Podcasts about my lord

Read OnlineA Priceless Discovery Awaits!“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” Matthew 13:44–46In the first parable above, a person unexpectedly discovers a treasure buried in a field. Imagine that you take a metal detector with you while on a hike, simply curious about what might lie beneath the soil. Suddenly, the detector gives a strong signal. Expecting perhaps a rusted can or an old nail, you begin to dig. But as your shovel strikes something solid, you uncover an old chest. With growing anticipation, you lift it from the earth and open it—only to find it brimming with ancient and priceless jewels, gold and silver coins, and other precious items of immense worth.In the second parable, the merchant is actively searching for a valuable pearl. He knows what he seeks and finally discovers one of exceptional worth—one that eclipses all others. In both cases, however, the response is the same: the man and the merchant each go and sell all they possess to obtain the treasure they have found.These parables pose two fundamental questions for each of us:Have I discovered the priceless treasure of the Kingdom of Heaven?If I have, am I willing to let go of everything else to attain it?Like the man who stumbles upon the buried treasure, many people encounter God's grace in surprising ways—through a moment of prayer, a profound experience at Mass, an act of charity, or even during suffering. Maybe those people were not actively seeking divine treasure, yet in a moment of providence, the veil is lifted, and the beauty of God's Kingdom is revealed. Once they discover the treasure, their souls realize that nothing else compares. From that point on, they are moved to reorient their entire lives to possess that treasure fully.The path of the merchant, by contrast, is that of the soul who longs for truth, beauty, and goodness, diligently seeking them out. The one who searches might spend years studying, praying, yearning, and pursuing what is of eternal value. And then—finally—the “pearl” is found. Christ is discovered. The Gospel becomes clear. The longing is fulfilled. Again, everything else is willingly surrendered for the sake of that one Pearl of great price—Jesus Christ.In both parables, the decision to sell all to gain the treasure is an easy choice. The discovery is so great that everything else the person possesses pales in comparison. But how many people have truly made such a discovery?Many of us are like someone who learns of a buried treasure in a field and, out of curiosity, drives out to look—but spends little or no time searching. Or we are like a merchant who is informed of a rare and valuable pearl for sale far from home.Though interested, we note the length of the journey and abandon the thought. Though we may have heard about the glory of God's Kingdom, unless we truly discover it, we will not see the value of attaining it at any cost. We will only be willing to sell all we have—to detach from every hindrance to grace, every sin, obsession, and distraction—if we make the initial discovery of the priceless nature of God's Kingdom already present on earth and the fullness of His Kingdom that awaits us in Heaven.Reflect today on this invaluable treasure, waiting to be discovered. Consider where you are on that journey of discovery. Have you heard about the priceless treasure of coming to know, love, and serve God? Have you read about the radical response made by many saints? Have you discovered God for yourself, through prayer and moments of profound enlightenment? If you have not, keep searching—the Kingdom is near. If you have made this discovery, then consider all your attachments, and willingly surrender them to God, acknowledging that nothing is too much to offer to our loving God in exchange for the untold riches of the life of grace to which we are called.My Lord and King, so often I seek the fleeting treasures of this world, including the illusion of treasures found in sin. Please open my eyes and help me to see You as You truly are—and to recognize the priceless value of Your Kingdom in my life. As I discover this Pearl of Great Price, grant me the courage and wisdom I need to surrender all that You ask of me, so that I may fully attain Your reign in my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Parable of the Hidden Treasure, by John Richard ClaytonSource: 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.

35 Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands.Sint lumbi vestri praecincti, et lucernae ardentes in manibus vestris, 36 And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately.et vos similes hominibus exspectantibus dominum suum quando revertatur a nuptiis : ut, cum venerit et pulsaverit, confestim aperiant ei. 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them.Beati servi illi quos, cum venerit dominus, invenerit vigilantes : amen dico vobis, quod praecinget se, et faciet illos discumbere, et transiens ministrabit illis. 38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.Et si venerit in secunda vigilia, et si in tertia vigilia venerit, et ita invenerit, beati sunt servi illi. 39 But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open.Hoc autem scitote, quoniam si sciret paterfamilias, qua hora fur veniret, vigilaret utique, et non sineret perfodi domum suam. 40 Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.Et vos estote parati : quia qua hora non putatis, Filius hominis veniet.St Henry, Duke of Bavaria and Emperor of Germany, used his power to extend the kingdom of God. By agreement with his spouse, he preserved virginity in marriage. He died A.D. 1024.Music: Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All! Adoremus Hymnal.

Teaching by Josh ClarkWeek 4: The Lord Fights for His People (Ch 9-12)1. Gibeonite Deception (Ch 9)- V 1 "Heard of this" - indicator of new military campaign beginning- Observations of the Gibeonites interaction  - Gibeonites know the Israelites are commanded not to make covenants with the people in the promised land because they will teach them their wicked practices, thereby, leading them into idolatry (Deut 7:1-2; 20:10-18)  - They claim the reason they came to Joshua and the Israelites is because they heard what God had done in Egypt and to the two kings beyond the Jordan.  - The Gibeonites are spared because of the consistency of the people's word. The Gibeonites are treated like a people who the Israelites are permitted to make a treaty with (Deut 20:10-11)- Lesson from the Gibeonites  - Fear of consequences tempts us to hide, manipulate, or control the outcome. Faith responds with trust in the character of God.- Lesson from the Israelites  - Goodness and life are found in seeking the Lord's counsel.2. Southern Campaign (Ch 10)- V 1 "Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem" - My Lord is righteousness  - "Melchizedek, king of Salem" (Gen 14:18-20) - King of Righteousness- V 6 Gibeonites request to Joshua is the same as Adoni-Zedek: "come up to me/us" and "help me"  - The one key difference is Gibeon asks for rescue while Adoni-zedek asks for aid in destroying Gibeon.- V 24 Joshua summons the chiefs and tells them to "put their feet on the necks of these kings".  - Gen 3:15- V 42 "And Joshua captured all these kings and their land at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel."3. Christ Connection- Dawn - a time where God exposes and judges evil symbolizing His victory over darkness.  - Ex 14:24; 1 Sam 11:9; Isa 37:36; Ps 46:5  - Matt 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:14. Northern Campaign (Ch 11)- V 4 "like the sand that is on the seashore"- V 6 Comparison of Joshua 8 (Ai) and Joshua 11 (Northern Campaign):  Joshua 8 (Ai):  - "Do not fear" (8:1a)  - Reason: "For I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land." (8:1b)  - God announces victory before the battle begins. (8:1)  - Specific military instructions: "You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho... except its spoil and livestock you shall take... Set an ambush..." (8:2)  - Joshua obeys immediately. "So Joshua arose..." (8:3)  - The LORD gives Israel victory. (8:18-29)  Joshua 11 (Northern Campaign):  - "Do not be afraid" (11:6a)  - Reason: "Tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel." (11:6b)  - God announces victory before the battle begins. (11:6)  - Specific military instructions: "You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire." (11:6c)  - Joshua obeys immediately. "So Joshua and all his warriors came suddenly..." (11:7)  - The LORD gives Israel victory. (11:8-15)- V 18 "Joshua made war for a long time" fulfills Ex 23:29-30- V 20 "For it was the Lord's doing to harden their hearts" - Like Pharaoh, God handed the kings and the people over to their desires and hardened their hearts.- V 21-22 Joshua conquers the Giants that caused the wilderness generation to rebel (Num 13:22, 33)5. God's Great Victories (Ch 12)- V 1-6 Kings defeated to the East of the Jordan River- V 7-24 Kings defeated to the West of the Jordan River

Read OnlineJesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” Matthew 10:7–8And they were off! After choosing Twelve of His disciples and naming them Apostles—that is, those who are sent—Jesus sends them out, two by two, into the towns and villages of Israel, places where He Himself would later come. They go before Him, preparing hearts to receive the fullness of the Gospel when the Lord Himself arrives.At this stage, their mission is directed solely “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). They are not to go into pagan or Samaritan regions—not yet. Only after the Passion, Resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost will they go to the ends of the earth, empowered to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). This first mission, therefore, is a foretaste—a seed of the universal mission that will blossom in the early Church and continue through missionary efforts today.In this twofold sending—first to Israel, then to all nations—we glimpse the pattern of the spiritual life: God first works inwardly, forming and healing the soul, and then sends it outward in love. Our evangelization must arise from an interior communion with Christ, deepened by grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Just as the Apostles could not be sent to the world until Pentecost, neither can we bear lasting fruit unless we, too, are first transformed by His Spirit.Consider this twofold process in your life. The Apostles' first mission can be likened to our calling to witness to the faith within our homes—to spouses, children, relatives, and close friends. But just as the Twelve had to be formed by Christ before proclaiming His Kingdom, we, too, must be formed in the school of grace. The Apostles were first called, taught, shown signs and wonders, drawn to deeper faith, and only then prepared for this first mission.Likewise, before we can effectively evangelize even within our families, our own conversion must be sincere. For example, parents hand on the faith to their children not merely by teaching doctrine, but by living a faith that is visibly alive. Daily prayer, faithful attendance at Mass, and a genuine love for Christ in the home form the atmosphere in which grace can flourish. This must flow from an interior transformation—similar to the Apostles, who left everything to follow Jesus and were gradually conformed to His mind and heart.That the Apostles were sufficiently prepared to proclaim the Kingdom is evident in Jesus' words as He sends them forth. To “cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons,” and to give freely what they themselves had received, reveals that they had already been entrusted with much. Their transformation was not yet complete, but it was real. And Christ, knowing their weaknesses, still entrusted them with His power—because their hearts were open and receptive to grace.So it is with us. Unless we allow Christ to heal, instruct, and sanctify us—unless we live in daily communion with Him—we will struggle to pass on the faith, even to those closest to us. Evangelization does not begin with strategies or words, but with lives deeply conformed to Christ. Only then will we be able to proclaim, with credibility and power, that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Reflect today on this first mission upon which Jesus sent His Apostles. See in their example your own calling: to be formed interiorly by grace so that you become a living witness to the Kingdom of God within you. Begin with those closest to you and, from there, remain attentive to the ways the Holy Spirit leads you to bring the Gospel even farther. As with the Apostles, trust that your response to grace will bear fruit in ways fully known only to God.My Lord and King, You desire that Your Kingdom be proclaimed to the ends of the earth. Please first establish Your Kingdom in my soul, conforming me to Your reign. From there, please use me as an instrument of Your grace for those closest to me and to all to whom You wish to send me. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Jesus blesses the Apostolic College 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.

Read OnlineThe Eternal Marriage to ComeThe disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Matthew 9:14–15In Isaiah 54:5 and Hosea 2:16–20, God is portrayed as the divine Bridegroom who espouses Israel. By invoking this imagery, Jesus reveals His divine identity as the Bridegroom who establishes a new relationship between God and His people—a relationship initially characterized by joy, intimacy, and celebration rather than sorrow.However, Jesus quickly adds a sobering note: “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” This verse points directly to His coming Passion and death, and to our interior participation in His Passion. It is for those moments that fasting produces a necessary preparation for the sense of loss and sacrifice we are called to make throughout life.Everyone loves a wedding, especially when celebrated by faith-filled people who anticipate a fruitful life together. As the bride walks down the aisle, her face radiates joy, and the groom waits eagerly at the altar. A holy marriage reflects the ultimate destiny of Christ and His Bride, the Church. Fidelity, unity, fruitfulness, consolation, and permanence are all aspects of the communion we are invited to share with our loving God.These beautiful aspects of marriage prophetically anticipate what is to come, especially when the Bridegroom returns in glory to usher in the New Heavens and the New Earth. They also represent what we are invited to experience, by grace, during our earthly pilgrimage toward the final union in Heaven—a relationship with God that is grounded in joy, intimacy, and celebration.During this pilgrimage, the Bridegroom is at times “taken away.” Spiritually speaking, this means that Christ occasionally permits His consoling presence to be withdrawn from the soul. He does this not because He abandons us, but because, in His wisdom, He desires our growth in virtue, faith, and spiritual maturity through trials. Such purification is our participation in Christ's Passion, which both cleanses and restores the soul, transforming us into the new creation we are called to be by fully dying with and in Christ, so as to share in His new life.When the sensible consolations of grace diminish, the soul experiences spiritual fasting. Although initially painful, this fasting instills a greater urgency to seek Christ through deeper prayer. If we continually felt God's consoling presence, our love might become self-centered—loving God only because He comforts us.In the Old Testament, fasting primarily expressed external repentance. Jesus transforms fasting into a spiritual exercise that strengthens the soul during trials, dryness, and loss. Habitual fasting, such as weekly abstinence, disciplines our interior life, enabling us to love God even when consolation is absent.When the Bridegroom is “taken away,” our spiritual senses sharpen, and our longing for Christ grows more fervent. Thus, Christ's apparent absence becomes an opportunity for greater intimacy, guiding us toward a more profound, selfless love—seeking Christ Himself purely for His sake. Reflect today on how you respond when God seems distant. Do you turn toward Him with increased trust and prayer, or do you withdraw? When God seems distant or when your prayer feels dry, do you recognize the value in those moments? Resolve to engage in forms of physical fasting and other penitential acts as a way of training yourself to enter spiritual fasting with hope and strength. Let spiritual fasting become an act of pure love, preparing your heart for the eternal marriage feast to come.My Lord and Bridegroom of the Church, You call each of us, Your sons and daughters, into an eternal marriage of pure union and fidelity with You. Form and purify me by allowing me to share in Your Passion, so that my love may become holy, and I may love You with the same love with which You love me. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: word on the mountain, by vukkosticSource: 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.

Welcome to Concert Friday on the Solemnity of St. Thomas the Apostle"Doubting Thomas" by Nickel CreekWhat will be left when I've drawn my last breathBesides the folks I've met and the folks who know me?Will I discover a soul-saving loveOr just the dirt above and below me?I'm a doubting ThomasI took a promiseBut I do not feel safeOh me of little faithSometimes I pray for a slap in the faceThen I beg to be spared 'cause I'm a cowardIf there's a master of death, I bet he's holding his breathAs I show the blind and tell the deaf about his powerI'm a doubting ThomasI can't keep my promises'Cause I don't know what's safeOh me of little faithCan I be used to help others find truthWhen I'm scared I'll find proof that it's a lie?Can I be led down a trail dropping bread crumbsTo prove I'm not ready to die?Please give me time to decipher the signsPlease forgive me for time that I've wastedI'm a doubting ThomasI'll take your promiseThough I know nothing's safeOh me of little faithOh me of little faith"Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All" by The Vigil Project (feat. John Finch)Jesus, my Lord, my God, my allHow can I love Thee as I ought?And, how revere this wondrous giftSo far surpassing hope or thought?Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adoreO, make us love Thee more and moreO, make us love Thee more and moreHad I but Mary's sinless heartTo love Thee with, my dearest KingO with what bursts of fervent praiseThy goodness, Jesus, would I singSweet Sacrament, we Thee adoreO, make us love Thee more and moreO, make us love Thee more and moreSound, sound His praises higher still,And come, ye angels, to our aid,'Tis God, 'tis God, the very GodWhose power both man and angels madeSweet Sacrament, we Thee adoreO, make us love Thee more and moreO, make us love Thee more and moreSweet Sacrament, we Thee adoreO, make us love Thee more and moreO, make us love Thee more and moreSweet Sacrament, we Thee adoreO, make us love Thee more and moreO, make us love Thee more and more

Today’s Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel –John 20:24-29 – Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in His Hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into His Side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see My Hands, and bring your hand and put it into My Side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Memorial of Saint Thomas Saint Thomas, pray for us! Bishop Sheen quote of the day

Original Post Date: July 3, 2024 === Gospel John 20:24-29 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Reflection When Jesus was working with his disciples, he gave them a sign, after a sign of who he was. And he wanted them to believe in him. And so when he did the most amazing thing, died and rose to save us from our sins, he appeared to the 11 without Thomas, and they saw him. And that was enough. But Thomas wasn't there, and he was incredulous. He couldn't believe the witness of the others. So Jesus came to him, with the disciples, and let him touch the wounds. Jesus will reach those he longs to reach through whatever means they need. That's his intention to create in us that kind of conviction and faith. Please ponder this reflection and I will close with the prayer. Closing Prayer Father, it's clear that you long for us to believe. Because when we believe in the things that are beyond our imagining, we're entering more and more into the kingdom of God. Give us patience with our imperfection of faith. And know that God will work with it and deepen it. And give us sign after sign. Help us to be aware and convinced of all that he teaches. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friends of the Rosary,Today, July 3, we celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle, who at first did not believe, but immediately after became, for the Church, one of the first witnesses to her faith.He expressed the fervor of his regained faith: "My Lord and my God."Pope St. Gregory the Great said, "Thomas' unbelief has benefited our faith more than the belief of the other disciples."The Lord permitted the apostle to doubt after the resurrection, but He did not abandon him in doubt. By his doubt and by his touching the sacred wounds, the apostle became a witness to the truth of the resurrection.St. Thomas preached the Gospel in Asia beyond the frontiers of the Roman Empire, probably in Persia and possibly as far afield as India.After he had converted numerous tribes to Christianity, at Calamina (near Madras in India) he suffered martyrdom by being pierced with lances at the king's command.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• July 3, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Send us Fan MailWe follow Saint Thomas the Apostle from blunt questions to a life-changing encounter with the risen Christ, where doubt gives way to worship and trust. Thomas' confession, “My Lord and my God,” becomes a pattern for our Catholic faith, especially when belief feels costly or unseen. • Thomas as a truth-seeking disciple who speaks plainly • “How can we know the way?” and Jesus as the way • The locked room after the Resurrection and Thomas' refusal to pretend • Christ's mercy toward doubt and the invitation to touch his wounds • “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” as a call to trust • “My Lord and my God” as worship with Eucharistic echoes • Tradition of Thomas as missionary to Persia and India and the St. Thomas Christians Visit the Journeys of Faith online store or app today. Open by Steve Bailey Support the showJourneys of Faith brings you Super Saints PodcastsChat with US 24/7 Ask us anything https://chatting.page/mjxs9aerrtgm3lmpndlcepmbyosntrjnDownload Journeys of Faith App for Iphone or Android FREE https://journeysoffaith.com/pages/download-our-appPlease consider subscribing to this podcast or making a donation to Journeys of Faith Help us Grow!Journeys of Faith is blessed to provide Catholic media, including podcasts and inspirational content, free of charge across multiple media platforms for viewers and listeners around the world. While access to this content remains free, there are significant and continually increasing costs associated with producing, hosting, and distributing these programs. Your support helps us continue sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith with souls everywhere. We want to reach more souls and you can help us do that by becoming a Mission Angel. Make a Donation Any AmountRefer a FriendYou can help us ...

Feast of Saint Thomas, ApostleJohn 20:24-29Jesus came, although the doors were locked,and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands,and bring your hand and put it into my side,and do not be unbelieving, but believe."Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

+ Holy Gospel according to St. John 20: 24 – 29 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." The Gospel of the Lord

Read OnlineFaith Born of EncounterThomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:24–25Though Saint Thomas is best remembered for doubting Jesus' Resurrection, God used him in glorious ways. Because God is all-powerful, even Thomas' doubt was transformed into a source of grace for the Church and a model of true faith and conversion. In Thomas, we see the journey from doubt to faith, from absence to confession, from fear to peace—an invitation for each of us to make the same journey.Saint Thomas, called Didymus—meaning “Twin”—was not present when the risen Christ first appeared to the assembled Apostles. His absence was no accident but part of God's providential plan. When the other disciples testified, “We have seen the Lord,” Thomas struggled to believe. His absence symbolizes the effect of isolation from the Church or from an active life of prayer, which can leave us vulnerable to doubt and disbelief. His heart demanded tangible proof: “Unless I see the mark of the nails… I will not believe.” In this, Thomas articulates a cry that echoes in every human heart: we long for certainty, yet struggle to trust without the proof we demand.One week later—on the day now celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday—Jesus once again entered the locked room and stood among them, radiating peace: “Peace be with you.” His first words were directed not to the whole group, but to Thomas, addressing his wounded faith with tender love: “Put your finger here and see my hands… bring your hand and put it into my side.” Jesus does not shame Thomas; He invites him. He invites him to touch the very wounds that conquered death, to enter into the mystery of Divine Mercy not only intellectually, but physically and spiritually.After being confronted by the Living Christ, Thomas is transformed. In that pivotal moment, he prays one of the greatest confessions of faith in all of Scripture: “My Lord and my God!” With profound clarity, he proclaims the divinity of Christ. The doubting disciple becomes the believing Apostle, who will later be sent forth to bear witness to the ends of the earth.Thomas' journey invites us to reflect on our own. Like Thomas, we are sometimes absent from encounters with the risen Lord. Failure to pray daily, to attend Mass faithfully, to confess our sins, to nourish our souls through spiritual reading, adoration, retreats, or parish missions can isolate us from Christ and diminish our faith. Absence from these means of grace can open the door to spiritual doubt and weakness.If these struggles are familiar to you, take heart in the example of Saint Thomas. If your faith has faltered—especially if you experience serious doubts—or if worldly concerns have drawn you away from the life of grace, then let Thomas' prayer become your own: “My Lord and my God!” He professed faith in what he saw, so that we might profess faith in Christ whom we do not yet see. That simple little prayer, prayed with the certainty of faith and with sincere passion in the heart, sparks greater faith and brings us the clarity we need.Reflect today on Thomas being absent from Jesus' first Resurrection appearance on Easter Sunday. Try to feel his disappointment and doubt. Thomas carried those feelings for an entire week until Jesus appeared again. See yourself in him by identifying any times you have felt the same. Then move forward to the moment, one week later, when Thomas was present as Jesus appeared to them. With him, listen to Jesus invite you to touch His wounds. Profess with Thomas, “My Lord and my God!” Repeat that prayer and try to sense Thomas' newfound passionate belief. It is that belief our Lord desires from all of us who do not see with our eyes but come to know Him in our spirit.My Lord and my God! I do believe in You and profess that belief with all my heart. When I struggle with my faith, when I falter, or when I become distracted from my life of prayer and devotion, please remind me of Saint Thomas. Place his words repeatedly on my lips so that I may continuously cry out with him, “My Lord and my God!” Saint Thomas, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: St Thomas 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.

Behold a reflection centered on the biblical account of “Doubting Thomas” and his eventual confession of faith. The homily explores the human nature of doubt, suggesting that such uncertainty serves as an opportunity to draw closer to divine conviction rather than a reason for shame. By examining the apostle's demand for empirical evidence of the Resurrection, I highlight the transition from skepticism to faith. It emphasizes that while Thomas required physical proof, modern believers are blessed to trust the testimony of tradition and scripture. Ultimately, the discourse encourages listeners to adopt the phrase “My Lord and my God” as a personal act of submission and trust in divine providence. Additionally, I touch upon themes of prayer and the importance of peaceful, gentle guidance over fear-based authority.

SummaryThis sermon explores the life of Thomas, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, and what the pastor calls the 'Thomas effect,' the spiritual duality of doubt and faith that every believer experiences. Using John 20 as the central text, the pastor walks through Thomas's journey from skepticism after the resurrection to his profound declaration of 'My Lord and my God,' showing that Jesus meets people at their point of greatest need without belittling or abandoning them. The sermon also draws on Thomas's later life, including his missionary work in India, his courage in the face of death, and his ultimate martyrdom, as evidence that a doubter can become one of the most committed followers of Christ.The pastor identifies four ways Thomas built his life: on his greatest moments of doubt, on courage, on honest inquiry, and on a patient Savior. He challenges the congregation to recognize the difference between doubt (which still seeks answers) and unbelief (which refuses them), and to stop isolating themselves in their struggles. Instead, he calls everyone to make themselves available for revelation, just as Thomas did when he showed up the second time Jesus appeared, and to build their lives on the truth that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.Key Verses- John 20:24-29- John 14:1-6- Mark 9:24- John 11:16- Luke 24:11Life ApplicationThis week, identify one area of your life where doubt has caused you to pull back or isolate, whether from God, from your church community, or from a relationship. Take one concrete step to make yourself available for revelation, just as Thomas showed up the second time Jesus appeared. That step might be returning to a small group, opening your Bible to a passage you have been avoiding, or having an honest conversation with God about your specific doubt. Write down what you discover and be ready to share it with someone you trust.

Send us Fan Mail"Our Mission Mandate as ChristiansI. Introduction: The Core Nature of ChristianityThe Thesis: Christianity is inherently and fundamentally a missionary religion designed to convert others to faith in Jesus Christ. The Defect of Passive Faith: Any form of Christianity that does not actively bear witness to Jesus is explicitly labeled as defective, as the Bible strictly mandates this lifestyle. II. The Historical and Physical Proof of the ResurrectionThe Core Event: The mandate is rooted in historical reality: Jesus was crucified, buried, and physically raised from the dead 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem. Tangible Evidence over Isolation: * Jesus did not appear to just one person or in secret; he repeatedly manifested to groups of disciples (ranging from 8, 10, to 11 at a time). He proved his physical, bodily resurrection by speaking, allowing disciples to touch his wounds, and physically eating broiled fish. The 40-Day Instruction Period: Jesus spent 40 busy days on Earth post-resurrection, using his authority as King to instruct his followers on their vital mandate before ascending into heaven. III. The Fivefold New Testament Commission (Chronological Review)The speaker outlines how the critical mission to spread the message of Jesus is uniquely underscored by being recorded five distinct times in the New Testament: Commission 1: John's Account (The First Evening)Occurs on the evening of the resurrection behind locked doors. Jesus provides peace, shows his wounds, and sends them out with the model: "As the Father has sent me, even so I'm sending you.". He breathes on them to receive the Holy Spirit and speaks on the authority of handling forgiveness. Note on Thomas: Thomas misses this first meeting, doubts, but makes a grand confession of faith ("My Lord and my God") the following week. Commission 2: Luke's Account (The First Evening)Connected to the Road to Emmaus disciples returning to the 11 in Jerusalem. Jesus proves his physical nature by eating, then opens their minds to understand that his suffering and resurrection fulfilled the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. He commands that repentance and forgiveness of sins be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. Commission 3: Luke's Account in Acts (The Day of Ascension)Jesus corrects the disciples' focus from political timing (restoring the kingdom to Israel) to global witnessing. He promises the immediate power of the Holy Spirit to make them witnesses from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Commission 4: Matthew's Account (The Royal Commission)Takes place on a designated mountain in Galilee during the 40-day window. Jesus claims "all authority" in heaven and on earth. He issues the authoritative directive to go, make disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of the Triune God, and teach obedience to his commands, backed by his perpetual presence. Commission 5: Paul's Account (The Ministry of Reconciliation)Focuses on the conversion and commission of Paul, a former chief persecutor of the church. Frames evangelism as being driven by the love of Christ because believers are entirely new creations. Defines the church's status as "ambassadors for Christ," entrusted with the message and appeal for the world to be reconciled to God. IV. Conclusion: The Universal Scope and Purpose of the MandateNot Restricted to the Apostles: The commission was explicitly not just for the original 12 disciples; it is binding for all believers across all time. A Shared, Joyful Responsibility: While some possess a distinct spiritual gift of evangelism, every Christian is expected to witness to Christ through both their spoken words and the actions of their lives. The Ultimate Goal: To share what God has done so that mankind can receive the forgiveness of sins, walk in eternal life, and be incorporated into the body of believers. Bible Insights with  Wayne ConradContact: 8441 Hunnicut Rd Dallas, Texas 75228email: Att. Bible Insights Wayne Conradgsccdallas@gmail.com (Good Shepherd Church) Donation   https://gsccdallas.orghttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTZX6qasIrPmC1wQpben9ghttps://www.facebook.com/waconrad or gscchttps://www.sermonaudio.com/gsccSpirit, Truth and Grace MinistriesPhone # 214-324-9915 leave message with number for call backPsalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Tattva means to understand 'that, because tattva is "thatness." Tat means it's a demonstrative pronoun—there's something you can point to that exists. There are categories that are distinguishable, and when one relegates—that is, puts in the proper perspective—what the material body is, what its purpose is, and to whom it belongs, then one is properly situated. One should relegate his body to the illusory world through his reason. So, using our reason, we can understand that "I have nothing to do with my body. My body is part of the Mahatattva, just as all the elements that are in the world are in this body, but I am not of that." Asaṅgo hy ayaṁ puruṣaḥ means, "I have no connection with it." It's not "part of my thing," as I used to say; "it's not my bag, man." So, relegating the body to that position, and one who has successfully done that is described in the Gītā (BG 5.8-9): naiva kiñcit karomīti yukto manyeta tattva-vit paśyañ śṛṇvan spṛśañ jighrann aśnan gacchan svapañ śvasan pralapan visṛjan gṛhṇann unmiṣan nimiṣann api indriyāṇīndriyārtheṣu vartanta iti dhārayan Such a person never considers this body and all its workings—whatever it's doing—as his own. All those words were about how the body is interacting with the material world: receiving, giving, opening, closing the eyes, evacuating. That person, naivakiñcit—not even a little bit; kiñcit means "something," and naiva kiñcit means na-eva kiñcit, "not even a tiny bit"—does he think, "Oh yeah, that's me." He thinks, "The body is acting, and I am aloof," therefore that is the proper relegation. The other relegation was expressed by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to Sanātana Gosvāmī, who felt so unworthy of being in the presence—not just of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, but of anybody in Jagannātha Purī—because he thought, "My body with this disease is so abominable; what to speak of me in general? If anybody like a pūjārī bumps into me, then I'll be cursed, I'll commit an offense, and Mahāprabhu is embracing me out of love, but my skin is full of oozing sores." Therefore, he thought in his mind, "When the Jagannātha Ratha-yātrā starts, I'll throw myself under the wheel in the presence of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu." He didn't tell anybody; he just had that plan incubating in his mind. And then, when Mahāprabhu visited Haridāsa Ṭhākura, where Sanātana Gosvāmī was staying, He one day abruptly said, "I do not approve of your idea to commit suicide by jumping in." He said to Haridāsa Ṭhākura, "What is the character of this person? He has already surrendered his body to Me, and now he's thinking of destroying it. What do you think of that? "My Lord," Haridāsa replied, "we cannot ascertain what You intend or not unless You tell us." ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://vaisesikadasayatra.blogspot.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://thefourquestionsbook.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality

“How is the Mass Christ’s sacrifice?” This question leads to a discussion on how Catholics view the Mass as the re-presentation of Christ’s single sacrifice, despite the experience of imperfection after attending. Other topics include the validity of saying “My Lord and My God” during consecration, and how to address challenges to the authenticity of Scripture. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 05:35 – Catholics believe that the Mass is the re-presentation of the single sacrifice of Christ, which Hebrews 10:14 says makes us perfect. But Catholics attend Mass and leave not perfected. Therefore, the Mass must not be the single sacrifice of Christ. 16:02 – A couple weeks ago I heard someone on CA say that you shouldn't say “My Lord and My God” at the consecration. But my priest told me there is actually a partial indulgence for doing this. What's true? 23:52 – How do you navigate the constant bombardment of people who deny the authenticity of scripture? 33:52 – Was Jesus always there from the beginning with God? 43:46 – The Hail Mary and the Hail Holy Queen seem like idolatry to me. 50:20 – What do Catholics believe about predestination? Is every event meant to be?

Read OnlineJesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard.” Mark 12:10–12Today's Gospel takes place during the Passover at the Temple in Jerusalem, just days before Jesus' Passion and Death. The chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people were outraged and wanted to put Jesus to death, but they feared the people who were hanging on His every word.In today's parable, the “vineyard” is a biblical metaphor for Israel. The Prophet Isaiah chastised the people of Israel for being like a fruitless vineyard, and Jesus' parable would have been immediately understood by His audience as a reference to that prophecy (cf. Isaiah 5:1–7). Fearlessly yet mercifully, Jesus brings this metaphor to life, applying it directly to Israel and the religious leaders who were present and plotting His death.Jesus' parable teaches that God is the owner of the vineyard and has provided everything necessary for it to flourish: the hedge for protection, the wine press for fruitfulness, and the tower for vigilance. These symbolize God's providence, blessings, and the spiritual resources given to His chosen people to bear fruit. The tenant farmers, to whom the vineyard is leased, represent Israel's leaders, who were entrusted with shepherding God's people.The servants sent by the owner symbolize the Old Testament prophets, whom God sent to call the people of Israel to repentance and fidelity. These prophets were often rejected, mistreated, or killed by Israel's leaders—a sobering reminder of humanity's resistance to God's call throughout history, and our resistance to His grace today.The beloved son represents Jesus Himself, sent by the Father in a final appeal for repentance. However, the tenants of Israel—now referring to the chief priests, scribes, and elders before Him—plot to kill the son, mistakenly believing they can maintain their control over the Jewish people. Their envy and pride blind them to their God-given responsibilities within the community and their duty to accept Jesus as the Messiah.Though tensions were high and anger filled the hearts of the religious leaders, Jesus spoke boldly. While the people were amazed at His authority and teaching, they were likely uncertain and fearful of what might happen next.Most people in Jesus' position, risking their lives as our Lord was, would quickly become worried for their own safety. Jesus was not. He knew the Father's will and the eternal value that would come from His Passion and Death. For that reason, He quotes Psalm 118:22–23: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.”Jesus knew that He was about to be rejected: betrayed, falsely accused, arrested, tortured, and killed. Yet He also knew that He was the fulfillment of Psalm 118. He was the “stone” that, once rejected, would become the “cornerstone” of the Church and the New Covenant of grace. With this divine hope and mission in mind, Jesus didn't run and hide; He confronted rejection directly. He knew that His rejection would transform the worst—the murder of the Son of God—into the best—salvation for all who believe in Him and repent. Reflect today on Jesus' courage during that sermon as He foresaw all that would unfold that week. While we might expect such courage from the Son of God, He invites us to imitate Him. Every evil that befalls us has the potential, through grace, to become part of that cornerstone. As members of Christ's Body, the Church, we are called to courageously allow grace to transform our own rejections and sufferings in Christ. In doing so, the foundation of Christ's Church continues to be made manifest in our world today through us. My Lord, the Cornerstone of the Church, You willingly accepted and endured rejection, transforming it into the means of our eternal salvation. Grant me the courage to not only imitate You but to embrace and share in Your rejection. May my own experiences of rejection be transformed by grace into a foundation for faith in our world today. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Jan Rombouts I, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Sickness is not normal for a child of God. Yet, so many of us have learned to normalize our physical and emotional pain, wrapping it in excuses of age, genetics, or circumstance. But what if your breakthrough is waiting on your voice?In this powerful episode, My LORD, My HEALER, we dive deep into Psalm 41 and Matthew 9 to uncover the holistic nature of God's redemptive covenant. King David didn't whisper in his sickness; he vocalized his faith from the bed of suffering.Join us as we dismantle the religious myth of a "divided Gospel"—the idea that forgiveness is guaranteed but healing is an optional extra. Discover how Jesus beautifully weaves pardon and preservation together, proving that the same authority that removes your sin is the very authority that restores your health.In this episode, you'll learn:Why faith never produces in the silence of the heart.The Hebrew meaning of amar (to speak) and yasha (salvation/wholeness).Why soul healing must precede body healing ("God can't heal what you conceal").How the cross of Isaiah 53 addresses the total ruin of humanity—not just legal guilt.Stop normalizing what Jesus paid to defeat. It's time to open your mouth, speak to your pain, and claim the complete covenant package of wholeness.Scripture References: Psalm 41:1-13 (TPT); 1 John 4:17; 3 John 1:2; Psalm 103:2-3; Matthew 9:2-8; Isaiah 53:4-5.

Read OnlineEarly in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Mark 11:20–21The prophets often used the image of a barren fig tree to symbolize Israel's fruitless spirituality (cf. Hosea 9:10; Jeremiah 8:13). Though they were God's chosen people, with whom God established His Covenant, time and moral decay led to a fruitless spirituality. Despite their outward observance of the Law, their hearts were far from God.In today's Gospel, Jesus was hungry as He left Bethany and journeyed toward Jerusalem. Along the way, He saw a fig tree from a distance with leaves, so He went to it to pick a fig to eat, but He found none. He immediately said to the tree, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” (Mark 11:14). This was a prophetic action. The green tree symbolized the outward appearance of the people of Israel and especially the religious leaders, who appeared righteous but bore no fruit of genuine faith, repentance, or divinely inspired charity.After arriving at the Temple in Jerusalem, Jesus drove out those buying and selling, overturning the tables of the moneychangers who were desecrating the sacredness of the Temple. As He did so, He recalled the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah: “Is it not written: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples'? But you have made it a den of thieves” (Mark 11:17; cf. Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11). Just as the barren fig tree symbolized fruitless spirituality, the cleansing of the temple revealed the corruption of worship that failed to honor God. Both acts were prophetic judgments against the emptiness of external religiosity, warning that God desires not outward appearances but true worship and spiritual fruitfulness from the heart.The next morning, on their way back to Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples passed by the fig tree Jesus had cursed. To their amazement, it had “withered to its roots.” This sign of judgment sparked a conversation between Jesus and His disciples in which He taught them about the connection between faith, prayer, and forgiveness: “Have faith in God…I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours…When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance…” (Mark 11:22; 24–25). Faith in God, combined with humble prayer and forgiveness, is the key to spiritual fruitfulness.Jesus' prophetic action and teaching on prayer and forgiveness ring as true for us today as they did for the people of Israel. Like a green fig tree that bears no fruit, we can fall into the trap of being more concerned about our outward appearance of religiosity than about true prayer and worship that is fruitful for the Kingdom of God.We are the temples Jesus wants to cleanse today. Just as Jesus cast out corruption from the temple, so must we allow Him to cast out the sin and spiritual barriers within us that hinder true worship. Forgiveness is an essential part of this cleansing, as it removes the obstacles that block our prayers and relationships with God. True prayer flows from faith that trusts completely in God's power and from hearts that forgive without reservation. When our focus shifts from self-interest to the love of God and service of others, our lives become fruitful for the Kingdom.Reflect today on your soul as the new temple Jesus wants to cleanse. There is incredible potential for each one of us to bear an abundance of good fruit for His Kingdom. Begin by forgiving everyone from your heart. Then, approach prayer with faith that trusts God's providence and seeks His will. Let your worship be sincere—not for appearances or routine, but out of love for God and a desire for His Kingdom to grow. Fidelity to prayer and forgiveness will transform your life into one of fruitfulness and grace, leading you to the abundant life of His Kingdom. My Lord, the source of all abundant good fruit, You desire to cleanse my soul of every sin and obstacle that hinders true worship. You call me to a life of deep prayer, grounded in faith and forgiveness. Purify me, and use me to bear an abundance of good fruit for Your Kingdom. Make me a pure and holy child of true worship. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: The Accursed Fig Tree by James TissotSource: 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.

The 12 Apostles (Part 2): Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael), Matthew, Thomas & Simon the Zealot | Luke 6:13 This episode continues the study of Jesus' chosen twelve apostles from Luke 6:13, explaining the apparent structure of three groups within the Twelve and reviewing prior lessons on Peter, Andrew, James, and John. It focuses on Philip (seen mainly in John's Gospel) as an organized, logical disciple tested in the feeding of the 5,000, his role in bringing Greeks to Jesus with Andrew, and Jesus' correction when Philip asks to see the Father; tradition says Philip was killed in Hierapolis around 54 AD. Bartholomew is identified as Nathanael (son of Tolmai), recounting his call from under the fig tree and his confession of Jesus; tradition places his martyrdom around 68 AD. Matthew (Levi) is described as a wealthy tax collector from a priestly line whose inclusion highlights unity amid tension; tradition says he died in Ethiopia. Thomas is defended beyond the “doubting” label, highlighting his loyalty, grief, confession “My Lord and my God,” and tradition of ministry in India and martyrdom. James son of Alphaeus is noted for obscurity and faithfulness, and Simon the Zealot is explained as a former nationalist extremist whose inclusion alongside Matthew shows Christ's transforming power; tradition links Simon to preaching in Britain and death under a Roman proconsul. Judas Iscariot is reserved for a later dedicated study. Become a supporter and get unlimited questions turned into podcasts at: www.patreon.com/theologyandapologetics YouTube Channel: Theology & Apologetics www.youtube.com/channel/UChoiZ46uyDZZY7W1K9UGAnw TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@dr.fretwell?_t=ZN-8w8NXIFTHkc&_r=1 Instagram: www.instagram.com/theology.apologetics Websites: www.ezrafoundation.org www.theologyandapologetics.com

Photo credit: Jerry Wierwille. In this second episode you’ll hear the second half of the debate: rebuttals, open discussion time, audience questions and answers, and closing statements. Subjects discussed include: traditional, Chalcedonian views about Christ’s two natures and whether these imply one too many persons the worship of Jesus which claims are essential to the gospel whether an immortal being can die the meaning of theos (god or God) as applied to Jesus in a few New Testament passages whether it is coherent to suppose anyone is both human and divine John 8:58 Jesus’s faith in God whether a Protestant should trust the “ecumenical” councils practical and spiritual consequences of viewing Jesus as God’s human Messiah vs. as a Godman Some of the arguments for Jesus’s full deity deployed by Dr. Bird here are addressed in my UCA Conference presentation in Sydney, about a week after this Melbourne debate. And many of the topics are also covered in my newly released book Monotheism, Heresy, and the Bible (UK)–such as the meanings of theos in the New Testament (ch. 1). Links for this episode: Tuggy, Monotheism, Heresy, and the Bible Dr. Michael Bird's YouTube channel Dr. Bird's blog, Substack Exposing The Council of Nicaea with Dr. Dale Tuggy (UCA UK Conference 2025) Dale Tuggy – What John 1 Meant (UCA Conference 2021) Dale Tuggy and James White debate: “Is Jesus YHWH?” Dale Tuggy vs James White | John 1 Is Not Trinitarian podcast 291 – From one God to two gods to three “Gods” – John 1 and early Christian theologies Bock and Loke on Jesus's “blasphemy” in Mark 14 – Part 2 a reading of Philippians 2:5-11 podcast 227 – Who Should Christians Worship? A letter from the Lord Jesus: About God and Me (Revised) https://youtu.be/l_ZeKzAvaYg?si=4DXENxVYIQIqTkZp Hurtado on the early worship of Jesus Larry Hurtado on early Christians' worship of Jesus podcast 333 – The Arguments of “God's Death” Kermit Zarley on “My Lord and my God.” Tuggy, “Craig’s Contradictory Christ,” TheoLogica, 2023 podcast 343 – Craig's Contradictory Christ – Part 1 podcast 344 – Craig's Contradictory Christ – Part 2 Jesus's argument in John 10 podcast 143 – Dr. Timothy Pawl's In Defense of Conciliar Christology – Part 1 podcast 144 – Dr. Timothy Pawl's In Defense of Conciliar Christology – Part 2 podcast 63 – Thomas Belsham and other scholars on John 8:58 podcast 235 – The Case Against Preexistence Romans 9:5 @ biblicalunitarian.com podcast 146 – Jesus as an Exemplar of Faith in the New Testament Will Barlow – The “Throne Room Problem” – Responding to Trinitarian Claims about John 12:41 Scott Williams, “Discovery of the Sixth Ecumenical Council's Trinitarian Theology: Historical, Ecclesial, and Theological Implications” podcast 334 – “Who do you say I am?” podcast 11 – Tertullian the unitarian Thomas Gaston – Dynamic Monarchianism: The Earliest Christology (book) This week’s thinking music is “Ship of Theseus (Instrumental)” by Lemon Knife.

In Week 4 of our Church Unbranded series, Lead Pastor Jason Britt delivers a special Mother's Day message focusing on one of the most powerful identities we possess: being part of the Family of God. While "family" can be a complicated word for many, the gospel offers a new lineage that isn't based on genetics or willpower, but on the grace of Jesus Christ. To follow Christ is to move from being a stranger to being a child with full legal standing, an inheritance, and a massive group of brothers and sisters.  

JOHN 20:19-31 - SEEING & BELIEVING - BRIAN SUMNER - 2025JOHN 20:19-31 "Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”Seeing and Believing24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”That You May Believe30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."To support this channel and partner with Brian in Ministryhttps://www.briansumner.net/support/For more on Brianhttp://www.briansumner.nethttps://www.instagram.com/BRIANSUMNER/https://www.facebook.com/BRIANSUMNEROFFICIALTo listen to Brians Podcast, click below.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Purchase Brians Marriage book at https://www.amazon.com/Never-Fails-Da...Brian is a full time "Urban Missionary" both locally and internationally with a focus on MISSIONS - MARRIAGES - MINISTRY. Since coming to faith in 2004 doors continued opening locally and internationally to do more and more ministry with a focus on Evangelism, Outreach Missions, Marriage, Counsel, Schools, Festivals, Conferences and the like.  Everything about this ministry is made possible because of people personally partnering through the non profit. God Bless and thank you. †Support the showSUPPORT THE SHOW

Join us as we dig deeper into last Sunday's sermon from Pastor Gabe Kasper "Thomas" and hear from Amy Duncan and Nate Zuellig on "Faithful Now". Digging Deeper Questions:  Why do you think Thomas was so resistant to the testimony about the resurrection from his fellow apostles?   Pastor Gabe told the story of his friend Kyle who walked away from the faith and how that unsettled his own faith. Have you ever had an experience like that? Something that caused you to doubt?   Pastor Gabe gave 5 steps to walk through in the midst of doubt. Which step is most helpful for you? Least? Why?   In the midst of doubt, we were encouraged us to cling to the promises of God. Admittedly, this feels circular, "I doubt God's promises, so I should cling to his promises? How does that work?" Well, how does that work?    Scripture Reading: John 20:24-29 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."   26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Intro/Outro Song: "Only One" Nate Zuellig ULC Artist In Residence    "Faithful Now" Vertical Worship CCLI Song # 7137533   CCLI License # 11254293

Read OnlineBearing Fruit“Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” John 15:4–5Jesus is the source of life and fruitfulness. Yet, too often, we try to bear fruit of our own making. Truly good fruit can only come forth if we remain in Christ, for He is the source of all good fruit in our lives.Bearing good fruit, meaning performing good works, does not save us by itself. Salvation is a gift of grace through Christ. However, good works, as fruits of grace, reveal the depth of our union with Him and are necessary expressions of a life transformed by God's love. Just as a healthy vine naturally produces abundant grapes, so too does a soul united to Christ bear abundant spiritual fruit for the glory of God and the good of others. This fruit, above all, is charity—the eternal gift that reflects the presence of Christ in us and draws others to Him.By analogy, a grapevine produces good grapes when it is healthy and well-nourished. A diseased or poorly nourished vine will produce useless grapes. If we want to make a difference in the world and in the lives of others, we have only one choice: We must remain firmly attached to our Lord, living in Him as He lives in us, so that the spiritual nourishment He provides will produce an abundance of grace in and through us.Consider the people whom you love. If you could do anything for them, what might it be? You might wish to alleviate all their sufferings, such as a chronic illness, financial struggle, or some heavy cross they bear. While such desires reflect our care for them, even the greatest worldly comforts pale in comparison to the spiritual blessings of faith and divine grace. The greatest good we can do for others is to allow God to use us as instruments of His love, inspiring faith and leading them closer to Him.The best way to make a difference in others' lives is to first care for our own souls by ensuring we are united to our Lord. We must pray daily, seeking ways to deepen and extend our time of prayer. We must be faithful to the Commandments, regularly attend Mass, celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, meditate on and read the Scriptures, familiarize ourselves with the lives of the saints, and know the teachings of Christ's Church. All of this is for two purposes: First, it transforms us and more fully unites us with God. Second, it enables God to produce charity in our lives, which is His way of using us to touch others with His mercy.In the end, every good we do for another passes away except for the greater good—charity. Charity alone remains throughout our lives and even into the next. In Heaven, the treasure of charity will remain with us and will be our eternal delight, and the recipients of that charity will forever be grateful for the gift God gave them through us. Reflect today on the charity that is borne from your life and how it affects others. Can you point to concrete ways that God has used you to make a difference in their lives? Especially ponder the works of charity that touch their souls, drawing them closer to our divine Lord. Set your eyes on this goal, for if you do bear good fruit in this way, you will know with certainty that your life is in Christ, and His life is in you.My Lord the true vine, You and You alone are the source of nourishment in my life. You sustain me and bear the good fruit of charity in my life. Please draw me close to You and live in me so that I can live in You. As You do, please produce an abundance of good fruit and lavish that good fruit—charity—upon others through me. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Jesus teachesSource: 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.

John 20:24-3124 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

[John 20:19] That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! "Peace be with you," he said.Fear locks _______________, but it doesn't lock out _______________.[John 20:24] One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came.Doubt often grows in ___________________.[John 20:25] They told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he replied, "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side."Thomas didn't want a _______________, he wanted a ____________________.[Hebrews 10:25] And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.Doubt grows _____________ when you're _____________.[John 20:26] Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. "Peace be with you," he said.Closed _______________ don't keep Jesus out.[John 20:27] Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!"The questions you whisper in _______________ are still _______________ by God.[John 20:28-29] "My Lord and my God!" Thomas exclaimed. [29] Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me."Your life doesn't need to be _______________ by doubt.[1 Corinthians 15:6] After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.

Sermon TextJohn 20:24–31 (ESV)Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe. Thomas answered him, My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him, Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.Cross-referencesJohn 5:24aTruly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal lifeJohn 10:10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.John 17:3And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.John 1:4In him was life, and the life was the light of men.1 Corinthians 15:3–7For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.Mark 10:17–18And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.Psalm 110:1The Lord says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.Sermon NotesHow Can I Have a Blessed Life?Main Idea: A blessed life comes through believing the truth about Jesus.Four Claims to Believe about Jesus for a Blessed Life1. Believe that Jesus is AliveHistorical credibility of Jesus' death and resurrectionHostile sources confirm Jesus existed and was crucifiedEarly resurrection testimony is too early to be legendThe empty tomb was never successfully disputedTransformational evidenceOpponents became advocatesCowards became boldSkeptics became believers2. Believe Jesus is Good3. Believe Jesus Wins and is Winning4. Believe Jesus is Present with Us

So the other disciples told him [Thomas], “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put your hand, and place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:25-29)

My Lord and My God

Do you ever wrestle with questions of faith and doubt?In today's episode, we journey alongside Thomas the Apostle (often known as "Doubting Thomas") to explore how Jesus meets our honest doubts with compassion and grace. As a community, we'll learn how seasons of uncertainty can actually strengthen our faith, and what it means to move from questioning, "Why, Lord?" to confidently declaring, "My Lord and my God."Gather with us for this devotional moment as we pray for deeper belief and courage to trust, inviting God to make our faith stronger than ever before.Tap HERE to send us a text! BECOME A FOUNDING "MY MORNING DEVOTIONAL" MEMBERIf you enjoy your 5 minute daily dose of heaven, we would appreciate your support, and we have a fun way for you to partner with the MMD community! We've launched our "Buy Me a Coffee" membership where you can buy us a latte, OR become a founding member and get monthly bonus video episodes! To donate, go to mymorningdevo.co/join! Support the showNEW VIDEO EPISODES! You can watch our new video episodes on YouTube! Watch Our Video DevotionalsNEW TO MY MORNING DEVOTIONAL? We're so glad you're here! We're the Alessis, a ministry family working together in a church in Miami, FL, and we're so blessed to partner with the My Morning Devotional community and continue the great work done by the show's creator and our friend, Alison Delamota.We pray our personal reflections and devotions will empower you to grow your faith in God, and that you'll join us every morning in prayer! HELP US GROW THE MMD COMMUNITYSubscribe to the show on this appShare this with a friendJoin our newsletter Follow Us on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Facebook⁠⁠Leave a reviewSupport Our Friends and FamilyConnect with the original host of MMD  Alison DelamotaFollow our family's podcast The Family Business with The Alessis

The tomb is empty. The wounds are real. And Christ is standing right in front of you...what are you going to do about it?Fr. Dominic breaks open the Second Sunday of Easter and delivers a message that every Catholic man needs to hear. This isn't a feel-good Easter recap. This is a challenge to stop sitting on the sidelines of your faith and start living like the resurrection actually happened.Fr. Dom walks through Acts of the Apostles and shows us what the early Church looked like in real time — men who were warned, reprimanded, flogged, and came back praising God. Peter, who denied Christ at His darkest hour, was now preaching fire in front of the same people who handed Jesus over to be crucified. We also dig into the Shroud of Turin. 700+ documented wounds. Over a third of His blood lost before He even reached the cross. A burst of 30 trillion watts of ultraviolet light energy for 1/40 billionth of a second that burned the image of Christ into linen. And then there's Thomas. Doubting Thomas didn't just wonder; he demanded proof, and Christ gave it to him. But here's the challenge Fr. Dom lays out: Thomas had to touch the wounds of Christ. We get to receive Him every single time we approach the altar. Are we treating the Eucharist like that? Are we saying, "My Lord and my God"?I'm issuing you a direct challenge in this episode: pick up Luke and then Acts of the Apostles, read them straight through, and find the sacraments hiding in the text. They're all there. Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, the Eucharist — the early Church was living what we still have access to today. There is gold in them there hills. Go find it.The enemy doesn't rest. Neither can we.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260416dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:26-29 The Wounded Lord Draws Near A week after Jesus appeared to his disciples on Easter evening, he appears again. The doors are locked. This time, Thomas is present. Jesus speaks directly to him. “Put your finger here; see my hands… Stop doubting and believe.” What mercy! Jesus repeats Thomas’s own words back to him—not to mock, but to invite. The Lord had heard his doubt. And now he answers it with the proof of his wounds from the cross. Even in resurrection glory, Jesus keeps the marks of crucifixion as proof of his undeserved love. Thomas responds with the clearest confession in John’s Gospel: “My Lord and my God!” Thomas declares who Jesus is—God himself—and who Jesus is to him—his Lord. His doubt is transformed into worship. Jesus then speaks to us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This is not second-class faith. It is faith grounded in the testimony of the apostles. The eyewitnesses saw so that we may trust their proclamation. We do not touch his wounds physically. However, we encounter the same crucified and risen Jesus in his Word and in the Lord’s Supper. In the Lord’s Supper, Jesus provides individual sinners with the ongoing assurance that his body and blood have been given and shed for them. He lives. And his living presence continues to comfort wounded consciences. Your wounds, too, are known to him. By his death and resurrection, he transformed your guilt into peace, your temporary pain into enduring hope, and your momentary sorrows into joy that will last forever. Thomas received what he asked for and more. He received a living Savior. So do you. Prayer: My Lord and my God, thank you for meeting my doubts with mercy. Keep my faith anchored in your wounded yet victorious body. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260416dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:26-29 The Wounded Lord Draws Near A week after Jesus appeared to his disciples on Easter evening, he appears again. The doors are locked. This time, Thomas is present. Jesus speaks directly to him. “Put your finger here; see my hands… Stop doubting and believe.” What mercy! Jesus repeats Thomas’s own words back to him—not to mock, but to invite. The Lord had heard his doubt. And now he answers it with the proof of his wounds from the cross. Even in resurrection glory, Jesus keeps the marks of crucifixion as proof of his undeserved love. Thomas responds with the clearest confession in John’s Gospel: “My Lord and my God!” Thomas declares who Jesus is—God himself—and who Jesus is to him—his Lord. His doubt is transformed into worship. Jesus then speaks to us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This is not second-class faith. It is faith grounded in the testimony of the apostles. The eyewitnesses saw so that we may trust their proclamation. We do not touch his wounds physically. However, we encounter the same crucified and risen Jesus in his Word and in the Lord’s Supper. In the Lord’s Supper, Jesus provides individual sinners with the ongoing assurance that his body and blood have been given and shed for them. He lives. And his living presence continues to comfort wounded consciences. Your wounds, too, are known to him. By his death and resurrection, he transformed your guilt into peace, your temporary pain into enduring hope, and your momentary sorrows into joy that will last forever. Thomas received what he asked for and more. He received a living Savior. So do you. Prayer: My Lord and my God, thank you for meeting my doubts with mercy. Keep my faith anchored in your wounded yet victorious body. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Send us a one-way message! (or visit outloudbible.com/contact to start a conversation)We finish the Gospel of John by walking from the cross and Passover meaning into the empty tomb, the locked room, and the shoreline breakfast where Jesus restores Peter. The resurrection turns grief into recognition, doubt into confession, and failure into a fresh calling to follow Jesus by caring for His people. • John as a foundation for knowing who Jesus is and what He has done • Jesus as the Passover Lamb who willingly lays down His life • Mary Magdalene at the tomb and Jesus calling her by name • Jesus bringing peace to fearful disciples and sending them out • Thomas moving from demand for proof to “My Lord and my God” • The Sea of Tiberius catch and the grace of breakfast on shore • Peter's three denials answered by three chances to declare love • “Feed my sheep” as the next step after “I love you” • A challenge to stop hiding past failure and follow Jesus forward  At outloudbible.com, you can find free resources to help you study the Bible. And while you're there, send us a message to say hi, or start a conversation about having us at your church or event. If Outloud Bible has been a valuable part of your understanding of the Bible, please consider supporting the ministry by visiting outloudbible.com.Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

April 12, 2026. Fr. Tyler's homily for Sunday of Divine Mercy. Enjoy! Gospel John 20:19-31 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.    

ONLY AUDIO REFLECTION TODAY (no video)1st Reading - Acts 2: 42-27They devoted themselvesto the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life,to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.Awe came upon everyone,and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.All who believed were together and had all things in common;they would sell their property and possessionsand divide them among all according to each one's need.Every day they devoted themselvesto meeting together in the temple areaand to breaking bread in their homes.They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,praising God and enjoying favor with all the people.And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.GOSPEL - John 20: 19-31On the evening of that first day of the week,when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,for fear of the Jews,Jesus came and stood in their midstand said to them, “Peace be with you.”When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,“Receive the Holy Spirit.Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,and whose sins you retain are retained.”Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,was not with them when Jesus came.So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”But he said to them,“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his handsand put my finger into the nailmarksand put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”Now a week later his disciples were again insideand Thomas was with them.Jesus came, although the doors were locked,and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,and bring your hand and put it into my side,and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciplesthat are not written in this book.But these are written that you may come to believethat Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Pastor Jordan is bringing a powerful message titled “My Lord, My God — Thomas: From Fear to Faith.”Today we're walking through the journey from the resurrection to the ascension — from locked doors and fear… to bold faith and personal revelation.

This message explores the tension many of us feel after Easter. If Jesus really rose from the dead, why does life still feel the same? Why are we still dealing with anxiety, uncertainty, and unanswered questions?Looking at the life of Thomas, we're reminded that resurrection doesn't force change on us. It invites us into it. Faith isn't inherited from someone else's experience. It's personal. It's a choice to trust, even in the places where we still have doubts.This teaching walks through what it means to engage resurrection in everyday life. Not as a one-time moment, but as a daily decision to follow Jesus through uncertainty, wounds, and real life circumstances. It's an invitation to move from observation to participation, to say with your own life, “My Lord and my God.”

John 20:28-29Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “You have believed because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”(RSV2CE)***2026 PILGRIMAGE TO PORTUGAL & SPAIN with Kim Zember, Bobby and Jackie Angel, Fr. Edwin Leonard, including Fatima, Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem, sites of St. Anthony of  Padua, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross and more!, September 20-29, 2026Click here for more info: https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/a-pilgrimage-to-portugal-and-spain-with-kim-zember-jackie-and-bobby-angel-and-fr-edwin-leonard/****PATREON: For downloadable and printable PDFs of each scripture verse, support us on Patreon at Patreon.com/JackieandBobby at the $5/month level!***“Memorize Scripture” Book NOW AVAILABLE!Get 10% off!Link to Order:https://avemariapress.com/?ref=JACKIE10PROMO CODE: JACKIE10

John 20:19-31   When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Behind locked doors in John 20, fearful disciples cling only to the word of Mary Magdalene—until Jesus himself stands among them and speaks, “Peace be with you,” a Word that does what it says. In this episode, we trace how that same living Word delivers the Holy Spirit, creates faith, and entrusts the Church with the authority to forgive sins—the very heart of the Gospel. And with Thomas the Apostle, we move from hardened unbelief to confession, discovering that faith isn't managed doubt but trust created by Christ's promise: “My Lord and my God.”CARE OF SOULS - ADDICTIONIn Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those struggling with life's challenging situations: addiction, death, family disharmony, and more. Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders.With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the broken places of addiction not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.Because in the end, it's not about fixing people—it's about preaching the Gospel.Listen to Care of Souls wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Luther House website: Care of Souls - AddictionGOSPEL John 20:19-31 19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." 24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." 26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. Support the showInterested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

Thomas' encounter with the risen Christ resolved his doubts and propelled him to live a life full of purpose. Pastor Brad Cooper teaches that a life of purpose begins when we believe and confess, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas' encounter with the risen Christ resolved his doubts and propelled him to live a life full of purpose. Pastor Brad Cooper teaches that a life of purpose begins when we believe and confess, “My Lord and my God!”

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

Read OnlineSix days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. John 12:1–3On Saturday evening, the day before Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples enjoyed a meal at the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus in Bethany, located about two miles from Jerusalem. Lazarus—who had recently been raised from the dead after being in the tomb for four days—was present at the meal. Martha fulfilled her important role of loving service, while Mary once again took center stage with her profound act of devotion, honoring Jesus by anointing Him with a liter of costly perfume made from pure nard, worth nearly a year's wages.The nard (spikenard) Mary used was an aromatic oil derived from the roots of a plant native to the Himalayan regions of modern-day Nepal and northern India. Due to the challenges of harvesting and transporting it over a distance of 3,000 to 4,000 miles, nard was a luxury item in Israel, reserved for the wealthy or used in sacred rituals. Its fragrance, prized for its therapeutic properties, was often used in perfumes, incense, and anointing oils. The lavish use of this rare oil emphasizes the depth of Mary's devotion.Practically speaking, it might be easy to sympathize with Judas' strong objection: “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages and given to the poor?” (John 12:5). Imagine how many people could have been helped by that money! Yet Jesus' affirmation of Mary's action is absolute: “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me” (John 12:7–8). Jesus' words are not dismissive of the poor; rather, they point to the highest duty we must fulfill: the worship of God.Mary's act of love demonstrates that wholehearted worship is the foundation of all other good works. Recall Jesus' twofold commandment: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39). Only when the first and greatest commandment is fulfilled—love of God—can the second be fully realized—love of neighbor. Charity that does not flow directly out of our love for and worship of God becomes mere philanthropy. When charity is rooted in worship of God, it becomes an expression of and participation in divine love.Mary got it right. She might not have fully understood what she was doing, but her heart told her to honor Jesus as God, sparing nothing in her effort. The symbolism cannot be missed. Her anointing not only prophesied Jesus' impending death and the customary anointing of a body for burial but also pointed to His identity as the Messiah—God's anointed King and High Priest. The quality and quantity of the oil symbolize our duty to generously offer God our very best—everything we have and are—placing nothing earthly above divine worship. Anointing His feet emphasizes Mary's humility, prefiguring the service that Jesus Himself would show by washing His disciples' feet. The fragrance filling the house shows how authentic acts of devotion leave a lasting witness. It lingers, symbolizing how acts of true devotion not only honor God but also inspire others, spreading the “aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15) wherever they are offered. In this, Mary teaches us that love for God surpasses what the natural mind perceives as practical, reminding us that the wisdom of wholehearted worship is understood only through the gift of grace.Reflect today on your sacred duty to imitate Mary's loving act of devotion. How do you express your deep love for God? Sometimes we take God for granted, treating our relationship with Him as one-sided, always asking for favors. Imitate Mary of Bethany by choosing to honor and worship God for the single reason that He is God and is worthy of all our love. If you can get worship right, as Mary did, all else will flow from that interior disposition of wholehearted devotion, enabling you to fulfill every other duty God has entrusted to you.My Lord and God, You are the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the World. I love and adore You with all my soul. Draw me into deep worship of You, making it my first and greatest priority, so that from that act of charity, all good things will flow. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image - Nheyob, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsGFreihalter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Read OnlineSome of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” John 7:25–27Though Jesus was perfect, His sermons flawless, and His miracles astonishing, many remained hardened in their disbelief. People of the time had various expectations about the Messiah. Some were looking for a mysterious, heavenly figure; others, a political leader; still others envisioned the Messiah would suddenly appear without prior knowledge of His origins. These expectations were all based on an incomplete understanding of the prophets.The Messiah's arrival uprooted many of the preconceived ideas about who He would be. He arrived as a poor carpenter, raised in the unimpressive village of Nazareth, and without any ambitions to overthrow the Roman occupation of Israel. Yet, Jesus performed miracles. His sermons penetrated hearts, winning over many humble converts. His mere presence exuded confidence, purpose, and dignity. Could He really be the Messiah?Just like the people of Jesus' time, it is easy for us to develop preconceived ideas about Who God is and how our lives should change once we choose to follow Him. If you give your life to Christ, what do you expect from Him? Do you expect that God will bless you with great success in business? Your children will love and obey God? Your family and friends will be perfectly united? Material provisions will enable you to live a comfortable life? Or do you expect rejection, suffering, and death? We must always align our expectations with God's will, knowing that His ultimate plan is for our salvation.Some of the Jews rejected Jesus because He did not meet their expectations of Who the Messiah would be. The particular group in today's Gospel held the belief that the Messiah would arrive on the scene instantaneously, and no one would know where He came from. Their comment, “But we know where He is from,” reflects their disbelief, as they were expecting a more mysterious or sudden appearance. That misunderstanding of the prophets resulted in them rejecting Jesus, the true Messiah.Similarly, it is easy for us to have certain expectations about God that, when not fulfilled, lead to doubt or confusion. This is our fault for forming false expectations about what should happen once we choose to follow Christ. The remedy is simple—turn to the Gospel and believe what Jesus said.What did Jesus say? That He would suffer greatly at the hands of the scribes, Pharisees, and elders of the people. That He would be handed over, tortured, and crucified, but that He would also rise on the third day. And that is exactly what happened.When we choose to follow Christ, does Jesus promise that life will be easy, comfortable, and that we will be loved by all? Certainly not. He tells us that we will suffer the same fate He did, but if we persevere through the crosses of life, we will share in His ultimate victory.Reflect today on any false notions you might have about being a Christian. Embracing the Gospel—culminating in Christ's Passion—is difficult. The call to live sacrificially, to lay our lives down for others, to do penance, live selflessly, be generous, repent of every sin, pray continuously, and embrace Christ's Cross with unwavering determination is difficult at first. Doing so is only possible if we dismiss false expectations about being a Christian, so that the full Gospel and its demands will not shock us but inspire us to follow Christ down the path He has chosen for us.My Lord and Messiah, Your life and mission did not live up to the expectations that many people had of the Messiah. Similarly, I often have expectations of You that are contrary to Your will. Please open my mind and heart to see and embrace Your will so that I can lay down my life along with You, so as to share in Your Resurrection. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: See page for author, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

In a time where man-made systems control nations, Bishop T.D. Jakes reminds us of how power can be dangerous and disruptive to a believer. In John 20:25-28, we see what some call “Doubting Thomas” interact with the resurrected Jesus. But was he doubting or was he disappointed? Thomas was known as a courageous follower who witnessed the death of Jesus, but rumors of His missing body shook Thomas' faith. Grief. Misunderstandings. Loss of trust. These were all his pains of believing. In eight days, Thomas went from “I will not believe” to “My Lord and my God.” Like Thomas, Jesus can use your pains to resurrect your faith and renew your mind by simply taking away what's not needed. God has not forgotten you. He knows exactly where you are and what condition you are in. So, whether you're doubting or courageous, don't let your faith die in oppression. Your belief in Christ will pay off. Message: “The Pain of Believing” Scripture: John 20:25-28 (KJV) Speaker: Bishop T.D. Jakes Date: Feb. 22, 2026 ✨ Welcome to Your Moment of Transformation You don't have to walk this journey alone. Let Jesus guide your steps and fill your life with purpose and peace.