Podcasts about my lord

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.

  UNIVERSAL PENTECOST   Passover was first celebrated when Israel escaped from slavery in Egypt when they were told to sacrifice a spotless lamb and sprinkle its blood on their doorposts. They were told to not to do the long baking process of leavening the bread - because of the haste with which they had to flee Egypt. And from that time on Israel celebrated the Passover Feast each year with unleavened bread. Leaven is basically yeast and other ingredients can be added. The Feast of Passover weekend where Jesus as the Lamb of God died on the cross included Resurrection Sunday where Jesus rose from the dead and offered his blood of sacrifice to the Father. And on that day was also the Jewish Feast of Sheaves which was symbolic of Jesus being the firstfruits of the Resurrection. And Fifty days after that came the Feast of Pentecost (pente = fifty) – a harvest feast for life instead of a blood sacrifice feast for sin. The Passover and all other sin offerings were required to use unleavened bread because leaven had become the symbol for sin. Paul even admonished the church in Corinth because of their unruly communion services, saying they were celebrating their communion with the old leaven of malice and evil. Their lives should have been an expression of a new leaven of love and life and faith and we'll see how this came to be our new spiritual reality today. The appearance of leaven occurred when Israel began to celebrate the Pentecost harvest feast with two loaves of leavened bread. The law commanded them to only use leavened bread in this feast instead of unleavened bread. (Leviticus 23:15).  This could appear to be a scandalous thing, as only unleavened bread was ritually used with sacrifices, but this leavened bread was prophesying a most significant and radical shift for the nature and being of humanity. That shift occurred on the Sunday of the Pentecost Feast after the death and resurrection of Jesus. His death and resurrection had universally reconciled humanity to Divinity as one in Spirit. And then came this further glorious shift of all flesh becoming indwelt by the Person of the Holy Spirit. Therefore the leaven of the Feast of Pentecost had been necessarily baked in for humanity to receive Holy Spirit life in Christ. The blood imagery of Passover was replaced by the new leavened bread imagery of Pentecost. Blood shed by Jesus speaks to us of his life given - Bread speaks of a life shared.   We move past an initial act of rescue to a continual act of communion with God. The new leaven symbolises the Holy Spirit being sent to us and for us.This radically changes our lives from having to be empowered by an Adamic sinful nature into now being sustained and empowered by the indwelling Christ through the Holy Spirit. The righteousness and true holiness of God is the basis of our life now and not the bondage to sinful flesh.  This is the amazing reality of the new Creation humanity – the truth that God does not wait for humanity to be perfected before he accepts them as his family. Universal Reconciliation has done away with need for unleavened bread and blood sacrifice for sin. Separation has ceased because sin no longer is the separation between us and God. He accepts humanity as leavened by grace and being transformed by the Holy Spirit within his love that works by faith. Resistance to believing this is the only problem, and the Holy Spirit has been sent to convict the world of that sin of unbelief (John 16:7). But why only two loaves at Pentecost – wouldn't the truth of the Trinity assume three loaves for Pentecost? No – because The Holy Sirit was not yet sent upon all flesh, Old Covenant theology did not teach about the Trinity. And during the Old Testament era only two Persons of the Trinity, the Father and the Christ Messiah represented the present and future hope of humanity, and the Holy Spirit's influence was limited to operating only through specific chosen individuals like prophets, kings, and priests and judges like Sampson, Gideon etc. Not mankind But the reality of the Trinity was presented in the Old Testament by so many types and shadows of a hidden threefold expression of God. There was the sun and moon and stars of the heavenly creation, the threefold architecture of Noah's Ark as the two lower decks and the upper compartment from where the dove of the holy Spirit flew out after the flood. There was the plan of the tabernacle and the temple with the outer court the inner court and the Most Holy Place (in the shape of the cross incidentally). It was all there but hidden. The most striking threefold manifestation of the Trinity which included  blood sacrifice and unleavened bread occurred when Abraham was met by three angels at an encampment where he was with his wife Sarai and his servants and his cattle. He greeted the three messengers as My Lord and not my lords, so in his addressing the three men as Adonai indicates that he had a revelation (called a theophany) of God as the three persons of the Trinity. He told Sarai to bake three loaves of unleavened bread for the men to eat and ordered his servant to slay a calf of sacrifice. The men then told him that Sarai would have a son and that through him Abraham would become the father of many nations and that all the families of the earth would be blessed. This blood sacrifice and the unleavened loaves pre-empted the first Passover feast in Egypt by 400 years and pre-empted the feast of the universal spiritual Pentecost after Jesus died on calvary by 2000 years.  But the Jewish Feast of Pentecost on that day fifty days after Jesus died and rose again sacrificed the usual two loaves of leavened bread. The astonishing revelation is that  The two loaves become three on the day! The third person of the Trinity was revealed as tongues of fire on that Pentecost! The shift from two to three loaves represents the full unveiling of the Trinity's work in the world and the unprecedented outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all humanity. The prophetic progression to three loaves was also encrypted in the New Testament by Jesus in Matthew 13 where he teaches that the Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven hidden in three loaves of bread until the whole lump becomes transformed. The word “hidden” is fascinating. It is always written as krypto but Jesus used the Greek word egkrypto which is used nowhere else in Scripture. Encryption means not only hidden but encoded - the idea of something deeply embedded within and concealed internally until it transforms everything around it. This numerical shift from two to three prophesied the arrival and indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. This transition illustrates the complete work of the Trinity: The Father is the source of the loving promise of adopting us as his unique and individual children through Jesus. Jesus is the sinless sacrifice and the "first fruits" of the resurrection. The Holy Spirit with tongues of fire represents the purifying and sanctifying fire of the trials of our faith and the empowering of our transformation into the likeness of God. The Holy Spirit concluded the third loaf reality, as His presence was finally poured out upon all flesh. Ultimately, this third loaf blessing is the establishment of the New Covenant. It marks a profound shift from the Old Testament—where the law was written on tablets of clay to a reality where the Holy Spirit writes the law directly onto human hearts. In fact the day of the Feast of Pentecost for Israel was also the exact same day that they celebrated the anniversary of the Law written on stone tablets with Moses at Sinai. That is how the Holy Spirit works. The old covenant operated through external rules written on stone but in the New Covenant the Spirit writes the law upon the heart and the Kingdom grows within.  This the grace in the New Covenant heart. In His expanded, New Covenant role, the Holy Spirit operates as an intensely personal guide and advocate. He universally convicts the world of unbelief and righteousness and the judgment of God upon Darkness. The Holy Spirit empowers those who believe and leads us into all truth, and spreads God's love into and through our hearts. He takes the teachings of Jesus and interprets them for us as individuals in highly personal ways, ensuring that people can hear and understand God ‘s voice regardless of their cultural or circumstantial or religious background – they all heard him that day in their own tongue. Ultimately, this continuous filling of the Holy Spirit empowers the Church to expand the Kingdom of God and express the Trinity of God to the world. The world changes when hearts change and this is why that Universal Pentecost mattered so deeply. Christianity is not institutional look good religion - it is divine life flowing through human vessels. Religion tries to conform people externally while the Spirit transforms people organically from the inside. Leaven works quietly and slowly and patiently, yet eventually it affects the entire loaf. Sometimes we become discouraged because transformation feels slow, but inner fermentation movement is evidence that life is active. You may not see dramatic change every day but if the Spirit is within you and you say yes to his work, something holy is expanding. God is more patient and thorough with your process than you are. Paul OSullivan  pauloss@me.com

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.

John 20:19-31 - Jesus Appears to His Disciples 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Jesus Appears to Thomas 24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 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!” 27 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.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” The Purpose of John's Gospel 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

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

Send us Fan Mail“From Doubt to Belief” – Pastor Todd ReynoldsIn this powerful Resurrection message from John 20:24–29, Pastor Todd Reynolds challenges the common label of “Doubting Thomas” and reframes the story as a journey from honest doubt to transformational belief.Rather than condemning Thomas, Pastor Todd highlights a deeper truth: all the disciples struggled to believe the resurrection at first. Doubt is not the enemy of faith—it's often the doorway to a stronger, more personal encounter with Jesus.Pastor Todd emphasizes that:Faith is not about blind belief, but personal experience with Christ.What ultimately convinced Thomas was not argument or logic, but an encounter with the risen Jesus—and specifically the evidence of His suffering.Jesus does not avoid doubters; He pursues them, meeting them right in their questions, fears, and uncertainty.The message connects Thomas' story to our everyday lives:We doubt when life doesn't make sense, when prayers seem unanswered, or when pain feels overwhelming.Like the father in Mark 9, many of us live in the tension of: “I believe—help my unbelief.”The turning point comes when Jesus invites Thomas to take a step forward:“Stop doubting and believe.”Pastor Todd drives home a central truth:Faith is not a system of beliefs—it's a relationship with a living Savior.Growth doesn't happen in one leap, but one step at a time toward Jesus.The sermon culminates in Thomas' declaration:“My Lord and my God!”This is more than belief—it's surrender.Key takeaway:No matter where you are—full of faith or full of questions—Jesus is still coming after you. And the path from doubt to belief always begins with one simple step: move toward Him.Shady Grove Info Click here for more https://www.shadygrove.net/events                                      FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/ShadyGroveWesleyanChurch

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." And 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; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." 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 print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but 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 be faithless, but believing." 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 believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 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.

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.

19 Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you.Cum ergo sero esset die illo, una sabbatorum, et fores essent clausae, ubi erant discipuli congregati propter metum Judaeorum : venit Jesus, et stetit in medio, et dixit eis : Pax vobis. 20 And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord.Et cum hoc dixisset, ostendit eis manus et latus. Gavisi sunt discipuli, viso Domino. 21 He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you.Dixit ergo eis iterum : Pax vobis. Sicut misit me Pater, et ego mitto vos. 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost.Haec cum dixisset, insufflavit, et dixit eis : Accipite Spiritum Sanctum : 23 Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.quorum remiseritis peccata, remittuntur eis : et quorum retinueritis, retenta sunt. 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.Thomas autem unus ex duodecim, qui dicitur Didymus, non erat cum eis quando venit Jesus. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.Dixerunt ergo ei alii discipuli : Vidimus Dominum. Ille autem dixit eis : Nisi videro in manibus ejus fixuram clavorum, et mittam digitum meum in locum clavorum, et mittam manum meam in latus ejus, non credam. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace be to you.Et post dies octo, iterum erant discipuli ejus intus, et Thomas cum eis. Venit Jesus januis clausis, et stetit in medio, et dixit : Pax vobis. 27 Then he saith to Thomas: Put in thy finger hither, and see my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing.Deinde dicit Thomae : Infer digitum tuum huc, et vide manus meas, et affer manum tuam, et mitte in latus meum : et noli esse incredulus, sed fidelis. 28 Thomas answered, and said to him: My Lord, and my God.Respondit Thomas, et dixit ei : Dominus meus et Deus meus. 29 Jesus saith to him: Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed.Dixit ei Jesus : Quia vidisti me, Thoma, credidisti : beati qui non viderunt, et crediderunt. 30 Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book.Multa quidem et alia signa fecit Jesus in conspectu discipulorum suorum, quae non sunt scripta in libro hoc. 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.Haec autem scripta sunt ut credatis, quia Jesus est Christus Filius Dei : et ut credentes, vitam habeatis in nomine ejus.[19] "The doors were shut": The same power which could bring Christ's whole body, entire in all its dimensions, through the doors, can without the least question make the same body really present in the sacrament; though both the one and the other be above our comprehension.

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.

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.

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.

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.

19 Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you.Cum ergo sero esset die illo, una sabbatorum, et fores essent clausae, ubi erant discipuli congregati propter metum Judaeorum : venit Jesus, et stetit in medio, et dixit eis : Pax vobis. 20 And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord.Et cum hoc dixisset, ostendit eis manus et latus. Gavisi sunt discipuli, viso Domino. 21 He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you.Dixit ergo eis iterum : Pax vobis. Sicut misit me Pater, et ego mitto vos. 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost.Haec cum dixisset, insufflavit, et dixit eis : Accipite Spiritum Sanctum : 23 Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.quorum remiseritis peccata, remittuntur eis : et quorum retinueritis, retenta sunt. 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.Thomas autem unus ex duodecim, qui dicitur Didymus, non erat cum eis quando venit Jesus. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.Dixerunt ergo ei alii discipuli : Vidimus Dominum. Ille autem dixit eis : Nisi videro in manibus ejus fixuram clavorum, et mittam digitum meum in locum clavorum, et mittam manum meam in latus ejus, non credam. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace be to you.Et post dies octo, iterum erant discipuli ejus intus, et Thomas cum eis. Venit Jesus januis clausis, et stetit in medio, et dixit : Pax vobis. 27 Then he saith to Thomas: Put in thy finger hither, and see my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing.Deinde dicit Thomae : Infer digitum tuum huc, et vide manus meas, et affer manum tuam, et mitte in latus meum : et noli esse incredulus, sed fidelis. 28 Thomas answered, and said to him: My Lord, and my God.Respondit Thomas, et dixit ei : Dominus meus et Deus meus. 29 Jesus saith to him: Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed.Dixit ei Jesus : Quia vidisti me, Thoma, credidisti : beati qui non viderunt, et crediderunt. 30 Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book.Multa quidem et alia signa fecit Jesus in conspectu discipulorum suorum, quae non sunt scripta in libro hoc. 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.Haec autem scripta sunt ut credatis, quia Jesus est Christus Filius Dei : et ut credentes, vitam habeatis in nomine ejus.[19] "The doors were shut": The same power which could bring Christ's whole body, entire in all its dimensions, through the doors, can without the least question make the same body really present in the sacrament; though both the one and the other be above our comprehension.

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.

John 20:26-3126 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!” 27 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.”28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name

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.    

John 20:24-2824 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”26 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!” 27 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.”28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

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.

John 20 : 19 - 31, My Lord and My God, John Gerstenmier by Arbor Dale Church

Ever felt like you missed the moment? Thomas did. While the other disciples saw the risen Jesus, Thomas was out... somewhere. When they told him the incredible news, he couldn't accept it. "Unless I see and touch the nail marks, I won't believe."But here's the beautiful truth: Jesus met Thomas right where he was. A week later, Jesus appeared again and invited Thomas to see and touch. Thomas fell to his knees and declared, "My Lord and my God!" He became the first to confess Jesus as God in the flesh.

How You Respond to Jesus, In Your Earthly Life, Will Determine How You Are Judged By Jesus MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus claimed to be the unique, divine Son of God; therefore, Jesus is on an equal footing with God. Jesus said that He would one day judge the world. How you respond to Jesus, in your life, will determine how you are judged. The Apostle John summarizes, in John 20:27-29, the interchange between Jesus and the Apostle Thomas when Thomas realizes who Jesus, the man that he had been following for years, is: “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.'”. You, as follower of Jesus, have not seen Jesus or His wounds. Therefore, do you believe through your faith; and are you able, by your faith, to say: “My Lord and my God!”? If not, why not?   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, you know how difficult it is for me to be in silence before you. At times it feels almost impossible, given the demands, distractions, and noise all around me. I invite you to lead me to a quiet, silent place before you — to a place where I can hear you as Elijah did. In Jesus' name, amen.     Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 123). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Resentment. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Compassion. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Matthew 12:36-37; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; Psalms 70:1-5. WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “He Is Risen: From Good Friday To Easter ” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

"Diyos ba talaga si Kristo?"

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

Pastor Matt delivered an Easter message focused on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from John chapters 20-21, declaring that "the resurrection of Jesus is the greatest turning point in history and demands a response." He began by explaining how certain events in history divide time into "before" and "after," with Jesus' resurrection being the ultimate example that changed everything about everything. Pastor Matt walked through four key truths about the resurrection found in these chapters. First, the resurrection turns despair into hope, as demonstrated when Mary Magdalene went to the tomb in grief but encountered the risen Jesus who spoke her name. Second, it transforms fear into mission, shown when the disciples moved from hiding behind locked doors in fear to boldly proclaiming the gospel. Third, the resurrection confronts our doubts, illustrated through Thomas who moved from skepticism to declaring "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). Finally, the resurrection restores broken people, evidenced by Jesus' restoration of Peter after his three denials, giving him three opportunities to affirm his love. Pastor Matt concluded that the resurrection matters for three reasons: hope is real because Jesus defeated sin and death, no one is beyond restoration since "the worst thing in life doesn't have to be the final thing," and the resurrection demands a response because we all must decide what we will do with Jesus. He ended with a clear presentation of the gospel, explaining that God created us for relationship, sin separates us from God, Jesus came to save us, and we must respond by trusting in Him as Savior and Lord.

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!”

Send us Fan MailJohn 20 records the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His appearances to His disciples. Mary Magdalene finds the empty tomb and sees the risen Lord. Jesus appears to the disciples, gives them peace, shows His wounds, and sends them as the Father sent Him. Thomas later sees Jesus and believes, declaring, “My Lord and my God.” This chapter shows that Jesus is risen, fulfills the Scriptures, and gives life to those who believe in His name.Support the showStay engaged with new and up-to-date content, including newsletters, articles, podcasts, etc. Download the Teach Me the Bible App from any app store or Apple TV/Roku device.

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.