aramaic—suggesting that the divine is not a place to go but a way to be, something alive in the interconnected web of existence.And what of hell? Another grand misunderstanding, says Klotz. Jesus never spoke of a fiery pit of eternal torment but rather referred to Gehenna, a literal burning trash heap outside of Jerusalem. The idea of an eternal damnation was a much later addition, a political tool used to control through fear. The Jesus of Aramaic tradition wasn't threatening souls with punishment—he was urging people to purify their burdens, to release what weighs them down, to transform their suffering rather than be consumed by it.Even the crucifixion, Klotz suggests, is layered in mystery and translation errors. The idea of Jesus returning, he argues, is not about a second coming in the clouds but rather about a recognition of Christ's presence in one another. “We will see Jesus in each other and in nature,” he says. “That's the Second Coming.” Perhaps the greatest tragedy of organized religion has been its insistence on externalizing the divine, when all along Jesus was saying: It's here, now, inside you.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/next-level-soul-podcast-with-alex-ferrari--4858435/support.

We continue with our discussion of the Gehenna War! We dig into war art, topics and issues that can come with using war as a theme at your table, and lots of JUICY JUICY lore.   Check it out!   https://www.patreon.com/BlankBodies http://blankbodies.com our theme is: Millions of Dead Cyborgs - Paralyze https://paralyzeevm.bandcamp.com/track/millions-of-dead-cyborgs Portions of the materials are the copyrights and trademarks of Paradox Interactive AB, and are used with permission. All rights reserved. For more information please visit worldofdarkness.com.

Gospel Matthew 10:24-33 Jesus said to his Apostles:  “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! “Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.” Reflection Jesus is warning his apostles about the encounters they will have. And if there is a house that has been run by an evil master, the people in that place will be evil. But he reminds them, don't be afraid of evil, because it always breeds itself in the hidden part of a place in darkness. And so Jesus is reminding his disciples that he will always help them proclaim the truth, and that the disciples should not be afraid of those who can't kill the soul, even though they can kill the body. And why would he give them that advice, unless you would also follow up with what he says? I am in love with you. You are valuable to me. Every hair on your head is counted. Don't be afraid. Just acknowledge me. Even though it is risky and it exposes evil. Closing Prayer There's always been evil in the world. And it's important not to be afraid of it. Because that gives it all the power it needs to rob us of the peace and the well being, that is a sign that we know we are loved and we are cared for. Convince us of this love of God for us, and never let us be afraid. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friends of the Rosary,In today's Gospel (Matthew 10:24-33), Jesus tells his Apostles:"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;rather, be afraid of the one who can destroyboth soul and body in Gehenna."Through the power of Christ, we are connected to the source of life, receiving all the unconditional love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In this spiritual place, we are safe from the snares and attempts of the Evil One, who wants to devour our souls. The Prince of Darkness might kill our body, but not our eternal soul.Through our prayer, we ask for the grace to be protected from the assaults of Satan and our secular society, which is pushing us to the cliff of destruction.St. Peter, in his first letter (1 Peter 4:14), which we also read today, tells us:"If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you,for the Spirit of God rests upon you."Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠July 12, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher,no slave above his master.It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher,for the slave that he become like his master.If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul,how much more those of his household!“Therefore do not be afraid of them.Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,nor secret that will not be known.What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;rather, be afraid of the one who can destroyboth soul and body in Gehenna.Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.Even all the hairs of your head are counted.So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.Everyone who acknowledges me before othersI will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.But whoever denies me before others,I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

+ Gospel according to St. Matthew 10: 24 – 33 Jesus said to his apostles:No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! "Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.The Gospel of the Lord

Having set the background for the times of Israel's first earthly king, Saul, the record now introduces us to him in chapter 9. He was in stature and beauty all that any nation could want as their representative, head and shoulders taller than anyone in Israel and at first a truly humble man from the least significant and somewhat ignominious tribe. His father's asses are lost and sought after for 3 days, indicating his diligence. In seeking the asses he seemingly stumbles across Samuel the seer (the former title for a prophet as one who foretold future happenings). When he and his servant come to Samuel's town he is expected by the prophet, whom God had forewarned, and is honoured in the sacrifice with the shoulder normally reserved for the Governor (see Isaiah 9:6). Additionally he is told the asses had been found and he is required to stay overnight as Samuel had more to say. Isaiah from verse 13 of chapter 52 till the end of 53 will reveal to us Yahweh's suffering Servant exalted. That Servant is – the Lord Jesus Christ (typically seen at that time in their diseased and humiliated, and yet recovered and elevated king Hezekiah). Despite his abject appearance the Servant would astound the world's rulers. The message that was seemingly unbelievable was nonetheless true. He was an extension of God, Yahweh's saving arm, yet unlike ideally chosen human dignatories, lacking in outstanding beauty; our truest representative carried all our weaknesses, sufferings and passions. Throughout his life our Lord sympathised with all our frailties and temptations: Hebrews 4verses 13-5:10. Verses 4-6 outline the way in which our Lord was in himself able to bare our sins away by his perfect life and his offering of himself on the tree: Colossians 2:11-15; 1 Peter 2 verses 21-25. Jesus' essential sacrifice became the means of our redemption to the Father. Truly “he bore our sins to the tree” and when he was reviled he opened not his mouth in response (1 Peter 2 verses 22-25). Jesus was without guile. He was the Lamb of God “which takes away the sin of the world”: John 1:29. His offering totally freed from sin and he has, like a father, birthed us as the liberated children for his kingdom (Hebrews 2:10-18). Verse 9 tells that although the Jewish rulers sought to have his body cast into Gehenna, like a common criminal they failed. This was because the rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, begged Jesus' body from Pilate and laid it in a new, unused tomb. The principal under the Law involved here is the sacrifice being placed in a clean place by a fit person – ie Joseph's new tomb had not been contaminated, corrupted by another dead body: this is an imperative ritual principle. God, although grieved by His Son's death, was pleased with the result of that offering: the redemption of mankind. Despite Jesus dying without a child he has brought many sons to birth (as the father of the future age: Isaiah 9verses 6-7; Hebrews 2 verses 10-18). Isaiah 53 verses 12 says that our Lord was numbered among the transgressors – though he personally was sinless: the Apostle Paul explains this in 2 Corinthians 5 verses 18-21. Revelation 15 verse 2 is a small vision of the victorious saints with Christ having completed the judgment of the great whore described in the pouring out from the seven bowls of judgment the seven plagues of chapters 15-16. The crystal clear sea speaks of a world without nations and at peace. These bowls plagues to be poured out and describe the judgments of the Lord GOD Almighty to be poured upon the guilty snd to chastise them for their persecution of the faithful believers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The events of chapter 2 begin and end the work of the seventh trumpet. The angels of this great and marvellous are said to have “the seven last plagues”. The plagues are a series of calamities and disasters affecting the enemies of Israel, and the Saints and Witnesses, with whose blood they have intoxicated themselves. They are called the last plagues “for in them is God's wrath fulfilled”. These outpourings are outlined in chapter 16 of Revelation. The troubled sea of the wicked (Isaiah 57 verses 20-21) is to become tranquil once God's wrath has been pacified (the final outcome of these judgements will be a world at peace – Psalm 46 and Revelation 21). The nations will be pacified and will learn true worship; as verses 3-4 of chapter 15 indicate. Verses 5-8 provides a glimpse into the Most Holy Place of that Temple after those judgments have been completed. Chapter 16 deals with the outpouring of those bowls of judgment. Note the command of the mighty angel who unleashes the Divine wrath on the persecutors of God's faithful saints. Verse 2 sees the first bowl poured on Catholic Europe after the accession of Napoleon to the throne, as emperor of the French on September 22nd, 1793. The second bowl was of Napoleon's campaigns in naval battles. The third was against the alpine districts and rivers of northern Italy – which region had witnessed savage persecution of the saints by the Roman Catholic Church. The angel effecting those calamities acknowledged the justice of our Sovereign in so repaying the evils done in the name of religion. Verse 8-9 tell of the severe scourge delivered to the Austrian-Hungarian seat of Catholic Europe in Vienna in the battle of Austerlitz. The fifth bowl saw Napoleon continue his campaigns against the Hapsburg emperors of Austria. The culmination of this bowl was Napoleon's capture and imprisonment of the Roman pontiff himself. Napoleon's work having been completed sees him removed from the scene. The great impediment to Israel's return and restoration was the Ottoman Empire. The sixth bowl was poured upon this eastern Islamic power – symbolised in the drying up of the river Euphrates. This began around the early 1800s and was finished by the end of World War I. The frog-like message that emerged from the French Revolution was the death knell for the old colonial empires and saw a surge of nationalism. The same spirit is evident today in the Arab Spring. The final outworking of nationalism will be a bringing of Armageddon and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ to establish the one empire to last forever – the kingdom of God on earth: Daniel 2 verses 44-45. These frog-like spirits emerge from the dragon (eastern Europe United under Russia); the Beast ie United Western Europe; and the false prophet – the pope. Interestingly the European Union was created in 1956 by the Treaty of Rome. Armageddon is the battle of the Lord GOD Almighty in the land of Israel. It is described at length in Ezekiel 38 and Joel 3 (which is the source of the coined Hebrew word “Armageddon” meaning a bundle of sheaves in a valley for threshing, or judgment). The 16th chapter concludes with the pouring out of the final bowl of judgment on Rome itself – called Great Babylon. Having punished those nations which supported the Beast (of chapter 17) Rome will next heavily feel the Almighty's vengeance for her evils. Chapters 17-19 give greater details of these judgements and the reasons for which they will be meted out.

One of many great joys in hosting shows on community radiois giving a voice to local musicians who, despite their amazing talent and songwriting ability,  are underserved or completely ignored by mainstream corporate media.  This episode of the Tasty Brew Music podcast features this show's debut of Flanner Laycock and Schrock from Harrisonville,Missouri. With Dylan O. Flanner on lead guitar and vocals, Jesse Laycock on bass, and Aaron Schrock on guitars/vocals, this group of young songwriters serve up solid original tunes and faithful, yet unique covers of their favorite songs.  Their debut record with original material plus an amazing cover of the Kris Nichols tune “Everythings for Sale”, Postcards from Gehenna Missouri, is right on for any discerning fan ofAmericana/Red Dirt/Roots Music.   Enjoy this live in studio performance captured  In June 2025 for the MidCoast Live! Radio Show on 90.1 FM KKFI. 

We're digging into the Gehenna wars supplement, we start off by going over some of the new rules and mechanics for combat and more! Check it out!   https://www.patreon.com/BlankBodies http://blankbodies.com our theme is: Millions of Dead Cyborgs - Paralyze https://paralyzeevm.bandcamp.com/track/millions-of-dead-cyborgs Portions of the materials are the copyrights and trademarks of Paradox Interactive AB, and are used with permission. All rights reserved. For more information please visit worldofdarkness.com.

Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB's Patreon!Credits:Guest: Arkady MartineTitle: 40,000 in Gehenna by C.J. CherryhHost: Jake Casella BrookinsMusic by Giselle Gabrielle GarciaArtwork by Rob PattersonOpening poem by Bhartṛhari, translated by John BroughTranscribers: Kate Dollarhyde and John WM ThompsonReferences:Vote in the Ignytes!Our episode with Archita MittraA Memory Called Empire, A Desolation Called Peace, Rose/House, "Three Faces of a Beheading"Mick Herron's Slow HorsesPip Adams' AuditionAndré Alexis's Other WorldsThomas Ha's Uncertain SonsStephen Sondheim's AssassinsCherryh's Cyteen, Downbelow Station, ForeignerWatsonian vs. Doylist readingsThe Faded Sun, Hunter of WorldsLeonard Cohen's "The Future"Theodore Sturgeon's "The Golden Helix"Internet Science Fiction Database (ISFDB)Ursula Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness, Rocannon's WorldJoanna Russ's The Female ManAnne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of PernSerpent's ReachAmal El-MohtarAnaïs Mitchell's HadestownEmmanuel Levinas & Martin BuberOctavia E. Butler"Third Person Intense Internal"Jane Alison's Meander, Spiral, ExplodeElizabeth BearAnn Leckie, Tamsyn Muir, Jeff VanderMeerAncillary JusticeLois McMaster BujoldSeth Dickinson's The Traitor Baru Cormorant & our episode on itMax Gladstone's Craft SequenceA Pattern LanguageDavid Brin, Vernor VingeArkady's BlueskyLouis Kahn4th Street FantasyViable ParadiseWisconWesley AndrewsThe BriarSK CoffeeBogart's DoughnutNortheast Tea HouseDreamHavenUncle Hugo'sDelany's The Jewel-Hinged Jaw and The Motion of Light in WaterCherryh's Wave Without A ShoreGreg Egan's PhoresisKathy Mar's "Forty Thousand in Gehenna" from the album "Finity's End and other Songs of the Station Trade"Wizards vs. Lesbians episode with Ann Leckie on C.J. Cherryh's Foreigner

Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon!NEWSRobert Kirkman and Dan Mora take the wheel on Transformers with issue #25Lee Bermejo kicks off 25 'Amazing Visions' variant cover series ending with #1000Marvel fleshes out 'Marvel Zombies: Red Band' due out September 2025Marvel's ultimate universe explodes in October 2025, and the Maker is backVault unveils ATHANASIA, a haunting superhero graphic novel from Daniel Kraus and DaniWerewolves clash with Vikings in Image Comics' new horror series 'Viking Moon'New series 'Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' launches October 2025Our Top Books of the WeekDave:Tramps of the Apocalypse #1 (Alice Darrow)Absolute Martian Manhunter #4 (Deniz Camp, Javier Rodriguez)Chris:​​News from the Fallout #1 (Chris Condon, Jeffrey Alan Love)Feral #14 (Tony Fleecs, Tone Rodriguez, and Trish Forstner)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Chris: Green Arrow #25 - Chris Condon, MontosDave: Ultimate Spider-Man #18 (Jonathan Hickman, Marco Checchetto)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKChris: Gehenna: Naked Aggression #1 (Patrick Kindlon, Maurizio Rosenzweig)Dave: Captain America #1 (Chip Zdarsky, Valerio Schiti)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave:  Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe One Last Time #4 (Davide Paratore)Chris: Godzilla vs. Thor #1 (Aaron Kuder Main Cover)Interview: Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan, covering their upcoming Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #1, Blink and You'll Miss It #1, and Bring on the Bad Guys: Green Goblin (July 02, 2025) - June 30thLet's start with Bring on the Bad Guys: Green Goblin — Norman Osborn is such a rich, terrifying character. What part of his history were you most excited to dig into, and what makes your take on the Goblin stand out?Norman's been a villain, a businessman, a politician, and sometimes even a twisted version of a hero. How do you approach writing a character who's constantly shifting between personas?Your Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone series introduces a walled-off wasteland, kaiju lore, and the myth of a half-man, half-kaiju survivor. How did you approach building suspense and worldbuilding in this isolated, almost post-apocalyptic setting?Writing Godzilla means balancing spectacle with humanity. What's your approach to telling grounded stories in the shadow of kaiju-level destruction?Now onto Blink and You'll Miss It — the tone and premise feel so personal and unique. How did this story come together, and what inspired you to tell a love story with a sci-fi twist?There's a big emotional core in Blink and You'll Miss It, but also some wild time-manipulation ideas. How did you balance the heart with the high-concept hook?You're juggling three very different projects — a Marvel villain origin, a giant monster epic, and a bittersweet romantic mini. How do you shift your mindset between such wildly different tones and genres?All three books deal with identity in some form — Norman's fractured psyche, a couple navigating time, and characters caught between humanity and monsters. Is that a theme you're consciously exploring across your work, or something that just naturally emerges?Fun one to wrap things up: If the Green Goblin got his own kaiju-sized glider and showed up in the Godzilla universe… how long would he last, and which monster would absolutely wreck him first?

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In this episode, I sit down with Benjamin Guerry - guitarist, vocalist and founding member of The Great Old Ones - at Fortress Festival 2025 for a discussion of their latest album, “Kadath”, French black metal, his love of H.P. Lovecraft and his perspective on who reigns supreme as the greatest metal frontman of them all. Then, on the weekly news rant I give you my verdict on new singles by Lord Belial, Biohazard, Abigail Williams, Nailed to Obscurity, and Till Lindemann.  I also answer your questions, including my top 5 favourite releases of 2025 so far, my ideal retirement (!) and the albums I'm most looking forward to for the remainder of the year.  PLUS: the black metal album cover that's got every man, woman and their dogs' attention, and a follow-up to last week's comments about My Dying Bride.   Please support the bands featured on this clip The Great Old Ones: https://thegreatoldones.bandcamp.com/   Warhammer 666: https://warhammer666kult.bandcamp.com/  Gehenna:  https://gehennadarknessshallrise.bandcamp.com/      Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and track reviews! Follow me on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the other podcasts by the Horsemen Of the Podcasting Apocalypse:  Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - Matthew 5:27-32 - Jesus said to His disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. "It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church Saint Anthony, pray for us! Bishop Sheen quote of the day DO NOT counterprotest this Saturday, 14 June 2025, at the 1,500 locations planned by the marxist leftists 2, 3, 4) Sam Shamoun on everything you ever wanted to know about Islam, Part 2

Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - Matthew 5:20-26 - Jesus said to His disciples: "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven." You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny." Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3) Father Juan Gutierrez on a miraculous healing that occurred to him 4) Leftist violence planned for the 14 June 2025 anti-ICE "We Don't Do Kings protests"

Gospel Matthew 5:27-32 Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. "It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Reflection This is one of those passages that talks about the difference between the law and being one who follows the law, or being someone who has the integrity of the law within their heart, and they don't have to worry about what the rules are, but they just simply know what they need to do. They understood it. That's the heart of this passage, I believe. If you have integrity, if you have the spirit in you animating you, you will do the right thing. Closing Prayer Father, we tend to lean upon our logic or our own capacity to make ourselves do what we're supposed to do. And that's not in any way, shape or form what God has established as his kingdom. We're transformed people, we're different, we are awakened to a reality that is now the heart of who we are. Bless us with this gift and we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesus said to his disciples:"You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.But I say to you,everyone who looks at a woman with lusthas already committed adultery with her in his heart.If your right eye causes you to sin,tear it out and throw it away.It is better for you to lose one of your membersthan to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.And if your right hand causes you to sin,cut it off and throw it away.It is better for you to lose one of your membersthan to have your whole body go into Gehenna."It was also said,Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.But I say to you,whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful)causes her to commit adultery,and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

Read OnlineIf your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. Matthew 5:29–30This imagery of tearing out your eye and cutting off your hand is clearly meant to get our attention. Though we can be certain that Jesus is not actually suggesting we mutilate our bodies, we should not hesitate to prayerfully ponder this imagery so as to understand the truths Jesus is speaking.Saint Augustine, in reflecting upon this passage, states: “By the eye we must understand our most cherished friend…” Augustine further points out that Jesus specifically mentions the “right eye” as a way of denoting those friendships that have a “higher degree of affection” (Serm. in Mont. i. 13.). Thus, although friendship—especially very close friendship—is a gift, sometimes those close to us can become a source of sin or an occasion of sin. In that case, they are not truly friends, and it might be better to limit or even end that relationship rather than to allow it to lead us into sin.Think about the people in your own life. Though we must love all people with the love of God, friendship is more than love. Friendship establishes a special bond with another and opens you up to their presence and influence in your life. When you establish a friendship, you allow another a certain influence in your life. When that influence is good, then the friendship produces much good fruit. But when that influence is evil, then that friendship becomes a danger to the good of your soul. In that case, it may need to be torn out or cut off so that you are not drawn into serious sin or even the occasion of sin.When a friend in your life becomes an occasion of sin to you, your love for them must remain, but it must also change. Love, in this case, may take on the form of a loving rebuke, a withdrawal of your own heart, or a limiting of your interactions. But this is love. By analogy, when a person sins against God, their relationship with God also changes. God withdraws His friendship. He is less present to the person, and their internal communion diminishes or even ends when the sin is serious. This is not a lack of love on God's part; it is simply the effect of sin. So also in our relations with another, when the grace of God is not mutually given and received between two people, then friendship in the truest sense is not possible. True friendship is always centered in God's grace and dependent upon it. Therefore, when God is excluded from a relationship, that relationship must change from a true friendship to a relationship that imitates God's love for a sinner. Mercy, compassion and forgiveness must continually be offered, but interior communion and unity will end. But this is love.Reflect, today, upon those in your life whom God has given you to love. First, reflect upon those relationships that do have God at the center. These relationships will become true friendships and will produce an abundance of good fruit in your life. Rejoice in these friendships and give thanks to God for them. Second, reflect upon any relationship that does not bear good fruit. As you do, prayerfully consider how you approach that relationship. Do you attempt to maintain a “friendship” even though God is not able to be the center of that relationship? If so, ponder how God is calling you to change that relationship so that it more fully reflects the love God has for you and for that other person in your life.My Lord and true Friend, I thank You for loving me with a perfect love. I pray that I will always be open to that love so that my unity with You will ever deepen. I also pray that I will be an instrument of Your love to others. Please give me the grace to love everyone in my life in the way that You love them, nothing less and nothing more. Jesus, I trust in You.Image:  El Salvador beneint by Lluís Ribes Mateu, license CC BY-NC 2.0Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Gospel Matthew 5:20-26 Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” Reflection One of the ways in which I love to talk about the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, is that it is a kind of resonance, a kind of energy that flows out of us. And nothing is more clear in terms of the intention of Jesus that we enter into a kingdom called the kingdom of understanding and compassion and forgiveness. That we recognize one another as partners in this work, and that we all fail. And how wrong it is to start picking at each other and blaming each other for mistakes that are made and not understanding we all share the same human nature and the same struggles. Why call a brother a fool when all of us are at times foolish? Closing Prayer Father, you tell us over and over again that you can awaken in us an intention. And it overrides the common experience we have with one another when we are critical and judgmental and demeaning to one another because of weaknesses. Just give us the strength we need to be more honest and more real. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesus said to his disciples:"I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses thatof the scribes and Pharisees,you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven."You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brotherwill be liable to judgment,and whoever says to his brother,Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,and there recall that your brotherhas anything against you,leave your gift there at the altar,go first and be reconciled with your brother,and then come and offer your gift.Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,and the judge will hand you over to the guard,and you will be thrown into prison.Amen, I say to you,you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."

Greg trash-talks about Gehenna.  Episode 1275 Greg's new book: Inspired Imperfection Dan's new book: Confident Humility Send Questions To: Dan: @thatdankent Twitter: @reKnewOrg Facebook: ReKnew Email: askgregboyd@gmail.com Links: Greg's book:"Crucifixion of the Warrior God" Website: ReKnew.org  

Read Online“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.” Matthew 5:21–22The passage quoted above gives us three deepening levels of sin that we commit against another. These sins were new teachings not contained in the Old Testament. By this teaching, Jesus' call to radical holiness and love of neighbor is made very clear.The first level of sin is simply to be “angry” interiorly. The sin of anger is an interior attitude of disgust toward another. Jesus says that the consequence of having anger toward another is that you will be “liable to judgment.” The second level of sin is when you say to another “Raqa.” This Aramaic word is difficult to translate but would include some form of expression of one's anger toward another. It would be a derogatory way of saying to another that they are unintelligent or inferior. The third level of sin Jesus identifies is when you call another “fool.” This word is an even stronger expression of Raqa and would be a verbal criticism of them, indicating that the person is a lost soul in a moral sense. It's a strong moral condemnation of another that is expressed.So, do you struggle with anger? Jesus' calling to freedom from all levels of this sin is a high one. There are many times in life when our passion of anger is stirred up for one reason or another, and that passion leads to one of these levels of sin. It's a common temptation to want to condemn another with whom you are angry in the strongest way possible. It's important to understand that this new teaching of Jesus is truly not a burden when understood and embraced. At first, it can seem that these laws of our Lord against anger are negative. That's because lashing out at another gives a false sense of satisfaction, and these commands of our Lord, in a sense, “rob” us of that satisfaction. It can be a depressing thought to think about the moral obligation to forgive to the point that disordered anger disappears. But is it depressing? Is this law of our Lord a burden?The deep truth is that what Jesus teaches us in this passage is, in many ways, more for our own good than that of others. Our anger toward another, be it interior, verbally critical or all-out condemning, can be hurtful toward the person with whom we are angry, but the damage these forms of anger do is far worse for us than them. Being angry, even interiorly, even if we put on a happy face, does great damage to our soul and our ability to be united to God. For that reason, it is not this new law of our Lord regarding anger that is the burden, it is the anger itself that is a heavy burden and a burden from which Jesus wants you free.Reflect, today, upon the sin of anger. As you do, try to see your disordered anger as the real enemy rather than the person with whom you are angry. Pray to our Lord to free you from this enemy of the soul and seek the freedom that He wants to bestow.My merciful Lord, You call us to perfect freedom from all that burdens us. Anger burdens us. Help me to see the burden that my anger imposes upon me and help me to seek true freedom through the act of forgiveness and reconciliation. Please forgive me, dear Lord, as I forgive all who have hurt me. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Fra Angelico, 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.

Thursday, 5 June 2025   Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. Matthew 10:29   “Not are sold two sparrows – assarion? And one from them, not it will fall upon the earth without your Father” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus instructed the apostles not to fear those who can kill the body but not the soul. Instead, they were told to fear Him who is able to destroy both in Gehenna. Now, as words of encouragement to them, He says, “Not are sold two sparrows – assarion?”   The strouthion, sparrow, is first mentioned here. The word is a diminutive that signifies a little bird, but especially the sparrow. Alfred Edersheim supposes that what Jesus is referring to may be the birds used in purification noted in Leviticus 14 –   “Then he shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water; 51 and he shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times. 52 And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and the running water and the living bird, with the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the scarlet. 53 Then he shall let the living bird loose outside the city in the open field, and make atonement for the house, and it shall be clean.” Leviticus 14:50-53   As for the price, the assarion was a small Roman coin of little value, like our penny today. It was equal to a tenth of a drachma. The point, then, is that two little birds were sold for almost nothing in the markets of Israel. Despite this, Jesus continues, “And one from them, not it will fall upon the earth without your Father.”   Jesus uses the word aneu. It is related to the negative particle a and carries the sense of “without,” as in apart from or without the knowledge of. Little birds of little value in the markets are still known intimately by the Father. Jesus will continue His words so that we understand why He has said this right after the words He just said in the previous verse.   Life application: How often the God of the Bible is considered a hateful ogre by people of the world. They hear words of judgment and condemnation, and they immediately place themselves in opposition to Him, as if He has no right to judge that which offends His perfection.   People accuse God of not caring when a friend, brother, child, or even a dog dies. And yet, it is understood by all that everything dies. Why is God to blame if one person dies before another? Isn't there a set time for all things?   But when something personally offends our sensibilities or harms our relationships, God is suddenly to blame, and He is castigated as an unfair, unloving, and uncaring Creator. Because of this, people claim that they don't believe in the God that they have come to hate. How unclear in thought is that!   But the Bible teaches that God created. If He did, it was for a reason. A simple look around at the majesty and beauty of the creation tells us that God cares about what He has done. Every need has a fulfillment, even if it is unattainable at times. Things work logically and harmoniously.   And for the things that are broken, like man lost in sin, the Bible tells us that God is working through a plan to correct these things. God is not incompetent, as many claim. The common question is, “If God is good, why is there evil in the world?” It is as if God must remove evil right now in order to be good. Thank goodness that is not the case! If it was, we would be removed ... right now.   Rather, God is using the evil in our world to accomplish a good purpose. As this is true, then the answer to the question is, “God will remove the evil. He just has not done it yet.” This is what the Bible proclaims will come to pass.   As this is so, those who don't come to God in the manner He has laid out will remain in a state of evil. Now, whose fault is it when they are eternally removed from Him? God has sent His Son into the world to make all things new. In rejecting the Son, the “new things” are, by default, rejected.   Be sure to help people to think clearly. If the world has evil, we are a part of that evil. If evil is to be removed, it must be removed from us, or we must be removed from God. He has given us the choice. Let us think wisely and soberly about our situation before God.   Lord God, how grateful we are to You for having sent Jesus to redeem us from this world of sin and death. We know that these things will continue and that we will suffer heartache and loss until the day You come for us. Help us to work through these trying times, trusting in You and holding fast to Your promises in the meantime. Amen.  

Wednesday, 4 June 2025   And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28   “And you fear not from those killing the body, and the soul not being able to kill. But more you fear the ‘being able also soul and body to destroy in Gehenna'” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus told His apostles, “What I tell you in the darkness, you speak in the light, and what to the ear you hear, proclaim upon the roofs!” He now continues with this line of instruction, beginning with, “And you fear not from those killing the body, and the soul not being able to kill.”   Jesus introduces a new word, apokteinó, to kill outright. Figuratively, it means to destroy or put to death. It is derived from apo, from, and kteinó, to kill. Thus, it is more forceful than the word kill. Despite that, English translations generally say kill, not making a distinction between the words.   The words of Jesus, even without being finished, provide the hope of life beyond this earthly life. Otherwise, if the body died, the soul would die too. As Jesus is the promised One of God, His words then refute the doctrine of the Sadducees, who claimed there is no resurrection (Matthew 22:23, Acts 23:8).   Either this would be the case, or the soul that lived after the body would be forever separated from the body, something the Bible doesn't teach. As such, their doctrine was completely unscriptural.   Jesus told the apostles to boldly herald His instruction using the idea of proclaiming it from the housetops to make the point poignant. However, His words now are intended for them to understand that there may be consequences for this. Those who hear may be upset to the point that they would come after them and kill them for their words.   Despite this, and even if this were the case, the soul would remain alive, even with the body in a state of death. Understanding this, He next says, “But more you fear the ‘being able also soul and body to destroy in Gehenna.'”   Throughout the church age, these words have been fretted over by mushy scholars who cannot fathom that God would send someone to destruction, failing to realize that the God of the New Testament is the same God of the Old Testament. The coming of Jesus changes nothing in His nature.   Rather, Jesus was sent to save men, but not all men will be saved. The words clearly point to this fact. What would be the point of the apostles going forth to obtain converts if nobody were to face Gehenna? It would mean that those who received their message would be on the same footing as those who rejected it and killed them.   To get around this, these misdirected souls say that the words are speaking not of God but of the devil, as if the devil has the power to destroy those who are not saved by God. This would only move God back one step from the destruction process as He is ultimately in control of all things.   Or it would mean that God is actually not in control of all things and unable to save the souls He sent Jesus into the world to save. It would mean that God's plan for redeeming humanity was only partially effective.   In Job, Satan was prohibited from taking Job's life, demonstrating that God is even in control of that part of the equation. In the New Testament, we are implored to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11), be sober and vigilant when considering the devil (1 Peter 5:8), and resist the devil (James 4:7).   Hebrews 2:14 says that the devil holds the power of death. This is true. Man fell because of the work of the devil. In that act, sin entered the world and death through sin (Romans 5:12). Life terminating in death is the default state of man. But the devil has no power beyond that.   Rather, the word says in James 4:12 that there is one Lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy. In Revelation 20:10, the devil is cast into the Lake of Fire. Only after that does it say that Death and Hades were cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:14) and that anyone not found written in the Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:15).   Clearly, Jesus' words here are referring to God in judgment against unrepentant man (see Revelation 21:8). The devil does not possess this power. Rather, he only holds the power of death over those who are not redeemed. Jesus, having prevailed over death, has secured eternal life and freedom from death for those who are saved through Him.   As such, we are not to fear those who can kill our bodies but not our souls. We are to fear God, who alone has the ability to destroy body and soul. Additionally, the words here, when rightly considered, confirm the doctrine of free will. There are those who will accept the word and those who will reject it. Otherwise, what would be the point of the apostles sharing the word in the first place?   Life application: Although this verse in Matthew doesn't specifically explain if there is eternal punishment or not, the Bible makes it clear that God doesn't just throw people into the Lake of Fire where they are incinerated and terminated (the doctrine of annihilationism).   Rather, the Bible explains elsewhere that hell is eternal. This is not intended to “scare people into heaven.” Rather, it is a truth that the Bible proclaims. Focusing too much on hell causes one to miss the wonder of God's grace found in the giving of His Son for us.   We are not saved to go to heaven, we are saved from our default position, which is condemnation (John 3:18, etc.). Heaven is a result of being saved by God through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Tell people today about the grace of God that has redirected human souls to the glorious path of life and restoration! Tell people about Jesus!   Lord God, how grateful we are to You for Your wonderful plan of salvation through the giving of Christ Jesus to redeem us to Yourself. We stand in awe of what You have done. Forever and ever we will praise You for the marvel and majesty of Jesus Christ our Lord. Halleluiah and Amen.

Death is humanity's greatest fear, but Christians have a profound reason for hope. This message explores the often-overlooked truth that Jesus descended to Hades after His crucifixion, not as a captive but as a conqueror. Learn why the phrase 'He descended into hell' in the Apostles' Creed is significant and how this moment marks the definitive defeat of death. Discover the biblical evidence for this victory, including the earthquake that shook the foundations of the earth, the tombs that opened, and the saints who were raised to life. This teaching clarifies the difference between Hades (the place of the dead) and Gehenna (hell), explaining how Jesus' descent demonstrates the incredible depths of His love for humanity. Find out why believers can face mortality without fear, how baptism connects us to Christ's death and resurrection, and practical ways to live in the freedom of knowing death has been defeated. Perfect for anyone struggling with fear of death, questions about the afterlife, or seeking deeper understanding of Christ's complete victory.

Why do purgatory and hell exist? The Catechism teaches us today about the existence and the meaning of purgatory and hell. We learn that purgatory is a transitional state of purification while hell is the state of permanent separation from God. Fr. Mike reminds us that nobody drifts into heaven because “we cannot be united to God unless we freely choose to love him.” Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1030-1037. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Welcome back to the podcast! Join us today as we talk about eternity. Eternity is not just a vague spiritual concept—it's a concrete reality taught throughout Scripture. Everyone will spend eternity somewhere, and the Bible gives us a clear roadmap to understand what happens after we die.--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --How Eternity Works: A Biblical Breakdown of the AfterlifeEternity is not a vague hope—it's a concrete reality. Every human being will live forever in one of two places, and the Bible tells us everything we need to know about what happens after we die. Let's walk through what Scripture reveals about the nature of the afterlife, judgment, and how to prepare for the day we take our final breath.Understanding the Biblical Concept of the Afterlife1. Sheol and Hades: The Temporary Realm of the DeadIn the Old Testament, Sheol is described as the “realm of the dead”—a shadowy place where both the righteous and unrighteous awaited judgment. In Greek, the word used is Hades. Jesus gives us a vivid picture of this realm in Luke 16:19-31, telling the story of a rich man in torment and a poor man named Lazarus resting in “Abraham's bosom.”“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead.” (Luke 16:22-23 NLT)This story reveals three key features of Sheol:A place of torment for the unrighteousA place of comfort for the righteousA great chasm separating the two, uncrossable after death (Luke 16:26)Peter refers to another compartment—Tartarus—a gloomy prison for fallen angels awaiting judgment (2 Peter 2:4). This concept shows the complexity of the pre-resurrection afterlife.2. Jesus Changes Everything: The Cross and the Empty TombAfter His death, Jesus didn't just remain in the grave—He descended to the realm of the dead. He told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)Peter writes that Jesus “preached to the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19), and Paul echoes that Jesus “led a crowd of captives” to Heaven (Ephesians 4:8). Paradise was emptied and relocated—those who had died in faith now dwell directly in God's presence.“We are... willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)Today, believers go straight to be with Jesus. Hades remains only as a place of waiting for the unrighteous dead.3. Gehenna: The Final Destination of JudgmentThe term Gehenna—used frequently by Jesus—refers to the Valley of Hinnom, a site associated with...

Welcome back to the podcast! Join us today as we talk about eternity. Eternity is not just a vague spiritual concept—it's a concrete reality taught throughout Scripture. Everyone will spend eternity somewhere, and the Bible gives us a clear roadmap to understand what happens after we die.--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --How Eternity Works: A Biblical Breakdown of the AfterlifeEternity is not a vague hope—it's a concrete reality. Every human being will live forever in one of two places, and the Bible tells us everything we need to know about what happens after we die. Let's walk through what Scripture reveals about the nature of the afterlife, judgment, and how to prepare for the day we take our final breath.Understanding the Biblical Concept of the Afterlife1. Sheol and Hades: The Temporary Realm of the DeadIn the Old Testament, Sheol is described as the “realm of the dead”—a shadowy place where both the righteous and unrighteous awaited judgment. In Greek, the word used is Hades. Jesus gives us a vivid picture of this realm in Luke 16:19-31, telling the story of a rich man in torment and a poor man named Lazarus resting in “Abraham's bosom.”“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead.” (Luke 16:22-23 NLT)This story reveals three key features of Sheol:A place of torment for the unrighteousA place of comfort for the righteousA great chasm separating the two, uncrossable after death (Luke 16:26)Peter refers to another compartment—Tartarus—a gloomy prison for fallen angels awaiting judgment (2 Peter 2:4). This concept shows the complexity of the pre-resurrection afterlife.2. Jesus Changes Everything: The Cross and the Empty TombAfter His death, Jesus didn't just remain in the grave—He descended to the realm of the dead. He told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)Peter writes that Jesus “preached to the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19), and Paul echoes that Jesus “led a crowd of captives” to Heaven (Ephesians 4:8). Paradise was emptied and relocated—those who had died in faith now dwell directly in God's presence.“We are... willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)Today, believers go straight to be with Jesus. Hades remains only as a place of waiting for the unrighteous dead.3. Gehenna: The Final Destination of JudgmentThe term Gehenna—used frequently by Jesus—refers to the Valley of Hinnom, a site associated with...

Listen to the FULL episode here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/128901088 Listeners sent us 49 pages of questions and comments—and in this bonus episode, we tackle some of the best. We explore whether Paul's theology rewrote the faith, how James and Paul define “salvation” differently, and why First Timothy might not even be Pauline. We also dive into whether Jesus really talked about hell more than heaven, what “saved through childbearing” could mean, and why Acts and Galatians paint two conflicting timelines of Paul's journey. Other highlights include: Did Paul influence the Gospels? Why doesn't Paul quote Jesus? Is Acts trying to legitimize Paul? What even is Gehenna, and should we rethink hell? Where do Nate and Shelby land with their own faith? Plus, an honest conversation about community, politics, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and how to live together with deep differences. Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email  contact@almostheretical.com Become a member and get: 1. Bonus episodes and aftershows 2. All full-length, ad-free episodes 3. Access to Heretical Together (our private community of 350+ listeners) Become a member: almostheretical.com/premium Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, we dive into part 3 of our series on Hell - challenging traditional beliefs about hell, unpacking Jewish and early church perspectives, and exploring why fear has no place in the gospel. We share listener feedback, address theological criticism, and ask some hard but necessary questions about God's love, judgment, and what it really means to follow Jesus.Whether you're curious, skeptical, or wrestling with your own faith journey, this conversation is meant to open dialogue - not shut it down.00:00 - Welcome & Podcast Intro00:23 - The Purpose Behind These Conversations01:16 - Feedback and Questions from Listeners02:04 - Responding to Online Criticism03:30 - Coloring Books, Theology, and Humor05:06 - Nearly 100K Downloads & Gratitude05:41 - Preaching About Hell at Church06:54 - Why We Talk About Hell Publicly07:59 - Announcing the New Ebook on Judgment & Wrath08:42 - Week 3: What the Hell Series Intro09:27 - Recap of the Four Hell Words in Scripture10:04 - Diversity of Jewish Thought on the Afterlife11:19 - Olam Haba & Resurrection Beliefs11:59 - Gehenna as Temporary Purification12:48 - Recommended Deep Dive: John Crowder Teaching13:35 - God's Fire as Healing, Not Harm14:12 - Powerful Quotes About God's Wrath14:52 - Fire Reveals the True Self16:00 - The Real Goal: Removing Fear from Theology17:04 - Biblical Love Casts Out Fear17:16 - A Biblical View of Hell as Earthly Experience18:19 - Hell as Earthly Suffering, Not Afterlife Threat19:02 - 70 AD vs. Afterlife: What Was Jesus Talking About?19:49 - Hell Shouldn't Be in Gospel Presentations20:56 - Adam vs. Jesus: Who Holds More Power?21:25 - Paul's Gospel Never Mentions Hell22:10 - What the Disciples Did—and Didn't—Say About Hell23:16 - No NT Precedent for Hell in the Gospel23:49 - Old Covenant vs. New Covenant Logic Breakdown24:46 - Jesus as High Priest vs. OT Priests25:12 - Challenging Question: Is Eternal Hell Logical?26:04 - The Tragic Case of Andrea Yates27:06 - Atonement Theory Breakdown: Did Jesus Suffer Hell?28:13 - Jesus Defeated Death—Not Suffering in It28:42 - God Is Love, Not Death and Torture29:18 - Defining Hell: No Longer Being Able to Love29:35 - Empowerment to Manifest Heaven30:15 - Manifesting Heaven or Hell: You Choose30:49 - Closing Reminder: You Are Loved

In this lesson I close out the three part mini-series covering the timetable of Yeshua's death and resurrection by looking at the popular text in which he says he'll spend three days and nights in the heart of the earth. How does that fit in with a preparation day death and first day resurrection? Listen to learn about proper interpretation of Scripture, idioms in the Bible, and how we should not be throwing people into Gehenna for disagreeing on most doctrines.

Join us for week two on our conversation about hell.00:00 - Welcome and Podcast Intro00:23 - Celebrating Feedback from Last Episode01:46 - Shoutouts to Supporters and Hill City Church03:09 - Theology Must Lead to Love04:26 - Personal Encouragement and Emotional Funk05:45 - Why We're Talking About Hell: Removing Fear06:59 - Challenging Harmful Beliefs and Church History08:05 - Clarifying Early Church Views on Hell09:53 - Foundations and Origins of Hell11:05 - Gehenna and Jesus' Use of Fire Metaphors11:51 - Understanding Destruction and Restoration12:48 - Wrestling with Free Will and God's Mercy13:55 - Did Jesus Really Talk About Hell More Than Anything?15:04 - Unpacking Gehenna, Hades, and Hell Translations17:02 - Exploring the Four Words Translated as Hell18:47 - Jesus' Context for “Gates of Hades”20:17 - Tartarus and Its Misunderstood Meaning21:40 - Deep Dive into Gehenna23:12 - 70 AD Destruction and Jesus' Warnings25:01 - Prophetic Warnings from Jeremiah and Isaiah27:01 - Symbolism Behind “Worms” and “Unquenchable Fire”28:53 - James and the Tongue Set on Fire by Gehenna30:21 - The Importance of Studying End Times (Eschatology)32:07 - Final Thoughts on Debate and Interpretation33:39 - Key Question: Does Your Belief Serve You Well?34:55 - Ending in Love, Not Fear

River of Life is an inter-denominational, interracial, Spirit-filled church located in the heart of Wakulla County, Florida. We share the sermons from our services in the hopes they'll reach others determined to worship God in spirit and truth.

River of Life is an inter-denominational, interracial, Spirit-filled church located in the heart of Wakulla County, Florida. We share the sermons from our services in the hopes they'll reach others determined to worship God in spirit and truth.

Justin Horval, host of the wildly popular Dead By Dawg Youtube channel and one of the founders of the legendary Hells Headbangers joins the podcast for the first time this week. No wimps or posers are spared as J-Dawg runs the gamut of his upcoming Dead By Dawg Fest, the evolution of his channel, the early days of Hells, bodybuilding and more. Then it's on to this week's News Rant, where I'm joined by my good friend Svartalv of Nocturnal Breed, Gehenna and Engangshammer.  We round up the latest singles by Conan, Obsidian Tongue, In The Woods and Nightfall for judgement, while Svartalv gives me the low-down on all his musical endeavors.     Please support the bands featured on this episode PROFANATICA: https://profanatica-us.bandcamp.com/  ATTIC: https://attic-vanrecords.bandcamp.com/  NECROPHAGIA: https://necrophagia.bandcamp.com/    Get your DEAD BY DAWG FEST tickets here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dead-by-dawg-fest-volume-1-tickets-948328133977    Get your daily J-Dawg fix on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@justinhorval8491    Visit Hells Headbangers Online Store here: https://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/ 

Waweru promotes isolationism, Liam wonders if lizards have emotions, and we claim it's impossible to learn without school.Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+  Discussion of personal and political violenceRemember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the show. Support the show

This is Empires of the Future, conversations to encourage the Church in a time of change.  Sheol, Death, and the Grave “There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!': the grave, the barren womb, land, which is never satisfied with water, and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!'  Proverbs 30:15 “Sheol”, here translated “the grave” is a complex concept in the Bible.  What did Old Testament believers (and non-believers) think when they spoke of “Sheol”?  What are Christians to think about the afterlife?  What is the relationship between the Hebrew “Sheol”, Greek “Hades” and “Gehenna”, and English “Hell”?  We consider all these questions and more in this episode of Empires of the Future.  "The Empires of the future will be Empires of the Mind." - Winston Churchill

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel - Matthew 5:20-26 - Jesus said to His disciples:  “I tell you,  unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,  will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” Bishop Sheen quote of the day

Gospel Matthew 5:20-26 Jesus said to his disciples:  “I tell you,  unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,  will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” Reflection Jesus had such a hard time with the judgment against him from the scribes and the Pharisees, and he's warning his disciples that they should not ever fall into the trap of judgment against someone. It's like he's saying, you have to understand that the kingdom of God is about a flow of energy that goes between God in Jesus, to other people, and when that is not a loving, forgiving, nurturing presence, the kingdom cannot happen. So whether you've offended someone or someone has offended you, whatever is causing division among you before you can truly be a worshiper of God, you need to make peace with everyone. Closing Prayer Father, one might say that forgiveness is one of the major teachings that we have coming from the lips of Jesus. It is the mark of whether or not we are in the kingdom of God. Bless us with awareness of that and motivate us, perhaps by the very selfish notion that we would want to be treated better. Why do we treat someone in a way that is less than we would want? It's one of the key teachings of the kingdom and we need to follow it. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses thatof the scribes and Pharisees,you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brotherwill be liable to judgment,and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,and whoever says, ‘You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,and there recall that your brotherhas anything against you,leave your gift there at the altar,go first and be reconciled with your brother,and then come and offer your gift.Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,and the judge will hand you over to the guard,and you will be thrown into prison.Amen, I say to you,you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

It is the Final Nights in the World of Darkness. As Gehenna comes for vampires (and a coterie of Camarillan Kindred face a rising threat 120 miles away in New Haven), other ancient terrors stir with designs on the corruption and destruction of the world.In the Atlantic Ocean a global threat begins to spread its tendrils towards the eastern seaboard of the United States. A group of Imbued--normal humans touched by an unseen force to stand against the darkness--must come together to find this threat and stop it before it's too late for the entirety of the land-dwelling world.Content Warning: Thalassophobia; death; gore; violence; gunshots; asphyxiation; sounds of choking; language; harassment; threats of violence; implied domestic violence; implied threats to children; chapodiphobia; loss of self; loss of self-control; mind control; gaslighting; alcohol use; smoking; language;CastStoryteller: Rob MuirheadDallas McCoppin: Garrett GabbeyJohn Spencer: Tim DavisSopheia "Pheia" Quinn: Erika WebbNiyati "Nat" Chowdhurani: Rebecca SteigelfestTodd Keating: Lex LopezRecordingRebecca SteigelfestEditingRob MuirheadMusicSadness Room by Denis Goncharov, pixabay.comArtLogo: Rob MuirheadCharacter Art: Jay Steel, BlueSkyKo-Fi: ko-fi.com/pathofnightYouTube: YouTube.com/@pathofnightFacebook: Facebook.com/PathofNightPodcastTwitter: @PathofNightPodBluesky: pathofnight.bsky.socialEmail: pathofnightpodcast@gmail.com

  Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - Mark 9:41-50 - Jesus said to His disciples: ""Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. ""Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. ""Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another."" Memorial of Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church Saint Gregory, pray for us! 2, 3, 4) Matthew McKenna on his articles: How to Compare Religions, and, Understanding the Mass and the Male-Only Priesthood with St. Bonaventure https://catholicexchange.com/how-to-compare-religions/ https://catholicexchange.com/understanding-the-mass-and-the-male-only-priesthood-with-st-bonaventure/

Gospel Mark 9:41-50 Jesus said to his disciples: ""Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. ""Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,   it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed   than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled   than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. ""Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another."" Reflection Jesus continues his desire to make sure his disciples understand the heart of ministry. It's not about being great, it's about being humble. Being a servant. So he uses these three images of amputation, which is a very strong point, but what he's really saying is your hand, it's about doing things, so if you ever think that you have to do things perfectly and better than anyone else, you're in trouble. It'd be better to be limited. If your foot is your problem, it's about where you are supposed to be. Do you want to be at the top of the heap? Is that the whole issue? Better to be unable to get to the top and amputate your foot. And if your eye is your problem, do you think you need to see everything, understand everything, and be the wisest person in the room? No. Better to be unable to see fully. All of it is about being transformed by accepting our weaknesses. Our weaknesses is often what makes us the greatest. You put salt on a wound, it burns. Fire is an image of a burning, a purification. It's interesting that Jesus is telling his disciples that when you experience an inability to do things, that can be a blessing and you can have peace, knowing greatness is not about doing, it's about being. Closing Prayer Father, those of us who are ministers. Those of us who are in charge of people's spiritual journey, we are often looked upon as being the ones who know everything, or who achieved everything, and nothing is further from the truth. We're as human and is frail as anyone in our communities, and when we accept that, and when we are honest about that, then there is the gift of being a true minister. Someone who brings hope, someone who brings peace. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friends of the Rosary,With the hand, we reach out and grasp things. With the foot, we set ourselves on a definite path. We are the hands and feet of Christ on search. But if we fail because we place our energies on grasping at finite things or walk on pursuing glory, honor, power, or pleasure, what is our value for the Kingdom of Heaven?Rather than human organs, we are souls meant for union with God. We are created to seek for the Divinity. That's a well-spent life. So the question is, are we willing to spiritually puck out our eyes and abandon pleasure-oriented lives?Christ Jesus invites us in the Gospel (Mark 9:41-50) to pursue a life of perfection.“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.It is better for you to enter into life maimed   than with two hands to go into Gehenna,into the unquenchable fire.And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.It is better for you to enter into life crippled   than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eyethan with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.”“Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York• February 27, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Jesus said to his disciples:""Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drinkbecause you belong to Christ,amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.""Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,   it would be better for him if a great millstonewere put around his neckand he were thrown into the sea.If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.It is better for you to enter into life maimed   than with two hands to go into Gehenna,into the unquenchable fire.And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.It is better for you to enter into life crippled   than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eyethan with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.""Everyone will be salted with fire.Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid,with what will you restore its flavor?Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.""

Millennium, Chris Carter, X-Files, serial killers, cults, Y2K and the hysteria, David McGowan, Programmed to Kill, Silence of the Lambs, Se7en, industrial, Peter Christopherson, NiN, millenarianism & the different types, Lance Hendriksen, the Millennium Group as based on the Academy Group, the Behavioral Science Unit (BSU), William Blake, Red Dragon, Thomas Harris, Monster of Florence, Gladio, chivalric orders, Sovereign Order of Saint John, Order of the Garter, Knights Templar, southern France, Medieval Europe, Holy Vehm, Gehenna, sovereign citizens, Fundamentalist Mormonism, Russia, Marc DutrouxMusic by: Keith Allen Dennishttps://keithallendennis.bandcamp.com/Additional Music: J Money Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.