Podcasts about Holy Week

Today is day 60 and we are in the section on the Second Article of the Apostles' Creed on Jesus Christ the Son of God. Today we are on the seventh line: “He suffered under Pontius Pilate” and studying question 60. 60. In what ways did Jesus suffer? On earth, the incarnate Son shared physically, emotionally, and spiritually in the temptations and sufferings common to all people, yet without sin. In his agony and desolation on the Cross, he uniquely suffered in my place for my sins and, in so doing, revealed God's love and compassion for fallen and suffering humanity. (Psalm 22:1–24; Matthew 4:1–10; 27:26–50; Hebrews 4:14–16) We will conclude today with The Collect for Tuesday of Holy Week found on page 607 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Living My "Blessed" Life(1 Peter 3:8-17)For the bulletin in PDF form, click here. Message SlidesApologetics 101 - SwindollApologetics Card - WilsonNine Virtues - SwindollINTRODUCTION: Blessed with blessings so that you are blessed.(בָּרַךְ - bārak) with (שָׁלוֹם šhālōm) so you are (אַשְׁרֵי - ashrei)"Enriched with wholeness so that you are enviable."The Inner Qualities of'a Blessed LifeBelievers should actively make decisions in step with their identity.(1 Peter 3:8-12)Virtue: Righteous character is the foundation of a strong community (3:8-9).Blessing: Righteous character is a double blessing (3:9b-10).Discipline: The Lord opposes Christians without righteous character (3:11-12).The Blessed Life of Unjust SufferingSuffering for doing good is worth the trouble & leads to blessings.(1 Peter 3:13-17)Safety: You have no one and nothing to fear if you are doing good (3:13).Value: Suffering for righteousness results in blessings (3:14a).Perspective Be committed to Christ and live above the fray (3: 14b-16).Options: It is better to have God on your side through unjust suffering than to suffer for doing what is wrong (3:17).The truly blessed life is having God on your side when the road is bumpyas a result of your display of righteous character rather than having the world on your side under God's discipline."Present Suffering and Future Glory"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.For the creation waits in cager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Romans 8:18-19Home Church QuestionsRedefining "Blessed"1. When you hear the word blessed, what do you normally think of? How did this message challenge or reshape your definition of the blessed life?2. How is God's definition of blessed different than ours?Choosing Character on Purpose (1 Pet. 3:8-9)3. Peter lists inner qualities like unity, compassion, humility, and blessing others. Which one is hardest for you to live out consistently?Blessing Those Who Wrong You (1 Pet. 3:9)4. What does it look like in real life to not repay evil for evil, but instead give a blessing? Can you share a time when you saw it done well?Pursuing Peace with Discipline (1 Pet. 3:10-12)5. Peter connects a "good life" with guarding speech and pursuing peace. What habits, attitudes, or words most often threaten peace in your relationships?Unjust Suffering and Fear (1 Pet. 3:13-14)6. Peter says believers shouldn't fear when suffering for doing good. What kinds of fear tend to rise up in you when obedience leads to discomfort, conflict, or rejection?Living Above the Fray (1 Pet. 3:14b-16)7. How would someone describe your "tone" when you face pressure-online, at work, in family conflict, or around unbelievers? What would it mean for you to show both gentleness and respect in those moments?God on Your Side When Life Gets Bumpy (1 Pet. 3:17)8. What helps you choose the path that keeps God "by your side and or your side" even when the road is bumpy and people are against you?9. Are you ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within you? What do you need to do to be prepared? Why is this important?UPG FOCUS: The Khorasani Turk in Iran The Khorasani Turk live in the remote Khorasan region of northeastern Iran. Most work as farmers, craftsmen, and carpet makers within close-knit family communities. They are entirely Muslim with little access to the gospel since Scripture translation is only just beginning. This is a largely forgotten people, yet not forgotten by God. Pray for the message of Jesus to reach them through creative means, for believing families to live among them, and for the Khorasani Turk to encounter Christ as Lord.FinancesWeekly Budget 34,615Giving For 02/15 62,919Giving For 02/22 30,796YTD Budget 1,176,923Giving 1,517,917 OVER/(UNDER) 340,994 Fellowship Youth & College Silent Auction | March 8 | 4 pm - 6pmJoin us for a fun evening supporting our mission trips to Arlington, TX, and the Czech Republic! Bid on baked goods, service certificates, gift baskets, overnight stays, and more. Light refreshments provided. Childcare available for ages 6 and under by request (contact Shanna 501-336-0332). New to Fellowship?We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift. Fellowship Mens breakfast - March 11 | 6:00 a.m.Join us for a great breakfast, fellowship around the table, and time of prayer with other men from our body. As men, we are called to know, love, and serve God, and this is just one opportunity to gather with other believers to live out that calling. Please RSVP to Michael at 501-339-4222 if you are able to attend. Hope to see you on Wednesday, March 11th! Fellowship 101 - April 12 | 9:00 a.m Whether you've been visiting Fellowship Conway for a few weeks or a few months, we'd love to invite you to take the next step in getting connected. Come hear our heart as a church — who we are, what we do, and why we're passionate about it. It's also a welcoming space to ask questions, meet others, and discover how you might grow and serve alongside us. Please register at fellowshipconway.org/register so we can plan well and keep you updated with reminders or any details about the class. If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out to Michael Harrison at mharrison@fellowshipconway.org — we'd love to help you get connected.Fellowship Men's Muster Men's Muster is April 17-19, 2026. Senior Teaching Pastor, Chris Moore, will be our speaker, and the weekend promises to be great for growing spiritually and connecting deeply with other men. Cost is $135 or $85 for a college/High School student. If money is an issue, please check the “contact me” button. We will reach out to see what you are able to pay. Register at fellowshipconway.org/men Fellowship Kids P.J.'s and Pop-TartsIt's that time of year again! Sunday, March 8, we are springing forward AND losing an hour of sleep. Don't worry about getting your kids dressed or feeding them breakfast. You bring them in their pajamas, and we will provide the Pop-Tarts. We will be waiting for all of your sleepy heads!Holy Week on Hogan StreetPastors from several churches along Hogan Lane have come together to host a special Holy Week gathering, March 30–April 3. Participating pastors include Herschel Richardson of Grace Methodist, Larry White of Woodland Heights, Chase Moser of Cornerstone Bible, Jim Hays of Grace Presbyterian, along with Chris Moore and Ken Wilson from Fellowship Bible Church. You're invited to gather each weekday of Holy Week from 12:00–1:00 pm at Grace Methodist for a brief time of worship, a devotional message from one of the pastors, and a shared meal. Donations will be accepted and directed towards local missions. Day Light Saving - Next Sunday, March 8We're Springing Forward! Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8. Be sure to move your clocks ahead one hour so you don't miss worship.

Today is day 59 and we are in the section on the Second Article of the Apostles' Creed on Jesus Christ the Son of God. Today we are on the seventh line: “He suffered under Pontius Pilate” and studying question 59. 59. Why did Jesus suffer? Jesus suffered as a sacrifice for our sins so that we could have peace with God, as prophesied in the Old Testament: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 52:13–53:12, see 53:5; John 1:29; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4) We will conclude today with The Collect for Monday of Holy Week found on page 607 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Becky Ykema, Zach Gillis, and the SBCC Team - During this first Sunday of Lent, our community entered into a liturgy that reminded us of what this season is about and offered us the opportunity to respond through the practice of singing.  What's Happening Join us for some special gatherings and practices during Holy Week this year. Check out our volunteer opportunities. Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving.

LENT Podcast 2026

We're so glad you're listening to our podcast! We are now in the season of Lent in the life of the church. Lent is a season of preparation, reflection, and repentance in the lead up to Holy Week and Easter. This sermon is based on John 11:1–44, the story of the raising of Lazarus. We hope this sermon will be meaningful to you this week. We're also so glad you're joining us on this journey into Lent together.To find out more about our church, you can head on over to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.williamsburgbaptist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have a moment, we'd also love for you to click over to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.We are a small but vibrant and growing congregation, and there are lots of ways to connect. Please don't hesitate to reach out if we can help support you in any way! Thanks so much for tuning in!

In today's sermon at Flourishing Grace Church in Bountiful, Utah, Pastor Benjer teaches from Luke 19:45–20:8, a pivotal moment in Holy Week when Jesus enters Jerusalem, cleanses the temple, and then faces a public challenge from the chief priests, scribes, and elders: “By what authority do you do these things?” In the Court of the Gentiles, the one place intentionally set apart for non Jews and seekers to draw near to the God of Israel, worship had been crowded out. During Passover, Jerusalem swelled with travelers, animals, trading, and noise, and the leaders treated sacred space like it belonged to them. Jesus quotes the prophets to expose the deeper problem. Isaiah 56 shows God's heart for outsiders, foreigners, and outcasts, that God's house would be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Jeremiah 7 confronts the lie that religious activity can function like spiritual insurance, “the temple of the Lord” repeated like a mantra while injustice, oppression, and idolatry continue unchecked. When Jesus calls the temple a “den of robbers,” he is not only condemning corruption, he is revealing how the human heart turns religion into a safe house, a place to hide after we do what we want, instead of a place to meet the holy God who transforms us. This sermon is an invitation to let the Word of God do surgery beneath the surface. We can attend church, sing, confess, serve, join a table group, and even pray, yet still use those good gifts as cover for what is happening Monday through Saturday, how we treat our spouse, our coworkers, our neighbors, what we scroll, what we say, what we keep secret, and what we refuse to bring into the light. Pastor Benjer names three ways this shows up: first, “stuff it under the bed” Christianity, where everything looks tidy on the outside but the bins are packed with unresolved sin, hurt, and grief. Second, treating Sunday like a giant eraser, where we want the feeling of a reset without the healing of confession, repentance, and community. Third, loving church but never surrendering to Jesus, getting stuck at signposts like music, community, or routines, and missing the Person they are meant to point toward. In Luke 20, Jesus responds to the leaders by asking about John's baptism. It is not a dodge, it is a mirror. If John's ministry was from heaven, then Jesus' authority is from God. If it was merely from man, then the leaders can keep control. Their refusal to answer exposes a heart that fears people and protects power, and it warns us about the same impulse in our own lives. The good news is that Jesus does not discard God's promises because people misuse them. He fulfills them. He is greater than the temple, and all Scripture points to him. If you have been hurt by hypocrisy, disappointed by Christians, or tempted to conclude the gospel is not true, Jesus invites you to look at him, not at the failures of religious performance. As we worship, we want to make space for prayer, just like we did as a church this week during Ash Wednesday as we set aside time to sit with Jesus, open the Bible, and listen to the Holy Spirit. If you are not yet a follower of Jesus, today can be your day to say yes to Christ. If you are a believer but you know there are things underneath the surface that need honesty and healing, you are not alone.

It's a busy season at First Baptist Arlington—and you don't want to miss what's coming. In this episode of Tell Me More, Katy Reed Hodges, Luke, and Dr. Wiles walk through what's happening in the life of our church over the next few weeks, from the preschool playground grand opening and midweek events to Faith at Home Weekend, Encounter Weekend for students, and an upcoming ordination service on Sunday, March 8.Then the conversation turns to Lent and why this season matters—especially for those who didn't grow up observing it. Dr. Wiles shares the “why” behind this year's Lenten preaching series, The Good Shepherd, and explains how the Gospel of John (especially John 1) shapes our understanding of Jesus, discipleship, and what it means to be shepherded by Christ. The team also reflects on the meaning of Ash Wednesday, the richness of Holy Week, and why we shouldn't let the season pass us by unnoticed.From ribbon cuttings to spiritual formation, this episode is an invitation: don't miss what God is doing in this season.

Delivered by Ria from the Parish of Good Shepherd in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. Isaiah 55: 10-11; Rs psalm 34: 4-5.6-7.16-17.18-19; Matthew 6: 7-15.ABUNDANT FRUITS FROMTHE WORD OF GOD  The title for ourmeditation today is: Abundant Fruits from the Word of God. God's work to savemankind from sins culminates in the presence of the Son of God becoming man in Jesus Christ. This divine work is a majortheme to be pondered in the heart of every believer, and especially to be moreeffective during Lent. This is to strengthenour faith in the events of Jesus Christ that we celebrate during the Holy Week.We who celebrate Easter, preparing ourselves during Lent, experience aprivilege closeness with the Lord by participating in the events of Christ.Jesus always emphasizes the principle of self-sacrifice that is to do the willof the Father to be realized in this world. That sacrifice signifies how eachof us is not just His people or His followers, but also His own brothers andsisters. He himself says that the greatest love is menifested in the sacrificeof oneself for the goodness and salvation of his or her brothers and sisters. We as children of Godthrough the sacrament of baptism that raises us to become His beloved sons anddaughters, have a special dignity of one brotherhood with Jesus Christ. Withhim, we call God in heaven as our common and beloved Father. All followers ofChrist affirm and embrace their brotherhood with Jesus, their dignity as sonsand daughters of God, and their personal and filial relationship with God asthe Father. The expression of this intimate relationship is manifested in theprayer of "Our Father". In Lent, of course wepray "Our Father" with the best quality of faith, as one form ofdiscipline in our Christian piety. This prayer confirms our brotherhood withChrist, and together with Him we greet God as "our Father". We saythis prayer many times every day because we want to strengthen our fidelity tothe One Father in heaven, who endows His gifts upon each one of us that make usremain close to Him. This happens in this way because of our communion withJesus Christ. The abundance offruits in us remain certain through the gift of God's word which is present toenlighten, strengthen, and renew the life of every believer. Jesus is no longerpresent in His body, but in His word. Through that word, each of us grows and bearsfruit, especially in the form of prayers that unite us with our Father inheaven. Prayer reveals what we do in fasting, such as forgiving and refrainingfrom falling into temptation. Through prayer we also express the intention todo good for our neighbors.Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Father of mercy, send your Spirit to help us and to accompany us to praylike Jesus Christ. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit... In the name of the Father ...

Jason Miller - Throughout the gospel of John, Jesus' identity and authority are challenged by others and reasserted by him. But maybe the important question isn't simply whether Jesus has authority, but what he does with it.  What's Happening Join us for some special gatherings and practices during Holy Week this year. Find the text version of our Quarterly Financial Update on our website. Check out our volunteer opportunities. Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving.

Life in a Great Marriage(1 Peter 3:1-7)Message SlidesHousehold Expectations in the First Century - NIV Study BibleGod, Sex & Marriage - SlatteryBeyond Crotchety Husbands and Onery Wives - SwindollPeter on Marriage - Allen RossThe Significance for Marriage Today - Karen JobesMarriage - J.I. PackerSubmission - Jim SamraFor the bulletin in PDF form, click here.Definitions: • Marriage: One man and one woman in a covenant relationship of mutual submission and love for life. • Wives: God's gracious gift of beauty, reflecting His grace given to men as an asset to complete and redeem them. • Husbands: God's gracious gift of strength, reflecting God's power given to women as an asset to complete and redeem them.Words for WivesSubmit to God's will for your husband. • The Command: Submission is a proper response to authority which maintains dignity, honor & equality as a reflection of the Trinity and takes place in the context of mutual submission (3:1a) •. The Context: Disobedient Husbands—ἀπειθεω (apeitheo) disobedient, antagonistic, apathetic to the Word and will of God (3:1b) • The Outcome: Won Over to God's Will —the goal is spiritual growth (3:1c) • The Manner: Quiet and Gentle Spirit—without nagging, but with quiet confidence in the Lord and your love for your husband on full display (3:1d-2) • The Misunderstanding: Outward Beauty vs. Inward Beauty—Character counts more than physical appeal with these important matters (3:3-4) • The Example: Sarah in Genesis —she knew God's will for Abraham and moved toward the realization of that goal 18 (3:5-6a) • The Challenge: Fear— (3:6b)Help for HusbandsWith growing insight, respect your wife as a gift from God. • The Command: Be Considerate—γνωσις keen knowledge, insight, and tact (3:7a) • The Context: You Live with Them—a growing relationship of honor & dignity (3:7b) • The Manner: Treat Them with Respect—απονεμοντες τιμην (rendering honor, respect), acknowledging their value with gratitude, honor, respect (3:7c) • The Need: Fragile Equal Partners—equal but different (3:7d) • The Outcome: Answered Prayer—The health of your marriage is a spiritual matter (3:7e)Marriages with spiritually strategic, submissive wivesand intentionally insightful, respectful husbandsmake the gospel look good.“Sanctify Christ as Lord in Your Heart”Furthermore, it is my firm conviction that we have placed the wrongemphasis on the word “submission”; we have also been preoccupiedwith “what we can do” and “what our rights are,” whereas the biblicalinjunction is that the wife ought to give her life to her husband, “to serve andcherish him” and the husband ought to lay down his life for his wife. Scot McKnightHome Church Questions 1. How does Peter define marriage in this passage—as a personal relationship, a spiritual partnership, or a gospel witness? How does viewing marriage primarily as a platform for God's glory reshape our expectations of it?2. How does the fact that we are to submit to God's will for our marriages—not our spouse's will for us—change your view of your role in your marriage?3. In verses 1–2, why does Peter address wives first, and how does submission function as obedience to God rather than submission to sin or abuse?4. What does Peter mean when he says a husband may be “won without a word” (3:1)? How does godly conduct communicate the gospel more powerfully than arguments or pressure?5. How do verses 3–4 challenge cultural ideas of beauty, worth, and influence—especially for women? What does cultivating a “quiet and gentle spirit” look like in today's fast-paced and opinion-driven culture?6. Why does Peter point to Sarah as an example in verses 5–6, and how does faith-driven obedience overcome fear in marriage? What categories of fear commonly hinder trust in God's design for marriage today?7. According to verse 7, what responsibilities does Peter place on husbands, and why is spiritual leadership inseparable from consideration and honor? How does treating a wife as an “equal heir of the grace of life” challenge passive or authoritarian models of leadership?8. Peter warns that mistreating one's wife can hinder prayer (3:7). How does this connection between marriage and spiritual life reinforce the idea that marriages with submissive wives and respectful husbands make the gospel visible and credible?UPG FOCUS: The Mussali in PakistanThe Mussali are a marginalized Muslim people in Punjab, Pakistan, historically forced into Islam and carrying low social status. Many work in sanitation and other overlooked jobs. Though New Testament resources exist in their language, few have heard the gospel. Pray that God would stir spiritual hunger among the Mussali, raise up workers, and reveal Christ as their true hope.FinancesWeekly Budget 34,615Giving For 02/01 378,325Giving For 02/08 60,963YTD Budget 1,107,692Giving 1,424,238 OVER/(UNDER) 316,546 Fellowship Youth & College Silent Auction | March 8 | 4 pm - 6pmJoin us for a fun evening supporting our mission trips to Arlington, TX, and the Czech Republic! Bid on baked goods, service certificates, gift baskets, overnight stays, and more. Light refreshments provided. Childcare available for ages 6 and under by request (contact Shanna 501-336-0332). New to Fellowship?We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift. Fellowship Men's breakfastJoin us for a great breakfast, fellowship around the table, and time of prayer with other men from our body. As men, we are called to know, love, and serve God, and this is just one opportunity to gather with other believers to live out that calling. Please RSVP to Michael at 501-339-4222 if you are able to attend. Hope to see you on Wednesday, March 11th! Fellowship 101Whether you've been visiting Fellowship Conway for a few weeks or a few months, we'd love to invite you to take the next step in getting connected. Come hear our heart as a church — who we are, what we do, and why we're passionate about it. It's also a welcoming space to ask questions, meet others, and discover how you might grow and serve alongside us. Please register at fellowshipconway.org/register so we can plan well and keep you updated with reminders or any details about the class. If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out to Michael Harrison at mharrison@fellowshipconway.org — we'd love to help you get connected.Fellowship Men's MusterMen's Muster is April 17-19, 2026. Senior Teaching Pastor, Chris Moore, will be our speaker, and the weekend promises to be great for growing spiritually and connecting deeply with other men. Cost is $135 or $85 for a college/High School student. If money is an issue, please check the “contact me” button. We will reach out to see what you are able to pay. Register at fellowshipconway.org/men Fellowship Men's Ministry Game NightMen, this night is for you. Bring your favorite game and snacks, kick back, and get ready for some friendly competition. Men's Game Night is Friday, February 27, from 6-9 p.m. at the church. If you want a little taste of what Men's Muster is like, here's your chance.Fellowship Kids P.J's and Pop-Tarts It's that time of year again! Sunday, March 8, we are springing forward AND losing an hour of sleep. Don't worry about getting your kids dressed or feeding them breakfast. You bring them in their pajamas, and we will provide the Pop-Tarts. We will be waiting for all of your sleepy heads!Holy Week on Hogan StreetPastors from several churches along Hogan Lane have come together to host a special Holy Week gathering, March 30–April 3. Participating pastors include Herschel Richardson of Grace Methodist, Larry White of Woodland Heights, Chase Moser of Cornerstone Bible, Jim Hays of Grace Presbyterian, along with Chris Moore and Ken Wilson from Fellowship Bible Church. You're invited to gather each weekday of Holy Week from 12:00–1:00 pm at Grace Methodist for a brief time of worship, a devotional message from one of the pastors, and a shared meal. Donations will be welcomed and directed toward supporting local ministries.

As we start the season of Lent, we also start a new sermon series about Holy Week, and the events leading up to Easter.

Deacon Al walks through the First Sunday of Lent readings—Genesis, Romans, and Matthew—explaining original sin, concupiscence, and how Jesus resists temptation by holding to Scripture. He offers practical Lenten advice on confession, perseverance, and attending Holy Week services, and points listeners to Catholic Spirit Radio resources and parish Vigil Masses to deepen faith during Lent. Email your questions to Deacon AL:    goodnews@catholicspiritradio.org

LENT Podcast 2026

We're joined by Josh Noem, author of the book What Wondrous Love: Daily Prayers for Lent and Holy Week 2026. Jordan Tabor with Rain Will Bring Flowers Foundation, talks about their upcoming event, Planting Seeds of Hope. Steve Ray, Catholic convert and pilgrimage leader, talks about upcoming pilgrimage opportunities.

Fr John Corrigan says Psalm 51 holds a central place throughout Lent, prayed Ash Wednesday, every Friday in the Liturgy of the Hours, and during Holy Week's Tenebrae. More than poetry, this inspired prayer distils the journey of Lent—confession, conversion, and renewal—inviting us into the same mercy that restored a fallen king

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40-day period in the church calendar known as Lent, a time of preparation leading up to Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, visit Colsoncenter.org

Friends of the Rosary,Today, February 18, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, the solemn observance of the central act of human history: the redemption of the human race by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.Lent is the ancient penitential time that precedes the Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum—Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil, before the Easter season, the joy of the Resurrection with the celebration of Christ's passing over from death to life.These forty days of penance in Lent start with the sacramental of the imposition of ashes during Mass, a sign of conversion, penance, fasting, humility, human mortality, and the need to be redeemed by the mercy of God.The ashes are made from the palms used at the previous Passion Sunday ceremonies.Today, and all Fridays during Lent, all the baptized abstain from eating meat. We also do some little fasting, eating only one full meal or two smaller meals.Lent is a time for conversion to Jesus Christ and the deepening of our friendship with him. The human challenge of continual conversion requires the disciplines of Lent: fasting, almsgiving, and intensified prayer.Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• February 18, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

"When we pray the psalms we are praying the prayers Jesus would have prayed." On this episode of Catholic Forum, Hannah is joined by Emily Mae Mentock, author of "Praying with the Psalms:3 Minute Devotions for Lent and Holy Week 2026" available from Ave Maria Press. Emily's perspective on the psalms as a way to build relationship with God and grow in understanding of our faith will hopefully give you a deeper appreciation for the psalms as we enter the Lenten season. Purchase Praying with the Psalms here: https://www.avemariapress.com/product... In addition to listening to Catholic Forum in its entirety on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio or Amazon Music podcasts you can watch video interviews for each week's episode on our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@DioceseofWilm  Catholic Forum is a production of the Office of Communication of the Diocese of Wilmington. Please like, subscribe and share.

As Easter approaches, Drew Fraley and Bek Jones talk about what it means to labor for God’s kingdom during Lent and Holy Week. They discuss intentionality in everyday life, inviting others to church, developing spiritual habits, and how Fairview’s upcoming Holy Week events—including the Color Run and a new immersive Holy Week experience—can help families reflect on the gospel and invite others into it. Join us as we prepare our hearts, serve intentionally, and celebrate the hope of the resurrection.

As Easter approaches, Drew Fraley and Bek Jones talk about what it means to labor for God’s kingdom during Lent and Holy Week. They discuss intentionality in everyday life, inviting others to church, developing spiritual habits, and how Fairview’s upcoming Holy Week events—including the Color Run and a new immersive Holy Week experience—can help families reflect on the gospel and invite others into it. Join us as we prepare our hearts, serve intentionally, and celebrate the hope of the resurrection.

Tomorrow, February 18, is Ash Wednesday. In many Christian traditions, it marks the beginning of Lent, a season of spiritual preparation leading toward Holy Week and Easter. Some Christians observe […] The post Character vs. Reputation appeared first on Broken Door Ministries.

There is a reason this story is told before the season of Lent, Holy Week and Easter. Listen in and find out why this is an important moment in history and why it is important for you today.

 Lent isn't about giving something up, but about cultivating something deeper.In this episode, Mark casts vision for the Lenten season and explains why fasting is a historic and biblical rhythm for followers of Jesus. From churning up the soil of the heart to aligning ourselves with the ancient church, Mark walks through both the theology behind Lent and the plan Cornerstone will follow together.Episode Highlights00:27 — Introducing Lent and the vision for this season 01:14 — Jesus assumes his followers will fast 02:08 — “Break up the fallow ground” (Hosea 10:12) 02:48 — Lent connects us to the ancient church03:21 — The 40-day rhythm of fasting & feasting06:26 — Introducing the Lent Bookmark and weekly plan 08:00 — Overview of the seven weekly fasts 08:34 — Weekly communion throughout Lent13:31 — Scripture memory: Philippians 2 14:51 — Final encouragement: Now is the time to seek the LordResourcesText 'LENT' to 515-329-3343 to sign up for weekly reminders plus daily Holy Week readings and videos to guide you through this season.Cornerstone Church Lent ResourcesLent Bookmark & Weekly PlanCornerstone Church Sermons: Listen onlineAsk Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

A Holy Lent: Discipleship, Confession, and Prayer Book Practices A message to the Diocese of the Rio Grande introducing Lent as a season of wilderness that prepares Christians for Holy Week and Easter by recalling Jesus' temptation in the desert. Drawing from the Ash Wednesday liturgy in the Book of Common Prayer, it explains Lent's purposes: training disciples (including preparing converts for baptism), and restoring those estranged by sin through penitence, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The speaker invites viewers to observe a holy Lent through self-examination and repentance, prayer, fasting and self-denial, and reading and meditating on Scripture. Practical suggestions include joining the diocesan discernment program run by the Commission on Ministry for vocational discernment (lay or ordained), and reading resources such as Living the Sabbath (Norman Wirzba), Reconciliation: Preparing for Confession in the Episcopal Church (Martin Smith) with guidance on both general and private confession, Mary Earle's introduction to the desert mothers, The Calling of the Laity (an anthology compiled by Verna Dozier) on lay vocation, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together. The script also discusses the 1904 fictional short story The Archbishop's Test, which imagines the Church of England canceling programs to focus on fully living the prayer book through the Daily Office, weekly Eucharist, Evensong, and catechism teaching, arguing that deeper prayer renews the Holy Spirit's energy for ministry. Viewers are encouraged to begin Morning and Evening Prayer (or Compline) using the Book of Common Prayer, online resources like Forward Movement, or an app, and to use Lent to deepen faith, confess sins, seek reconciliation, and cultivate silence and solitude. 00:00 Welcome + What Lent Is Really About (Wilderness & Preparation) 00:56 Ash Wednesday in the Book of Common Prayer: The Church's Invitation to a Holy Lent 02:15 Why We Keep Lent: Discipleship Training, Penance, and Reconciliation 03:53 Practical Lenten Plan: Self-Examination, Prayer, Fasting & Scripture 04:23 Go Deeper in Vocation: Diocese of the Rio Grande Discernment Program 05:20 Lenten Reading Picks: Sabbath Rest, Confession, Desert Wisdom & Lay Ministry 09:33 Bonhoeffer for Lent: The Cost of Discipleship & Life Together 12:00 A Prayer Book Reset: ‘The Archbishop's Test' and Returning to the Daily Office 15:47 Final Invitation: Deepen Faith, Confess, Reconcile, and Enter the Wilderness

Full Text of Readings Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop Lectionary: 334 The Saint of the day is Saints Cyril and Methodius Saints Cyril and Methodius' Stories Because their father was an officer in a part of Greece inhabited by many Slavs, these two Greek brothers ultimately became missionaries, teachers, and patrons of the Slavic peoples. After a brilliant course of studies, Cyril (called Constantine until he became a monk shortly before his death) refused the governorship of a district such as his brother had accepted among the Slavic-speaking population. Cyril withdrew to a monastery where his brother Methodius had become a monk after some years in a governmental post. A decisive change in their lives occurred when the Duke of Moravia asked the Eastern Emperor Michael for political independence from German rule and ecclesiastical autonomy (having their own clergy and liturgy). Cyril and Methodius undertook the missionary task. Cyril's first work was to invent an alphabet, still used in some Eastern liturgies. His followers probably formed the Cyrillic alphabet. Together they translated the Gospels, the psalter, Paul's letters and the liturgical books into Slavonic, and composed a Slavonic liturgy, highly irregular then. That and their free use of the vernacular in preaching led to opposition from the German clergy. The bishop refused to consecrate Slavic bishops and priests, and Cyril was forced to appeal to Rome. On the visit to Rome, he and Methodius had the joy of seeing their new liturgy approved by Pope Adrian II. Cyril, long an invalid, died in Rome 50 days after taking the monastic habit. Methodius continued mission work for 16 more years. He was papal legate for all the Slavic peoples, consecrated a bishop and then given an ancient see (now in the Czech Republic). When much of their former territory was removed from their jurisdiction, the Bavarian bishops retaliated with a violent storm of accusation against Methodius. As a result, Emperor Louis the German exiled Methodius for three years. Pope John VIII secured his release. Because the Frankish clergy, still smarting, continued their accusations, Methodius had to go to Rome to defend himself against charges of heresy and uphold his use of the Slavonic liturgy. He was again vindicated. Legend has it that in a feverish period of activity, Methodius translated the whole Bible into Slavonic in eight months. He died on Tuesday of Holy Week, surrounded by his disciples, in his cathedral church. Opposition continued after his death, and the work of the brothers in Moravia was brought to an end and their disciples scattered. But the expulsions had the beneficial effect of spreading the spiritual, liturgical, and cultural work of the brothers to Bulgaria, Bohemia and southern Poland. Patrons of Moravia, and specially venerated by Catholic Czechs, Slovaks, Croatians, Orthodox Serbians and Bulgarians, Saints Cyril and Methodius are eminently fitted to guard the long-desired unity of East and West. In 1980, Pope John Paul II named them additional co-patrons of Europe. Reflection Holiness means reacting to human life with God's love: human life as it is, crisscrossed with the political and the cultural, the beautiful and the ugly, the selfish and the saintly. For Saints Cyril and Methodius much of their daily cross had to do with the language of the liturgy. They are not saints because they got the liturgy into Slavonic, but because they did so with the courage and humility of Christ. Dear Saints Cyril and Methodius: Pray for us!Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

“How do you make a good examination of conscience?” This essential practice is explored alongside questions about the significance of Jesus’ second coming, the role of the Trinity in marriage counseling, and the implications of annulments for remarriage. Each topic sheds light on the complexities of faith and relationships within the Catholic tradition. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 07:50 – How do you make a good examination of conscience? 19:25 – What does it mean that Jesus will come again in glory? Was the first time at creation, the incarnation, or the Eucharist? 22:00 – How might one use the image of the Trinity when counseling couples for marriage? 24:33 – What happened to the gold, frankincense, and myrrh that the wise men gave to Mary and Joseph? 29:57 – If my husband divorced and I have an annulment, does he have to die before I can marry someone else? 36:00 – My wife and I are going through OCIA and our annulments are not complete. If the annulments are not finalized by Holy Week would we still be able to enter the Church provided that we intend to remain celibate until the annulments are resolved? 41:00 – Could a widow enter into a marriage that was just through the Catholic Church and not a civil, legal marriage? I'm getting mixed answers about whether or not this should be done. 43:26 – My son is getting married to a muslim woman. He was raised Catholic. Now he says he believes in God but not in Jesus' divinity. She is Muslim but not very practicing. They told her father a lie, that my son converted to Islam, to appease him. How do I handle this upcoming wedding?

Delmer and I had 14 great years of writing and producing the Lectionary Lab blog and podcast… along with sharing workshop time with a bunch of you. Those were the “salad days” and shall never be repeated. But, I have been kicking around an idea for a lectionary preaching resource that I'd like to put out here and give it a whirl for the upcoming season of Lent.This will NOT be the format of the former Lectionary Lab — which, by the way, is pretty much officially defunct. Our web address no longer works, and the archive has been on its last legs for some time now. But, I would like to do something to help the toil of working pastors be a little easier and more efficient, if possible. So, I'm trying out Lectionary.pro, a mostly-digital resource that can be viewed on smartphones, tablets, and — or course — computers. Lectionary.pro will have both a written and spoken element each week, for those that prefer to listen rather than read.I wanted to call this resource Lectionary.go, but that won't make a URL; so, Lectionary.pro was the second choice. After all, we are professionals at what we do, are we not? In addition to the Revised Common Lectionary texts each week, Lectionary.pro will also have a section for the Narrative Lectionary (a request that we had frequently back in the day.)Very brief summary comments for each text, some common threads that unite the readings, and some suggestions for building a sermon. That's about it. I will miss the sermons and stories from my Bubba, Delmer Chilton… but, who knows? We might talk him into a guest appearance every once in a while!So, I will put out the material for the 5 Sundays in Lent, as well as Palm/Passion Sunday here on this site. Again, if you'd prefer not to receive it, feel free to exercise your option to unsubscribe. Let me know what you think in the comments from week to week. If enough people find it useful, we'll let'er rip for Holy Week, Eastertide, and at least through Pentecost. Thanks again… and see you soon for Lectionary.pro! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lectionarypro.substack.com

Get ready for something brand new on the Considering Catholicism Podcast! On Sunday, February 15 at 7:00 PM Eastern, we're launching our first-ever live livestream webinar — and you're invited. Here's the link: https://www.patreon.com/ConsideringCatholicism/events/150105481 In this exclusive Patron-only event, we'll follow Egeria, the incredible 4th-century Spanish woman who crossed empires to pray at Mount Sinai, the burning bush site, and Holy Week in Jerusalem. Her diary reveals a hierarchical, sacramental, fully Catholic Church — long before anyone claims it “changed.” 45 minutes of maps, photos, history, and apologetic fire + 15 minutes of live Q&A with your questions. This livestream is exclusive to Partner and Provider tier patrons. Join now and secure your spot:

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 We pray with confidence since Jesus is the source of eternal salvation. The Foundation Preacher Podcast is provided to you by WELS Congregational Services. The Foundation resources were created to help churches allow the gospel message heard in worship, to echo throughout the week. Listen to multiple pastors discuss sermon topics for […]

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 We pray with confidence since Jesus is the source of eternal salvation. The Foundation Preacher Podcast is provided to you by WELS Congregational Services. The Foundation resources were created to help churches allow the gospel message heard in worship, to echo throughout the week. Listen to multiple pastors discuss sermon topics for […]

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores key Gospel passages focusing on faith, perseverance, and repentance through stories like the healing of the blind men in Jericho, the encounter with Zacchaeus, and the parable of the minas. He examines how faith enables believers to overcome obstacles in their spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of persistent prayer and action. Fr. Matthias highlights Christ's compassion shown in healing and personal outreach, illustrating how God knows each individual by name and calls each to repentance and transformation. The discussion includes the significance of using God-given talents wisely until Christ's return, and the consequences of rejecting God's authority. This Bible study provides insights into the harmony of the Gospels and practical lessons on living out faith actively, even amid trials, preparing believers for the approach of Holy Week. Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study on the Harmony of the Gospels by exploring Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week. He explains the significance of Jesus riding both a donkey and a colt, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and symbolizing the unity of Jews and Gentiles under Christ's kingship. Fr. Matthias discusses the varied reactions of the crowds, the disbelief of the Pharisees, and the disciples' initial lack of understanding about Jesus' mission and impending sacrifice. He highlights the spiritual meaning behind Jesus' words about losing and gaining life, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the foreshadowing of the Temple's destruction. The talk also addresses the importance of faith, discipleship, and following Christ's example in service and obedience. Fr. Matthias concludes with reflections on Jesus' prayer and God's glorification through the Passion, inviting listeners to deepen their understanding of salvation history. Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study on the Harmony of the Gospels by exploring key events of Holy Week, starting with Hosanna Sunday. He examines the people's conflicted expectations of the Messiah, the presence of Pharisees, and the significance of “Hosanna” as a plea for salvation. Fr. Matthias highlights how despite Jesus performing many miracles, belief in Him was limited because of hardened hearts and fear of persecution. He then discusses the cleansing of the temple, explaining the issue with money changers exploiting worshippers and Jesus' righteous anger in restoring the temple's sanctity. Fr. Matthias unpacks the cursing of the fig tree as a symbol of Israel's spiritual barrenness, and Jesus' teaching on faith and forgiveness, emphasizing that forgiving others is key to receiving God's forgiveness. The talk also addresses practical questions about forgiveness, divorce, and healing from deep personal wounds, underscoring forgiveness as a process vital to Christian discipleship and spiritual health. Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this episode, we discuss what Lent is, the history behind Lent, and how to observe Lent this year.ResourcesPodcast Episodes290 - Why You Should Know the Nicene Creed289 - Nicene Creed - Why does it matter? (with Steve Sarmiento)222 - Lenten Practices221 - Understanding Lent018 - Observing LentBooksThe 40-Day Sugar Fast: Where Physical Detox Meets Spiritual TransformationThe Good of Giving Up: Discovering the Freedom of LentLent: The Season of Repentance and RenewalDesiring God Article about Lenten practicesConnect With Us providenceomaha.org | Instagram | Facebook Email Us formation@providenceomaha.org

Exodus 24:1-11 Forgiven by the shedding of blood, the elders of Israel were given a glimpse of heaven. The Foundation Preacher Podcast is provided to you by WELS Congregational Services. The Foundation resources were created to help churches allow the gospel message heard in worship, to echo throughout the week. Listen to multiple pastors discuss […]

Exodus 24:1-11 Forgiven by the shedding of blood, the elders of Israel were given a glimpse of heaven. The Foundation Preacher Podcast is provided to you by WELS Congregational Services. The Foundation resources were created to help churches allow the gospel message heard in worship, to echo throughout the week. Listen to multiple pastors discuss […]

This sermon explores the tension between human authority and divine authority, examining Jesus's confrontations with religious leaders during Holy Week. The central message challenges believers to examine who truly holds authority in their lives - themselves or God. The pastor contrasts "control-based authority" (rooted in fear, force, and position) with "source-based authority" (rooted in trust, relationship, and truth). Drawing from Jesus's teachings at the Last Supper and His public debates with the Pharisees, the sermon emphasizes that Jesus is the cornerstone from which all life should find alignment. The ultimate demonstration of worthy authority is Christ's willingness to lay down His life for humanity. The sermon calls believers to surrender their self-authority and submit to God's loving leadership, recognizing that attempting to be our own authority leads to bondage rather than freedom.

Zechariah 9:9,10 The prophet Zechariah draws our attention to a Savior King who will rule with gentleness and bring peace. The Foundation Preacher Podcast is provided to you by WELS Congregational Services. The Foundation resources were created to help churches allow the gospel message heard in worship, to echo throughout the week. Listen to multiple […]

Zechariah 9:9,10 The prophet Zechariah draws our attention to a Savior King who will rule with gentleness and bring peace. The Foundation Preacher Podcast is provided to you by WELS Congregational Services. The Foundation resources were created to help churches allow the gospel message heard in worship, to echo throughout the week. Listen to multiple […]

In this message from John 12, Pastor Alex reflects on Mary's extravagant act of love as she pours out costly perfume at Jesus' feet. What seems excessive becomes a picture of devotion and surrender, inviting us to consider what Jesus truly means to us. As the story moves toward Jerusalem and the cross, we're reminded that following Jesus often costs more than we expect and asks us to choose obedience over convenience. As we approach Holy Week, this sermon invites us to slow down, give our best to Jesus, and remember why the table and a life of gratitude matter so deeply.

In this Lenten conversation, host Tressa Spingler sits down with longtime bookseller and friend of Upper House, Byron Borger of Hearts & Minds Books, to explore how the church year—and especially Lent—can shape our discipleship. They reflect on wilderness imagery, repentance, almsgiving, contemplative reading, and what it means for Jesus to meet us in our “low places.” Byron introduces a rich range of Lenten books—from devotionals and art‑driven prayer resources to weighty theological works on sin, the cross, and Holy Week.In This EpisodeWhy Lent is a season of wilderness, repentance, and preparationHow traditions like Anglicanism and Lutheranism shape our imagination of sacred timeThe power of silence, solitude, and contemplative readingA new theological work on sin by Timothy KellerFleming Rutledge's classic writings on the crucifixion and death of ChristCreative Bible studies integrating art, QR‑coded media, and peace/reconciliation themesArt‑driven prayer resources for seasons of depression or disorientationReading as a spiritual discipline during LentAbout Our GuestByron Borger is the owner of Hearts & Minds Books in Dallastown, Pennsylvania. Learn more or subscribe to his Booknotes newsletter at: heartsandmindsbooks.comList of books mentioned in the episodeRhythms of Faith: A Devotional Pilgrimage Through the Church Year — Claude Atcho (WaterBrook, 2025)Reading Black Books: How African American Literature Can Make Our Faith More Whole and Just — Claude Atcho (Brazos Press, 2022)A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance — Diana Butler Bass (St. Martin's Essentials, 2025)Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal — Esau McCaulley (IVP Formatio, 2022)What Is Wrong with the World — Timothy Keller (Zondervan, 2025)The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ — Fleming Rutledge (Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2015)The Undoing of Death — Fleming Rutledge (Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005)Why Did Jesus Have to Die?: The Meaning of the Crucifixion — Adam Hamilton (Abingdon Press, 2025)Liberated at the Cross: Peace and Reconciliation in God's Kingdom — Crystal Acevedo (IV Press, 2026)May It Be So: 40 Days with the Lord's Prayer — Justin McRoberts & Scott Erickson (WaterBrook, 2019)Prayer — Justin McRoberts & Scott Erickson (WaterBrook, 2019)In the Low: Honest Prayers for Dark Seasons — Justin McRoberts & Scott Erickson (Baker Books, 2025)Walking in the Wilderness — Beth Richardson (Upper Room Books, 2020)Pauses for Lent: 40 Words for 40 Days — Trevor Hudson (Upper Room Books, 2015)Pauses for Advent — Trevor Hudson (Upper Room Books, 2017)Pauses for Pentecost — Trevor Hudson (Upper Room Books, 2018)Lent in Plain Sight: A Devotion Through Objects — Jill Duffield (Westminster John Knox Press, 2020)Advent in Plain Sight: A Devotion Through Objects — Jill Duffield (Westminster John Knox Press, 2021)Christ in Our Midst: Daily Lenten Reflections Through Scripture and Gregorian Chant — (Paraclete Press, 2025)Wardrobes and Rings: Through Lenten Lands with the Inklings — Julia Golding, Simon Horobin & Malcolm Guite (Canterbury Press Norwich, 2025)The Art of Lent: A Painting a Day from Ash Wednesday to Easter — Sister Wendy Beckett (InterVarsity Press, 2022)Celebration of

Caleb Drahosh Tuesday of Holy Week is drawing to a close and Jesus leaves the Temple. One of the disciples comments on the beauty of the Temple and Jesus takes the opportunity to go into greater detail about what is to become of it. What is old is about to give way to the new. And that will result in suffering and persecution for Jesus' disciples. But the disciples are warned. They are able now to discern the events.

We spend a lot of time trying to sort people into categories—friends, acquaintances, neighbors—hoping that clarity will tell us how much time, care, or energy each relationship requires. But when we turn to Scripture, Jesus doesn't let those categories hold.In this conversation, Clayton, Chris, and Amy explore how the Bible reframes the idea of “neighbor,” not as a label for certain people, but as a way of being. Through Proverbs, the Good Samaritan, and everyday experiences of suburban life, they wrestle with how proximity, technology, and modern rhythms shape our relationships—and why Jesus consistently shifts the question from Who is my neighbor? to Am I being a neighbor?This episode invites listeners to rethink neighborhood, availability, and love—not as strategies to manage people, but as formation into a different kind of person.TakeawaysScripture distinguishes between acquaintances, friends, and neighbors, but not in a clean or linear wayProverbs 18:24 highlights the difference between many companions and a true friend who “sticks closer than a brother"In the Good Samaritan story, Jesus turns neighbor from a noun into a verbThe question Jesus leaves us with isn't “Who qualifies as my neighbor?” but “Am I acting like one?”Modern life—cars, technology, busy schedules—has reshaped how (and how often) we relate to the people closest to usProximity still matters, especially in moments of need, crisis, or shared responsibilityAvailability may be one of the most practical and loving ways to practice neighboringChapters00:00 – Why we try to categorize relationships02:00 – Defining friends vs. acquaintances05:20 – Proverbs 18:24 and biblical language around friendship07:00 – Why “neighbor” feels different than friend or acquaintance08:45 – Jesus, the Good Samaritan, and neighbor as a verb12:45 – Why Jesus refuses to answer questions directly15:30 – What our actual neighborhoods look like19:00 – Proximity, cars, and how modern life reshaped community23:00 – Borrowing eggs, sharing tools, and old-fashioned neighboring26:30 – Environment, cul-de-sacs, and how space forms relationships29:00 – Responsibility to the people closest to us31:30 – Availability as a practice of love34:40 – Mutual indebtedness and long-term neighboring36:30 – Why neighboring is slow—and why that mattersFaith at home, spiritual habits, family rhythms, liturgical calendar, Holy Week, Easter traditions, discipleship in the home

We often see life through the lens of our expectations rather than God's reality. In John 16 and John 12, we encounter Jesus preparing His disciples for the most confusing week of their lives—Holy Week. Despite Jesus explicitly telling them He would leave for a little while but return, despite witnessing Lazarus raised from the dead just days earlier, the disciples still scattered in confusion when the crucifixion came. Why? Because they saw what they expected to see, not what God was actually doing. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey—fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy—not as the conquering warrior they wanted, but as the sacrificial lamb they needed. He entered through the same gate where Passover lambs were brought for sacrifice, symbolizing His true mission. The crowd's 'Hosanna' quickly turned to 'Crucify Him' when their expectations weren't met. This challenges us profoundly: Are we missing what God is doing in our lives because He's not meeting our expectations? Are we worshiping Jesus for what He can do for us, or for who He truly is? Jesus uses the powerful image of a seed that must die to produce fruit—what looks like the end is actually the beginning. When God buries things in our lives, He's not destroying them; He's planting them for resurrection. We must ask ourselves: Do we have good expectations or great expectations? Can we trust that God's disappointments are appointments with something greater?

A reflection for Holy Week.

In this sermon we look at the story of Simeon and Anna meeting Jesus as a baby, exploring the connection between Christmas and Holy Week, and how our joy can increase even though we don't see the whole picture. May we encounter the crucified Christ raised from the dead in these words.

A quiet shift begins when a lifelong member of the Churches of Christ realizes that his faith life, rich in study and careful exegesis, struggles to move from mind to heart. Brandon Marlow's story traces the Restoration Movement's ideals—erase denominational lines, do Bible things in Bible ways, and speak where Scripture speaks. Those guiding slogans shaped a culture suspicious of creeds, titles, instruments, and anything not “authorized.” The result formed disciplined habits, robust Bible study, and close-knit congregations. Yet the same strengths could narrow imagination and flatten mystery. A low view of the Holy Spirit's personal activity and an intellectual approach to faith left little language for awe, beauty, or sacrament. Brandon describes how good intentions produced a protective fence, but often fenced out wonder.His turning came when he stepped into preaching during a pastoral vacancy. Wanting holiness to match responsibility, he searched for time-tested disciplines: daily prayers, fasting rhythms, and a pattern of worship that stretches the soul. He found them in Orthodoxy. Prayer books spoke soberly about judgment and mercy, teaching him to remember ultimate things every day. Memorizing whole psalms, not just proof texts, reoriented his inner life. Icons startled him. Venerating the Ascension icon, his heart rose in praise, not just his mind in assent. He realized devotion is learned by doing—beauty tutors love, and ritual teaches reverence. Where logic said “believe,” the Church taught him to behold, adore, and belong.Scripture did not shrink; it deepened. Listening to Orthodox homilies, he felt less “interpretation” and more unveiling. Texts clicked into place as part of a living Tradition, the same bloodstream that nourished the Fathers he had once mined for citations. C.S. Lewis had cracked the door years earlier, proving that Christian wisdom could move the affections without verse labels in every line. Meeting the Fathers as pastors—Ignatius, Polycarp, and more—showed him a church that loved, bled, and prayed as one body. Their worlds made sense of bones cherished as gold, not as superstition, but as love made tangible in the saints who fed, blessed, and shepherded their flock.The Eucharist became the center of gravity. In his upbringing, communion was precious yet rushed, migrating from homemade bread to sealed cups as the table drifted to the side. Reverence thinned as routine took hold. In Orthodoxy, he discovered preparation before, prayer during, and gratitude after. The chalice, spoon, and altar were holy because the Lord gives himself there—Body and Blood, Presence not symbol. Approaching the chalice for the first time felt like approaching fire. He stepped forward in obedience and love, realizing this is why Christ died: communion. From there, everything else reframed—ascetic practices, feasts and fasts, the calendar that walks believers through the life of Christ, and the solidarity of Holy Week that exhausts, burns, and resurrects a community together.From “people of the book” to people of the Book and the Table, he discovered that truth is not only argued; it is adored, sung, tasted, and shared. The heart learns by worship as much as the mind learns by words, and both find their home when Scripture meets Sacrament in the life of the Church.Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/JDJDQw6tdhPlease prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses Radio: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses Radio on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTok.Please leave a comment with your thoughts!

Kate LeFaivre shares the night everything changed—going to bed a wife and waking up a widow with eight kids, no warning, and a faith that had to carry her through shock. Dr. Greg and Kate explore what happens when the spiritual life meets real loss, and how grace shows up in places we never expect.   Key Topics: The night Kate's husband died suddenly and the shock that reshaped her family forever How she navigated telling eight children their father was gone—and the hidden moments she only learned about years later The grief "checklist" she followed for a year…and why she still felt worse The Holy Week moment when Kate heard God speak directly into her despair The long, unexpected journey of becoming "a whole person" again after the death of a spouse How community support (and true, non-taking friendship) carried her through the darkest days What it was really like to consider dating again as a widowed mother of eight The birth of Mosaic Mentorship and why Kate now helps others rebuild beauty from broken pieces Learn More: Connect with Kate LeFaivre — Learn more about Mosaic Mentorship and Kate's work accompanying those carrying heavy grief CanaVox — A resource for understanding and strengthening marriage through research-based reading groups Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn