Podcast appearances and mentions of saint luke

Read OnlineThe Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Luke 10:1–2Saint Luke, whom we honor today, was a true evangelist. As an evangelist, he followed the inspiration from our Lord and was used to bring God's saving message to the ends of the earth. And there is little doubt that his ministry will continue to have a transforming effect on the lives of many until the end of the world. Tradition states that Saint Luke became a martyr, being hanged on an olive tree. He is identified in the New Testament as a physician and as a disciple of Saint Paul. Both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are attributed to him.Saint Luke is often spoken of as an evangelist to the gentiles. His Gospel was written in such a way that it didn't presume a full understanding of the Jewish faith and customs. Therefore, it is believed to have been primarily written for those who are not of Jewish origin. Thus, the life and mission of Saint Luke must remind us that the Gospel needs to be shared with all people, especially with those who do not have a deep and sustaining relationship with God.In today's Gospel from Saint Luke, we read that Jesus sent seventy-two disciples “to every town and place he intended to visit.” Only Luke mentions the larger scale sending of seventy-two disciples. The other Gospels only mention the sending of the Twelve. Though many of these seventy-two disciples would have gone to Jewish territory, some would have unquestionably gone to non-Jewish territory. The mission of these seventy-two was to prepare everyone they encountered for the preaching of Jesus and for the establishment of the Kingdom of God.As we honor Saint Luke today and read this passage from his Gospel, we are reminded that we are all sent by our Lord. We are sent to those who share our faith, such as family, friends and fellow parishioners. We are sent to love them and do all we can to help deepen their faith and love of God. But we are also called to share the Gospel with those who do not yet know Jesus as their Savior. There are so many people we encounter every day who have never truly met our Lord. Are there people in your life that God is calling you to reach out to? Who do you know that God may be calling you to share the Gospel with? Reflect, today, upon the fact that the Gospel is meant for everyone. Speak to our Lord and tell Him that you are ready and willing to be used by Him to bring His saving message to others. As you do so, wait on the Lord, listen to His inspiration, and respond when He calls. If someone comes to mind whom you sense God is calling you to evangelize, begin to pray for that person. Pray for them every day and be attentive to any inspiration God gives you to share His love and saving message with them. Do not be afraid to be an evangelist like Saint Luke. Doing so might make an eternal difference in someone's life. My saving Lord, You sent Your disciples on a mission to share Your saving message with all. Today I especially thank You for the life and ministry of Saint Luke. Please use me, dear Lord, to imitate his wonderful example and to share Your glorious life with others. Please lead me and inspire me to especially reach out to those whom You have put into my life. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Window: workshop of Franz Borgias Mayer (1848–1926); Photo: Andreas Praefcke, 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.

Read OnlineWhen Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say. Luke 11:53–54Over the past few days, we have been reading Saint Luke's version of Jesus' “Woe to you” rebukes of the scribes, Pharisees and the scholars of the law. Today's Gospel concludes these rebukes of love by pointing out that these religious leaders did not convert. Instead, they began plotting against Jesus so as to “catch him at something he might say.” This is what happens when people use God's holy law as a weapon to attack.Normally, we take inspiration from the Holy Scriptures in a positive way, meaning, by reflecting upon Jesus' words and actions and applying them to our lives. However, we can also learn from the evil others commit and allow their actions to inspire us to avoid their sin. In today's Gospel, we are invited to ponder the obsessive plotting of these religious leaders so as to consider whether we also are guilty of their sin.First, note that at the conclusion of Jesus' rebukes, these religious leaders “began to act with hostility” toward Jesus. Normally, when we act with hostility toward another, it is done with the mindframe that we are right and they have done something wrong. We justify our hostility by pointing to their perceived sin. However, it must be understood that every act of hostility on our part is a clear indication that we have started down the road of sin and are not justified in our obsession.Notice also that these religious leaders exercised their hostility toward Jesus by interrogating Him. In other words, in their anger, they kept asking Him questions so as to find some fault with Him. They tried to trick Him and trap Him with their speech using God's very Law handed down through Moses and the prophets. But they manipulated that Law so as to justify their hostility and, out of pride, to falsely accuse Jesus.Think about any times in your life in which you found yourself somewhat obsessed with what you judged to be the sin of another. Hostility in this case can even be passive, meaning you may present a kind disposition on the surface, but interiorly you are obsessively thinking about how you can condemn the person. Often when this happens, we can feel justified in that we convince ourselves that justice must be done and that we are the dispensers of that justice. But if God is in control of our lives, He will not call us to obsessive plotting in regard to another. Instead, when we are following the will of God, we will sense Him inspiring us to act with immediacy, calm, joy, kindness, honesty, and freedom from all anger and obsession. Reflect, today, upon any way that you have seen this misguided tendency within your own life. If you can identify a time when you struggled with hostility toward another, look at the fruit it bore. Was God glorified through your actions? Did this leave you at peace or agitated? Were you fully objective in your thinking? Be honest with these questions and you will begin to discover the road to freedom from such obsessive thinking. God wants you to be at peace. If there is injustice, trust that our Lord will sort it out. You, for your part, must continually work to forgive, act with charity, and direct your attention to the will of God as it is gently presented to you. My patient and kind Lord, You were falsely accused and condemned by many of the religious leaders of Your time because You spoke the pure truth with love, clarity and boldness. When I act with hostility and anger toward another, help me to turn from these sins so that I will never condemn, never judge and never manipulate Your divine Law for my own purposes. Fill me with Your peace and charity alone, dear Lord. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Duccio di Buoninsegna, 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.

Today we welcome back His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak to the Voices of Syriac Faith podcast!In this episode, we explore the beautiful and meaningful story of Mary and Martha from the Gospel according to Saint Luke. His Eminence guides us through a thoughtful reflection on the balance between contemplation and service, drawing lessons from the different ways Mary and Martha responded to Jesus' presence in their home. We reflect on how their story speaks to our own spiritual priorities, distractions, and the call to choose "the good part" in our daily walk with Christ.New episodes are released on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts!

There is a scene in the Gospel according to Saint Luke, brief in its telling but vast in its implication, that speaks volumes about the human heart. Ten lepers cry out to Christ from a distance, exiled by their affliction, their humanity diminished in the eyes of the world. With a word, He sends them to the priests. As they go, they are healed. But only one returns! One out of ten. And even more shocking, it's a Samaritan no less who falls at His feet in thanksgiving. And Jesus asks, with divine ache: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?" (Luke 17:17).Ten were healed; one was grateful. This is no small parable in passing. It is a mirror. We are all, in some manner, lepers—ailing in soul or circumstance, calling out to God in the wilderness. And He, in mercy, hears us. He grants healing, restoration, daily bread, breath itself. But how often do we return to give thanks?The modern soul, so puffed with knowledge, tends to treat blessings as entitlements. Health is expected until lost. Beauty, until faded. Time, until it is spent. We do not thank the sun for rising; we demand it. But the thankful man, the one like the Samaritan, sees all with fresh eyes. He understands that he is not owed the sunrise, nor the healing, nor the gift of grace itself. All is gift. All is mercy.The ungrateful man lives in illusion, thinking himself self-made, imagining a world where God is irrelevant. But the grateful man sees clearly. He sees the Giver behind the gift.In the end, gratitude is not for God's benefit, as though He needed our thanks. It is for ours. The nine were healed in body, yes—but the one who returned was healed in soul. Christ says to him, “Your faith has saved you." The Greek word here—sozo—can mean saved, made whole. The returning leper received more than the others because he gave more: he gave thanks.Let us then cultivate the holy habit of gratitude, not as a mere politeness but as worship. Let us rise each day and say, “Thank You,” for the breath in our lungs, the light in our eyes, the cross that bore our salvation. For in giving thanks, we do not flatter God; we draw near to Him. We remember who we are, and more importantly, whose we are.And perhaps, in the end, gratitude is the seed of every other virtue. For the man who is truly thankful will not be proud, nor greedy, nor bitter. He will walk humbly, love deeply, and live wisely.May we be the one who returns. In fact, by coming to Sunday Mass today, you are returning back to the God who gives us everything. You are the Samaritan. That is why the “Eucharist”, the greatest gift of all because it is Jesus Christ himself, comes from the Greek word, “thanksgiving”. --- 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

Listen to the Rev. Susan Wyper's sermon from the Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost on October 12, 2025. For more sermons and information on Saint Luke's, a warm and welcoming Episcopal Church in Darien, CT, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Podcast 305 – How Saint Luke's Pumpkin Patch Powers Dunwoody Robotics – Emmy Knight & Paige Holliman   The Pumpkin Patch at Saint Luke's isn't just a fall photo op. It's the main fundraiser for Dunwoody High's Wildcat5e Robotics team. Student leader Emmy Knight and parent volunteer Paige Holliman explain how this small but mighty team builds 100+ pound robots and competes across Georgia, all powered by community support. Every October, thousands of pumpkins take over the lot at 1978 Mount Vernon Road. Families come for the face painting, bounce house, yard games, and sand art. They stick around for the friendly vibe and a peek downstairs, where the team is hard at work. Visitors can watch the robot in progress and even try driving a demo bot. With prices that won't break the bank and plenty of extras to keep kids busy, it's an easy stop that supports local students doing big things. It's also a great way to spark curiosity in young engineers who want to see what robotics is all about. Whether you're new to Dunwoody or just looking for a reason to swing by, this is one fall tradition that gives back. Open daily 11 to 7 through Halloween. More info: whatsupdunwoody.com/robotics   Website: https://whatsupdunwoody.com/podcast-305-how-saint-lukes-pumpkin-patch-powers-dunwoody-robotics-emmy-knight-paige-holliman/     What's Up Dunwoody Links:  

Listen to the Rev. Hannah Pommersheim's sermon from the Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost, the Feast of Saint Francis, on October 5, 2025. For more sermons and information on Saint Luke's, a warm and welcoming Episcopal Church in Darien, CT, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Read OnlineThe apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.” Luke 17:5–6Is it possible to completely uproot a tree and plant it in the sea? It's certainly hard to imagine how. It is especially hard to imagine doing so with a simple command of faith. Uprooting a tree is hard enough to imagine, but it is even more difficult to imagine a tree being planted in the sea. Though water is necessary, one cannot plant a tree in the sea and expect it to grow. But that's partly the point. We often underestimate the power of true faith. Saint Matthew's Gospel says that faith can move mountains. Saint Luke's says it can uproot a tree and replant it in the sea. All it takes to do so is faith the size of a mustard seed.How much faith is equal to a mustard seed? A mustard seed is small, very small. It measures only about one millimeter in length. People who worked the soil at that time would have known that it was among the smallest of seeds they planted. For that reason, Jesus uses this familiar image to teach the apostles that faith, even a little faith, is powerful.Jesus' teaching comes in response to a prayer on the part of the apostles. “Increase our faith,” they said. Jesus' response, inviting them to have only a little faith, implies that their faith was quite weak. To increase their faith to the size of a mustard seed suggests that they did not even have a little faith yet. Most likely they were aware of that fact, and that was the reason they asked Jesus to increase their faith. They perceived their lacking and turned to Him Who could help.One of the first steps to increasing faith is to humbly admit our lack of faith. In our pride, we often want to convince ourselves and others that we are filled with faith. But if that were the case, God would be doing incredible things through us. He would be doing that which is otherwise humanly impossible.Obviously, faith does not give us magical powers by which we can literally command a tree to uproot itself and plant itself in the sea. This imagery is meant to tell us that faith will work miracles of faith, not necessarily physical miracles. In fact, if God ever did use us and our faith to work a physical miracle, it would only happen because it was a motivation for the far more important gift of the increase of faith.What, then, can a little faith do? It can uproot sin from your heart and from the hearts of those around you. It can nourish you and others in ways that seem impossible. Just as a tree cannot normally be planted in the sea and survive, the gift of faith, even a little faith, will enable the soul to be nourished and strengthened in ways that otherwise seem impossible. A martyr perfectly illustrates this fact. Normally, persecution and death are not considered to be nourishing to a person. But when a person has faith and suffers martyrdom on account of Christ, then their soul will be fed by the persecution itself. And that is among the greatest of miracles possible. Suffering, persecution, illness, poverty, and every other difficulty imaginable are transformed by God into a source of nourishment when we endure them with true faith. Reflect, today, upon the prayer of the apostles: “Increase our faith.” Some of the greatest mystics taught that faith darkens the intellect. By this darkening, they mean that, by faith, God will lead us into the unknown, on a path that He alone is aware of. We will become instruments of His transforming grace in ways that are completely beyond our natural abilities. Pray for an increase of faith. When our Lord hears your humble prayer, by which you also confess your lack of faith, He will increase that faith, uproot sin and evil, and plant your soul in places in which you become nourished in ways that you could have never imagined possible. Most glorious Lord, Increase my faith. Give me a pure faith—a faith that enables You to lead me down the unknown path to Your glory. With this gift of faith, please use me to bring forth Your miraculous power by which sin is uprooted and souls are nourished by You alone. Jesus, I trust in You.  Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Louise Harrison joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the upcoming Barkin for Bingo fundraiser for the Kewanee Animal Shelter and the Saint Francis of Assisi "Blessing of Pets." Animal enthusiasts are gearing up for Barkin' for Bingo, a community fundraiser set for October 12th at the Flemish American Club in Kewanee. Supporters can dive into several bingo games from 1 to 3 PM, with entry priced at $15 and a range of prizes up for grabs. Organized by the Henry County Humane Society – Kewanee, the event aims to boost funding for cats and dogs under shelter care. Lunch, prepared by Mark Eilers, is available starting at 11 AM until supplies run out. All proceeds benefit local pets, bringing hope for happier futures and new homes. OSF Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee is inviting animal lovers to their annual "Blessing of Pets" event on October 8th. Festivities begin at 11 AM and wrap up at 1 PM, with the formal blessing scheduled for 12:30. The Henry County Humane Society - Kewanee will be present, showcasing adoptable animals and accepting donations. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own pets—dogs must be leashed and cats securely in carriers, as previous years have seen some furry escape artists make a dash for freedom. The event aims to celebrate pets in the community while supporting animals in need. All are welcome to attend.

The Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi is on October 4th and is widely revered as the patron saint of animals and the environment. Across communities worldwide, people are holding special blessings for pets and wildlife, reflecting St. Francis's devotion to all creatures, great and small. OSF HealthCare Medical Centers are hosting gatherings, inviting families to bring their pets for a blessing ceremony. The feast day serves as a reminder of compassion and stewardship toward animals, encouraging acts of kindness such as volunteering at shelters or supporting wildlife causes. St. Francis's legacy inspires many to consider the welfare of animals in everyday life. The Blessing of Pets is scheduled for October 8th from 11 AM to 1 PM at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee. The Blessing of the Pets is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., following the 12 PM Mass. The Celebration for Saint Luke is on October 18th but will be celebrated on Monday, October 22nd.

Listen to the Rev. Ansley Walker's sermon from the Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost on September 21, 2025. For more sermons and information on Saint Luke's, a warm and welcoming Episcopal Church in Darien, CT, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

+ Gospel according to Saint Luke 9: 51 – 56 When the days for his being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village. The Gospel of the Lord

St. Luke 5:1-11. Drawing on St. Luke's account of Christ calling His disciples to become fishers of men, this homily explores why marriages and parishes often falter when built on human strength alone. Fr. Anthony reminds us that brokenness, poor models, and cultural confusion cannot be overcome by willpower or good intentions, but only through Christ and His Church. Just as the apostles' empty nets were filled at the Lord's command, so too our families and parishes flourish when rooted in His blessing and obedience. --- Homily: Why is it so hard to build a good marriage (and parish)? Saint Luke 5:1-11; Fishers of Men So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him (St. Luke 5:1-11). Introduction: How Christ Builds the Church This is a beautiful story from the ministry of Jesus Christ. It comes on the heels of his Baptism, his temptation by the devil in the wilderness, and the beginning of his preaching ministry in the synagogues of Galilee. In this Gospel, Christ has started building something very special; something that would never fall; something that would bring healing to broken humanity; something through which He would change the world. He began building the Church. And He did it with simple fishermen on the side of a lake. Continuation: We are Building, too We are participating in this work as well. We want to build something that will never fail; something that will bring healing to broken people; something that will transform a troubled place. We are building a parish. Today's Gospel provides a wonderful lesson for us on this very thing. In his homily on today's Gospel, St. Nikolai Velimirovich writes; “Except the Lord build the house, all who labor labor in vain.” (Psalm 126:1) If the builders build in God's name, they will build a palace, even their hands are weak and their material poor. If, though, the builders build in their own name, in opposition to God, the work of their hands will be brought down as was the Tower of Babel. There is no power that can bring God's work to ruin. Pagan palaces and cities fall into ruin, but God's huts remain standing. That which God's finger upholds stands more firmly than that which [the mythical titan] Atlas supports on his back… May the almighty Lord preserve us from the thought that we can achieve any good without His help and His blessing… May today's Gospel serve as a warning that such vain thoughts must never be formulated our souls. It speaks of how all men's efforts are in vain if God does not help them. While Christ's apostle's were fishing as men, they caught nothing; but when Christ commanded them to cast their nets once more into the sea, they caught such a great haul of fish that their nets tore. Why would anyone think they can build something worthwhile without Christ? I don't know. It is futile. We know better. But we do it all the time. Understanding the Curse of Sin: the example of marriage Let's look at the example of marriage. It can be so hard to get it right, and there are just so many ways to get it wrong. Why is it so hard? It isn't because people aren't trying. In fact, they are trying all kinds of things… but they aren't working very well. At best, some couples might end up with a marriage that lasts, but marriage was not just meant to endure. It's not supposed to be like a boxing match that makes it to the final round; with the two so tired they can hardly lift a glove and they just lean on one another gasping and looking forward to the bell (or, as is as likely to happen in marriages, the two just hang out in their separate corners doing their own thing until the final bell sounds). A good marriage does more than last, it brings joy to its members and its fruit brings happiness that endures from generation to generation. But why is this so rare? It should come as no surprise. Look how many people  come from broken families. It isn't their fault, but this really puts them behind the eight ball. They come from broken families and a broken world, so they have bad examples and have internalized all the wrong instincts. Brokenness has been imprinted in their minds and hearts; this cannot help but shape their actions, no matter how good and noble their intentions are. Even if they try to rise above and do things right, what examples are they going to follow? Television? Movies? TikTok?  Their friends? Their hearts? None of these is a reliable guide – all of them are fallen. If statistics are correct – and there is no reason to doubt them – our young men are learning more about how to relate to women from pornography than they are from anything good and real. And the expectations and self-respect of our young women are being shaped by this same blighted culture. Is there really any wonder that we are so bad at marriage? That even those young couples who try to get it right end up building a perverted parody of the kind of blessed union of flesh and spirit that we celebrate in the Mystery of Crowning? That we have far more “towers of Babel” than temples of true love? Reiterating the Problem… and the solution To repeat the Psalm; “Except the Lord build the house, all who labor labor in vain.” (126:1). We cannot overcome our own brokenness by trying harder or following the examples and guidance of people who are broken, too (St. Matthew 15:14; … if the blind lead the blind both will fall into a pit). An alcoholic cannot live a healthy life by trying harder; he has to admit his problem, heal and transform his heart and habits. And he has to let God be the foundation of this process. This is why twelve-step programs are so successful: they transform the hearts and habits of the repentant, with God as the foundation of the process. How many addicts do you know that continue ruining their lives because they think they can work everything out on their own? But alcoholics and philanderers do not just hurt themselves. We know from history and our own observations that the children of alcoholics and broken homes are cursed by both nature and nurture. Again, it isn't fair, but it is true. If we want the next generations to succeed then we have to be honest about both the cause and the cure of what ails them and us. The cause is our brokenness, and the cure is Christ Jesus. The cure is His Church. The cure is the Way of Holy Orthodoxy. All else is vanity. They are Towers of Babel. They are sand castles at a low tide. Back to Today's Gospel: becoming fishers of men The curse of sin is the very thing that Christ came to remove. To put it in very practical terms, Christ came to save your marriages, to heal your addictions, to restore your sanity, and to replace your sorrow, pain, and frustration with joy and eternal blessedness. That is to say, He came to save you from the very real, very specific, and very damning problems in your life. And not just yours, but everyone's. A world that was created good groans in agony, and our Lord loves it too much to allow that to continue. And so He became a man, He taught us, He died for us, He was resurrected and ascended into Glory, and, more to today's point, He established the Church to be the Ark of our salvation. What a beautiful image a boat is for the Church. Think about it: we are drowning in a sea of sin and trying to tread water amidst a storm of temptation. We cannot survive this on our own, and it does not help to band together – eventually, even the strongest swimmer must succumb to weakness; moreover, the weak are infamous for dragging the stronger down. It is a terrible situation to be drowning in this stormy sea. Our breaths are numbered, and we are sure to die in agony. It is only a matter of time. But into this bleak scene comes salvation: the apostles cast out their nets and pull us in to the safety of the boat. We can finally breath without struggling. It is calm in the boat. It is here that our real healing begins… then we are given our own nets.  Conclusion: we cannot catch men if we don't try; we cannot catch men if we don't learn how We are in the boat. Here at Christ the Saviour, we have the fullness of the faith (we are like a fractal of the Universal Church) so it is fair to say that we are the boat. But remember that bit earlier about how nature and nurture conspire against our marriages? You know me well enough by now to know that I wasn't just talking about marriage. Marriage is an image of the Church: the union of flesh with one another and the union of that one flesh with God (Ephesians 5:32). Why should we think that we are naturally any better at living as the Church than we are with marriage? The same forces work against us: we suffer from both nature and nurture. Just as good intentions are not enough for the children of broken homes, they are not enough for us as we try to build this parish. Without serious help, we will just end up building the equivalent of a miserable and failed marriage, another Tower of Babel, a perverse monument to our own fallenness. We cannot do it on our own.  We need help.   We need Christ. Without Him, we are like the Apostles in today's lesson before our Lord came; “toiling all night and catching nothing” (St. Luke 5:5). It had been a hard night for them and they had given up on catching anything; but then Christ came and told them to go back out, and they caught more than they could carry. So many that their boats almost broke. This parish has been through a lot.  There was a time when it was down to a handful of people.  Like Simon in today's lesson, we had good hearts and the best of intentions, but we were tired; and we had pretty much given up on catching fish. But the Lord has told us to get back out there and get it done. And so that is what we are doing.  Of course, we are smart in the ways of the world, and we are always tempted to rely on our own strength and our own hearts. But our hearts are broken and our strength will fail us. “Except the Lord build the house, all who labor labor in vain.” (126:1). But for those who put their trust in the Lord and in His way – there is no limit to the good that they can do. This is where we are. We have given our lives and the future of this parish to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Like Simon, we haven't always seen the point of what the Lord commands, but also like Simon, we follow Him. And we know the result of doing the Lord's will: the catch was so great that their nets were so full that they were all but bursting, and the ship could barely stay afloat.  Does this sound familiar?  The Lord has bless your commitment and your faith; and our growth has been so great that we wonder if our walls can hold the number of men, women, and children who have been pulled in to the safety of the Church. So great that we, like Simon calling for the second boat, are helping to plant missions and look for new properties to provide enough room. Because there is no reason to expect this growth to stop.  After all, there are a lot of people drowning in the waters around us. We cannot allow them to perish – it is God's will that all be saved. It is a tough calling. But we do not labor in vain: because we are building according to the Lord's command. We have been transformed fishers of men. To God be all glory and may He bless us as we do this work.

Listen to the Rev. Ryan Fleenor's sermon from the Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost on September 21, 2025. For more sermons and information on Saint Luke's, a warm and welcoming Episcopal Church in Darien, CT, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Listen to the Rev. Susan Wyper's sermon from Holy Cross Day, September 14, 2025.  For more sermons and information on all that's on offer at Saint Luke's, please visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

+ Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 6: 39 – 42Jesus told them a parable, "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,' when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye.The Gospel of the Lord

Art is powerful. It can foster social cohesion and influence the mood of a moment. Murals aren't just decorative elements in a neighborhood; they are a tool for revitalization, connection, and storytelling that amplifies voices and strengthens both place and people.rnrnIn partnership with the Saint Luke's Foundation, Assembly for the Arts' Jeremy Johnson will be joined by Kevin "mr.soul" Harp, Stina Aleah, and Robin Robinson. Each of these talented artists have created stunning murals within the Saint Luke's footprint in the Buckeye-Shaker, Woodhill, and Mt. Pleasant neighborhoods.rnrnJoin us for a special FREE City Club Forum and Cookout in the Community as we hear from three inspiring muralists who have transformed their communities on Cleveland's East Side, and what more can be done to support art for the public good.

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, Joe Menchefski sits down with Renée Jacobs, healthcare sustainability powerhouse and leader at DisTech and Atrius, for a revealing conversation on how indoor air quality (IAQ) and building automation systems are shaping the future of human-centered design. From managing hospitals to spearheading cutting-edge AI integration, Renée brings a deep well of knowledge—and a few sharp truths. They explore why proper humidification might be the most overlooked health intervention, how AI and heat mapping could one day save lives in emergency evacuations, and what really changed in building science post-COVID. Plus, Renée challenges architects and engineers to think beyond design—to future-ready buildings that respond to people, not just spreadsheets. This episode is a wake-up call for anyone still thinking IAQ is just about filters.More About Renée JacobsRenée Jacobs is a Certified Healthcare Facility Manager, Certified Healthcare Constructor and Fellow ASHE with more than 30 years and over $1 billion of experience in construction project management, healthcare facilities management and technical sales and management. Ms. Jacobs is the Business Development Manager – Healthcare for Distech Controls.Formerly as Vice President of Facilities and Construction at Saint Luke's Health System, Ms. Jacobs had oversight of all areas of design, construction, renovation, master planning, and plant operations and maintenance for 11 Kansas City area hospitals. Jacobs led the New Saint Luke's $330 million capital construction project, successfully completing a portion of the project as the first integrated project delivery (IPD) project for the health system.Ms. Jacobs is an active member of ASHE, serving as faculty, professional reputation committee chair and several task forces. She is active in the local ASHE chapter, the Kansas City Area Healthcare Engineers (KCAHE) and has served on the board as president, past-president and secretary. Additionally, Ms. Jacobs is a founding board member of LEAN KC, a chapter of the Lean Construction Institute, is a member of the University of Nebraska Construction Industry Advisory Committee and the Overland Park Rotary Club.CONTACT:https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-r-jacobs/ Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

+ Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 6: 12 – 19In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.The Gospel of The Lord

Listen to the Rev. Ryan Fleenor's sermon on Homecoming Sunday & the Feast of Dedication for Saint Luke's Parish. This week, we celebrate the beginning of a new program year - all are welcome to join in as we explore the idea of 'why Church?' this season.  For more sermons and information on all that's on offer at Saint Luke's, please visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Samantha Rux joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to praise the volunteers at OSF Saint Luke and talk about volunteer opportunities at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee. Looking to make a meaningful impact in your community? OSF Saint Luke Medical Center is inviting new volunteers to join its dedicated team. Opportunities range from greeting guests and assisting visitors at the information desk to escorting patients as a transporter or helping out in the Alcove Gift Shop. Volunteers play a vital role, ensuring a warm welcome and supporting both patients and staff with various tasks. Whether you have a knack for customer service or enjoy lending a hand, there's a role for everyone. Applications and background checks are required. To get started, call 309-852-7822 or apply online today.

+ Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 4: 38 – 44After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them. At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son of God." But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Messiah. At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, "To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent." And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea. The Gospel of the Lord

+ A Reading from the Gospel according to Saint Luke 4: 16 – 30 He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord." Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, "Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, "Isn't this the son of Joseph?" He said to them, "Surely you will quote me this proverb, 'Physician, cure yourself,' and say, 'Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.'" And he said, "Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away. The Gospel of the Lord

Listen to the Rev. Susan Wyper's sermon from the Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost on August 31, 2025. This is the final sermon in the summer series on "The Prophets: Messengers of Justice & Hope". For more sermons and information on all that's on offer at Saint Luke's, please visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

OSF Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee has secured a prestigious five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This accolade places the hospital among an elite group recognized nationally for superior healthcare delivery. Evaluations covered key areas including patient safety, overall patient experience, and the effectiveness of medical treatments. Hospital administrators attribute this achievement to the dedication and expertise of their medical staff, as well as a continued focus on quality improvement. President Jackie Kernan and Samantha Rux joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about what the award means to OSF Saint Luke.  “This recognition is a powerful testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of our team,” said Jackie Kernan, president of OSF Saint Luke. “Our caregivers are unwavering in their commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care. Their efforts ensure that our patients have access to health care locally, and this honor reflects our continued promise to improve the health and well-being of the community we serve.” The recognition not only boosts community confidence but also cements OSF Saint Luke's reputation as a leader in compassionate and effective care in the region.

✝️ Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 13: 22 – 30Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.'And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!'And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."The Gospel of the Lord

Samantha Rux joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the upcoming blood drive at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center on August 21, 2025, from 11 AM to 3 PM. OSF Saint Luke Medical Center is hosting a community blood drive on August 21, 2025, from 11 AM to 3 PM. Walk-ins are welcome, but those interested are encouraged to schedule an appointment online for convenience. The medical center recently earned a four-star rating from the National Rural Honor Roll, highlighting its commitment to quality care. However, reaching a five-star status requires 100 completed inpatient surveys from patients—a goal they're still working towards. Community participation, both in the blood drive and by returning patient surveys, plays an essential role in helping Saint Luke achieve this prestigious recognition.

Dr. Sarah Boyd, an infectious disease specialist with Saint Luke's Health System, told KCUR that federal cuts to mRNA research and development could cause a setback in pandemic preparedness.

Listen to the sermon from the Rev. Hartwell Hylton on August 3, 2025, the Eighth Sunday of Pentecost, part of our Summer Sermons Series on "The Prophets: Messengers of Justice and Hope." For more sermons and information on Saint Luke's, a welcoming Episcopal parish in Darien, CT, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Listen to the sermon from the Rev. Hannah Pommersheim on July 27, 2025, the Seventh Sunday of Pentecost, part of our Summer Sermons Series on "The Prophets: Messengers of Justice and Hope." For more sermons and information on Saint Luke's, a welcoming Episcopal parish in Darien, CT, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Listen to the sermon from the Rev. Ryan Fleenor on July 20, 2025, the Sixth Sunday of Pentecost, part of our Summer Sermons Series on "The Prophets: Messengers of Justice and Hope." For more sermons and information on Saint Luke's, a welcoming Episcopal parish in Darien, CT, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Listen to the sermon from the Rev. Susan Wyper on July 16, 2025, the Fifth Sunday of Pentecost, part of our Summer Sermons Series on "The Prophets: Messengers of Justice and Hope." For more sermons and information on Saint Luke's, a welcoming Episcopal parish in Darien, CT, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Listen to the sermon from the Rev. Charles Martin on July 6, 2025, the Fourth Sunday of Pentecost. This is Charles' final Sunday preaching as our Seminarian Intern from Yale Divinity School. We thank Charles for his time with us and wish him all the best as he takes up his post as Associate Rector and Chaplain to the University at St. Paul's in Fayetteville, Arkansas. For more sermons and information on Saint Luke's, a welcoming Episcopal parish in Darien, CT, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Listen to the sermon from the Rev. Hartwell Hylton on June 29, 2025, the Third Sunday of Pentecost. For more sermons and information on Saint Luke's, a welcoming Episcopal parish in Darien, CT, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Listen to the sermon from the Rev. Hannah Pommersheim on June 22, 2025, the Second Sunday of Pentecost / Corpus Christi. For more sermons and information on Saint Luke's, a welcoming Episcopal parish in Darien, CT, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Forming Faith, One Page at a TimeFaith Focused books for Kids and Teens:Ages 0–3: Baby and Toddler1.     “God Gave Us You” by Lisa Tawn BergrenThis beautifully illustrated board book explains to little ones how they are uniquely loved and created by God. Perfect for bedtime reading.2.     “Jesus Is Here: My Lift-The-Flap Mass Book” by Mary E. Wingfield, Ed.D.This book is perfect for young families to bring with them to Mass because it helps little ones follow along in a fun and interactive way. Ages 4–7: Preschool to Early Elementary1.     “WOW! The Good News in Four Words” by Dandi Daley Mackall (Author) and Annabel Tempest (Illustrator)“WOW!” tells the Good News using four words: Wow! Uh-Oh. Yes! and Ahh. This book shows littles that God's story is really their story, too!2.     “I Went to Mass: What Did I See?” by Katie WarnerA rhyming picture book that walks young readers through the parts of the Mass with vibrant illustrations—an engaging tool for families preparing children for full participation in the liturgy. Ages 8–11: Middle Grade1.     “The Life of Jesus According to Saint Luke” by Sophie de MullenheimPart of the Children's First Bible Stories series, this book shares the story of Jesus through illustrations and age-appropriate scripture summaries.2.     “Carlo Acutis: The First Millenial Saint” by Nicola GoriThis book introduces children to Blessed Carlo Acutis—a modern teen who used his tech skills to evangelize and share the Eucharistic miracles online with the world.   Ages 12–14: Early Teens1.     “The Saint Chronicles” (Graphic Novel Series) by Sophia Institute PressIntroduce middle schoolers to the heroic lives of saints like Joan of Arc, Maximilian Kolbe, and St. Patrick with these compelling graphic novels.2.     “Shadow in the Dark” (The Harwood Mysteries) (Vol. 1) by Antony Barone KolencEach volume of the Harwood Mystery series not only entertains but also weaves in Catholic themes such as forgiveness, vocation, and the power of prayer, making it a compelling series for deepening faith through fiction. Ages 15–18: High School Teens1.     “The Blessing Effect” by Robert K. PozilThis fast-paced story inspires young readers to reach out to those in their community in need of love and inclusion and to embrace the power of prayer and kindness.2.     “Do Hard Things” by Alex and Brett HarrisWritten by Christian teens, this inspiring book challenges high schoolers to rise above cultural low expectations and live boldly for Christ.

Sermon by the Rev. Ryan Fleenor on Trinity Sunday, June 15, 2025, the first Sunday after Pentecost.  For more information on Saint Luke's and to listen to other sermons, please visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Hear today's sermon from Trinity Sunday and Youth & Senior Sunday on June 15, 2025. Our sermon is given by Class of 2025 graduating seniors Marshall Smith & Grace Sandoval. We send our blessings to all our youth and graduating seniors. For more information on Saint Luke's, a warm and welcoming Episcopal Parish in Darien, CT, please visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Sermon from the Rev. Ansley Walker on Pentecost, June 8, 2025. For more information on ways to grow, love, and serve with Saint Luke's, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org. 

Samantha Rux from OSF HealthCare joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to discuss "Healthcare Week" at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee and digital options available to patients through OSF HealthCare.  OSF HealthCare is rolling out a week of appreciation and celebration for its dedicated staff. The festivities kick off with OSF Proud Day, encouraging everyone to sport their logo gear, alongside the DAISY and Sunflower Awards ceremony and a free cookout. Rock ‘n' Roll Day follows, inviting team members to get creative with musical outfits. Wednesday brings sports-themed attire, a Blessing of the Hands, popcorn treats, and an outdoor barbecue. Thursday gets colorful with pastel outfits and a potato bar lunch. The week wraps up Friday with a vacation-themed jeans day. Staff are invited to join in and share their festive moments on their Facebook page. OSF MyChart is making health care management more accessible and convenient. This secure online platform allows patients to view portions of their electronic medical record, manage appointments, and even access family health records at any time of day. Secure messaging with your care team and telemedicine options, like video visits, saves time previously spent on calls or in-person visits. Patients can also review medications, lab results, and summaries of hospital visits, all from one place. The MyChart app, available for Apple and Android devices, ensures your health information is right at your fingertips whenever you need it.

Sermon from the Rev. Ryan Fleenor on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 11, 2025.  For more information on Saint Luke's Episcopal Church in Darien, CT, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Sermon from Confirmation & the Holy Eucharist with Celebrant and Guest Preacher the Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens on Sunday, May 4, 2025 For more information on Saint Luke's Parish, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Sermon from Guest Preacher, the Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail, on the Second Sunday of Easter, April 27, 2025. For more from the Rev. Lizzie's ministry as vivicar of Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas, follow her at @rev.lizzie on social media.  For more information on Saint Luke's Parish, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Kansas has so far identified 37 measles cases this year — mostly among children — and the first Missouri measles case of the year was reported just last week. Dr. Sarah Boyd of Saint Luke's Health System says vaccinating is the best way to prevent contracting the airborne virus.

Lynette McIntosh-Madrigal is joined by Pamela Evans and Pastor Jermaine B. Armour of Saint Luke AME Zion Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. They share stories of hope, discuss how they are partnering with God and their neighbors to see their community flourish, and reflect on their journey from being in the community to being with the community. Saint Luke is part of CCDA's Flourishing Congregations Initiative, a four-year program that empowers church leaders to deepen their congregations' community engagement, enhance their ministries, and contribute to the flourishing of their neighborhoods.Learn more about CCDA's Flourishing Congregations Initiative at ccda.org/fci. Pamela Evans currently serves as the Director of Ministries & Outreach and Administration at Saint Luke AME Zion Church in Wilmington, NC. I have been a member of the church for over 27 years. I have participated in activities at both local and conference levels within the church. I also serve in the community on various boards, such as the local chapter of the Red Cross, advisory board for the Food Bank of NC, health promoter in the Faith Health Network with Novant, and Community Mediator with the Wilmington Cape Fear Museum. I enjoy cultivating partnerships and relationships through community outreach initiatives.Pastor Armour and his wife, Tanya, moved to Wilmington in January 2014. He is a native of Buffalo, NY, and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Christian Education from the Interdenominational Theological Center and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Ministry from Livingstone College. He serves on several community boards, including One Christian Network, Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM), Kids Making It, and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Red Cross. Pastor Armour and his wife have two children, Jadah Alana and Jermaine Elijah.Learn more about Saint Luke AME Zion Church and what they're doing in their community at newsaintluke.com. Connect with CCDA on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Follow CCDA on YouTube.

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke on Palm Sunday, 2025. For more information and other sermons, visit www.saintlukesdarien.org.

Friends, we come to Palm Sunday, which is also called Passion Sunday because we always read at Mass the Passion narrative from one of the synoptic Gospels. This year, we hear from Saint Luke, and I want to look at two elements unique to his particular version, both of which have to do with forgiveness.

Pray for conversion of America and its leaders. Catholic prayers at Mar-a-Lago. Democrats pledge "to continue speaking lies to Trump's truth." Video here: https://x.com/buzzpatterson/status/18... Saint Luke 8, 15: "Bring forth fruit in patience." Happy in Heaven when loved ones are in Hell? The General Judgment. SSPV Statement of Principles: invalid sacraments? Viewer comments. Descartes thinks, therefore he is? Praying for enemies! This episode was recorded on 3/4/2025. Our Links: http://linkwcb.com/ Please consider making a monetary donation to What Catholics Believe. Father Jenkins remembers all of our benefactors in general during his daily Mass, and he also offers one Mass on the first Sunday of every month specially for all supporters of What Catholics Believe. May God bless you for your generosity! https://www.wcbohio.com/donate Subscribe to our other YouTube channels: ‪@WCBHighlights‬ ‪@WCBHolyMassLivestream‬ May God bless you all!

Read Online“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.” Luke 6:24–26Luke 6:20–49 offers us a shortened version of the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew's Gospel. Luke's version of this sermon takes place on a plain, “a stretch of level ground.” The teachings in the two Gospels are very similar, despite their difference in length. Luke's teaching on the Beatitudes adds the “woe to you's” quoted above, which are not found in Matthew's version.The early Church Father Saint Bede comments that Saint Luke's version of the “woes” are meant for those who are “uninstructed hearers” because they “must first be brought by terrors to good works.” He goes on to say that the first part of the Beatitudes, the “blessings,” are meant for the “perfect” because they “need but be invited by rewards” rather than fear of punishment. The fact that Saint Luke includes a teaching for both the sinner and the saint should lead us to the conclusion that we can benefit from both approaches in our spiritual lives.When your spiritual life is strong and you are consistently avoiding serious sin, it might be more helpful to reflect regularly upon the blessings found in the Beatitudes. This will have the effect of drawing you into greater perfection as the desire for the reward of holiness becomes the object of your hope.When your spiritual life is weaker and you are regularly struggling with more serious sin, it might be more helpful to reflect upon the woes of the Beatitudes. This will have the effect of deterring you from the cycle of sin you struggle with, on account of the fear of the consequences of those sins.In the end, the Beatitudes and their subsequent woes are meant to point us interiorly to the desires of our hearts. We must become more and more aware of what occupies our thinking and desires. Ultimately, wealth or poverty, hunger or satisfaction, worldly praise or persecution do not matter. What matters is that our hearts are detached from the desires identified in this sermon so that we more fully desire only God and His holy will, regardless of the circumstances of life we find ourselves in.Reflect, today, upon your own spiritual and moral life and first consider whether you are blessed to be living a life that more imitates the saints or whether you more often reflect the serious struggles of the sinner. From there, try to choose which form of teaching you need the most. Do you need to ponder the rewards of seeking even greater beatitude in life so as to grow deeper in holiness? Or do you need Jesus' clear condemnations to help you break free from the cycle of sin with which you are struggling? Humbly identify that which is most helpful to you right now in your spiritual life and allow this full sermon of Jesus to help you on your journey to the Kingdom of Heaven.Lord of holiness, I do desire to follow You and become truly holy. Please free me from my sin so that I am able to avoid the consequences of those sins. Please help me to also desire the heights of holiness so that I will receive the great rewards that You promised to the saints in Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Boston at English Wikipedia & John Stephen Dwyer, CC BY-SA 3.0

Merry Christmas! I wanted to share a Christmas morning greeting and read the Gospel of Saint Luke's Christmas story about the Nativity of Christ with a reflection. https://amzn.to/4gpLIDI Get the book Nikolaos: A Retelling of the Saint Nicholas Story (discounted for Christmas)