Podcasts about gospel luke

Saturday of the Third Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Boniface Curitan; Seventh Century evangelist to the Picts and Scots; probably a Roman by birth, Boniface was the bishop of Ross, England; he introduced Roman observances into the British territories and founded a vast number of parishes; he died in 660 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/14/26 Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Friends of the Rosary,We see in today's Gospel (Luke 11:14–23) Christ the Lord driving out a demon from a possessed person. Rather than praising the Lord, cynical crowds concluded that Jesus was "driving  out demons by the prince of demons."Jesus's response was laconic: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?"Jesus is the voice of communio, the one who brings us back together, while the demonic power scatters. The Evil One and his minions accuse and divide.In the same passage, the Lord said,"Whoever is not with me is against me,and whoever does not gather with me scatters."Ave Maria!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• ⁠March 12, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Peter of Nicomedia; Fourth Century chamberlain at the court of Emperor Diocletian at Nicomedia; arrested for being a Christian when the last great persecution of the Church was launched; he was tortured, and eventually martyred in 303 A.D.; he is ranked as one of the first victims of the last persecution by the Roman Empire Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/12/26 Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

38 And Jesus rising up out of the synagogue, went into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever, and they besought him for her.Surgens autem Jesus de synagoga, introivit in domum Simonis. Socrus autem Simonis tenebatur magnis febribus : et rogaverunt illum pro ea. 39 And standing over her, he commanded the fever, and it left her. And immediately rising, she ministered to them.Et stans super illam imperavit febri : et dimisit illam. Et continuo surgens, ministrabat illis. 40 And when the sun was down, all they that had any sick with divers diseases, brought them to him. But he laying his hands on every one of them, healed them.Cum autem sol occidisset, omnes qui habebant infirmos variis languoribus, ducebant illos ad eum. At ille singulis manus imponens, curabat eos. 41 And devils went out from many, crying out and saying: Thou art the Son of God. And rebuking them he suffered them not to speak, for they knew that he was Christ.Exibant autem daemonia a multis clamantia, et dicentia : Quia tu es Filius Dei : et increpans non sinebat ea loqui : quia sciebant ipsum esse Christum. 42 And when it was day, going out he went into a desert place, and the multitudes sought him, and came unto him: and they stayed him that he should not depart from them.Facta autem die egressus ibat in desertum locum, et turbae requirebant eum, et venerunt usque ad ipsum : et detinebant illum ne discederet ab eis. 43 To whom he said: To other cities also I must preach the kingdom of God: for therefore am I sent.Quibus ille ait : Quia et aliis civitatibus oportet me evangelizare regnum Dei : quia ideo missus sum. 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.Et erat praedicans in synagogis Galilaeae.

Monday of the Third Week of Lent Commemoration of St. Frances of Rome, 1384-1440; at the age of 12, she was arranged to marry Lorenzo Ponziani; the marriage lasted forty years and bore three children; Frances’ two daughters were killed, her husband seriously wounded, and her son nearly escaped ransom; these events led her into deep prayer and a life of service; caring for the sick and poor of the city, Frances turned part of her family estate into a hospital, and she eventually founded the Olivetan Oblates of Mary, a group of pious women not cloistered or vowed but serving the needs of their community through prayer and acts of charity; after her husband’s death, Frances moved into the monastery and became its president Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/9/26 Gospel: Luke 4:24-30

23 And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself: as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.Et ait illis : Utique dicetis mihi hanc similitudinem : Medice cura teipsum : quanta audivimus facta in Capharnaum, fac et hic in patria tua. 24 And he said: Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country.Ait autem : Amen dico vobis, quia nemo propheta acceptus est in patria sua. 25 In truth I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth.In veritate dico vobis, multae viduae erant in diebus Eliae in Israel, quando clausum est caelum annis tribus et mensibus sex, cum facta esset fames magna in omni terra : 26 And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.et ad nullam illarum missus est Elias, nisi in Sarepta Sidoniae, ad mulierem viduam. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.Et multi leprosi erant in Israel sub Elisaeo propheta : et nemo eorum mundatus est nisi Naaman Syrus. 28 And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.Et repleti sunt omnes in synagoga ira, haec audientes. 29 And they rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they brought him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.Et surrexerunt, et ejecerunt illum extra civitatem : et duxerunt illum usque ad supercilium montis, super quem civitas illorum erat aedificata, ut praecipitarent eum. 30 But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.Ipse autem transiens per medium illorum, ibat.The Gospel speaks to us of Naaman, the valiant general of the King of Syria's army. He was cured by bathing in the Jordan, although he did not belong to the race of Israel. Later on Jesus was to plunge himself into the same river and to communicate a sanctifying virtue to its waters. Naaman, therefore, is a figure of the heathen whom the Church by baptism cures of the leprosy of sin. Peter, says Tertullian, has baptised in the Tiber, and those that he has cleansed from leprosy of sin, have abandoned the waters of Damascus, by which is mean their sensual life. Let us renew ourselves in the spirit of baptism by purifying our hearts in the salutary bath of penitence. This will cure them of the leprosy of the soul called sin.

14 And he was casting out a devil, and the same was dumb: and when he had cast out the devil, the dumb spoke: and the multitudes were in admiration at it:Et erat ejiciens daemonium, et illud erat mutum. Et cum ejecisset daemonium, locutus est mutus, et admiratae sunt turbae. 15 But some of them said: He casteth out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils.Quidam autem ex eis dixerunt : In Beelzebub principe daemoniorum ejicit daemonia. 16 And others tempting, asked of him a sign from heaven.Et alii tentantes, signum de caelo quaerebant ab eo. 17 But he seeing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself, shall be brought to desolation, and house upon house shall fall.Ipse autem ut vidit cogitationes eorum, dixit eis : Omne regnum in seipsum divisum desolabitur, et domus supra domum cadet. 18 And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because you say, that through Beelzebub I cast out devils.Si autem et Satanas in seipsum divisus est, quomodo stabit regnum ejus? quia dicitis in Beelzebub me ejicere daemonia. 19 Now if I cast out devils by Beelzebub; by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.Si autem ego in Beelzebub ejicio daemonia : filii vestri in quo ejiciunt? ideo ipsi judices vestri erunt. 20 But if I by the finger of God cast out devils; doubtless the kingdom of God is come upon you.Porro si in digito Dei ejicio daemonia : profecto pervenit in vos regnum Dei. 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his court, those things are in peace which he possesseth.Cum fortis armatus custodit atrium suum, in pace sunt ea quae possidet. 22 But if a stronger than he come upon him, and overcome him; he will take away all his armour wherein he trusted, and will distribute his spoils.Si autem fortior eo superveniens vicerit eum, universa arma ejus auferet, in quibus confidebat, et spolia ejus distribuet. 23 He that is not with me, is against me; and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth.Qui non est mecum, contra me est : et qui non colligit mecum, dispergit. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest; and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out.Cum immundus spiritus exierit de homine, ambulat per loca inaquosa, quaerens requiem : et non inveniens dicit : Revertar in domum meam unde exivi. 25 And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished.Et cum venerit, invenit eam scopis mundatam, et ornatam. 26 Then he goeth and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and entering in they dwell there. And the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.Tunc vadit, et assumit septem alios spiritus secum, nequiores se, et ingressi habitant ibi. Et fiunt novissima hominis illius pejora prioribus. 27 And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck.Factum est autem, cum haec diceret : extollens vocem quaedam mulier de turba dixit illi : Beatus venter qui te portavit, et ubera quae suxisti. 28 But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.At ille dixit : Quinimmo beati, qui audiunt verbum Dei et custodiunt illud.

Friends of the Rosary,Today's Gospel (Luke 15:1–3, 11–32) portrays the prodigal son.The father stands for the divine mercy of God, and the older son stands for all of us sinners who misunderstand divine love.“Everything I have is yours.”The Father says the same to us today.In this magnificent parable, we see the prodigal son agonizing over his sins, feeling a great emptiness after he turned the divine gift into the ego's possession.Finally, he realizes that only the compassion and the mercy of his father will save him.We are the real prodigal sons whom God has forgiven and brought back into his love.Also, today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saints Perpetual and Felicity (d. 203), two martyrs whose names are mentioned together in the Roman Canon of the Mass.These two women, relying on the strength of Christ, who was fighting with them, were exposed to the fury of wild beasts in the amphitheater at Carthage and finally killed by the sword. They took their martyrdom as a triumphant celebration.Ave Maria!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.Ave Maria!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• March 7, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Saturday of the Second Week of Lent Commemoration of Saints Perpetua and Felicity; African martyrs who became Christian catechumens; they were arrested but stayed true to their faith despite deplorable prison conditions and earnest pleas from Perpetua’s father to renounce her faith; along with three other catechumens, they were executed in the amphitheater at Carthage in 203 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/7/26 Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the Second Week of Lent by Mr. Clement Harrold. Lenten Weekday/ Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs First Reading: Micah 7: 14-15, 18-20 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 103: 1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 Verse Before the Gospel: Luke 15: 18 Gospel: Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com Join Dr. Shane Owens—Associate Professor of Theology at Franciscan University—together with Fr. Dave Pivonka, Dr. John Bergsma, Megan Hjelmstad, and Emily Stimpson Chapman for our Lent Bible Across America study. Sign up to join the movement today at www.stpaulcenter.com/lent

11 And he said: A certain man had two sons:  12 And the younger of them said to his father: Father, give me the portion of substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his substance.  13 And not many days after, the younger son, gathering all together, went abroad into a far country: and there wasted his substance, living riotously.  14 And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.  15 And he went and cleaved to one of the citizens of that country. And he sent him into his farm to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him.  17 And returning to himself, he said: How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger?  18 I will arise, and will go to my father, and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee:  19 I am not worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  20 And rising up he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and running to him fell upon his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, I am not now worthy to be called thy son.  22 And the father said to his servants: Bring forth quickly the first robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:  23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat and make merry:  24 Because this my son was dead, and is come to life again: was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.  25 Now his elder son was in the field, and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing: 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.  27 And he said to him: Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe.  28 And he was angry, and would not go in. His father therefore coming out began to entreat him.  29 And he answering, said to his father: Behold, for so many years do I serve thee, and I have never transgressed thy commandment, and yet thou hast never given me a kid to make merry with my friends:  30 But as soon as this thy son is come, who hath devoured his substance with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 But he said to him: Son, thou art always with me, and all I have is thine.  32 But it was fit that we should make merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found.Parable of the prodigal son. The elder son is the Jewish element of the primitive church which is scandalised at the vocation of the Gentiles; the prodigal son is the pagan element.

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Philip of Jesus, 1572-1597; born in Mexico City, he entered the Franciscans at Puebla but then departed the order in 1589 to journey to the Philippines as a trader; in 1590, he repented and returned to the Franciscan fold; his superiors commanded him to sail back to Mexico to be ordained a priest and, while on the way, his ship was caught in a storm and driven into the waters of Japan; landing in 1596, he was soon arrested and, with St. Peter Baptist, was put to death by crucifixion at Nagasaki in 1597 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/5/26 Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Second Week of Lent by Ms. Joan Watson. Lenten Weekday First Reading: Jeremiah 17: 5-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 1: 1-2, 3, 4 and 6 Verse Before the Gospel: Luke 8: 15 Gospel: Luke 16: 19-31   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com Join Dr. Shane Owens—Associate Professor of Theology at Franciscan University—together with Fr. Dave Pivonka, Dr. John Bergsma, Megan Hjelmstad, and Emily Stimpson Chapman for our Lent Bible Across America study. Sign up to join the movement today at www.stpaulcenter.com/lent

19 There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen; and feasted sumptuously every day.Homo quidam erat dives, qui induebatur purpura et bysso, et epulabatur quotidie splendide. 20 And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, full of sores,Et erat quidam mendicus, nomine Lazarus, qui jacebat ad januam ejus, ulceribus plenus, 21 Desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table, and no one did give him; moreover the dogs came, and licked his sores.cupiens saturari de micis quae cadebant de mensa divitis, et nemo illi dabat : sed et canes veniebant, et lingebant ulcera ejus. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died: and he was buried in hell.Factum est autem ut moreretur mendicus, et portaretur ab angelis in sinum Abrahae. Mortuus est autem et dives, et sepultus est in inferno. 23 And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom:Elevans autem oculos suos, cum esset in tormentis, vidit Abraham a longe, et Lazarum in sinu ejus : 24 And he cried, and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, to cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.et ipse clamans dixit : Pater Abraham, miserere mei, et mitte Lazarum ut intingat extremum digiti sui in aquam, ut refrigeret linguam meam, quia crucior in hac flamma. 25 And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that thou didst receive good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted; and thou art tormented.Et dixit illi Abraham : Fili, recordare quia recepisti bona in vita tua, et Lazarus similiter mala : nunc autem hic consolatur, tu vero cruciaris : 26 And besides all this, between us and you, there is fixed a great chaos: so that they who would pass from hence to you, cannot, nor from thence come hither.et in his omnibus inter nos et vos chaos magnum firmatum est : ut hi qui volunt hinc transire ad vos, non possint, neque inde huc transmeare. 27 And he said: Then, father, I beseech thee, that thou wouldst send him to my father's house, for I have five brethren,Et ait : Rogo ergo te, pater, ut mittas eum in domum patris mei : 28 That he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torments.habeo enim quinque fratres : ut testetur illis, ne et ipsi veniant in hunc locum tormentorum. 29 And Abraham said to him: They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.Et ait illi Abraham : Habent Moysen et prophetas : audiant illos. 30 But he said: No, father Abraham: but if one went to them from the dead, they will do penance.At ille dixit : Non, pater Abraham : sed si quis ex mortuis ierit ad eos, poenitentiam agent. 31 And he said to him: If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, if one rise again from the dead.Ait autem illi : Si Moysen et prophetas non audiunt, neque si quis ex mortuis resurrexerit, credent.[22] "Abraham's bosom": The place of rest, where the souls of the saints resided, till Christ had opened heaven by his death.

Monday of the Second Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Agnes of Bohemia, 1200-1282; born in Prague, educated in the Cistercian convent; she was betrothed to Emperor Frederick II of Germany, but she refused this marriage, angering Frederick; but in time, he understood her decision, remarking, "If she had left me for a mortal man, I would have taken vengeance with the sword, but I cannot take offense because in preference to me she has chosen the King of Heaven"; Agnes became a Poor Claire at the monastery of St. Savior in Prague,which she had founded; during her religious life, she was gifted by miracles; she predicted the victory of her brother Wenceslaus over the duke of Austria Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/2/26 Gospel: Luke 6:36-38

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40. Sermon by Rev Ingrid Jacobson. The post Sermon for March 1 2026 appeared first on St. James' Episcopal Church Fremont California.

Friends of the Rosary,Today, we read in the Gospel (Luke 11:29-32) about the people of Nineveh, who are a model for Lent. At the preaching of Jonah the prophet, they did penance and obtained pardon and divine mercy.Jesus said to the crowd,“This generation is an evil generation;it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,except the sign of Jonah.Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,so will the Son of Man be to this generation.”The Church of Christ preaches penance today. Penance and sacrifices are part of the period of preparation for the forty days of the Lenten journey, before we arrive at the joy and glory of Easter.The Lord intends for us to live the Paschal rhythm of death and life to reclaim, through self-examination, our true selves and become ready to share in Christ's glory.Ave Maria!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• February 25, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Victorinus; Third Century citizen of Corinth, Greece, he was exiled with a group of fellow Christians to Egypt during the persecutions under Emperor Numerian; Victor and the others had been exiled in 249 and lived in Egypt; under Governor Sabinus they were arrested again, brutally tortured, and finally executed at Diospolis in 284 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/25/26 Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

Date: February 15, 2026Preacher: Rev. Shawn SlateSeries: Gospel Life

Friends of the Rosary,In today's Gospel (Luke 5:27–32), Luke recounts how Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post."He said to him, “Follow me.”And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house,and a large crowd of tax collectorsand others were at table with them.The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying,“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”Jesus said to them in reply,“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”The call of Jesus to Matthew — as we see it in the painting of Caravaggio, above — has the sense of “walk as I walk; think as I think; choose as I choose.” It means a self-reordered according to the pattern and manner of Jesus.“Following Jesus is indeed a kind of resurrection from the dead, since it involves the transition from a lower form of life to a higher, from a preoccupation with the temporary goods of this world to an immersion in the goodness of God,” writes Bishop Barron.Those who have undergone a profound conversion tend to speak of their former life as a kind of illusion, something not entirely real. It's the “false self” that has given way to the authentic self. It's the father of the prodigal son saying, “Your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.”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• ⁠February 21, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Saturday after Ash Wednesday Commemoration of St. Peter Damian, 1007-1072; born in Italy, and joined a Benedictine hermitage, eventually becoming its prior; he wrote against simony, wantonness, and worldliness among religious leaders; upon his consecration as Bishop, St. Peter Damian stressed even more the importance of a unified Church and a morally exemplary clergy Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/21/26 Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

Thursday after Ash Wednesday Saint of the Day: St. Barbatus of Benevento, 612-682; born in Italy, ordained in Marcona; he was sent to Benevento, where he evangelized and converted many; when the assault of the Byzantine emperor ended and peace came, Barbatus was named bishop of Benevento; he attended the Council of Constantinople in 680, and died in Benevento in 682 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/19/26 Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

Officiant: Mtr. Lisa Meirow, Psalm(s): Psalm 32, 143, Fr. Wiley Ammons, Old Testament: Amos 5:6-15, Fr. Wiley Ammons, First Canticle: 14, New Testament: Hebrews 12:1-14, Caitlyn Darnell, Second Canticle: 16, Gospel: Luke 18:9-14, Mtr. Lisa Meirow. Logo image by Antonio Allegretti, used by permission.

Officiant: Fr. Wiley Ammons, Psalm(s): Psalm 102, 130, Laura Ammons, Old Testament: Amos 5:6-15, Fr. Wiley Ammons, First Canticle: 12, New Testament: Hebrews 12:1-14, Caitlyn Darnell, Second Canticle: 17, Gospel: Luke 18:9-14, Mtr. Lisa Meirow. Logo image by Laura Ammons, used by permission.

Officiant: Mtr. Lisa Meirow, Psalm(s): Psalm 32, 143, Fr. Wiley Ammons, Old Testament: Amos 5:6-15, Fr. Wiley Ammons, First Canticle: 14, Second Canticle: 16, Gospel: Luke 18:9-14, Mtr. Lisa Meirow

31 Then Jesus took unto him the twelve, and said to them: Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man.Assumpsit autem Jesus duodecim, et ait illis : Ecce ascendimus Jerosolymam, et consummabuntur omnia quae scripta sunt per prophetas de Filio hominis : 32 For he shall be delivered to the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and scourged, and spit upon:tradetur enim gentibus, et illudetur, et flagellabitur, et conspuetur : 33 And after they have scourged him, they will put him to death; and the third day he shall rise again.et postquam flagellaverint, occident eum, et tertia die resurget. 34 And they understood none of these things, and this word was hid from them, and they understood not the things that were said.Et ipsi nihil horum intellexerunt, et erat verbum istud absconditum ab eis, et non intelligebant quae dicebantur. 35 Now it came to pass, when he drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the way side, begging.Factum est autem, cum appropinquaret Jericho, caecus quidam sedebat secus viam, mendicans. 36 And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant.Et cum audiret turbam praetereuntem, interrogabat quid hoc esset. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.Dixerunt autem ei quod Jesus Nazarenus transiret. 38 And he cried out, saying: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.Et clamavit, dicens : Jesu, fili David, miserere mei. 39 And they that went before, rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out much more: Son of David, have mercy on me.Et qui praeibant, increpabant eum ut taceret. Ipse vero multo magis clamabat : Fili David, miserere mei. 40 And Jesus standing, commanded him to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him,Stans autem Jesus jussit illum adduci ad se. Et cum appropinquasset, interrogavit illum, 41 Saying: What wilt thou that I do to thee? But he said: Lord, that I may see.dicens : Quid tibi vis faciam? At ille dixit : Domine, ut videam. 42 And Jesus said to him: Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole.Et Jesus dixit illi : Respice, fides tua te salvum fecit. 43 And immediately he saw, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.Et confestim vidit, et sequebatur illum magnificans Deum. Et omnis plebs ut vidit, dedit laudem Deo.Pope St Gregory the Great says: "The man born blind of whom the Gospel tells is surely the human race. Ever since man has been turned out of Paradise in the person of our first father, he has not known the light of heaven, and therefore has suffered through being plunged into the darkness of condemnation."

Homily: The Prodigal Son, The Lost Sheep, and the RavenFr. Marc BoulosSunday, February 8, 2026In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Today's Gospel (Luke 15:11-32) forms a diptych with the parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7), which unfortunately is used systematically by the followers of Epstein, or, more accurately, by those captivated by the mentality of Epstein ecclesiology: the business model of church growth that treats the neighbor as a commodity.Which is everyone.Because if you are an American, or a European, or anyone who subscribes to the ideology of the elite class, the success ideology, the growth ideology, the manifestation ideology, you ultimately view your neighbor as property, as lesser, as acquisition. Or, as Satan has taught the Church in the West to say, you refer to your neighbor as a “giving unit.” It is a disgusting phrase.No less ugly than what they used to say when I was a child. They claimed to count souls, but they were counting giving units.Now, the key to hearing the parable of the Lost Sheep is to hear the accusation of the Pharisees and the scribes that prompted the parable, and to hear it in the context of Noah, which governs Luke. Jesus gives the parable of the Lost Sheep because he is accused of receiving:“This man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2)That is the key. He is accused of receiving sinners. What is returned to him from the wilderness is what is received.The prodigal, as you should know by now, is not praised for coming back. He simply returns. The parable of the Lost Sheep is about instruction, about remaining under command whether inside the fold or outside it. This is what is at stake when the follower says “No.”It is also what is at stake with the two birds in the account of the flood. You have a raven (Genesis 8:7) and you have a dove (Genesis 8:8-12).For those of you who study what I teach, you know the significance of the raven. For those who do not, the work is here. The rest is between you and God.In Hebrew, the word often associated with the raven is derived from three consonants, ʿayin, resh, bet. It refers to a migratory, nomadic bird, associated with the locality of the ʿArabah, the Syro-Arabian wilderness known to you as Mesopotamia, encompassing Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Iraq. The raven is nomadic in a very specific biblical sense. It pertains to peoples who mix among tribes and who come out at night. These are the tribes that fed Elijah. That is the raven Noah sends out.The word used is “release.” It corresponds to the same verb Jesus uses when he sends out the Twelve to proclaim the judgment of the Kingdom in Luke chapter 9, verse 2. He releases them under instruction.What is interesting is that this corresponds to the usage of the word “Bedouin” in the Qur'an. You have heard me speak about Bedouins, and many of you assume I am speaking about Arab culture. I could not care less about culture. I am speaking about Scripture.The Bedouins appear in the Bible and in the Qur'an, and they have a function. In Genesis 8:6-12, Noah sends out the raven before the Lord breaks his silence. The Lord had not spoken since the flood began, when he shut the ark with his own hand behind Noah (Genesis 7:16). He does not speak again until Genesis 8:15. There is release from Noah, but there is no command from God. The raven goes out into a world not yet ordered by divine speech. Noah releases the raven into disorder in anticipation of God's instruction, which alone can establish order. The same is true of the dove. Both are sent out, released in hope that they might return. It is not demanded. It is a free gesture. That is how it works.In this absence, the dove's return unfolds within divine silence, not compelled by a new command but moving in anticipation of the word by which God alone restores order. The decisive reality is the command of God, not human initiative.The prodigal, sitting on the dung heap, cannot boast, “I came back.” He came back because he was hungry. In the house of the Father, every voice is silenced before the obedience of Jesus (Philippians 2:6-11).In the Qur'an, the striking thing about the Bedouins is their obstinacy. (Rise, Andalus, p. 53; Sūrat al-Tawbah, “The Repentance, The Return” 9:97) They exist on the edge. That is why this question of sinners among the peoples on the boundaries, in the night watches, matters. Those are the ones Jesus receives. That is what angers the Pharisees and the scribes in Luke. Those whom they despise, the ravens, exist on the edge, beyond the proclamation of what is read aloud. And now they are stepping within range of that proclamation.The word Qur'an means “what is read aloud,” the proclamation of the word of God. It is rooted in Arabic, a Semitic tongue like Hebrew. Those on the margins live beyond the reach of that proclamation. The lost are released, sometimes under instruction, sometimes in hope of the instruction that alone can call them back.So for Jesus, the concern is whether the sinners and the tax collectors are within reach of the proclamation. What is truly problematic is that the scribes and Pharisees complain when the prodigals return from the edges to hear what Jesus is announcing.That is the issue.But the problem with the Epstein business model of church growth is that it does not care what Jesus is saying. In that model, the neighbor is a giving unit. So it cannot let the prodigal go.In the parable of The Prodigal (Luke 15:11-32), the father never compels the son to return. In Paul's teaching, you are never permitted to force someone to remain married to you (1 Corinthians 7:15). It is forbidden. This teaching carries over into the Qur'an as well: you are not allowed to compel anyone (Sūrat al-Baqarah 2:256; see also 4:19; 2:231).But in the Epstein model of church growth, it does not work that way. In that model, it is the opposite of what we heard today, namely, that your body does not belong to you:“You are not your own.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)The body to which Paul refers is the body politic of Jesus Christ. You are not permitted to sin against it for profit. You may not exploit any living soul for gain, least of all your own. Not according to the parable of the Lost Sheep.According to that same instruction, a sheep may be sent away and allowed to go until it heeds the call and returns, and is then received with joy according to the command, but never chased or coerced. Some sheep may even be handed over to Satan for a time, unto destruction, if they jeopardize the fold (1 Corinthians 5:5;1 Timothy 1:20). But not in the Epstein model of church growth, which cares only about security, growth, and success.God does not care about buildings, institutions, or church growth. He does not care about constitutions, or borders, or nations, or tribes. He cares about your living, breathing, precious soul.“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37)I am not God. But I am responsible to teach what God has commanded us to teach.May we submit to God's instruction like the dove, returning in hope of the word by which God alone establishes order.To him alone be the glory, the dominion, and the majesty, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen....

31 Then Jesus took unto him the twelve, and said to them: Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man.Assumpsit autem Jesus duodecim, et ait illis : Ecce ascendimus Jerosolymam, et consummabuntur omnia quae scripta sunt per prophetas de Filio hominis : 32 For he shall be delivered to the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and scourged, and spit upon:tradetur enim gentibus, et illudetur, et flagellabitur, et conspuetur : 33 And after they have scourged him, they will put him to death; and the third day he shall rise again.et postquam flagellaverint, occident eum, et tertia die resurget. 34 And they understood none of these things, and this word was hid from them, and they understood not the things that were said.Et ipsi nihil horum intellexerunt, et erat verbum istud absconditum ab eis, et non intelligebant quae dicebantur. 35 Now it came to pass, when he drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the way side, begging.Factum est autem, cum appropinquaret Jericho, caecus quidam sedebat secus viam, mendicans. 36 And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant.Et cum audiret turbam praetereuntem, interrogabat quid hoc esset. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.Dixerunt autem ei quod Jesus Nazarenus transiret. 38 And he cried out, saying: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.Et clamavit, dicens : Jesu, fili David, miserere mei. 39 And they that went before, rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out much more: Son of David, have mercy on me.Et qui praeibant, increpabant eum ut taceret. Ipse vero multo magis clamabat : Fili David, miserere mei. 40 And Jesus standing, commanded him to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him,Stans autem Jesus jussit illum adduci ad se. Et cum appropinquasset, interrogavit illum, 41 Saying: What wilt thou that I do to thee? But he said: Lord, that I may see.dicens : Quid tibi vis faciam? At ille dixit : Domine, ut videam. 42 And Jesus said to him: Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole.Et Jesus dixit illi : Respice, fides tua te salvum fecit. 43 And immediately he saw, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.Et confestim vidit, et sequebatur illum magnificans Deum. Et omnis plebs ut vidit, dedit laudem Deo.

Officiant: Mtr. Lisa Meirow, Psalm(s): Psalm 148, 149, 150, Fr. Wiley Ammons, Old Testament: Ecclesiasticus 48:1-11, Fr. Wiley Ammons, First Canticle: 16, New Testament: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18, David Sibley, Second Canticle: 21, Gospel: Luke 9:18-27, Mtr. Lisa Meirow. Logo image by Antonio Allegretti, used by permission.

Officiant: Fr. Wiley Ammons, Psalm(s): Psalm 114, 115, Laura Ammons, Old Testament: Ecclesiasticus 48:1-11, Fr. Wiley Ammons, First Canticle: 15, New Testament: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18, David Sibley, Second Canticle: 17, Gospel: Luke 9:18-27, Mtr. Lisa Meirow. Logo image by Laura Ammons, used by permission.

Officiant: Mtr. Lisa Meirow, Psalm(s): Psalm 148, 149, 150, Fr. Wiley Ammons, Old Testament: Ecclesiasticus 48:1-11, Fr. Wiley Ammons, First Canticle: 16, Second Canticle: 21, Gospel: Luke 9:18-27, Mtr. Lisa Meirow

31 Then Jesus took unto him the twelve, and said to them: Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man.Assumpsit autem Jesus duodecim, et ait illis : Ecce ascendimus Jerosolymam, et consummabuntur omnia quae scripta sunt per prophetas de Filio hominis : 32 For he shall be delivered to the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and scourged, and spit upon:tradetur enim gentibus, et illudetur, et flagellabitur, et conspuetur : 33 And after they have scourged him, they will put him to death; and the third day he shall rise again.et postquam flagellaverint, occident eum, et tertia die resurget. 34 And they understood none of these things, and this word was hid from them, and they understood not the things that were said.Et ipsi nihil horum intellexerunt, et erat verbum istud absconditum ab eis, et non intelligebant quae dicebantur. 35 Now it came to pass, when he drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the way side, begging.Factum est autem, cum appropinquaret Jericho, caecus quidam sedebat secus viam, mendicans. 36 And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant.Et cum audiret turbam praetereuntem, interrogabat quid hoc esset. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.Dixerunt autem ei quod Jesus Nazarenus transiret. 38 And he cried out, saying: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.Et clamavit, dicens : Jesu, fili David, miserere mei. 39 And they that went before, rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out much more: Son of David, have mercy on me.Et qui praeibant, increpabant eum ut taceret. Ipse vero multo magis clamabat : Fili David, miserere mei. 40 And Jesus standing, commanded him to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him,Stans autem Jesus jussit illum adduci ad se. Et cum appropinquasset, interrogavit illum, 41 Saying: What wilt thou that I do to thee? But he said: Lord, that I may see.dicens : Quid tibi vis faciam? At ille dixit : Domine, ut videam. 42 And Jesus said to him: Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole.Et Jesus dixit illi : Respice, fides tua te salvum fecit. 43 And immediately he saw, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.Et confestim vidit, et sequebatur illum magnificans Deum. Et omnis plebs ut vidit, dedit laudem Deo.

 4 And when a very great multitude was gathered together, and hastened out of the cities unto him, he spoke by a similitude.Cum autem turba plurima convenirent, et de civitatibus properarent ad eum, dixit per similitudinem : 5 The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.Exiit qui seminat, seminare semen suum. Et dum seminat, aliud cecidit secus viam, et conculcatum est, et volucres caeli comederunt illud. 6 And other some fell upon a rock: and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.Et aliud cecidit supra petrum : et natum aruit, quia non habebat humorem. 7 And other some fell among thorns, and the thorns growing up with it, choked it.Et aliud cecidit inter spinas, et simul exortae spinae suffocaverunt illud. 8 And other some fell upon good ground; and being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundredfold. Saying these things, he cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.Et aliud cecidit in terram bonam : et ortum fecit fructum centuplum. Haec dicens clamabat : Qui habet aures audiendi, audiat. 9 And his disciples asked him what this parable might be.Interrogabant autem eum discipuli ejus, quae esset haec parabola. 10 To whom he said: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing may not understand.Quibus ipse dixit : Vobis datum est nosse mysterium regni Dei, ceteris autem in parabolis : ut videntes non videant, et audientes non intelligant.[10] "Seeing they may not see": See the annotation, Mark 4. 12. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.Est autem haec parabola : Semen est verbum Domini. 12 And they by the way side are they that hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved.Qui autem secus viam, hi sunt qui audiunt : deinde venit diabolus, et tollit verbum de corde eorum, ne credentes salvi fiant. 13 Now they upon the rock, are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy: and these have no roots; for they believe for a while, and in time of temptation, they fall away.Nam qui supra petram, qui cum audierint, cum gaudio suscipiunt verbum : et hi radices non habent : qui ad tempus credunt, et in tempore tentationis recedunt. 14 And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit.Quod autem in spinas cecidit : hi sunt qui audierunt, et a sollicitudinibus, et divitiis, et voluptatibus vitae euntes, suffocantur, et non referunt fructum. 15 But that on the good ground, are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience.Quod autem in bonam terram : hi sunt qui in corde bono et optimo audientes verbum retinent, et fructum afferunt in patientia.Mark 4[12] "That seeing they may see": in punishment of their wilfully shutting their eyes, (St. Matt. 13. 15,) God justly withdrew those lights and graces, which otherwise he would have given them, for their effectual conversion.

26 And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth,In mense autem sexto, missus est angelus Gabriel a Deo in civitatem Galilaeae, cui nomen Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.ad virginem desponsatam viro, cui nomen erat Joseph, de domo David : et nomen virginis Maria. 28 And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.Et ingressus angelus ad eam dixit : Ave gratia plena : Dominus tecum : benedicta tu in mulieribus. 29 Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.Quae cum audisset, turbata est in sermone ejus, et cogitabat qualis esset ista salutatio. 30 And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.Et ait angelus ei : Ne timeas, Maria : invenisti enim gratiam apud Deum. 31 Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus.Ecce concipies in utero, et paries filium, et vocabis nomen ejus Jesum :This Feast commemorates the appearing of our Lady on several occasions in 1858 at Lourdes in France.

4 And when a very great multitude was gathered together, and hastened out of the cities unto him, he spoke by a similitude.  5 The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And other some fell upon a rock: and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.  7 And other some fell among thorns, and the thorns growing up with it, choked it.  8 And other some fell upon good ground; and being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundredfold. Saying these things, he cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.  9 And his disciples asked him what this parable might be.  10 To whom he said: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing may not understand.[10] "Seeing they may not see": See the annotation, Mark 4. 12. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.  12 And they by the way side are they that hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved.  13 Now they upon the rock, are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy: and these have no roots; for they believe for a while, and in time of temptation, they fall away.  14 And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit.  15 But that on the good ground, are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience.Mark 4[12] "That seeing they may see": in punishment of their wilfully shutting their eyes, (St. Matt. 13. 15,) God justly withdrew those lights and graces, which otherwise he would have given them, for their effectual conversion.

1 And after these things the Lord appointed also other seventy-two: and he sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himself was to come.Post haec autem designavit Dominus et alios septuaginta duos : et misit illos binos ante faciem suam in omnem civitatem et locum, quo erat ipse venturus. 2 And he said to them: The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send labourers into his harvest.Et dicebat illis : Messis quidem multa, operarii autem pauci. Rogate ergo dominum messis ut mittat operarios in messem suam. 3 Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves.Ite : ecce ego mitto vos sicut agnos inter lupos. 4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the way.Nolite portare sacculum, neque peram, neque calceamenta, et neminem per viam salutaveritis. 5 Into whatsoever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house.In quamcumque domum intraveritis, primum dicite : Pax huic domui : 6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you.et si ibi fuerit filius pacis, requiescet super illum pax vestra : sin autem, ad vos revertetur. 7 And in the same house, remain, eating and drinking such things as they have: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from house to house.In eadem autem domo manete, edentes et bibentes quae apud illos sunt : dignus est enim operarius mercede sua. Nolite transire de domo in domum. 8 And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.Et in quamcumque civitatem intraveritis, et susceperint vos, manducate quae apponuntur vobis : 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say to them: The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.et curate infirmos, qui in illa sunt, et dicite illis : Appropinquavit in vos regnum Dei.St Titus, Bishop of Crete, was one of the most faithful disciples of St Paul. The Apostle wrote to Titus a letter included in Holy Scripture. He died A.D. 101.

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/2/26 Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:Et postquam impleti sunt dies purgationis ejus secundum legem Moysi, tulerunt illum in Jerusalem, ut sisterent eum Domino, 23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:sicut scriptum est in lege Domini : Quia omne masculinum adaperiens vulvam, sanctum Domino vocabitur : 24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons:et ut darent hostiam secundum quod dictum est in lege Domini, par turturum, aut duos pullos columbarum. 25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.Et ecce homo erat in Jerusalem, cui nomen Simeon, et homo iste justus, et timoratus, exspectans consolationem Israel : et Spiritus Sanctus erat in eo. 26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.Et responsum acceperat a Spiritu Sancto, non visurum se mortem, nisi prius videret Christum Domini. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,Et venit in spiritu in templum. Et cum inducerent puerum Jesum parentes ejus, ut facerent secundum consuetudinem legis pro eo, 28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:et ipse accepit eum in ulnas suas : et benedixit Deum, et dixit : 29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;Nunc dimittis servum tuum Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace : 30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum : 32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.The Feast of Candlemas, which derives it's origin from the local observance of Jerusalem, marks the end of the Feasts included in the Christmas cycle of the Liturgy. It is perhaps the most ancient festival of Our Lady. It commemorates not only the obedience of the Blessed Virgin to the Mosaic Lay in going to Jerusalem forty days after the birth of her child and making the accustomed offerings, but also the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, and the meeting of the infant Jesus with the old man Simeon--the Occursus Domini, as the Feast was anciently termed. This is the pricipal them of the liturgy on this day: Jesus is taken to the Temple "to present Him to the Lord." So the Lord comes to His Temple, and is met by the aged Simeon with joy and recognition. The procession on this day is one of the most picturesque features of the Western Liturgy. The blessing and distribution of candles, to be carried lighted in procession, precedes the Mass today--a symbolic presentation of the truth proclaimed in the Canticle of Simeon; Our Lord is the "Light for the revelation of the Gentiles." The anthems sung during the procession, eastern in origin, will express the joy and gladness of this happy festival, and the honor and praise we give to Our Blessed Lady and her Divine Son by its devout observance.

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40. Sermon by Rev Lori Walton. The post Sermon for February 1 2026 appeared first on St. James' Episcopal Church Fremont California.

Date: January 18, 2026 |Preacher: Rev. Rob Herron |Series: Gospel Life

 32 Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom.Nolite timere pusillus grex, quia complacuit Patri vestro dare vobis regnum. 33 Sell what you possess and give alms. Make to yourselves bags which grow not old, a treasure in heaven which faileth not: where no thief approacheth, nor moth corrupteth.Vendite quae possidetis, et date eleemosynam. Facite vobis sacculos, qui non veterascunt, thesaurum non deficientem in caelis : quo fur non appropriat, neque tinea corrumpit. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.Ubi enim thesaurus vester est, ibi et cor vestrum erit.St Peter, instructed by the Blessed Virgin, founded the Order of Our Lady of Mercy for the Redemption of Captives. When all funds for the work were exhausted, the religious were bound by their rule to take the places of the prisoners with the infidels. St Peter died A.D. 1256.

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  27 And whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  28 For which of you having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down, and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it:  29 Lest, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mock him,  30 Saying: This man began to build, and was not able to finish.[26] "Hate not": The law of Christ does not allow us to hate even our enemies, much less our parents: but the meaning of the text is, that we must be in that disposition of soul, as to be willing to renounce, and part with every thing, how near or dear soever it may be to us, that would keep us from following Christ. 31 Or what king, about to go to make war against another king, doth not first sit down, and think whether he be able, with ten thousand, to meet him that, with twenty thousand, cometh against him?  32 Or else, whilst the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desireth conditions of peace.  33 So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce all that he possesseth, cannot be my disciple.St Timothy, who is the best-known disciple of St Paul, was bishop of Ephesus in Asia Minor. He was stoned to death by pagans A.D. 97.

 35 Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands.Sint lumbi vestri praecincti, et lucernae ardentes in manibus vestris, 36 And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately.et vos similes hominibus exspectantibus dominum suum quando revertatur a nuptiis : ut, cum venerit et pulsaverit, confestim aperiant ei. 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them.Beati servi illi quos, cum venerit dominus, invenerit vigilantes : amen dico vobis, quod praecinget se, et faciet illos discumbere, et transiens ministrabit illis. 38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.Et si venerit in secunda vigilia, et si in tertia vigilia venerit, et ita invenerit, beati sunt servi illi. 39 But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open.Hoc autem scitote, quoniam si sciret paterfamilias, qua hora fur veniret, vigilaret utique, et non sineret perfodi domum suam. 40 Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.Et vos estote parati : quia qua hora non putatis, Filius hominis veniet.St Raymond, eminent minister of the sacrament of Penance, was a priest of the Order of St Dominic, celebrated for his virtues, his miracles and his writings on Canon Law. He died A.D. 1275.Here are some concrete ways we can be more like him today:St. Raymond was a master of canon law, but he didn't use knowledge to dominate others. He used it to clarify, protect, and heal.Seek truth seriously (study, listen, think deeply).Speak truth with charity, not harshness.Use knowledge to serve people, especially when they're confused or vulnerable.Ask yourself: Does my understanding help others find peace and justice?As a confessor and advisor, Raymond emphasized compassion—especially for sinners trying to return to God.Be patient with people's struggles.Make forgiveness easier, not harder.Assume good will before judging motives.He reminds us that law and rules exist for the salvation of souls, not the other way around.Despite his brilliance, Raymond lived simply and accepted responsibilities only when needed.Do the work in front of you well, even if it's unnoticed.Avoid chasing recognition.Say yes to service when it's asked of you in love and obedience.Holiness for him wasn't dramatic—it was steady.St. Raymond advised kings and helped confront moral failures at the highest levels of power.Be willing to speak up when something is wrong.Do so respectfully, without pride or anger.Stand with those harmed by injustice.Truth without courage stays silent; courage without humility becomes harsh. He held both.His effectiveness flowed from a deep spiritual life.Make space for prayer, even when busy.Let prayer shape how you think and act.Ask God for wisdom more than success.1. Love truth, and handle it carefully2. Put mercy at the center3. Serve quietly and faithfully4. Courageously seek justice5. Stay grounded in prayer

9 And when you shall hear of wars and seditions, be not terrified: these things must first come to pass; but the end is not yet presently.Cum autem audieritis praelia et seditiones, nolite terreri : oportet primum haec fieri, sed nondum statim finis. 10 Then he said to them: Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.Tunc dicebat illis : Surget gens contra gentem, et regnum adversus regnum. 11 And there shall be great earthquakes in divers places, and pestilences, and famines, and terrors from heaven; and there shall be great signs.Et terraemotus magni erunt per loca, et pestilentiae, et fames, terroresque de caelo, et signa magna erunt. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands upon you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons, dragging you before kings and governors, for my name's sake.Sed ante haec omnia injicient vobis manus suas, et persequentur tradentes in synagogas et custodias, trahentes ad reges et praesides propter nomen meum : 13 And it shall happen unto you for a testimony.continget autem vobis in testimonium. 14 Lay it up therefore into your hearts, not to meditate before how you shall answer:Ponite ergo in cordibus vestris non praemeditari quemadmodum respondeatis : 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist and gainsay.ego enim dabo vobis os et sapientiam, cui non poterunt resistere et contradicere omnes adversarii vestri. 16 And you shall be betrayed by your parents and brethren, and kinsmen and friends; and some of you they will put to death.Trademini autem a parentibus, et fratribus, et cognatis, et amicis, et morte afficient ex vobis : 17 And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake.et eritis odio omnibus propter nomen meum : 18 But a hair of your head shall not perish.et capillus de capite vestro non peribit. 19 In your patience you shall possess your souls.In patientia vestra possidebitis animas vestras.St Vincent, deacon of Saragossa in Spain, suffered martyrdom in the persecution of Diocletian A.D. 304.St Anastassius, a monk of Persia, was put to death with seventy other Christians under Chosroes A.D. 628.

17 And coming down with them, he stood in a plain place, and the company of his disciples, and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast both of Tyre and Sidon,Et descendens cum illis, stetit in loco campestri, et turba discipulorum ejus, et multitudo copiosa plebis ab omni Judaea, et Jerusalem, et maritima, et Tyri, et Sidonis, 18 Who were come to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits, were cured.qui venerant ut audirent eum, et sanarentur a languoribus suis. Et qui vexabantur a spiritibus immundis, curabantur. 19 And all the multitude sought to touch him, for virtue went out from him, and healed all.Et omnis turba quaerebat eum tangere : quia virtus de illo exibat, et sanabat omnes. 20 And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.Et ipse elevatis oculis in discipulis suis, dicebat : Beati pauperes, quia vestrum est regnum Dei. 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.Beati qui nunc esuritis, quia saturabimini. Beati qui nunc fletis, quia ridebitis. 22 Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.Beati eritis cum vos oderint homines, et cum separaverint vos, et exprobraverint, et ejicerint nomen vestrum tamquam malum propter Filium hominis. 23 Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.Gaudete in illa die, et exsultate : ecce enim merces vestra multa est in caelo : secundum haec enim faciebant prophetis patres eorum.St Fabian, Supreme Pontiff, suffered martyrdom in the persecution of Decius, A.D. 250.St Sebastian, an officer of the imperial cohort, was pierced with arrows in the persecution of Diocletian; but he recovered, and the emperor condemned him to be flogged to death A.D. 284.

Friends of the Rosary,Jesus defeated the old world of sin and darkness, shielding us with His divine body and blood against the fury of the Evil One and his minions and collaborators.And though the second coming and the establishment of God's kingdom haven't taken place yet, the old world is broken and compromised. Its destruction is now just a matter of time.The arrival of a new state of affairs is imminent, as Bishop Barron says.Jesus came to heal the sick, the deaf, and the blind, to forgive the enemies, and to bring the good news through love. With His resurrection, He opened the door of our eternal life of joy and love for all.Today in the Gospel (Luke 4:14–22), Jesus declares that he fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.”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• January 8, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Friday after Epiphany Saint of the Day: St. Marciana of Mauretania; virgin martyr of Mauretania, was ac­cused of vandalizing a statue of the goddess Diana; after torments, Marciana was gored by a bull and mauled by a leopard in the amphitheater of Caesarea, also in Mauretania, in 303 A.D.; she is invoked to cure wounds Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/9/26 Gospel: Luke 5:12-16

Thursday after Epiphany Saint of the Day: St. Severinus of Noricum; Fifth Century monk, hermit, and founder; evangelized the region of Noricum (part of modern day Austria), establishing a number of monasteries along the Danube River; he gave aid and comfort to the many refugees and victims of the invasion of the region by Attila and the Huns; he was known for his preaching and prophecies; Severinus died in 482 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/8/26 Gospel: Luke 4:14-22

Gospel  Luke 2:36-40 There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Reflection When someone is being infused with truth and they know something and believe it so deeply, it is very hard to change their mind. And what we see in this story of Anna, a prophetess, is her diligence in seeking a truth, an awareness. She was in the temple always, and what she was always seeking was some understanding, some knowledge of what was going to happen when the Messiah actually came. She longed for it, she fasted for it, she struggled to understand it. And then she's rewarded in the sense with an invitation from God to be present in the temple when Jesus was there with Mary and Joseph, and she knew somehow, deep inside of her, this was the new beginning of Christianity. Closing Prayer Father, keep us vigilant. Keep us seeking always a desire to know you, to find you, to receive your gifts. We get distracted, we get so many other things going on in our life, but bless us with a focus on what is most essential, our understanding of who you are and what you are doing in our life for us. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Officiant: Mtr. Lisa Meirow, Psalm(s): Psalm 93, 96, Fr. Wiley Ammons, Old Testament: 1 Samuel 1:1-2, 7b-28, Fr. Wiley Ammons, First Canticle: 16, New Testament: Colossians 1:9-20, Fr. Wiley Ammons, Second Canticle: 21, Gospel: Luke 2:22-40, Mtr. Lisa Meirow. Logo image by Antonio Allegretti, used by permission.