Podcasts about his body

jesus christ church fifth sunday his body

Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2026 6:41

May 9, 2026Today's Reading: Introit for Easter 6 - Psalm 66:1-2a, 17, 19-20; antiphon: Isaiah 48:20bDaily Lectionary: Leviticus 26:21-33, 39-44; Numbers 1:1-2:34; Luke 14:1-24“Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!” (Psalm 66:20)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! Amen. Our God is a God who wants to hear our prayers. The psalmist confesses his iniquity and knows that his heart has turned from God. Even in the darkest times, God has heard his cries for help and pleas for mercy. It is not God that is far off; rather, it is man who has abandoned God in his sin. He has turned his back on God and sought after the desires of his sinful heart.In this world, the attacks from sin, satan, and the world are relentless. The temptation to follow our own desires of the flesh is always before us. Satan does not take a day off or the world a vacation when it comes to pulling us away from the one true God. In sin we seek after the lusts of the flesh. In sin, we want to work out our problems on our own. We rationalize God to be far off and out of touch with the realities that confront us. We meditate on our own wishes and reason our own solutions to the struggles that confront us. God has not abandoned us. He has not forsaken us. Our God is a God of mercy and compassion. He is a God who desires our prayers. He wants nothing more than for us to lift our prayers and petitions to Him. He hears our prayers. As the Psalmist writes, “...He has not rejected my prayer or removed His steadfast love from me.” In humility and humbleness, we petition our Father that His will may be done through us. He shapes and forms us as the potter shapes the clay. We are His vessels to serve in the vocations that He has equipped us for from before the foundations of the world. As we journey towards the end of the Easter season, we are comforted by the words of the Psalmist in knowing that our Father in Heaven always hears our prayers. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are pointed back to our Baptism where we are marked with His word and water. We are drawn to the Communion rail where He feeds us with His healing balm of His Body and Blood. In His Holy Word, the Savior is revealed, and the message of forgiveness is placed upon our ears. In faith, we lift up our prayers to an ever-loving God who does not reject our prayers.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.To God the Holy Spirit let us pray For the true faith needed on our way That He may defend us when life is ending And from exile home we are wending. Lord have mercy (LSB 768:1)Rev. Timothy Davis, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.

May 3, 2026. A Place For You

Catholic Jacks Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2026 15:34

May 3, 2026. Fifth Sunday of Easter homily by Fr. Matt Lowry about how Jesus has a place for us in heaven, in His heart, and in His Body, the Church. The way to find His path for us is to seek Jesus Himself. He is the Way, the Path, and the Place.

How Juicero's Founder Rebuilt His Life After Public Failure l Doug Evans

One Day with Jon Bier

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2026 62:36

Sponsored By:→ Neuro | Go to https://getneuro.com and use code ONEDAY at checkout for 15% OFF your entire order.DescriptionHe raised $135 million, built one of Silicon Valley's most hyped companies, watched it collapse in public, and then disappeared into the Mojave Desert with a yurt and a hot spring and no one to talk to.Jon Bier sits down with Doug Evans, founder of Organic Avenue, founder of Juicero, and now founder of The Sprouting Company, for one of the most raw conversations about failure, identity, and what it actually takes to rise from the wreckage. Doug didn't pivot. He didn't rebrand. He went to the desert, lived alone for over a year, started growing sprouts out of necessity, and slowly rebuilt himself from the inside out. What came next was an eight-figure business, a wife, a daughter at 56, and a clarity about what life is actually for that most people never find.This is a story about the second mountain. And how you only find it after everything else burns down.In this episode: • The real story behind Juicero's collapse — what the Bloomberg hit piece got wrong, what Doug got wrong, and why he takes 100% of the responsibility • How living alone in the Mojave Desert on nothing but sprouts became the unlikely foundation for a new company, a new life, and a completely different relationship with success • Why delusional confidence isn't a flaw — it's the only ingredient that actually works for founders who are building something nobody else believes in yetFind Doug: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dougevans/ • The Sprouting Company: https://www.thesproutingcompany.com • The Sprout Book: https://www.thesproutbook.comTimestamps:0:00 - Intro1:40 - Meet Doug Evans: Organic Avenue, Juicero & the Sprouting Company 2:42 - Taking 100% Responsibility for the Failure 4:00 - What Really Killed Juicero (It Wasn't the Product) 8:26 - Going to the Desert: Isolation, a Yurt & Hot Springs 9:57 - What Brought Him Back: Nature, Stillness & Sprouts 11:09 - 30 Days on Sprouts Only & What Happened to His Body 15:21 - Hitting Rock Bottom at TED: Shame, No Name Tag & Meeting Mike Posner 18:33 - Why Investors Still Backed Him After the Biggest Silicon Valley Failure20:10 - Why Sprouting Is a Better Business Than Juicing 24:47 - How the Fire Gave Him Everything: Wife, Daughter & His Second Mountain 31:42 - Growing Up in Chaos: From Paratrooper to Degenerate Friends to the Army 35:05 - Seven Years Working for Paul Rand for Free (And Talking to Steve Jobs) 45:45 - You Have to Be Delusional to Be a Great Entrepreneur 50:01 - How Much of the Glow Is the Sprouts? 54:44 - Broccoli Sprout Water & Breaking Through to 100 Push-Ups at 60 57:18 - Founder Energy vs. CEO Energy & Pure Presence

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Homily - The Myrrhbearers, the Living Christ, and the Living Church

OrthoAnalytika

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2026 11:53

On the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers, this homily examines the temptation to treat Christ as a figure of the past rather than the Living Lord. It explores how even faithful Christians can reduce Him to something studied at a distance—especially in an age of endless religious content. Grounded in the Church's sacramental and communal life, the message calls us to encounter Christ where He truly speaks: in His Body. The result is both comforting and demanding, as the living Christ not only teaches, but calls us to repentance and transformation. Enjoy the show! --- Homily for the Myrrhbearers St. Mark 15:43–16:8; Acts 6:1–7 Today we celebrate the holy Myrrhbearers: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, the most holy Theotokos, Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas, Joanna, Salome, Mary and Martha, and Susanna—those who loved Christ enough to come to Him even in death. Their love is beautiful. It is courageous. It is faithful. But it is also, in one very important way, mistaken. They came to anoint a corpse. They came expecting silence, stillness, finality. They came to do one last act of love for someone who was no longer present to receive it. And that is where we must be careful—because we can do the same thing. We sing again and again, "Christ is Risen!" But how often do we live as if He were not? Think about how we relate to the dead. We remember them. We honor them. We reflect on their words. We study what they said, and we try to apply it to our lives. But we do not expect them to speak to us now. We do not expect them to guide us in real time. And this is exactly how many Christians treat Christ. We treat Him as a figure from the past—a great teacher, whose words are preserved in a fixed collection of texts. If we want to know what He thinks, we go back and study what He said, like we would with Plato or any other historical figure. Please—do not misunderstand me. We need the Scriptures. We must study them. But if that is all we are doing—if Christ is only someone we study—then we are treating Him as if He were dead. Because if He were truly risen—if He were truly alive—then we would expect Him to still be teaching. And He is. Christ is alive—not only in heaven—but here and now. He lives in the hearts of the faithful. He lives in His sacraments. He lives most fully as the Head of His Body—the Church. And that means something very concrete: the Church is not a memory. She is not a museum. She is not an archive. She is alive. And here is where the danger comes in—because just as we can treat Christ as if He were dead, we can also treat the Church as if she were dead. We do this when we reduce her to an institution, when we treat her traditions as relics instead of life, when we experience the Liturgy as repetition instead of encounter, and when we assume that nothing truly happens here—nothing new, nothing real—only the preservation of the past. We do this when we think, "I already know what the Church says," "I'll decide how to apply it," or "I'll take what is helpful." But a living body does not work that way. If Christ is alive, then His Body is alive. And if His Body is alive, then it speaks—not just in the past, but now. In the hymns, in the prayers, in the canons, in the counsel of those who are faithful and wise, in the real, sometimes difficult life of the parish—where we are taught through living out our salvation with one another, in patience, repentance, and love—and in the quiet voice that speaks when we have learned to be still. And this leads to the second reaction—the more difficult one. It is one thing to doubt that Christ is speaking. It is another thing to realize that He is. Because "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31). A dead teacher can be interpreted. A living Lord must be obeyed. A dead teacher can be studied at a distance. A living Lord sees you, knows you, and calls you to change. And here is one of the ways we avoid this. We listen to the Church—but at a distance. We listen through podcasts, through videos, through discussions online. We hear sermons, teachings, arguments, explanations. And again, these things can be good. But notice what happens when this becomes our primary way of listening. We receive the words, but not the life. We hear, but we are not known. We learn, but we are not accountable. We can pause it, skip it, choose one voice over another, agree or disagree without consequence. In other words, we remain in control. But that is not how the living Christ teaches. The living Christ teaches through His Body—a Body that we must enter, a Body that sees us, a Body that corrects us, a Body that calls us to repentance, a Body that we cannot curate or control. You can learn about Christ anywhere, but you can only be taught by Him within His Body. To receive Christ only as content—even Orthodox content—is still, in a subtle way, to treat Him as if He were not fully alive. Because the Risen Christ does not simply inform us; He forms us. It is much easier to interpret what Christ said two thousand years ago—indeed, much easier to interpret what the Councils and Fathers said hundreds of years ago—than it is to hear what He is saying to you today. Because interpretation can be shaped by our pride, by our ego. Obedience cannot. So how do we learn from the living Christ? The answer is not new. We give our lives—our bodies, our minds, our souls—to Him and to His Church. We pray. We enter into the Liturgy. We love our neighbor. We learn from the Fathers. We seek counsel. We quiet ourselves so that we can hear—not because this is a system, but because this is where He is: ministering to us, teaching us, healing us, enlightening us. The Myrrhbearers came looking for the dead. Instead, they encountered the Living One. And that is the same invitation given to us. Do not come here to remember Christ. Do not come here to study Him from a distance. Do not come here as if nothing real is happening. Come here to meet Him. Because He is not in the tomb. He is not confined to history. Christ is risen. Indeed He is risen—and He is with us, here, now, and always.

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Sound Mind Set

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2026 10:01

This week in our look at finding stability in a season of instability, today and tomorrow, we will focus on the support we all need within a solid and supportive community.When we come to Christ, we are grafted into His family tree. We become a part of His body. That's what the Bible teaches. We enter into an eternal community where we have a definite and intentional place in which we fit right now.Listen to Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 … The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. … But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? … But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. … The eye can never say to the hand, “I don't need you.” The head can't say to the feet, “I don't need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it.If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, you are included in that passage. You belong to this body that Paul is talking about. You count. You fit. You are in that community with a unique place.Is there a community you need to separate yourself from?Are there some toxic relationships you keep allowing to hurt you?Are you needing a place to fit and do life to secure you inside a healthy community?You are in the Body of Christ, but are you in a physical community of believers?If not, what steps do you need to take today to find your place and your space?But always remember—God has not only prepared a place for you in Heaven, but a place here in His Body, His community, until You join Him. He's made all the arrangements for eternity but we have a responsibility for what we do while we are here.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for the Body of Christ. Thank You for Your community and Your kingdom here. Help me to always take my place in You and with those I need to be connected to. As above, so below.”

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The Kingdom Passover – Entering Through the Blood of Christ

Live Behind The Veil

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2026 10:21 Transcription Available

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary This conversation reveals that the Kingdom Passover is the spiritual doorway into God's Kingdom, made possible through the crucifixion and blood of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes that this is not about human effort, but about receiving what Christ has already accomplished through grace and faith. Through His blood, believers enter into God's presence, stand in His victory, and participate in the unfolding Kingdom on earth. The message highlights unity, transformation, trust, and the present reality of walking in Christ's authority as part of His Body. Show Notes 1. The Cross as the Door into the Kingdom Christ's crucifixion is thekey to the Kingdom PassoverHis death opened anew door from one age into anotherThe Kingdom is entered through His sacrifice, not human works 2. The Blood Covenant and New Covenant Reality The covenant in Christ's blood iseverything for believersIt is based onwhat God has already done, not what we doThe Passover representsappropriation of Christ's finished work 3. Access into God's Presence Through Christ's blood, believers:Enter God's presenceReceive redemption and grace Ongoing transformation still comes by believing Him 4. Inclusion of All Creation God's plan includesall creation through ChristThe Kingdom removes divisions:“Neither Jew nor Greek…” A new creation reality is emerging through His blood 5. Standing in Victory and Authority Believers stand in:Christ's victoryThe rest of God Authority comes through positioning in Him, not striving 6. Manifestation of the Kingdom on Earth The Kingdom is not distant—it iscoming into this realmChrist is being revealed through His peopleHis Body becomes the vessel of Kingdom expression 7. God's Appointed Times and Revelation The feasts areappointed times of revelationGod is unveiling things previously hiddenBelievers are called to live withanticipation and faith 8. Grace, Faith, and Trust Salvation and walking in God are by:Grace + Faith Trust becomes a deep, unwavering response Walking with God becomes an automatic reflex of trust 9. Living in the “Now” of God The Kingdom is not future only—it ispresent (“today”)Believers must remove delay and excusesThe call is to step intoimmediate obedience and reality 10. Walking in Openness and Truth Victory comes through:Transparency before GodThe Word as a sword Not through worldly systems or duplicity Key Quotes “The key to the Passover of the kingdom was Christ's crucifixion.”“That door that Christ opened… was so necessary.”“The covenant that He made in His blood is everything to us.”“By grace we've been saved through faith.”“I don't care what's coming… I trust what the Lord's doing.”“We are in Christ… walking in His victory.”“It's now. It's today.”“You prevail as you stand… before the Lord with the sword.”“God is our provision… this is a new day.” Scriptural References Exodus 12The original Passover (foundation of the concept)John 1 (29)Christ as the Lamb of GodHebrews 10 (19–22)Access to God through the blood of JesusJeremiah 31 (31)The New CovenantEphesians 2 (8–9)Saved by grace through faithGalatians 3 (28)No Jew or Greek, one in ChristRomans 8 (19–21)Creation included in redemption

Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter - The Satiation You Desire

Homilies from the National Shrine

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2026 7:41

Read OnlineJesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe.” John 6:35–36Some who listened to Jesus' Bread of Life Discourse must have been shocked. Those who listened with faith began to believe in Him, even though their understanding was not complete. Those who listened with skepticism were not only shocked but angered, as evidenced by their reaction. Today's Gospel marks Jesus' clearest revelation of His divine identity and mission, inviting us to accept Him into our lives.After proclaiming Himself to be the Bread of Life, Jesus reveals His unity with the Father in Heaven Who sent Him on His mission. He proclaims that He “will not reject anyone who comes to” Him because He “came down from heaven” to do the will of the Father Who sent Him. Jesus concludes with a declaration about the Father's will and Jesus' mission: “Everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day” (cf. John 6:37–40). Again, without the ears of faith, what Jesus revealed must have been shocking.At that time, the people of Israel were used to listening to rabbis who interpreted the Law of Moses, the psalms, and the prophets for them. These educated teachers often spoke clearly and with authority, but never like Jesus. His clarity and authority were pronounced, and His message He taught was new. Not even the prophets of old spoke like Him. When they prophesied, they usually began by saying, “Thus says the Lord…” Jesus' teaching took a drastic shift by essentially proclaiming, “I AM the Lord…”Though some might have been skeptical and critical, it's important for us to consider those who were humble of heart who listened to Jesus' words with openness and faith. As they heard this new and amazing teaching, their hearts would have responded, “Yes!”, while their minds would have said, “I don't understand.”When we experience the gift of faith, we will find we have that same reaction. God's revealed and mysterious truths often stir our spirits first, calling us to believe, and only once we believe, is clarity given. In fact, faith often precedes understanding, inviting us to trust first and receive deeper insights in time. For that reason, we must understand that belief does not require perfect understanding. It's appropriate to believe in our spirit, even though our minds have not yet grasped the truth we believe. This is especially the case with the Eucharist.Saint John Vianney once said, “There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.” Do you believe that? Of all the material possessions we might obtain in this life, nothing is more valuable, important, or precious than the Eucharist. Why? Because the Eucharist is Jesus Himself. He is the Bread of Life. His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity enter our souls when we receive this precious gift.After Jesus said to the crowds, “whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst,” He said that some would not believe in Him. But those who do believe, despite an incomplete understanding of the Eucharist, are promised they will “never hunger” and “never thirst.” Clearly, the hunger and thirst Jesus speaks of are far greater than physical needs. It's the longing that comes from the depths of our being, desiring fulfillment, contentment, and peace. It's a desire to be made whole, free from guilt and shame, satisfied beyond any natural satisfaction. This is the Eucharist. Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, desiring to satisfy our souls' every longing. Reflect today on Jesus' invitation to satiate your soul's deepest hunger and thirst through the Eucharist. He calls you to a personal encounter, to find in Him the true satisfaction that the world cannot give. We attempt to acquire that satiation through many passing means, such as pleasures, comforts, indulgences, wealth, and prestige. None of it works. As you look into your soul and identify the many longings you have, turn to Him alone Who satisfies. Renew your faith in the Eucharist and receive the satiation He desires to bestow. My Eucharistic Lord, You have promised that if I come to You, You will satisfy my deepest longings, every hunger and thirst. I do come to You and believe that You are the Bread of Life, the only means to the Father. I renew my faith in Your True Presence in the Eucharist and pray that every time I receive You, my heart will be open to Your transforming love. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Sermon on the Mount Stained Glass via AdobeSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

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Don't Ask "Why?" - Fr. Anthony Gramlich | 4/17/26

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2026 20:34

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041726.cfmFather Anthony Gramlich, MIC, challenges us to stop asking "Why, God?" when we face suffering or confusion, warning that we will never receive an answer in this life. He explains that God often allows us to walk through experiences without understanding to test and strengthen our faith, revealing His plan only years later or in Heaven. Drawing from the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Fr. Anthony highlights how the Apostles initially panicked, unable to see the solution, until a little boy offered his small lunch in faith. Jesus multiplied this offering through the Apostles, feeding 5,000 and leaving 12 baskets of leftovers.Father Anthony reveals the deeper spiritual meaning: This miracle is a sign of the Eucharist. The five loaves and two fish symbolize the humanity and divinity of Christ, distributed through the Church (represented by the 12baskets, one for each Apostle) to nourish our souls. He connects the Passover context to the Last Supper, showing how the Apostles later understood that Jesus was instituting the Mass to feed us with His Body and Blood. Even when we cannot understand God's plan, we are called to trust Him. Father Anthony encourages those unable to receive sacramental Communion to make a spiritual communion, asking the Blessed Virgin Mary to offer perfect thanksgiving on our behalf. Ultimately, we must have faith that God is working for our good, even when His ways remain a mystery. ★ Support this podcast ★

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

jesus christ lord spirit water blood holy spirit reading savior drink baptism amen his word alleluia second week our lord jesus christ his body lsb

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2026 5:33

April 14, 2026Today's Reading: 1 John 5:4-10Daily Lectionary: Exodus 23:14-33; Luke 4:31-44“For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.” (1 John 5:7-8)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.What testimony is this that John writes? What testimony are the three, the Spirit, the water, and the blood, in agreement? This is not concerning manifesting faith within us, or that we accept the Lord Jesus into our hearts. Rather it is this, “The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul write: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”The Spirit points to the One who died, whose side poured out water and blood that brings life for all who receive them. You receive this life-giving testimony in your Baptism and are given a new identity through the washing of the water and the Word. In Baptism, you receive the Holy Spirit, who brings you who were dead to faith in the testimony concerning your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through water and the Spirit, you are given new life and a Savior who is with you through all weakness, pain, and even death. There with you, leading you from this life, through death, to eternity.He gives you His Body and Blood, which is given to you through His Word, and bread and wine. To strengthen and keep you all the days of your life. That's what these three are for. Because it is not by your reason or strength that you are saved, that you have faith, or that you endure. Rather, it is by these three that unite you to the One who endured and has overcome death and the grave, and so shall you. These three testify, and these three agree. By them, you are united with your Lord Jesus now, and just as He died and rose again, so will you. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Water, blood, and Spirit crying, By their witness testifying To the One whose death-defying Life has come, with life for all. (LSB 597:1)

08 Apr 26 – Dignity of Life Beliefs Revealed by How We Dress

The Terry & Jesse Show

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2026 50:58

Today’s Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Father Charles Murr joins Terry Gospel – Luke 24:13-35 – That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus Himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to Him in reply, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And He replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to Him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, Who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed Him over to a sentence of death and crucified Him. But we were hoping that He would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that He was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but Him they did not see.” And He said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them what referred to Him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, He gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while He was with them at table, He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, but He vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. Bishop Sheen quote of the day

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Church Consciousness 2.0; The Value System Of The Church [Part XIV] — Alexander 'PAV' Victor

jesus christ church body salvation phone consciousness his body value system

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2026 65:02

“Salvation joins a believer to CHRiSt, union with CHRiSt joins the believer to the Body of CHRiSt.” In this second look into Church Consciousness, we explore the responsibility of the Church in stewarding the value imputed by CHRiSt, to the members of His Body. For inquires & bookings: Phone: +234 708 881 8864 Email: info@thebasileiacommisssion.org Twitter | Instagram: @WAHthehurch Facebook: @TheBasileiaCommission | @WAHthechurch

“The Resurrection: God's Gamechanger!” April 5, 2026 1 Peter 1:3-5; Romans 15:13; John 11:25, 26

Sfmin

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2026 27:06

“The Resurrection: God's Gamechanger!” April 5, 2026 1 Peter 1:3-5; Romans 15:13; John 11:25, 26 The Resurrection: The Basis of Our HOPE! Hope: the energy in the Spirit to Reach! Our Hope may be redefined, but never ultimately defeated! Hope is the “Forerunner” of Faith, without which we cannot please God. (Hebrews 11:6) Ephesians 1:15-23: A God-Given Prayer For You on “Resurrection Day” The spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Him (intimately, personally) “Eyes of our heart”; “get it”; deep knowing! Hope of His calling: Out of and into! Riches re: to His Inheritance! (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) death life; darkness/light; disease/health; anger, bitterness/forgiveness; fear, shame/perfect Love; rejection/acceptance; pride/humility; lack/provision; despair/Hope; chaos/order! The exceeding (more than enough) power/authority to those who believe, in line and in partnership with, in connection to …. The Resurrection and Seating (positioning) of Christ! Above: greater than, superior to, FAR ABOVE …. Every spiritual enemy! …. NOW AND FOREVER! The Resurrection Connection is the Birthright of His Church, His Body! (Ephesians 1:22, 23) ✸ HOPE vs. DISAPPOINTMENT HOPE is ESSENTIAL to Spiritual Function (Hebrews 11:1) and is centered in the Spirit! DISAPPOINTMENT is CIRCUMSTANTIALLY motivated and centered in the emotions/mind. Its nature is temporary. Hope functions even with disappointment manifested.

Homily - The Dangerous Joy of Palm Sunday

OrthoAnalytika

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2026 11:23

Philippians 4:4-9; John 12:1-18 Palm Sunday reveals both our love for Christ and our temptation to abandon Him when He does not meet our expectations. This homily invites us to see ourselves in the Gospel, to embrace the deeper work of transformation, and to follow the King who leads us not to comfort, but to life through the Cross. --- Palm Sunday Homily 2026 For the Jews two thousand years ago, today was the culmination of their long waiting: the Messiah had come to save them. "Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!" It is a great day for us as well—the end of Great Lent, the celebration of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We take up the first fruits of spring—palm leaves and pussy willows—not just as decoration, but as a sign of renewal. The winter of waiting is over. Christ has come among His people. As the Church sings in the Triodion: "Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together, and we all take up Thy Cross and say: Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord." And more than that: He has come into our lives. This feast is not only about what happened in Jerusalem long ago. It is about the moment when Christ entered into our own story—when we first recognized Him as Lord, when we opened our hearts to Him, when we felt the relief of His presence. For many of us, that moment was marked by healing: the easing of despair, the forgiveness of sins, the restoration of hope. And so we cried out: "Hosanna in the Highest—the King has come to save!" Not just Israel. Me. But here is where the Gospel becomes dangerous for us. Because the people who cried "Hosanna" were not wrong to rejoice. They were wrong about what that joy meant. They loved Christ because He met their expectations. He healed the sick. He raised the dead. He gave them hope that their visible, worldly problems would be solved. Of course they loved Him. And we do the same. We love Christ when He meets our expectations: when He brings peace when He answers prayers the way we want when He restores what we think should be restored We love the Church for the same reason: when it comforts us when it feels like home when it confirms what we already believe We cry "Hosanna" when Christ—and His Body, the Church—fit into the life we already want. But then something happens. Christ moves beyond our expectations. He refuses to remain what we first loved Him for. And here the Church gives us words that both celebrate and correct us. In the hymns of this feast, we sing: "Seated in heaven upon Thy throne and on earth upon a colt, O Christ God, Thou hast accepted the praise of the angels and the song of the children who cried unto Thee: Blessed art Thou who hast come to call back Adam." He comes as King—but not the kind of king we expect. He comes not to confirm our plans—but to restore Adam. And this is why Lent has prepared us. All through the season, in the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, we have been taught how to read Scripture: "I alone have sinned against Thee." "I am the one who has fallen." We are not spectators in the Gospel. We are participants. So when the crowd turns from "Hosanna" to rejection— we do not say, "they did this." We say: "I am capable of this." We are the ones who welcome Christ when He fits our expectations —and are tempted to abandon Him when He does not. And this is not just about Christ in abstraction. It is about Christ in His Body—the Church. We love the Church when it gives us what we expect: beauty stability meaning But when the Church calls us to something harder— to repentance to forgiveness to self-denial —we can become disappointed. Even resistant. Even tempted to step back. But that later moment—the moment of disappointment— is often more important than the moment of joy. Because that is the moment when Christ is no longer fitting into our life— He is transforming it. And this transformation is not accidental. As Maximus the Confessor teaches, the spiritual life is the purification and reordering of our desires. We begin by loving God for what He gives us—but we are called to love Him for Himself. What begins as expectation must be healed into communion. We see this even in the Liturgy. In the Great Entrance, Christ comes among us. He is received with honor and reverence. But then a turn is made; the stairs up the amvon to the altar are the mountain of Golgotha. And His throne is revealed—not as a seat of earthly glory— but as an altar of sacrifice. And the hymns of this Great Feast prepare us even for this. We sing: "Today the Master of creation and the Lord of glory enters Jerusalem seated on a colt. He hastens to His Passion, to fulfill the Law and the Prophets." The One we welcomed in joy— is already going to the Cross. This is the truth the crowd did not expect. And it is the truth we struggle with. Christ does not come simply to solve our problems. He comes to transform us. Not to meet our expectations— but to purify them. Not to give us the life we imagined— but to give us His life. So today we are given a choice. When Christ meets our expectations, we rejoice. But when He overturns them—when He exceeds them—when He leads us through the Cross— what will we do then? Will we turn away? Or will we follow Him still? Some saw this day as the end—the fulfillment of everything they had hoped for. But it was not the end. It was the beginning. The beginning of a path that leads through suffering, through death— and into resurrection. So do not make your heart a place that welcomes Christ only on your terms. Do not turn your heart into a tomb for the King. Let it be His throne. Receive Him not only in triumph—but in sacrifice. Not only in consolation—but in transformation. Because He will not remain what we expect. And thanks be to God— He will become something far greater. "Let us also, like the children, bear the symbols of victory, and cry out to the Conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord."

April 4, 2026, Holy Saturday and Easter Vigil, Holy Rosary (Joyful Mysteries) | Sixth Anniversary of the Rosary Network

Daily Rosary

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2026 30:08

Friends of the Rosary,Today, April 4, is Holy Saturday (from Sabbatum Sanctum, its official liturgical name), the day of the Lord's rest. Jesus rests in peace in the grave, and the faithful sit near and mourn, after the intense battle against sin and death, and now a victorious triumph over evil. It's a calm and quiet day.The Church, united with Mary and the apostles, remains in prayer and faith at the Lord's tomb, meditating on his Passion and Death, on his Descent into Hell, and awaiting his Resurrection.The body of Jesus lies in the tomb, but his soul has descended into hell, or to the realm of the dead, to announce liberation from darkness to his ancestors and deliver the righteous.The body of the Church is represented in the Blessed Virgin Mary: she is the "credentium collectio universa" (Congregation for Divine Worship,The mortal wounds on His Body, the scars of intense suffering, remain visible. Jesus' enemies are still furious, attempting to erase the very memory of the Lord by lies and slander.No liturgies are celebrated until the Easter Vigil at night. The silence of Holy Saturday ends at sundown with the Easter Vigil, which marks the start of Easter Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.The Easter Vigil signifies the transition from darkness to light and from death to life.It's the longest and most dramatic service of the year; it often lasts over two hours, depending on the number of readings and baptisms. It features four parts:• Service of Light: Begins in darkness, with a fire lit outside the church to light the Paschal Candle, symbolizing Christ breaking the darkness of sin.• Service of Readings: Multiple readings from the Old and New Testaments recount salvation history, from creation to resurrection.• Service of Initiation and Baptism: The blessing of water, used for baptismal regeneration and renewal of our baptismal vows. We see the celebration of baptisms, with those being baptized, symbolizing new life, wearing white Garments and holding lit candles.• Service of the Eucharist: The first mass of Easter, marking a joyous celebration of the Eucharist.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• April 4, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

The Twelfth Station: The Last Supper

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Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2026 8:50

The twelfth station: The Last Supper. We've heard the words so many times: “This is my Body… This is my Blood…” But do we really understand what's happening? The Eucharist is not just a meal. It's not just presence. It is sacrifice. At the Last Supper, Jesus gives us access to Calvary — to His Body given up and His Blood poured out. And at every Mass, that same sacrifice is made present. You are not just remembering something… You are there.

The Eleventh Station: The Bread of Life Discourse

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Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2026 6:38

The eleventh station: The Bread of Life Discourse (John 6). Jesus makes it clear: “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life within you.” These are not easy words. But they are life-changing. From the tree in the Garden… to the tree of the Cross… God is restoring what was lost. In the Eucharist, Jesus gives us everything — His Body, His Blood, His very life. And when we receive Him… He heals us.

Station 10: The Multiplication of the Loaves

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Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2026 5:57

The tenth station: The Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. Jesus takes what seems small… and feeds thousands. He takes. He blesses. He breaks. He gives. And this miracle isn't just something that happened once. At every Mass, Jesus still feeds us — with His Body and His Blood. In abundance. But He can only multiply what we give Him. So the question is: What are you offering? What are you holding back? God wants to take your life, bless it, break it, and give it for the world.

Wednesday in Holy Week

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2026 7:28

Today's Reading: Luke 22:1-23:56Daily Lectionary: Exodus 10:21-11:10; Lamentations 3:1-66; Hebrews 4:1-16“‘Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.' Peter said to him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.' Jesus said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.'” (Luke 22:31-34)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Exorcism and possession are popular topics for media in our age, which seems to have moved from outright secularism to acceptance of all spiritualities. In the popular imagination, these possessions culminate in a violent and dramatic force of wills between a protagonist and a demonic entity. Fiction makes it seem as if we must either use our own strength to battle the darkness, or employ some secret knowledge, or sometimes invoke the name of Jesus, like an ancient protection spell. But this text shows us what is really going on behind the curtain of the spiritual world. Here, Jesus directly tells Peter that Satan demanded possession of him, and instead of responding with fear, trembling, or even trust in Jesus, Peter makes a declarative statement about the strength of his own faith. Peter is certain he would never fail in his love for Jesus. He is certain about the strength of his own faith. Luke doesn't tell us here how Peter responded to Jesus's disclosure. I wonder if Peter argued with him? I suspect he did. Luke does tell us a few verses later that Jesus was, of course, correct in his prophecy, and Peter weeps bitterly as he understands his own betrayal in light of Christ's words. How foolish he must have felt, first to declare his certainty, then to be explicitly warned by Jesus, and yet still fall into denying him three separate times! But Peter's story here gives us hope. The Word of Christ will so often call us back from our own sin, our own failings, the temptations that we have fallen into, and have spent days, months, or years justifying. The realization of our deep failings, in light of Christ's love and mercy, can feel like a deep betrayal of all we have been called to be in this world. Yet we do not have to rely on the strength of our own faith, the purity of our love and devotion, or anything within us to keep us in the love of Christ. Rather, we can look to Him who thwarts the devil's demands with His Word, His action, His Body and Blood for all who trust in him. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.If my sins give me alarm And my conscience grieve me, Let Your cross my fear disarm; Peace of conscience give me. Help me see forgiveness won By Your holy passion If for me He slays His Son God must have compassion! (LSB 440:5)

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Wednesday of Holy Week - Perceiving Jesus as Lord

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2026 7:23

Read Online“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me.” Matthew 26:21–23The Last Supper was both a glorious moment of grace and a painful moment of betrayal. During that meal, Jesus instituted the Eucharist, the gift of His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity that perpetuates His saving sacrifice until the end of time. It was also at that holy meal that one of Jesus' closest companions lied to His face and resolved to betray Him for thirty pieces of silver.According to the Torah, if an ox killed a slave, the owner was required to pay the slave's master thirty pieces of silver. The holy irony is that Judas betrayed Jesus for the price of a slave, even though Jesus came to set all people free from the slavery of sin.When Jesus informs the Twelve that one of them would betray Him, He does so without anger or self-pity. His words reflect holy sorrow, accompanied by resignation, clarity, and gentleness. This sorrow is not merely sadness over His impending suffering but a loving sorrow for the lost soul of His betrayer. Deeply distressed, the disciples respond one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?”The Greek word Kyrios, used here for “Lord,” denotes authority, mastery, and divine lordship. It appears frequently in the New Testament, primarily in reference to Jesus. In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint), Kyrios replaces YHWH, the sacred and unspoken name of God, about 7,000 times. By addressing Jesus as Kyrios, the eleven recognize Him not only as their teacher but as the Messiah and Son of God. This title expresses a relationship of trust and reverence, acknowledging Jesus' divine authority.When Judas speaks, he replaces Kyrios with Rabbí—“Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”—a transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic term meaning “teacher.” While respectful, this address falls short of acknowledging Jesus as Kyrios, focusing on Him as a human teacher rather than as Lord, Messiah, and God. This distinction is subtle but significant, inviting us to reflect on how we approach Jesus during the Holy Mass, since this conversation took place at the Last Supper—the first Mass. Do we approach Him with the heart of Judas, recognizing Him only in an earthly sense, or with the faith of the other disciples, seeing Him as Lord?Judas did not hate Jesus. Unlike the Pharisees who sought His death, Judas regretted his betrayal, tried to return the thirty pieces of silver, and tragically “went off and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:3–5). His greatest failure was that he could not look beyond Jesus' humanity to perceive His divinity. His eyes were fixed on himself—particularly his greed and selfish desires. In a similar way, when we approach the Eucharist without faith, surrender, and adoration, we risk falling into Judas' error: focusing more on ourselves than on Christ.At Mass, we say, “Lord, have mercy,” not “Rabbi, have mercy.” This prayer must come from the depths of our hearts, recognizing our need for mercy with God as its source. When we kneel at the consecration, our hearts should cry out, “My Lord and my God!” Yet, how often are we distracted, thinking about our plans after Mass? When we neglect to approach Jesus in faith and reverence, we miss the opportunity to encounter Him as He truly is—our Lord and our God.Reflect today on how you participate in the Holy Mass. See yourself at the Last Supper, uniting that moment with every Mass you attend. Pray that you may receive Jesus with love, devotion, and reverence, looking beyond the appearance of bread and wine to encounter your Lord. My Lord and my God, I believe in You, I adore You, I hope in Your mercy, and I love You with all my heart. Please fill me with a deep faith in Your presence, especially every time I attend Mass. May I recognize my need for You and surrender completely to Your mercy and love. Jesus, I trust in You. Image: Bernard van Orley, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

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The Fourth Station: The Jewish Passover

god jesus christ man blood exodus lamb passover israelites eucharist his body jewish passover

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2026 9:00

In the Fourth Station of the Eucharist, we reflect on the Jewish Passover in Exodus 12. It was not enough for the Israelites to simply believe— they had to sacrifice the lamb, eat its flesh, and mark their doors with its blood. And through that obedience, they were saved. This moment points directly to Jesus. He is the true Lamb of God. And in the Eucharist, He gives us His Body and Blood— not as a symbol, but as the fulfillment of the Passover. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life within you.” The Eucharist is our Passover. Today, take time to reflect: Where is God calling you to greater obedience? And ask Him for the grace to love more deeply—because where there is love, there is obedience.

Church Consciousness 2.0; The Value System Of The Church [Part XIII] — Alexander 'PAV' Victor

jesus christ church body salvation phone consciousness xiii his body value system

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2026 84:46

The Power of the Christ V - Life in Our Mortal Bodies

Life in Christ Jesus Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2026 71:17

Romans 8:8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Christian, Ministry, Christ in you, Kingdom of God, Revelation of Jesus Christ, Fulfilled Eschatology, Resurrection Life, Life in our Mortal Bodies, The Coming of the Lord, The Lord lives in His Body, Christ Jesus is in the Church, The Fulness of God in Christ, Victorious Ending, Victorious Eschatology, The End Times, The End of the World, The End of the Age. Pastor Wayne Shelton awayne_shelton@icloud.com

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Church Consciousness 2.0; The Value System Of The Church [Part XII] — Alexander 'PAV' Victor

jesus christ church body salvation phone consciousness his body value system

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2026 101:26

Christ Speaking Through His Body

Live Behind The Veil

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2026 11:14 Transcription Available

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary This episode explores the reality of Christ expressing Himself through His Body. As believers grow in maturity and oneness, they begin to move beyond striving and into a deeper flow of the Spirit where the Lord speaks through yielded vessels. The cross becomes the pathway into this life, bringing the dying out of self so that Christ can live and minister through His people. Instead of relying on knowledge, religious systems, or personal effort, the Body of Christ is learning to trust the Spirit of God and enter into His rest. In that place of faith and surrender, believers become living channels of the Holy Spirit, speaking a living word and ministering Christ to one another in love, freedom, and unity. Show Notes Entering a Life in the Spirit The discussion begins with the recognition that believers are being drawn into a deeper experience of knowing the Lord by the Spirit and relating to one another in that same realm. God's purpose has never been centered on isolated individuals but on a corporate Body—a family and a Kingdom through which Christ can express Himself. Maturity and Oneness in the Body As the Body matures, there is a growing sense of unity and shared life. Ministry becomes less about individual effort and more about the collective expression of Christ flowing through His people. The Cross as the Pathway The cross remains central to spiritual growth. Through the process of dying to self and accepting the Lord's dealings, believers are transformed and brought into true sonship. What may seem like pressure or difficulty is actually God's loving work shaping His sons and daughters. Moving Beyond Religion into Spirit Many believers remain stuck in systems that operate at the level of the soul and flesh. Without the work of the cross, spiritual growth stalls. True life in the Spirit requires leaving behind religious striving and entering into genuine spiritual experience. Freedom From Striving As believers learn to trust the Spirit, they stop striving to perform or prove themselves. Instead, they begin to minister from the Lord's presence, allowing His Spirit to speak through them naturally. Christ Ministering Through His People When believers serve one another with love and faith, Christ Himself is ministering through them. The Spirit flows through simple acts of obedience, planting seeds, watering hearts, and allowing God to bring the increase. Entering Into God's Rest The conversation concludes with the call to enter into God's rest. This means trusting the Lord rather than relying on personal understanding, past experiences, or religious tradition. In this place of faith and surrender, the Holy Spirit flows freely and Christ speaks through His Body. Quotes Debbie: “We're coming into a place of spirit and a place of knowing the Lord by the Spirit, and knowing each other by the spirit.” Ron: “He wants a kingdom. He wants a family. He wants a body of Christ.” Ken: “You just jump into the water and go with it. The Lord creates something that you look back and you say, who spoke that word?” Ron: “This is what God's doing because He loves me and He wants me to be a son, and He wants me to come closer to Him.” Mike: “That which is spirit is spirit. That which is flesh is flesh and religion is flesh.” Ken: “When things drop off because of the cross, all of a sudden you realize how much lighter you are.” Ron: “We're not asking people to come to the Lord. We're creating an open door in their hearts.” Ken: “We're simply ministering out of the Lord's presence in the Spirit.” Ed: “You're ministering to your brother as if he is Christ.” Ron: “This is gonna be Christ speaking through me.” Scriptural References Galatians 2 (20) “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Matthew 28 (19) “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 25 (40) “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” John 3 (6) “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Hebrews 4 (9–11) “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” Proverbs 3 (5–6) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Philippians 1 (21) “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” 1 Corinthians 12 (27) “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” Takeaway Christ desires to express Himself through His people. As believers embrace the work of the cross, release striving, and trust the Holy Spirit, they enter a place of rest where the Lord speaks and ministers through them. The Body of Christ becomes a living channel of the Spirit—bringing life, freedom, and revelation to others.

OCIA: The Bridge to Rome — The Sacraments of Initiation (#442)

Considering Catholicism (A Catholic Podcast)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2026 38:55

In this episode of the OCIA: The Bridge to Rome series, Greg and Cory dive into the heart of what OCIA is ultimately aiming for: the Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. They explain how these three sacraments bring a person into full communion with the Catholic Church, marking the gateway to the Christian life as a death-and-rebirth in Christ, a strengthening by the Holy Spirit, and intimate union with Jesus in His Body and Blood. The conversation covers key distinctions between catechumens (unbaptized) and candidates (validly baptized in other Christian traditions), the biblical foundations (especially the Great Commission and Pentecost), why Catholic baptism is regenerative rather than merely symbolic, how validity is determined (Trinitarian formula and intent), and the typical order of reception at the Easter Vigil. They also touch on practical questions inquirers often have—like documentation, Protestant "confirmation" practices, and why the Church recognizes some baptisms but not others—while keeping everything clear, charitable, and rooted in Scripture, tradition, and the Catechism. Perfect as a preview for those considering OCIA, a supplement for current participants, or a refreshing reminder for lifelong Catholics rediscovering the power of these foundational sacraments on the road to the Easter Vigil. SUPPORT THIS SHOW Considering Catholicism is 100% listener-supported. If this podcast has helped you on your journey, please become a patron today! For as little as $5/month you get: • Every regular episode ad-free and organized into topical playlists • Exclusive bonus content (extra Q&As, Deep-Dive courses, live streams, and more) • My deepest gratitude and a growing community of like-minded listeners ➡️ Join now: https://patreon.com/consideringcatholicism (or tap the Patreon link in your podcast app) One-time gift: Donate with PayPal! CONNECT WITH US • Website & contact form: https://consideringcatholicism.com • Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com • Leave a comment on Patreon (I read every one!) RATE & REVIEW If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating (and even better, a review) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — it really helps new listeners find us. SHARE THE SHOW Know someone who's curious about Catholicism? Send them a link or share an episode on social media. Thank you! Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.

March 15, 2026, Fourth Sunday of Lent, Holy Rosary (Glorious Mysteries)

Daily Rosary

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2026 29:33

Friends of the Rosary,Today, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, is Laetare Sunday, a Sunday of joy. As in Advent we had Gaudete Sunday, so in Lent we have a Laetare Sunday.The Church's liturgy, with the celebrant priest in Mass wearing rose-colored vestments, gives a foretaste of Easter joy, inviting us to focus on the Risen Christ.In today's reading, we learn how Christ Jesus takes onto Himself all our sins — which are ultimately the consequences of our blindness — allowing Himself to be abandoned by His friends, rejected by His people, crowned with thorns, stripped, and nailed to the cross.He offered His Body to the Father for our salvation and consecrated His entire Person for every one of us.He introduced us into His Holy Heart, inflamed with love for us, which is the same as God's light.The indestructible link with Christ, which is founded on His love and fidelity, is the ‘new creation' that was given to us on the day of our Baptism. With our eyes blinded by sin, we come again to see.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 14, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Church Consciousness 2.0; The Value System Of The Church [Part XI] — Alexander 'PAV' Victor

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Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2026 60:59

Homily: Not Pundits or Prosecutors, but Pastors and Priests (On Silence)

OrthoAnalytika

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2026 13:07

In a world shaped by outrage and constant commentary, the Christian calling is different. Drawing on Scripture, the Desert Fathers, and the theology of St. Gregory Palamas, this homily explores why Christians must learn to speak in ways that build up rather than tear down. Sometimes the most faithful response is simply silence. --- Homily Notes: St. Gregory Palamas "Let Us Be Quiet" There are moments when the most truthful response a human being can give … is silence. What do you meet in silence? On Holy Saturday, during the First Resurrection service, we sing these words: "Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and in fear and trembling stand; for the King of kings and Lord of lords comes forth, to be slain, to give Himself as food to the faithful." Why should we be silent in the presence of God? Sometimes the reason is shame. When we see the goodness of God clearly, we recognize the ways we have failed Him. The proper response is not words of justification. It is silence. Sometimes the reason is gratitude. For those who have received God's gift of redemption through Christ, there is nothing we could say that would adequately express it. Sometimes the reason is relief. For those who have wearied themselves trying to do good in service to God, there is comfort in knowing that our efforts have not been in vain. The burden becomes light because God is real. Sometimes the reason is simply rationality. What could we possibly say that would improve the intellectual profundity of the moment? Remember St. Peter at the Transfiguration. He sees the glory of Christ and immediately begins talking: "Lord, let us build three tents…" But Scripture gently reminds us that he did not know what he was saying. This teaches us that sometimes silence is the only reasonable response. It also teaches us that the most profound experience of silence is simply awe. It is like standing in the sun after a long cold winter and feeling its warmth. You do not analyze the sun. You stand in it. But silence does not come naturally to us. Spiritually speaking, the opposite of silence is not just sound. The opposite of silence is distraction. Noise. Talking. Constant reaction. And today one of the loudest places in our lives is not the street. It is our phones. Social media trains us to respond instantly to everything. Every opinion must be expressed. Every disagreement must be answered. Every irritation must be broadcast. But the spiritual life teaches something very different. Sometimes the holiest thing you can do… is not to respond. Sometimes holiness means closing the app and being quiet. This struggle with speech is not new. The Desert Fathers understood this deeply. A brother asked Abba Pambo whether it was good to praise one's neighbor, and the old man said: "It is better to be silent." And if that is true about praise, how much more true it is when we are tempted to criticize or attack our neighbor [or even some rando on the internet]? Another brother asked Abba Poemen: "Is it better to speak or to be silent?" And the old man replied: "The man who speaks for God's sake does well; but the man who is silent for God's sake also does well." Scripture says something similar: "Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise; and he who shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding." (Proverbs 17:28) Or as Mark Twain later put it: "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt." But Christian silence is not just about avoiding foolish words. It is about growing out of our sin and toward divinity. And here we must be honest with ourselves. We see easily when other people speak with anger, bitterness, sarcasm, or cruelty. But we rarely notice when we do the same thing. It is a bit like bad breath: [pause] We notice it quickly in other people, but we may not realize when it is our own. So here is a simple rule many of us were taught as children: "If you cannot say something nice, do not say anything at all." That may sound simple. But it contains real wisdom. Before speaking, ask yourself: Will what I am about to say build up the person I am speaking to? This is not about sugar-coating reality. This is not about pretending evil is good or giving evil a pass. Rather, it is about learning to speak in a way that builds up rather than tears down—so that we become pastors and priests rather than pundits and prosecutors. There are already plenty of prosecutors. What the world needs are pastors. And that is precisely what we are called to be as the Royal Priesthood. But we need to acquire silence so that we might receive and share grace in this calling. Abba Arsenius said: "I have often repented of speaking, but never of remaining silent." And if you are not sure whether a word would be useful? And how could you be sure? Do you really know their heart? Do you know their struggles? Do you know their intentions? We so easily judge the surface of another person's life without knowing the weight they carry. So if we are not sure whether speaking would be useful—and we should always have our doubts—perhaps the best thing for us to do is simply be quiet. Because silence is not just the absence of words. It is the space where the heart begins to hear God.--- This is only the first step in the way of silence. But we must start somewhere: Speak less. Listen more. Use words to build up rather than tear down. Over time, something begins to change inside us. Silence creates space. And in that space we begin to notice something we had missed before. The presence of God. A brother once came to Abba Moses at Scetis and asked him for a word. The old man said: "Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything." Silence becomes a teacher. Stillness becomes a teacher. And this is exactly what St. Gregory Palamas teaches us. He reminds us that the knowledge of God is not reached by noise or argument, but through hesychia — holy stillness — the quieting of the mind and heart so that the light of God may be known. Not because we have earned it. But because we have finally become quiet enough to notice Him. And this is why the Church calls us to spiritual silence in the Divine Liturgy. In a few moments we will stand again before the altar. The King of Kings will come forth. Not in thunder. Not in spectacle. But in bread and wine that become His Body and Blood. And so the Church says again, through the hymn of Holy Saturday; "Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and in fear and trembling stand." Let us quiet our minds. Let us quiet our tongues. Let us quiet our hearts. So that we may stand before the Lord of glory… and receive Him with awe. And so the Church teaches us again what the saints have always taught: let us be quiet. If we learn this lesson well, we may discover that what waits for us in that silence is not emptiness at all… but the living presence of God. And that silence, and that Presence, slowly shape us into the likeness of Christ.

Friday of the Second Week in Lent

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2026 7:16

March 6, 2026Today's Reading: Mark 8:1-21Daily Lectionary: Genesis 24:32-52, 61-67; Genesis 25:1-26:35; Mark 8:1-21“And his disciples answered him, ‘How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?'” (Mark 8:4)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.We can be so forgetful when it comes to our Lord's compassion towards us, can't we? We're not alone! What good company we have with the disciples! They got forgetful, too. Only two chapters earlier, the Lord fed five thousand men plus women and children using five loaves and two fish. Now in Mark 8, the disciples are faced with four thousand growling stomachs. No McDonald's or Applebee's in sight! Whatever shall they do? Jesus gives them the situation. “‘I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.' And his disciples answered him, ‘How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?'” (Mark 8:2-4) They were looking at the One who could and would feed these folks, but they got tripped up by the bigness of their need and fear.We, like the disciples, so often look at the bigness of our needs and fears and forget that there's One who is bigger than our needs and fears! That One is Jesus, of course. Let's fix our eyes on Him. His generosity knows no bounds! His compassion is for all! For you! For me! Compassion for Jesus is not just a feeling! Whenever Jesus has compassion in His Ministry, He does! He provides! He acts! His compassion produces action. We see His compassion for a scared-and-scarred World when He died for it. He gave everything He had on the Cross for you and me—every drop of blood to have us as His own. We belong to Him. Baptized in His Name, we lack nothing! More forgiveness than sin! More peace than anxiety! More life than death! Because Jesus has taken care of our biggie-salvation-needs, He'll take care of our smaller, everyday needs as well. We're reminded of this every time we eat and drink His Body and Blood. The Lord's Supper fixes our eyes on the One who is compassionate towards us, feeding us food that fills us with His unending life. With the Lord, we lack nothing here in time and there in eternity. He will provide what we need for this body and life. Compassion is who He is and what He does for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.I am trusting Thee to guide me; Thou alone shalt lead, Ev'ry day and hour supplying All my need. (LSB 729:4)Rev. Aaron Schian is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

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Church Consciousness 2.0; The Value System Of The Church [Part X] — Alexander 'PAV' Victor

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Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2026 27:46

Assembled – Part 3

High Country Christian Church | Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2026 38:40

The place you belong in the body of Christ is no accident. The Church that Jesus is assembling is fit together perfectly, according to His design and master plan. One of the best things that we can discover in our lives is exactly where we fit in His Body. Today Pastor Joshua discusses the truth about finding and filling the place you were created to be!

jesus christ church assembled his body

Part 3: The Lord is in the Whirlwind and Storm As Seen in Believers

Lance Lambert Ministries Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2026 72:03

Over the next weeks, we'll be revisiting Lance's series called “The Lord is in the Whirlwind and the Storm”. In this episode, Lance shares part 3 from this series on Nahum. This episode is called “As Seen in Believers” May the Lord by His grace prove the faith He has placed in you. May you learn to see Christ in the midst of the storm May you know the deep deep love of Jesus Chapters (00:00:01) - The Book of Nahum(00:06:41) - A Word of Prayer for Today(00:07:52) - Winds of Storm and Storms(00:14:37) - The Personal Character of the Church(00:18:49) - The Trial of Peter(00:27:13) - The Proving of Your Faith in Christ(00:35:35) - Paul on the Condition of His Body(00:44:30) - Peter the Disbeliever(00:53:48) - Peter the Disbeliever(00:57:31) - The Sleep of the Lord(01:05:47) - God's Love in the Storm

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Good News: You're Placed, Positioned, & Purposed

Awaken Church

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2026 50:57

This message reminds us that we are not random parts in God's Kingdom… we are intentionally set in His Body. Like a small ligament in the knee, unseen but essential, every believer has a grace-gift that brings strength and stability to the whole. The good news is this: you are not overlooked, you are assigned. And when you embrace your placement, your light shines and your purpose becomes visible.

god kingdom good news positioned purposed his body

Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - Watering the Seed

City Harvest Church Weekend Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2026 6:51

Read OnlineIn those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” Mark 8:1–3Early in Jesus' public ministry, He made a brief trip across the Sea of Galilee to the territory of the Gerasenes—a largely Gentile and pagan town on the outskirts of the Decapolis. This journey was significant, as it demonstrated Jesus' intention to extend His mission beyond the boundaries of Jewish territory, foreshadowing the universal scope of salvation that would later be fully realized through the Church's apostolic mission.When Jesus arrived on shore in the territory of the Gerasenes, He freed a man possessed by “Legion,” meaning many demons, and sent the demons into a herd of two thousand swine, who drowned themselves in the sea. Although this was the only recorded act Jesus performed during that initial visit, it caused quite a commotion. When the swineherds saw this, they ran and reported the incident to the nearby town, and people came to see it for themselves. Stunned by what had happened, they asked Jesus to leave, and He did. However, “the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed” (Mark 5:20).That brief trip into the Gentile and pagan territory of the Decapolis planted a seed. The loss of two thousand swine undoubtedly affected the people, but it also planted the seed more deeply. Which was more important: one man possessed by a legion of demons or two thousand swine? Jesus' actions reveal the answer. As word spread of His miraculous deliverance and authority over demons, many Gentiles became curious.That brief miracle set the stage for today's Gospel when Jesus returned to the Decapolis to nurture the seed He had planted. Upon His return, He cured a deaf and mute man, symbolizing the importance of hearing and proclaiming the Gospel. Afterwards, Jesus drew a great crowd, who remained with Him for three days despite having no food.After three days, Jesus revealed His compassionate heart to the Twelve: “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.” Jesus then tested the Twelve, observing, “If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” This situation should have been familiar to the Twelve. Earlier in His ministry, while in Jewish territory, Jesus had fed five thousand men with only five loaves and two fish. But now they were in Gentile territory, and instead of understanding that Jesus' same providence extended to these pagans, the disciples said to Him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” Once again, Jesus performed a miracle and fed four thousand.Reflect today on the universality of Jesus' mission. His compassionate care transcended cultural and religious boundaries, offering physical and spiritual nourishment to all who sought Him. Jesus' same mission continues today through us, the members of His Body, the Church. We must never become self-enclosed in our own communities of faith and family. Instead, we are called to go out into the world, to the “pagan” regions where people hunger for God's Word. Sometimes our mission is to plant a seed; at other times, it is to nurture the seed by helping it grow through the grace of God, so that everyone may come to know and love Him. Ultimately, the feeding of the five thousand Jews and four thousand Gentiles points to the universal call for all to share in the Eucharistic banquet. Learn the lesson Jesus taught the Twelve, and imitate our Lord's merciful heart, filled with compassion for those who need Him the most. My generous Lord, You desire all people to come to know You and to be saved. Free me from any hesitancy or fear in sharing Your saving Truth with those who need it most. Grant me the wisdom to discern when to plant the seed, when to nurture it, and when to harvest. Use me as Your instrument to draw others into the fullness of life, where they may share in Your Eucharistic banquet of grace. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: New Skete: multiplication of loaves & fishes by Jim Forest, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

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Lin Junxian: Abiding in Every Season

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2026 33:13

As we step into a new year filled, Jesus invites us to remain rooted in what truly gives life. May we abide in Him through every season of life—not just in good times, but even through challenges and pruning. When we learn to abide in His Word, abide in His Body (the church community), and abide in His Spirit, we will bear lasting fruit through an intimate, enduring relationship with Christ.

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Strength Drawn from the Living Presence - Fr. Gabe Cillo | 1/23/26

Homilies from the National Shrine

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2026 3:29

Father Gabe Cillo, MIC, reflects on the witness of St. Marianne Cope, an immigrant and religious sister who did not hesitate when the call came to serve those suffering from leprosy on the island of Molokai, in Hawaii. While dozens of religious communities declined to send their members to serve, her community said yes. Saint Marianne went without fear, spending decades caring for the sick and dying, including St. Damien of Molokai in his final days. Her courage was not rooted in human strength, but in a supernatural certainty: Every person, especially the abandoned and suffering, bears the image and likeness of God.As death draws near, what remains essential becomes unmistakably clear. Father Gabe reminds us that in moments of illness, isolation, or approaching death, the soul longs for God with a new urgency. The Eucharist, a priestly blessing, and the presence of someone who comes “in the name of Jesus” are no longer small consolations; they are lifelines. Jesus tells us, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever” (Jn 6:51; NABRE).The saints understood this with great clarity. Saint Marianne Cope and St. Damien found their strength in the same source that sustains the Church today: the Most Blessed Sacrament. At the Last Supper, Christ entrusted Himself to the Apostles, commanding them, “Do this in memory of me,” handing on the gift of His Body and Blood through the priesthood across the ages. In the Eucharist, Christ remains truly present — Body, Blood, soul, and Divinity — faithful to His people until the end of Time.This living presence of Jesus is what steadies the heart when eternity comes into view. It is where the saints found courage, and where we, too, are invited to find our hope.To deepen your understanding of the Sacraments, explore Understanding the Sacraments at ShopMercy.org. ★ Support this podcast ★

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FAMILY PLAN

Restoration Church - Chicago, IL

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2026

Dave shared about what it means to be a part of God's family and and what it looks like to be a part of the church community, the only community that scripture describes as the Body of Christ. The church is a comminity under construction, a community of caring and a community to contribute to and we are all called to be active members of His Body. This is God's plan for His family!

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Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time - The Priority of Prayer

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2026 6:43

Read OnlineRising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee. Mark 1:35–39Jesus' prayer was unique. He did not pray because He needed God in His life—He was and is God. Yet, in His human nature, He regularly withdrew to be alone and to pray to His Father. Jesus' prayer teaches us two primary lessons.First, Jesus' prayer reveals Who He is. He is the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. As a member of the Trinity, Jesus prayed in solitude, not to become closer to the Father, for He and the Father are eternally one in essence; rather, His prayer expressed and revealed that perfect union to us. Unity with and love of the Father are at the center of Who He is.Though we are not God, we are made for oneness with God. This is not an external invitation but an essential part of who we are and who we must become. In Heaven, our lives will be one ongoing and eternal expression of prayer—a perfect union with God. That union must begin now, and the foundation of its growth is prayer.By going off alone to pray to the Father, Jesus also models for us the way to the Father. His action is prophetic, calling us to set aside moments each day for nothing other than prayer. While we are called to pray continually throughout the day, this habit is nourished by intentional moments of silence in which we immerse ourselves in God's presence. In our fallen nature, daily moments of focused prayer are necessary for clearing the distractions of life, overcoming sin, and allowing God's grace to draw us into deeper union with Him.Jesus' prayer invites us to examine our own daily prayer life. How often do you pray each day? How do you pray? Does your prayer change you, transforming you into who God made you to be? Most people easily find time every day for less important things, such as entertainment, idle conversations, and daily work. Though these things have their place, they must never overshadow that which is most important. We must learn to pray and be faithful to prayer every day.One of the best ways to pray is to participate in the Mass. In the Mass, we most fully share in Christ's human life, sacrifice, and divine presence. The Mass is the summit of prayer and the foundation of our spiritual life. We receive Him into our lives as we consume His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. To participate in the Mass well, daily moments of prayer are essential. At times, we must silence every other thought and actively offer our praise to God. Meditation on the Word of God is also essential. Taking time to read the Gospel, in particular, and meditating on those passages disposes us to hear God's voice. His Word counters the many lies and temptations we face during our daily activities, preparing us to live more fully as God's sons and daughters.Reflect today on your commitment to daily prayer by following Jesus' example. Resolve to find a moment of solitude in which you silence your heart and simply dwell in God's presence. Let this time of prayer become the cornerstone of your day and a foretaste of the union with God in Heaven for which you were created. Prayer is not an option; it is the very path to becoming who we are meant to be—united with God in love, now and for all eternity. My prayerful Lord, Your prayer revealed Your perfect union with the Father and set an example for us to follow. Grant me the wisdom and strength to remain faithful to daily moments of personal prayer—times when I can simply be with You and express my love for You. May these moments transform every part of my day, leading me to greater charity here on earth and preparing me for perfect union with You in eternity. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via rawpixelSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

January 3, when before Epiphany - Behold Him with Wonder and Awe

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2026 5:25

Read OnlineJohn the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” John 1:29–31Though John grew up in the hill country of Judea near Jerusalem and Jesus grew up in Nazareth, it is very likely that their families visited each other regularly, allowing John and Jesus to spend time together as cousins. Despite this, when John first saw His cousin coming to him in the wilderness, he said, “I did not know him.” John did not fully understand who Jesus was—that He was the Messiah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world—until John began his public ministry and witnessed the Holy Spirit descending upon his Lord, his cousin.What an awe-inspiring and joyous moment that must have been for John. He had discerned that his mission was to prepare the way for the Messiah, to be the Messiah's immediate precursor, preparing the way for Him. He embraced that mission and fulfilled it by preaching and offering a baptism of repentance to those who believed. He lived in the wilderness, fasting, praying, and anticipating the day the Messiah would arrive. Imagine his surprise and delight at that moment when he saw the Holy Spirit descend upon his cousin.Though the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in a singularly unique way, since He is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, John's experience offers us an invitation to remain vigilant as we await Jesus' ongoing coming among us. Though our Lord came and walked the Earth 2,000 years ago, He continues to do so today through His Body, the Church. Like John, we must be on the lookout, and when we see Him, we must cry out in faith, “Behold the Lamb of God!”The most important way our Lord comes to us is within the Mass. The priest repeats John the Baptist's familiar words as he holds up our Lord, hidden within the Sacred Host, for all to see. Additionally, our Lord comes to us as the Holy Spirit descends and makes Him known. This happens in sermons, reflections, Church teachings, within the charity of others' actions, through personal prayer, and in numerous other ways. We must see the Lamb of God every time He comes to us, ideally with the same wonder and awe that filled John's mind and heart during those first encounters. Reflect today on those sacred words with which we are very familiar: “Behold the Lamb of God…” As you do, ponder how often you personally “behold” Him. Are you filled with wonder and awe at Mass? Within your daily prayer? In the life of the Church and in the lives of faithful Christians you encounter? As we continue our Christmas season, which focuses on the Incarnation, make the words of the Baptist your own as you discover the ongoing presence of our Lord made possible through the Incarnation.My awe-inspiring Lord, because of Your Incarnation, You continue to be present in this world, coming to us and drawing us to Yourself. When Your cousin, John the Baptist, first saw the Holy Spirit descend upon You in the desert, he cried out, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Please give me the eyes of faith I need to echo that cry as I encounter Your divine presence in my life. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Annibale Carracci, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

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First Sunday of Advent (Year A) - Being Prepared