Podcasts about sacraments

Christian rite recognized as of particular importance and significance

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Reflections
Saturday of the Eighth Week After Trinity

Reflections

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2026 6:23


August 1, 2026Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 9 - Psalm 54:1-3, 7; antiphon: Psalm 54:4-5Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 17:1-19; Acts 26:1-23“For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.” (Psalm 54:7)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.A Christian has enemies. From the moment when you were baptized, you became God's child and Christ's brother. But you also inherited Christ's enemies: the devil, the world, and your flesh. Granted, none of these were extras that had to be given to you. You always had your flesh, your sinful nature. You have always been in the world. And the devil has already been around. But these became your enemies the moment God claimed you as His and sealed that claim to you by the sacrament of Baptism.Because Christians have enemies that, quite frankly, we can't escape, what can we do? We can't leave our flesh. We can't leave the world. No one can beat the devil in a footrace. But we likewise cannot fight. Our strength is too weak, our forces too scattered, our plans too clumsy. So we can't fight, and we can't run.The good news is, there is One who fights for us. And it is to Him alone we cry. In our prayers, we call upon God our loving Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. And in the faith caused by the Holy Spirit, we trust that God not only hears our prayers but answers them. God promises that even when earthly enemies rise against you, He will still be your helper and sustain you.And what is even more - not only will God help you. But He already has. Past tense. He has helped you in every trial. Your eye has looked in triumph on your enemies. For God sent His only Son to fight the enemies of the devil, the world, and your sinful nature. Here is the almighty arm of God - the crucified Jesus who dies for the sins of the world. Here is how God saves you by His name - His Son acts in God's name and by His authority as He lays down His life for the sheep. Here is how God helps you - by sending His Son to do what you could not, in your place, that by trusting in Him, you are free. And now baptized into Christ, your God has claimed you as His own and given you undying love. God is a Father who guards His dear children, His believers. And it is in Christ crucified and the Word that proclaims this and the Sacraments that convey the blessings of this, that your enemies have been defeated. God be praised.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Faint not nor fear, His arms are near; He changes not who holds you dear; Only believe, and you will see That Christ is all eternally. (LSB 664:4)Rev. Robert Mayes, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Zion St. John Lutheran Church, Beemer and Wisner, NE.

Outlaw God
No Longer Fighting God

Outlaw God

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2026 49:06


In this episode of Outlaw God, Dr. Steven Paulson and Caleb Keith continue their discussion of Psalm 51, exploring why Christians continue to hear absolution even after they have already been forgiven in Baptism. They examine the Osiander controversy and the Reformation's teaching on justification, showing why forgiveness is more than a symbol or legal pardon—God's promise truly makes sinners righteous while they still struggle with sin. They also explain why Christians return again and again to God's Word and Sacraments, finding confidence not in what they see or feel, but in Christ's unchanging promise. More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Steven Paulson Follow 1517:  Instagram X/Twitter Facebook

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan
Bible Study: Chef Jesus | Matthew 14:13-21 | Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2026 16:54


----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 210: The Sacrament of Holy Orders (2026)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2026 17:23


The Catechism enters Chapter Three on the “Sacraments at the Service of Communion” which include both Holy Orders and Matrimony. As it introduces the sacrament of Holy Orders, Fr. Mike reminds us that every vocation is a gift, and that—no matter what state of life we are in or have been called to—we should read this chapter with an open heart and a grateful spirit. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1533-1538. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Padre Peregrino
RCT 80: Extreme Unction 2: Administration.

Padre Peregrino

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2026 46:26


-The Roman Catechism of Trent (RCT) p. 333-338 -The Sacraments, ep. 32. -Donate: https://www.padreperegrino.org/donate/

administration sacraments extreme unction roman catechism
The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility
Marriage and Holy Orders: Infertility & the Sacraments w/ Fr. Paul West

The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2026 35:34


Marriage and Holy Orders are called "sacraments of service." Husbands and wives vow their lives to each other, and priests vow their lives to Christ in these important moments of grace and surrender. Fr. Paul joins Jillian on the podcast to talk about the meaningful similarities we can draw between these sacraments. They'll discuss:Similarities between the liturgical celebrations of Marriage and Holy Orders, and the symbolism that can help us deepen in understandingThe importance of the domestic churchHow the Holy Mystery of matrimony invites us to give our own Fiat on the path of infertilityIt is our honor to walk with you!Links:Baptism EpisodeReconciliation & Anointing of the Sick EpisodeEucharist EpisodeConfirmation Episode

Kolbecast
322 Intentionality, Greatness, Dignity, Vision, and Faith - Commencement 2026

Kolbecast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2026 73:33


AMDG. Today, we bring to you the speakers from the 2026 Kolbe Commencement.   Kolbe Academy's senior enrollment director Jon Bates serves as Master of Ceremonies, introducing Fr. Raymond Pendelton, who gives the invocation, and Kolbe Academy's chief academic officer Megan Lengyel, who gives the welcome address. Then we hear from student speakers Laura Hill and Holden Mora, Kolbe instructor and theology chair Nick Senz, and Dr. Stephen Minis, president of Benedictine College.   We hope that you enjoy the words of wisdom from all of these individuals, however, if you'd like to jump to a particular speaker, here are the timestamps for each speaker:  Invocation by Fr. Raymond Pendleton: 01:16  Welcome address by Mrs. Megan Lengyel: 02:41  Laura Hill: 04:36  Holden Mora: 12:03  Nicholas Senz: 31:14  Stephen Minnis: 53:41  Relevant links & Kolbecast episodes:  Kolbecast episodes with faculty speaker Nick Senz:   300 The Gift of the Sacraments with Brendan Murphy discussing Nick's book on the sacraments  91 Kernels of Truth with Chrissy Almanzar  Watch the entire 2026 commencement ceremony here.  Benedictine College in Atchison, KS, is one of Kolbe Academy's college partners.   Have questions or suggestions for future episodes or a story of your own experience that you'd like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to podcast@kolbe.org and be a part of the Kolbecast odyssey.   We'd be grateful for your feedback! Please share your thoughts with us via this Kolbecast survey!  The Kolbecast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most podcast apps. By leaving a rating and review in your podcast app of choice, you can help the Kolbecast reach more listeners. The Kolbecast is also on Kolbe's YouTube channel (audio only with subtitles).  Using the filters on our website, you can sort through the episodes to find just what you're looking for. However you listen, spread the word about the Kolbecast! 

Spirit Filled Media
Catholic Answers Focus - Where are Sacraments in the Bible? (Papacy and Logic)

Spirit Filled Media

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2026 55:55


This episode of Focus, the podcast of Catholic Answers, features host Edgar Lujano interviewing Catholic apologist John Martignoni.  They talk about finding Catholic teaching in the Bible. Support the show

Jesus 911
28 Jul 26 – What Are the Sacraments of Initiation?

Jesus 911

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2026 51:14


Today’s Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) William discusses the Sacraments of Initiation, the foundation of Christian life

Today's Catholic Mass Readings
Today's Catholic Mass Readings Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Today's Catholic Mass Readings

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2026 Transcription Available


Full Text of Readings Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus Lectionary: 403/607 The Saint of the day is Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus' story Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus were evidently close friends of Jesus. He came to their home simply as a welcomed guest, rather than as one celebrating the conversion of a sinner like Zacchaeus or one unceremoniously received by a suspicious Pharisee. The sisters felt free to call on Jesus at their brother's death, even though a return to Judea at that time seemed to spell almost certain death. Martha's great glory is her simple and strong statement of faith in Jesus after her brother's death. “Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world'” (John 11:25-27). No doubt Martha was an active sort of person. On one occasion, she prepares the meal for Jesus and possibly his fellow guests and forthrightly states the obvious: All hands should pitch in to help with the dinner. The Lord recognizes that Martha is “worried about many things,” also noting that Mary, who has spent the preparation time at Jesus' feet listening to his words “has chosen the better part.” John 12:1-8 describes Mary's anointing of Jesus' feet at Bethany, an act which he praised highly. Immediately after we are told that the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus “because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.” Lazarus was the one of whom the Jews said, “See how much he loved him.” In their sight Jesus raised his friend from the dead. Legends abound about the life of Lazarus after the death and resurrection of Jesus. He is supposed to have left a written account of what he saw in the next world before he was called back to life. Some say he followed Peter into Syria. Another story is that despite being put into a leaking boat by the Jews at Jaffa, he, his sisters, and others landed safely in Cyprus. There he died peacefully after serving as bishop for 30 years. It is certain there was early devotion to the saint. Around the year 390, the pilgrim lady Etheria talks of the procession that took place on the Saturday before Palm Sunday at the tomb where Lazarus had been raised from the dead. In the West, Passion Sunday was called Dominica de Lazaro, and Augustine tells us that in Africa the Gospel of the raising of Lazarus was read at the office of Palm Sunday. Reflection In its 2021 decree on combining veneration of Mary and Lazarus with Martha, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments said, “In the household of Bethany, the Lord Jesus experienced the family spirit and friendship of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and for this reason the Gospel of John states that he loved them. Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the one who humiliated death.”Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

SSPX Podcast
What is a Catechism? – The Roman Catechism #1

SSPX Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2026 35:26


Today in The Catechism Series, we begin with two basic questions: what is a catechism, and why are we using the Roman Catechism, also known as the Catechism of the Council of Trent? Before we enter into the Creed, the Sacraments, the Commandments, and Prayer, it is important to understand the kind of book the Church has given us, and the authority it carries. Fr. Richard Boyle explains the history of the Roman Catechism, its connection to the Council of Trent, and why Catholics today still need clear, systematic formation in the truths of the Faith. See all the episodes: https://sspxpodcast.com/catechism Buy the Catechism at Angelus Press >> We'd love your feedback on this series! podcast@sspx.org – – – – – – View this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSl9sYNQ8kE – – – – – – – The Society of Saint Pius X offers this series and all of its content free of charge. If you are able to offer a one time or a small monthly recurring donation, it will assist us greatly in continuing to provide these videos for the good of the Church and Catholic Tradition. Please Support this Apostolate with 1-time or Monthly Donation >> – – – – – – – Explore more: Subscribe to this Podcast to receive this and all our audio episodesSubscribe to the SSPX YouTube channel for video versions of our podcast series and SermonsFSSPX News Website: https://fsspx.newsVisit the US District website: https://sspx.org/ – – – – – What is the SSPX Podcast? The SSPX Podcast is produced by Angelus Press, which has as its mission the fortification of traditional Catholics so that they can defend the Faith, and reaching out to those who have not yet found Tradition.  – – – – – – What is the SSPX? The main goal of the Society of Saint Pius X is to preserve the Catholic Faith in its fullness and purity, to teach its truths, and to diffuse its virtues, especially through the Roman Catholic priesthood. Authentic spiritual life, the sacraments, and the traditional liturgy are its primary means of bringing this life of grace to souls. Although the traditional Latin Mass is the most visible and public expression of the work of the Society, we are committed to defending Catholic Tradition in its entirety: all of Catholic doctrine and morals as the Church has always defended them. What people need is the Catholic Faith, without compromise, with all the truth and beauty which accompanies it. https://sspx.org

Catholic Daily Reflections
Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time - Entering and Becoming the House of God

Catholic Daily Reflections

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2026 7:09


Read OnlineEntering and Becoming the House of GodJesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” Matthew 13:36Today's Gospel begins with a subtle yet significant detail: “Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.” This transition from the public to the private reflects a recurring pattern in the Gospels: Our Lord teaches the crowds in parables, veiling the mysteries of the Kingdom, while reserving their fuller explanation for the disciples in the quiet intimacy of the house. In this context, the house becomes a symbol of the Church—the inner sanctuary where Christ reveals His secrets to those who follow Him not only outwardly, but with humble faith and spiritual hunger.Though the disciples—likely the Twelve Apostles—were uniquely privileged to share this moment with Jesus, in which He explained the Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat in precise detail, this sacred setting is not closed to us. Each of us is invited into this “house” through the life of the Church. Though the Apostles were weak and sinful like all of us, they were nevertheless chosen to be the first bishops—visible shepherds who would continue Christ's mission after His Ascension. Through their fidelity, the Word of God went forth to the ends of the earth, a proclamation that continues today through their successors.While each of the baptized is called to proclaim the Gospel in accord with his or her vocation and mission, the bishops—and their co-workers, the priests—uniquely form the spiritual household through which Christ continues to speak with clarity. Through their preaching, governance, and sacramental ministry, the hidden mysteries of Christ's teaching are continually made known. This is not due to their personal merit, but because of the sacred office entrusted to them by Christ through Apostolic Succession. They became the foundation of the Church—the spiritual House of God—in which Jesus continues to minister.Place yourself in this Gospel scene. You, too, are called to draw near to Christ, to enter the house with Him, and to seek understanding with the heart of a disciple. In the Church—this household of faith—the Master still teaches, still explains, still reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom to those who desire to listen.As you prayerfully see yourself in this scene, unite it with your experience of your parish church and other sacred places where God has spoken to you, nourished you, and transformed you. When the Gospel changes us, the Sacraments nourish us, and the Church guides us, it is always Christ who is teaching, feeding, and leading. We must, therefore, learn to see beyond the minister or the building, recognizing Christ's presence, speaking to us and sanctifying us through His Church.Though the Church—the visible presence of the Kingdom of God on earth—is the privileged place where we encounter Christ, each of us, in our own unique way, is also called to be this “house” for others. Because God dwells within us, His Kingdom is present within our souls. Thus, this Gospel scene is not only about entering the house—it is also an invitation to become that house: a dwelling place where others may encounter Christ, hear His Word, receive His mercy, and be drawn into His love through the witness of our charity.Reflect today on this house. First, see the Church as the house in which Christ speaks to you most clearly. Give thanks for the many ways our Lord has spoken to you and fed you in this sacred House of God. Reflect also on your own soul as a dwelling place of God. Believe that Christ desires to use you to bring others into His presence, dwelling within your soul. Give thanks for this gift, and pray that you may be both a faithful disciple within the house and a radiant house of grace for others to enter and meet Christ our Lord.Most intimate Lord, You desire to reveal to me—and to all Your children—the deep and profound mysteries of Your Kingdom of grace. Draw me to Yourself, to Your House of Grace and Mercy, which resides within Your holy Church. Teach me, sanctify me, and form me according to Your holy will. As You make Your dwelling within me, make my soul a place where others may encounter You, hear Your Word, and receive Your grace. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles, by Duccio di BuoninsegnaSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Divine Intimacy Radio
What is a Good Spiritual Direction Session?

Divine Intimacy Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2026 27:30


Join Dan and Stephanie Burke as they discuss what a good spiritual direction session should look like, the importance of prayer before meeting, how frequenting the Sacraments helps draw you deeper, and more! Resources: Avila Summit: Spiritual Warfare and the Family - event Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits - video series Discernment of Spirits for Beginners - Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett & Dan Burke Into the Deep - video series Finding Peace in the Storm - Dan Burke Into the Deep – Dan Burke Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits - Dan Burke The Contemplative Rosary - Dan Burke and Connie Rossini A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness - Susan Brinkmann OCDS SpiritualDirection.com/Events - website Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation EWTN Religious Catalogue – online

Become Who You Are
#746 Young Men Discerning Truth Amid Cultural Chaos w Gen Z Author John Krueger (+Bonus Panel Discussion)

Become Who You Are

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2026 43:46 Transcription Available


Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”Something is shifting under the surface of American culture: Gen Z men are walking back into churches, asking blunt questions about truth, purpose, and what it means to live a good life. Recored before a live audience at St. Mary of Perpetual Help, we talk with Gen Z author John Kruger about his new book Dwelt Among Us: America's Catholic Comeback, and why this renewal feels rooted in more than politics or vibes. When the world gets louder, thinner, and more online, the search for meaning gets more serious.We zoom out to the spiritual and historical backdrop, including Pope Leo XIII's 1884 vision and the St. Michael prayer, then trace a century marked by war, ideological revolutions, and a steady assault on marriage and family life. We also get honest about what young people have actually grown up with: new atheism, social media identity traps, economic anxiety, and the loneliness epidemic. The thread running through it all is simple and demanding: reason points toward truth, and the human heart cannot live on substitutes forever.To close, we hand the mic to men from the audience who share their own conversion stories, from atheism and online ideology to Scripture, Augustine, and finally the Sacraments. If this conversation challenges you, share it with a friend, subscribe, and leave a review so more people can find it. What's one sign you've seen that people are hungry for faith again?Dwelt Among Us, America's Catholic Comeback by John KruegerVisit Claymore Milites Christi! Join the Movement!Support the show

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan
July 26, 2026. Divine Service. 8:00 A.M. | Matt. 13:44-52 | The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2026 64:41


----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan
Sermon: You Are God's Treasure | Matthew 13:44-52 | The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2026 13:27


----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Catholic Daily Reflections
Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time - From Humble Beginnings

Catholic Daily Reflections

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2026 7:10


Read OnlineFrom Humble BeginningsJesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.” Matthew 13:31–32Today's Gospel presents two brief yet profoundly rich parables—the mustard seed and the leaven—each revealing distinct dimensions of the mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven. Together, they draw our attention to the Kingdom's humble beginnings and hidden power, which unfold silently yet irresistibly in the world and within the human soul.Each parable possesses layers of meaning, and the Church Fathers deeply explored these levels. In the Parable of the Mustard Seed, the seed is frequently interpreted as Christ Himself. As “the smallest of all the seeds,” the mustard seed illustrates the hiddenness and apparent insignificance of Christ's earthly life, from a worldly point of view. He entered the world in obscurity, born in a cave in Bethlehem, fleeing into exile in Egypt, and growing up in the humble village of Nazareth. His divinity—the Eternal Word through whom all things were made—was veiled beneath the lowliness of His humanity.Even as He hung upon the Cross, His divine majesty was hidden from the eyes of the world. Yet from this seed of self-emptying love—this total descent into poverty and death—sprang forth the triumph of the Resurrection, shattering the bonds of sin and death. In His risen glory, Christ has become the “largest of plants,” and, as the parable says, “the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.” This image is often understood as a symbol of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, in which the peoples of the earth find shelter, nourishment, and eternal hope.The mustard seed also represents Christ planted within each soul. When He is sown in the fertile ground of our hearts—through faith, prayer, and the Sacraments—He takes root and grows, transforming our lives from within. Though His presence may begin in us imperceptibly, it has the power to expand beyond all measure, bearing fruit not only in our lives but in the lives of all those we encounter. Ultimately, this growth finds its consummation in the New Heavens and the New Earth, where the Kingdom of God will be fully revealed.The second parable—the leaven—expresses a similar truth in another form. The leaven is often interpreted as Christ or His grace, working silently and effectively. Mixed into three measures of flour, it gradually transforms the entire batch—symbolizing the hidden work of grace within the soul. Here, Christ is not only among us, but within us, sanctifying every part of our being from the inside out.Today's Gospel concludes with a beautiful citation from “the prophet,” taken from Psalm 78:2: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 13:35). On the surface, the parables appear simple, but they conceal divine truths from those who approach with indifference or pride. Yet for those who receive them in faith and prayerfully ponder them, the Holy Spirit opens the inner meaning. What was hidden from the beginning of creation is now disclosed—not to the wise and learned of this world, but to the humble of heart. In this way, the parables serve as a school of divine wisdom, inviting the soul to move beyond mere appearances into the depths of God's eternal plan.Reflect today on the hidden ways in which Christ is at work in your life. Are you attentive to His quiet growth within you? Do you nourish the seed of His presence through prayer and the Sacraments? Trust that, even in small beginnings, God is building His Kingdom—in you, through you, and for His greater glory.Most glorious King, You desire that Your Kingdom be born within our lives through the grace poured out by Your Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Come to me, Lord, and plant the seed of grace deep within my soul. Let it take root and grow, transforming me according to Your perfect will. Through me, expand Your Kingdom on earth, until the day we behold the fullness of Your eternal Kingdom in glory. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Parable of the Mustard Seed, by Lawrence OP, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Divine Intimacy Radio
What is a Good Spiritual Direction Session?

Divine Intimacy Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2026 27:29


Join Dan and Stephanie Burke as they discussion what a good spiritual direction session looks like. Don't miss out as they discuss the importance of praying before meeting your spiritual director, frequenting the Sacraments, and more!

The Deacon Dave & Layperson Lisa Show
I Don't Feel Like It: A Reflection on the Readings for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Deacon Dave & Layperson Lisa Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2026 6:50


This reflection by Layperson Lisa explores the themes of wisdom, perseverance, and maintaining a relationship with God, particularly in the face of spiritual challenges.Key takeaways from the video:The Lesson of King Solomon: Lisa discusses how Solomon was gifted with immense wisdom but eventually fell away from God due to the distractions of wealth, pleasure, and the influence of his many wives, who were pagan worshippers (0:06-1:32).Overcoming "I Don't Feel Like It": Lisa shares her personal struggle with the temptation to prioritize her comfort over God's call—specifically in praying with others (1:44-2:42). She emphasizes the importance of nurturing a relationship with God and acting on obedience rather than fluctuating emotions (2:42-3:35).The Role of Sacraments and Virtue: To combat spiritual complacency, Lisa highlights the necessity of living a sacramental life. This includes utilizing the Sacrament of Reconciliation and developing virtues like perseverance and endurance (3:35-4:10).Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding: Reflecting on the second reading (Romans 8:28), she distinguishes between intellectual knowledge and heart-level understanding. She explains that true wisdom involves seeing the world from God's perspective and emphasizes that consistently saying "yes" to God's grace makes it easier to follow His call over time (4:10-6:51).

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan
Bible Study: You Are God's Treasure | Matthew 13:44-52 | The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2026 14:29


----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility
Confirmation: Infertility & the Sacraments w/ Fr. Paul West

The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2026 21:23


If you're confirmed, do you ever stop to think about how you've received the Holy Spirit?! God has given us a wonderful gift in the Sacrament of Confirmation! This grace can strengthen us and our marriages as we carry the cross of infertility.In this episode, Jillian and Fr. Paul talk about:How Confirmation/Chrismation is like a "personal Pentecost"What it means to have received the gift of the Holy SpiritWhy it's important to nurture our friendships with the Saints It is our honor to walk with you!Links:Baptism PodcastReconciliation & Anointing of the Sick PodcastEucharist Podcast

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan
Sermon: Are You Wheat or Weed? | Matt 13:24-30, Matt 13:36-43 | The Parable of the Weeds

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2026 17:22


----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan
July 19, 2026. Divine Service. 8:00 A.M. | Matt 13:24-30, Matt 13:36-43 | The Parable of the Weeds

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2026 68:46


----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

St Gabriel Catholic Radio
07/18/26-The Sacraments

St Gabriel Catholic Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2026 27:30


Sacred Soundings
07/18/26-The Sacraments

Sacred Soundings

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2026 27:30


The Inner Life
Keeping the Faith in Dry Seasons - The Inner Life - July 17, 2026

The Inner Life

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2026 51:13


Father Bobby Blood joins Deacon Patrick Conley to discuss Keeping the Faith in Dry Seasons What is Spiritual Dryness (7:59) Importance of routines in our spiritual life Why would God let us go through dry times in our life? (12:16) Elias - If I feel like I am doing well in prayer life, how do I best prepare for when the dry season comes? Juan - I am enduring a heavy cross, and how to carry it. (17:49) Break 1 (19:15) Wade - A few months after Lent I lose my spiritual drive. Why is this a consistency every year? What can I do to alleviate this? (24:45) How are the Sacraments important or times of Dryness? What do you do when you aren’t getting anything out Mass? (30:59) Email from Dylan – I have been dealing with dryness for years now and I don’t know what to do. Email from Rose – How do you deal with the accusing voice of the Devil? (34:44) Teresa - I get very melancholic for no reason, accusing myself of sloth, and I am wondering if it is because God is trying to prepare me for a blessing? (37:40) Break 2 Email from Adrian – How does dryness relate to how we perceive God? (41:36) Maria - Spiritual Dryness: There are moments, I say, 'is there all there is to it?' What will happen? (44:03) Bonnie - Shame, regarding your life situation and shame as opposed to guilt and not feeling close to God b/c of shame. (47:54) Gianna - One thing that could help refresh the faith is something new, something different

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan
Bible Study: Are You Wheat or Weed? | Matt 13:24-30, Matt 13:36-43 | The Parable of the Weeds

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2026 14:53


----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Catholic Stuff You Should Know
Sacraments, Sacramentals, and Relics

Catholic Stuff You Should Know

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2026 40:41


Why does God use material things to communicate His grace? In this week's episode, Frs. John and Sean explore the Catholic understanding of sacraments, sacramentals, and relics. What makes a sacrament different from a sacramental? Why does the Church bless everything from homes to rosaries? And why do Catholics venerate the relics of the saints? Along the way, they discuss why matter matters, how the Incarnation changes the way we see creation, and why God continues to use visible signs to draw us to invisible realities.

The Gaudium et Spes Podcast
Episode 130 - Gaudium et Spes: Seminarians, Students and Sacraments

The Gaudium et Spes Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2026 34:51


Fr. Tim Holeda, rector of the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More and Vocations Director for the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, shares his vocation story, key priestly influences, and the unique pastoral challenges of serving a parish situated among Florida State University, state government, and a diverse local community. He reflects on the growth of vocations, the parish's shift toward more reverent and transcendent liturgy, and his vision of the Co-Cathedral as “Tallahassee's church” and a spiritual home for students, public servants, and families alike.

Lexington Presbyterian Church - Sermons
Summer Sunday School Series - June 21, 2026 - Josh Johnson

Lexington Presbyterian Church - Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2026 44:40


Let Us Worship God: The Word and Sacraments

The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility
The Eucharist: Infertility & the Sacraments w/ Fr. Paul West

The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2026 29:06


At Mass, Catholics hear the words of consecration spoken over the bread and wine. How can the Eucharistic mystery and Christ's giving of His Body and Blood strengthen our faith on the path of infertility and loss?In this episode, Jillian and Ann speak with Fr. Paul about the Holy Eucharist. They'll talk about:Seeing the Paschal Mystery as one event, from the Last Supper through Christ's death and resurrectionReceiving Our Lord in our own "broken" bodiesHow we can open our hearts to Jesus and become more like Him through the EucharistIt is our honor to walk with you!Links:Podcast Episode on BaptismPodcast Episode on Reconciliation & Anointing of the Sick

Roadmap To Heaven with Adam Wright
Sacramental Leadership

Roadmap To Heaven with Adam Wright

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2026 27:31


Today in our Leadership For Everyday Disciples series, Jared Bryson discusses the idea of Sacramental Leadership. How do the Sacraments influence our leadership and how can leadership itself be a sacramental. Adam reflects on the day's Gospel reading. Download the Covenant Network app today! Pray the Visual Rosary at VisualRosary.org For more information on Covenant Network, visit OurCatholicRadio.org

Manoa Community Church | Sermons
43. What are the sacraments?

Manoa Community Church | Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2026 29:15


Welcome back and thanks for joining us! We continue our series "What We Believe" Based on The New City Catechism. Today we're exploring Question 43. Let's listen together as Manoa's very own Dan Crum, brings today's message.

Padre Peregrino
RCT 79: Extreme Unction 1: Institution.

Padre Peregrino

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2026 29:16


-The Roman Catechism of Trent (RCT) p. 328-333. -The Sacraments, ep. 31. -Donate: https://www.padreperegrino.org/donate/

institution sacraments extreme unction roman catechism
Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan
Sermon: The Seed of Life | Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23 | The Parable of the Sower

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2026 19:12


----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan
July 12, 2026. Divine Service. 8:00 A.M. | Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23 | The Parable of the Sower

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2026 66:39


----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Divine Intimacy Radio
Discerning the Priesthood and Religious Life

Divine Intimacy Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2026 27:28


Join Dan Burke as he speaks with Fr. Jesse Maingot, OP and Dr. Anthony Lilles on how to discern the priesthood and religious life. Don't miss out as they discuss how the Sacraments and a daily prayer life are essential to discerning your vocation!

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan
Bible Study: The Seed of Life | Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23 | The Parable of the Sower

Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2026 12:30


----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Christ the Center
Meeting God in His Means of Grace

Christ the Center

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2026


In this episode we speak with Harrison Perkins about his book Meeting God in His Means of Grace: How Word, Sacrament, and Prayer Help Us Encounter Christ. Perkins argues that […]

The Terry & Jesse Show
08 Jul 26 – Cardinal Müller: SSPX Sacraments Are VALID

The Terry & Jesse Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2026 51:12


Today’s Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel – Matthew 10:1-7 – Jesus summoned His Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'” Bishop Sheen quote of the day

The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility
Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick: Infertility & the Sacraments w/ Fr. Paul West

The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2026 25:22


Do you feel desperately in need of healing – spiritually and physically – on the path of infertility and loss? This episode is for you!Jillian and Fr. Paul talk about the "Sacraments of Healing," Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. They'll discuss:Why healing is a necessary part of our path to holinessHow regular Confession can strengthen us in our lives and marriagesIf Catholics on the path of infertility should ask for the Anointing of the SickIt is our honor to walk with you!Links:Springs ExamenPurchase the Examen HerePodcast Episode on HopeExamen podcast series:Relationship with God Relationship with spouseRelationship with othersRelationship with self

Foundry UMC
This Is Real: Sacraments That Shape Us

Foundry UMC

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2026 35:31


A sermon preached by Rev. Ginger E. Gaines-Cirelli with Foundry UMC, June 28, 2026, fifth Sunday after Pentecost. “We Know Who We Are” series. ​​​ Texts: Romans 6:3-11; Luke 24:28-35​​​​   Humans are storytelling creatures. Our stories help us understand who we are and how life works. They teach us how people have lived and thought and loved and struggled through the ages. They give us a framework for how to be in relationship. Humans are also ritual-making creatures. Just as the stories we tell shape our sense of identity and reality, so too rituals shape our actions and the way we embody our values. Every culture has stories that shape human imagination and understanding. Every culture has rituals that shape human desires and loyalties. While powerful, formative, and often positive, we know stories can be told in ways that distort truth and do harm. And rituals can include habits that are unhealthy or destructive to persons or communities. Consumerism tells a certain story and has its rituals. White Christian Nationalism tells a certain story and has its rituals. Political tribes tell their own stories and have their rituals. Social media…well… All these things and more tell us who we are and what matters most. Christians also tell a story and practice rituals—it's a story of God's grace, mercy, and liberating love. And the rituals? Water. Bread. Cup. A few weeks ago, as we began focusing on the United Methodist way of living the Christian story, we thought together about the means of grace and the practices that shape us. We reflected on how we are all being formed by something. The question is: What is forming us? What stories, rituals, and practices are shaping our imagination, our desires, and our values? The sacraments are among the primary ways God shapes us into the people we are called to be. And because these rituals are so familiar, it is easy to participate in them without ever stopping to ask what they mean. Why do we call themsacraments? What do United Methodists actually believe is happening when we baptize someone or come to the Lord's Table? These are important questions to ask. Because if we are going to know who we are, then we need to understand the practices that have formed Christians for centuries and the theology that stands behind them. Let's begin with the word sacrament itself. United Methodists define a sacrament as “an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.” In other words, sacraments are the places where the invisible grace of God takes visible form. I could reasonably argue that, with that definition, every act of beauty, love, tenderness, and justice are sacramental acts. But the two liturgical sacraments recognized by our tradition are those Jesus specifically commanded his followers to practice in the stories recorded in scripture: baptism and communion. Here again, our rituals are embedded in our stories and our stories are embedded in our rituals. Stories and rituals belong together. In many cultures, stories are not merely told. They are enacted. Danced. Sung. The story becomes part of the people through repeated actions that connect memory to the body. Christians do something similar. We do not merely tell the story of God's grace.We enact it. We embody it. In baptism, we tell not just one story, but many: the story of dying and rising with Christ, of being washed by grace and mercy, and of being claimed and named as God's beloved and part of the Body of Christ. The beauty of sacrament is that it can hold multiple meanings at once. And we don't simply talk about those things. We pour water. We listen for the sound of the flow. We feel the water on our skin. In communion, we tell the stories of Christ's sacrificial, self-giving love, of God's provision and faithfulness; we reaffirm the story of God's mercy—of forgiveness, reconciliation, and belonging. But we do not simply describe those things. We break bread. We share the cup. The story is embedded in these rituals. The rituals carry the story. And over time, the story carried by the ritual shapes the people who practice it. One United Methodist resource describes the sacraments as God's “show and tell.” I love that image. If you've ever watched a child during show and tell, you know that simply describing something isn't the same as holding it in your hands. God doesn't simply tell us that grace is real. God shows us. Think about it: God showed us by drawing near in flesh, in Jesus of Nazareth. Andthat is just the most extraordinary way God has revealed a willingness to work through physical things. The God who came to us in a body still meets us through tangible signs: Water. Bread. Cup. So let's linger with some of the stories our sacraments tell. First, baptism tells the story of grace that comes before our response. In many churches, baptism is understood primarily as a public declaration of faith—as a person's decision to accept God's love and to follow Christ. There is truth in that. But United Methodists begin somewhere else. We begin with God's action. Before we choose God, God chooses us. Before we respond to grace, grace is already at work in our lives. Before we seek God, God is seeking us. That conviction lies behind one of the practices that often raises questions: infant baptism. Why do we baptize babies who cannot yet profess faith for themselves?Because baptism is first and foremost a story about God's grace, not our achievement. It is a visible reminder that grace comes first. Before a child can speak a word, God has already spoken a word over them: Beloved. Of course, each person must eventually respond to God's grace for themselves. But regardless of age, baptism reminds us that the first move always belongs to God. Baptism also tells the story of belonging—to God and to one another. In baptism, God claims me. And God joins us. When we baptize someone, we are not simply celebrating an individual spiritual experience or handing someone a ticket to heaven. We are welcoming a new member into the Body of Christ. That is why the congregation makes promises. We promise to nurture, encourage, teach, pray, and journey alongside one another. Baptism tells us who we are—beloved children of God. And baptism tells us who we are together—a people, a community, a body, a family bound together by grace and by a shared story. Baptism also tells the stories of forgiveness and liberation. The waters are a sign of God's mercy and cleansing, assuring us that nothing we have done or will do lies beyond God's capacity to forgive, that we are not bound to the worst things in our past or present, but freed for better things in our future. And the waters tell yet another story. Paul tells us in Romans that in baptism we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. We die to an old way of being.We are raised into new life. Baptism is not simply about where we have been. It is about who we are becoming. It's about claiming the freedom and power God gives us to live a new kind of life. So baptism is the sacrament that initiates us into the Christian life both as persons and community. And Communion is the sacrament that nourishes us along the wayand continually reconnects us to Christ, to one another, and to our neighbors. We call it the Lord's Supper because Christ is the host. We call it Holy Communion because we are united with God and one another. We call it Eucharist (from the Greek word for thanksgiving) because it is an act of thanksgiving. But perhaps the most important thing to understand is that communion is more than remembering a dead prophet. It is being present with a living Christ. Certainly, we remember Jesus at the table. But United Methodists believe something more is happening—that communion is more than merely symbolic. We believe Christ is truly present. We call it a holy mystery precisely because we don't claim to fully understand how. But we trust that Christ meets us here and offers grace through the sacramental meal. Once again, as with Baptism, the sacrament is both personal and communal. At thetable Christ invites, forgives, and nourishes me. At the table Christ forms, nourishes, and sends us. Personally, we come seeking grace, forgiveness, strength, comfort, courage, and renewal. But communion is never merely about “me and Jesus.” Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10 that because there is one bread, we who are many are one body. At the table we practice belonging to one another. We remember that our lives are bound together. We learn gratitude, humility, reconciliation, and love. The table does not simply feed individuals. It forms a community. This conviction also helps explain why United Methodists practice an open table.You do not have to be a member of this church, or a United Methodist, or to have everything figured out, or even to be baptized. The invitation belongs to Christ our host. And because grace comes before worthiness, Christ's table remains open. I will never forget the moment when a committed atheist who had been attendingthe congregation I served with her fiancé for more than a year, presented herself in line to receive the elements saying, “I have no idea why I am here, but I just felt that I needed to come.” People might encounter Christ for the first time in the midst of the gathered Body of Christ around the Table. Because sometimes people are moved to respond before they have language for what is happening. Sometimes grace reaches us before we understand it. John Wesley strongly encouraged frequent communion because he believed it was one of God's most powerful means of grace. Early American Methodists often received communion only quarterly because circuit-riding preachers and ordained elders were scarce. What began as necessity became habit. The church I grew up in still practiced quarterly communion! But in recent decades we have reclaimed Wesley's conviction that we need all the sacramental grace we can get! And so we return again and again to water, bread, and cup. Simple, ordinary things.Yet through them the story of God's grace is told, embodied, and practiced.Through them God reminds us who we are. Through them God reminds us whose we are. And through them God continues to shape us—both as individuals and as a community—into the likeness of Christ. Because over time, the stories embodied in our rituals become the lives we learn to lead. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.

Catholic Daily Reflections
Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time - Responding to Suffering

Catholic Daily Reflections

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2026 7:04


Read OnlineResponding to SufferingWhile Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Matthew 9:18–21Call to mind one of the most painful and difficult moments in your life. Perhaps you endured a serious illness or the illness of a loved one. Perhaps you suffered a deep humiliation or walked with someone close to you through his or her humiliation. Maybe you lost a job, faced mounting bills, and felt helpless. Suffering comes in many forms, and God only permits such trials because, in His wisdom, He perceives a greater good that can come through our patient endurance—if we place all our hope and trust in Him.In today's Gospel, we meet two unrelated individuals, each burdened with intense suffering. First, a father kneels before Jesus and sorrowfully announces that his daughter has just died. In a remarkable act of faith, he pleads with Jesus to come and lay His hand on her, confident that she will live again. As Jesus proceeds with him, a woman who has suffered silently for twelve years from a hemorrhage approaches from behind and touches the tassel of His cloak, believing that even such a simple act will bring her healing.The sudden death of a beloved daughter and twelve years of physical and emotional anguish are heavy crosses. Though our own trials may differ, we are invited to see ourselves in both of these suffering souls, especially during times of great hardship.The grieving father likely also felt powerlessness. He who had lovingly provided for his daughter from birth—feeding her, protecting her, guiding her—now stands helpless before death, a force he cannot overcome. Or so it seems.The woman with hemorrhages suffered both the physical toll of her affliction and also the social and spiritual isolation imposed by the Mosaic Law. According to Levitical law, her continual bleeding rendered her ritually unclean and cut her off from public worship and communal life. Because her bleeding was constant, so too was her separation—a painful, unending exile. There was nothing she could do to fix her condition. Or was there?In the face of suffering, each of us must choose: Either we turn to God in radical faith and surrender, or we fall into despair, resentment, and rebellion. Suffering rarely leaves us indifferent—it either purifies or hardens the heart. That is why every trial poses a question to us: Will I respond in faith or retreat into bitterness?Both of these suffering souls refused to surrender to despair. Instead, they turned to Jesus with bold and humble faith—one publicly kneeling, the other quietly reaching out. In both cases, their trust was met with Divine Mercy.What the Mosaic Law deemed unclean, Jesus welcomed and restored. He is not defiled by the woman's touch—He makes her clean. In this, Christ reveals that He is the fulfillment of the Law, the source of every true healing, especially the healing that comes through the Sacraments. In the Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick, we too may “touch His garment,” and receive the grace that restores what is broken. Reflect today on the consoling truth that no suffering is too deep, no exile too long, no loss too final for Christ. Whether your wounds are fresh or old, whether you can cry out or can only whisper a prayer in silence, reach for Him. Kneel before Him. Touch the hem of His garment in faith through prayer, the Sacraments, and trustful surrender. He will not turn away. He sees your pain, and if you let Him, He will enter into it, speak words of courage, and raise you up.My empathetic Lord, You see the sufferings of Your people, and Your Heart is moved with compassion for us. When trials arise in my life, help me to see them as gifts—opportunities to step out of my indifference and trust wholeheartedly in You. I believe that You will never permit me to endure anything for which Your grace is not sufficient. Jesus, I do trust in You.Image: Around the tea-table, by Thomas De Witt)Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

St. Aidan's Anglican Church, Kansas City - weekly talks
The Sacraments - Articles 25-31 (Know What We Believe Week 7) - Micah Long

St. Aidan's Anglican Church, Kansas City - weekly talks

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2026 57:53


The Sacraments - Articles 25-31 (Know What We Believe Week 7) - Micah Long by St. Aidan's Anglican Church, KC

The Patrick Madrid Show
The Patrick Madrid Show: July 01, 2026 - Hour 2

The Patrick Madrid Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2026 51:07


Patrick answers questions on Church controversies, including turbulence around the Society of St. Pius X and concerns over sacramental validity as new bishops are consecrated despite warnings from Rome. He reflects on the meaning of liturgical rituals, global threats to Christians, discerning Catholic authorship, and the diverse practices within Church-approved movements such as the Neocatechumenal Way. A surprising moment pops up when Patrick shares the uncanny bird calls of a twelve-year-old, blending encouragement and authenticity alongside difficult conversations. Madeline (email) - Today's first reading says, "I take no pleasure in your solemnities..." Why do we have solemnities? (00:47) Patrick addresses the emails coming in about Andrew’s call from the previous hour Audio: 12-year-old bird-calling prodigy Samuel Henderson is a master of bird calls - https://x.com/CrystalHope1979/status/2072194254424719412/video/1?s=46 (05:02) Maria - I was confirmed by an Archbishop of SSPX. Was it invalid and what are the repercussions? (09:26) George - I think about the Nigerian people being slaughtered. No one really pays attention to it. (15:16) Ceci – As a librarian of a Catholic library, do you have any authors who I should stay steer clear of? (17:17) Anne Marie - I had thoughts of suicide at times. I went to a priest who prayed prayers of deliverance and healing. (22:34) Alexis (email) - The Neocatechumenal Way is causing a very big uproar in our diocese, and I am curious what you think of it. (24:18) Gwen (email) – Please explain the SSPX issue that is happening right now. Michael - Have you ever meditated on being the last person alive to receive the Sacraments before Christ's return? (40:36) Joe - Could you give your opinion on how a short temper is connected with pride? (42:39)

Called to Communion
Why Sacraments?

Called to Communion

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2026 50:27


Born again, the SSPX consecrations, the altar call and more on Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

John Mark Comer Teachings
Water From A Deep Well | Sacraments E06

John Mark Comer Teachings

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2026 45:21


What if God is found as much in the ordinary as in the extraordinary? In this conversation, John Mark and Dr. Sittser take us into the days of the medieval church, highlighting the emphasis in that period on bridging the seen and unseen realms through architecture and the sacraments, showing how our faith can be enriched by the ordinary.This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Vilma from Vilnius, Lithuania; Danae from Temple, Texas; Eric from Fenton, Missouri; Mark from Gig Harbor, Washington; and Devin from New Braunfels, Texas. Thank you all very much.If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Padre Peregrino
RCT 78: Emergency Sacraments.

Padre Peregrino

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2026 30:41


The Sacraments, ep. 30. -Donate = https://www.padreperegrino.org/donate/ -Act of Perfect Contrition: https://youtu.be/ncNNME98vyA?si=xLiq4rPOiee8PGq6

Catholic Answers Live
#12773 Where Are Sacraments in the Bible? Papacy and Logic - John Martignoni

Catholic Answers Live

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2026


“Where are sacraments in the Bible?” This question opens a discussion on the biblical foundations of Catholicism, including the presence of sacraments. Other topics include the meaning behind the phrase “take it to the foot of the cross,” the role of Cardinals in Scripture, and how logic can support the papacy. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:35 – If Catholicism is in the Bible, where do you see the sacraments in the bible? 10:15 – I hear a lot of Protestants use say “take it to the foot of the cross and lay it down.” What exactly does that mean and does it square with Catholicism? 12:45 – I'm a recent convert. I have not been successful in convincing my friends and family about the Catholic Church. How do I convince them that it matters to belong to the Catholic Church as opposed to another church. 19:40 – Where do we find Cardinals in the Bible? 31:30 – Can we prove Catholicism and the papacy just by using logic and reason? How can people condemn the Church with the bible if the Church canonized the bible? 40:25 – Sin clouds our mind and makes it harder for us to express our true free will. Mary was protected from sin so always had the clearest use of her free will. If God desired all of us to go to Heaven, why didn't he give us the same grace he gave to Mary? 44:53 – Former Catholic, looking into Orthodoxy… What is some proof for the papacy?

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 168: The Celebration of Baptism (2026)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2026 14:17


We continue our examination of the Sacrament of Baptism, specifically how we celebrate the sacrament and the different elements that must always be present in Baptism. Fr. Mike emphasizes that while infant Baptism has become the “form in which this sacrament is usually celebrated,” post-baptismal formation and instruction is necessary in order for the full flowering of the graces received in the Sacrament of Baptism. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1229-1233. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.