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We live in a spiritual battle. There is an epic struggle between good vs. evil. We have an enemy that wars against us. Yet, as Christians, we have the Spirit of God in us, so our enemy cannot possess us, but he can tempt us. He can try to distract us from living for the things of God. But our God is greater! Jesus defeated our enemy on the cross and through His Resurrection, so our victory is secure. How will you respond to Jesus? Will you recognize Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and live with confidence in HIm? Jesus has all authority! Choose faith over fear.
We live in a spiritual battle. There is an epic struggle between good vs. evil. We have an enemy that wars against us. Yet, as Christians, we have the Spirit of God in us, so our enemy cannot possess us, but he can tempt us. He can try to distract us from living for the things of God. But our God is greater! Jesus defeated our enemy on the cross and through His Resurrection, so our victory is secure. How will you respond to Jesus? Will you recognize Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and live with confidence in HIm? Jesus has all authority! Choose faith over fear.
We live in a spiritual battle. There is an epic struggle between good vs. evil. We have an enemy that wars against us. Yet, as Christians, we have the Spirit of God in us, so our enemy cannot possess us, but he can tempt us. He can try to distract us from living for the things of God. But our God is greater! Jesus defeated our enemy on the cross and through His Resurrection, so our victory is secure. How will you respond to Jesus? Will you recognize Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and live with confidence in HIm? Jesus has all authority! Choose faith over fear.
परिवािमा चेलापन Discipleship in Our Families Cross-Way Church Sermon Series June – August 2026 After exploring our Union with Christ in His Resurrection, we now move from the empty tomb into the very rooms where we live, eat, and rest. If the Resurrection is truly the "colonization of earth with the life of heaven," then the primary colony of heaven is the Christian family. Discipleship is not a program we attend at church; it is a lifestyle we embody at home. Often, we compartmentalize our faith, leaving it at the church gates. However, the Great Commission begins in the living room. As Deuteronomy 6 reminds us, we are to talk of God's commands when we sit in our houses, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up.Goal: To equip every member of Cross-Way Church to view their household not just as a domestic unit, but as a missionary outpost where Christ is formed in the next generation and where the Gospel is lived out in the mundane tasks of daily life. Key Scriptural Foundations• Deuteronomy 6:6–7: "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children."• Joshua 24:15: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."• Ephesians 5:21–6:4: The framework for Spirit-filled relationships within the home. • Psalm 127:1: "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain."
What if the greatest evidence that Jesus Christ can help you today is the fact that He already conquered death?This week on This Is Kingdom, Talon, TJ, Grace, and Hollis discuss Elder Ronald A. Rasband's General Conference message, "He Is Risen!" Together they explore the Savior's visit to the Nephites after His Resurrection, what it means that He ministered to 2,500 people one by one, and why no burden, loss, or trial is too great for the risen Christ to overcome.Whether you're carrying grief, searching for hope, or wondering if Jesus really understands what you're facing, this episode is a reminder that because He lives, your story is never over.
What if the greatest evidence that Jesus Christ can help you today is the fact that He already conquered death?This week on This Is Kingdom, Talon, TJ, Grace, and Hollis discuss Elder Ronald A. Rasband's General Conference message, "He Is Risen!" Together they explore the Savior's visit to the Nephites after His Resurrection, what it means that He ministered to 2,500 people one by one, and why no burden, loss, or trial is too great for the risen Christ to overcome.Whether you're carrying grief, searching for hope, or wondering if Jesus really understands what you're facing, this episode is a reminder that because He lives, your story is never over.
Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:24–25Today's Gospel begins with a triple command that forms the foundation of authentic Christian living: We must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. Let us consider the implications of these commands.First, it is important to note that Jesus uses the word “must.” This is more than an invitation—it is a divine law, given for our eternal good. The Greek word for “must” is “dei,” a term that carries the connotation of necessity, obligation, and divine appointment. It is frequently used in Scripture to express what is required by God's saving plan. More than a suggestion or an ideal for devout souls, it is an absolute necessity for all who wish to follow Christ.Jesus never asks anything of us that He Himself has not already done. Just prior to today's Gospel, Jesus declared that “the Son of Man must suffer greatly” (Matthew 16:21)—and He did. In the same way, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This is the narrow path that leads to life, the only path that conforms us to Christ and brings us to the glory of His Resurrection. To ignore this necessity is to reject the path of true discipleship.Denying ourselves is, first and foremost, a renunciation of self-centeredness. We must get out of the way so that Christ may reign in us. This means placing God's will above our preferences, ambitions, and desires. Such self-denial is not an end in itself but is a necessary clearing of the soul, making room for divine love to govern our lives. In Heaven, this purification will be complete, making it easy to choose God's will alone. But during our earthly pilgrimage, we face a continual interior battle in which we must repeatedly renounce all that is not of God's will.Today, Christians rightly venerate the Cross as a sacred image of our salvation. However, in Jesus' time, the cross was seen only as a brutal Roman instrument of execution—an image of excruciating suffering and utter humiliation. To take up our cross, therefore, is to embrace what naturally repels us, what evokes fear, and what requires courage, sacrifice, and surrender. This embrace also demands supernatural trust. Only God can bring forth good from such suffering. When we understand this and entrust ourselves to Him, we are able to accept—without rebellion—all that He permits: sufferings, trials, sacrifices, and even death itself, uniting these with the redemptive suffering of Christ.Of the three “musts,” following Jesus might seem the easiest, at least on the surface. Yet true discipleship goes far deeper than simply walking behind Him, being kind, and enjoying life. To follow Christ is to walk in Him, allowing our lives to be conformed to His. It is a lifelong journey of transformation—a participation in His life, death, and resurrection. It requires the daily decision to walk the narrow path of fidelity, humility, and love.Because this triple command is challenging, Jesus offers a divine paradox to help: “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” This offers immediate hope in the face of following Jesus' commands. He further softens the challenge by asking, “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” The “world” and all its enticements cannot compare to the glory achieved by the sacrificial life to which we are called.Reflect today on Jesus lovingly telling you what you must do to inherit eternal life. Once we understand the reward, the means become much easier to accept. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. Do it today and every day of your life and you will find your life alive and glorified in Christ for all eternity.My selfless and sacrificial Lord, You not only commanded us to deny ourselves and take up our crosses, You first walked that path Yourself, enabling us to follow You as we live in union with You. Free me from every fear of the Cross. Help me to see beyond the immediate hardships it brings, to the glory that awaits those who live a life of sacrifice with You. Jesus, I trust in You. Image: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross, by Philipp SchumacherSource: 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.
परिवािमा चेलापन Discipleship in Our Families Cross-Way Church Sermon Series June – August 2026 After exploring our Union with Christ in His Resurrection, we now move from the empty tomb into the very rooms where we live, eat, and rest. If the Resurrection is truly the "colonization of earth with the life of heaven," then the primary colony of heaven is the Christian family. Discipleship is not a program we attend at church; it is a lifestyle we embody at home. Often, we compartmentalize our faith, leaving it at the church gates. However, the Great Commission begins in the living room. As Deuteronomy 6 reminds us, we are to talk of God's commands when we sit in our houses, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up.Goal: To equip every member of Cross-Way Church to view their household not just as a domestic unit, but as a missionary outpost where Christ is formed in the next generation and where the Gospel is lived out in the mundane tasks of daily life. Key Scriptural Foundations• Deuteronomy 6:6–7: "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children."• Joshua 24:15: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."• Ephesians 5:21–6:4: The framework for Spirit-filled relationships within the home. • Psalm 127:1: "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain."
परिवािमा चेलापन Discipleship in Our Families Cross-Way Church Sermon Series June – August 2026 After exploring our Union with Christ in His Resurrection, we now move from the empty tomb into the very rooms where we live, eat, and rest. If the Resurrection is truly the "colonization of earth with the life of heaven," then the primary colony of heaven is the Christian family. Discipleship is not a program we attend at church; it is a lifestyle we embody at home. Often, we compartmentalize our faith, leaving it at the church gates. However, the Great Commission begins in the living room. As Deuteronomy 6 reminds us, we are to talk of God's commands when we sit in our houses, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up.Goal: To equip every member of Cross-Way Church to view their household not just as a domestic unit, but as a missionary outpost where Christ is formed in the next generation and where the Gospel is lived out in the mundane tasks of daily life. Key Scriptural Foundations• Deuteronomy 6:6–7: "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children."• Joshua 24:15: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."• Ephesians 5:21–6:4: The framework for Spirit-filled relationships within the home. • Psalm 127:1: "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain."
परिवािमा चेलापन Discipleship in Our Families Cross-Way Church Sermon Series June – August 2026 After exploring our Union with Christ in His Resurrection, we now move from the empty tomb into the very rooms where we live, eat, and rest. If the Resurrection is truly the "colonization of earth with the life of heaven," then the primary colony of heaven is the Christian family. Discipleship is not a program we attend at church; it is a lifestyle we embody at home. Often, we compartmentalize our faith, leaving it at the church gates. However, the Great Commission begins in the living room. As Deuteronomy 6 reminds us, we are to talk of God's commands when we sit in our houses, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up.Goal: To equip every member of Cross-Way Church to view their household not just as a domestic unit, but as a missionary outpost where Christ is formed in the next generation and where the Gospel is lived out in the mundane tasks of daily life. Key Scriptural Foundations• Deuteronomy 6:6–7: "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children."• Joshua 24:15: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."• Ephesians 5:21–6:4: The framework for Spirit-filled relationships within the home. • Psalm 127:1: "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain."
Today on PowerPoint, we'll continue the message “The Journey of Life.” As Pastor Jack Graham explains, we can't change the past during this journey of life, but by God's grace and the power of His Resurrection, we can change the present and the future with Him. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/395/29?v=20251111
In today's homily, Fr. Tyler Mentzer, MIC, described the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves as a powerful sign of Jesus' desire to nourish His people. When Jesus fed thousands with only a small amount of bread, He showed that His love and generosity have no limits. This miracle points beyond physical hunger to the deeper hunger of the human soul.Fr. Tyler also connected the multiplication of the loaves with Christ's sacrifice on the Cross and His Resurrection. Jesus endured a brutal death, rose victoriously, and now gives the fruits of His sacrifice to millions of people throughout the world. Just as the bread was multiplied for the crowd, the one sacrifice of Christ continues to nourish humanity through every celebration of the Eucharist.The homily presents the Eucharist as the supreme manifestation of God's love. Above and beyond, Jesus does not give Himself only to a few people or only for one moment. He gives Himself continually and abundantly to all who come to Him in faith. In the Eucharist, Jesus always gives more than we expect: His presence, His grace, His healing, and His very life.Readings for August 2nd. 2026: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080226.cfm© 2026 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. All rights reserved.⭐️ Support our Ministries: ★ Support this podcast ★
ROMANS EXEGESIS| Episode 31 | The Reality of Christ's Death, the Power of His Resurrection & Why Your Eternal Choice Matters What does it really mean that Jesus was "declared to be the Son of God with power... by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4)? Did Christ truly die? Why was His physical death essential to God's plan of redemption? What happened between His death and resurrection, and why does it matter for every believer today? In this eye-opening episode of ROMANS EXEGESIS on the GRACELIFECOMI Podcast, hosts Chimdi and Adefunke Ohahuna continue their verse-by-verse study of Romans 1:4, uncovering profound biblical truths hidden in the phrase "from the dead." Through careful exposition of Scripture and insights from the original Greek, this study reveals why the historical reality of Jesus' death is foundational to the Christian faith and our eternal hope. Journey through the Gospel accounts, Messianic prophecies, and key New Testament passages as you discover how Christ's death was publicly verified, why His bones remained unbroken in fulfillment of prophecy, and how His resurrection stands as undeniable proof that sin's penalty has been fully paid. This episode also explores the significance of the Greek word “nekrosis”, explaining the biblical meaning of death, the separation of body and soul, and the glorious victory Jesus accomplished through His sacrificial work. Learn how Christ conquered death, secured the keys of death and Hades, fulfilled the Father's redemptive plan, and established the only pathway to justification and eternal life. More than a theological discussion, this episode is a heartfelt call to embrace the finished work of Christ. It reminds believers that salvation is not built upon religious tradition but upon the historical death, burial, resurrection, and heavenly ministry of Jesus Christ. The message concludes with a powerful exhortation to choose life through faith in Christ while the opportunity remains. Whether you are studying Romans for the first time or seeking a deeper understanding of the Gospel, this episode will strengthen your confidence in the Scriptures, deepen your appreciation of Christ's atoning work, and renew your passion to proclaim the hope of salvation. In this episode, you'll discover: √ Why the physical death of Jesus was essential to God's plan of redemption. √ The meaning of "from the dead" in Romans 1:4. √ The significance of the Greek word √nekrosis√. √ How Scripture confirms the reality of Christ's death. √ The fulfillment of Messianic prophecies during the crucifixion. √ Why Jesus' resurrection validates His identity as the Son of God. √ Christ's triumph over death and His victory through the resurrection. √ The relationship between Christ's death, resurrection, justification, and eternal life. √ Why every person must choose Christ before life's final breath. √ Practical encouragement for believers to live confidently in the power of the Gospel. The Gospel is not merely a message about life after death, it is the announcement that Jesus Christ entered death, conquered it completely, and now offers eternal life to all who believe. Join us as we continue uncovering the inexhaustible riches of Paul's letter to the Romans, one verse at a time. Scripture References: Romans 1:4; John 19:30-37; Psalm 34:20; Psalm 24:7-10; Revelation 1:18; Hebrews 9; 1 Corinthians 15:52-58. Subscribe to the GRACELIFECOMI Podcast and share this episode with family, friends, and fellow Bible students. Together, let's grow in the knowledge of Christ and discover the transforming power of God's Word through faithful, verse-by-verse biblical exposition. Jesus is Lord.
Last study we considered the glory of Christ's Incarnation and Ministry which led to the Cross, which is central in John's Gospel. This study focuses on His Resurrection, Ascension and Session. We hope to see each of these as indispensable, powerful, and gloriously effective in fulfilling everything He planned since before time. Such includes the glorious defeat of death and the one with the power of death, and the glorious pouring out of the Spirit of Father and Son indwelling His global Church. Our eternal Word continues to speak gloriously through His Church. This same Son of Man in Heaven majestically reigns as King and sympathetically intercedes for us as our eternal High Priest. From heaven He continues to display the moral glory of God throughout the whole world to bring many sons to glory
Last study we considered the glory of Christ's Incarnation and Ministry which led to the Cross, which is central in John's Gospel. This study focuses on His Resurrection, Ascension and Session. We hope to see each of these as indispensable, powerful, and gloriously effective in fulfilling everything He planned since before time. Such includes the glorious defeat of death and the one with the power of death, and the glorious pouring out of the Spirit of Father and Son indwelling His global Church. Our eternal Word continues to speak gloriously through His Church. This same Son of Man in Heaven majestically reigns as King and sympathetically intercedes for us as our eternal High Priest. From heaven He continues to display the moral glory of God throughout the whole world to bring many sons to glory
It is a mistake to assume the disciples were the only witness of the risen Christ. Such an assumption leaves a big gap in explaining the vast spread of Christianity in such a short period of time. A careful reading of the book of Acts shows us that there were many more witnesses whose preaching was consistently focused on one thing: the risen Christ and the power of His Resurrection. Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a live service, leave a prayer request or make a commitment. Pastor Scott appreciates messages and reads them often during live broadcasts. Follow @Pastor_Scott on Twitter and visit her official Facebook page @Pastor.M.Scott. Download Pastor Scott's "Understand the Bible" app for iPhone, iPad and iPod at the Apple App Store and for Android devices in the Google Store. Pastor Scott can also be seen 24x7 on Roku and Amazon Fire on the "Understand the Bible?" channel. ©2026 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved
Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11; St. John 7:37-52; 8:12 Pentecost reveals the God who never ceases to act for our salvation, giving His people exactly what they need—from the Law at Sinai, to the Incarnation, Cross, and Resurrection, and finally the gift of the Holy Spirit. The kneeling prayers for the departed flow naturally from Christ's descent into Hades, for if Christ sought those held by death, His Incarnate Body, the Church, continues to seek them through prayer and love. We pray for the departed not because we possess a detailed map of the afterlife, but because Christians imitate Christ, whose love always seeks healing, relief, and salvation for all. Enjoy the show! --- Today we celebrate Holy Pentecost. And when we celebrate Pentecost, we are celebrating much more than a single event in Jerusalem nearly two thousand years ago. We are celebrating the God who never ceases to act for our salvation. When Moses encountered God in the burning bush and asked His name, God answered: "I AM WHO I AM." This is not merely a statement about existence. It is a revelation of who God is. He is not distant. He is not passive. He is not absent. He is the living God who is always present and always acting. Throughout the history of salvation, whenever humanity has been in need, God has provided exactly what was needed for our healing and salvation. When the children of Israel were enslaved, He delivered them. When they wandered in the wilderness, He fed them. When they thirsted, He gave them water. When they were attacked, He defended them. When they were lost, He guided them. And when they needed protection from the worst effects of sin and chaos, He gave them the Law. The first Pentecost was the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. And we should remember who it was who appeared there. It was God who spoke to Moses, who appeared in fire and cloud, who gave the Law to Israel, was the pre-incarnate Word of God—the same Christ whom we know from the Gospel. St. Paul tells us that the Law was a guardian and tutor. It restrained evil. It taught obedience. It preserved Israel until the fullness of time should come. The Law was not the final gift. It was the gift God's people needed at that moment. But humanity's deepest problem could not be solved by commandments alone. We needed more than instruction. We needed healing. We needed forgiveness. We needed life. So the same Christ who gave the Law came among us in the flesh. He taught. He healed. He cast out demons. He suffered. He died. He descended into Hades. He rose again. At every stage He was giving humanity what humanity needed. And then, after His Resurrection, He ascended into heaven. At first glance, that seems strange. Would it not have been better if Christ had simply remained visibly among us? Yet He Himself tells the disciples: "It is to your advantage that I go away." Why? Because humanity now needed another gift. The Law had been given. The Incarnation had taken place. The Cross had been accomplished. Death had been trampled down. Now Christ would send the Holy Spirit. At Sinai, the Law was written on tablets of stone. At Pentecost, the Spirit is written upon human hearts. At Sinai, God formed a people. At Pentecost, He fills that people with His own life. At Sinai, God instructed His people from without. At Pentecost, He begins transforming them from within. The Holy Spirit is not an optional addition to the Christian life. He is the very life of the Church. He is the One who unites us to Christ, who makes us temples of God, who heals what is broken, who perfects what is lacking, and who leads us into all truth. Christ ascended so that He might send us exactly what we needed. As St. Nikolai Velimirović loved to remind us, there is no corner of creation into which Christ has not carried His saving love—not Sinai, not Bethlehem, not Golgotha, not the Upper Room, not even Hades itself. And today we celebrate yet another gift that flows from all of this. This afternoon we will kneel for the first time since Pascha. And in the kneeling prayers we pray not only for ourselves. We pray for the departed. To some Christians this seems strange. Why pray for the dead? What can our prayers accomplish? But the answer begins with Christ Himself. Because Christ did not merely die. He descended into Hades. He entered the realm of death itself. As we sing at Pascha: "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life." The Harrowing of Hades was not a symbolic gesture. It was an act of divine love. The Lord entered the place of darkness to bring light. He entered the place of bondage to bring freedom. He entered the place of death to bring life. As St. John Chrysostom proclaims in his Paschal Homily: "Hell was embittered when it encountered Thee below." Death thought it had gained a victim. Instead, it encountered Life Himself. Hades thought it had secured its prisoners. Instead, it found its gates shattered and its captives being led forth into freedom. If Christ Himself went to those held by death, why would we not pray for them? If Christ sought those in Hades, why would His Incarnate Body—the Church—cease to seek them? The prayers for the departed are not an embarrassment or an afterthought. They are one of the most natural consequences of Pascha. They are a continuation of Christ's own work. The Scriptures show us that death does not sever the bonds of love within the Body of Christ. Our God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And those who belong to Him remain alive in Him. We do not claim to know every detail of how God's mercy operates beyond the grave. The Orthodox Church has never attempted to construct a detailed system like the doctrine of Purgatory. We know less than some would like. But we know enough. We know that Christ conquered death. We know that He descended into Hades. We know that love never fails. We know that the Church has always prayed for the departed. We know that the Church's liturgical life—from the ancient Liturgies to the kneeling prayers of Pentecost—bears witness to that practice. And we know that Christians are called to imitate Christ. Ultimately, that is the deepest reason we pray for the dead. Not because we possess a detailed map of the intermediate state. Not because we can explain every mechanism. But because this is what love does. Love intercedes. Love seeks healing. Love seeks relief. Love seeks salvation. Love refuses to abandon those who suffer. This is what Christ does. And therefore it is what Christians do. The same Lord who gave the Law at Sinai, who became incarnate, who died and rose again, who descended into Hades, and who poured out the Holy Spirit upon the Church, continues even now to seek the salvation of all. And He calls us to join Him in that work: to pray, to love, to intercede, to hope, and to trust that the God who has always given His people exactly what they needed continues to pour out His mercy upon the living and the departed alike.
This is message 52 in Gospel Record of John John 17:1-26 Jesus came to finish the work the Father gave Him, securing eternal life through His death and resurrection and revealing the true heart of God to the world. Though His followers would remain in a hostile world, He prayed for their protection, purity, unity, and strength so they could continue His mission and reflect His character. This message reminds believers that Christ has completed the work of salvation, still intercedes for His people, and desires for them to know God deeply and one day dwell forever in His presence. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through PushPay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc
This is message 51 in Gospel Record of John John 16:16-33 Jesus prepared His followers to face sorrow, confusion, and failure by reminding them that His departure was not the end but part of God's greater plan. Through His death and resurrection, grief would be transformed into lasting joy, believers would gain direct access to the Father through prayer, and peace would become possible even in the middle of tribulation. Human strength may fail, but the presence of God never does, and because Christ has overcome the world, His people can live with confidence, hope, and unshaken peace. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through PushPay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc
The feast of Our Lord's Ascension celebrates one of the greatest miracles in human history while also calling attention to the joy the Apostles felt when Jesus entered heaven. By entering heaven, Our Lord sets the path that we, too, must follow to be with Him for eternity. Christ is preparing a place for all of us in heaven, so long as we are willing to follow Him. Moreover, we know that after His Resurrection, Christ's body was glorified. And through this glorification, the only natural place for Him to be is not on this earth, but in heaven until his glorious Second Coming.
God Gives a Jesus Follower's Life Meaning and Purpose, Satisfies their Hunger to Know Their Life's Purpose, and Forgives Their Sins MESSAGE SUMMARY: As Jesus tells us in John 15:12-14, that you, as His follower, are His “friend: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends.". God became flesh, and He dwelt among us. God became human to draw you into a personal relationship with Him. In John 1:14, the Apostle John identifies Jesus as the “Son of the Father”: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.". God alone can satisfy the meaning and purpose of your life. God alone can satisfy your hunger to know your life's meaning. Most importantly, God alone can give you forgiveness of your sins as Paul tells us in Colossians 2:13-14: “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.". Jesus' life, miracles, death, and His Resurrection are invitations to a life-long personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe. Our personal relationship with God is through His gift, to Jesus Followers, of the Holy Spirit. TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, help me to grab hold of you today. I need you. Set me free to begin reorienting my life around you, and you alone. Help me to pay attention to and honor how you have uniquely made me. Thank you for the gift of rest. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 122). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Loneliness. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Presence. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:10-13; Colossians 2:10-15; Psalms137:1-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Are You Filled with the Holy Spirit?”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Jesus Followers Know the Cornerstone of Christianity Is: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus is The Door and The Gate by which you must enter the Kingdom of God. In John 14:6-7, Jesus answers a question by the Apostle Thomas with the fundamental tenant of Christianity when He tells us all: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.'". Also, in John 10:9-10, Jesus tells us: “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief {Satan} comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Also, Jesus said, in Matthew 7:13-14, that He was "the Narrow Gate", and whomever enters the Kingdom through Him will be saved and have Eternal Life: {You} “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.". Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection are the events, of about two thousand years ago, that provided us all, by God's Grace, with access to The Narrow Gate, which is Jesus. Through Jesus' death on the cross for your sins and His Resurrection, He has given you eternal life, if you choose to enter The Narrow Gate. You may ask: “How do I enter this ‘Narrow Gate' of Jesus?”. By God's Grace you can enter Eternal Life, through Jesus, by your true belief and faith in Jesus as God along with your prayerful confession of your sins to God. With your belief, faith, and confession, you have entered through the narrow and only door to your Salvation. However and after your entry through the door, you must continue, in your faith and obedience, to follow Jesus – this is the only, and it is The Way provided by God's Grace through Jesus. TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, help me to grab hold of you today. I need you. Set me free to begin reorienting my life around you, and you alone. Help me to pay attention to and honor how you have uniquely made me. Thank you for the gift of rest. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 122). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will trust in the Lord with all my heart. I will trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways I will seek to know Him, and He will make my pathways straight. From Proverbs 3:5f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 7:13-14; John 14:5-7; Psalms150:1-6; John 10:9-10. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Resurrection -- Part 3: Jesus Gives Us His Great Commission Just Before His Ascension” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Happy Sunday!Dr. Mo thinks this series "It is Finished" is finished. However, stay tuned. She discusses Philippians 3:10 and adds to the focus John 19:30 for today's episode. She focuses on the three infamous words uttered by Jesus “it is finished.” Dr. Mo links this saying of Jesus back to the neuroscience and Philippians 3:10 as she thinks about how our bodies must finish the trauma response when it is started. Dr. Mo discusses how our bodies are already created with the universal response needed to bring them to safety and growth after trauma experiences. We continue to delve into the data from Dr. Aimee's book "The Biology of Trauma", as we walk through the essential sequence needed to begin the healing work: safety, support, and expansion. Today, we dive into the expansion component of the essential sequence. Expansion must not be rushed. It is not an intellectual exercise. It is experiential. It must be consistent. It must not be entered into until regulation and stability is firmly established. Tune into this episode as we discuss how to think about the ways God invites us into knowing the power of His Resurrection. How do we think about God's invitation to rise to life by moving from surviving to living and declaring along with Jesus, “IT IS FINISHED”?Information for Dr. Mohttps://www.drmoniquesmithgadson.com/Link to order “Finding Hope in A Dark Place”:https://lexhampress.com/search?query=Finding%20Hope%20in%20a%20Dark%20Place%3A%20Facing%20Loneliness%2C%20Depression%2C%20and%20Anxiety%20with%20the%20Power%20of%20Grace&sortBy=Relevance&limit=30&page=1&ownership=all&geographicAvailability=allhttps://www.amazon.com/Finding-Hope-Dark-Place-Loneliness/dp/1683596358/ref=rvi_sccl_7/138-1785751-1148333?pd_rd_w=decCb&content-id=amzn1.sym.f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_p=f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_r=GMEBCA5ZB54MM98HHN5F&pd_rd_wg=pwctW&pd_rd_r=0cf054c6-aedd-427d-ac2a-563757407228&pd_rd_i=1683596358&psc=1Follow us on social media: https://instagram.com/drmoniquesmithgadson?igshid=1bmt2hei1j6i8Support And The Church Said:Cash App: https://cash.app/$andthechurchsaid
The apostles begin to understand. Every Scripture points to Christ. His Passion. His Death. His Resurrection. One story. You are part of it.
Do you have doubts about Christ's Divinity or His Resurrection? Reflect on an avalanche of evidence to be among those Blessed who have not seen and yet believe! The transcription for this Podcast, which includes the specific references to Jesus' Resurrection in the New Testament, can be found at https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/Doubting-Thomases-And-Belief.html
He lives! Let us celebrate His Resurrection!
04-12-2026 - Believe in His Resurrection by Pastor Adam Bennett
Jesus Appears Again MESSAGE SUMMARY: Repentance is a turning away from evil. In Luke 24:15, Jesus appeared again after His resurrection: “While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.". Most Christians around the world see Easter not as one day but as the Season of Easter, lasting fifty days. During this Season of Easter, Jesus appeared many times to many people, including several encounters with His disciples and the Apostles along with an appearance to a group of more than five hundred people. On the fortieth day, Jesus ascended into Heaven. After Jesus Ascension, He appeared to Saul, who became the Apostle Saul, on Saul's trip to Damascus. Beginning in Luke 24:36 (“Luke's Great Commission”), Jesus opened the Apostles minds spiritually to the Gospel; and the Gospel is summarized in “five truths” – the Gospel is a: 1) “double historical event” – Jesus death and His Resurrection, which really happened; 2) “double proclamation” – repentance (the Gospel demand) and forgiveness (the Gospel offer) of sins will be preached in His name; 3) “double reach or focus” – the preaching of the Gospel was to begin in Jerusalem with the Jews, but it was to be extended to all nations; 4) “double validation” – validated by the prophecies of the Old Testament and the Apostles' witness through their writing of the New Testament; and 5) “double sending” – Jesus promised the sending of the Holy Spirit to His Apostles, and the sending of the Apostles to the nations of the world in the power of the Holy Spirit.. If Jesus was speaking to His Apostles in Luke 24, what is He saying to us, His modern-day disciples, about two thousand years later? Jesus is telling us, today, the same thing that He told His Apostles in Luke 24! TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 24:36-49; Psalms 119:18-20; Romans 1:16; Acts 1:8. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers Should Fear, Respect, and Praise God's Power, Sovereignty, and Holiness; but in Life's Trials They Should “fear not for I {Jesus} am with you always””: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Read OnlineWhen Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. Mark 16:9–11Today's Gospel from Saint Mark offers a concise summary of three of Jesus' resurrection appearances. Rather than presenting these appearances in detail or as separate encounters, Mark strings them together to convey one clear message: fear and despair resulting from suffering must give way to faith and hope because of the Resurrection.Mark's Gospel begins with Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene, simply stating that Jesus appeared to her. Immediately, Mark relates that Mary went to tell Jesus' companions, including the eleven and some other followers. When Mary went to tell them Jesus had appeared to her, she found them “mourning and weeping.” After she told them Jesus had risen, “they did not believe.”“Mourning and weeping” are the result of fear, doubt, and despair. While mourning in the form of holy sorrow can arise from genuine charity, as taught in the Beatitudes, mourning as sadness stems from a heart overcome by fear, anxiety, or doubt—each of which can lead to despair. The fruit of despair, as Mark reveals here, is disbelief.After this account, Mark relates a shortened version of Jesus' appearance to two disciples on the way to Emmaus. That same Easter day on which Jesus rose and appeared to Mary Magdalene, He appeared to these two disciples. They quickly returned to Jerusalem to share their experience with the eleven and other disciples, who had already disbelieved Mary Magdalene's testimony. Once again, “they did not believe them either.”Finally, later on the same day, Mark states: “as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised” (Mark 16:14). Saint Mark the Evangelist wants us to know that even the eleven remaining Apostles, along with the other disciples, did not immediately believe in the Resurrection. They did not believe until Jesus appeared before them, revealing their hardness of heart that prevented true faith in His word. Jesus rebuked them for this unbelief, showing that the heart closed to faith cannot receive the hope He offers.If Jesus' closest companions struggled with faith in the Resurrection and the hope that such faith brings, then we should each prayerfully reflect upon the depth of faith—or lack thereof—we have in the Resurrection.Practically speaking, what does it mean to have faith in the Resurrection? It means that we will not face life's crosses with self-pity, sadness, discouragement, or despair. If we understand the glory and transforming power of Christ's Resurrection, we will immediately perceive every suffering we endure as an opportunity for grace and triumph, not defeat.Because the disciples did not yet understand the Resurrection, they were mourning without hope. Their minds could not comprehend that the death they had witnessed just days before was now transformed into the most glorious event in human history. When Jesus appeared to them as a group, His rebuke was an act of love, to teach them they must change their understanding of His death and see it through the lens of His Resurrection. We must do the same in our lives.Reflect today on any cross you carry or suffering you endure. Learn from the sadness and despair that led to disbelief among the disciples. Listen to our Resurrected Lord who lovingly rebukes you and invites you to see the great value in every suffering that you unite to His Cross. His Resurrection must bring a clarity that instills hope into our lives. Commit to live as the disciples did, after Jesus rebuked them, rejoicing that Jesus' Resurrection conquers all. Most glorious Lord, Your Resurrection transformed Your suffering and death into the means of eternal salvation for all who believe in You. Help me to be open to that transforming grace and to unite my own sufferings with Yours so that all I endure will be transformed and so that I may share in the glory of Your Resurrection. Jesus, I trust in You. Image: First Preacher of the ResurrectionSource: 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.
Friends of the Rosary,Alleluia! Christ is Risen!Today, Thursday within the Octave of Easter, the Gospel recounts the Lord's appearance to his disciples after the Resurrection, demonstrating his divine mercy (Luke 24:35-48).The disciples were speaking about what had happened in Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) and how they had come to recognize him at the breaking of the bread, when Jesus stood in their midst:“Peace be with you.”“Why are you troubled?And why do questions arise in your hearts?Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones,as you can see I have.”Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,that everything written about me in the law of Mosesand in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”“Thus it is written that the Christ would sufferand rise from the dead on the third dayand that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,would be preached in his nameto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.You are witnesses of these things.”The Lord came to the fearful and doubting disciples not in the majesty of His glory, but in the familiar form they knew, not reproaching them for their unbelief but speaking words of peace.He proved His Resurrection by showing His wounds, inviting their touch, and eating fish before their eyes.The God who created all things is not a ghost. The same flesh that hung upon the cross now stands living before them. As St. Augustin said, “He retains the marks of His passion as eternal testimonies to His love and our redemption.”Happy Easter!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 9, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
Today’s Topics: 1) Gospel – John 20:11-18 – Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid Him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to Him, “Sir, if You carried Him away, tell me where you laid Him, and I will take Him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to My God and your God.'” Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what He had told her. Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3, 4) Steve Ray joins Terry to discuss those who saw Jesus after His Resurrection and the places where they saw Him
How many times did Jesus appear after His Resurrection—and where did these appearances take place? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists walk through the key post-Resurrection appearances of Christ, from the Upper Room to the road to Emmaus and beyond. They explain what happened during the 40 days leading up to the Ascension, the significance of Jesus appearing to the apostles, and how these encounters strengthen the case for the Resurrection. The discussion also covers the Ascension from the Mount of Olives and Christ's later appearance to St. Paul on the road to Damascus. A clear and compelling look at one of the most important periods in Christian history. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:45 – In the Bible, how many times did Jesus appear between the Resurrection and the Ascension? 16:55 – Where did he physically appear during the 40 days? 29:00 – What happened when he appeared in the Upper Room? 36:12 – Mount of Olives and the Ascension. 44:20 – Appearing to Paul on the Road to Damascus.
Friends of the Rosary,Jesus is Risen, is Risen, indeed!Today, April 5, is Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, the basis of our Christian faith and the Solemnity of Solemnities, when we banish all traces of sadness and express the motive for our joy: Easter means sin destroyed, death overcome, divine life brought back to us, redemption obtained, and the resurrection of our body which is promised immortality.All the mysteries commemorated from Advent until now have pointed toward Easter.By His Death, Christ the Lord destroyed our death and by His Resurrection restored our life.Jesus, who had died on the cross on Good Friday, was raised from the dead by his Father on Easter morning. He returned to heaven in full glory. There, as God and Man, he pleads for us at the right hand of the Father until the day when he who redeemed all men will come to judge them all.St. Peter, in his first discourse to a Gentile, makes the resurrection the basic doctrine and the crowning proof of the truth of the Christian faith.As St. Paul says: “If Christ has not risen, vain is our preaching, vain too is your faith.” (1 Cor 15:14). And like Paul, St. Peter stresses the truth of the resurrection by citing witnesses, including himself, who had not only seen the risen Jesus but had spoken to him and actually eaten with him.From the Gospel of the Mass on Easter Day, we read:“Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.' Behold, I have told you.” (Matt 28:5-7)Repeated often during Easter, the Alleluia, which in Hebrew means “praise ye the Lord,” is an expression of our joy and gratitude for all that God has done for us.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 5, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
Do I Know You? Pt. 1 "The Power of His Resurrection" | Jeremy Pearsons by Jeremy & Sarah Pearsons
This is message 6 in Understanding the Love of God Psalm 22 The cross reveals the full weight of sin and the depth of Christ's sacrifice, showing that redemption was not a light or symbolic act but the real outpouring of God's judgment upon the sinless Son. He endured abandonment, rejection, and intense suffering in both body and soul so that sinners could be brought near and made righteous. What appeared to be defeat was in truth the pathway to victory, as His suffering gave way to triumph, securing salvation and establishing Him as the risen King who is worthy of worship, obedience, and proclamation to every generation. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through Pushpay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc
Resurrection Sunday: The Super Goodness of God. He is Risen! In this service, Pastor Mike Polhemus teaches on the goodness of God, and how His goodness is seen in the Old Testament, The Cross, His Resurrection, and eventually our Resurrection!
Sermon By: Chad Holland Series Title: The Covenant Table Sermon Title: Ready for what? Sermon Week: 13 Sermon Description: Join us as Pastor Chad Holland looks at how Yeshua's Death was important for our salvation, but His Resurrection gave us eternal life.
day we Celebrate the greatest event in human History - Jesus is Risen! Our savior has overcome the grave and through His RESURRECTION, we also have new live. Join us as we celebrate Christ and the Life we have in Him! Passage Luke 24:1-11
Read OnlineThough the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was not offered yesterday, the faithful received Holy Communion during the commemoration of the Lord's Passion. Today, however, the Church falls into profound silence. No liturgical services are celebrated during the day; the tabernacle remains empty, and the Church waits in expectant stillness for the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection. This silence invites us to enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ's descent to the dead and to reflect on the unfathomable depths of His sacrifice.For those who attend daily Mass, this day often brings a sense of emptiness—a longing for the Eucharist that reflects the soul's spiritual hunger. Yet, in Her wisdom, the Church withholds both the Mass and the reception of the Eucharist. Why? Because Holy Saturday, in itself, communicates a distinct grace. The stillness of this day is not a deprivation but a profound way of receiving; a gift offered in silence, inviting us to trust, wait, and hope.The Triduum reveals that the liturgical year itself is a source of grace, with each of these three sacred days unfolding the Paschal Mystery in stages. Saint Thomas Aquinas explains it this way: “The figure ceases on the advent of the reality. But this sacrament is a figure and a representation of our Lord's Passion, as stated above. And therefore, on the day on which our Lord's Passion is recalled as it was really accomplished, this sacrament is not consecrated” (Summa Theologica III.83.2). In other words, Good Friday, through our participation in the Lord's Passion, communicates to us the full grace of His redemptive sacrifice, making the celebration of the Eucharist unnecessary on that day.Similarly, Holy Saturday bestows a unique grace that draws us into the mystery of waiting with hopeful anticipation. Though no liturgical celebrations occur until the Easter Vigil, this day of silence invites us to rest in the hope of Christ's ultimate triumph. We are called to remain with Our Lady and the disciples in their vigil, trusting that even in the stillness, God is at work and the promise of the Resurrection will soon be fulfilled.In our lives, hopeful anticipation is an essential spiritual gift, offering the grace to persevere through trials, endure hardships patiently, and remain steadfast in hope, no matter the struggles we encounter. Hope is one of the three theological virtues, grounded in faith and inspiring us to put faith into action, which gives rise to charity—the greatest of all virtues. Without supernatural hope, we cannot fully attain or sustain charity.Yet, hope is far more than wishful or optimistic thinking. Supernatural hope is anchored in God's promises, received through faith, and nurtured by prayer and trust. Our Blessed Mother exemplifies this hope. On Holy Saturday, her heart was not filled with doubt but with an unshakable hope that moved her to keep vigil in prayer, awaiting the fulfillment of her Son's promise. This hope did not end in mere anticipation but blossomed into supernatural charity—a love rooted in God's will, bearing fruit even in the face of grief and uncertainty.Reflect today on the silence of Holy Saturday. As you do, consider the anxieties, impatience, or hardships you might be enduring. Pray for hope in the midst of these trials, and anticipate the fulfillment of God's saving promise in your life. Trust Him, wait on Him, and allow your faith and hope to fill you with the love of God and others, necessary to pass through Christ's Passion into the glory of His Resurrection.My silent Lord, as You lay in the tomb, Your body rested while Your spirit descended to those faithful souls who had died before You. For them and for all who would follow in faith, hope, and love, You opened the gates of Paradise. On this day of silent anticipation, fill me with hope, especially when I am tempted to despair. May I place all my trust in You and receive the abundance of Your grace this Holy Saturday. Jesus, I trust in You. Image: Jesus Christ lying death in his grave, with his mother MarySource: 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.
CULTIVATING SAINTS, SAGES, AND STATESMEN THROUGH THE GREAT TRADITION OF CHRISTENDOMFor this Holy Week 2026, we read St. Pope Leo the Great's Good Friday Sermon 70, delivered on April 2, 443, 1,583 years ago! This is the final sermon in our 2026 series "The Mystery of Lent with the Church Fathers," and in it, St. Pope Leo the Great reminds us that for Christians, taking up the cross is not an option. If we refuse, we will be damned. If we accept and endure to the end by God's grace, we will be saved.May we join Our Lord on His Cross as we anticipate the joy of His Resurrection!You can purchase the CUA volume with St. Pope Leo the Great's sermon here: https://www.cuapress.org/9780813228297/sermons/VISIT OUR WEBSITEhttps://eternalchristendom.com/BECOME A PATRON OF THE GREAT TRADITIONAs a non-profit, you can support our mission with a tax-deductible gift. Help us continue to dig into the Great Tradition; produce beautiful, substantive content; and gift these treasures to cultural orphans around the world for free: https://eternalchristendom.com/become-a-patron/CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIAX: https://twitter.com/JoshuaTCharlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshuatcharles/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuatcharles/DIVE DEEPERCheck out our “Becoming Catholic” resources, where you'll find 1 million+ words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic: https://eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic/SUBSTACKSubscribe to our Substack to get regular updates on our content, and other premium content: https://eternalchristendom.substack.com/EXCLUSIVE BOOKSTORE DISCOUNTShttps://eternalchristendom.com/bookstore/CHAPTERS00:00 - Introduction04:43 - St. Pope Leo the Great, Sermon 70 (April 2, 443)17:29 - Reflections and CommentaryThis podcast can also be heard on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
In this bonus episode, Father Anthony and Sister Catherine address two questions posed in our Growing in Holiness Newsletter. We hope that our discussion will encourage families to do the same. The first question: Would you rather have been present when Christ instituted the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist the night before He died or when He instituted the Sacrament of Penance after His Resurrection? The second question: Would you rather be Simon of Cyrene, who was forced to help carry Jesus' heavy Cross, or Saint Veronica, who bravely wiped Jesus' face?
Read OnlineReclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” John 13:21Love, betrayal, divine glory, and human weakness permeate today's Gospel, offering us a contrast of emotions and experiences to ponder. All forms of joys and trials affect our lives. Life is not “a bed of roses,” as the old saying goes. Besides joy, love, and excitement, we are touched by hurt, anger, fear, and anxiety. The same was true of Jesus' human experience with His disciples and all those who encountered Him. Through no fault of His own, Jesus was a polarizing figure. Some people loved Him deeply—such as His Blessed Mother, John, Mary of Bethany, and Mary of Magdala—while others despised Him, such as the scribes and Pharisees. Today's Gospel presents us with another figure whose life added great drama to the Gospel story—not because he loved or hated Jesus with passion—but because he was greedy and spiritually misguided. Today we read Saint John's account of the Last Supper. Jesus and His disciples were gathered in the Upper Room to celebrate the Passover meal. He began by washing the disciples' feet, a profound act of humble service. After this, Jesus prophesied that one of the Twelve would betray Him. When John, the Beloved Disciple, asked who the traitor was, Jesus identified Judas by handing him a morsel of food—an act of intimate friendship and trust. At that moment, “Satan entered him.” With both meekness and authority, Jesus told Judas: “What you are going to do, do quickly.” And immediately, “Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night” (John 13:27, 30). The night's unfolding drama did not end with Judas's betrayal. Jesus also revealed to Peter, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times” (John 13:38).Though Jesus was God, He was also fully human, capable of feeling every human emotion to a much greater degree than we are, due to the perfection of His humanity. Therefore, within Jesus' human soul we discover a profound contrast of emotions to the full range of human experience. One of the Twelve will hand Him over to death later that evening, while another, the one He would entrust with the leadership of His Church, would deny he even knew Jesus. On top of that, Jesus was fully aware that later that night He would be arrested, tortured, falsely accused, imprisoned, and await the sentence of death in the morning. He not only felt the effects of these events within His humanity, but His empathy enabled Him to perceive the experiences of the Twelve, His mother, and all who hated Him. He felt their pain, confusion, and anger far before they did, and He felt those emotions much deeper than they ever would. Only His mother, who would stand by Him faithfully at the Cross, would experience the depth of human suffering that Jesus felt within His soul.Why would God take on human nature and permit Himself to experience such pain? Because all human emotions—even pain—-needed to be intermingled with divine love. Because of the hypostatic union, all of Christ's human experiences—whether joyful or sorrowful—were perfectly united with divine love and transformed into sources of grace for those whom He loves. His courageous entrance into His Passion makes it possible for us to endure our own human trials with His strength, hope, and peace. Reflect today on your life and the experiences you endure and enjoy. If some experiences are overwhelming, know that Jesus perfectly understands, deeply empathizes, and offers a remedy. He invites you into His own trials, promising you His divine strength to untangle confusion and flood you with peace. Unite the blessings you enjoy with Jesus' Passion as well. Among Jesus' greatest earthly delights was the love His mother lavished upon Him, especially as she stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross. With our Lord, receive your blessings with gratitude and allow them to strengthen you so that you may endure your own daily trials, guided by His meekness and authority, leading you to a share in His Resurrection.My empathetic and understanding Lord, by taking on our human nature, You permitted Yourself to experience everything we experience. Though sinless, You endured the effects of sin with suffering and love. Please draw me into Your human joys and trials so that I can live my life in You, by You, and through You, receiving grace through Your humanity so as to share in Your glory and divinity. Jesus, I trust in You. Image: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 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.
Keep the focus on Christ this Easter by engaging kids in this podcast that teaches them the true meaning of Easter. Through fun game play, beautiful music, children will come away knowing:Jesus Christ was resurrected for me.Jesus Christ suffered and died for me.The week of Easter is a good time to teach your children about what the Savior did for us in Gethsemane and on the cross. “He Will Swallow Up Death in Victory”EasterThe life of Jesus Christ “is central to all human history” (“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” Gospel Library). What does that mean? In part, it means that the Savior's life influences the eternal destiny of everyone who has ever lived or ever will live. You might also say that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, on that first Easter Sunday, connects all of God's people throughout history: those who were born before His Resurrection looked forward to it with faith (see Jacob 4:4), and those born after look back on it with faith.
Join Eric & Kaye Geiger as they discuss the account of Jesus' death on the cross and what His Resurrection means for us!To sign up for our next session of Rooted starting the week of April 13 across all our Mariners congregations and online, click here!
What if you could understand the Mass like never before? This Holy Week, we invite you into a powerful journey through the Stations of the Eucharist — a biblical walk that reveals what is really happening at every Mass. This isn't just a study. It's an encounter. Each day, you'll walk with Jesus through His Passion, His death, and His Resurrection — and discover how His love is still being poured out for you today. Don't just go to Mass this week… enter into it.
Teaching about God's marvelous, wonderful and incomprehensible grace, Pastor Jack Graham tells us this grace is God's favor beyond measure. And to truly see the grace of God, he teaches we must look to Jesus and the Cross and feel the power of His Resurrection and know that there is life in Christ! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/395/29?v=20251111
17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples apart, and said to them:Et ascendens Jesus Jerosolymam, assumpsit duodecim discipulos secreto, et ait illis : 18 Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death.Ecce ascendimus Jerosolymam, et Filius hominis tradetur principibus sacerdotum, et scribis, et condemnabunt eum morte, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked, and scourged, and crucified, and the third day he shall rise again.et tradent eum gentibus ad illudendum, et flagellandum, et crucifigendum, et tertia die resurget. 20 Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, adoring and asking something of him.Tunc accessit ad eum mater filiorum Zebedaei cum filiis suis, adorans et petens aliquid ab eo. 21 Who said to her: What wilt thou? She saith to him: Say that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom.Qui dixit ei : Quid vis? Ait illi : Dic ut sedeant hi duo filii mei, unus ad dexteram tuam, et unus ad sinistram in regno tuo. 22 And Jesus answering, said: You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say to him: We can.Respondens autem Jesus, dixit : Nescitis quid petatis. Potestis bibere calicem, quem ego bibiturus sum? Dicunt ei : Possumus. 23 He saith to them: My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand, is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.Ait illis : Calicem quidem meum bibetis : sedere autem ad dexteram meam vel sinistram non est meum dare vobis, sed quibus paratum est a Patre meo. 24 And the ten hearing it, were moved with indignation against the two brethren.Et audientes decem, indignati sunt de duobus fratribus. 25 But Jesus called them to him, and said: You know that the princes of the Gentiles lord it over them; and they that are the greater, exercise power upon them.Jesus autem vocavit eos ad se, et ait : Scitis quia principes gentium dominantur eorum : et qui majores sunt, potestatem exercent in eos. 26 It shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be the greater among you, let him be your minister:Non ita erit inter vos : sed quicumque voluerit inter vos major fieri, sit vester minister : 27 And he that will be first among you, shall be your servant.et qui voluerit inter vos primus esse, erit vester servus. 28 Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a redemption for many.Sicut Filius hominis non venit ministrari, sed ministrare, et dare animam suam redemptionem pro multis.Jesus foretells His Passion and Ressurection. He will make us participants in His Resurrection if we die to our sins.
In Part 5 of his Ephesians series, Rabbi Schiller looks at Eph 1 and the Born Again power that the LORD give us through His Resurrection and Headship, which gives us the power not to sin.
Read OnlineJesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. Mark 3:7–8Jesus was amassing quite a following, with people flocking to Him from territories that include modern-day Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Among them were traditional Hebraic Jews, Greek-speaking Jews, Syro-Phoenician Gentiles, and Edomites. This diverse crowd reveals how Jesus' ministry transcended cultural, religious, and national boundaries, foreshadowing the universal call of the Gospel. While some were drawn to Him through authentic faith, others came out of curiosity, eager to witness His miracles.Just prior to today's Gospel, the Pharisees and Herodians began to plot Jesus' death because they saw Him as a threat. In response, Jesus “withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.” His timing was perfect; the hour of His Passion had not yet come. This withdrawal was not an act of fear but a deliberate step forward in preparing for the next phase of His mission. There was still much to accomplish—gathering followers, performing works of mercy, and preparing the Twelve for their mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God.While Jesus acted in accordance with divine wisdom, those who flocked to Him could only see the immediate. They were captivated by His teachings and miraculous works but often misunderstood the full scope of His mission. As Ecclesiastes reminds us, “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1–3). For Jesus, this “time” in His public ministry was a time to build up His earthly flock, teaching them, inspiring faith, and forming them for their mission.As we consider the many and diverse people who flocked to Jesus at this time in His ministry, it's important to see ourselves in them. Those who came to Him could have never imagined all that would follow. While some might have foreseen the possibility of His death due to the hostility of religious and political leaders, few, if any, could have predicted that Jesus' Passion and Death were something He would freely welcome and embrace. At that time, they could never have understood that Jesus had to suffer and die for the salvation of souls. Moreover, everything that followed His death would have been foreign to them: His Resurrection, establishment of the Church, Ascension, bestowal of the Holy Spirit, and future coming as the Universal King.We all go through countless experiences, some good, some bad. When we encounter something good, we often want to hold onto it, yet those experiences often fade with time. When we encounter something bad, we long for that situation to be removed or resolved, yet it sometimes stays longer than we hoped. Jesus' life clearly teaches us that “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.” As we journey through life, we ought not dismiss the difficult times and try to cling to the good ones. We must enter and live each moment as it comes and goes, seeking to use everything as God intends it, preparing us for the glory that awaits us if we remain faithful until the end.Reflect today on the seasons of your life, both the joys and the trials. How is God calling you to trust in His timing and use each moment to grow in faith and love? Consider whether you view your challenges as obstacles or as opportunities to deepen your trust in God's perfect plan. Embrace the good and the difficult, growing in grace and virtue as you do, and your life will unfold in beautiful ways, giving glory to God. In doing so, you will reflect the trust and fidelity of Jesus Himself, whose perfect obedience to the Father brought about the salvation of the world.Lord of perfect timing and wisdom, Your divine plan unfolded flawlessly throughout Your earthly life. At every moment, You lived in perfect accord with the Father's will, embracing both joy and sorrow for the sake of salvation. Help me to trust in Your providence during every season of my life, the good and the difficult, confident that You bring forth an abundance of good fruit in all things. Strengthen my faith, and teach me to surrender fully to Your will. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via picrylSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
Read OnlineIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth. John 1:1; 14The Prologue to John's Gospel, John 1:1-18, is one of the most profound and theologically rich passages in Scripture. It is both contemplative and mysterious, inviting us to come to know God in His essence through the depth of contemplative prayer.The opening words, “In the beginning…,” echo the Book of Genesis, revealing the eternal and preexistent nature of the Son of God. Saint John the Evangelist, through a special grace of infused contemplative knowledge, understood that Jesus was the Word, eternally spoken by the Father, and co-existing with Him for all eternity. He recognized that the Word took on human nature, becoming flesh and dwelling among us.Consider the thoughts of Saint John as he wrote these words for the first time. He had spent about three years with the Eternal Word made flesh—walking with Him, listening to His teachings, and witnessing His miracles, His rejection, His suffering, His death, and His Resurrection. He stood with the others as Jesus ascended into Heaven and experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.After Pentecost, John's understanding of Jesus deepened. Through prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist, John discovered his Lord in an even more intimate and transformative way. The Eternal Word, though no longer walking the earth, was now present within him by grace. This abiding presence became more real to him than ever before.Like John, we are called to know the Eternal Word as He continues to dwell among us through the Sacraments, in prayer, in the Scriptures, and within our souls. We are invited to be transformed by His presence so that we may become His living members within the Church.This deep union with Christ is only possible when we allow ourselves to be drawn into the mysteries of the Incarnation and redemption. While our minds can grasp these mysteries to a certain extent, true understanding comes through infused contemplative knowledge, a gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.Reflect today on Saint John the Evangelist as he wrote his Prologue. Consider the gift of contemplative understanding he received, the transformation that occurred within his soul, and the intimacy he shared with God. Each of us is called to this same life of interior union and contemplation. Let this beautiful and mysterious Prologue draw you deeper into prayer and into the mystery of the Word made flesh. My Eternal Word of God, You existed before time began, in perfect union with the Father and the Holy Spirit. During this octave of Christmas, we reflect on Your Incarnation, Your becoming flesh to dwell among us and within us by grace. Please reveal to me this great mystery so that I may believe with the same faith as Saint John, Your beloved disciple. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Milesevac, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.