Final meal that, in the Gospel accounts, Jesus shared with his apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion
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Send us Fan MailWhat if Communion is more than something we remember? At Christ's table, we discover grace for today, strength for tomorrow, and a foretaste of the feast still to come. Come and see why Jesus continues to invite us to His table.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN
Laurie Cardoza-Moore welcomes Yaffah Batya DaCosta back to Proclaiming Justice for a second conversation, this time on communion.Where did the doctrine of transubstantiation actually come from, and does it hold up against the Torah's clear prohibition on consuming blood? DaCosta walks through the Fourth Lateran Council of 1215, the influence of Constantine and the Greco-Roman reshaping of the early church, and what Jesus, a Torah-observant Jew, most likely meant when he said "this is my body, this is my blood."The conversation also touches Deuteronomy 18's prophecy of a coming prophet, and how institutional blindness to these Jewish roots later opened the door to antisemitism within the Church and beyond it. If you've ever wondered how much of what you practice on Sunday actually traces back to Scripture, this episode is for you.Follow, share, and support PJTN's mission to educate Christians in biblical truth at pjtn.org.00:00 Cold Open: Is Communion Against the Torah?01:20 Meet Yaffah Batya DaCosta03:19 Laurie's Catholic Roots and the Question That Started It All05:14 What Is Transubstantiation? Defining the Eucharist08:31 The Torah's Blood Prohibition Explained10:46 Were the Church Fathers Jewish or Pagan?13:01 Symbolic or Literal? What "This Is My Body" Really Means14:24 Constantine, Paganism, and the 1,200-Year Doctrine Gap16:27 What It Actually Means to Follow Christ19:50 The Last Supper in Matthew 2623:05 Repentance, Righteousness, and Atonement in Judaism27:29 The Dog's Tail Riddle: Does Calling It Christian Make It Christian?31:15 Deuteronomy 18: The Prophecy of a Prophet Like Moses41:39 How Christian and Islamic Antisemitism Both Trace Back to the ChurchDon't forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us equip more Christians to stand with Israel and fight antisemitism.✨ Stay connected with PJTN! ✨
Psalm 118 reveals the ways Jesus strengthened and nourished His soul on the night before His crucifixion, and how believers can do the same during life's difficult seasons. Using the psalm Jesus likely sang at the Last Supper, the speaker explains that Christians should rely on God as their helper, build their lives on Jesus as the cornerstone, rest in God's unfailing love, practice daily thankfulness, and hold firmly to the hope of Christ's victory over death through the resurrection. The sermon emphasizes that, like Jesus, we must choose faith, gratitude, and trust in God's presence even in suffering, because His enduring love and the promise of eternal life give us strength and hope.
Jesus multiples five loaves and two fish and fills the crowd of 5000 men, with many more women and children. In doing so, He points to the Last Supper and His love that continues to fill us. #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay #mercywithteeth Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: http://eepurl.com/ioCgy2 Give feedback at https://forms.gle/gGhujv39g43BUxmK6 Readings are found at https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080226.cfm True Mercy Has Teeth: A Catholic Journey to Forgiveness and Healing is now available on Amazon and other places as listed at www.mercywithteeth.com
In the second hour of the Chase & Big Joe Show Forever Titans Wide Receiver Chris Sanders joined the show, and talked about the Titans and the start of their Training Camp. Later in the interview The guys talked to Chris Sanders about MBA's upcoming Highschool game at Pearl Cohn. Later in the hour the guys talked about Titans Former players, the Texans GM being in the Last Supper painting. To finish the hour the guys talked about how many games certain number of teams will win this year, they also talked about how the Bills need to take a big step and previewed the Miami Dolphins season schedule. Listen to hear more.
In the first hour of the Chase & Big Joe Show, the guys opened up the hour with the Question of the Day: What is a Band or Musician that you would want to hangout with for a weekend. Later in the hour the guys predicted where each College Gameday would be located every week. To finish the hour the guys talked about if their should be a concern if 5 star True-Freshman recruit Jared Curtis doesn't start this year as QB1 for Clark Lea and Vanderbilt. In the second hour of the Chase & Big Joe Show Forever Titans Wide Receiver Chris Sanders joined the show, and talked about the Titans and the start of their Training Camp. Later in the interview The guys talked to Chris Sanders about MBA's upcoming Highschool game at Pearl Cohn. Later in the hour the guys talked about Titans Former players, the Texans GM being in the Last Supper painting. To finish the hour the guys talked about how many games certain number of teams will win this year, they also talked about how the Bills need to take a big step and previewed the Miami Dolphins season schedule. In the third hour of the Chase & Big Joe Show, the guys talked about different hype songs. Later in the hour the guys talked to Nashville Kats QB Tyler Kulka about their upcoming Arena Football One Semi-Final game against the Michigan Arsenal on Sunday. To finish the hour the guys competed in Celebrity Birthdays.
Bishop Tony Percy links Isaiah's invitation, "Come to the water, all you who are thirsty," foreshadows the multiplication of the loaves and is completed at the Last Supper. Jesus gives himself to us because we need his life within us, so that, nourished and transformed by this free gift, we may become his Body in the world and carry on his mission
Send us Fan MailIf leadership is “getting people to do what you want,” you can win a lot of battles and still lose your kingdom. We pick up part two of our leadership series with a hard contrast: Rehoboam's power-driven instincts versus the Savior's Christlike model of service, influence, and love. The world calls the person with the most authority “great.” Jesus teaches that the greatest leader is the one who carries others. We walk through why Jesus was misunderstood from the beginning, not born into status, not surrounded by elites, and not riding in as a conquering king. Then we sit with one of the most confronting leadership moments in scripture: the Last Supper. No speeches, no spotlight, just a towel, a basin, and the Lord of heaven kneeling to wash feet, even Judas'. That single scene shows what servant leadership really means when people don't “deserve it,” when nobody is clapping, and when love is the point. From there, we get practical. Christlike leadership begins with seeing people, not counting them. We talk about distraction, phones, airports, and the way modern life trains us to miss the souls right in front of us. Using the idea of situational awareness from aviation, we explore spiritual awareness: noticing who in your family feels discouraged, who in your quorum feels forgotten, and who in your neighborhood is carrying grief you can't see. We also draw a clean line between authority and influence. Authority can force results fast, but influence changes hearts over time and that's what discipleship requires. We close with a self-audit that hits home: Do people feel lighter after being with me? Do I listen more than I lecture? Do I correct with patience or frustration? If Jesus were leading my home, my calling, my workplace, what would he do differently? Subscribe, share this with a leader you love, and leave a review with the question that challenged you most.Support the showYou can reach me anytime at email: tandrewsen.monat@gmail.comInstagram @toddtalks_ig
What is the purpose of the Lord's Supper? Is it simply a church tradition, or is it something much deeper? In this episode of ScriptureLinks Daily Dose of Inspiration, we explore what Jesus meant when He instituted the Lord's Supper and why believers are commanded to continue observing it. We'll examine Jesus' teaching in John 6, His institution of the Lord's Supper during the Last Supper in Luke 22, and Paul's instructions to the church in 1 Corinthians 11 about participating in a worthy manner. Together, we'll discover that Communion is a sacred act of remembrance, self-examination, proclamation, and hope as we look forward to Christ's return. Join us as we learn how the Lord's Supper strengthens our faith and keeps our focus on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
SummaryThis sermon focuses on Judas Iscariot, the disciple most associated with betrayal, and draws out lessons about faith, loyalty, worship, and redemption. The pastor walks through key moments in Judas's life, from being chosen by Jesus to sitting beside Him at the Last Supper, highlighting that Judas was close to Jesus in proximity but never truly surrendered His heart. Despite witnessing miracles, being trusted with the money box, and being given every opportunity to turn back, Judas chose greed, deception, and ultimately regret without repentance.The sermon also brings in the encouraging contrast of the other Judas (Thaddaeus), who remained faithful and is believed to have written the book of Jude. The pastor challenges the congregation not to let hypocrites, past hurts, or betrayals become barriers between them and God. The central call is to love anyway, forgive anyway, and trust that the same grace available to Peter and the other disciples is available to everyone, no matter what they have done or been through.Key Verses- John 6:70- John 12:3-6- John 13:2- John 13:18- John 17:12- Matthew 27:3- Jude 1:24Life ApplicationThis week, identify one relationship where hurt, betrayal, or disappointment has caused you to pull back from loving or trusting others. Make a deliberate choice to take one small step toward that person or toward a community you have been avoiding. It does not have to be a grand gesture. It might be a text, a prayer for them, or simply showing up. Ask God to give you the grace to love anyway, just as He has loved you anyway.
Send us Fan MailDana Wilkey from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has confirmed insider tea on the Milania Giudice assault that nobody has fully told you yet — and wait until you hear who did what and in what order because it changes the entire story. Dana breaks down exactly what happened the night Milania Giudice was arrested, what the initials LR on the police report really mean, and the detail about Gabriella Giudice that reframes everything. Then Dana catches Page Six doing something on behalf of Bravo production that she cannot believe they had the nerve to do — and once you understand what actually happened with that Milania video you will never read a RHONJ tabloid story the same way again. Then the RHONJ finale — Kim D is calling it the Last Supper and Dana has the inside details on what Luis Ruelas tried to pull with the outfits, what Dolores Catania allegedly got gifted and why Dana thinks Teresa Giudice is already planning her exit from the show. The rest of today's show including the Beverly Hills madam tea, Whitney Rose separation truth, RHORI bombshell, Diddy prison tea and a full true crime deep dive on the Nichol Olsen case with Dana's full theory and receipts is exclusively on Patreon.
This Sunday marks a shift in the Gospel. The parables arc that ran through the last three Sundays gives way to a return to Jesus in action. Matthew 14 gives us the feeding of the five thousand — one of the most famous miracles in Christian memory, and the only miracle told in all four Gospels. After weeks of listening to Jesus tell stories about the kingdom, we now watch him embody the kingdom — with a hungry crowd, a deserted place, and five loaves.Photo by nilufar nattaq on UnsplashThe Old Testament tracks lead toward the Gospel in different ways. Track One brings us one of the most famous scenes in Genesis — Jacob's night at the river Jabbok, wrestling with a stranger who turns out to be more than a stranger. Track Two gives us Isaiah's great invitation to the thirsty and hungry to come and eat without money and without price. Both pair naturally with the Gospel's feeding.The Epistle turns a corner as well. Romans 8 has been running under the Sundays since Proper 9, and it culminated last week in the great crescendo: nothing can separate us from the love of God. Today Paul opens Romans 9 in a completely different key — anguish, unceasing sorrow, grief for his own people, Israel. It is a difficult passage and easy to preach badly. The guide handles it with care.For preachers continuing a series: the parables arc has closed. The next several weeks return to Matthew's narrative — the feeding this week, walking on water next week, the Canaanite woman the week after. Jesus is on the move again, and Matthew's pen is following him.The ReadingsGenesis 32:22–31First Reading (Track One) — Jacob at PenielSummaryJacob is returning to face his brother Esau after twenty years away. He has sent his family and possessions across the Jabbok in the night and been left alone. There, in the darkness, a man wrestles with him until daybreak. Neither prevails; the stranger strikes Jacob's hip, and Jacob's hip is put out of joint. As morning is coming, the man asks to be released. Jacob refuses without a blessing. He receives one: a new name — Israel, “one who has striven with God and prevailed.” Jacob names the place Peniel, “the face of God,” because, he says, he has seen God face to face and lived. He limps away into the sunrise.Key Ideas for Preaching* Jacob is at the darkest point of the story so far. He has cheated his brother, been cheated by his uncle, and now must face the brother he wronged. The wrestling comes at exactly this moment. Where in your congregation are people in the darkest stretch of their story, and what might it mean for them to hear that this is exactly where God has been known to show up?* The wrestling is not tidy. Jacob is not blessed for pious cooperation. He is blessed because he held on through a struggle he did not choose. What might it mean for your people that a faithful life includes wrestling — with God, with the questions we cannot resolve, with our own patterns — and not only calm assent?* Jacob asks for a blessing and receives a limp. The blessing is real, and so is the wound. He walks away permanently changed. Where in your congregation have people received both a blessing and a mark from their encounter with God, and how might this text help them make peace with the mark?* The new name — Israel, “one who has striven with God” — becomes the name of a whole people. The identity of God's people is not “one who has agreed with God” but “one who has striven with God.” What does it look like to preach faithful striving, not just faithful agreement?Significant Cautions* Do not romanticize the wrestling into an image of triumphant persistence. Jacob does not defeat God. He simply refuses to let go, and he is wounded in the encounter.* “I have seen God face to face” is Jacob's claim in awe, not a doctrine. Do not build a theological system on the specific language of the encounter.* The wound to the hip is not a moral punishment. It is what encounter with the holy sometimes costs. Preach it gently.Psalm 17:1–7, 15The Psalm (Track One) — I Shall Behold Your FaceSummaryA prayer for help from someone under real pressure. The psalmist asks God to hear his cry, to test his heart, to keep him under God's wing. He is being pursued by enemies who want to bring him down. The closing verse turns to hope: “I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied.”Key Ideas for Preaching* The psalmist is honest about the pressure he is under. He is not pretending to be calm. Where in your congregation are people under real pressure who need permission to name it in prayer without dressing it up?* Paired with Jacob's wrestling, the psalm's closing hope — “I shall behold your face” — takes on unexpected weight. Both texts imagine a face-to-face meeting with God as the goal, however costly the road there. What does it mean to preach a faith where seeing God face to face is worth the wrestle?Significant Cautions* The psalmist's claim of innocence can sound self-righteous. Read in context, it is a plea for a fair hearing, not a boast about moral perfection.Isaiah 55:1–5First Reading (Track Two) — Come to the WatersSummaryOne of the great invitations in the prophets. Everyone who thirsts is called to come to the waters. Everyone without money is called to come, buy, and eat — without money and without price. The prophet asks why we spend our money on what is not bread, our labor on what does not satisfy. God's covenant is renewed as an everlasting one, in the pattern of God's steadfast love for David.Key Ideas for Preaching* The invitation is remarkable. Come, buy, and eat — without money and without price. God's economy runs on a different currency than the market's. Where in your congregation has the culture of transaction crept into people's sense of what they can receive from God?* “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” That is a question worth reading slowly in a culture built on selling us things that will not satisfy. What might your sermon do with that question, alongside the Gospel's picture of a crowd fed for free?* Paired with today's Gospel, the connection is direct. Both texts describe God feeding people freely. What does it mean for your congregation that the free feeding of the multitude is not a departure from the God of Israel but an expression of exactly who this God has been all along?Significant Cautions* The invitation to “come, buy, and eat without money” is easy to spiritualize in ways that let the church off the hook for the actual hungry. Do not use this text to sanitize scarcity in the world.Psalm 145:8–9, 14–21The Psalm (Track Two) — You Open Your HandSummaryAnother section of the great hymn to God's compassion. God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, good to all. God upholds the falling, feeds every living thing in its season, and is near to all who call. The closing verses affirm that God fulfills the desires of those who fear him and preserves those who love him.Key Ideas for Preaching* “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.” This is divine hospitality on a cosmic scale. How might your sermon place today's feeding of the five thousand inside this larger picture — God's steady, ongoing feeding of everything alive?* “The Lord is near to all who call on him.” Not near to some. Not near to the deserving. Near to all. Where has your congregation quietly assumed nearness was on a shorter list?Significant Cautions* “The Lord watches over all who love him, but the wicked he will destroy” appears in this section of the psalm. Handle it carefully. Do not use it to license human judgment against people we have decided are wicked.Romans 9:1–5The Epistle — Paul's Grief for His PeopleSummaryThe tone in Romans changes sharply. After the crescendo of chapter 8, Paul opens chapter 9 in grief. He has, he says, unceasing sorrow in his heart. He would wish himself cut off from Christ if it would somehow bring his own people, the Israelites, into what he has come to know in Jesus. The passage names what belongs to Israel: the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, the promises, the patriarchs, and — according to the flesh — the Messiah himself.Key Ideas for Preaching* Paul is anguished about his own people. He is not writing them off. He is not preaching against them. He is grieving because he loves them and because he has come to believe something that separates them from him. What does it look like to preach on grief for people we love who see the world differently — not with contempt, but with the ache Paul is describing?* The list Paul gives — adoption, glory, covenants, law, worship, promises, patriarchs, and the Messiah — is a list of gifts to Israel. Paul is not disparaging his own tradition; he is celebrating it, even in his grief. How might your sermon guard against the anti-Jewish readings that have plagued this passage in Christian history?* Paul's willingness to wish himself cut off from Christ, if it would help his people, is one of the most striking lines in the letter. He is not being noble; he is naming the depth of his love for people he cannot make see what he sees. Where in your congregation has love for someone across a divide taken people to that kind of place?Significant Cautions* This passage has been used to argue that Christianity has replaced Judaism, or that Jewish people have been cut off from God. Paul does not say this. He says the opposite — the covenants, the promises, the patriarchs, and even the Messiah belong to Israel. Preach against the anti-Jewish uses of this passage plainly.* “According to the flesh comes the Christ” should not be pressed into subtle anti-Jewish readings. Paul's point is that the Messiah is Jewish — a claim he is making with pride, not with distance.* Paul's grief for people he loves who do not yet share his faith should not be turned into a permission slip for aggressive evangelism. His posture is anguished, not strategic.Matthew 14:13–21The Gospel — The Feeding of the Five ThousandSummaryJesus has just heard the news of John the Baptist's execution. He withdraws to a deserted place by himself, but the crowds follow him on foot from the towns. When he sees them, he has compassion for them and cures their sick. Evening comes. The disciples want him to send the crowd away so they can buy food in the villages. Jesus tells them: “You give them something to eat.” They protest that they have only five loaves and two fish. He orders the crowds to sit down on the grass. Then he takes the loaves and the fish, looks up to heaven, blesses, breaks, and gives them to the disciples, who give them to the crowd. All eat and are filled. Twelve baskets of leftovers are gathered. Five thousand men were there, besides women and children.Key Ideas for Preaching* Jesus does this in grief. He has just lost John the Baptist — his cousin, his herald, the one who baptized him. He withdrew, we are told, to a deserted place by himself. The crowd follows him anyway. And he has compassion for them. What does it look like for your congregation to hear that the compassion of Christ comes even from within his own grief — not after it, not despite it, but from within it?* “You give them something to eat.” That is what Jesus says to the disciples' request that the crowd be sent away. The disciples want the problem to become someone else's. Jesus places it in their hands. Where has your congregation quietly asked God to send the hungry away, and how might Jesus' instruction reset that?* The math is off. Five loaves, two fish, five thousand men plus women and children. The disciples are not wrong that the numbers do not work. Jesus is not asking them to make the numbers work; he is asking them to bring what they have. What does it look like for your congregation to bring what they have without pretending it will be enough?* Jesus takes, blesses, breaks, and gives. Those four verbs are eucharistic language. Matthew wants us to hear this feeding and the Last Supper together — one continuous action of Christ receiving and blessing and breaking and giving what has been placed in his hands. How might your sermon let your people feel that the meal they celebrate at this table participates in the meal on the grass?* Twelve baskets of leftovers — one for each disciple. The abundance is not only for the crowd; it is also, quite specifically, for the ones who thought there would not be enough. What does it look like to preach the specific reassurance of the leftovers for the ones who serve, who fear running out?Significant Cautions* Two common readings of the miracle circulate. One is that Jesus miraculously multiplied the loaves. The other is that Jesus shamed people out of their hoarded food and everyone shared. Both readings have their defenders. Do not be dogmatic about which is right. Both are ways of taking the story seriously.* “You give them something to eat” has been used to bless a heroic view of Christian service that leaves people burned out. Jesus takes what the disciples bring and multiplies it; he does not ask them to solve the problem alone.* The crowd is not fed as a reward for good behavior. They are fed because they are hungry. Do not preach this text in a way that suggests God's feeding is conditional on our faithfulness.* Do not moralize the miracle into a lesson primarily about our attitudes. The story is fundamentally about what Christ does with what is placed in his hands.Thematic ConnectionsThe Gospel is the natural center for the day and one of the most famous scenes in Christian memory. The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle story that appears in all four Gospels. Matthew tells it here with particular attention to Jesus' grief, the disciples' anxiety about scarcity, and the four eucharistic verbs — take, bless, break, give.On Track One, Jacob's night at the Jabbok pairs with the Gospel in a way that is more thematic than direct. Both scenes describe an encounter with God that changes something. Jacob is renamed and limps away. The disciples are handed a task that seems impossible and end up with twelve baskets of leftovers. Both stories insist that God works through what feels like the wrong scale.On Track Two, the connection to the Gospel is direct. Isaiah's invitation to come to the waters and buy food without money, and Psalm 145's picture of God feeding every living thing in its season, both flow into the Gospel's picture of a crowd being fed on the grass. The God of the Old Testament tracks is the God of the Gospel feeding. This is one story about one God.Romans 9 sits inside the day as its most difficult companion. Paul's grief for his people who do not yet see what he sees is a heavy word to preach, and preachers should handle it with care to avoid the anti-Jewish readings that have plagued this passage. Read alongside the Gospel, one connection is worth noticing: Paul, like Jesus in Matthew 14, is grieving. He is not withdrawn from the world's pain; he is inside it. His anguish is the anguish of a person who loves someone he cannot fix.For preachers continuing the series: the parables arc has closed. Matthew 14 returns us to Jesus in action, with the feeding this week, walking on water next week, and the Canaanite woman the following week. The Matthew narrative is picking back up — and it is picking back up in a scene of extravagant, embodied grace. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lectionarypro.substack.com/subscribe
The sermon on Psalm 118 emphasizes how Jesus "fed His soul" by singing this psalm at the Last Supper before facing the cross, showing that believers can also strengthen their souls through God's Word. It highlights four main lessons: first, God is our vital helper who gives strength and guidance during life's hardest moments; second, Jesus, the rejected cornerstone, is the foundation of our lives, and through Him we are deeply loved and favored by God; third, practicing gratitude transforms both our hearts and minds, as believers are called to give thanks in every circumstance because God's steadfast love never ends; and fourth, because of Jesus' resurrection, death has been defeated, giving Christians lasting hope even in times of grief. The sermon concludes by encouraging listeners to make a personal decision to follow Jesus, live with confidence in God's love, cultivate thankfulness, and find comfort in the promise of eternal life through Christ.
Many have eaten a last meal before their execution…but it affected nobody else. The last supper of Jesus Christ continues to feed many today. Let’s see its lasting effect until He comes.
In John 13:1-17, Jesus washes his disciples' feet during the Last Supper. This shocking act of humility demonstrated his radical, selfless love. By taking the role of a lowly servant, Jesus taught his followers that true greatness in his kingdom is found in serving others, not in seeking status.
Many have eaten a last meal before their execution…but it affected nobody else. The last supper of Jesus Christ continues to feed many today. Let's see its lasting effect until He comes. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1561/29?v=20251111
Pastor Sonny Hennessy continues the series looking at not only the Last Supper, but five other "meals" and how they connect throughout the bible.Scripture in this message: Matthew 26:26-30, Genesis 1:29, Genesis 3:18-19, Deuteronomy 16:1-3, John 6:26-33, Luke 22:7-21, Revelation 22:1-3Watch this message on YouTubeJust starting your Jesus journey? Let us know by filling out this form so we can connect with you personallyHello Card Tithes & OfferingsPlease consider giving to help us spread the life giving message of Jesus to the 920 and beyondGive Here --Follow Life Church on socialsLCGB Facebook LCGB Instagram LCGB YouTube
The Passover dominates the context of the latter half of Matthew 26. Within the setting of the Last Supper, we find the quintessential occurrence of an often misunderstood phenomenon in the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. God uses the sin of man to accomplish His good design, yet God is not the author of the sin. Even though God willed and used Judas' sin, Judas was responsible and condemned for it. Before trying to understand the Passover and the new understanding of it that Jesus gave in instituting the Lord's Table, we take some time to explore the relationship between man's responsibility and God's sovereignty. A sermon preached by Pastor Caleb at Legacy Reformed Baptist Church in East Grand Forks, MN.
Sermon Outline: "A Table in the Wilderness" Preacher: Pastor Rhonda Davis I. Introduction: The Accusation of Unbelief The Wilderness Setting: Written by King David's chief musician Asaph, Psalm 78 serves as a historical reminder of Israel's behavioral cycles in the desert. Fresh out of Egyptian deliverance—having witnessed the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and being physically guided by pillars of cloud and fire—the people began to bitterly complain against God a mere three days into their journey. An Honest Question vs. An Accusation: In Psalm 78:19, the people ask, "Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness?" Pastor Rhonda noted that the word really transforms a seemingly innocent question into a toxic accusation dressed up as reason. It is the phrase used when a human heart has already decided the answer is "no," waiting around only to prove its own doubt correct. Covenant Over Anger: Despite their rebellion, God did not slam the door or cancel His covenant. Instead, He commanded the skies to open and rained down manna—the food of angels. God systematically spread a feast in front of the very people who were whispering against Him in their tents the night before. The Three Divine Tables Pastor Rhonda unpacked the three distinct tables God establishes throughout biblical history: 1. The Table for the Doubters (The Wilderness Table) The Purpose of the Table: The wilderness table is never a structural reward for individuals who possess perfect, unwavering faith. It is a table of pure grace, deliberately established right in the middle of your human doubting. The Goodness that Pulls: Relying on Romans 2:4, it is the unmerited goodness of God—not His anger—that gently leads broken, derailed, or disappointed individuals into true repentance. The Commitment of God: God remains infinitely more committed to your ultimate destiny than your lingering doubt is committed to keeping you away from His presence. As highlighted in Psalm 78:38-39, He stays full of compassion, frequently holds back His anger, and remembers that human beings are fragile, temporary flesh. 2. The Table for the Enemies (The Battlefield Table) The Blinded Army at Dothan: In 2 Kings 6, the King of Syria surrounded the prophet Elisha at Dothan with a massive host of horses and iron chariots. When Elisha's servant panicked, shouting, "What shall we do?", Elisha uttered the historic reality: "Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those with them." The Spiritual Sight Shift: Elisha did not pray for his servant's natural eyes, but for his spiritual eyes to be opened. Instantly, the young man saw the surrounding mountains packed with the fiery chariots of God's angelic hosts. A Feast Instead of a Sword: After praying for God to strike the Syrian army with blindness, Elisha boldly walked into their ranks and led them directly into the capital city of Samaria. When the King of Israel eagerly asked, "Shall I kill them?", Elisha commanded him to serve them a massive feast of comfort food and water instead. The Victory of Mercy: This exact battlefield feast provides the historical background for Psalm 23:5 ("Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies"). It was not the edge of a sword that permanently stopped the Syrian invasions—it was an overwhelming act of covenant mercy. Pastoral Application on Stiff-Arming: Pastor Rhonda paused the message to deliver a deep word on forgiveness and breaking internal chains (Psalm 44:21). True forgiveness does not excuse the offender; it releases the victim from an emotional prison. She shared a transparent personal testimony of a spiritual son and backup worship leader who left her ministry years prior. Though she smiled outwardly, she spent years "stiff-arming" him to protect her own heart from being hurt again. After her late husband confronted her behavior, she broke down at the altar, embraced the man, repented of her coldness, and unlocked a deep, ongoing fellowship that persists to this day. 3. The Ultimate Table (The Salvation Table) Crushing the Enemy's Head: The framework for the final table was established in Genesis 3, where God promised that the seed of the woman would eventually crush the head of the serpent. Because Satan acutely understands this legal decree, he target-attacks human families with desperation and fear. Spread While We Were Rebellious: Reading from Romans 5:6-8, Christ did not wait for humanity to surrender, perfect their theology, or clean up their lives. He set out the bread and wine of the ultimate table at Calvary while we were actively operating as His lifestyle enemies. The Table of Communion: At the Last Supper, Jesus willingly broke bread, dipped from the same cup, and washed the feet of Judas Iscariot—the very man orchestrating His betrayal. He fully established a table in the literal presence of His enemy. Conclusion: The Mandate of the Church Jesus Is Better: Moving into corporate communion, Pastor Rhonda echoed the foundational theme of the Book of Hebrews: Jesus is structurally better than legalism, religion, and all earthly material goods. He is the express image of the living God. Prophetic Prophecy Declared: During a prolonged moment of corporate worship, a prophetic word was delivered over the room: “I have not brought you this far to leave you, says the Lord. You are hidden in the hollow of My hands, and I am preparing you to move like an arrow shot from a bow at the right time. You are the ones called to set My tables of mercy in the wilderness of this world.” The River in the Desert: Standing across the sanctuary, the congregation applied Isaiah 43:18-19, commanding all spiritual squatters of doubt to leave, completely releasing old bitterness against parents, employers, or former spouses, and taking communion with a fresh, childlike awareness of Christ's healing power. Scripture Index Here are the primary scriptures read, cited, or expounded upon during the service: Psalm 78:19 > "Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish [prepare] a table in the wilderness?" Romans 5:6-8 > "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly... But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners [enemies], Christ died for us." Romans 2:4 (Referenced) – Knowing that the goodness of God leads human beings to repentance. Psalm 78:38-39 > "But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away... For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again." 2 Kings 6:16-17 > "And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." Deuteronomy 31:6 (Referenced) – Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee. 2 Chronicles 32:7 (Referenced) – Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him. Psalm 23:5 > "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." Psalm 44:21 (Referenced) – Shall not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart. Revelation 3:20 > "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Isaiah 43:18-19 > "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Numbers 6:24-26 (The Benediction) > "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." "Thanks for listening! For more information, visit churchoftheharvest.com. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and YouTube @cothcleveland.
I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life | Rev. Kevin Johnson | North Raleigh UMCWhat did Jesus mean when He declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6)?In this message from John 14, Rev. Kevin Johnson explores one of Jesus' most familiar and profound "I Am" statements. Spoken during the Last Supper, these words are more than directions to heaven. They reveal Jesus as the One who brings us into relationship with the Father, fills us with the Spirit of Truth, and invites us to live a new kind of life shaped by the Kingdom of God.Drawing on John's Gospel and the rich tradition of Wesleyan and United Methodist theology, Kevin unpacks what he calls "the geometry of the Trinity," showing how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit invite us into God's own life through Christ. As followers of Jesus, we are not only shown the way to God. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live the way of Jesus every day.In a world searching for purpose, struggling to discern truth, and weighed down by suffering, this sermon reminds us that God's presence is not distant. Through Christ and the Holy Spirit, God dwells with us and within us, equipping us to bear witness through lives marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.Whether you're exploring Christianity, seeking a deeper understanding of John's Gospel, or looking for hope in uncertain times, this message offers biblical teaching rooted in grace, truth, and the transforming presence of God.Scripture: John 14:1-17At North Raleigh United Methodist Church, our purpose is to be a church where you can Belong just as you are, Become more like Jesus, and Be Love for God's World.Topics: John 14, I Am the Way the Truth and the Life, Rev. Kevin Johnson, United Methodist Church, Wesleyan theology, Trinity, Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth, discipleship, Christian living, Kingdom of God, Farewell Discourse, fruit of the Spirit, abundant life, grace, North Raleigh UMC.
The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility
At Mass, Catholics hear the words of consecration spoken over the bread and wine. How can the Eucharistic mystery and Christ's giving of His Body and Blood strengthen our faith on the path of infertility and loss?In this episode, Jillian and Ann speak with Fr. Paul about the Holy Eucharist. They'll talk about:Seeing the Paschal Mystery as one event, from the Last Supper through Christ's death and resurrectionReceiving Our Lord in our own "broken" bodiesHow we can open our hearts to Jesus and become more like Him through the EucharistIt is our honor to walk with you!Links:Podcast Episode on BaptismPodcast Episode on Reconciliation & Anointing of the Sick
The Last Supper with Christ and his disciples was also the first communion service. What is it about the bread and the wine that still play such a vital role in the life of the church today? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/581/29?v=20251111
Ever feel a simmering anger when someone is winning by cheating, lying, or hurting others?David can relate. In Psalms 37–41, David is fed up with watching evil people prosper. He's also physically crushed by his own guilt, questioning whether life even means anything, pulled up out of a pit, and betrayed by someone he trusted completely. These aren't tidy conclusions. They're five raw, in-the-moment prayers from a man who keeps choosing to bring it all back to God.This Psalm 37-41 Bible study covers:[7:17] Psalm 37: Fretting in Hebrew – Why the Hebrew word behind "do not fret" actually means to burn or seethe, and how David teaches us to put that fire out before it consumes us.[13:36] Psalm 38: Crushing Guilt – What it looks like when unconfessed sin becomes a physical, crushing weight, and why trusting doesn't always mean you feel better. Sometimes it just means you give it to God and press on.[15:56] Psalm 39: The Futility of Life – David's honest wrestling with how fleeting life is and why "venting to God" might be the most faithful thing you can do.[21:07] Psalm 40: Rescue from the Pit – Why David's rescue from "the slimy pit" becomes one of the clearest prophetic pictures of Christ in the entire Psalter, and Jesus Himself quotes this psalm.[24:53] Psalm 41: Blessings and Betrayal – God's blessing on those who care for the weak, and the chilling way David's prophetic statements are fulfilled at the Last Supper.Psalms Show Notes:Psalms RoadmapPsalms Prayer ListPsalms Playlist on Apple MusicPsalms Playlist on SpotifyPhil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video]ACTS Prayer GuideDiscussion Questions[10:15] David tells us not to fret over people who succeed through wickedness. Where in your life right now are you most tempted to let that slow burn of envy or resentment take hold, and what would it look like to trust God with it instead?[16:35] Psalm 39 asks God to reveal how fleeting life is, yet the psalmist still brings his honest frustration to God rather than burying it. Is there a frustration about the futility of your life or circumstances that you've been holding back from bringing to God?[25:33] Psalm 41 closes the book with a blessing on those who care for the weak, the sick, and the vulnerable. Who in your life right now needs you to notice them and step in, and what's one concrete way you could do that this week?Contact Bible Book Club!Social: Instagram or FacebookWebsite: Bible Book ClubReview Us: Apple Podcast or SpotifyJoin the Fun: DONATE or Buy merchThis episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!
Before the era of the High Renaissance, Pope Sixtus IV commissioned one of the most ambitious artistic projects of the Roman Quattrocento, the Sistine Chapel. In this episode, we explore the chapel's original decoration and the remarkable group of artists, including Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio, Signorelli, and Roselli, who transformed its walls into a monumental visual narrative in line with the symbolic force of the papacy. We begin by examining Pope Sixtus IV, his political ambitions, and his vision of the Sistine Chapel as a new Temple of Solomon and a powerful symbol of papal authority. From there, we analyze some of the cycle's greatest surviving frescoes, including Botticelli's Punishment of Korah, Perugino's Delivery of the Keys to Saint Peter, Signorelli's Death and Testament of Moses, and Cosimo Roselli's underrated Last Supper. Together, these masterpieces reveal how art, theology, and politics combined to create one of the defining monuments of the Renaissance and laid the foundation for Michelangelo's later masterpiece upon the chapel ceiling. Support/Watch/Follow/Learn: https://linktr.ee/italian_renaissance_podcastWorks Discussed: Sandro Botticelli, The Punishment of Korah, 1481-82 https://www.wga.hu/html_m/b/botticel/4sistina/punishme/korah.htmlLuca Signorelli and Biagio d'Antonio, Testament and Death of Moses, 1481-82 https://www.wga.hu/html_m/s/signorel/sistina/moses.htmlPietro Perugino, Delivery of the Keys to Saint Peter, 1481-82 https://www.wga.hu/html_m/p/perugino/sistina/keys.htmlCosimo Rosselli, Last Supper, 1481-82 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Supper_(Rosselli)The Florentine Renaissance CourseSupport the show
The Last Supper with Christ and his disciples was also the first communion service. What is it about the bread and the wine that still play such a vital role in the life of the church today? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/790/29?v=20251111
Preacher: Michael Foster, Text: Mark 14:12-25
We're taking a break from True Sunlight this week, but we hope you enjoy this episode of 'Wherever It Leads... Milan' Follow the show at staypes.ky/wherever Tourists sprint to Rome and Florence while one of Europe's most alive cities hums quietly in the north — and that's exactly what makes Milan extraordinary. This week, writer, author, and Milanese insider Marta Mondelli pulls back the curtain on a city of hidden courtyards, wooden streetcars, world-class aperitivo, and jasmine-soaked springs. She explains why cappuccino after 11am is a “crime”, why the Milanese party as hard as they work, and why spring open days unlock palaces most visitors never see. Journalist Mandy Matney and producer David Moses share their own Milan memories — late-night dumplings in Chinatown, a train through the Alps, streets packed on a Tuesday like it was Saturday — while Marta weighs in on Lee Gilley's asylum claim in nearby Turin and Italy's growing conversation around feminicide. Plus: Lake Como, Turin, and the art of spending your tourism money where it actually matters. Learn More about Marta Mondelli: @martamondelli Reset Stories Podcast @resetstoriespodcast Episode Resources: Festina Lente Milano — Marta's handcrafted candle shop in the Isola neighborhood
John chapter 6 is the third longest chapter in the New Testament, and as such is the case, we're going to break it down into two episodes. As mentioned in the introduction of our last episode, John includes seven significant signs in his gospel leading up to the Last Supper. The signs show the crowds that he isn't just a man with interesting things to say, he is, by nature, the Son of God. Today we'll read John's accounts of the fourth sign, where Jesus feeds 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish, and the fifth sign, where Jesus walks on water. After seeing the signs (and receiving a free meal) the crowds hunt for Jesus, who uses the opportunity to point out that they have a greater need than bread alone. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
There are four gospel accounts written by four different writers, and each of these writers has compiled the events of Jesus' life in ways that emphasize particular aspects of his and ministry. John includes seven significant signs in his gospel leading up to the Last Supper. We've covered two of the seven signs already: turning water into wine at a wedding feast and healing the official's son. We'll cover the third sign today as Jesus heals the sick. This sign points to his divine power over creation and over the effects of sin, making broken bodies whole and bringing the dead to life. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
Yesterday, we witnessed Simon Peter's legendary conversion on the Sea of Galilee. Today, Brother Mike takes us on a sobering journey into Peter's rapid spiritual decline, his public denial of Christ, and his ultimate loss of salvation. What causes a passionate, vocal follower of Christ to stumble so severely? Drawing from the Greek texts, Brother Mike looks at Peter's deep-seated insecurities—often masked by his tendency to run his mouth "like a busted chainsaw." Explore the dangerous progression from a prideful spirit at the Last Supper to the terrifying moment when Peter calls down an anathema (a curse of execution) upon himself by swearing he has never even seen Jesus (eido). This episode reveals that witnessing a miracle—or even seeing the resurrected Christ face-to-face—isn't enough to heal a broken relationship with God. True restoration requires facing your guilt, turning away from your old life, and allowing yourself to be genuinely reconverted (epistrefo). Scripture & Highlights Mentioned in This Episode The Warning of Spattering Sheep: Jesus warns the disciples that they will all be offended and scattered, fulfilling ancient prophecy (Matthew 26:31; Zechariah 13:7). Sifted Like Wheat: Jesus reveals Satan’s design to test Simon and uses the Greek word epistrefo, pointing to his eventual need to be completely reconverted (Luke 22:31-34). The Infiltrated Palace: John uses his connections to get Peter past the young slave gatekeeper (paidiske) into the high priest's courtyard (John 18:15-17). The Absolute Denial: Confronted by the crowd and a relative of Malchus (syngenes), Peter curses, swears, and denies knowing Christ before meeting Jesus' gaze and weeping bitterly (pikros) (Mark 14:66-72; John 18:25-27). Reconversion at Tiberias: After returning to his old life of fishing out of sheer guilt, Peter is met by Jesus at a second fire of coals and is lovingly restored after affirming his love three times (John 21:1-17). Connect with the Ministry Visit the Arizona Deliverance Center Located in downtown Phoenix on 15th Avenue, just south of Osborn Road (look for the red brick building). Come break the chains of guilt and experience true deliverance. Weekly Live Services: Thursday & Friday nights at 7:00 PM The Saints Gather: Saturday Worship & Deliverance Service at 4:30 PM — A powerful, one-of-a-kind service featuring singing in tongues. Ladies Night: Tuesdays at 6:30 PM Monthly Healing Service: Last Friday of every month at 7:00 PM (Arrive early, seats fill up quickly!) Need Prayer for Guilt or Deliverance? Call Brother Mike directly at 602-636-5800 for support or to get access codes for the weekly Zoom healing services. Catch the radio broadcast celebrating Brother Mike's silver anniversary on 1010 AM KXXT, and listen to the Sunday morning podcast every week at 9:00 AM at HardcoreChristianity.com. Support the show: https://hardcorechristianity.com/donations/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What lessons did Jesus impart at the Last Supper?
This sermon explores the final night of Jesus' life, focusing on the Last Supper and the moments surrounding Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial. Jen emphasizes that Jesus, being fully God and fully man, experienced the deep pain of betrayal while knowing exactly what would happen. Despite this knowledge, Jesus chose all twelve disciples, including Judas, from the beginning of time. The sermon challenges believers to move beyond intellectual knowledge of the biblical narrative and truly enter into the emotional and spiritual reality of that night. Central to the message is Jesus' new commandment to love one another with sacrificial, unconditional love—given even in the midst of His own heartbreak. Jen emphasizes that this kind of love among believers is how the world will recognize Jesus' disciples. The sermon calls listeners to examine their own hearts for areas of betrayal, denial, pride, and fear, while remembering that Jesus continues to look at each person with the same deep love He had for His disciples.Read John 13:18-30; 1 John 4:19Jesus sat at that table knowing exactly who would betray Him, yet He served Judas anyway. He washed his feet. He broke bread with him. He looked at him with love. This is the scandalous nature of God's love—it doesn't wait for us to get it right. We love because He first loved us, even when we were still sinners, still betrayers, still deniers. The call to love one another isn't a suggestion for when people deserve it; it's a command for when it's hardest. Who in your life feels impossible to love right now? That person sitting across from you at work, that family member who hurt you, that fellow believer you disagree with—Jesus calls you to agape love. Not because they've earned it, but because He first loved you when you hadn't earned it either.Discussion Questions:-Jesus spent the entire night in prayer before choosing the twelve disciples, including Judas whom He knew would betray Him. What does this reveal about God's sovereignty and His willingness to work through human free will, even when it leads to painful outcomes?-The sermon describes how we can become so familiar with Bible stories that we read them like novels rather than experiencing them. How might we cultivate a practice of truly entering into Scripture rather than just reading it as information?-Jesus spoke about betrayal while sitting at the table with His betrayer, yet still looked at Judas with love. How does this challenge our understanding of loving those who hurt us or disagree with us deeply?-Peter was so convinced he would never deny Jesus that he could not hear Jesus's loving warning. How does pride in our own faithfulness or spiritual strength make us vulnerable to falling away in moments of testing?
This sermon explores the final night of Jesus' life, focusing on the Last Supper and the moments surrounding Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial. Jen emphasizes that Jesus, being fully God and fully man, experienced the deep pain of betrayal while knowing exactly what would happen. Despite this knowledge, Jesus chose all twelve disciples, including Judas, from the beginning of time. The sermon challenges believers to move beyond intellectual knowledge of the biblical narrative and truly enter into the emotional and spiritual reality of that night. Central to the message is Jesus' new commandment to love one another with sacrificial, unconditional love—given even in the midst of His own heartbreak. Jen emphasizes that this kind of love among believers is how the world will recognize Jesus' disciples. The sermon calls listeners to examine their own hearts for areas of betrayal, denial, pride, and fear, while remembering that Jesus continues to look at each person with the same deep love He had for His disciples.Read John 13:18-30; 1 John 4:19Jesus sat at that table knowing exactly who would betray Him, yet He served Judas anyway. He washed his feet. He broke bread with him. He looked at him with love. This is the scandalous nature of God's love—it doesn't wait for us to get it right. We love because He first loved us, even when we were still sinners, still betrayers, still deniers. The call to love one another isn't a suggestion for when people deserve it; it's a command for when it's hardest. Who in your life feels impossible to love right now? That person sitting across from you at work, that family member who hurt you, that fellow believer you disagree with—Jesus calls you to agape love. Not because they've earned it, but because He first loved you when you hadn't earned it either.Discussion Questions:-Jesus spent the entire night in prayer before choosing the twelve disciples, including Judas whom He knew would betray Him. What does this reveal about God's sovereignty and His willingness to work through human free will, even when it leads to painful outcomes?-The sermon describes how we can become so familiar with Bible stories that we read them like novels rather than experiencing them. How might we cultivate a practice of truly entering into Scripture rather than just reading it as information?-Jesus spoke about betrayal while sitting at the table with His betrayer, yet still looked at Judas with love. How does this challenge our understanding of loving those who hurt us or disagree with us deeply?-Peter was so convinced he would never deny Jesus that he could not hear Jesus's loving warning. How does pride in our own faithfulness or spiritual strength make us vulnerable to falling away in moments of testing?
At the Last Supper, Jesus revealed to his disciples that one of them would betray him. When they asked who it was, Jesus gave them a sign: he dipped a piece of bread and handed it to Judas, identifying Judas Iscariot, the Son of Simon, as the one who would betray Him. Verses: John 13: 21-28, 1 Corinthians 2: 8 Pastor: Daniel Hendrickson
Host Andrew Camp interviews Hugh Hollowell, pastor of Open Door Mennonite Church in Jackson, Mississippi and author of the memoir-essay collection Food Is Love, about how food and tables reveal God's love, shape memory, and build connection. Hollowell calls the Last Supper his most compelling Christian story, arguing meals are intimate, mnemonic, and inherently communal, and that communion is scandalous because it includes people who fail us. He discusses Southern foodways, the Great Migration's use of cooking to preserve home, and a long conversation about sweet potatoes with Senator Roger Wicker as an example of food humanizing opponents. They critique privileged food moralism amid Jackson's food deserts and poverty, describe how “bad” celebratory foods and enslaved people's ingenuity became valued cuisines, and frame cooking and writing about food as acts of care and political resistance. They close with reflections on church as support for weekday discipleship, lingering meals as welcome, and Hollowell's favorite foods and stories.Hugh Hollowell is a sixth generation Mississippian and is the pastor of Open Door Mennonite Church in Jackson, MS – a multiracial peace church formed in the aftermath of the Civil Rights movement. He is a writer and storyteller and has been the publisher of a weekly newsletter called Life is So Beautiful for more than a decade. Before becoming pastor at Open Door, Hugh spent 12 years working as a pastor among unhoused people and those struggling with addictions. This taught him much of what he knows about both second chances and grace, but not much that is useful at denominational meetings. He and his spouse Renee live in the Fondren neighborhood of Jackson, where they run a small scale kitten rescue and co-parent five house cats and seven chickens.Hugh's website: hughhollowell.orgFollow Andrew CampFacebook: andrew.camp.9Instagram: @andrewcamp80Substack: @thebiggesttableThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. (00:00) - Sponsor and Guest Intro (01:32) - Food Memory and Communion (20:11) - Privilege Shame and Care (39:13) - Cooking as Resistance (44:51) - Church Around the Table (54:14) - Remembering and Last Meals
Preparations are underway here on the show for the country's 250th birthday this Saturday. Also, I have a friend with a kid that's shitting all over town. And, for the final time, it's Hot Chef Summer. Eat up.alt title: oh the places you'll gothe Bear season 5, now premiering exclusively on FX and Hulu.TEXT THE RAINWATER HOTLINENew episodes are released every Tuesday.https://icancomplain.com/
Matthew #56: Tasting The Tree Of Life (Matthew 26:17-30) Janelle Greene (6/28/26) When I was in college, one of my professors led an activity that has stayed with me ever since. He said the word “apple” and asked us to write down as many descriptive words as we could. We wrote things like fruit and tree. Then he showed us a picture of an apple, and our list grew with words like red, round, and leaf. Next, he brought out a fake apple, giving us even more details to describe. Finally, he passed around a real apple. Now we could write about its weight, texture, smell, the sound of a bite crunching, and other characteristics that were impossible to experience through the previous examples.The purpose of the exercise was to demonstrate how much more we learn when multiple senses are engaged. The professor encouraged us to involve as many senses as possible when teaching because it increases the likelihood that people will understand and remember what is being communicated. Hearing alone has its limits, but understanding grows when we add sight, touch, and even taste.I often think about that lesson when I consider why Jesus commanded us to eat and drink in remembrance of His sacrifice. We are not called only to listen or to watch. We are invited to taste and touch as we remember what Christ has done and worship Him.This Sunday we will continue our study in Matthew by reading chapter 26, verses 17 through 30. In this passage, we will see the Last Supper, where Jesus transforms the Passover meal into a reminder of the New Covenant established through His sacrifice. What stands out to you about Jesus' words and actions?If you would like to study more of the context ahead of time, The Bible Project has excellent resources on Passover and the biblical covenants that provide helpful context for this week's passage. We hope you will take a few minutes to explore them, and we invite you to join us this Sunday as we study God's Word together.Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.
Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Saints Peter and Paul Saints Peter and Paul's Story Peter (d. 64?) Saint Mark ends the first half of his Gospel with a triumphant climax. He has recorded doubt, misunderstanding, and the opposition of many to Jesus. Now Peter makes his great confession of faith: “You are the Messiah” (Mark 8:29b). It was one of the many glorious moments in Peter's life, beginning with the day he was called from his nets along the Sea of Galilee to become a fisher of men for Jesus. The New Testament clearly shows Peter as the leader of the apostles, chosen by Jesus to have a special relationship with him. With James and John he was privileged to witness the Transfiguration, the raising of a dead child to life, and the agony in Gethsemane. His mother-in-law was cured by Jesus. He was sent with John to prepare for the last Passover before Jesus' death. His name is first on every list of apostles. And to Peter only did Jesus say, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:17b-19). But the Gospels prove their own trustworthiness by the unflattering details they include about Peter. He clearly had no public relations person. It is a great comfort for ordinary mortals to know that Peter also has his human weakness, even in the presence of Jesus. He generously gave up all things, yet he can ask in childish self-regard, “What are we going to get for all this?” (see Matthew 19:27). He receives the full force of Christ's anger when he objects to the idea of a suffering Messiah: “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do” (Matthew 16:23b). Peter is willing to accept Jesus' doctrine of forgiveness, but suggests a limit of seven times. He walks on the water in faith, but sinks in doubt. He refuses to let Jesus wash his feet, then wants his whole body cleansed. He swears at the Last Supper that he will never deny Jesus, and then swears to a servant maid that he has never known the man. He loyally resists the first attempt to arrest Jesus by cutting off Malchus' ear, but in the end he runs away with the others. In the depth of his sorrow, Jesus looks on him and forgives him, and he goes out and sheds bitter tears. The Risen Jesus told Peter to feed his lambs and his sheep (John 21:15-17). Paul (d. 64?) If the most well-known preacher today suddenly began preaching that the United States should adopt Marxism and not rely on the Constitution, the angry reaction would help us understand Paul's life when he started preaching that Christ alone can save us. He had been the most pharisaic of Pharisees, the most legalistic of Mosaic lawyers. Now he suddenly appears to other Jews as a heretical welcomer of Gentiles, a traitor and apostate. Paul's central conviction was simple and absolute: Only God can save humanity. No human effort—even the most scrupulous observance of law—can create a human good which we can bring to God as reparation for sin and payment for grace. To be saved from itself, from sin, from the devil, and from death, humanity must open itself completely to the saving power of Jesus. Paul never lost his love for his Jewish family, though he carried on a lifelong debate with them about the uselessness of the Law without Christ. He reminded the Gentiles that they were grafted on the parent stock of the Jews, who were still God's chosen people, the children of the promise. Reflection We would probably go to confession to Peter sooner than to any of the other apostles. He is perhaps a more striking example of the simple fact of holiness. Jesus says to us as he said, in effect, to Peter: “It is not you who have chosen me, but I who have chosen you. Peter, it is not human wisdom that makes it possible for you to believe, but my Father's revelation. I, not you, build my Church.” Paul's experience of the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus was the driving force that made him one of the most zealous, dynamic, and courageous ambassadors of Christ the Church has ever had. But persecution, humiliation, and weakness became his day-by-day carrying of the cross, material for further transformation. The dying Christ was in him; the living Christ was his life.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Jesus gathered his disciples for one last meal before the cross. At the Last Supper, Jesus washed his disciple's feet to show them how they ought to serve one another. Jesus loved his own to the end, even when one of them would betray him. Verses: John 13: 1-20, 1 Peter 5: 5, Philippians 2: 3, James 4: 10 Pastor: Daniel Hendrickson
Pastor Rod speaks about the Last Supper; specifically Jesus invited the disciples to take part in communion.
Matthew 26:69-27:10 (morning service) Sermon Points: #1 The Betrayers Worldly Sorrow (27:1-10)... #2 The Deniers Genuine Repentance (26:69-75)... *Pastor Daniel mentioned the prediction of Peter's betrayal "just days before" but intended to say just "hours" before as the Last Supper was only hours prior to his arrest and trial by night... Preacher: Daniel Pelichowski
Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:6Today's Gospel contains one of Christ's more difficult teachings. At first glance, His words seem harsh. Yet they reveal a profound truth: the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven require a heart properly disposed to receive them. Divine truths are not to be offered indiscriminately, especially to those who would treat them with scorn or hostility. Faith is essential to receive and understand the deeper mysteries of God. Jesus expressed a similar principle at the Last Supper when He told the Twelve: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth” (John 16:12–13).Though Jesus, as the eternal Word of God, possessed perfect and complete knowledge of divine truth, He did not reveal everything to His disciples all at once. Had He done so, they might have been overwhelmed. Even His closest followers often struggled to grasp His teachings, misunderstanding His words and resisting difficult truths. Yet Christ unveils the mysteries of His Kingdom gradually, according to each person's ability to receive them.The divine mysteries are so deep, vast, and profound that we will only fully comprehend them when we behold God face to face in the Beatific Vision. Until then, His deeper truths remain veiled. This does not mean we should cease seeking them; rather, as we grow in faith and knowledge of God, He lifts the veil little by little, drawing us closer to Himself. As we progress in holiness, He perfects within us the spiritual Gift of Wisdom, which ultimately deepens our love for Him.The pearls Jesus refers to symbolize these divine mysteries—treasures of divine Wisdom that must be sought, cherished, and received with reverence. This principle of gradual revelation is also seen in the ministry of Saint Paul. After his dramatic conversion, Paul received extraordinary spiritual insights, yet he recognized that his listeners were not always ready for the fullness of divine teaching. To the Corinthians, he wrote: “Brothers, I could not talk to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it” (1 Corinthians 3:1–2).Like Saint Paul, when God grants us glimpses of His divine Wisdom, we must treasure these revelations, ponder them in faith, and allow Him to deepen His communication with us. At the same time, as we share our faith with others, we must be mindful of their openness and capacity to receive what is holy—the pearls of divine truth. Though the saving message of the Gospel must be preached to all, the deepest mysteries are attained only through prayer and an interior receptivity to grace.When Jesus warns, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine…”, He is not discouraging evangelization. Rather, He is teaching us that not everyone is immediately receptive to the hidden mysteries of the Gospel. Some might reject it outright, treat it with indifference, or even respond with hostility. Thus, just as Saint Paul recognized the need to nourish spiritual infants with milk, not solid food, we too must exercise prudence in sharing the deepest divine truths, ensuring that they are offered in a way that hearts are prepared to receive. Reflect today on your own openness to God's eternal truth. Are you like an infant in need of spiritual milk? If so, drink that milk eagerly, allowing it to nourish your soul. As you mature in faith, devote more time to prayerful contemplation of God's Word, seeking His wisdom with a receptive heart. If God entrusts you with the role of feeding others, do so with love and gentleness, discerning the pearls God wants you to share. Only by first being receptive ourselves will we be prepared to be the instruments and evangelists that God calls us to be. Lord of Eternal Wisdom, the mysteries of faith are vast and beyond my comprehension without Your grace. Draw me ever closer to You, unveiling Your hidden presence and the precious pearls of Your Truth. Deepen my understanding, that I may ponder Your mysteries with a receptive heart. As I grow in faith, use me as You will to nourish others according to their need, leading them ever deeper into Your divine Wisdom. Jesus, I trust in You. Image: Our Eucharistic Lord, by Lawrence OP, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with Wendy J. Fox about her novel, The Last Supper, published by Sante Fe Writer's Project, 2026. As stay-at-home mom Amanda turns forty, she faces a reckoning. She' s doing her best at parenting eight-year-old Toby, who only wants to eat orange-colored food, and almost-four-year-old Blake, who really should be in pre-school but is home doing YouTube aerobics with her. Amanda' s mother is a successful attorney. Her next-door neighbor makes an enviable living as a visual artist. Her two best friends from college seem to handle careers and motherhood just fine. Yet, Amanda just barely manages to muddle through dinner every night while obsessively Googling life advice. She' s racked up failures, like being swindled into pyramid schemes, and is struggling to launch what she thought was a sure-fire influencer lifestyle brand, AMANDAtory. When her husband loses his job and threatens her with divorce, Amanda is forced to face her choices head-on. Will she finally forge her own identity, or is she doomed to repeat her past mistakes? Wendy J. Fox is the author of four books of fiction, including What If We Were Somewhere Else, which won the Colorado book and received a star for excellence in the genre of short-stories in Booklist. Her 2019 novel, If the Ice Had Held, was a top pick in audio for LitHub. She has written for many national publications including Self, Business Insider, BuzzFeed, and Ms. and authors a quarterly column in Electric Literature focusing on small press. She is a former SVP of marketing for a green tech firm and lives outside of Phoenix. Find her at wendyjfox.com. Wendy J. Fox is the author of four books of fiction, including What If We Were Somewhere Else, which won the Colorado book and received a star for excellence in the genre of short-stories in Booklist. Her 2019 novel, If the Ice Had Held, was a top pick in audio for LitHub. She has written for many national publications including Self, Business Insider, BuzzFeed, and Ms. and authors a quarterly column in Electric Literature focusing on small press. She is a former SVP of marketing for a green tech firm and lives outside of Phoenix. Find her at wendyjfox.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Patrick explores Eucharistic ministry procedures, relics, and the reality of suffering after loss while encouraging listeners to seek consolation in faith and small acts of kindness. Listeners hear about the value and challenges of aging, reflections on retirement, practical grief resources, and faith questions on biblical events and Catholic practices, all flowing through real calls and heartfelt advice. Email - When an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion has one or two extra consecrated hosts remaining after distribution (whether after Mass in the sacristy or from bringing Communion to a nursing home), must they be returned to the ciborium in the tabernacle, or may the EMHC reverently consume them? (00:38) Daphne - I have a third-class relic touched to the bone of St. Philomena. When I die and if I'm a saint, will that become a 2nd or 3rd class relic? (03:24) Camille (email) - I have a "lazy" retirement, and I donate lots of clothes Alan - I work in a think tank for senior issues. I don't believe in retirement since you can die much younger if you aren't active. (09:26) Audio: Pastor Charles Swindoll drive-through joke - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qn_4yeYFXs (17:31) Jim – We lost our child a year ago and I’m looking for resources for my depression and anger (19:58) Grant - I'm in his same diocese as Jim. The Catholic charities in Winona MN have the counseling that he is looking for. (29:10) Paul (email) – Did the transubstantiation occur at the Last Supper? And if so, how, since he hadn’t yet gone through the Passion and resurrection yet? (31:06) Arthur – Is Pilates okay for physical therapy and exercise? (34:52) Jude - Matthew 2:19-22. Why is Joseph having conflicting dreams? (39:41) Kade (12-years-old) - In the Old Testament, why does God seem sort of stand-offish? (42:51) Cecilia - We also lost a child who was 23. We found a support group 'Compassionate Friends' which was a huge help. Crying is a healing process. (48:28)
After 25 years of conservative political dominance, the indie black comedy THE LAST SUPPER (1996) asked: should liberals just try killing their political opponents? We drive our DeLorean back to the '90s and analyze a very particular moment in Gen-X political comedy. PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus/posts/721-tedious-slog-160912726