Podcasts about our lord

Thoughts on the Bible Readings September 2nd (2 Kings 7; Lamentations 3; 1 Corinthians 16)2 Kings 7 shows us, yet again, that when the Almighty says a thing will happen - it will, no matter how seemingly impossible. The incredulous and faithless lord on whose arm the king of Israel leans states that the famine could not be ended even if Yahweh was to open windows in heaven. The language echoes Elijah's era when the windows of heaven were both shut and opened - compare Revelation 11 verses 1-6; and Malachi 3 verses 10-12. Four lepers found food in the abandoned Syrian camp. This led to the fulfilment of the prophet Elisha's word, both to the abundance and price of the food and judgment on the unbelieving lord. Once more think of how the concept is taken up in Revelation 6 verses 5-6. Just as the Corinthian letters told us of Paul's life; so, does Jeremiah's lament of his feelings in this third chapter. The main lesson of the book is introduced in verse 1 verses "I am the man that has seen sorrow". He is indeed "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" as our Lord Jesus Christ is so described in Isaiah 53 verses 3. However it is what this suffering servant learns through his trust in God as he in patience endures his horrendous experiences verses Hebrews 5 verses 7-9. The prophet Jeremiah likewise similarly learns verses 18-39 - carefully read these and ponder what is the message that the Almighty wants each of His suffering servants to learn and grow thereby. We are told of the benefits and purpose in suffering. We must believe though we may not understand. Our trust and faith in our Sovereign must remain unshakable as He is the One who is leading us to a place in His kingdom verses Hebrews 12 verses 5-17 meditate the marvellous grace of our God. How great is Yahweh's steadfast love (Chesed - His faithfulness)! Each sunrise reminds us. In affliction we suffer in silence - trusting that He will deliver us at the proper time. Experience through testing takes time to yield results. 1 Corinthians 16 tells us to be prepared for contributing money when we come to the Lord's Supper. The background to the starting of the collections among the Gentiles was to support their Jewish brethren who were suffering hardship due to their persecution for becoming believers in Christ Jesus and to alleviate the troubles brought by the great famine. The first day of the week was traditionally the day when the believers met to remember our Lord Jesus Christ in bread and wine. By the Jewish calendar it was after 6pm Saturday evening. Those believers who were blessed to have some money gave some of it at that time. It was done discretely that is why Paul requested preparation before they arrived at the gathering. In his final instructions the Apostle sends greetings and commends the house of Stephanos for their addiction to service of fellow believers. The letter ends with both a warning and an implied appeal, verses 22-24, "If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen." (ESV) Contemplate our privileges in Christ - the blessings that we receive - and how we can love our Lord and live to please him now that we might graciously find a place in his kingdom.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

Sometimes life seems so cold. But don't give up on God; for in the case of the righteous, better days are coming. God is the all seeing eye, and is everywhere all the time; knowing everything all the time; and has the power to do anything; all the time. When Noami thought that she had lost it all she never waivered in her character causing her daughter in law Ruth to decree that she would never leave her, because she too, being of a different nationality, believed in her mother in law's God; our God. God allowed Ruth to marry into the lineage and give birth in the lineage to Obed the father of David in which Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in the natural, was born. How amazing, God did not ignore Naomi's loyalty and faithfulness to Him. He won't ignore our's either.

2 Kings 7 shows us, yet again, that when the Almighty says a thing will happen - it will, no matter how seemingly impossible. The incredulous and faithless lord on whose arm the king of Israel leans states that the famine could not be ended even if Yahweh was to open windows in heaven. The language echoes Elijah's era when the windows of heaven were both shut and opened - compare Revelation 11 verses 1-6; and Malachi 3 verses 10-12. Four lepers found food in the abandoned Syrian camp. This led to the fulfilment of the prophet Elisha's word, both to the abundance and price of the food and judgment on the unbelieving lord. Once more think of how the concept is taken up in Revelation 6 verses 5-6. Just as the Corinthian letters told us of Paul's life; so, does Jeremiah's lament of his feelings in this third chapter. The main lesson of the book is introduced in verse 1 verses "I am the man that has seen sorrow". He is indeed "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" as our Lord Jesus Christ is so described in Isaiah 53 verses 3. However it is what this suffering servant learns through his trust in God as he in patience endures his horrendous experiences verses Hebrews 5 verses 7-9. The prophet Jeremiah likewise similarly learns verses 18-39 - carefully read these and ponder what is the message that the Almighty wants each of His suffering servants to learn and grow thereby. We are told of the benefits and purpose in suffering. We must believe though we may not understand. Our trust and faith in our Sovereign must remain unshakable as He is the One who is leading us to a place in His kingdom verses Hebrews 12 verses 5-17 meditate the marvellous grace of our God. How great is Yahweh's steadfast love (Chesed - His faithfulness)! Each sunrise reminds us. In affliction we suffer in silence - trusting that He will deliver us at the proper time. Experience through testing takes time to yield results. 1 Corinthians 16 tells us to be prepared for contributing money when we come to the Lord's Supper. The background to the starting of the collections among the Gentiles was to support their Jewish brethren who were suffering hardship due to their persecution for becoming believers in Christ Jesus and to alleviate the troubles brought by the great famine. The first day of the week was traditionally the day when the believers met to remember our Lord Jesus Christ in bread and wine. By the Jewish calendar it was after 6pm Saturday evening. Those believers who were blessed to have some money gave some of it at that time. It was done discretely that is why Paul requested preparation before they arrived at the gathering. In his final instructions the Apostle sends greetings and commends the house of Stephanos for their addiction to service of fellow believers. The letter ends with both a warning and an implied appeal, verses 22-24, "If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen." (ESV) Contemplate our privileges in Christ - the blessings that we receive - and how we can love our Lord and live to please him now that we might graciously find a place in his kingdom.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

2 Kings 7 shows us, yet again, that when the Almighty says a thing will happen - it will, no matter how seemingly impossible. The incredulous and faithless lord on whose arm the king of Israel leans states that the famine could not be ended even if Yahweh was to open windows in heaven. The language echoes Elijah's era when the windows of heaven were both shut and opened - compare Revelation 11  verses  1-6; and Malachi 3  verses  10-12. Four lepers found food in the abandoned Syrian camp. This led to the fulfilment of the prophet Elisha's word, both to the abundance and price of the food and judgment on the unbelieving lord. Once more think of how the concept is taken up in Revelation 6 verses 5-6. Just as the Corinthian letters told us of Paul's life; so, does Jeremiah's lament of his feelings in this third chapter. The main lesson of the book is introduced in verse 1 verses  "I am the man that has seen sorrow". He is indeed "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" as our Lord Jesus Christ is so described in Isaiah 53 verses 3. However it is what this suffering servant learns through his trust in God as he in patience endures his horrendous experiences verses  Hebrews 5 verses 7-9. The prophet Jeremiah likewise similarly learns  verses  18-39 - carefully read these and ponder what is the message that the Almighty wants each of His suffering servants to learn and grow thereby. We are told of the benefits and purpose in suffering. We must believe though we may not understand. Our trust and faith in our Sovereign must remain unshakable as He is the One who is leading us to a place in His kingdom verses  Hebrews 12 verses 5-17 meditate the marvellous grace of our God. How great is Yahweh's steadfast love (Chesed - His faithfulness)! Each sunrise reminds us. In affliction we suffer in silence - trusting that He will deliver us at the proper time. Experience through testing takes time to yield results. 1 Corinthians 16 tells us to be prepared for contributing money when we come to the Lord's Supper. The background to the starting of the collections among the Gentiles was to support their Jewish brethren who were suffering hardship due to their persecution for becoming believers in Christ Jesus and to alleviate the troubles brought by the great famine. The first day of the week was traditionally the day when the believers met to remember our Lord Jesus Christ in bread and wine. By the Jewish calendar it was after 6pm Saturday evening. Those believers who were blessed to have some money gave some of it at that time. It was done discretely that is why Paul requested preparation before they arrived at the gathering. In his final instructions the Apostle sends greetings and commends the house of Stephanos for their addiction to service of fellow believers. The letter ends with both a warning and an implied appeal,  verses  22-24, "If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen." (ESV) Contemplate our privileges in Christ - the blessings that we receive - and how we can love our Lord and live to please him now that we might graciously find a place in his kingdom. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow at   https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

Friends of the Rosary,As we read today, Sunday, in the Gospel of Luke (14:1, 7-14), Jesus was invited to dine in the house of a leading Pharisee. The Pharisees were convinced of their own perfect knowledge and observance of the law.Noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table, Jesus told them, through a simple parable, where their pride would lead them."When you are invited,go and take the lowest placeso that when the host comes to you he may say,'My friend, move up to a higher position.'Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."Also, "When you hold a banquet,invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."The takeaway from today's reading is clear: Our Lord invites us to conduct our affairs with full humility.Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York• ⁠August 31, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Bible StudyDon't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: Sermon OutlineGod takes from us the arrythmia of anger.God resolves in us dissonance of desire.God tunes our hearts to sing His praise.Questions on Hebrews 13:1–8Do you think desire is a good thing in and of itself? Why or why not?Consider this quote from CS Lewis: "Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” What is Lewis suggesting about our desires?How does the image of a "choir" reshape your image of the Christian life? In what areas of life do you find yourself operating as a soloist?Who are the "strangers" in your life? What would it look like for you to love the stranger?Resources ConsultedGareth Lee Cockerill, The Epistle to the HebrewsHarold Attridge, The Epistle to the HebrewsOrigen of Alexandria, Homilies on the PsalmsPope John Paul II, "Undocumented Migrants"C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, and Other AddressesThe Tallis Scholars, Spem in AliumFor the music nerd: False Relations in Renaissance MusicQuestions?Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Sam Fornecker ().

“He who humbles himself will be exalted.” Our Lord reveals an encouraging secret for our struggles, a hidden mystery open to all.

Sinners who draw close to Our Lord know that they will not be rejected by Him. For as the Gospel tells us, Christ came to save sinners; everything He does is for our salvation. Moreover, Our Lord knows our sinfulness and need to be pardoned. This is why He asks us continually to draw near to Him.

In the Sundays following Pentecost, Holy Mother Church provides us with instructions through the Collects at Mass on how to think about God and pray rightly to Him. One of the central themes of these prayers is God's overflowing goodness and His love for us. Indeed, Our Lord's love is so abundant that He will forgive our sins if we ask with the right disposition, so that we may have eternity with Him in heaven.

Jesus says, “Give to the one who asks of you.” Our Lord challenges us to be loving and responsive to our brothers and sisters.   What our brothers and sisters ask of us are not usually material things. What others really ask of us are friendship and spiritual companionship. We owe one another our attention, compassion, forgiveness, respect, and quality time. When we give of ourselves selflessly and sacrificially we give the most special gift of all.  Ask God to transform our hearts and equip us to respond with love to those who need us. And when we give of ourselves to others, our Lord will use what we offer to them in miraculous ways.

The Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast continues in Matthew chapter 5. Dr. Mitchell will be looking at verses 29 thru 42. In these passages Matthew records our Lord's words concerning four separate topics. Our Lord first speaks with authority about the real heart of adultery as an inner desire before it becomes an outer action. Dr. Mitchell surveys scriptures concerning this topic.The next topic has to with making and keeping vows which one may think it is possible to keep. What does Jesus say about this for the kingdom citizen?The third topic has to do with the concept of retaliation for an injury incurred. What the Lord says, concerning the law for the one who will be in His kingdom, is that this one is not to resist evil, not to exact revenge, but on the contrary, to bless. Let's join Dr. Mitchell, Matthew 5:27.

In a relay race, there are typically four runners who have the job of passing a baton to one another until they get to the finish line. If any one of the runners drops the baton, his team is disqualified.The first runner begins the race with the baton; he does not receive the baton, but owns it. The other runners do not start the race with the baton. Rather, their job is to receive it from the runner behind them and then pass it on to the runner in front of them.This is exactly how it works with the Catholic faith. The human race is, as it were, running towards the end of time, which is the finishing of human history. That is when each of the runners will receive their reward through the resurrection of their bodies, which will rise in either a glorious state or a damned state.The baton that has to be passed on is the Catholic faith. The baton contains the beliefs of the Catholic faith, but it also contains the practices that enshrine and protect those beliefs.The first runner in the faith is Our Lord Jesus Christ. He owns the baton and puts in it all that we need to save our souls, that is, to reach the finish line and win the race. His role was only to give the faith, not to receive it. Our role is to both receive and give. We receive the faith from those who have gone before us and we give it to those who come after us.Already, in the first generation of Christianity, St. Paul is talking about this process of receiving and handing on. He tells the Corinthians that he received the faith from Our Lord and he handed that same faith on to them. He says, “I delivered to you a faith. You received it and are standing in it and it is saving you. I also received that same faith.”This is the very nature of our faith. We are traditional Catholics because our faith is a traditional faith. It is a handed-on faith, a received faith. Our faith works by way of a relay, a receiving from one and a handing on to another.

The Mass is the heart of the Catholic Faith. It also animates us with a truly Christian spirit. It is the most important means by which Our Lord draws us closer to Himself and a perpetual expression of God's inexhaustible love for us.

Mark 15 records Jesus' trial before Pilate and includes events up to and including our Lord's crucifixion and burial. The account is indeed brief when compared with the other gospel records. From the other gospel accounts we learn that there were 6 sham trials in all - three before Jewish authorities and three before the Gentiles. Mark 14 recorded one of the Jewish trials and chapter 15 one of the Gentile trials - before Pilate. Pilate was amazed by our Master's calm resignation to these events. Pilate tried to have Jesus acquitted by allowing his soldiers to brutally mistreat our Lord, in the mistaken hope that the Jewish leaders would show some pity. Our Lord was so weakened that on his way to Calvary it was necessary to press Simon of Cyrene to bare Jesus' stake - Greek "stauros". Simon and his two sons later became disciples, taking up their metaphorical stakes as Jesus commands of all his disciples. While on the stake our captain was mocked and taunted, but triumphing over those weaknesses and tauntings of Christ's enemies in himself: see Colossians 2 verses 11-15 read aloud slowly and meditate on the meaning. Jesus expired on the tree at the 9th hour ie 3pm precisely. This was at the time the Passover lambs were slain. A hardened Roman centurion on witnessing Jesus' behaviour exclaimed that certainly this man was the Son of God. In fulfilment of Isaiah 53 our Lord was buried in the tomb of a rich man, who had become his disciple, Joseph of Arimathea. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciateion of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

In the record of Mark 14 and 15, we have, what's believed to be, Peter's accounting of the most horrific few days of his life. The 14th chapter commenced 2 days before the Lord's crucifixion with his anointing in the home of Simon the leper, believed by some to be the father of the family, Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Judas and would be the home of Martha's deceased husband. It was this incident which incited Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Our Lord praises Mary's extravagant act of love and understanding. She alone among all of our Lord Jesus Christ's disciples understood that Christ would die during the Passover. Jesus sent Peter and John, to prepare the Lord's supper. All had been secretly prearranged to prevent any interruptions to his Passover. He needed every last moment to prepare his Apostles for his decease. These Apostles had to learn to live faithfully without our Lord's presence. During the memorial feast our Lord prophesied details of Peter's betrayal, much to Peter's bold protestation to the contrary. The supper having ended the Lord and now eleven of his chosen disciples went to Gethsemane where our Master's greatest trial occurs. In Gethsemane he begged his Father to find another way than the stake, where he would be shamefully exposed to men but each time Jesus was told there could be no alternative. Finally our Lord's resolve strengthened through angelic support and his intense struggle to subject his own will to that of the Father the Son of God was perfected through his sufferings: Hebrews 5 verses 7-9. Slowly read aloud those verses from Hebrews and meditate the intensity of his struggle and the greatness of the Son of God in submitting to his Father's will. Christ was strengthened by an angel to aid him in submitting humbly to death. Judas arrives with a band of heavily armed thugs from the temple. A young man, quite likely Mark himself, escapes them after having tried to warn Jesus. Verses 53-65 tell of Jesus before the Council and the accusation of blasphemy levelled at him (surely this had been Judas' doing) and the Master's rebuttal from Daniel 7 verses 13-14. The chapter finishes with Peter's threefold denial of his Lord. Peter was in great bitterness for denying Jesus. His repentance contrasts with Judas' remorse without any repentance. https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

In today's gospel, we hear one of the most revolutionary hymns in all of Scripture, it's known as the Magnificat. But, too often Mary is domesticated —pictured as meek, mild, and obedient. However, the Mary we encounter in Luke is something far more radical. She is a teenager, unwed, dark-skinned, and living under the occupation of the Roman empire. By all accounts, she should be invisible. She should be powerless. And yet, she dares to sing... The post The Feast of Mary, Mother of Our Lord appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.

The story of Holy Scripture is the story of how Our Lord wants to save our souls and direct our lives according to His plan. To facilitate the transmission of Scripture's message, and indeed the Catholic Faith as a whole, God selects certain persons through history to serve as priests and religious in the Church. These designated persons are the ones who keep the Church alive and growing through their dedication, prayer, and sacrifice.

In the 1 Kings' record Yahweh appears to Solomon in a dream. This was the second time that God had appeared to Solomon by dream. In the earlier promise God offers to Solomon a covenant like that to David Solomon's father. This was an eternal covenant, that was conditional on obeying the terms, and having a perpetual heir to his throne. The readings in Jeremiah 33 reminds us of David's unbreakable covenant. We also saw, that because of Coniah's corruption, the line of kingship ended with him and therefore terminated Solomon's line of succession. Luke 3 tells us this was to be transferred to Nathan , David's son. The chapter finishes in verses 10-28 with further great acts of Solomon, not all of which were well received. The first of these acts was the completion of the two houses - Yahweh's and Solomon's own house - twenty years these projects took. We are told of Solomon's gift of cities in Galilee to Hiram king of Tyre. Hiram had greatly helped Solomon in the construction of the Temple. Hiram was displeased with the gift and described the cities as "dirty". We are also told of Solomon's store cities, the trade in horses and chariots, the ships Solomon built at Ezion-Geber. The chapter speaks of a well organised administration and vast tributes coming to his realm from surrounding subject kingdoms. Jeremiah's 35th chapter tells of an incredibly faithful family - the Rechabites. Their adherence to the rules imposed by their ancestor - Jonadab son of Rechab - went back almost 800 years, to when Israel under Moses were about to enter the Promised Land. Jeremiah is told to put wine before the Rechabites as a test. These men stay faithful to the charge of Jonadab and drink no wine. The Almighty commends their upholding of the 5th commandment - honouring their father (and mother) and pointed to the fact that these faithful Gentiles stood in marked contrast to God's disobedient children. Note God's covenant with the Rechabites stands on a par with that to David and to the offer to Solomon in our first reading.Mark 9 deals with the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ in power and glory, as seen in his transfiguration. The three, Peter, James and John, witnesses our Lord Jesus Christ being seen with Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration. These three Apostles were asked to keep secret what they had seen until after Jesus' rising. In the meantime the remainder of the twelve are frustrated by their failure to heal a deaf and mute boy. Our Lord points out that miracles of healing are not automatic, but dependent on the involvement of the healer. Once more Jesus spoke of his death and resurrection which left the Apostles dumbfounded - possibly their minds had been blinded by the witnessing of our Lord's glory. A dispute arose among his Apostles as to who was the greatest. Jesus answered the question via the lesson seen in the humility of a child being seen by them. Out Lord reminds those Apostles that without humility none can enter the kingdom. Christ next warns us not to categorise people who are not identical to ourselves. The chapter closes with the need for self examination and drastic action in order to enter the kingdom.More here https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

August 12th, 2025:  St Clare of Assisi; St Jane Frances de Chantal; St Clare of Assisi - Holy Mother Poverty; Servant of God John Bernal & Companions; St Clare of Assisi - Trust in Our Lord in All Things

Our Lord came to earth to save mankind from damnation. While Christ is primarily concerns with our souls, He is not indifferent to our physical and psychological maladies. He heals our souls through the seven sacraments. However, He also allows the Church to identify physical things and even words that can help sanctify our souls, which we call sacramentals.

1 Kings 7 verses 1-12 describes the building of Solomon's own magnificent palace - containing a grand hall called the Forest of Lebanon because of the magnificent cedar pillars. It was approximately 45 metres in length and 24 metres wide. It took 13 years to build. He also constructed an impressive palace for Pharaoh's daughter who may be the subject of Psalm 45 and the Song of Solomon. The timber work of cedar and the magnificent gemstones were characteristic of these houses. Verses 13-51 describe the furnishings of Yahweh's House. Both were magnificent, but, the description of God's house occupies the bulk of the chapter. A comment on the two pillars of entry into the house; one was called 'Yachin' meaning established by Yah; and the other'Boaz' the strong one. It was a parable about the Lord Jesus Christ- Yahweh will establish through the one He strengthened. In chapter 33 of Jeremiah we are told of the blessings of our Sovereign, when He brings peace and security; when the fortunes of Judah are restored. Verse 1-3 contains a plea from the Sovereign LORD to call upon Him and He will respond. The thoughts are similar to those expressed in Hosea 2 verses 21-23 and it follows on from the ideas outlined in Jeremiah 32 verses 37-41. Verses 4-5 tell of judgment that the Chaldeans will bring to guilty Judah. Verses 6-13 return to the blessings that will come to a repentant nation. Verse 9 focuses on the time when Jerusalem will be a city where God's truth resides and will be to the LORD for praise and glory: Zechariah 8 verses 11-23. Note well the joy in that city, ie equivalent to the rejoicing between the bridegroom and the bride - symbolic of our Lord Jesus Christ and his ecclesia. Verses 14-26 speak of that time when Yahweh's eternal covenant with David will be operational. God states that this covenant can never be broken, and can be relied on as the sun and moon rise each day. Contemplate the wonderful words of verse 15 ESV: "In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute righteousness and justice in the land". This is speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ. Compare the message of Zechariah 3:8-10. Slowly read aloud these verses and marvel at the blessings that Messiah's kingdom will bring.The 7th chapter of Mark contrasts worship that has been nullified by tradition, with true worship from the heart. The Pharisees found fault in Jesus' disciples who washed not after tradition. The Pharisees were noted for their elaborate ceremonies when washing: they washed so as to prevent water contaminated by dirt from contacting their hands. Our Lord used this situation to tell that legalism was symptomatic of the worship of that time. He spoke of the gross avoidance of responsibility contained in the 5th commandment by the ruse of Corban. Then he showed that defilement is a moral, not a physical, matter. This originated in the mind. The record follows with the curing of the Syrophenician woman's daughter; made possible through her great faith, and the acknowledgment that Israel were God's chosen people. She illustrates the importance of being associated with God's covenant people and on the basis of her faithful confession she gratefully receives the abundant crumbs that fall from the children's table. As Jesus says to the woman of the well at Sychar: "Salvation is from the Jews" John 4 verses 22-26. The chapter concludes with the healing of a deaf and dumb man from the Decapolis.More here https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

Luke 15:1-321. The Prodigal2. Response of the FatherC.S. Lewis Quote - ““It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”3. The Begrudging Brother

***Bonus hymn at the end of the homily from the 10AM Mass***In rural Vacaville, we are familiar with the cry of the rooster crows, as the stars have already blinked out of the sky and a new day is at hand and yet, we are always surprised by morning. So it shall be with the coming of the Son of Man. There is a great paradox in this age, a thing so blindingly obvious that only a modern man could miss it. We prepare for every uncertain thing—storms, exams, pensions, and the possibility of rain on a picnic—but we are scandalously unprepared for the one certain thing: that Christ shall come again in glory, and His kingdom shall have no end.Now, if you tell a man on the street that Jesus might return this afternoon, he will smile in pity or smirk in cynicism. But tell him his phone battery might die before lunch, and he will run for a charger. We are a race that believes more fervently in the failure of lithium than in the triumph of the Lamb. And yet, the trumpet shall sound.Our Lord warns in the Gospel this Sunday, “Watch therefore, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” He did not say this to make us nervous, like students awaiting an unannounced quiz. He said it because Heaven is not a theory—it is a wedding. And no one should be caught unwashed and half-dressed when the Bridegroom knocks. I tell you, the world is not a waiting room; it is a battleground, a vineyard, and a bridal chamber all at once. It is not that we have too little time to prepare, but too much noise to remember that time runs out. We are not meant to guess the hour. We are meant to be ready in every hour.It is a curious thing that when the early Christians spoke of the Second Coming, they did not wring their hands, but lifted their heads. “Maranatha,” they cried—not with fear, but with fire. Come, Lord Jesus! The Church was not built by those who played at religion in peacetime, but by saints who stood watch in the dark, their lamps burning, like loyal soldiers awaiting the return of their general.And what if He does not return today? Then we live today as if He might—for that is what it means to live in hope. Hope is not wishing upon stars; it is keeping your boots laced and your heart clean because you know the King will ride through the mist. Do not be lulled by the delay. The world will lull you with distractions, with duties, with deadlines, with dopamine. It will whisper, “He delays His coming.” But Christ's return is not late. It is sudden. When He comes, the masquerade of modernity will be torn like a stage curtain, and the souls of men will be revealed—naked in shame or clothed in glory. Therefore, I say to you: keep your soul in a state of readiness. Not with anxiety, but with awe. Not with fear, but with fervor.Feed the hungry. Forgive your enemies. Light your lamp. Love your Lord. For when the trumpet sounds, there will be no time to put oil in the lamp. And yet—oh, glorious paradox!—it is today that He knocks. In the beggar. In the Word. In the still small voice. The Second Coming may be closer than we think. Are you ready? --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

The Goodness of Our Lord (2025-8-10) Live Sunday Morning Service with Pastor Curtis Hutchinson

The Goodness of Our Lord (2025-8-10) Live Sunday Morning Service with Pastor Curtis Hutchinson

It is a curious thing, and wholly divine, that the tiniest speck of true faith—no larger than a mustard seed, Our Lord tells us—can upheave mountains and send them staggering into the sea. The world worships size, power, and spectacle, yet it is Heaven that smiles upon the small. A mustard seed is a laughably small thing, and yet it holds within it a forest in potential, a kingdom in miniature. So it is with faith. It is not the pomp of religion nor the parade of certainty that moves the hand of God, but the trembling trust of the soul that dares to believe, even while surrounded by shadows. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Our Lord tells us that He is going to come again, and to do His will. How can we know His will - through relationship with Him and the Church, and studying the Catechism and Church teaching. www.mercywithteeth.com #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay #mercywithteeth Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: http://eepurl.com/ioCgy2 Give feedback at https://forms.gle/gGhujv39g43BUxmK6 Readings are found at https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081025.cfm Great News: True Mercy Has Teeth: A Catholic Journey to Forgiveness and Healing is now available on Amazon and Direct from the Publisher. I have set up a discount code valid until August 31 $29.95 $24.95 Hard cover https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=q4gGW5gFGHUIPIFjyK41hz72nEy3tqWbI8EwiDVq7p7 $20.99 $16.99 Paperback https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=7EgPqgkHHMRjrjP2TDYYlUxhPOYnlGmRupCMXCNarIG

God leads His people into a land of His promises. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses how we can live under the blessings of God. Our Lord made covenants with His people, and under those covenants we have complete, total, and entire provision. Pastor Allen teaches the importance of obedience and forming a true relationship with Christ so we can live in His promises. The things of this world that catch our attention may seem most significant, but everything pales in comparison with knowing God.

Everything we are has been given to us by God. This extends far beyond our material goods. Our very life, that is, our talents, abilities, qualities, and graces all come from Our Lord. And so when we dispense what God has given to us, we do it not only for the benefit of others, but to ensure our eternal reward with Him in heaven.

In the Church, every year we celebrate key events in the life of Jesus. From His Conception, Presentation, Birth and Baptism to the Last Supper, Passion, Death and Resurrection. Fr. Kubicki shares another key event in Our Lord's life on Earth that we celebrate today.

Celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. On today's show learn more about this event in the life of Christ. Plus more news of the day, music and interviews.Subscribe to the Morning Blend on your favorite podcast platform.Find this show on the free Hail Mary Media App, along with a radio live-stream, prayers, news, and more.Look through past episodes or support this podcast.The Morning Blend is a production of Mater Dei Radio in Portland, Oregon.

We welcome back Dr. Darrick Taylor to distinguish between patriotism, nationalism, and populism, and discuss whether the surge in nationalism is a positive step, or something to be feared.  Show Notes The Church and the Resurgence of Nationalism, Part I - Crisis Magazine  The Church and the Resurgence of Nationalism, Part II - Crisis Magazine  The Church and the Resurgence of Nationalism, Part III - Crisis Magazine  The Church and the Resurgence of Nationalism, Part IV - Crisis Magazine Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West The Year of Our Lord 1943: Christian Humanism in an Age of Crisis 'Oikophobia': Our Western Self-Hatred  The New Vichy Syndrome: Why European Intellectuals Surrender to Barbarism The Internal Order Of States And People - Papal Encyclicals Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church iCatholic Mobile The Station of the Cross Merchandise - Use Coupon Code 14STATIONS for 10% off | Catholic to the Max Read Fr. McTeigue's Written Works! "Let's Take A Closer Look" with Fr. Robert McTeigue, S.J. | Full Series Playlist Listen to Fr. McTeigue's Preaching! | Herald of the Gospel Sermons Podcast on Spotify Visit Fr. McTeigue's Website | Herald of the Gospel Questions? Comments? Feedback? Ask Father!

Our Lord and Savior, M3GAN has returned! And now she's back and better than ever! Kevin and Charlie rave about this cinematic masterpiece in this episode all about M3GAN 2.0. Who could've guessed this movie would rate so high on their lists? I did but still.   Alternate titles* -  -   You can listen to a new episode of our show on Spotify, iTunes, and Podbean every Tuesday night at 8:30 PM EST! Also, our YouTube page is hosting our shows on a slight delay if that's more your speed! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJkezUs5nq2KtUh8F9oQJuQ

By their fruits you shall know them. This is the criterion given by Our Lord to discern false prophets and others who claim to carry out works or spread messages through divine guidance, yet the results are far from what Scripture and Tradition tell us are good and true. But we also must be on guard against those false prophets that lie within us who continually tempt us to pursue base and false ends under the guise that it would be pleasing to God to do so.

In today's episode, I share a special message delivered as a guest pastor at a church in New York—a message about spreading hope by showing up and sharing the love of Jesus. God's light shines brightest through us when we allow Him to love others through our words, our actions, and our presence.I open up about the moments where I've personally encountered Jesus, and how those encounters shaped my heart to see Him in others. Together, we'll explore how we can be the sunshine amidst the storms of life, bringing light to dark places and hope to weary hearts.Our Lord calls each of us to a mission—to say “yes” to making disciples, to loving as He loves, and to trusting that He will do great things through us. This is more than just an invitation; it's a calling to live as vessels of His hope in a world that desperately needs it.Later this summer I head to Kenya and India and am pumped to see all that God has in store.#Faith #Hope #Love #Jesus #ChristianPodcast #Discipleship #LightInTheDarkness #GodsLove #Encouragement #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #SayYesToGod #BeTheLight #SpreadingHope #StormsOfLife #MissionForChrist #GuestPastor #EncounterJesus #LoveLikeJesus #ef3life #lifetothefullest #podcast #mission #preach #sunday #sermon

***BONUS Meditation Hymn at the end from St. Mary's beautiful choir***In every age, man is tempted to believe that the world is enough. He builds cities of glass and steel, sculpts gods in his own image, and fills his days with noise and novelty—yet his soul remains restless. As Saint Augustine so rightly said famously, our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee. He walked in the barren desert of lavish imperial courts and indulged in the finest wines of ancient Rome and found it wanting. To live for this world alone is to walk in a beautiful prison: adorned, yes—but still a cage.The Christian life begins with a startling reversal. It tells us not merely to look forward, or even inward, but upward. Sursum corda—lift up your hearts! This call that we say during the Eucharistic prayer, echoing through every Mass, is no poetic flourish. It is a scream and a command from above that we are meant for more. It is the very axis upon which the soul must turn if it is to be free. Does not every human heart desire frustratingly more? Our Lord this Sunday in the Gospel Reading is crystal clear: “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions.” (Cf. Luke 12:15). Does this not ring true? How fresh to hear this teaching from the lips of Jesus, compared to the putrid air that we've all been forced to breathe. For heaven is not a sentimental escape from earth—it is the meaning of earth. To aim for heaven is not to despise the world, but to see it rightly. A man who knows the stars walks straighter on the road. Indeed, it is only by contemplating eternity that we begin to understand time.The great English convert from atheism to Catholicism, G.K. Chesterton, with his usual cheerful thunder, reminds us that the saints are not the ones who escape reality, but the ones who embrace it with such vigor that they can laugh even at death. They have chosen the one thing that cannot be shaken—the eternal love of God. That my friends, is why we are created, why we come to Mass, and why we worship Jesus Christ. And so, we must ask: Where is our treasure? If it is buried in the shifting sands of fashion, fortune, or fleeting pleasure, we shall be buried with it. But if it is anchored in Christ—who is seated at the right hand of the Father—then we are already rising, even now.Let the world chatter; let it parade its vanities, for as we heard in the first reading today, "vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! … For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun? All his days, sorrow and grief are his occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest.” (Cf. Ecclesiastes 2:22). We are called higher! The Christian smiles, not in scorn, but in serene defiance—for his eyes are fixed on something greater. We are not made for dust, but for glory. Heaven is not far—it is our home. We must not forget it. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Psalm 95,Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.Today, if you hear his voice,8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,9 when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.10 For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.”11 Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.”Well, we are all born searching. Searching for something far greater than ourselves. Something, so great, in fact, that if we could just find it, and bind ourselves to it, it would give us life. It would sustain us in a way that we, on our own, know we cannot sustain ourselves.So as infants, we go searching for it in milk , food, and water. “Life, life, life,” they seem to us as we reach our way to them. As children, we go searching for it in toys, games, and pets. “I must have them, and I won't be okay unless I have them.”As teens, we turn toward friends, accomplishments, social status. “If I can move up the social ladder, then I'll feel complete, whole, secure” As adults, we look to salaries, spouses, even sports teams. “I can find life here” we think, and so we wrap our entire worlds around them.We, as people, are those who go, and feel we must go — searching for life. Where can I go to find life? Our psalm for this morning, Psalm 95, provides the answer. And, importantly, provides a warning for once we've found it. Let's pray, and ask the Lord to guide us as we continue…What We're Searching For (vv. 1-5)So, we're all searching for life. And, as Psalm 95 shows us, you find it when you find someone who can save, can satisfy, and who is spectacular. Let's start with that first one — someone who can save.Someone Who Can SavePsalm 95 names this early on in verse one.“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!”Salvation. That's the life we're looking for. A salvation life. A saved life.And the reason we're looking for it is because, deep down, we know, we are not okay on our own. We feel, from our very first breath, we need to be saved. Our life does not naturally expand. It contracts. Our life does not naturally add, it subtracts. The moment we're born, our clock starts ticking, and it does not tick upward. Human life heads toward the grave unless salvation is found. And so, we need someone, in whom salvation can be found. And Psalm 95 tells us, The Lord is the rock of our salvation. He is the rock. Think high-ground of our saving. Mountain peak rising high above harm's reach and death's sting. A location from which you look down, like a passenger peering through the window of an airplane, as all the chaos, destruction, loss, and heartache of the world down below slowly falls away in the distanceDon't you want to dwell in such a place? Don't you want to rest your feat upon a rock from which you can finally rest? Don't you want to be saved? Our Lord is the rock of our salvation, and he is the one who dwells among us in this very moment. He's here. Your rock is here, right now, and you can have him. You can rest your weary soul upon him today. You can pray, “God, free me from my sin and sorrow, set my feet upon the rock, right now.” We're all searching for life. It is a life found in someone who can save. And, it is a life found in someone who can satisfy. Someone who can satisfy.Someone Who Can SatisfyStill verse one, but shifting our focus a bit.“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”You hear it? “Sing” “joyful”These are the sounds of satisfied souls. And what, we might ask, has caused their satisfaction? What has made these singers so glad? Is it salvation only in the sense of what they're saved from — escape from the grave, avoidance of Hell?Is it those things alone that have caused them to sing? Now, hear me, I don't ask the question as if to say these were small things. Escape from the grave and avoidance of Hell — these are not small things. They are miracles! Miracles grand enough to get you singing. But, are they miracles satisfying enough to keep you singing? That's the question.And in thinking that over this week, the lyrics of the old song, “Big Rock Candy Mountain” popped into my mind. You guys know that song?In The Big Rock Candy Mountains. There's a land that's fair and brightWhere the handouts grow on bushes, And you sleep out every nightThe farmers' trees are full of fruit, And the barns are full of hayOh I'm bound to go where there ain't no snow, Where the rain don't fall, the wind don't blow, In The Big Rock Candy Mountain.Imagine yourself in such a world. In the Big Rock Candy Mountain world that's entirely free from pain. Entirely free from problems. Where escape from death has become reality. Sounds good, right? But, go on living in that world. Go on experiencing that reality. Go on, century after century after century, and ask yourself, are you still singing? Are you still satisfied? Or, are you beginning to grow bored? What's the use of all these years of life? What's the purpose here? This is a world that's begun to grow old. You start realizing, Big Rock Candy Mountain might just be a big ole' waste of time. Salvation, brothers and sisters, salvation in the sense of freedom from something, is a miracle. But, it isn't miracle enough. Not for us at least. See, what we've been made for is salvation not merely from something, but to something. Something that not only takes us away from sorrow, but into satisfaction. Where things don't grow old, don't grow boring, and you never think to ask, “What's the purpose here?” See with me, where that satisfaction is found, in verse 2.“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise.”You see it? The true joy; the deep and lasting joy; the joy that does not grow old, tired, or boring, is the joy that is found before the face of God. We are saved from the grave, to be brought into God's presence, where we will make a joyful noise to Him, because he is the one who makes us joyful. He is the one who fully satisfies.God, is our very life. He saves, he satisfies, and, third, he is spectacular. And, look, this third one here is no add-on. Ah, it just so happens he's also spectacular. No, this is not an add on. It is the very ground on which everything else here either stands or falls. He is spectacular. Someone Who Is SpectacularLook with me, verse three.“For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”This is the ground of our satisfaction. Here lies the reason God can truly satisfy. “For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”He is larger-than-life. His glory outshines our universe. He is a great God, and a great King above all gods. He is spectacular. Just consider his hands, verse 4,“In his hand are the depths of the earth;”The many miles of dirt and granite, nickel and iron beneath our feet — they all fit into his palm. Consider the mountains,“The heights of the mountains are his also.”Every peak upon the earth is his possession. Man can climb them. God owns them. Consider the sea, verse 5,“The sea is his, for he made it.”We build backyard pools, splash pads, and hot tubs. God builds oceans. He speaks Atlantic's and Pacific's into being. Consider every place you could set your feet on earth,“His hands formed the dry land.”Every inch of every continent — formed and shaped by him. God is not a being who is slightly higher than ourselves. Not a god who stands 3rd or 4th or 5th in line. Certainly not a god who relies upon a bag of tricks to keep his people happy.He is a great God, and a great King above all gods. He is the spectacular one. And because he is, he can satisfy for all eternity. He can be his peoples' continual source of joy forever.So, we're all searching for life. It is a life found in the God who can both save and satisfy because he is spectacular.Psalm 95 shows us this. And, as we said at the outset, Psalm 95 also provides a warning for once we've found him.Warning (vv. 8-11)And it's interesting, you know, because this very thing came up just this last Monday, at 7:50pm, right over there in the Chapel. There, about 50 of us from our church had gathered to hear from a couple who've been serving as missionaries for about the last six years in an unreached and hostile area of the world. Following a presentation that highlighted their work and the fruit they've been seeing, there was a bit of time leftover for some Q&A. One of our members raised her hand and asked a very good question: “What word do you have for us over here?” Like, from your vantage point, missionary in the middle east, what would you have to say to us, the church, over here, in America?”Now, I'll be honest with you, even though I've known this brother for over a decade, I did not anticipate his answer. I mean, just think about all the things he could have said:Do more evangelismRead more BiblePray more prayersGive more moneyDo more worksExpend more energyProduce something, create something, do somethingAnd it certainly wouldn't been wrong for him to have said any one of those things. Still, that's not what he said. Instead, he looked at us, serious, somber look upon his face, and said, “Don't leave Christ.” “Don't forsake Christ.” “Stay in Christ.”That was his answer. A warning. “Don't leave Christ.” Well, that's the warning of Psalm 95 as well. See it with me, beginning at the very end of verse 7,“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”Do not harden your hearts. Do not turn your back on God. Don't shake your fist at him. Don't leave Christ. And then a comparison…“Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.”The psalmist is pulling us back to the time of the Israelites just after they'd been rescued out of slavery in Egypt. You can find it in Exodus 17. Israel has moved on from the wilderness of Sin, and camped at Rephidim, where they found that, “There was no water for the people to drink” (Exodus 17:1). No water. Massive crowd of wandering people. No water.And that, of course, is a problem. But so is a large body of water when its standing in front of you and you've got an vengeful army chasing after you with chariots and spears. After all, when the psalmist mentions, verse 9, “Though they had seen my work” he's reminding us, those Israelites without water in the desert were no strangers to God's work. They had seen God work with their own eyes. His work which included the taking of an entire river's worth of water, and splitting it in two, for his people to pass through on foot. That, and then the smashing back together of the walls of that same river over the heads of their enemies. They had seen it. And now, at Rephidim, when they saw empty water cups, empty canteens, parched land — their word to God was not, “O, Yahweh, do it again. Show us your power over the waters again and fill our cups full!” No, instead, “the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” (Exodus 17:3)And so, Moses marked that place “Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” And so, Psalm 95, written a few centuries later, says, “Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness…”Go back with me to the Chapel for a moment. Back to those words of warning, “Don't leave Christ.” Imagine yourself hearing that warning. You hear it, and then think: “Well, I guess it is true, I haven't simply enjoyed God for quite some time. Haven't savored praying to him. I have been giving in to sin regularly. Not too much! But, yeah, I guess fairly frequently. Even so, it's just a season. A particularly busy, tiring season. I'll bounce back. I mean, it's not like I'm actually about to leave Christ.”Are you sure? Do you know how long of a season it was between the people of Israel walking through the sea, and the people of Israel asking, “Is the Lord among us or not?” About two-and-a-half weeks. Two and a half weeks!Saved by the spectacular one. Offered satisfaction in him forever. An empty cup and about half a month was all it took for them to shake their fists at Yahweh. They had found the God who offered them life, saw his mighty works, hardened their hearts, and turned away. The result? Verse 10,“For forty years [God says] I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.”Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.” They shall not be lifted high upon the rock of salvation. Shall not make a joyful noise to him. Shall not come into his presence with thanksgiving. Shall, instead, stay outside. “They shall not enter my rest.”And you may think, “Well, that was Israel. Before Jesus. Before the cross. Before the resurrection. Before the sending of the Spirit. But we're on the other side of all those things. And we have seen so much of God's work. And so, we need not worry about hardening our hearts like they did. The book of Hebrews says otherwise. See, Psalm 95 had pulled us back to the book of Exodus. Now, it's going to send us forward to the book of Hebrews. And, this time, I want you to go there with me. So, turn with me now to the New Testament book of Hebrews. Use your table of contents if you need to, New Testament, book of Hebrews, chapter 3. Beginning with verse 5. Hebrews 3:5,“Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if…”See that “if” there. It's a big “if” and I'll ask you to circle it. Underline it. Highlight it. Do whatever you need to do to really see it.“…indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says…”And, there it is, Psalm 95:7-11, but now, addressed to us, the church.“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness.”It's a warning. A “Do not leave Christ” warning. And it just keeps going. Hebrews 3:12,“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”And you'll see it again in Hebrews 4:3. And again in Hebrews 4:5. And again in Hebrews 4:7. Over and over the message — to us, today, the church — do not harden your hearts as they did. Do not leave Christ. Hear the warning, brothers and sisters. Heed the warning. And, receive the invitation back in Psalm 95. We've seen the example in Exodus. Heard the warning in Hebrews. Now, back to Psalm 95, for the invitation.Positive Response (vv. 6-7)Psalm 95:6,“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!”What's the alternative to a hardened heart? Humble worship.Notice, this text goes low: “bow down,” “kneel,” “worship.” It's a humbling of one's self before God. A posture of submission that says, “I trust you. I rely upon you. You are God, not me.” The joy is still here — Oh, is it still here! But arrogance, pride, self-will is gone from view. Humble worship, from one's knees. And, final word, humble worship from his pasture. Verse 7. Final word:“For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.”Brothers and sisters, we are those who've been invited into his pasture. We are sheep led on by our great shepherd. Do you hear your shepherd's voice? Don't harden your heart. Don't run astray from his field. His pasture is where we belong. And we've found it. We've been offered it. His pasture is ours for the taking and he'd have it no other way. His pasture is our rest.TableNow, as we transition to the table, I want to remind us that this rest is, of course, ultimately offered to us in Christ. Jesus says to us, Matthew 11:28,“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”I'll give it to you. Rest from your toil. Rest from your fears. Rest from your trying to save your own soul. And even though we were those who had hardened our hearts against him in our sin, he shed his blood for us so that we might still, by faith, enter into his rest. So, because this table anticipates that future rest, if you're here today and you've received Jesus, then we invite you to take and eat with us. If you've not, just let the bread and cup pass, and in this moment, ask God,Soften my heart, give me Christ.

Join Bird and Jake for a brand new episode of the Basement Talk Podcast Fantasy Show! One of the most requested shows of the year is here, as the guys give ONE BOLD FANTASY PREDICTION for each NFL Team in the year of Our Lord 2025!!! Also, the guys tally up the scores from LAST YEAR'S show and see who came out on top!!! Keep it locked in for future episodes of the Basement Talk Podcast Fantasy Show, and do go check out our other podcasts in the Basement Talk Podcast Family of Podcasts!

Our Lord is asked a to talk to someone about inheritance, and He takes the opportunity to speak on greed. Are we stewards of what the Lord has given? www.mercywithteeth.com #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay #mercywithteeth Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: http://eepurl.com/ioCgy2 Give feedback at https://forms.gle/gGhujv39g43BUxmK6 Readings are found at https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080325.cfm Great News: True Mercy Has Teeth: A Catholic Journey to Forgiveness and Healing is now available on Amazon Direct from the Publisher, I set up a discount code valid until August 31 $29.95 $24.95 Hard cover https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=q4gGW5gFGHUIPIFjyK41hz72nEy3tqWbI8EwiDVq7p7 $20.99 $16.99 Paperback https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=7EgPqgkHHMRjrjP2TDYYlUxhPOYnlGmRupCMXCNarIG

In our Gospel reading from St. Matthew 5, our Lord teaches us how we are to live towards those we have offended. To forgive those who have offended us is one thing, but what is our relational responsibility toward those we have offended. Our Lord is very clear. He teaches us to put our offering to Him down, go and be reconciled first, then come and bring our offering to Him. To go to one we have offended and plead for their forgiveness is an act of great mercy. And, as we considered a few weeks ago, Christ our God calls us to be merciful as our Father is merciful.

From "Practical Meditations for Every Day in the Year on the Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ" by an anonymous French Jesuit priest. Published in 1868 July 30: Our Lord's Teaching on Family Ties Please consider donating to help keep this podcast going by going to buymeacoffee.com/catholicdailybrief Also, if you enjoy these episodes, please give a five star rating and share the podcast with your friends and family

July 29th, 2025:  St Martha - Dragon Slayer & Loved by Our Lord; Interior Life is Needed; Always Welcome Jesus; Bl Peter of Mogliano; St Martha - Ora et Labora

Forgiveness is not a recommendation. Our Lord commands it. We are directed to offer it without regard for the response. As Christians, we are not called upon to forgive in hopes of attaining a reward or another earthly benefit. We forgive because it is what God commands us to do, without regard to any personal benefit.

Fr. Mina gives the sermon on being pure of heart. He explains the gospel of the day, which is when our Lord Jesus Christ performed a miracle to pay taxes. He explains that St. Peter and Our Lord paying the same amount of tax may have led the disciples to believe that He was choosing St. Peter as his second in command. Thus, our Lord explains that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must be like little children.

Read OnlineJesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1In today's Gospel we are given three teachings on prayer. First, Jesus teaches His disciples what has come to be called “The Lord's Prayer.” Second, He teaches about the importance of persistence in prayer. Third, He teaches about the fruit that comes from correct and persistent prayer.The Church Father Tertullian said that The Lord's Prayer “is truly the summary of the whole Gospel.” Saint Augustine said, “Run through all the words of the holy prayers [in Scripture], and I do not think that you will find anything in them that is not contained and included in the Lord's Prayer.” Saint Thomas Aquinas said, “The Lord's Prayer is the most perfect of prayers.... In it we ask, not only for all the things we can rightly desire, but also in the sequence that they should be desired” (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church #2761–2763).It's amazing to consider what these great teachers of the faith have said about this short prayer. Perhaps because of our familiarity with this prayer we can easily gloss over the depth of its meaning. We can fail to use it as a foundation and model for all of our prayer. One way to correct this tendency is to use The Lord's Prayer for an extended period of time by prayerfully pondering every word slowly and meditatively. Doing so will help open us up to these perfect “instructions” on how we should pray.Immediately after Jesus taught this short prayer, He taught a lesson about persistence in prayer. He taught that we must not simply say a few prayers and leave it at that, giving up if they do not appear to be answered. Instead, we must continuously beg God for His grace until it is bestowed in its fullness.What will we receive from persistent prayer? This is an important point. We ought not go to God with our own wants and desires. We ought not beg Him for things that do not fall within His perfect will. Instead, when our prayer is modeled on the Lord's Prayer, and when it is persistent and grounded in faith, then our prayer will be for what the Father bestows upon us, that is His will alone. We must pray that His Kingdom will come. We must trust that He will provide for our needs. We must seek His forgiveness for our sins, and we must pray that He will protect us from the evil one.Reflect, today, upon that perfect prayer, The Lord's Prayer. Spend time studying it, thinking about each petition, the order in which Jesus laid it out, its simplicity and its clarity. Acknowledge that because we pray The Lord's Prayer so often, we can sometimes miss its true meaning and beauty. Our Lord gave us this prayer for a reason. Make sure that you do all you can to discover its meaning and practice its teaching. Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

From "Practical Meditations for Every Day in the Year on the Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ" by an anonymous French Jesuit priest. Published in 1868 July 26: Various Effects of Our Lord's Miracles Please consider donating to help keep this podcast going by going to buymeacoffee.com/catholicdailybrief Also, if you enjoy these episodes, please give a five star rating and share the podcast with your friends and family

It's Friday, July 25th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Victory for Dutch homeschool families Earlier this year, the Home School Legal Defense Association highlighted the story of the Hinrich Family, who fought for over a year for the right to homeschool their children in the Netherlands. Just this month, the Public Prosecutor's Office publicly stated that parents who refuse to send their children to compulsory school, based on a qualified religious objection, will no longer be prosecuted. Like the Hinrichs, over 2,100 children were exempt from compulsory attendance in 2024 in the Netherlands, due to objections by their parents that no school in their area reflected their religious convictions. This is one of the lawful reasons to homeschool in the country. Nevertheless, parents were criminally prosecuted for truancy and found themselves, as did the Hinrichs, in a court battle to defend their natural right to raise their children according to their religious convictions. Thankfully, this decision changes that. The Public Prosecutor reported there were 160 criminal cases against parents in 2024. These prosecutions occurred despite Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which requires states, including the Netherlands, to respect “the liberty of parents…to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions.” Please pray that the authorities in the Netherlands will stop harassing homeschoolers for good. Deuteronomy 6:4-7 underscores the role parents should play in the education of their children. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.” Epstein files controversy dragging Trump presidency down The Epstein files controversy is dragging down the Trump presidency.  Gallup reports that his approval rating has sunk to 37%. The revolt of House Republicans who favor releasing the Epstein case documents surprised White House officials and multiple members of GOP leadership, reports Politico.com. Some have questioned whether President Trump himself is implicated criminally. In an interview with Major Garrett on CBS' The Takeout, House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the need to be transparent. JOHNSON: “We want full transparency. We want everybody who is involved in any way with the Epstein evils -- let's call it what it was -- to be brought to justice as quickly as possible. We want the full weight of the law on their heads.” GARRETT: “But when the Justice Department said in that same two-page memo, there's no reason to pursue further prosecutions, many said, ‘How can those two things be properly aligned?'” JOHNSON: “These are good questions. I don't know. I've never seen the Epstein evidence. It wasn't in my lane, but I have the same concern and question that a lot of people do. I mean, there are real victims here.” Murder victim's mother forgives murderer Bryan Kohberger Bryan Kohberger, who admitted to brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death at their home in November 2022, was given his sentence on July 23rd.  Sadly, the judge sidestepped Biblical justice found in Genesis 9:6 which says, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind." The judge gave Kohberger four consecutive sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was also ordered to pay a combined $200,000 in fines and $5,000 in civil penalties to the families of each victim. He was also sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine in connection with a count of burglary associated with the crime.  Amazingly, the mother of one of Bryan Kohberger's murder victims forgave her daughter's killer in court Wednesday, expressing hope that he would find Jesus Christ and said she'd be praying for him.  Cara Northington, the mother of murder victim Xana Kernodle, expressed confidence that “Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, now has her in His loving arms in Heaven, where she can never be harmed ever again for eternity.”  “Ozzy” Osbourne, who championed hell, wanted to go to Heaven And finally, "Ozzy" Osbourne, who rose to prominence during the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, died on July 22nd at the age of 76, reports The Guardian. The English musician adopted the nickname "Prince of Darkness.” Osbourne's signature song entitled “Black Sabbath” included these lyrics: “What is this that stands before me? Figure in black which points at me Turn 'round quick, and start to run Find out I'm the chosen one.” In their 1970 song entitled “N.I.B.”,  they feature the lyrics, “My name is Lucifer, please take my hand.” And a 1980 song  entitled “Mr. Crowley” referenced Aleister Crowley, an English occultist often labeled as "the wickedest man in the world." Ozzy explored Crowley's legacy with curiosity and mystique. The lyrics said, “Mr. Crowley, what went on in your head? Oh Mr. Crowley, did you talk to the dead?” Osbourne sold over 100 million albums, including his solo work and Black Sabbath releases. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist in 2024. In the early 2000s, Osbourne became a reality television star when he appeared in the degrading, profanity-filled MTV reality show The Osbournes. It aired from 2002 to 2005 alongside Sharon, his second wife, and two of their children, Kelly and Jack.  Sadly, Osbourne abused alcohol and drugs most of his life.  He also was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in his twilight years. For someone who championed hell, he appeared to want to go to Heaven. In a 2010 interview with The Sunday Times, he said, “I genuinely believe that if you're a good person, you go to Heaven. But I can't imagine what that is. There has to be more to life than this.” There is indeed more to life than what we can see in the physical realm.  But, in Romans 3:10, the Bible says, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” And Isaiah 64:6 says, “All our righteousness is like filthy rags.” Finally, Romans 10:9 proclaims, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” If you've never repented of your sin and asked Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord, there is no time like the present. Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, July 25th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”We explore Father Gabriele Amorth's book "God Most Powerful," which serves as a practical handbook for spiritual warfare. Rather than becoming obsessed with evil, Father Amorth encourages us to focus on strengthening our relationship with God through prayer, sacraments, and embracing truth. The best defense against darkness isn't fear but cultivating goodness and wonder in our daily lives.The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we discuss how young people today are desperately seeking meaning in a culture that often reduces humans to mere biological accidents. As one psychiatrist observed, "Young men will crawl over broken glass to find meaning." This search becomes particularly challenging when our society distorts language and rejects fundamental realities about human nature. St. Edith Stein's profound wisdom offers guidance: "Speak the truth in love and love people in the truth. One without the other is a destructive lie."Michael also reveals how developing relationships with saints provides spiritual allies in times of darkness. His simple prayer during the worst moments—"You're God, I'm not, please help"—offers immediate relief by acknowledging the divine relationship that sustains us.Our guest Michael Lichens, author and editor with a passion for overlooked aspects of Christian history, walks us through this harrowing yet ultimately redemptive story. Purchase Link: God Most Powerful, By Fr. Gabriele Amorth, An Exorcists Testament to God's Victory over SatanReady to discover how wonder might transform your own battles? Listen now, and consider downloading the Claymore Militus Christi Battle Plan and join us in reclaiming what it means to be a man. Share this episode with someone and discuss the questions together: Discuss Ephesians 6:10-20. In it Saint Paul says, "For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the world rulers of this present darkness...Discuss how this is seen in our culture today: Sister Lucia of Fatima wrote, "The last great battle between Our Lord and Satan will be fought over marriage and the family". While listening to the podcast Consider and discuss:  "Young people are searching for the truth and this is what Father Amorth brings out over and over and over again, the importance of staying in the truth and reality. Truth and reality. Where do you find the truth? What is real? How should I live my life right? What is my identity?"Jacks Latest Blog Young Men United in the Eucharist: Heroically Rebuilding the Three Necessary SocietiesFollow us and watch on X: John Paul II Renewal @JP2RenewalSubscribe to our Newly Resurrected YouTube Channel!Sign up for our Newsletter: https://jp2renew.org/Support the show

The state of the world often instills in us a sense that God has abandoned us; we begin to lose hope. Yet the message of the Gospel is that Our Lord cares deeply for us, as evidenced in both the small signs of His compassion such as the feeding of the multitudes and the great sacrifice He made for us on Calvary. Reflecting on our own lives, we can see daily how God provides for us not just materially, but above all spiritually.

Entrust yourself to Our Lord. Morning Offering, July 20, 2025Family consecration: http://bit.ly/4kGy40l Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________