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In our reading of Acts 20, Fr. Mike reflects on the healing of Eutychus, Paul's willingness to suffer for the sake of the Gospel, and Paul's tender affection for the people he ministered to. In 2 Corinthians, Fr. Mike also highlights Paul's encouragement to hold onto the hope of beholding the glory of God with unveiled faces and to persevere in our afflictions as they prepare for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Today's readings are Acts 20, 2 Corinthians 3-5, and Proverbs 28:25-28. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit exemplified in Paul's interaction with those in Ephesus in Acts 19 and reminds us that God wants to fill each of us with the same Holy Spirit so we can walk in his strength. Fr. Mike also highlights the power of sacramentals, the reality of demons acknowledging Jesus, and the importance of removing things in our lives that are harmful. Lastly, as we begin reading the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, we get a glimpse of Paul's heart for the people of Corinth. Today's readings are Acts 19, 2 Corinthians 1-2, and Proverbs 28:22-24. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike reminds us that God uses crooked lines to make a straight story, like Paul's witness to Priscilla and Aquila as they encounter the person of Christ and become missionaries. Just like Apollos accepted correction, Fr. Mike invites us to courageously open ourselves up to learning and growing. Today's readings are Acts 18, 1 Corinthians 16, and Proverbs 28:19-21. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
As we continue along the path of our forefathers in faith, Fr. Mike reminds us that we live in the same era as the Apostles and have the same Holy Spirit. Just like St. Paul stood out by imitating Jesus and sharing the Gospel, we are called to do the same. Fr. Mike also discusses our duality as both body and soul as it relates to Christ's resurrection. Today's readings are Acts 17, 1 Corinthians 15, and Proverbs 28:16-18. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike unpacks the events in Acts 16, describing Paul's trust in the Lord as God frees him from prison. He connects St. Paul's conversation about spiritual gifts to the well-known “love” chapter in 1 Corinthians, explaining how love and donation of self gives purpose to the spiritual gifts. Today's readings are Acts 16, 1 Corinthians 13-14, and Proverbs 28:13-15. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike walks us through the Church's first council in Acts 15 and highlights the importance of the Church's authority in the question of circumcision for Gentile converts. He also draws our attention to Paul's treatment of God the Father and God the Son as equal but not the same. This sheds light on Paul's conversation about head coverings for women in our reading from 1 Corinthians and reassures female believers about their roles in marriage and the Church. Today's readings are Acts 15, 1 Corinthians 11-12, Proverbs 28:10-12. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
As we continue to follow the missions of Paul and Barnabas, Fr. Mike highlights the fickle nature of humanity and the futility of striving for the praise of men. He also encourages us to remain courageous in the tribulations we face, finding strength in other believers, and running toward the eternal and imperishable goal of salvation. Today's readings are Acts 14, 1 Corinthians 9-10, and Proverbs 28:7-9. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike highlights the importance of prayer and fasting, instructing us how to fast and empty ourselves to feel our spiritual need for Christ. He also discusses faithfulness in vocations and living out the life God has called you to. Today's readings are from Acts 13, 1 Corinthians 7-8, and Proverbs 28:4-6. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Theologian, analytic philosopher, apologist and author Paul Copan answers the questions about God's character that Christians often get from nonbelievers looking to paint God as violent, misogynistic and racist. The author of Is God a Vindictive Bully? explains in this wide-ranging conversation with Dr. Jeff Myers that to get the full insight into God's goodness requires us to read Scripture in the context of both its cultural time and its literary genres. "God is not wrathful in spite of love," he notes. "He's wrathful because of love." Listen to every episode of the Dr. Jeff Show wherever you listen to podcasts. For more from Dr. Jeff on YouTube visit http://bit.ly/3flbj2j For more resources from Summit Ministries visit their Resource Library at www.summit.org/resources/
Today begins with Acts 12 and the miraculous rescue of Peter from prison by an angel. Reflecting on this story, Fr. Mike helps us grapple with the mysterious reality that we are each called to say "Yes" to God's destination for us, even when we might not know the way. Lastly, Fr. Mike delves into St. Paul's hard teachings to the Corinthians on sexuality morality and excommunication. Today's readings are Acts 12, 1 Corinthians 5-6, and Proverbs 28:1-3. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike begins by explaining the confusion experienced by the early Christians as they struggled to integrate the Gentiles into the Church. We also hear more about Barnabas, missionary companion of St. Paul, who was named by God as the "Son of Encouragement." Lastly, Fr. Mike delves into the history surrounding paganism and hedonism in pre-Christian Corinth and the need to encourage the Greeks to leave their old ways of worship. Today's readings are Acts 11, 1 Corinthians 3-4, Proverbs 27:23-27. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
In today's reading from Acts, the Holy Spirit guides Peter to initiate ministry to the Gentiles, beginning with the family of Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Upon hearing Peter preach, Cornelius' entire household receive the Holy Spirit and are baptized. Commenting on today's second reading from 1 Corinthians, Fr. Mike reminds us to pursue Christian unity and avoid the dissension and infighting we see in the Church of Corinth. Today's readings are Acts 10, 1 Corinthians 1-2, Proverbs 27:21-22. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike breaks down Saul's miraculous conversion, explaining the significance of Jesus sending Ananias to heal Saul, and how it reveals that Jesus works through his Church just as powerfully as he worked through the incarnation. Fr. Mike also reminds us that if we belong to the Lord, we will have to participate in his suffering. Lastly, as we conclude St. Paul's letter to the Romans, Fr. Mike leaves us with the exhortation that the Gospel advances primarily through family and friendship. Today's readings are Acts 9, Romans 15-16, and Proverbs 27:18-20. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike focuses on the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch and how it demonstrates the importance of having guidance when reading Scripture. Although God's Word is infallible, we can easily misunderstand it without proper interpretation, which is why we have the Magisterium of the Church. Lastly, Fr. Mike also touches on the role of persecution in the life of the Church, and St. Paul's encouragement to abide by the law of love. Today we read Acts 8, Romans 13-14, and Proverbs 27:15-17. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike reflects on Stephen's heroic martyrdom and points out how those around him refused to hear him and hardened their hearts, something we too can do with the Word of God. In the book of Romans, Fr. Mike also highlights the importance of offering our bodies as a living sacrifice, responding to the call to love and to not be conformed to this world, and remembering that Christians have been grafted onto the tree of Israel. Today we read Acts 7, Romans 11-12, and Proverbs 27:13-14. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike draws our attention to the cultural division present in the early Church and the origin of the ordination to the diaconate. He also discusses Paul's frustration with those who didn't recognize Jesus as the Christ and offers consolation to those who experience this in the hearts and minds of those close to them, as Paul did. Today's readings are Acts 6, Romans 9-10, and Proverbs 27:10-12. If you have found this podcast to be helpful in your faith life and would like to help us continue bringing this Catholic media to as many people as possible, please consider making an ongoing financial gift at ascensionpress.com/support. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike discusses the ministry of the apostles and encourages us to allow God to work in our lives in the same way. He also reminds us that through Baptism, we are set free from our fallen human nature and given the freedom to live according to the spirit. Today's readings are from Acts 5, Romans 8, and Proverbs 27:7-9. If you have found this podcast to be helpful in your faith life and would like to help us continue bringing this Catholic media to as many people as possible, please consider making an ongoing financial gift at ascensionpress.com/support. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike highlights the boldness of Peter and John in our reading from Acts as they stand before the council of church leaders and defend the name of Jesus. He also addresses Paul's writings on God's grace given to us in our sinfulness and the war between good and evil present within ourselves. Today's readings are Acts 4, Romans 6-7, and Proverbs 27:4-6. If you have found this podcast to be helpful in your faith life and would like to help us continue bringing this Catholic media to as many people as possible, please consider making an ongoing financial gift at ascensionpress.com/support. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Monday, 20 November 2023 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: Acts 22:2 In the previous verse, Paul noted his desire to present his defense before the people. With that, it now continues, saying, “And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language.” As noted in the commentary on Acts 21:40, the meaning of the word translated as “Hebrew” would be the Aramaic variant of the inhabitants at this time. It would probably have had a mixture of both Hebrew and Aramaic mingled together, drawing on one language or another for emphasis. Until he started speaking in this particular dialect, the people who were in the mob probably didn't know who Paul was or what he had done wrong. They simply heard someone say something, and they jumped into the fray, accepting what they heard. The impression of many would be that he spoke one of the languages of the dispersion and was simply a miscreant who had come to the festival and defiled the temple. However, he is now speaking to them in their own dialect. The sudden understanding that he was one of them caused them to quiet down. As it says, “they kept all the more silent.” They were already somewhat calmed down by his having been taken by the Romans. There were probably minor cheers or cries for justice, but these would be intermittent by this point. But seeing him turn, wave his hand, and then start speaking in their tongue would have shut up the most boisterous of them. As he was out of their hands, and because there was no reason to continue to strive against him without ending up in chains, or worse, the natural thing to do now would be to simply quiet down and listen to what he had to say. With that, the verse ends with, “Then he said.” The verse leaves us on a cliffhanger. Exciting words surely lie ahead. Life application: To get a sense of what the language of Judea may have been like at the time, we can think of how any language is used today. If you ever go to the Philippines, you will hear people talking in their own language. And then, right out of the blue, they will throw in a few words or even a full sentence of English. In America, we will do the same but usually in a more limited way. Someone may say, “I went to the store today, and the shelves were practically empty. That was no bueno.” Adding in the Spanish is simply for effect. After the return of the people from Babylon, the Aramaic script had taken over as the written aleph-beth. The returnees would have spoken Aramaic for the most part. Over the years, the Greeks came in, and everything Greek became a fashion to many. Therefore, much of their influence was incorporated into the culture. By the time of Jesus' coming, the original Hebrew was reserved for reading in the synagogues, but it was not a language that people would have readily spoken. Everything about languages is in a state of flux. Very few languages remain untainted for very long. As languages evolve, it is important that translations are updated to reflect these changes in order to be relevant to the minds of the readers. Do you know what the word sith means? Hint: it has nothing to do with Star Wars. How about ensample, besom, blains, or bolled? These are just a few of the hundreds of words that have not existed in the English language for eons, but which are used in the KJV. As for the word sith, it is an archaic way of saying since. But even at the time of the writing of the KJV, it was an obscure word, uncommon but to a very small section of the UK. The meaning of so much of the KJV is completely unknown to the modern mind. Why should you need to have a dictionary or use an internet search to translate the Bible just so you can understand it? That is as nutty as a banana split. Read the Bible in the morning, during the day, and at night. Read various versions of the Bible. Listen to audio Bibles. Fill your mind with the word of God. Let it become a passion for you. It is a love letter from the Lord. Refer to it for encouragement, understanding, joy, peace, contentment, and so much more. READ THE BIBLE! Lord God, thank You for the precious word that You have given us. It is a delight to our minds and a light to our path as we proceed through life. May we fill our minds with it and be encouraged by it. Yes, thank You for the Bible! Amen.