Podcasts about holy sacrament

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Color: White Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1–16 Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1–5 Psalm: Psalm 89:1–8; antiphon: v. 8 Epistle: Galatians 4:1–7 Gospel: Luke 2:33–40 Gospel: Luke 2:22–40 Introit: Psalm 93:1, 3–4; antiphon: vv. 5, 2 Gradual: Psalm 45:2a, 1b Verse: Psalm 93:1 The Seed of David Comes to His Temple   A Rod has come forth from the stem of Jesse (Is. 11:1–5)—the Seed of David whose kingdom shall be established forever (2 Sam. 7:1–16). In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son Jesus to redeem us from the judgment of the Law (Gal. 4:1–7). Now He is presented in the temple in fulfillment of the Law and revealed to be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:22–40). Christ has enlightened us in baptism, giving us to be adopted as sons of God and heirs of eternal life. Receiving the Holy Sacrament of His body and blood, we are prepared to depart this world in peace, for our eyes have seen the salvation of God in Him. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

The Gospel today tells us about the women who accompanied Jesus and His band of apostles to provide their own resources and help for their undertaking. This accompaniment and support continues up to today. We can only thank God for the women in the Church. They provide some kind of semblance or even or actuality of having a family atmosphere. Anyhow, these women are not only providers, but they get to exercise their priestly souls in so doing. They are not ministerial priests. This latter is administered by virtue of the Holy Sacrament of Holy Orders. But we all have received the Sacrament of Baptism. This first sacrament makes us all receive the powers of the common priesthood. This priesthood is a valid one. Baptism empowers the recipient to perform acts proper of a priest like to pray, and to offer sacrifice.

Day 8 St. Alphonsus you have said:St.-Alphonsus-8 "Loving souls can find no greater delight than to be in the company of those whom they love. If we, then, love Jesus Christ much, behold we are now in his presence. Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament sees us and hears us; shall we, then, say nothing to Him? Let us console ourselves in His company; let us rejoice in His glory, and in the love which so many enamoured souls bear Him in the Most Holy Sacrament. Let us desire that all should love Jesus in the Holy Sacrament, and consecrate their hearts to Him; at least let us consecrate our affections to Him. He should be all our love and our whole desire." The post Novena to St. Alphonsus Liguori -Day 8 – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

What can the tiny chia seed reveal about the history of oil painting? For centuries, one of the most prized mediums of art at museums like the Met has been oil painting, a European tradition embodied by the so-called "old masters." This is the story of how the oil of the chia seed — yes, the same one that's a staple add-on for smoothies and acai bowls — and its origins in Mexico could help us look at oil painting and our world with fresh eyes.  Guests: Elsa Arroyo, Mexican paintings conservator Ronda Kasl, Curator of Latin American Art, The American Wing, The Met Monica Katz, Conservator, Hispanic Society José Luis Lazarte Luna, Assistant Conservator, Paintings Conservation, The Met Roger Danilo Carmona, General Manager, Kremer Pigments Inc. Julie Arslanoglu, Research Scientist, The Met Mario Gaspar, Lacquerware artist Featured artworks: José Manuel de la Cerda, Turnus Provoked into War by Aeneas, ca. 1764: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/841656 Juan Correa, The Virgin of Valvanera, ca. 1710: https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/object/2008.832 Juan Correa, Allegory of the Holy Sacrament, ca. 1690: https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/object/2015.570 Juran Correa, Angel Carrying a Cypress (Ángel portando un ciprés), ca. 1680-1690: https://collections.lacma.org/node/1034999 For a transcript of the episode and more information, visit metmuseum.org/immaterialchia #MetImmaterial Immaterial is produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Magnificent Noise and hosted by Camille Dungy. Our production staff includes Salman Ahad Khan, Ann Collins, Samantha Henig, Eric Nuzum,  Emma Vecchione, Sarah Wambold, and Jamie York. Additional staff includes Laura Barth, Julia Bordelon, Skyla Choi, Maria Kozanecka, and Rachel Smith. Sound design by Ariana Martinez and Kristin Muller.Original music by Austin Fisher.Fact-checking by Mary Mathis and Claire Hyman.Special thanks to Adwoa Gyimyah-Brempong. Immaterial is made possible by Dasha Zhukova Niarchos. Additional support is provided by the Zodiac Fund. And special thanks to Aleks Popowich, Alfonso Miranda Marquez, Beatriz Ortega, Marco Leona, and Avery Trufelman. The research presented within has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How has your life been changed by the Eucharist?   As the National Eucharistic Congress in July approaches, Patrick Madrid reflects on the mystery and significance of this Holy Sacrament.    Key Points:   Eucharist 101: Transubstantiation Explained

Jesus Is Present to Us: Understand How This Occurs Sunday of the Word of God: What is That? Each time the Mass is held, Jesus is present to us! Yes, during the Holy Sacrament, but that is only one of four times Jesus is present to us during Mass. Hear and understand how He is present to us and how that might influence your attentiveness at Mass. Listen to: Jesus Is Present to Us: Understand How This Occurs Listen to this Meditation Media ----------------------------------------------- Image: New Altar Dressings at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island, Dedicated to Mary, Queen of All Hearts

Color: White Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1–16 Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1–5 Psalm: Psalm 89:1–8; antiphon: v. 8 Epistle: Galatians 4:1–7 Gospel: Luke 2:33–40 Gospel: Luke 2:22–40 Introit: Psalm 93:1, 3–4; antiphon: vv. 5, 2 Gradual: Psalm 45:2a, 1b Verse: Psalm 93:1 The Seed of David Comes to His Temple   A Rod has come forth from the stem of Jesse (Is. 11:1–5)—the Seed of David whose kingdom shall be established forever (2 Sam. 7:1–16). In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son Jesus to redeem us from the judgment of the Law (Gal. 4:1–7). Now He is presented in the temple in fulfillment of the Law and revealed to be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:22–40). Christ has enlightened us in baptism, giving us to be adopted as sons of God and heirs of eternal life. Receiving the Holy Sacrament of His body and blood, we are prepared to depart this world in peace, for our eyes have seen the salvation of God in Him. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

  Fr Anthony quoting an encounter with the St Stans kids and how are them being introduce to a moment of silence before the Eucharist. Hispanic communities have a special relation with Father. We're now praying for peace in Middle East and for the Synod of Sinodality, asking for prudence. Apostasies are in the History of the Church. We have what we need. The Bible and Sacred Tradition. No one has the authority to rewrite the Truth     https://ststanschurch.org/

Have a Social with the Saints! Join Jason Nunez, Media Production Coordinator for Pilgrim Center of Hope as he shares the extraordinary life of Bl. Mariana Navarro of Jesus. She devoted countless hours to praying before the Holy Sacrament and giving spiritual guidance to those who sought her counsel. What will she teach you? Get a free saint quote card and pamphlet of Bl. Mariana Navarro of Jesus here. We invite you to share them with friends and family. All for free! We want to hear from you! What struck you about Bl. Mariana Navarro of Jesus? Please send us your feedback to join the conversation by email at ministry@pilgrimcenterofhope.org The official Socials with the Saints theme song is “Hero's Ascent” by Chris Haugen. Used with permission. Thanks for listening and remember, you are never alone in the communion of the saints! May God bless you. Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Four week series titled The Stories of Your Life with key stories of the people surrounding Christ's passion. We're calling the series “The Stories of Your Life” because we believe they are Passion-week stories that impact you today. The purpose of this series is to challenge us to learn from these stories and apply this knowledge to our lives. Their mistakes, strengths and perspectives can teach us much in 2023. IF we are teachable! Today we're going to focus on a story that may be a little unusual…It's the story of a little man who climbed a tree and became world famous because he did. Today is Palm Sunday. It is the Sunday before Easter and it begins the Holy Week, the Passion of Christ. Christ came to seek and save the lost, including the worst of sinners. Palm Sunday is that very important day in history, when Jesus began His journey towards the cross. Jesus was on mission, fully knowing what was ahead of Him. Luke 19:28-38 28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?' say, ‘The Lord needs it.'” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Palm Sunday is the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds who were in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover met Him with palm branches shouting: “Hosanna! (Save Now!) Palm branches were considered symbols of victory and triumph at the time. Days later, the same people of Jerusalem would turn on Jesus and demand of the Romans, ‘Crucify Him!' We are busy people with stuff going on almost every day of the week. · Many of you are on the heels of spring break · Some are returning from the Men's Retreat · You may have thoughts about Easter: ‘Who is coming for dinner?' ‘What am I going to cook for dinner?' ‘I have to hide the eggs before the children arrive', and in all of the upcoming thoughts about Easter, the real meaning of it may, even unintentionally, get missed. From day one, Jesus was on mission. Jesus the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Jesus is still on mission. Jesus came to seek and to save you and me! It is important to stop and look more closely at Jesus and the buildup of miracles prior to His entry into Jerusalem. Jesus and his disciples travel through Jericho which is about a day's journey from Jerusalem. Two blind men cry out to Jesus, Lord, let our eyes be opened. Jesus is moved with compassion and He touches their eyes, and the two blind beggars receive their sight. The blind men begin to praise Jesus and also the crowd of people. There are tremendous crowds around Jesus as He passes through Jericho. Everyone wants to see the one who has healed the blind men. Now we begin with the story of the man I've already referenced: Zacchaeus. The story of Zacchaeus is not so much about “Who” Zacchaeus was but “Who” Jesus is. Jesus is the God of the universe who came down from heaven in human form to connect with us. Luke 19:1-10 19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. Zacchaeus was a Jew. He was a traitor to his nation. He collected money for Rome, and no one liked him. Think of the politician you despise the most – that's how people felt about this man. Zacchaeus was a crook. Verse 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. It is likely that people were jeering at Zacchaeus as he was climbing that tree. They surely didn't want this type of man, a sinner, interrupting their chance to see Jesus. Zacchaeus was short in stature but he didn't let his limitations stop him. Zacchaeus was far from Jesus but he didn't want to be. He was curious. He had heard many things about Jesus, that He was the Christ, the Messiah, and the Son of the living God. For all that was wrong with Zacchaeus – there was something very right about him: He wanted to see Jesus. Sometimes we need to do our own thing, to break the status quo to meet God. The crowds were ‘pressing in'. Zacchaeus went vertical. He climbed a sycamore tree because he was unable to see over the people. In 2023, breaking the status quo may look like: 1. Saying “No” to something that your friends are doing that isn't nice. 2. Getting up early to pray when the norm is to sleep in. 3. Tithe to your church when the norm would be to spend it on yourself. Will you step up or be content with the crowd? Zacchaeus did what it took to see the Savior. My question for you today is “What excuses do you make for not seeking Jesus?” I believe we all feel a tug on our heart to come to God more, but it's too often suppressed by our excuses: 1. The Bible is overwhelming. I don't understand it when I read it. 2. My life is too busy to sit down and read the Bible. 3. I rather be doing something that I enjoy. 4. I can't concentrate on the Bible. I have a thousand things that I am thinking about so I am easily distracted. Maybe today will be a good day to shine light on your excuses. What excuses are hindering you from seeing Jesus? We would never be hearing about the story of Zacchaeus if he chose to wallow in his inability to see Jesus. If you want to know Jesus more do something about it! I want to be in the tree. And not in the crowd. Verse 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. It may not feel like it because we've heard the story so many times… BUT, THIS IS scandalous! It was very unpopular to be associated to tax collectors. Jesus didn't seem to mind that He was getting a reputation for hanging out with sinners. Jesus shocks the crowd by willingly calling Zacchaeus out, to be a guest in his home at the expense of offending the crowd. Likewise, Jesus expects us to welcome the unwanted and unacceptable. Will you accept the unlovable into your life like Jesus? Verse 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” When the people see what is happening, that Jesus is going to be the guest of a man who they view as a sinner, they become furious. They don't marvel at such grace; they just mutter. What's your response when someone deserving of punishment receives mercy instead? Zacchaeus had become rich by dishonestly extorting their money when collecting taxes. Certainly he didn't deserve mercy. Are you complaining about things? The Bible says that the crowd despised Jesus' acceptance of Zacchaeus. They were so tied up in their own emotion of disgust that they missed the miracle of Jesus transforming the heart of a sinner. Verse 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” After Jesus reached out to Zacchaeus, he got down quickly from the tree. He had a response full of joy and great excitement. Zacchaeus changed his ways and went above and beyond to make things right. That's the definition of repentance. With Jesus, Zacchaeus overcame his past. He became a new person! Verse 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. (And now Jesus gives us the moral of the Zacchaeus story) 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Jesus does what is “Impossible with man” but “possible with God”. Zacchaeus was a changed man. Forgiveness and grace made him immediately generous. Jesus seeks and saves lost people because they are valuable to Him. Jesus has no requirements for us before He comes to visit. If He visited Zacchaeus, He will visit you! Jon Kelly is living proof that the transformative work of Jesus Christ in the life of an individual can result in a transformed heart and a remarkable life change. We don't have to make everything right with all our dealings before letting Him in. He already knows you by name and He desires to be in relationship with you. Two points from today's message: Point One: Jesus loves all people! Including sinners and outcasts. Ephesians 5:1 says, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” Likewise, we are to imitate God. He expects us to welcome the unwanted and unacceptable. · A mother who is lost in romance novels and is full of lust · Drug addicts, alcoholics · The business man who is full of pride and greed and is far from Jesus · You fill in the name of the person or people who are ‘unwanted' in your life Some people might seem like they are beyond hope, but then, Jesus seeks them, and the Gospel changes them. Lost people are valuable to Jesus. Therefore, they must be valuable to you and me. We should remember this is what happened with us before we were believers. We were lost, Jesus sought us, He found us, and He changed our lives. Romans 5:6 says, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” Point Two: Luke 19:10, “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” The Son of Man came to seek and to save you. When you are far from Jesus, He closes the distance. Jesus was willing to go to the cross to redeem you back from sin and death. Likewise, we are to imitate God. Matthew 28:19-20, is for the church, you and me. We must individually reach out to those who are lost and help them find their way home. As believers we must be willing to welcome the outcasts, the lost, and all people BECAUSE relationships matter. 1. Ask Jesus to give you opportunities to share the Good News in conversations, even if it terrifies you. 2. Be willing to talk about Jesus, even if we think people won't listen and may even ridicule us. Today you have an opportunity to respond. We are going to celebrate Palm Sunday by celebrating Communion together. Some call it the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. You do not have to be a member of the Church of the Nazarene to take communion. What we ask is that you have a personal relationship with Jesus. Maybe you are thinking “I am like Zacchaeus. I have done awful things in my lifetime. But, today, I am MORE than curious. I want to come to Jesus. I want to experience the JOY of the LORD living inside my heart.” If that is you, then this day and this Holy Communion is exactly for you. Today, you can ask Jesus to forgive you for the things you have done wrong against Him and against others AND ask Him to come live in your heart. If that is you, heaven is rejoicing! Reading from Luke 22: 14-20, 14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. The Lord himself ordained this holy sacrament. He commanded His disciples to partake of the bread and wine, emblems of His broken body and shed blood. This is His table. The feast is for His disciples. Let all those who have with true repentance turned from their sins, and have believed in Christ unto salvation, draw near and take these emblems, and, by faith, partake of the life of Jesus Christ, to your soul's comfort and joy. Let us remember that it is the memorial of the death and passion of our Lord; also a token of His coming again. Let us not forget that we are one, at one table with the Lord. You are invited to come forward and partake in the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Church Family: (Raise up the bread) The bread, representing the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was broken for you, may it preserve you blameless, unto everlasting life. Take and eat this, in remembrance that Christ died for you. (Raise up the cup) The cup, representing the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, may it preserve you blameless unto everlasting life. Drink this, in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for you, and be thankful. May it be, in Jesus Name, Amen.

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The Holy Face Chaplet in Latin! To pray this chaplet, start by making the sign of the cross with the crucifix. 1. On the Crucifix – The Sign of the Cross / Signum Crucis In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Deus, in adjutorium meum intende: Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina. O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 2. On each of the six larger beads (precedes each decade of six beads) in order say in honor of the five senses of Jesus. First of the sense of Touch, then Hearing, then Sight, then Smell, and finally Taste: “O mi Jesu misericordia!” “Gloria Patri…” “My Jesus, mercy!” and one “Glory Be..” 3. On the thirty-three small beads: “Surge Domine et dissipentur inimici Tui et fugiant qui oderunt Te a Facie Tua.” “Arise, O Lord, and let Thy enemies be scattered, and let all who hate Thee flee before Thy Face!” At the end of meditating on the senses of Jesus, continue repetitions of “Arise, O Lord” prayer on the remaining three beads, to bring the total to 33, one for each year of Our Lord's earthly life. On each of these last three beads, think about the wounds in His holy face from the slaps He endured, and from the crown of thorns. After all of this, repeat seven times, in honor of the the Golden Arrow book): 1) May God arise and let His enemies be scattered and let those who hate Him flee before His Face! “Surge Domine et dissipentur inimici Tui et fugiant qui oderunt Te a Facie Tua.”. (Psalm 67:2) 2) May the thrice Holy Name of God overthrow all their plans! Nomen Trinum Sanctum Dei cogitationes eorum omnes depraedatur! 3) May the Holy Name of the Living God split them up by disagreements! Sanctissimum Nomen Dei viventis eas discidiis dividat! 4) May the terrible Name of the God of Eternity stamp out all their godlessness! Horrendum nomen Dei aeternitatis deleat omnem impietatem suam! 5) Lord, I do not desire the death of the sinner, but that he be converted and live. Domine, nolo mortem peccatoris, sed ut convertatur et vivat. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Pater, dimitte illis : non enim sciunt quid faciunt. (Luke 23:34) The “Golden Arrow” prayer (on the Crucifix): May the most Holy, most Sacred, most Adorable, Most Incomprehensible and Ineffable Name of God Be always Praised, Blessed, Loved, Adored and Glorified, In Heaven, on Earth and under the Earth, By all the Creatures of God, And by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ, In the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen” "Sanctissimum, sacratissimum, adorabile, incomprehensibile et ineffabile Nomen Dei semper laudetur, benedicatur, ametur, adoretur et glorificetur in caelo, in terra et sub terra, ab omnibus creaturis Dei, et a Sacro Corde Domini nostri Iesu Christi in sanctissimo Sacramento Altaris. Amen." The Golden Arrow Book: https://amzn.to/3mLmLfi The Latin Prayer Podcast is on Patreon -  for those of you who are able to financially support the podcast please Click Here (https://www.patreon.com/thelatinprayerpodcast). A huge thank you to my patrons! Please check out our Resources, Gift Ideas & Affiliate Links page: https://dylandrego.podbean.com/p/resources-gift-ideas-affiliate-links Join me and others in praying the Holy Rosary every day; here are the Spotify quick links to the Rosary: Joyful Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/1yhnGJNSl67psg94j3si3s?si=7IjqIg2wQQaZTJTiDm-Dhw Sorrowful Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/3P0nIdaLuEjesHRMklwfoj?si=6qF7JBYpRiG0ylwuOohFwA Glorious Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/3t7lCF7nFQDR3py1jjTAE1?si=hBb_5Ne5Rwu-993nUUqHqg Luminous Mysteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vlAjEGgWPCI79K7Eylh31?si=Hue9USzkTf-L3wrXrK79MQ 15 Decade Rosary https://open.spotify.com/episode/2q33PXMrinZi6fkaV6X7vn?si=Jy_d2xLlTVihD5qa4fSH9g To follow me on other platforms Click on my LinkTree below. linktr.ee/dylandrego If you have any prayers you'd like to request, or comments and/or suggestions - please email me at latinprayerpodcast@gmail.com. Know that if you are listening to this, I am praying for you. Please continue to pray with me and for me and my family. May everything you do be Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. God Love You! Valete (Goodbye)      

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor at Bethesda and Faith Lutheran Churches in north St. Louis County, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 6:52-59. When the Jews dispute how Jesus could give His flesh to eat, Jesus only doubles down on His teaching. Not only must they eat His flesh, they must also drink His blood to have life. This eating and drinking happens by faith for all who believe in Jesus, and Jesus also gives His flesh and blood for Christians to eat and drink in the Holy Sacrament. Jesus promises that those who eat His flesh and drink His blood will be raised on the Last Day. In this way, Jesus is greater than manna or any other bread, for His flesh and blood give eternal life. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus' life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. John, the Holy Spirit works in us so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so have life by faith in His name.

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www.cafeteriacatholicscomehome.comhttps://instituteofcatholicculture.org/search?terms=wife

www.cafeteriacatholicscomehome.comhttps://instituteofcatholicculture.org/search?terms=wife

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Daily Lectionary: 2 Kings 6:1-23; Philippians 1:21-2:11 Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see." So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In Isaiah 6, the prophet is given a vision of heaven's throne room. The six-winged seraphim shouted out, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 6:3). In the great Sanctus of Divine Service Setting Three, we leave "host" untranslated as "Sabaoth." They mean the same thing: a heavenly army. The Lord God of heaven's army, whom Isaiah saw, was again seen by Elisha and his servant. Heaven's army was on full display, even if at first Elisha's servant did not see it. This army of horses and chariot all ablaze was there to save God's people from destruction and deliver them from their enemies. That same Lord God of Sabaoth came to do battle for you. This time it was not hidden, but on full public display. Yet as visible as it was, most do not see it. It looks like a huge loss. Instead of being cloaked in fire with a vast army sounding Him, this time the Lord God is alone, hanging on a cross, dying. Not very victorious to the human eye. When the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of faith, then you see a very different picture. Though your enemies of sin, death, and the devil try to surround you, you have Christ Jesus, the Son of the Lord God, and all of heaven's armies. He has saved you from destruction and delivered you from your enemies. His death is your salvation and by His resurrection He has won the victory. Satan and his demonic horde have been defeated and are going down kicking and screaming like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum. Your sin is forgiven. Death is no longer a threat. Now, in the presence of these defeated enemies, the Lord prepares a great feast of victory, His Body and Blood in the Holy Sacrament, as we join with the seraphim and angels and archangels and all the company of heaven to sing "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of heaven's army!" On the day that Christ welcomes you home to the eternal feast, your enemies will never come to raid you again, for Christ is your victory now and forever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle; Sing the ending of the fray. Now above the cross, the trophy, Sound the loud triumphant lay; Tell how Christ, the world's redeemer, As a victim won the day. ("Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle" LSB 454, st.1)-Rev. Daniel Voth, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane BamschStudy Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

July 15: Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor1221–1274Memorial; Liturgical Color: WhitePatron Saint of those with intestinal problemsHe seemed to have escaped the curse of Adam's sinThe scholarly heft of Saint Bonaventure legitimized the eccentric Saint Francis of Assisi. Saint Bonaventure was to the Franciscans what Thomas Aquinas was to the Dominicans. These contemporaries form twin summits of scholastic thought, first-rate intellectuals whose eminent writings lent their young, revolutionary religious orders credibility. Aquinas and Bonaventure received their doctorates on the very same day and are shown as equals in Raphael's Disputation of the Holy Sacrament. Both Thomas and Bonaventure were also pious, poor, humble, and holy, giving their theological work even greater weight. Saint Bonaventure was part of that huge influx of second-generation Franciscans who never knew their founder. He joined the order in 1243, received his doctorate in theology from the University of Paris, and became master of the Franciscan school at Paris in 1253. In 1257 he was elected minister general of the entire Franciscan order. He was just thirty-six years old.The pressing responsibilities of religious leadership constrained Bonaventure from total dedication to the life of the mind. He had limited time to read, write, and do research once he was elected head of his order, making the first half of his life his most prolific period of scholarship. But that scholarship was so comprehensive as to be a complete system of thought. He wrote on everything—fundamental theology, the nature of dogma, Scripture and history, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, angels, creation, the virtues—and all of it was suffused with a mature spirituality focused on the individual soul progressing toward God. With this intensely spiritual focus, Bonaventure is said to be more Augustinian in his theology than Aquinas, who is more Aristotelian. The former's goal was to love, the latter's to speculate and to know. Bonaventure's writings on dogma were influential at the Council of Trent and continue to be read.Bonaventure led his order in a period of sharp tension among Franciscans over the legacy of Saint Francis. Should the order own property directly or just use property owned by others? Should the brothers be educated and teach or remain simple and only preach? Should the brothers live in the growing cities of the medieval world or stay in the country like Francis himself? Should the brothers in Northern Europe be allowed to wear shoes or must they go barefoot like Saint Francis commanded? These, and many other questions, cleaved the body Franciscan. Many of the diverse interpretations of Francis' legacy were unresolvable, and, in the early sixteenth century, the order morphed into three entities, each embodying a particular spiritual emphasis.Saint Bonaventure navigated these sharp tensions with great skill. His erudition, great patience, and love of others sewed the diverse patches of Franciscanism into a whole cloth. He had to chastise, punish, and correct too. But he was outstanding in listening to every side before making his final decisions. That Franciscanism survived is thanks to today's saint, who has been called the Franciscans' “Second Founder.”In 1273 Bonaventure was made a cardinal bishop by the pope. Knowing of this Franciscan's humility and his refusal to accept a previous episcopal appointment, the pope inserted into his bull an order that Bonaventure could not decline the honor. Bonaventure was in the kitchen washing dishes when the papal envoys arrived with the news. Saint Bonaventure died with his boots on, while participating in and aiding the pope at the Council of Lyon in 1274. Aquinas had died on the way to the same Council. Bonaventure was buried in Lyon, canonized in 1482, and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1557. Unfortunately, his tomb was desecrated by French Protestants and revolutionaries in later centuries, and his body has been permanently lost. His first professor at Paris, Alexander of Hales, gave him a supreme compliment. He said that Bonaventure “seemed to have escaped the curse of Adam's sin.”Saint Bonaventure, you had few equals in knowledge, love, prayer, and virtue. Through your heavenly intercession, help all Catholics to progress toward union with God by the many paths you yourself walked so long before us.

Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Apostles' Creed, Second Article part 2Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 15:1-29; John 15:12-27I believe that Jesus Christ has become my Lord. (Small Catechism: Apostles' Creed, Second Article)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus has become my Lord: It's not what the English versions of our catechisms say, but it is a good translation. Christ Jesus has become my Lord. You've perhaps met people who have spoken in this way before. Maybe someone has said that they've made Jesus their Lord, usually by some good thing they had done, said, or decided. But the Second Article of the creed and its explanation aren't saying this in the least. In a word, it says this: Christ saw me in my great sin, my sorrow, and need, took note of the great agony here on Earth, and did something about it. Paul says it, too: "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).Jesus says elsewhere, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:32). What does this mean? That even in your inborn sin and your actual sins each and every day, Christ Jesus, true God and true man, came to dwell among His enemies, came to bear your sin to the Cross, bore the whole weight of God's Law for you and me, suffered in your place, died your death, ascended to heaven to bring His very blood as the sacrifice for sin. And then, from heaven, Jesus comes still to give you the Gifts of heaven right here on earth. We say it like this: " . . .on earth as it is in heaven."How has Jesus become your Lord? He took all that stood between you and Him, all your sin that made you His enemy, all your grief, sorrow, and guilt, and provided full remission of sin by Baptism. Now, day after day, as you rise and pray the Morning Prayer, you are awakened to new mercies, gracious gifts, protection and peace brand new each day. He's always been your Lord and yet He becomes your Lord by His precious Body and Blood, given and shed for you in the Holy Sacrament. He graciously comes to you still, and mercifully rules you through the forgiveness of sins that He pours out to you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Thou art King of glory Christ; Son of God yet born of Mary. For us sinners sacrificed, As to death a Tributary, First to break the bars of death, Thou hast opened heav'n to faith. ("Holy God, We Praise Thy Name" LSB 940, st.4)-Rev. Adam Degroot is pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM.Audio Reflections speaker: Rev. Duane BamschCome on an adventure with author Eric Eichinger as he unpacks the saga of Jesus' Hero Journey. You'll see how aspects of this journey are seen in popular stories, and how God used Jesus to create the most action-packed one with a real Savior for all. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

The Liturgy Guys discuss how to receive The Holy Sacrament!

Will God answer your prayer if you don't end with, "In Jesus' name, Amen?" Learn what praying in the name of Jesus really means. I taught this week on the call of Abraham and the development of God's missionary call through the nation of Israel as they were responsible to communicate the truth of God to the cultures around them. They were given that great commission. The great commission didn't start in Matthew 28. It started with Abraham in Genesis 12 —the first three verses there —Abraham, chosen by God to raise up a nation who would then be God's priests to the world so that they would be a blessing to all of the nations. They had a unique role in the great monotheistic religion. The Jews were supposed to reflect morality to the world. Israel was to witness to the name of God. When they talked about the name of God and witnessing to God's name, that does not mean that they were to let everybody know what they called God, "Yahweh." Their goal wasn't to cover the countryside with evangelists who just let everybody know what the right word for God was. It meant something different. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ https://linktr.ee/jacksonlibon --------------------------------------------------- #realtalk #face #instagram #SDF #SYNDICAT #DESPUTES #amour #take #couple #dance #dancers #vogue #voguedqnce #garden #tiktok #psychology #beyou #near #love #foryou #money #ForYouPizza #fyp #irobot #theend #pups #TikToker #couplegoals #famille #relation #doudou #youtube #twitter #tiktokers #love #reeĺs #shorts #instagood #follow #like #ouy #oyu #babyshark #lilnasx #girl #happybirthday #movie #nbayoungboy #deviance #autotrader #trading #khan #academy #carter #carguru #ancestry #accords #abc #news #bts #cbs #huru #bluebook #socialmedia #whatsapp #music #google #photography #memes #marketing #india #followforfollowback #likeforlikes #a #insta #fashion #k #trending #digitalmarketing #covid #o #snapchat #socialmediamarketing¹

Jesus hasn't stopped breathing the Spirit upon all of selfish, rebellious humanity. He breathed the Spirit upon you in your Baptism. The Spirit continues to breathe on you, the once slain but now alive army of God. The Spirit gives you to listen to Jesus, to hear His Word, and receive the gifts that Word gives. Jesus tells you to touch His flesh in the Holy Sacrament. He gives you to hunger and thirst for His righteousness, drinking deeply from the well of His forgiveness. “Peace be with you” is proclaimed to you in the forgiveness of sins in His body and blood of His Supper. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stjohnrandomlake/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stjohnrandomlake/support

As I drove to the church early this morning to sit in the chapel and pray for an hour as part of the Prayer Vigil.  I began to think about the glory of God and the fullness of what His glory might mean.  I searched for the glory in the cross as I sat in the front of the Holy Sacrament and found Charles Spurgeon September 13, 1885 sermon on Galatians 6: 14.  Eleven pages of gripping exposition of glory responding to what Paul writes “14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”If you were to define glory, what would you say?  There are some fanciful definitions, but throughout this week as I have thought about this word, stripping it down to the basics, I think I would say that Glory is the complete presence and purity of God where the trappings of the world, the flesh, and that devil have zero influence or impact. Where do you find Glory?This is what we carry to our Easter Celebration and have to share with the world around us if we have first placed all that is in our lives upon the cross that we would receive His glory that He would crush the head of Satan and the deceptive lies he has tried to destroy us with. Satan might think he has won, but the only way he can celebrate is if you hold on to your glory instead of casting it down and foot of the cross.   Amen.Support the show (http://www.easytithe.com/stbdeland)

Hello Family,Thank you for joining today's Rosary prayer. This is day 42 of our 54-day Rosary Novena. Tuesday  of the Fifth Week of LentFamily, We have prayed over 22,000 rosaries in these past 42 days. Thank you so much for your commitment to this Novena. Thank you for praying for all of our intentions. Please know that we are praying for you. Please continue to share the podcast with friends and loved ones. You can share an episode, clip, or even our Instagram page. It's not too late to join the Novena. All episodes remain published and can start with day 1.  With  that let's get started. Day 42; Glorious Mysteries in Thanksgiving  Let us pray the Glorious Mysteries in Thanksgiving.  Blessed Mother, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, we ask that you intercede for us as we pray to have our hearts opened to the will of God. In this season of Lent, we pray that the Holy Spirit leads us closer to God. Blessed Mother, Queen of peace: We pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia.We pray for those who are to receive the Holy Sacrament. We pray for those battling Cancer We pray for the Intentions received by email, Instagram, and Youtube.We pray for the intentions of everyone listening to this rosary prayer. For: Conrado, Ryan who is having surgery, Sandra and her daughter, Richard, Uche and h and Family,  Kevin, your godparents Veronica, & Anthonio, Norma, Juan, and Iliana, Katie, Patty, Lopez Family, Debbie, Nick, Paz, Anthonia.With love, Maritza MendezWebsite:https://www.54daysofroses.com/Coffee with Roseshttps://calendly.com/54daysofroses/coffee_with_roses3Support our Ministry:https://www.54daysofroses.com/supports6Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/54daysofroses/Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/54daysofrosesVenmohttps://account.venmo.com/u/Novena54DaysofRosesAudio Engineerhttps://luisaperez238.wixsite.com/portafolioThe song "Meditation 2" created by Patrick Buddehttps://www.patrickbudde.com

Jn 13:1: "Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." These words of the apostle can rekindle in us a deeper love and awareness of what happened at the Last Supper. Fr. Eric Nicolai goes through the details of this central event: St. John narrates the washing of feet (vv. 4-11) and Jesus' explanation of why he did it (vv. 12-17). It then mentions the denunciation of the betrayer (vv. 18-32) and ends with the teaching of the new commandment (vv. 33-35) and the prediction of Peter's denial (vv. 36-38). Preached on April 1, 2022. Music: Handel, Opera Rinaldo, Aria "Lascia ch'io pianga", arranged for guitar by Bert Alink Thumbnail: Altarpiece of the Holy Sacrament, 1464-1468, by Dieric Bouts, St Peter's Church, Leuven. For more meditations, check my channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos www.ernescliff.ca www.opusdei.ca

Support the D.A.W.G.Z. @ patreon.com/MSsecretpod Matt and Shane's Sacred podcast. Fresh off of a Holy Sacrament the D.A.W.G.Z. unite to deliver a HOT CAST. Gutfeld is a babylon ting. Shane has officially quit. Are you a Rude Boi or a Top SHOTTA? 

A holy war breaks out after Texas bans abortion after the detection of fetal heartbeat; the Biden administration continues to declare its own heroism while telling Americans that the Taliban might be our friends now; and Don Lemon says if you're unvaccinated, don't go to the hospital if you're sick.Check out Debunked. Where Ben Shapiro exposes leftist fallacies in 15 minutes or less. Watch the full season available only on The Daily Wire: utm.io/uc9er Subscribe to Morning Wire, Daily Wire's new morning news podcast, and get the facts first on the news you need to know: https://utm.io/udyIF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A holy war breaks out after Texas bans abortion after the detection of fetal heartbeat; the Biden administration continues to declare its own heroism while telling Americans that the Taliban might be our friends now; and Don Lemon says if you're unvaccinated, don't go to the hospital if you're sick. Check out Debunked. Where Ben Shapiro exposes leftist fallacies in 15 minutes or less. Watch the full season available only on The Daily Wire: utm.io/uc9er  Subscribe to Morning Wire, Daily Wire's new morning news podcast, and get the facts first on the news you need to know: https://utm.io/udyIF

Last week, we talked about Holy Communion being a gift and not a right owed to us by God. This may sound like the Church doesn't want you if you've sinned, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The reality is, every one of us is in need of repentance, and there is not one person on this earth who isn't a sinner. What we need to examine within ourselves is how we can realign our souls back to God and enter a union with him in the Holy Sacrament. Today, Fr. Mike clarifies some points he made in his last video about Holy Communion, and explains why the Church has always wanted your heart—especially in the midst of sin. For more from Fr. Mike, check out his new book Are You Saved? The Catholic Understanding of Salvation from his new series The Curious Catholic.

A Reply to the Texas District Paper on Internet Communion Here is the video of the recent three-martini Texas District convention. Someone shared this with me as a chance to respond to the “Bible Study” that begins at roughly 1:09 and ends at 2:04. The official title is “The Church in a Post-Covid World,” but that's not really what it is about. It is, in fact, an advocacy and apologia for “internet communion.” The presenter is the Rev. Zach McIntosh of Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio. He seems like a nice, bright guy. And I have to say that I like the fact that he's a McIntosh. His Highlander ancestors probably fought with mine in the wars of Scottish independence with a confederation known as the Clan of Cats. I have to give him props for that, especially as we Celts are dreadfully outnumbered by Germans in our synod. Having said that, the cuisine in Texas and Louisiana beat anything cooked up by Scots or Germans. That said, I have to give him a demerit for lecturing about Holy Communion (part of his argument for internet communion is the profound importance of the Holy Sacrament) given that his congregation only celebrates it on the first Sunday of the month. I cannot even grasp it. Not counting holidays, that's twelve times a year. That sounds like starvation rations to me. My little congregation offers the Holy Sacrament more than a hundred times a year. Perhaps Pastor McIntosh can give a presentation to his own congregation on Article 24 and the importance of the Holy Eucharist and its frequent reception. I notice that other advocates of home-internet communion tend to be pastors of churches that practice infrequent communion. I have no explanation for this. All that said, Pastor McIntosh is open and honest that this is indeed a position paper more than a Bible Study. He presents it based on four “theses.” A thesis is part of an argument. And during the course of his talk, he openly admits that the real question behind the paper, that is the real thesis statement is: “Is it possible for a local church to rightly participate together in a livestreamed Word and Sacrament service while remaining in their individual homes?” And he is open about his answer: Yes, he is “sympathetic” to the idea of a livestreamed “Word and Sacrament” service. He also admits that the service of the Word is not really problematic, but the service of the Sacrament is the actual controversial issue. And that it is. His four theses are: The Church is Invisible. The Church is Confessional. The Church is Inter-Spatial. The Church is Fraternal.   The Church is Invisible This is really nothing more than the assertion that faith is invisible. He cites Eph 5:33, AC 7&8, he quotes Luther using the term “invisible,” and cites 1 Cor 6:19 and 1 Pet 2:5. The Church is Confessional He explains the development of the ecumenical creeds and the Lutheran confessions. He argues that although the Bible, Creeds, and Confessions never address remote electronic worship, we can use these resources to discern whether we should or should not make use of such technology. One statement that he makes is “There was no Mass when the New Testament was written.” This is simply untrue. Jesus established the Lord's Supper “on the night when He was betrayed.” St. Paul, in 1 Cor 11, explains that the Words of Institution were already a tradition that was handed over to him when he was writing the letter in about 55 AD. Indeed, the Sacrament of the Altar was being celebrated by the apostles on a weekly basis very early on, according to Acts 2:42, when none of the New Testament had even yet been written. Pastor McIntosh refers to this very verse later on. This thesis that “The Church is Confessional” is really just a premise to use the confessions to make arguments regarding administration of the Sacrament. For some reason, he omitted the longest treatment of the Divine Service and Holy Communion in the Book of Concord: Article 24 in the Augsburg Confession and the Apology. The Church is Inter-Spatial This is where the rubber meets the road, as they used to say in Akron, Ohio. This word “inter-spatial” is a neologism coined by the presenter just to make the obvious point that the Church is both universal and local. He addresses the universality of the Church by appealing to the Una Sancta of the Nicene Creed. More accurately, the Church is “catholic.” The word “Universal” is a weak translation of καθολικός, which comes from two words: κατά (kata - according to) and ὅλος (holos - the whole). Catholicity not only means that the Church is more than simply the local congregation, it means that the Church is una owing to a wholesomeness and fullness of doctrine. And it is ironic that he should appeal to the Church's catholicity to argue for communion celebrated by either laymen speaking the verba, or the remote words of a pastor who is not present for the consecration. This is as un-catholic as you can get. It is sectarian, as no historic communion that confesses the Real Presence ever had, or has, practiced this, or confessed a doctrine that allows it. Pastor McIntosh points out the both/and nature of the universality and the locality of the Church by comparing it to an interstate highway that is both within states, and crosses state lines. I think this illustration betrays him, as we are talking about roads that actually exist in space and time. You cannot be on Interstate-10 and not exist somewhere physically. If I'm in a Zoom session in Iowa, then I'm not on I-10. Roads are incarnational. The fact that the road is in California doesn't negate the fact that when I'm driving to Baton Rouge, I'm in Louisiana. He uses the term “ecclesiis sanctorum” from Jerome's Latin of 1 Cor 14:33. He translates this as “multiple churches with many holy ones.” “Sanctorum” is a genitive plural. It is better translated as “churches of the saints,” as does the ESV. Of course, there are multiple churches in the sense of local congregations, even as there is one holy catholic and apostolic Church (una sancta). This reality has nothing to do with internet communion. He tries to argue for internet communion based on Acts 4:42, 46-47 - “breaking bread in their homes.” Of course, prior to Constantine, nearly all Christian worship was conducted in homes. There is no indication that these services were lay-led, or that the pastors somehow conducted services from afar, perhaps by epistle or messenger or carrier pigeon. And local churches meet in homes to this very day, including parishes of our sister church body, the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church. I visited one such congregation in 2015, with a Divine Service held in a parishioner's apartment. But the Mass was officiated by ordained clergymen who drove a long way to lead the service. It would be unthinkable to our sister church body to conduct a Divine Service over Zoom, or to just have the laity speak the verba over bread and wine themselves - in spite of the reality that it takes a lot of time and money to physically travel. And it was the same way in the LCMS's frontier days. Pastor McIntosh cites Luther giving assent to meeting “alone in a house somewhere… to baptize and to receive the sacrament” (AE:53:63-64). But the larger context is not lay-led communion or allowing pastors to somehow consecrate from afar. This quotation comes from The German Mass and Order of Service (1526). In it, Luther identifies three types of “divine service or mass.” The first is the Evangelical Latin Mass, to be used in a parochial setting where the people speak Latin. The second is the German Mass, which is to be used for “untrained lay folk” who do not speak Latin. And then there is the “third kind of service,” which: should be a truly evangelical order and should not be held in a public place for all sorts of people. But those who want to be Christians in earnest and who profess the gospel with hand and mouth should sign their names and meet alone in a house somewhere to pray, to read, to baptize, to receive the sacrament, and to do other Christian works. According to this order, those who do not lead Christian lives should be known, reproved, corrected, cast out, or excommunicated, according to the rule of Christ, Matthew 18. Here one could also solicit benevolent gifts to be willingly given and distributed to the poor, according to St. Paul's example, II Corinthians 9. Here would be no need for much and elaborate singing. Here one could set up a brief and neat order for baptism and the sacrament and center everything on the Word, prayer, and love. Here one would need a good short catechism on the Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Our Father. Nowhere does Luther advocate lay-led or remotely-led clerical ministry of Sacraments. He is describing a house-church - obviously where there is no Evangelical parish church to attend. This was certainly the case in many places during the Reformation. Luther is describing what we would call today, a “church plant,” and avers that “the rules and regulations would soon be ready.” In fact, Luther goes on to say that church planting is not his particular thing, but “if I should be requested to do it, and could not refuse with a good conscience, I should gladly do my part and help as best I can.” He adds, “In the meanwhile, the two above-mentioned orders of service [i.e. the Latin and German parochial Masses] must suffice.” He also warns of the risks of such a church, that care should be taken lest it “turn into a sect.” Pastor McIntosh does finally admit the real crux of the problem: “There's not a pastor there.” So how does a pastor give care and oversight when he's not in the same room? He acknowledges the limits of pastoral care even in the same room, such as the pastor's inability to know about all people who should be excluded from the Christian congregation because of wickedness. He points to St. Paul's giving pastoral care remotely. And here, I think Pastor McIntosh sinks his own boat. Giving remote pastoral care is nothing new. But let's consider how technology has or has not been used. We have audio and video livestreaming today, but we have had the ability to send remote visual and audio images over the air since the 1940s. The LCMS was actually a pioneer in television programming. But no one in decades past, in the Golden Age of television, ever encouraged people at home in the viewing audience to put bread and wine on a TV tray while a televised pastor “teleconsecrated” the elements. There were services for shut-ins, but no suggestion of some kind of “private Mass” with “home communion” over the airwaves. And before TV, we had radio, the technology of which predates the 20th century. And yet not even during World War I and the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic was anyone suggesting the use of the pastor's transmitted radio voice to “teleconsecrate” remote elements. Before radio was the telephone. And even before the telephone, dating back to 1844, Samuel Morse found a way to encode words over telegraph lines. And again, not even in remote frontier locations did anyone even dream of having a pastor send a consecratory telegram or phone in the Words of Institution. And long before electronic communication, we had pen and ink technology and mail delivery. And this is where Pastor McIntosh defeats his own argument. St. Paul indeed provided pastoral care remotely by means of epistles. But not even in 1 Cor 11 does the apostle ask that the verba be read by a layman over bread and wine outside of the pastor's sight and control. Rather, Paul preaches the Word and gives catechetical instruction in writing. Baptisms and Eucharists were conducted by “elders” (presbyters) who were appointed for pastoral service in the local churches. The Church is Fraternal Pastor McIntosh's last thesis has nothing to do with the argument other than to try to prevent argument. He uses AC 26:44 “Diversity does not violate the unity of the Church” to argue that whether one uses internet communion or not, this doesn't affect our unity. He said, “False doctrine, yeah, that's a problem… but not every diverse practice is evidence of doctrinal disagreement.” And that is true. But it is equally true that not every expression of diversity is evidence of correct doctrine. He should not assume that internet communion is as indifferent as the color of the walls in the parish hall. We are dealing with the consecration of the elements. That is not a matter of “anything goes.” Contextually, Article 26 is dealing with diversity in fasting practices, not with consecrating the elements. This is a very different matter. In his conclusion, Pastor McIntosh says, “It's so important to continue to offer, whether it's in a cathedral or in a condo, the gifts of God to the people of God” [including] “the reception of the sacraments.” Yes, this is true. And parish pastors typically celebrate Masses in church buildings on Sundays, and often during the week at hospital beds for patients and at kitchen or living room tables for shut-ins. Yes, we do this both “in the cathedral and in the condo,” so to speak. But the point is that we pastors celebrate and consecrate, we preach, baptize, and absolve as circumstances dictate. We don't just tell the shut-ins to commune themselves. We don't just facetime them and say “magic words” while they hold the phone over bread and wine. That would be to treat the consecration as ex opere operato. Pastor McIntosh's presentation overlooks and omits all of the potential problems of remote consecration - assuming that it is even valid. But let's say that it is valid for the sake of argument. There are unintended consequences. For example, if I'm consecrating at the altar, and I misspeak a word, or get tongue-tied, I can simply repeat the verba. This is what celebrants are instructed to do based on the fact that we have been doing this for nearly two millennia, and stuff happens. But what happens if, unbeknownst to the remote celebrant, the Zoom transmission gets garbled, and the pastor's voice begins to sound like ET on Quaaludes? That happens all the time. So what then? What happens if only part of the verba are heard and the connection drops? What do we tell the viewing audience at home to do with the bread and wine? Are they, or are they not, the body and blood of Christ? It matters. It really does! And how can the pastor be a “steward of the mysteries” while he isn't there? The steward was an ancient office dedicated to table service. The steward could water down a diner's wine if he were getting inebriated, or even cut him off. That's because he is able to watch and listen and make changes based on feedback. Pastors do something similar when they officiate. They may need to consecrate more hosts, or break some in half. They may need to get stingy with the Lord's blood at the last table, or they may need to consecrate more. A theoretical remote communion separates the pastor from his vocation of stewardship. He cannot say what is being consecrated and what is not. In my practice, I count out how many hosts I need and only consecrate those in the paten on the corporal. The rest in the ciborium remain unconsecrated. I consecrate only the wine in the chalice, not every drop in the cruet. So I know what is the Lord's body and blood, and what is not. If I were not in the room, how would I do this? Is the wine in the glasses on the table the only ones consecrated? What about the bottle on the table? If there is a leftover piece of toast from breakfast on the table, is that now consecrated? These are not inconsequential questions. The Eucharist is not do-it-yourself project. Jesus established an office of steward. And how is the reliquiae taken care of afterwards? And if an accidental desecration happens, why should we put the burden on laymen, perhaps miles away, when we pastors are the stewards? And all of the above problems grant the assumption that remote consecration is possible, that this is a valid consecration. One glaring problem is that the pastor's voice never actually comes into contact with the elements. What comes out of a speaker is a simulation of the pastor's voice that fools your brain into thinking that it is his voice - not unlike the RCA Victor dog. In the same way, a Zoom image or a photograph is not actually the person, but is rather a simulation of that person that gives an appearance of that person's presence. Da Vinci's Last Supper is only a painting. It is not really Jesus and the apostles. I argue that because of this reality, it is physically impossible to consecrate the elements remotely. And even if it were possible, it would still open up a Pandora's Box of problems. And this is why we don't tear down Chesterton's Fence. This is why we don't do sectarian things. This is why catholicity is more than just “universality” in the sense that local manifestations of Church are to be found hither and yon. In times past, there have been wars, plagues, tyrannical rulers, and natural disasters that have impeded the ability of pastors to preach and administer Sacraments. We do what we can with our human limitations, and we accept those limitations as part of our humanity - the same humanity that our Lord Jesus Christ took on at His incarnation. Unlike the technocratic Klaus Schwabs of the world, we don't look to transcend those human limitations by means of turning ourselves into transhumanistic cyborgs. The Church is indeed invisible in the sense that faith is not seen by the naked eye. But the Church is also visible, as she gathers around a visible preacher even as faith comes by hearing, heard from someone preaching, one who has been sent (Romans 10). The Church is visible as the administration of the Sacraments is visible, as real, physical bread and wine and water occupy space and time, and we experience them with our bodies by means of our senses. Pastor McIntosh only spoke of the invisible Church, not the visible Church. We must consider both halves of the paradox to get the full picture. The Church is indeed confessional, and our confessions address the question of who is charged with consecrating the elements (AC 14) and how that is to be done (AC 24, Ap 24). The Church is both local and trans-local - as evidenced by the fact that instead of a single temple, we have altars all over the world with the miraculous presence of God resting on them. And Holy Communion is not called “the Sacrament of the Altar” by our confessions for nothing. The elements are consecrated by the Word by means of one authorized to proclaim that Word - not just any person, and not by a simulacrum of a pastor's voice. And indeed, the Church is fraternal. It is an act of fratricide to introduce a divisive, sectarian, ahistorical practice in the Church that leaves people in doubt and scandalized, not to mention leaving behind a host of other chaotic consequences in its wake. At the conclusion of Pastor McIntosh's “Bible Study,” President Newman pointed out that there just so happened to be resolutions pertaining to internet communion yet to be voted on by the body, and that the CTCR and seminary faculties have already weighed in. And to my knowledge, none of them agree with Pastor McIntosh and President Newman that this practice should be done in our churches. Hopefully, this whole uproar about internet communion will be nothing more than an eyebrow-raising little episode in LCMS history that future generations will find quaint when they read about the synod's 21st century history. And in the short term, I hope that our synod will find some way, even with our convoluted polity, to enforce biblical, confessional, and catholic doctrine and practice, and facilitate the restoration of a genuine Eucharistic piety and of yearning for its frequent reception in our churches, an ethos that would make internet communion - not to mention the practice of churches withholding the Sacrament of the Altar for three weeks out of the month - unthinkable.

In this mini episode we recap the short story 6-8 Black Men by David Sedaris and dive into how psychedelics played a part in the creation of Santa Claus. Sources:6-8 Black Men, short story from the book Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedarishttps://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/12/religion-as-a-product-of-psychotropic-drug-use/282484/ https://cswr.hds.harvard.edu/news/2021/02/12/video-psychedelics-ancient-religion-no-name https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331653731_Amanita_muscaria_The_Holy_Sacrament_of_the_Order_of_Melchizedek_Symbol_of_The_Resurrection_and_Cause_for_Christian_Redemption/link/5ff75490299bf140887d674b/download 

“Mark Chapter 8 Christ feeds four thousand. He foreshadows how He will feed the souls of men by means of the Holy Sacrament-the True Bread from heaven. 8:1. In those days again, when there was great multitude and they had nothing to eat; calling his disciples together, he saith to them: 8:2. I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 8:3. And if I shall send them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way: for some of them came from afar off. 8:4. And his disciples answered him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness? 8:5. And he asked them: How many loaves have ye? Who said: Seven. 8:6. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground. And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, he broke and gave to his disciples for to set before them. And they set them before the people.” “8:7. And they had a few little fishes: and he blessed them and commanded them to be set before them. 8:8. And they did eat and were filled: and they took up that which was left of the fragments, seven baskets. 8:9. And they that had eaten were about four thousand. And he sent them away.” Excerpt From The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete Anonymous https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-bible-douay-rheims-complete/id955129088 This material may be protected by copyright.

A Tale of Two Synods When someone posted the above video of the Texas District that was shown at the Texas District Convention, I responded on social media in a tongue-in-cheek manner, saying that Lutherans would do well to have such polished productions as this obviously non-denominational presentation. I thought about responding here at Gottesblog with satire, sarcasm, and gallows humor. After all, the jokes do just write themselves. The Texas District logo not only appears to depict three martinis, they get increasingly out of proportion and dizzying as you navigate from the first to the third. This could not have been by accident. Some graphic designer was obviously being cheeky. For in a very real sense, this illustrates a practical way to deal with the district - especially at convention. Although the genuine Texas beverage might be a 64 ounce bucket of margaritas, I don't know how well that would translate to a logo. So the three-martini motif will just have to do. I thought about comparing the entertainment-based music and emotional imagery in this video - rooted in the spoken word of vague non-sequiturs instead of the incarnational reality of Christ coming to us to forgive us and transform us for eternity by means of His physical presence. And this is manifest not only in His historic enfleshment, His birth, cross, death, and resurrection, but also in His ongoing sacramental presence with us in the miracles of Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist - two themes that, though central to the faith, are pushed to the margins in this video. Instead, this objective ground of faith is jettisoned in favor of emotion and slick production. In this, the comparison to the Texas-sized Neo-Evangelical megachurches of the highways and byways of the Lonestar State - where indeed everything is Bigger - is unavoidable. It is no accident that the Reverend Father Joel Osteen is a Texas pastor with a Texas-sized church that is the envy of Church Growth Movement moguls everywhere. Indeed, the lust of our baby-boomer CGM experts for Bigness and the reduction of individual human souls to a Big number in a ledger or on an annual statistics form is insatiable. No Cialis needed for this passion. I thought about performing a Rick-roll-like trick by inviting my reader to click on the link to the Texas District highlights, but replace it with the magnificent satirical video called “Contemporvent” or perhaps “The Worship Song Song.” Both make the point well. I also thought about all the angles I could play because it is Texas. And I do love Texas. I love the history and heritage, the independent streak of the people, the sense of Bigness in everything, a zest for life, the unique foods and cultures and byways. Texas is a quintessential part of the South, which I hold dear. And Texas is (along with South Carolina) a state where you are just as likely to see the state flag as the US flag - and it may well even be flying on a pole of the same height as Old Glory. It is a state where people, following the observation of President Obama, “cling to their guns” and “religion,” not to mention to their Whataburger, beef brisket barbecue, and big honking belt buckles. When I once traveled to Texas on business in my former life a long time ago, being on a company per diem, I ate a one-pound T-bone for lunch, and a two-pound T-bone for supper. You can get away with such things when you're in your twenties. I also bought myself some cowboy boots. I did not buy a cowboy hat, but did wear my boots up north. My Texan friend who lives in North Carolina always brought his pregnant wife to Texas to give birth many times in the Lone Star State, thus assuring the transmission of his Republic of Texas citizenship to posterity. And I think that is a good and noble thing. It is part of what makes Texas unique. These delightful quirks of Texas and Texans could have provided fodder for explaining the quirkiness of the LCMS in the Republic. Lutheranism has a long history in Texas - both in its German and Slovak heritages. But sadly, there is nothing endearing in the modern context about jettisoning the liturgy and our rich theology that are truly evangelical, and trading them for the pottage of non-denominational Christianity. Besides, those accents in the video suggest that there is a lot of carpetbagging going on. But after considering all of these angles, I decided to take a different tack. I'm still a big fan of dark humor and throwing stones at the dragon, for if nothing else, it breaks up the monotony, and sometimes gets other guys hurling a pebble or two. And who knows, there might even be a David out there whose stone hits the beast in the right spot. And even if it doesn't put the monster out of our Missouri, the encounter could end up in a viral Steve Inman video for entertainment purposes. And that's not for nothin'. But there is also something very serious and sad about this video. It shows that Pietism is still very much alive and well in our synod: the ginning up of emotion and the downplaying of the sacraments, the transformation of worship into entertainment instead of the Church's timeless participation in the eternal liturgy that binds heaven and earth together - that unites the Church Militant with the Church Triumphant, offering a sacrifice of praise to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the sacrificial Lamb whose blood saves us and who breathes the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, into us. And this is not a metaphor, but rather a flesh-and-blood reality by means of the ongoing miracle of God performing signs and wonders in our midst because His Word is still sounding forth, still creating, still redeeming, still sanctifying - still reconstituting the universe, and still drawing us into the incense-filled inner-sanctum of the very throne-room of God, where Isaiah once lay prostrate in fear, but where he was comforted by the purification delivered to his lips by a messenger bearing a burning coal from the holy altar. Of course, to the Pietist, this is just boring stuff from an old book. That's our grandfather's church. To them, we need music, really exciting, awesome, fist-pumping, epic music - guitars and drums and emoting vocalists and a guy running a sound-board. And that music should be repetitive, it should cause one's heart to skip a beat, it should tug at the heartstrings, it should induce dopamine so that a proper decision for Christ can be made. It should be the kind of music that fills the modular interlocking church seats the same way that stadiums are filled - thus also paying homage to the CGM Fetish of Bigness. This is Texas, after all. According to Pietism, we need pastors dressed just like us, who are excitable, who are dynamic, who are not stuffy and reverent and catholic. We need awesome vision-casting, leadership, leadership, leadership, and apps. We need high-tech. We need screens and PowerPoint. We need passion and programs and fun. Did I mention excitable pastors? We need to use the word “amazing” a lot - and new turns of phrase, like “on ramps for Jesus” (which is perhaps a Texas response to Oklahoman Carrie Underwood's “Jesus Take the Wheel”). We need to de-emphasize “what goes on in these four walls” and focus on drawing people into the church from the world by not only going into the world, but by looking like the world. The centrality of the Sacrament and the traditional liturgy really just get in the way of being “missional.” The video had a lot to say about mission work, but it lacked authenticity. It just looked like well-heeled Texas suburbanites getting together with other well-heeled Texas suburbanites for brisket and music. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but that's not really “missions.” Being missional is a big buzzword, but real mission work doesn't much resemble watching NFL games while scooping peanuts from a tin bucket at a Texas Roadhouse. One fellow brought up the topic of Christian worship during communism and compared it to using Zoom during the pandemic. As the kids say, “Yeah, no.” In fact, authentic Lutheran mission work is being done in the former Soviet Union. Here is a video showing how this missionary endeavor is carried out in Siberia, and how it is done in an authentically Lutheran way: Note the Christological and sacramental focus of Siberian mission work. (Let's just keep this between us girls, but Siberia is even bigger than Texas). As a bonus, here is a video of Siberian Bishop Vsevolod Lytkin speaking at a faithful Texas congregation, Faith Lutheran Church in Plano. This is quite the contrast to the Texas District video of the Cult of Bigness and the desire to adopt Neo-Evangelical worship. Sadly, I often hear from faithful confessional Lutherans, seeking authentic Lutheran worship using the hymnal, who drive sometimes up to a hundred miles on Sunday morning, passing a wasteland of non-liturgical LCMS congregations, all in order to find a church that is liturgical, confessional, and reverent. It is a huge sacrifice, but it is worth it - especially to young families who want their children learning the catechism and being formed by the miraculous presence of Christ instead of being molded by vacuous entertainment. Sometimes, people have to face hard choices of either finding a Wisconsin Synod congregation (and promising to break prayer fellowship with the rest of the family and be subjected to a low view of the office of the ministry), or even attending Masses of a continuing Anglican tradition and forgoing the Holy Sacrament for a while. As I noted earlier, this desert of decent LCMS congregations in some places has led some of our laity - often young families with children - to physically move to where the liturgical parishes are. As my colleague Fr. David Petersen advises, there is another option: to start a new church. We need faithful lay people to consider such a drastic step - even if it means foregoing the Bigness and suburban wealth of the Texas-sized LCMS church up the road. For this isn't about everything being Bigger - in Texas or elsewhere - it is about fidelity to Word and Sacrament, in doctrine and ceremonies. It is about teaching the people what they need to know about Christ. And even Osteen's Texas megachurch began very small - as did most of our LCMS church plants. In hostile districts, a confessional and liturgical congregation may well get snubbed by the districtocracy, even as money flows like the mighty Mississippi to church plants that downplay authentic Lutheranism and instead employ gimmicks. But remember, that the confession of the “one holy catholic and apostolic church” is located within the third article of the Creed - as the Holy Spirit is the “Lord and giver of life.” It is not mammon or district bureaucracy that quickens the church. It is not gimmicks or marketing that grows the church. For God Himself “has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.” Man does not live by District alone, and in fact, in our Lutheran tradition, both its history and its confessional writings, church bureaucracy is sometimes a hindrance to the Gospel. And when it is, it is best ignored. Certainly, our sixteenth century ancestors, who were attacked and harried by the worldwide, rich, and powerful church bureaucracy of the day, knew what it was to oppose them and stand as a “little flock” being implored to “fear not the foe.” The adoption of Neo-Evangelical practices indeed leads to Neo-Evangelical doctrine. Lex Ordandi, Lex Credendi is not just a tee-shirt slogan for seminarians and geeky pastors. It is an ancient and wise observation that bears out our Lutheran forbears' retention of the ancient ceremonies rather than throwing caution to the wind in search of something new. That is why Article 24 begins with the bold statement: Falsely are our churches accused of abolishing the Mass; for the Mass is retained among us, and celebrated with the highest reverence. Nearly all the usual ceremonies are also preserved, save that the parts sung in Latin are interspersed here and there with German hymns, which have been added to teach the people. For ceremonies are needed to this end alone that the unlearned be taught [what they need to know of Christ]. ~ AC 24:1-4a One thing that is hammered home by this video is that we are two synods (at least). Can you even imagine one of the pastors in the above video standing in the pulpit and reading the above quote from our confessions to his parishioners? Or how about the Texas District President reminding his congregations that they are committed to this confession. We can lie to ourselves that we are actually united as a synod. It just isn't so. There is no way that I would visit and commune at the kinds of LCMS churches shown in this video. Nor would my parishioners. They would be scandalized. And there is no way that most of those folks would ever commune from my hand at the altar that I serve. We have a paper fellowship, at best, and a tenuous unity and koinonia based not on doctrine and ceremonies, but on a common bureaucracy and shared employment benefits. And as more and more congregations jettison Concordia Plan Services, even that link is being weakened. In some cases, the only thing holding the synod together is a sense of nostalgia and branding. The Rev. Prof. Kurt Marquart of blessed memory suggested that we need a divorce in our synod. That would certainly be more honest than what we have now. And as painful as “The Walkout” and the subsequent breakup of the LCMS was in the 1970s, it was the honest thing to do. But maybe there is another way that we could order ourselves more honestly. Perhaps what we need is to abolish the districts and circuits as they exist (as they reflect 19th century technological limitations). But why must our districts be geographical today? Why not reorder ourselves according to what we have in common - especially in matters of worship. And if we have two or three, or even five or six, subdivisions of synod, so what? We currently have two non-geographical districts. We could have non-geographical “districts” where there is genuine agreement in doctrine and practice, and we could all keep the name and the benefits package. And if, down the road, it would be better to actually cut our ties, it would be easier to do in such a system. For right now what we have is not unlike what we have in the United States. Instead of federalism, we now have nationalism. And so US elections become a “winner take all” endeavor. And the losing side, which is typically very near fifty percent of the population - is held hostage to the faction that is bigger by only a percent or two (if that). Instead, we could decentralize our synod and let congregations have closer ties with other congregations that share their doctrine and practice - not unlike the situation in 19th century America, where small synods went into fellowship with one another. One “district” may specify that only the ordo and hymns in the hymnal may be used. Another “district” may make it all optional. Yet another “district” might compile its own requirements as to what is permissible. Our “district” conventions would be much less the way of power struggles, and the Divine Services at the same would not be places of protest, either against the services with guitars and streamers, or with chasubles and incense. Such a scheme would provide homogeneity in matters of doctrine and practice, while allowing the synod branding and employment benefits to be shared by all. In such a structure, synod would not dictate from above, and “districts” could recognize fellowship with other “districts” based on their own criteria. There are certainly dangers in such a polity. And there are likely unintended consequences. But what we have now is not working. We are engaging in a Mister Rogers style Land of Make-Believe fantasy that we are not in a state of impaired fellowship, and we are not involved in a power struggle between at least two opposing factions. By decentralizing the conflict, we can encourage church plants by “districts” without regard to geography, and our “district” mission funds could actually go to new congregations that reflect our confession and worship - whether Pietistic or confessional, whether normed by guitar or organ. For what we have now is 35 civil wars and games of one-upsmanship - where the winners are determined by political means: running for office, navigating parliamentary procedure, and engaging in backroom arm-twisting of the kind we see in the secular political world. At any rate, though we in The Gottesdienst Crowd are often marginalized and mocked by our Bigger brethren in synod (and sometimes that is a matter of the waistline and not only the waste-land), though our churches are generally smaller and often face financial struggles, let us not lose heart. Let us continue to be normed by the Bible and the Book of Concord, and let us continue to confess in Word and deed not only what Jesus has done for us, but what He continues to do for us in the Divine Service, where He comes to us in a literal and miraculous way that needs no distraction by entertainment or some Big New Awesomer Way of Doing Church. We don't need a new way of doing church. We need Jesus. We don't need entertainment. We need authentic worship. We don't need gimmicks. We need faith. And for you, dear reader, both layman and pastor, the following video (Have you seen the video?), produced by Gottesdienst, thanks to a grant from the LCMS, is an example of how “ceremonies teach the people what they need to know about Christ,” and how our bureaucracy can indeed teach the ceremonies to the pastors and laity alike. Instead of “contemporvence” grounded in entertainment, you will find reverence grounded in the reality that Jesus continues to join us in the miracle of the Holy Sacrament. And that reality is even bigger than Texas.  

Covid-Closed Communion “That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.” “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.” — 1 COR 11: 27-30 Taking Holy Communion is a life-and-death matter - at least if we believe the Bible. St. Paul, writing to the Church at Corinth blames the death of some parishioners on the fact that they communed “without discerning the body.” And this is certainly a part of why the Church has always practiced closed communion - until quite recently, that is. The Roman Catholic archdiocese of Chicago is concerned about people becoming weak, or ill, or even dying as a result of coming to Mass. And so they are carefully checking people at the door. Not to make sure that they “discern the body” in the sacrament, mind you, but rather to see if they have received a Covid-19 shot. Nobody will check to see that you are a Christian, a Roman Catholic, or a believer in the Real Presence when you present yourself to receive the body and blood of Christ. The priest will not ask you. You may well be a Satanist looking for a consecrated host to desecrate, and nobody will vet you. And neither will the lay man or woman who is distributing the blood of Christ - though the chalice is once again being withheld by the papal church because of Covid. Again, someone could become weak or ill, or even die. Hence the caution. Of course, not just Roman Catholics, but all Christians who confess the Real Presence, seem to be more concerned about people getting sick or dying from Covid than from unbelief. It is as though we don't believe what is in the Scriptures that receiving the Lord's Supper without belief can be fatal. Theology used to be the Queen of Sciences, but now Scientism has become the Queen of Theology. It seems that we believe more in the real presence of viruses than the real presence of Jesus, and that now the fear of the microbe is the beginning of wisdom. In the ancient church, if you traveled to another diocese to receive the Holy Sacrament, you were vetted. You were expected to produce a letter from your priest. Today, in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, something similar is happening - only the priest who must sign your letter wears a lab coat instead of an alb. In fact, for many Roman Catholics and other Christians alike, there is a new pope. His name is Anthony. Larry BeaneMay 28, 2021 Facebook0TwitterLinkedIn0Tumblr0 Likes  

Is there a fifth spiritual weapon, the Holy Eucharist? Yes! The final section of the Spiritual Combat holds a little surprise. Up until chapter 53, Fr Scupoli has repeatedly talked about four weapons of the spiritual battle: distrust of self (one's own unaided strength), trust in God, right use of our faculties, and prayer. We never read anything earlier in the book about a final, ultimate weapon. In chapter 53, Fr. Scupoli begins telling us about the role of the Eucharist in helping us fight against our egoistic tendencies and building up the virtues.

Today's Reading: John 15:26-16:4 Daily Lectionary: Numbers 14:1-25; Luke 18:18-34 "[The Holy Spirit] will bear witness about me. . . I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away." (John 15:26c,16:1) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Today is Exaudi Sunday. It means "hear." God gives us complete assurance that He hears us. And when He hears us, He assures us that He will never let us go (John 10:28-29). We therefore teach that our election is certain in our justification and our justification is certain through faith in Jesus. Do you want to be sure that faith is still alive? Do not consult your feelings! Instead, confess your sins and receive Holy Absolution. Hear God's Word, always return to your Holy Baptism, and run to get the Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Through these, faith is safe. Thus, Jesus comforted His disciples by promising them that the Holy Spirit was coming to bear witness about Jesus. Someone has called the Holy Spirit the "unselfish" person of the Holy Trinity (not that the other persons are selfish). The Holy Spirit doesn't call any attention to Himself, but only to Jesus. And true to form, Jesus isn't selfish, either, as He is always giving glory to the Father. Oh yes, the Father isn't selfish, either, since He delights in His Son. The point here is that the Holy Spirit is always putting Jesus before your eyes of faith and this is what keeps your faith living and secure. Why did Jesus teach that the Holy Spirit would come to do this? In John 16:1 Jesus said, "I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away." Our eternal security comes from the Holy Spirit's constantly keeping Jesus in front of us. As long as that is going on, then we are 100% safe. Jesus taught this precisely so that we would not fall away from the faith. God will never break His promise to be for us in Christ. At the same time, we are taught NEVER to desert Christ and His Word. The Word is that vehicle through which the mighty and comforting Holy Spirit works. We must therefore hold to the Word. Even when we are weak, completely aware of our sins, and discouraged, when we hold to the Word, then we are safe in the arms of Jesus. Then we know He has not abandoned us as we continue to hear the Word! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. O King of glory, LORD of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Seventh Sunday of Easter) Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Catholic Bishops consider banning Pro-Abortion President Biden from the Holy Sacrament of communion.  Find out more with host John Matarazzo. 

“It must be nice…” We've all heard that saying.  This episode was inspired by a DM I received on Instagram. Shout out to Darlene! Thank you for the episode request.  This show is all about money and how to handle the ‘not fun' comment of, “It must be nice.” Darlene asked if I can share how to handle this situation when you're hiding your blessings because of what others will say to you and how they see you if you're doing better financially than they are.  Here's the thing ( and you may not like that I say this ) - You don't have a money problem. You have a receiving problem. Your financial reality is all about your level of receiving.  Here is a 3 step process on how to move through that situation:Ask: What will create more in this situation? Take action on what will create more in that situation.Receive all of it: The good, the bad, the beautiful and the uglyIn this episode:You will discover that money is all about receiving.What receiving ‘really' is.How to deal with people who judge you and your blessings.Judgements are just things that others would not choose. Question create, conclusions create limitations. Are you interested in learning how to ask better questions that can up level your life and career? Join my FREE 30 DAY QUESTION CHALLENGE for May 2021! Text: CHALLENGE to (323) 524-9857 for all of the details and to join the challenge.  If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating  and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser and Castbox. Resources: The Get Up GirlJoanna Vargas on InstagramLive Fully Academy on IG!Joanna Vargas on FacebookTikTok @joannavargasofficialJoin my monthly online academy: LIVE FULLY ACADEMYOperation Underground Railroad – OURRescue.orgLearn more: Dance Your LifeTEXT: BUSINESS to (323) 524-9857 to get on my VIP lift for my next upcoming business coaching group! 

Today's Reading: John 20:19-31 Daily Lectionary: Exodus 20:1-24; Luke 4:1-15 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. (John 20:19) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. This marvelous Easter text is one of the most important in leading us to worship our Risen LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. At the same time, it is teaching us something about our Risen LORD according to His Person as true God and true man. In our Lutheran Confessions, Solid Declaration, Article VII on The Holy Supper, we learn that there are three ways in which Jesus can be in a given place. One of those is the way He was present as recorded in John 20. Here, space cannot contain Him, so Jesus was able to leave "the closed grave and came through closed doors" [John 20:19]. So locked doors and hard walls can't keep Jesus from really and actually coming to you and being with you. At the same time here in John 20 the disciples were able to know Jesus' real presence. He was actually there with them in His body! In fact, Thomas got to touch Him! (John 20:27). In other words, Jesus can do both at the same time: have nothing touch Him as He passes through locked doors and walls, and yet be touched and touch at the same time! How does He do it? He's God! It is not too difficult for Him. So, what is really important about this fancy schmancy theological overview? Just this: This is the same way that Jesus comes to you in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar! He does not need bread and wine to contain Him (they can't), and yet when you receive the sacramental bread and the sacramental wine, He really and truly and actually comes to you! In the Holy Sacrament, His Body and His Blood enters your mouth, enters your whole life, and this is one way that He is keeping His promise to be with you always (Matthew 28:20). In our sin, we doubt that Jesus can do this, but in this very Holy Sacrament and in His Word proclaimed, we poor sinners are given and increased in holy faith so that we may walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord's resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Second Sunday of Easter) Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Luke 24:36-38 Daily Lectionary: Exodus 15:1-18; Hebrew 9:1-28 . . . Jesus. . . said to them, 'Peace to you!" (Luke 24:36) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When the LORD Jesus says, "Peace to you!" it's not like He's saying, "I wish you well," or "I hope you feel better," or "Even though I don't know how things are going to work out, here's hoping for the best." Ah. . . no! When God proclaims peace upon you, it is created upon you; it becomes a reality upon you, so that peace for you is as empirical and objective as the iPhone you're holding right now or the thing upon which you are sitting. Think of the opening of Genesis, "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). When God speaks, what He speaks becomes. The spoken thing is now an "is" reality. Peace IS now yours because Jesus has spoken it to you! He speaks it every time you attend Divine Service, as the pastor in Christ's Office says, "Peace be with you." That's Jesus speaking to you and casting His peace upon you. Why is this so important? Because we--according to our core sin--are like those Emmaus disciples in Luke 24. We are ". . . troubled. . . [and have] doubts [arising] in our hearts" (Luke 24:38). That's what sinners do. In fact, the old man does nothing but doubt, fret, complain, and curse. But when Jesus sees you like this--like He saw the Emmaus disciples--He has compassion upon you as He had compassion upon them. So His response is not to condemn you, but in the greatest love and mercy impart to you His peace, which means that you are right with God through the life, death, and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ. But how can we know this with absolute certainty? Well, if we sneak ahead a little bit to Luke 24:39 we see what Jesus did with the Emmaus disciples: He got REAL with them! He showed them His hands and His feet and told them that they could touch Him! Well, guess what? He gets REAL with you, too! You go to the Divine Service and receive Jesus' REAL Absolution through the REAL pastor; and then hear Jesus' REAL Word through Jesus' REAL preaching Office; and then--best of all--you receive the REAL Body and Blood of Jesus in the Holy Sacrament. You get to see exactly how and why the peace that Jesus gives to you is not theoretical, but absolutely the real deal. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. O God, in the paschal feast You restore all creation. Continue to send Your heavenly gifts upon Your people that they may walk in perfect freedom and receive eternal life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Please go to https://tantrapunk.com for more info!

Week 49: Moroni 1-6 - This week as we study the sacrament, might we truly come to understand its importance in our lives, and how it can change who we are.links:https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-and-the-atonement?lang=enghttps://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/10/gratitude-on-the-sabbath-day?lang=enghttps://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/04/28holland?lang=engfor questions or comments please email us at; Comefollowmelesson@gmail.com

Day 6 St. Padre Pio you have said: In the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, in this sacrament of Love, we have true life, a blessed life, and true sacrament of Love; we have true life, a blessed life, and true happiness. Because in it we receive not only those graces that perfect us but the very Author of those graces. The post Day 6 – Novena to St. Padre Pio – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Us Catholic bishops desecrate the most Holy Sacrament by giving holy communion to evil Catholic politicians and the root of this goes back to Theodore Mccarrick: This scandalises the faith desecrates the Holy Eucharist : Many bishops are in different to scandal. It's time that the Catholic faithful say anough is enough --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ned-jabbar/message

In this conversation, Dylan and Nick provide insights into and marvel at why the sacraments matter more than you know. CCC 1115: The mysteries of Christ's life are the foundations of what he would henceforth dispense in the sacraments, through the ministers of his Church, for "what was visible in our Savior has passed over into his mysteries." Works Referenced: The Disputation of the Holy Sacrament and The School of Athens by Raphael Sanzio da Urbino. Colloquium on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colloquiumshow/ Colloquium on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colloquiumshow

“He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:6) Dear Friends, I invite all of you to join me online this Sunday, Easter morning, to worship our Risen Lord! I will lead worship from the church sanctuary that morning. The service will be live streamed onto Zion’s Facebook page again at our normal service time, 10:10am. Pre-recorded music that Jonathan Block and the soloist have created especially for the service will, again, be used during worship. Easter morning, among other things, we will celebrate the Holy Sacrament of Communion together. I invite each of you, in your homes, to prepare elements before the live streamed service for Communion begins. During an appointed time in the service, I will ask God’s blessings upon the elements on the altar, and in your homes, after which we can then receive them together during live streamed worship. I will guide you through the process. I ask that you use as elements for Communion any kind of bread you already have in your homes (leavened or unleavened), and wine or grape juice you already have in your homes. You may also use water in substitute of wine or grape juice, if you don’t currently have wine or grape juice in your home. In light of our Governor’s issued travel advisories, I encourage you not to make a special trip to the grocery store or elsewhere to obtain elements for Communion. God will richly bless the items you already have in your homes. There are some in our society who say that the current pandemic will make it impossible for Americans to celebrate Easter this year. That, however, is not true! We will celebrate the most important thing about Easter this Sunday. Join me online at 10:10am so that all of us, on that most sacred of days, can safely lift up our Risen Lord together in praise as a church family! Those of you unfamiliar with how to access our church’s Facebook page online, can do so my clicking the following link: https://www.facebook.com/ZionEvangelicalUCC/ Bless you all! Pastor Basile

This is Down the Hill, where an undergraduate student discusses topics at "face-value" from philosophy, theology, truth, and more!Today's episode? Things Michael definitely has no idea what he is talking about... Art. Here Michael discusses the podcast cover art, where it came from and something he learned about it! Stay tuned... philosophy and theology comes to life in art!Materials used in this episode: Disputation of the Holy Sacrament: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disputation_of_the_Holy_Sacrament#/media/File:Disputa_del_Sacramento_(Rafael).jpgThe School of Athens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_School_of_Athens#/media/File:%22The_School_of_Athens%22_by_Raffaello_Sanzio_da_Urbino.jpgMichael's email: mrtorregosa@gmail.comPlease put "DOH-EP# Discussion" as the subject line.Join me in this great journey of mine as I continue to pursue the greatest truth!Music: The Benedictine Monks of Norcia (OSB), BENEDICTA: Marian Chant from NorciaThe Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), Requiem

This prayer is from the Pieta Prayer Booklet. May the most holy, most sacred. most adorable, most mysterious and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored, and glorified in heaven on earth and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar.

Do we truly recognize the power of having a Mass offered for a special intention? If so, why do we typically only take advantage of this incredible gift when someone is seriously ill or has passed away? Today we chat about the power of this most Holy Sacrament and why we might want to have Masses offered on a more regular basis, as well as other topics around prayer and worship. Come join us! To access the webinar (and webinar recording) on my upcoming online course Rewriting Your Story with God, click here. To join the podcast Facebook Discussion group, click here. For more information about Two Hearts for HER, follow me on facebook or instagram or check out my website. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/twoheartsforher/message

We know that spending time in Eucharistic Adoration is an incredible thing, but it’s so easy to get distracted! And when it comes to the practicals, should you sit, stand or kneel? Should you read a spiritual book or write in your journal? What kinds of things should you pray about? How can you listen better and actually hear God’s voice? Father Josh Johnson joins me live at the SLS20 FOCUS conference in Phoenix to share helpful advice on how exactly to spend your time in Eucharistic Adoration. In this conversation, Father Josh shares insights from his own Adoration experiences, the writings of the Saints, Church tradition, and Holy Scriptures that will help you focus on the face of our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration. _ ** Snippet from the Show If you wouldn’t look at your cell phone in the middle of your wedding ceremony, why would you look at your cell phone in the middle of your prayer time? _ ** SHOWNOTES What Should You Do in Adoration? What we know: Jesus is fully present in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is Christ’s body, blood, soul, and divinity In Adoration, we can encounter God in the Eucharist, in what’s normally called a “holy hour” But the question is, what should we do in a holy hour? Father Josh’s First Holy Hour Fr. Josh first encountered Christ in Adoration at a Steubenville Youth Conference, and the experience was so powerful for him that he vowed to go to Adoration every single day after that. However, when he went to Adoration away from the conference, without the lights and music and incense that Steubenville had, Father found himself not knowing what to do. Father realized that a lot of people are faced with this question in Adoration, which drove him to write his book, Pocket Guide to Adoration. Tips from Father on what we should and shouldn't do in Adoration: We should… Pray vocal prayers: if you’re alone, take the opportunity to pray out loud Bring our Bible: Fulton Sheen says that the Eucharist is the face of Christ, and scripture is the voice of Christ Bring our thoughts and desires to the Lord, and listen to what he says: tell the Lord what’s on your heart and mind, but then stop and listen to what he has to say Meditate on the Gospels: if you’re reading the Bible in Adoration, Fr. Josh recommends starting with the life of Jesus told in the Gospels Have a resolution upon leaving Adoration: this is recommended by the saints and will help build upon the graces you received in Adoration Be open to the Holy Spirit: it’s good to have a plan going into Adoration, but we have to make sure we’re allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us in our prayer We shouldn’t... Adore ourselves: know who you’re talking to, and what you’re talking about Ignore the way we live outside of prayer: the way we live outside of prayer affects the way we live in prayer Have our cell phones nearby: if you have to have it for prayers, put it on airplane mode to avoid distractions Turn Adoration into study hall: it’s okay to read in the presence of the Holy Sacrament, but we shouldn’t call it Adoration because we’re not adoring the Lord Why go to Adoration? Fr. Josh explains why Adoration is so important through the context of the mass. Not only does it intensify our relationship with God, but it causes us to long for him more. When we go to Adoration and see the Lord in the Eucharist, we are drawn to him more, so much so that we want to experience his love in a more intimate way, such as in mass. Adoration calls us to live a life of worshiping God in everything we do. “Adoration leads to imitation.” The more we hang out with Christ in Adoration, the more we become like him. You’ve heard it said that you become a combination of the three people you hang with most, and the same is true with spending time with God. If we want to imitate Christ in his thoughts, words, and actions, we have to spend time with him. ** Additional tips from Fr. Josh: If you struggle with...** Getting distracted in Adoration Sit near the front of the chapel: This will prevent you from being distracted by others Focusing too much on the discomfort of kneeling Sit down or lay prostrate: It’s better to focus fully on the Lord than to do what you think is “correct” or “normal” Staying focused for a full hour Start with 15 minutes: begin with either Lectio Divinia or a rosary, and stay longer as you build endurance Resources Pocket Guide to Adoration (https://ascensionpress.com/products/pocket-guide-to-adoration?_pos=1&_sid=c48cb8010&_ss=r) by Fr. Josh Johnson He and I (https://www.amazon.com/He-I-Rev-Gabrielle-Bossis/dp/0819834386/ref=sr_1_1?gclid=CjwKCAiApOvwBRBUEiwAcZGdGAnrMqYSa5q6cuR6188chhFaOXRIrqdi6vZlEYVdA4Nruh3wApNVvBoCCsEQAvD_BwE&hvadid=241652015654&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9012276&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12071430523350394568&hvtargid=aud-837858999240%3Akwd-4597050686&hydadcr=8265_10374952&keywords=he+and+i+gabrielle+bossis&qid=1578875081&sr=8-1) by Gabrielle Bossis Check out Fr. Josh’s podcast, “Ask Father Josh” Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation (https://ascensionpress.com/products/broken-and-blessed-an-invitation-to-my-generation) by Fr. Josh Johnson Subscribe to our show by texting “allthingscatholic” to 33-777

Introit: Ps. 93:1, 3-4; antiphon: Ps. 93:5, 2 Gradual: Ps. 45:2a, 1b Old Testament: Is. 11:1-5 or 2 Sam. 7:1-16 Psalm 89:1-8 (antiphon: v. 8) Epistle: Gal. 4:1-7 ProperVerse: Ps. 93:1 Gospel: Luke 2:(22-32) 33-40 The Seed of David Comes to His Temple A Rod has come forth from the stem of Jesse (Is. 11:1-5)-the Seed of David whose kingdom shall be established forever (2 Sam. 7:1-16). In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son Jesus to redeem us from the judgment of the Law (Gal. 4:1-7). Now He is presented in the temple in fulfillment of the Law and revealed to be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel" (Luke 2:22-40). Christ has enlightened us in baptism, giving us to be adopted as sons of God and heirs of eternal life. Receiving the Holy Sacrament of His body and blood, we are prepared to depart this world in peace, for our eyes have seen the salvation of God in Him.

Fr. Bryan Brooks joins us to discuss the Holy Sacrament of Confession. This episode on confession is sponsored by https://www.covenanteyes.com/ (Covenant Eyes). Use promo code “catholicman” to get a 30-day free trial in protecting you and your family from the dangers of the internet. http://www.patreon.com/thecatholicmanshow (Do you benefit from our show? Want to help see it continue to grow? Would you like to see more guests in studio? If so, please consider joining us on Patreon). As little as $4/mo makes a big difference. Many hands make light work. About our drink: https://michters.com/ (Michter’s Bourbon) Notes of oak, white pepper, honey, peaches and raisins lingered for a while in my mouth with the predominant flavor being the white pepper that brings a subtle heat and spice to the finish. This bourbon tastes like many young bourbons I’ve had from start-up distilleries with its light nose and sweet palate profile. About the gear: N/A – we didn’t have a gear this week since we had so much we needed to cover. About our topic: The topic of confession. How do we help the priest, help us, during confession? Should you pray while in the state of mortal sin? How do you make a good confession after you have stopped committing mortal sin on a regular basis? Can you make a confession on skype? About our guest: Fr. Bryan Brooks was born in Oklahoma City nearly fifty years ago. My parents are Mary Brooks and the late Bob Brooks. I am the third of four children, three boys and one girl. I was baptized and raised a Methodist and attended public schools. My dad was an auto mechanic who started his own company of car repair and remanufacturing of engine parts. It was the family business and at different times I and my siblings worked with our parents in some form. As a child and adolescent, I was active in Boy Scouts. While in high school I was a member of a Disciples of Christ congregation. He was ordained to the priesthood May 28, 1993. Pastor – St. Benedict Parish (Broken Arrow), Vicar for Priests – Diocese of Tulsa. Drinking: Michters Bourbon Gear: N/A Discussing the sacrament of confession. If this is your first time listening to The Catholic Man Show, we do 3 things almost every episode: TIME CODES: 1.) Open, review, and enjoy a man beverage – Minutes 1-12. 2.) Highlight a man gear – Minutes 12-24. 3.) Have a manly conversation – Minutes 24-48. If you haven't listened to The Catholic Man Show before, check out our previous episodes https://thecatholicmanshow.com/episodes/ (here). Subscribe to our https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5MhmMZZhEnrapVYUIkFHLg?view_as=subscriber ( YouTube channel) to watch past episodes. Want to help The Catholic Man Show? By giving us a rating on https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-catholic-man-show/id1128843873?mt=2 (iTunes, it helps others find the show.) Want to say up with The Catholic Man Show? Sign up for our mailing list: http://www.thecatholicmanshow.com/manly (Click Here) Looking for a prayer to pray with your wife? https://thecatholicmanshow.com/blog/looking-for-a-prayer-to-pray-with-your-wife-print-this-off-and-start-praying/ (Check this blog out.) Are you getting our emails? Sign up for our (almost) monthly newsletter where we give you all bacon content – never spam.  http://thecatholicmanshow.com/manly/ (SIGN UP HERE:) https://thecatholicmanshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/tcms-email-ss.png () Support this podcast

On this episode: -Va Gov. Ralph Northam says something evil about abortion. -I think abortion has become a religious practice for the Left -Ben Sasse is awesome. -State of the Union Reaction -Super Bowl Re-Cap --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cory-truax/support

The present crisis in the Church is a crisis of the Church, that is, its members. Some have left or are leaving, and some remain but with little trust. And many are returning to the foundations of the faith and asking the simple but essential questions we all need to revisit, like, “what is the Church and can we trust it?”The Church is too profound to be captured in a single image, but the word “church”  itself translates “to call out of“ and means “a convocation or an assembly. It designates the assemblies of the people, usually for a religious purpose” (Catechism). The Church is the people of God, as foreshadowed in the children of Israel, and now fully expressed as the Body of Christ. The Church is the sheepfold, the cultivated field, the building of God, of which Christ is the cornerstone.  She is mater et magistra – our mother and teacher – who cares for us.  She is also the Bride of the Christ: “It is she whom he unites to himself by an unbreakable alliance, and whom he constantly ‘nourishes and cherishes’” (Catechism).The Church is not an inanimate institution, nor is she a clerical service organization; she is the community of believers who are incorporated into Christ through Baptism  When we say she is the people of God, we see that she is us – ordinary men and women trying to sanctify ourselves through our work; sinners in need of daily forgiveness. Moreover, the Church administers the sacraments, the visible signs that communicate an invisible grace, by which Christ gives supernatural life to men and heals their sins. Christ is truly present in the Holy Sacrament, and before this mystery of faith and love, Blessed Newman exclaims: “O my God, holiness becometh Thy House, and yet Thou dost make Thy abode in my breast. My Lord, my Saviour, to me Thou comest, hidden under the semblance of earthly things, yet in that very flesh and blood which Thou didst take from Mary.”When we say she is our mother and teacher,  we see that she is the men and women the Holy Spirit has chosen to be a conduit for His words, words that never fail even when the voices speaking do.  In these uncertain times, when shepherds have failed to protect their sheep, many wonder if they can trust the Church. While individuals will fail, Christ has promised us that the Church will not fail. St. Matthew quotes our Lord as saying that He will build his Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (16:19).  This indefectibility (inability to fail) He ensures especially to the Seat of Peter, the See of

Jesus shocked his followers when he told them, "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them." We are no less shocked today when - as thoroughly modern people - we consider the Real Presence of Christ in the elements of Holy Communion. This sermon looks at how scripture, church history, and the Lutheran Confessions all affirm that Jesus Christ is truly present in the bread and wine of Holy Communion.

Day #6 of the Lenten Journey into the Divine Liturgy by Fr. Vazken Movsesian. The priest is fully vested, and here we remember one more means of physical preparation via fasting. We agreed earlier to look at the physical preparations first, before the spiritual and emotional preparations, for in fact the physical dimensions of anything are always easier to comprehend. We learned about each of the articles of the vestments which transforms the priest for the celebration of celebrations. Fasting is the bridge between the physical and emotional. While the abstinence from food is the outward expression of fasting, the appeal to discipline and strength of will are matters of the spirit and soul.In our Lord's life, there is a story where a young man is brought to Jesus to have a foul spirit exorcised from him. The boy's father had appealed to the disciples who, though commissioned to be able to heal, were unable to do so. When Jesus removes the unclean spirit from the boy, the disciples ask him, “Why were we unable to cast out the demon?  To which Jesus responds, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9)Prayer and fasting go hand and hand. Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” A pure heart is accented with the pure body, for in fact, the purpose of the Divine Liturgy is to come into the presence of God – to commune with God, to see God. Fasting is the key to that physical purity – to cleanse and purge the system from all impurity so that the Holy Sacrament is accepted in cleanliness. Fasting also heightens our understanding of necessity. When we fast, in our hunger, we naturally think of our next meal – we look forward to satisfying our hunger. It is during these moments that we must ask ourselves what is truly essential for life. How important are those meals? We come to view in a different manner Christ's words, that bread alone is not essential for life, but life finds meaning and fulfillment by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. (Matthew 4)  Physical preparedness gives us a foundation on which our spiritual side, our soul must be ready for this Sacrament. In the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord directs us to the spiritual preparedness for the Holy Eucharist. He says, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” This is the highest form of preparedness for the Divine Liturgy – to be at peace with our fellow human being. Yes, the vestments and fasting are essential, but our Lord sets apart this rule for the altar table as a necessity. Earlier when I mentioned that emotional and spiritual preparedness were much more difficult to understand than the physical side of preparedness, I was alluding to this commandment. Wearing robes and even abstaining from food is not as difficult as this most important rule of preparation. Note that our Lord put the harmony between us humans as a higher priority than God! Again, he says, leave your gift at the altar – more important than God – go and reconcile with your brother or sister. This first week of the Lenten Journey we walked the course of preparedness. While each article of the vestment set gave us a chance to reflect on various aspects of readiness, the most important lesson of all these days is the need to prepare the soul for the Holy Divine Liturgy. It is the reconciliation between us that is at the heart of the Liturgy. It is what St. John the Evangelist speaks of when he says, “For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” It's that simple and yet that difficult.If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file hereFasting in preparation. Lenten Recipe 6: Roasted VeggiesProduced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.netBackground Lent Song: Here I Am to Worship played by Heidi Get A Lenten Journey with Fr. Vazken delivered by emailView in iTunesPlay/Stream on BluBrryListen via Stitcher Radio

This week, the boys wade waist-deep into a salacious copyright fight. Mike proposes a new Holy Sacrament and we decide which Chris we want to smooch most. Highlights include: Pope 420 II [1:30] Grimes’ boyfriend [4:30] Serial poopslinger. [11:40] Whole Lotto poop. [26:40] Getting cocky with the cocky boys. [32:15] Evans in the streets, Hemsworth in the sheets. Prison stones. [45:00] Dildo Ate My Homework [52:00]

Baked and Awake Episode 39 April 14th 2018   SoTW: Kush Valley Platinum Delight (Platinum Delight 2) BHO Wax (Nug Run) Purchased at Star International in Burien WA.  Impression: Attractive in both color and aroma, this (in this case) Sativa leaning hybrid- flavor is good. Dabbed at low temps or puffed through a nectar collector, the Honey colored Wax, which has a shiny skin that gives way to a biscuit batter crumble inside presents us with a durable Citrus topnote- still smelly and tasty days after opening the provided glass jar with hard silicon lid (I moved the wax into a full silicone stash jar the better for carrying around) That opening overtone is give way to a clean finish with a mild vapor and little to no cough reflex.   On Kids and Cannabids   The Guardian US, Pot Smoking Parents on Smoking around their children   Today’s Parent online, Parents Who Smoke Pot   The New York Times- How Pot Helps Parenting   Cannabis Alchemy US Patent Information on conversion of CBD to THC   Related Reading: David Hoye- Cannabis Alchemy, 1973   Introduction text   This book is being published in California in 1973. At this particular point in time, possession of cannabis prod¬ ucts is illegal in the state of California as well as many other places in the world. The author and publishers can¬ not advocate breaking the law and suggest strongly that before beginning, the alchemist carefully check the man¬ made laws which govern the part of the planet in which he intends to perform the operations described herein. Recent legislation by some of the more progressive legal bodies, medical findings proving that TUC is not harm¬ ful, and the results of the California Marijuana Initiative and many polls of public opinion are showing the canna bis lovers of the world the light at the end of the tunnel manifesting in the complete de criminalization of cannabis. The cultivation of marijuana and the refinement of its preparations has concerned alchemists and hedonists on this planet for centuries. Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica are both powerful allies. The body of the plant itself serves as a link between the physical plane and a host of Spirits of exceptional wisdom and subtlety. When the plant is ingested these qualities manifest in the mind of the worshipper, unlocking the storehouse of Wis¬ dom within and revealing the hidden springs of pleasure. Smoking or eat¬ ing the leaves or flowers is usually sufficient to bring about the desired state, although it seems inherent in the nature of Man to search for more concentrated forms of the drug which are stronger, more pleasant to in¬ gest, or are more desirable in some other way. Thus it is that in every cul¬ ture the technology of that period is applied to the work of the trans¬ mutation. As technology has evolved, so have the outward trappings of the operation, even though the principles underlying the operation remain con¬ stant throughout time and cultural differences. In primitive situations the refinement is carried on manually, the flowers being separated from the less psychoactive seeds, stems and leaves. Resins are extracted by simply rubbing the plant with the hands and then scraping the resin from the hands with the fingers. Water extractions are accomplished by boiling the plant parts in water, letting the water evaporate in the sun, and then col¬ lecting the residue. In cultures advanced to the state of mechanical tech¬ nology, devices are used to this end. This might involve sifting the dried resin through mesh cloth, or mechanically pressing the resin into slabs. In cultures where the ingestion of the plant is accepted and desirable, these techniques become the formulae of power, and hashmakers are revered as Priests of the Holy Sacrament. In other situations their work is misunder¬ stood, and they are branded as criminals to be persecuted. Yet their work Continues.   Visit the Baked and Awake Teepublic Store!  

April 13, 2017, Maundy Thursday Theme: “Relive His Example Of Being A Servant” Homily by Bp. Ricardo Alcaraz “The Holy Sacrament was given because of …

In this episode, Fr. Ted discusses the theology behind the Holy Sacrament of Confession and the practical side of how it is conducted.

The Holy Eucharist is the topic of this broadcast. I will reveal in Scripture how the Last Supper came to be and Saint Paul's scolding the church at Corinth on not properly handling this Holy Sacrament and how it applies to us today.Presented by Dr. Al (Petros) Maeyens (Doc. of Div.)This show is broadcast live on W4CY Radio – (www.w4cy.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Soul Cleansing: The Mystery of Confession is a five lecture series in which the Holy Sacrament of Confession is examined from many angles: theological and practical. The five lectures are entitled: The Meaning and Institution of Confession; Preparation for Confession: The Importance of Self-Examination; Spiritual Medicine: The Curative Power of Penance; The Father Confessor; and Answers to Objections. Confession regenerates the human soul, and is the milieu in which "the rubber meets the road" in Christian transformation. The confessed life is a life that is filled with the love of God, and the joy of change for the better. The embrace of regular and heart-felt confession can open the door to God's Kingdom for us all. Learn more about Patristic Nectar Publications.

Soul Cleansing: The Mystery of Confession is a five lecture series in which the Holy Sacrament of Confession is examined from many angles: theological and practical. The five lectures are entitled: The Meaning and Institution of Confession; Preparation for Confession: The Importance of Self-Examination; Spiritual Medicine: The Curative Power of Penance; The Father Confessor; and Answers to Objections. Confession regenerates the human soul, and is the milieu in which "the rubber meets the road" in Christian transformation. The confessed life is a life that is filled with the love of God, and the joy of change for the better. The embrace of regular and heart-felt confession can open the door to God's Kingdom for us all. Learn more about Patristic Nectar Publications.