POPULARITY
Categories
Father Matthew Tomeny, MIC, opens his homily by declaring that the true test of love which distinguishes Christians is the love of the enemy. He reminds us that Christ commands this love, and that it is the hallmark that sets the Church apart from both believers and non‑believers. By examining the lives of the saints, we see that genuine love is measured not by affection but by the willingness to wish the good of the other, especially their salvation, even when that person has caused us great pain.He cites G.K. Chesterton's insight that love becomes a virtue only when it embraces the unlovable. Father Matthew stresses that loving those who love us yields no spiritual reward; the real treasure lies in loving those who have nothing good to give us. Drawing on Aquinas, Father Tomeny explains that love is the willing of the other's good, not a feeling of fondness. He challenges listeners to ask themselves whether they truly love their enemies or merely love the good that can be obtained through them.To illustrate sacrificial love, he recounts the story of Monsignor Flannery, an Irish priest who, during the Nazi occupation of Rome, built a network of safe houses that saved countless Jews. After the war, the very Gestapo officer whose life he had saved—Colonel Kepler—sought Flannery's help for his own family. Flannery's unconditional love led him to aid the former enemy, ultimately guiding Kepler to baptism fifteen years later. This transformation demonstrates how love of the enemy can soften hardened hearts and draw even the most sinful toward God.Father Matthew warns against the temptation to seek vengeance, noting that true heroism is not the triumph over evil but the willingness to lay down one's own safety for the good of the other, receiving nothing in return. He reminds us that God's love is given freely, without expectation, and that we are called to mirror this divine generosity. While setting healthy boundaries is permissible, the ultimate goal is to love in a way that reveals God's mercy to the enemy, breaking cycles of hatred and inviting conversion.He concludes with a prayerful invitation: may the Blessed Virgin intercede for us so that, like Christ and the saints, we may love our enemies out of love for God, allowing His mercy to flow through us to a world desperate for healing. May we each ask for the grace to love without condition, trusting that such love reflects the very heart of the Father. ★ Support this podcast ★
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022726.cfmFather Chris Alar, MIC, begins by reminding us that forgiveness is often misunderstood. He explains that we are called to let go of resentment, not to forge a friendship with the one who harms us. Forgiveness, he says, releases the heart from hatred while leaving space for justice.He then draws us into a powerful story from the 2014 World Apostolic Congress on Mercy. Pastor Mira Garcia, a Colombian mother, endured the murder of her father, the killing of her husband, the kidnapping and death of her daughter, and the brutal loss of her son. Yet, amid unimaginable grief, she chose to care for the very man who had killed her child. By praying to the Blessed Virgin for the strength to forgive, she moved beyond mere forgiveness into true reconciliation—a mercy that restores, not merely releases.Father Chris emphasizes that the Church calls us to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, not simply the Sacrament of Forgiveness. In that Sacrament, God does not turn us away after we are absolved; He draws us back into communion with Himself. Mercy, therefore, surpasses forgiveness: it heals the wound and rebuilds the broken relationship.Father Chis warns against “false mercy” that ignores accountability. Justice and correction, offered in love, are themselves works of mercy. We are invited to confront wrongdoing, seek restitution, and yet pray for the grace to forgive, following Christ's example. ★ Support this podcast ★
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022626.cfmFather Daniel Klimek, PhD, challenges us to let the Golden Rule become the litmus test of every relationship. He reminds us that the command “do to others whatever you would have them do to you” is not only the law of the prophets but also a mirror of the contrasting dynamics found in the angelic and demonic hierarchies. In the demonic community, power is exercised through control, abuse and isolation, with stronger demons exploiting the weaker. The angelic community, by contrast, models generosity: The seraphim, nearest to God, receive the deepest experience of divine love and willingly transmit that love to the lower angelic and saintly orders, fostering communion rather than division.Father Daniel invites us to examine our own interactions. Do we, consciously or unconsciously, impose control, emotional abuse, or isolation on others or ourselves? He urges a radical empathy that goes beyond polite respect, asking us to mentally inhabit the other person's suffering, poverty, and woundedness. Such empathy opens the path to forgiveness, because we begin to see our hurt, not as merely an affront to our ego, but as the consequence of another soul bruised by pain.Viewing others through “supernatural eyes,” as Fr. Daniel puts it, means recognizing the inherent human dignity both of ourselves and of our neighbors. ★ Support this podcast ★
Beside a great panic button having us talking about HOA rules, and a 2ND Date Update about being a parent and spy at the same time, we got to Carly Pearce having a personal shrine and what your biggest accomplishment is on display in your home
In Part 2 of our Scream 6 deep dive, The Priest and JJ go full spoiler mode — unpacking leaks, lame reveals, questionable logic, and whether this is the weakest chapter in the franchise.We break down:
At the Israel Museum a once in a lifetime experience has opened up. As part of its 60th anniversary commemorations, the Israel Museum has put on display the original Isaiah Scroll, which is undoubtedly the most significant of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Believed to be dated to 125 BCE, the Isaiah scroll is the earliest known biblical manuscript by roughly a thousand years. Discovered in 1947 and in Israel’s hands since the mid 1950s, the Isaiah Scroll had been displayed at the Shrine of the Book but in 1968 it was removed and placed in the museum vaults because curators believed it was being damaged by the light and humidity after surviving in the dry Dead Sea caves for over two thousand years. But now, it is being shown to the public in a special glass housing where its entire seven meter length is laid out in a temperature and humidity controlled room. It’s part of a new exhibit called “A Voice From the Desert” The Great Isaiah Scroll. Reporter Arieh O’Sullivan was at the unveiling of the exhibit and spoke with curator Haggit Maoz. (photo: Eli Poz) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022226.cfmFather Chris Alar, MIC, invites us to reconsider the Genesis story in light of both tradition and modern discoveries. He notes that scientific genealogy now points to a single ancestral woman, reinforcing the plausibility that Adam and Eve were actual historical persons. He stresses that the biblical account employs symbolic language to convey theological truth, not to serve as a scientific textbook. The garden, he explains, symbolizes the state of grace—a divine communion that humanity originally shared with the Father. By locating the entrance of Eden to the east, the ancient tradition connects the garden with the tabernacle and the Holy of Holies, the most sacred space where God dwelt among his people.Father Chris distinguishes the two creation narratives, showing that one offers a chronological outline while the other provides a vivid visual metaphor of God shaping man from the earth. He reiterates that humanity is a unique composite of matter and spirit, endowed with a rational, immortal soul that separates us from animals. The episode of the tree of knowledge, according to Fr. Chris, is less about acquiring moral awareness and more about the tragic attempt to seize God's legal authority over good and evil—a theme that mirrors contemporary attempts to legislate morality.Father Chris also links the garden imagery to the Church's Sacramental life, describing the tabernacle as a miniature Eden where the Holy of Holies resides. He reminds listeners that the Sacraments are the ordinary channels through which God continues to offer the grace first granted in Eden. By understanding these layers, we can love our faith more deeply and recognize that the Our Father, the Mass, and the Sacraments are extensions of that original divine intimacy.During this Lenten season, Fr. Chris encourages the faithful to use the disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to enter more fully into the mystery of Eden, allowing the heart to be transformed by the same grace that first animated Adam. ★ Support this podcast ★
From the January/February 2026 edition of The Scottish Rite Journal. Any accompanying photographs or citations for this article can be found in the corresponding print edition.Make sure to like and subscribe to the channel! Freemasons, make sure you shout out your Lodge, Valley, Chapter or Shrine below!OES, Job's Daughter's, Rainbow, DeMolay? Drop us a comment too!To learn how to find a lodge near you, visit www.beafreemason.comTo learn more about the Scottish Rite, visit www.scottishrite.orgVisit our YouTube Page: Youtube.com/ScottishRiteMasonsJoin our Lost Media Archive for only $1.99 a month!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv-F13FNBaW-buecl7p8cJg/joinVisit our new stores: Bookstore: https://www.srbookstore.myshopify.com/Merch Store: http://www.shopsrgifts.com/
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022426.cfmFather Mark Baron, MIC, invites us to move beyond a superficial recitation of the Our Father and let this prayer become the heartbeat of our Lenten journey. He reminds us that the season of Lent began with Ash Wednesday, calling us to the three classic practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These disciplines are not ends in themselves; they are pathways that lead us into a richer relationship with the Holy Trinity.Father Mark stresses that Jesus warned against “babbling like the pagans,” whose prayers were empty repetitions aimed at manipulating distant gods. In contrast, our Father knows our needs before we ask, and He invites us into an engaged, relational dialogue. Father Mark explains that God created us as image‑bearers so that we can reflect His holiness in our words, deeds, and community life. When we pray the Our Father slowly, ruminating on each petition, we align our will with the Father's, asking that His kingdom come; that His will be done; for daily bread, forgiveness, and protection from temptation.He points out that true prayer ordinarily requires the support of the Sacraments — the Eucharist, Confession, and the other means of grace that sustain us when our human strength falters. By receiving the Sacraments, we open ourselves to the grace that makes our repeated prayers meaningful rather than mechanical.Father Mark also addresses a common misunderstanding: that repetitive prayer is “babbling.” He notes that Scripture itself contains beautiful repetitions (e.g., the Psalms) and that Jesus Himself prayed repetitively the night before His Passion, demonstrating that sustained, heartfelt prayer deepens faith. Likewise, contemporary worship songs often repeat refrains to embed truth in the heart. ★ Support this podcast ★
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022326.cfmFather Chris Alar, MIC reminds us that works do not earn salvation; only God's grace saves (CCC, 1987). Yet the Church teaches that we must co‑operate with that grace. As Fr. Chris explains, each soul faces a particular judgment at death, meeting Christ in His human nature, and later a general judgment when Christ returns to judge all humanity (see Jn 5:22‑23). The Scriptures picture this final assembly in the “valley of Jehoshaphat,” drawn from Joel 3:2, where angels separate the good from the bad.Father Chris contrasts David's flight from Jerusalem with Jesus' deliberate return to be judged, showing that avoidance leads to condemnation while Christ embraces the sacrifice for our redemption. He cites the familiar parable of the wheat and the weeds (Mt 13:24‑30) and the separation of sheep from goats (Mt 25:31‑46) to illustrate the ultimate sorting of souls.A central point is the necessity of Confession. Unconfessed sins are exposed at judgment, whereas confessed sins are sealed (CCC 1451). Father Chris stresses that God's justice is always tempered by mercy: “The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy” (Diary of Saint Faustina Kowalska, 723). This mercy flows through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose prayers unite with ours and draw us toward the divine will (CCC 2675).Father Chris also addresses contemporary objections that “Jesus did it all, so there is no hell.” He refutes this by affirming human free will: God's love respects our freedom, and those who freely reject Him choose separation, which is the reality of hell (CCC 1037). As C.S. Lewis observed, “The gates of hell are locked from the inside,” underscoring that the choice belongs to the soul. ★ Support this podcast ★
Split in half by a wall of stone, the party faces off against Darivan and his basilisk.WebsiteDiscordTwitterPathfinder Second Edition and the Kingmaker Adventure Path are published by Paizo."Take the Lead" and other featured music were composed by Kevin MacLeod and licensed under Creative Commons by: Attribution 4.0 License.All ambiances were composed by Michael Ghelfi Studios.The Zero Check are committed to providing an inclusive and respectful experience to all listeners, but we also recognize and acknowledge that we are limited by our individual frames of reference. If we misstep, please let us know. Email all feedback to feedback@zerocheckpodcast.com.Thank you for listening to The Zero Check. Send a text
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022126.cfmFr. Gabe Cillo, MIC challenges us to examine the condition of our souls: “Who here wants to be healthy spiritually?” The Gospel reminds us that “those who are well need no physician, but those who are sick do” (Lc 5:31; NABRE). In this Lenten moment the priest points to the universal sickness caused by sin, emphasizing that our only cure is the grace of God initiated in Christ.The Catechism teaches that justification is “the free and unmerited gift of God's grace” (CCC 1987). As Fr. Gabe explains, the first instant of conversion is wholly God's initiative; human effort alone cannot bring the dead in sin to life. This aligns with Saint Augustine's insight that the “doctor of grace” must be empowered by divine mercy, for without Christ's sacrifice even the Immaculate Conception of Mary rests entirely on His redemptive work.Turning away from God is likened to turning one's back on a parent—a gesture of profound disrespect. The priest uses this vivid image to illustrate that rejecting Christ is a betrayal of the Father, while conversion is the act of turning back. Scripture affirms this: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice…that they may turn and be saved” (Hos 6:6; NABRE). The Holy Spirit, moved by love, calls us to repentance, yet the power to change resides in Christ alone.In practical terms, the homily urges believers to recognize their spiritual illness, to seek the physician of Christ through the sacraments, prayer, and sincere repentance. By embracing the divine bridegroom's invitation, we exchange the “hand that turns away” for the “hand that reaches out,” experiencing the healing that only God can provide. May this Lenten season become a genuine turning‑back, restoring our health in the Spirit and preparing us for the wedding feast of the Lamb. ★ Support this podcast ★
The Krewe wraps up Season 6 with an episode looking back at the highs, the lows, & what's to come! Join Doug & Jenn for listener feedback and behind-the-scenes stories as they put a bow on the 6th chapter of KOJ Podcast! ------ About the Krewe ------ The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, Threads: @kreweofjapanpodcast & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy! ------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------ Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode! Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season! Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan! ------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------ JSNO Event Calendar Join JSNO Today!
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
Prosecutors say Colin Gray was warned by the FBI, by law enforcement, and by child welfare that his son was a potential threat — and his response was allegedly to buy the kid an AR-15 for Christmas. Now he's facing 29 felony counts including second-degree murder. Former prosecutor Eric Faddis dismantles the case piece by piece.The alleged warning signs prosecutors presented span years. An alleged 2021 search for "how to kill your dad" on a school computer. FBI involvement over school shooting threats in 2023, according to prosecutors. Then, according to the state, the Christmas gift of a SIG Sauer M400 seven months later. By August 2024, Colt allegedly texted his father that "the blood is on your hands" and asked him to buy ammunition.The defense argues Colt hid his plans. But prosecutors allege the bedroom shrine to the Parkland shooter, the reported voices, the alleged violent episode with his mother, and Colin's own alleged words when officers arrived — "I knew it" — tell a different story. Faddis explains why the Georgia legal framework charging cruelty to children as the basis for second-degree murder may be even more effective than the Crumbley manslaughter model, and he gives his honest assessment of Colin Gray's chances with roughly 20 juvenile victims testifying about being shot.#ColinGray #ColtGray #ApalacheeHighSchool #SchoolShooting #SecondDegreeMurder #FBIWarning #ParentAccountability #EricFaddis #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimeJoin Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022026.cfmFather Tyler Mentzer, MIC, invites us to confront this penetrating question, “What are you hungry for?” On the first Friday of Lent, this inquiry becomes a mirror for our own souls, urging us to examine the cravings that dominate our hearts.The Gospel's wedding feast imagery frames fasting, not as a punitive rite, but as a preparation for the ultimate celebration of the divine Bridegroom. Jesus asks, “Can the wedding guests mourn while the bridegroom is with them?” (Mk 2:19; NABRE). When the Bridegroom remains present, the feast of love outweighs the austerity of fasting. Yet He also foretells the inevitable departure of the Bridegroom, announcing that “then they will fast” (Mk 2:20; NABRE). This duality reveals fasting as medicinal: a temporary giving up of earthly food that readies us for the future sorrow of the Passion and the ensuing joy of the Resurrection.The “Catechism” teaches that “fasting is a penance that draws us closer to Christ, the source of true nourishment” (“CCC,” 2043). By denying ourselves food, drink, or sinful habits, we create interior space for the Spirit, allowing the hunger for God's will to replace the hunger for fleeting pleasures. As Fr. Tyler notes, the Lenten season is a “time of intentional communion with the suffering Christ,” echoing the ancient Jewish practice of fasting on the Day of Atonement (see Lev 16) and its fulfillment in the New Covenant.Saints Jacinta and Francisco of Fatima exemplify this sacrificial love. Even as children, they offered their meals to the poor, endured bitter suffering, and embraced fasting as a conduit for the conversion of sinners. Their witness reminds us that fasting, when rooted in love for the Bridegroom, transforms personal deprivation into communal charity.Thus, the Lenten call is threefold:- Identify the hidden cravings that enslave us — power, pleasure, control, or even the illusion of self‑sufficiency.- Rebuke those cravings through disciplined fasting — whether by abstaining from meat on Fridays, limiting meals, or refraining from harmful thoughts and words.- Redirect the resulting emptiness toward the love of Christ, the true Bridegroom who satisfies every longing (see Jn 6:35; NABRE). ★ Support this podcast ★
Pigeons. We love to hate them. But did you know they once played a critical and often life-saving role in military service? In this episode, we uncover the remarkable role of pigeons in wartime and the stories of two feathered Dickin Medal winners who saved dozens of lives. Correction: In this recording, it was stated that a pigeon travelled 65 km in 15 minutes. The correct timing is 65 km in 50 minutes.
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021926.cfmFather Matthew Tomeny, MIC invites us to contemplate today's Gospel in light of the witness of St. Thomas More and St. Anthony the Great.Jesus warns, “Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Mt 16:24; NABRE). In the same breath He calls us to “pick up our cross daily and follow Me” (Lk 9:23; NABRE).The drama of Thomas More, who refused King Henry's demand for a divorce and chose fidelity to Christ above crown and comfort, illustrates the cost of true discipleship. When Rich perjured himself for worldly gain, the saint reminded him that “the whole world is fleeting; what truly matters is the kingdom of God.” This echoes the “Catechism”: “The Christian is called to die to self and live for God” (CCC 1033).Saint Anthony the Great taught the same radical love: “Die daily, if you wish to live eternally.” Our lives are like a house on fire — clinging to material treasures ensures our destruction, while abandoning them opens the path to everlasting life. As Moses declared, “I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom” (Dt 30:15; NABRE).Thus, each day presents a choice: hold fast to the fleeting comforts of this world, or lay them down at the foot of the Cross. The cross is not a burden to be avoided; it is the gateway to the resurrection. By surrendering our will to God's will, we align ourselves with the divine plan and secure the promise of eternal life.Let us, like St. Thomas More, abandon pride, ambition, and fear, and like St. Anthony, practice the daily death to self. In doing so, we fulfill Christ's invitation: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (Jn 14:15; NABRE). ★ Support this podcast ★
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021826.cfmThe world has its “small-g gods”: sex, money, and power. In this powerful Lenten homily, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC explains how the consecrated religious counter them through poverty, chastity, and obedience—but what about the laity?The answer is the Church's timeless Lenten call: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.Fasting disciplines the flesh and breaks the grip of pleasure. Almsgiving loosens our attachment to money by giving not from surplus, but from sacrifice. Prayer humbles our desire for control and power, reminding us that God is in charge—not us. These are not random practices; they are spiritual weapons.Father Chris reminds us that Lent occurs 46 days before Easter, with 40 days of fasting (Sundays excluded). Ash Wednesday—first named in 1091 under Pope Urban II—flows from ancient Jewish penitential practice and early Christian public penance. The ashes, made from burned palms, are sacramentals, not the Eucharist itself. They symbolize our mortality: “Remember you are dust.”Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting (ages 18–59) and abstinence (14+). All Fridays of Lent require abstinence from meat. Fridays throughout the year remain penitential days.Lent is 10% of the calendar year—a perfect tithe of time. As Father shares, the currency of friendship is time. If we love God, we give Him time.This Lent is not about giving up bad things. It's about surrendering lesser goods to seek the Greatest Good. Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow Christ. ★ Support this podcast ★
From the January/February 2026 edition of The Scottish Rite Journal. Any accompanying photographs or citations for this article can be found in the corresponding print edition.Make sure to like and subscribe to the channel! Freemasons, make sure you shout out your Lodge, Valley, Chapter or Shrine below!OES, Job's Daughter's, Rainbow, DeMolay? Drop us a comment too!To learn how to find a lodge near you, visit www.beafreemason.comTo learn more about the Scottish Rite, visit www.scottishrite.orgVisit our YouTube Page: Youtube.com/ScottishRiteMasonsJoin our Lost Media Archive for only $1.99 a month!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv-F13FNBaW-buecl7p8cJg/joinVisit our new stores:Bookstore: https://www.srbookstore.myshopify.com/Merch Store: http://www.shopsrgifts.com/
Les, Kurt, and Jason gather once again, and Les is called out immediately for his notes being visible on camera. Also visible on camera: the gash next to Jason's left eyebrow after he ate it on his wet kitchen floor. If you're confused by Jason and Les' voices, you might be among those that think they sound alike! Then Kurt has some exciting Blac Chyna news about how she's keeping her tweens off of social media better than the parents of the kid that got stuck in the grabber machine. Finally, the guys get to this week's Lifetime movie The Wrong Baby Daddy starts off with some good old-fashioned chloroform and introduces a whole lot of boundary issues both on and off the screen. On screen you have couples moving in with other just weeks into a relationship with a co-worker, and off-screen you have cute twinks that may have gotten their parts in the movie because their parents own the house. Be like Les when he thinks boundaries are being crossed: “I mind my business, within reason.” Unless you suspect that your neighbor is stealing all your mail order bats. Bluesky: lifetimeofhallmark Facebook : lifetimeofhallmark Instagram : lifetimeofhallmarkpodcast Threads: lifetimeofhallmarkpodcast TikTok: lifetimeofhallmarkpod Theme song generously donated by purple-planet.com
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021626.cfmFather Chris Alar, MIC, reminds us of a truth the world constantly tries to obscure: Your soul is immortal — and it matters more than anything you own, achieve, or experience in this life. Jesus asks a question that cuts through every distraction: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?”We spend enormous energy protecting our bodies, careers, reputations, and comfort. But how attentive are we to the state of our soul? Physical suffering, financial loss, or public misunderstanding may wound us temporarily. Mortal sin wounds eternally. And yet, in His mercy, Christ never leaves us without remedy.Through Confession, the Eucharist, and Eucharistic Adoration, the Divine Physician continues to pour out the same healing grace that flowed from His pierced Heart. No sin is too great for His mercy. The only true tragedy is refusing the grace that is offered.Father Chris challenges us not to live casually, but consciously — aware that eternity is not abstract. It is approaching. The saints understand this. They live with urgency, not anxiety; conviction, not fear of creatures. They knew that losing everything in this world is survivable. Losing your soul is not.Run to mercy. Stay in the state of grace. Nourish your soul. And remember: The Lord desires your salvation even more than you do. ★ Support this podcast ★
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021526.cfmFresh from a visit to the Holy Land, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC reflects on standing atop the Mount of Olives, praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, walking the Via Dolorosa, and entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—the very places where Christ taught, suffered, and redeemed us.Looking out over Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, he recalls how Jesus wept over the city. Why? Because people would not receive His teaching.The Sermon on the Mount is not a suggestion. It is a way of life. Jesus, the New Moses, does not merely interpret the law—He fulfills and perfects it. When He says to “cut off” what leads you to sin, He speaks in holy urgency. Sin has consequences. Grace is free—but it must be received and cooperated with.Father Chris tackles misunderstood teachings head-on: • Why Catholics read Scripture as literally true—but not literalist. • What Jesus' words reveal about purgatory and accountability. • Why annulment is not a “Catholic divorce,” but a declaration about sacramental validity. • Why the Sacraments are our sure path to grace and salvation.He also pleads for prayers—prayers for persecuted Christians in the Holy Land, and for his dear friend Giuseppe recovering from a stroke. When the Church teaches clearly, it is not to restrict us, but to save us.Christ wept over Jerusalem. May we not ignore His voice today. ★ Support this podcast ★
The party meets Darivan, the leader of the Cult of the Bloom.WebsiteDiscordTwitterPathfinder Second Edition and the Kingmaker Adventure Path are published by Paizo."Take the Lead" and other featured music were composed by Kevin MacLeod and licensed under Creative Commons by: Attribution 4.0 License.All ambiances were composed by Michael Ghelfi Studios.The Zero Check are committed to providing an inclusive and respectful experience to all listeners, but we also recognize and acknowledge that we are limited by our individual frames of reference. If we misstep, please let us know. Email all feedback to feedback@zerocheckpodcast.com.Thank you for listening to The Zero Check. Send a text
This episode, we talk about two monumental projects that were started in this reign. One was the historiographical project that likely led to the creation of the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki. And then there was the start of the first permanent capital city: the Fujiwara Capital. Listen to the episode and find more on our website: https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-143 Rough Transcript Welcome to Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan. My name is Joshua and this is Episode 143: Temmu's Monumental Projects Ohoama sat astride his horse and looked out at the land in front of him. He could still see the image of the rice fields, now long fallow, spreading out on the plain. To the north, east, and west, he could see the mountains that would frame his vision. As his ministers started to rattle off information about the next steps of the plan, Ohoama began to smile. He thought of the reports his embassies to the Great Tang had brought back, about the great walled cities of the continent. In his mind's eye, Ohoama envisioned something similar, rising up on the plain in front of him. There would be an earth and stone wall, surrounding the great city. The gates would be grand, much like the temples, but on an even greater scale. Houses would be packed in tight, each within their own walled compounds. In the center painted red and white, with green accents, would be a palace to rival any other structure in the archipelago. The people would stream in, and the city would be bustling with traffic. This was a new center, from which the power of Yamato would be projected across the islands and even to the continent. Greetings everyone, and welcome back. This episode we are still focused on the reign of Ohoama, aka Temmu Tennou, between the years 672 and 686. Last episode we talked about the Four Great Temples—or the Four National Temples. Much of this episode was focused on the rise and spread of Buddhism as we see in the building of these national temples, but also on the changes that occurred as the relationship between Buddhism and the State evolved. This was part of Ohoama's work to build up the State into something beyond what it had been in the past—or perhaps into something comparable to what they believed it to have been in the past. After all, based on the size of the tomb mounds in the kofun period, it does seem that there was a peak of prosperity in the 5th century, around the time of Wakatakeru, aka Yuryaku Tennou, and then a decline, to the point that the lineage from Wohodo, aka Keitai Tennou, seemed to have come in during a time when they were rebuilding Yamato power and authority. This episode we are going to talk about two projects that Ohoama kicked off during his reign. He wouldn't see the completion of either one, since both took multiple decades to complete, but both focused on linking the past and the future. The first we'll talk about is a new attempt to gather historical documents and records—the last time that was done was in the time of Kashikiya Hime, over 50 years ago. That was during the height of Soga power. Since then a lot had changed, and presumably there were even more stories and records that had been written down. Plus the tide had changed. So they needed to update—and maybe even correct—the historical record. But beyond that, there was a greater goal: Ohoama and his court also needed to make sure that the past was something that they wanted to go back to, among other things. The other thing we are going to discuss is the start of a project to build a brand new capital city. And when we talk a bout city, we really mean a city. This was a massive undertaking, likely unlike anything that we've seen so far. Sure, there had been monumental building projects, but this was something that was going to take a lot more work - how much more monumental could you get than a new city? And it would create a physical environment that would be the embodiment of the new centralization of power and authority, and the new state that Ohoama was building, with his administration—and Yamato—at the center. Let's start with the big ones. First and foremost, we have the entry from the 17th day of the 3rd month of the 681. Ohoama gave a decree from the Daigokuden to commit to writing a Chronicle of the sovereigns and various matters of high antiquity. Bentley translates this as saying that they were to record and confirm the Teiki, which Aston translated as the Chronicle of the Sovereigns, and various accounts of ancient times. This task was given out to a slew of individuals, including the Royal Princes Kawashima and Osakabe; the Princes Hirose, Takeda, Kuwada, and Mino; as well as Kamitsukenu no Kimi no Michichi, Imbe no Muraji no Kobito, Adzumi no Muraji no Inashiki, Naniwa no Muraji no Ohogata, Nakatomi no Muraji no Ohoshima, and Heguri no Omi no Kobito. Ohoshima and Kobito were specifically chosen as the scribes for this effort. We aren't told what work was started at this time. Aston, in his translation of the Nihon Shoki, assumes that this is the start of the Kojiki. Bentley notes that this is the first in a variety of records about gathering the various records, including gathering records from the various families, and eventually even records from the various provinces. And I think we can see why. Legitimizing a new state and a new way of doing things often means ensuring that you have control of the narrative. Today, that often means doing what you can to control media and the stories that are in the national consciousness. In Ohoama's day, I'd argue that narrative was more about the various written sources, and how they were presented. After all, many of the rituals and evidence that we are looking at would rely on the past to understand the present. The various family records would not only tell of how those families came to be, but would have important information about what else was going on, and how that was presented could determine whether something was going to be seen as auspicious, or otherwise. Even without getting rid of those records, it would be important to have the official, State narrative conform to the Truth that the state was attempting to implement. Ultimately, there is no way to know, exactly, how everything happened. If the Nihon Shoki had a preface, it has been lost. The Kojiki, for its part, does have a preface, and it points to an origin in the reign of Ohoama—known as the sovereign of Kiyomihara. In there we are told that the sovereign had a complaint—that the Teiki and Honji, that is the chronicles of the sovereigns and the various other stories and legends, that had been handed down by various houses had come to differ from the truth. They said they had many falsehoods, which likely meant that they just didn't match the Truth that the State was trying to push. Thus they wanted to create a so-called "true" version to pass down. This task was given to 28 year old Hieda no Are. It says they were intelligent and had an incredible memory. They studied all of the sources, and the work continued beyond the reign of Ohoama. Later, in 711 CE, during the reign of Abe, aka Genmei Tennou, Oho no Yasumaro was given the task of writing down everything that Hieda no Are had learned. The astute amongst you may have noticed that this mentions none of the individuals mentioned in the Nihon Shoki. Nor does the Nihon Shoki mention anything about Hieda no Are. So was this a separate effort, or all part of the same thing? Was Are using the materials collected by the project? As you may recall, we left the Kojiki behind some time ago, since it formally ends with the reign of Kashikiya hime, aka Suiko Tennou, but realistically it ended with Wohodo, aka Keitai Tennou—after that point there are just lists of the various heirs. As such, there is some speculation that this was originally built off of earlier histories, perhaps arranged during the Soga era. The general explanation for all of this is that Hieda no Are memorized the poems and stories, and then Yasumaro wrote them down. Furthermore, though the language in the Kojiki does not express a particular gender, in the Edo period there was a theory that Hieda no Are was a woman, which is still a popular theory. Compare all of that to the Nihon Shoki. Where the Kojiki was often light on details and ends with Suiko Tennou, the Nihon Shoki often includes different sources, specifically mentions some of them by name, and continues up through the year 697. Furthermore, textual analysis of the Nihon Shoki suggests that it was a team effort, with multiple Chroniclers, and likely multiple teams of Chroniclers. I have to admit, that sounds a lot more like the kind of thing that Ohoama was kicking off. We have an entry in the Shoku Nihongi, the work that follows the Nihon Shoki, that suggests 720 for the finished compilation of the Nihon Shoki. So did it take from 681 to 720 to put together? That is a really long project, with what were probably several generations of individuals working on it. Or should this be read in a broader sense? Was this a historiographical project, as Bentley calls it, but one that did not, immediately, know the form it would take? It isn't the first such project—we have histories of the royal lineage and other stories that were compiled previously—much of that attributed to Shotoku Taishi, but likely part of an earlier attempt by the court. In fact, given that the Kojiki and Sendai Hongi both functionally end around the time of Kashikiya hime, that is probably because the official histories covered those periods. Obviously, though, a lot had happened, and some of what was written might not fit the current narrative. And so we see a project to gather and compile various sources. While this project likely culminated in the projects of the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, I doubt that either work was necessarily part of the original vision. Rather, it looks like the original vision was to collect what they could and then figure things out. It would have been after they started pulling the accounts together, reading them, and noticing the discrepancies that they would have needed to then edit them in such a way that they could tell a cohesive story. That there are two separate compilations is definitely interesting. I do suspect that Oho no Yasumaro was working from the efforts of Hieda no Are, either writing down something that had been largely captured in memory or perhaps finishing a project that Are had never completed. The Nihon Shoki feels like it was a different set of teams, working together, but likely drawing from many of the same sources. And as to why we don't have the earlier sources? I once heard it said that for books to be forgotten they didn't need to be banned—they just needed to fall out of circulation and no longer be copied anymore. As new, presumably more detailed, works arose, it makes sense that older sources would not also be copied, as that information was presumably in the updated texts, and any information that wasn't brought over had been deemed counterfactual. Even the Nihon Shoki risked falling into oblivion; the smaller and more digestible Kojiki was often more sought after. The Kojiki generally presents a single story, and often uses characters phonetically, demonstrating how to read names and places. And it just has a more story-like narrative to it. The Nihon Shoki, comparatively, is dense, written in an old form of kanbun, often relying more on kanbun than on phonetic interpretations. It was modeled on continental works, but as such it was never going to be as easy to read. And so for a long time the Kojiki seems to have held pride of place for all but the most ardent scholars of history. Either way, I think that it is still fair to say that the record of 681 was key to the fact that we have this history, today, even if there was no way for Ohoama, at the time, to know just what form it would take. Another ambitious project that got started under Ohoama was the development of a new and permanent capital city. Up to this point we've talked about the various capitals of Yamato, but really it was more that we were talking about the palace compounds where the sovereign lived. From the Makimuku Palace, where either Mimaki Iribiko or possibly even Himiko herself once held sway, to the latest palace, that of Kiyomihara, the sovereigns of Yamato were known by their palaces. This is, in part, because for the longest time each successive sovereign would build a new palace after the previous sovereign passed away. There are various reasons why this may have been the case, often connected to insular concepts of spiritual pollution brought on by the death of an individual, but also the practical consideration that the buildings, from what we can tell, were largely made of untreated wood. That made them easier to erect, but also made them vulnerable to the elements, over time, and is probably one of the reasons that certain shrines, like the Shrine at Ise, similarly reconstitute themselves every 20 years or so. Furthermore, we talk about palaces, but we don't really talk about cities. There were certainly large settlements—even going back to the Wei chronicles we see the mention of some 70 thousand households in the area of Yamateg. It is likely that the Nara basin was filled with cultivated fields and many households. Princes and noble households had their own compounds—remember that both Soga no Umako and Prince Umayado had compounds large enough that they could build temples on the compounds and have enough left over for their own palatial residences, as well. However, these compounds were usually distributed in various areas, where those individuals presumably held some level of local control. It is unclear to me how exactly the early court functioned as far as housing individuals, and how often the court was "in session", as it were, with the noble houses. Presumably they had local accommodations and weren't constantly traveling back and forth to the palace all the time. We know that some houses sent individuals, men and women, to be palace attendants, even though they lived some distance away. This was also likely a constraint on the Yamato court's influence in the early days. We do see the sovereign traveling, and various "temporary" palaces being provided. I highly doubt that these were all built on the spot, and were likely conversions of existing residences, and similar lodging may have been available for elites when they traveled, though perhaps without such pomp and circumstance. What we don't really see in all of this, are anything resembling cities. Now, the term "city" doesn't exactly have a single definition, but as I'm using it, I would note that we don't see large, permanent settlements of significant size that demonstrate the kind of larger civil planning that we would expect of such a settlement. We certainly don't have cities in the way of the large settlements along the Yangzi and Yellow rivers. We talked some time back about the evolution of capital city layouts on the continent. We mentioned that the early theoretical plan for a capital city was based on a square plan, itself divided into 9 square districts, with the central district constituting the palace. This design works great on paper, but not so much in practice, especially with other considerations, such as the north-south orientation of most royal buildings. And then there are geographic considerations. In a place like Luoyang, this square concept was interrupted by the river and local topography. Meanwhile, in Chang'an, they were able to attain a much more regular rectangular appearance. Here, the court and the palace were placed in the center of the northernmost wall. As such, most of the city was laid out to the south of the palace. In each case, however, these were large, planned cities with a grid of streets that defined the neighborhoods. On each block were various private compounds, as well as the defined markets, temples, et cetera. The first possible attempt at anything like this may have been with the Toyosaki palace, in Naniwa. There is some consideration that, given the size of the palace, there may have been streets and avenues that were built alongside it, with the intention of having a similar city layout. If so, it isn't at all clear that it was ever implemented, and any evidence may have been destroyed by later construction on the site. Then we have the Ohotsu palace, but that doesn't seem to be at the same scale as the Toyosaki palace—though it is possible that, again, we are missing some key evidence. Nonetheless, the records don't really give us anything to suggest that these were large cities rather than just palaces. There is also the timeline. While both the Toyosaki palace and the Ohotsu palace took years to build, they did not take the time and amount of manpower that would be needed to create a true capital city. We can judge this based on what it took to build the new capital at Nihiki. This project gets kicked off in the 11th month of 676. We are told that there was an intent to make the capital at Nihiki, so all of the rice-fields and gardens within the precincts, public and private property alike, were left fallow and became totally overgrown. This likely took some time. The next time we see Nihiki is in the 3rd month of 682, when Prince Mino, a minister of the Household Department, and others, went there to examine the grounds. At that point they apparently made the final decision to build the capital there. Ohoama came out to visit later that same month. However, a year later, in the 12th month of 683, we are told that there was a decree for there to be multiple capitals and palaces in multiple sites, and they were going to make the Capital at Naniwa one of those places. And so public functionaries were to go figure out places for houses. So it wasn't just that they wanted to build one new, grand capital. It sounds like they were planning to build two or three, so not just the one at Nihiki. This is also where I have to wonder if the Toyosaki Palace was still being used as an administrative center, at the very least. Or was it repurposed, as we saw that the Asuka palaces had been when the court moved to Ohotsu? This is further emphasized a few months later, when Prince Hirose and Ohotomo Yasumaro, at the head of a group of clerks, officials, artisans, and yin yang diviners were sent around the Home Provinces to try and divine sites suitable for a capital. In addition, Prince Mino, Uneme no Oni no Tsukura, and others were sent to Shinano to see about setting up a capital there as well. Perhaps this was inspired by the relationship between the two Tang capitals of Chang'an and Luoyang. Or perhaps it was so that if one didn't work out another one might. Regardless, Nihiki seemed to be the primary target for this project, and in the third lunar month of 684 Ohoama visited the now barren grounds and decided on a place for the new palace. A month later, Prince Mino and others returned with a map of Shinano, but there is no indication of where they might want to build another capital. After that, we don't hear anything more of Shinano or of a site in the Home Provinces. We do hear one more thing about Naniwa, which we mentioned a couple of episodes back, and that is that in 686 there was a fire that burned down the palace at Naniwa, after which they seem to have abandoned that as a palace site. And so we are left with the area of Nihiki. This project would take until the very end of 694 before it was ready. In total, we are looking at a total of about 18 years—almost two decades, to build a new capital. Some of this may have been the time spent researching other sites, but there also would have been significant time taken to clear and level. This wasn't just fields—based on what we know, they were even taking down old kofun; we are later told about how they had to bury the bodies that were uncovered. There was also probably a pause of some kind during the mourning period when Ohoama passed away. And on top of it, this really was a big project. It wasn't just building the palace, it was the roads, the infrastructure, and then all of the other construction—the city gates, the various private compounds, and more. One can only imagine how much was being invested, especially if they were also looking at other sites and preparing them at the same time. I suspect that they eventually abandoned the other sites when they realized just how big a project it really was that they were undertaking. Today we know that capital as Fujiwara-kyo, based on the name of the royal palace that was built there, and remarkably, we know where it was. Excavations have revealed the site of the palace, and have given us an idea of the extent of the city: It was designed as a square, roughly 5.3 kilometers, or 10 ri, on each side. The square itself was interrupted by various terrain features, including the three holy mountains. Based on archaeological evidence, the street grid was the first thing they laid out, and from what we can tell they were using the ideal Confucian layout as first dictated in the Zhouli, or Rites of Zhou. This meant a square grid, with the palace in the center. Indeed, the palace was centered, due south of Mt. Miminashi, and you can still go and see the palace site, today. When they went to build the palace, they actually had to effectively erase, or bury, the roads they had laid out. They did the same thing for Yakushi-ji, or Yakushi-temple, when they built it as part of the city; one of the reasons we know it had to have been built after the roads were laid out. We will definitely talk about this more when we get to that point of the Chronicles, but for now, know that the Fujiwara palace itself, based on excavations of the site, was massive. The city itself would surpass both Heijo-kyo, at Nara, and Heian-kyo, in modern Kyoto. And the palace was like the Toyosaki Naniwa palace on steroids. It included all of the formal features of the Toyosaki Palace for running the government, but then enclosed that all in a larger compound with various buildings surrounding the court itself. Overall, the entire site is massive. This was meant as a capital to last for the ages. And yet, we have evidence that it was never completed. For one thing, there is no evidence that a wall was ever erected around it—perhaps there was just no need, as relations with the mainland had calmed down, greatly. But there is also evidence that parts of the palace, even, were not finished at the time that they abandoned it. Fujiwara-kyo would only be occupied for about 16 years before a new capital was built—Heijo-kyo, in Nara. There are various reasons as to why they abandoned what was clearly meant to be the first permanent capital city, and even with the move to a new city in Nara it would be clear that it was going to take the court a bit of time before they were ready to permanently settle down—at least a century or so. Based on all the evidence we have, and assuming this was the site of the eventual capital, Nihiki was the area of modern Kashihara just north of Asuka, between—and around—the mountains of Unebi, Miminashi, and Kagu. If these mountains are familiar, they popped up several times much earlier in the Chronicles--Mostly in the Age of the Gods and in the reign of the mythical Iware-biko, aka Jimmu Tennou. Yet these three mountains help to set out the boundaries of the capital city that was being built at this time. There is definitely some consideration that they were emphasized in the early parts of the Chronicles—the mythical sections, which were bolstering the story of Amaterasu and the Heavenly Grandchild, setting up the founding myths for the dynasty. Even though the Chronicles were not completed until well after the court had moved out, the Fujiwara capital is the climax of the Nihon Shoki, which ends in 697, three years into life at the new palace. And so we can assume that much of the early, critical editing of the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki were done with the idea that this would be the new capital, and so it was woven into the histories, and had it continued as the capital, the very landscape would have recalled the stories of the divine origins of the Royal family and the state of Yamato itself. This was the stage on which Ohoama's state was built. He, and his successors, didn't just change the future path of the Yamato government. They rearranged the physical and temporal environment, creating a world that centered them and their government. I suspect that Ohoama didn't originally consider that these wouldn't be finished during his reign. That said, he came to power in his 40s, only slightly younger than his brother, who had just died. He would live to be 56 years old—a respectable age for male sovereigns, around that time. From a quick glance, Naka no Oe was about 45 or 46 years old, while Karu lived to about 57 or 58. Tamura only made it to 48. The female sovereigns seem to have lasted longer, with Ohoama's mother surviving until she was 66 or 67 years old, and Kashikiya Hime made it to the ripe old age of 74. That said, it is quite likely that he thought he would make it longer. After all, look at all the merit he was accruing! Still, he passed away before he could see these projects fully accomplished. That would have to be left for the next reign—and even that wasn't enough. The Fujiwara Capital would only be occupied for a short time before being abandoned about two reigns later, and the histories as we know them wouldn't be complete for three more reigns. So given all of this, let's take another quick look at Ohoama himself and where he stands at this pivotal moment of Yamato history.When we look at how he is portrayed, Ohoama is generally lionized for the work he is said to have accomplished. I would argue that he is the last of three major figures to whom are attributed most of the changes that resulted in the sinification of the Yamato government. The first is prince Umayado, aka Shotoku Taishi, who is said to have written the 17 article constitution, the first rank system, and the introduction of Buddhism. To be fair, these things—which may not have been exactly as recorded in the Chronicles—were likely products of the court as a whole. Many people attribute more to Kashikiya Hime, aka Suiko Tennou, as well as Soga no Umako. Of course, Soga no Umako wasn't a sovereign, or even a member of the royal family, and Kashikiya Hime, aka Suiko Tennou, seems to have likewise been discounted, at least later, possibly due to the fact that she is thought to have come to power more as a compromise candidate than anything else—she was the wife of a previous sovereign and niece to Soga no Umako. Many modern scholars seem to focus more on the agency of Kashikiya Hime and suggest that she had more say than people tend to give her credit for. That said, Shotoku Taishi seems to have been the legendary figure that was just real enough to ascribe success to. That he died before he could assume the throne just meant that he didn't have too many problematic decisions of his own to apparently work around. The next major figure seems to be Naka no Oe, aka Tenji Tennou. Naka no Oe kicks off the period of Great Change, the Taika era, and is credited with a lot of the changes—though I can't help but notice that the formal sovereign, Naka no Oe's uncle, Karu, seems to have stuck with the new vision of the Toyosaki Palace and the administrative state while Naka no Oe and his mother moved back to the traditional capital. And when Naka no Oe moved the capital to Ohotsu, he once again built a palace more closely aligned to what we see in Asuka than the one in Naniwa, which brings some questions about how the new court was operating. But many of his reforms clearly were implemented, leveraging the new concepts of continental rulership to solidify the court's hegemony over the rest of the archipelago. Ohoama, as represented in the Chronicles, appears to be the culmination of these three. He is building on top of what his brother had implemented through the last three reigns. Some of what he did was consolidate what Naka no Oe had done, but there were also new creations, for which Ohoama is credited, even if most of the work was done outside of Ohoama's reign, but they were attributed to Ohoama, nonetheless. Much of this was started later in Ohoama's reign, and even today there seem to be some questions about who did what. Nonetheless, we can at least see how the Chroniclers were putting the story together. There are a lot of scholars that point to the fact that the bulk of the work of these projects would actually be laid out in the following reigns, and who suggest that individuals like the influential Uno no Sarara, who held the control of the government in Ohoama's final days, may have had a good deal more impact on how things turned out, ultimately. In fact, they might even have been more properly termed her projects—there are some that wonder if some of the attributions to Ohoama were meant to bolster the authority of later decrees, but I don't really see a need for that, and it seems that there is enough evidence to suggest that these projects were begun in this period. All of this makes it somewhat ironic that by the time the narrative was consolidated and published to the court, things were in a much different place—literally. The Fujiwara capital had been abandoned. The court, temples, and the aristocracy had picked up stakes and moved north. Fujiwara no Fuhito had come on the scene, and now his family was really taking off. This was not the same world that the Chronicles had been designed around. And yet, that is what was produced. Perhaps there is a reason that they ended where they did. From that point on, though, there were plenty of other projects to record what was happening. Attempts to control the narrative would need to do a lot more. We see things like the Sendai Kuji Hongi, with its alternative, and perhaps even subversive, focus on the Mononobe family. And then later works like the Kogoshui, recording for all time the grievances of the Imbe against their rivals—for all the good that it would do. With more people learning to write, it was no longer up to the State what did or did not get written down. But that has taken us well beyond the scope of this reign—and this episode, which we should probably be bringing to a close. There are still some things here and there that I want to discuss about this reign—so the next episode may be more of a miscellany of various records that we haven't otherwise covered, so far. Until then if you like what we are doing, please tell your friends and feel free to rate us wherever you listen to podcasts. If you feel the need to do more, and want to help us keep this going, we have information about how you can donate on Patreon or through our KoFi site, ko-fi.com/sengokudaimyo, or find the links over at our main website, SengokuDaimyo.com/Podcast, where we will have some more discussion on topics from this episode. Also, feel free to reach out to our Sengoku Daimyo Facebook page. You can also email us at the.sengoku.daimyo@gmail.com. Thank you, also, to Ellen for their work editing the podcast. And that's all for now. Thank you again, and I'll see you next episode on Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.
Matt Maher visits with Teresa from the Good News Cruise. Scott Smith talks about "33 Days to the Holy Family: Consecration to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph". Voice-actor Brian Stivale joins Teresa to talk about his role as Samuel in the animated film DAVID. Chris McCarthy talks about adoration sodality at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama. Plus, Jason Baxter talks about the importance of literature to the faith, and how a pilgrimage helps develop your faith.
From the January/February 2026 edition of The Scottish Rite Journal. Any accompanying photographs or citations for this article can be found in the corresponding print edition.Make sure to like and subscribe to the channel! Freemasons, make sure you shout out your Lodge, Valley, Chapter or Shrine below!OES, Job's Daughter's, Rainbow, DeMolay? Drop us a comment too!To learn how to find a lodge near you, visit www.beafreemason.comTo learn more about the Scottish Rite, visit www.scottishrite.orgVisit our YouTube Page: Youtube.com/ScottishRiteMasonsJoin our Lost Media Archive for only $1.99 a month!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv-F13FNBaW-buecl7p8cJg/joinVisit our new stores:Bookstore: https://www.srbookstore.myshopify.com/Merch Store: http://www.shopsrgifts.com/
Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes; in 1858 in Lourdes, France, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous; eventually, thousands gathered around her to witness the events, including the appearance of a new, surging spring (still present today) from which Bernadette drank; today, millions visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes annually Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/11/26 Gospel: Mark 7:14-23
This episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast features a partnership with the National Dairy Shrine to present interviews with the winners of the Pioneer Award. Executive Director Mike Opperman introduces the series, sharing insights about the organization's history, mission, and contributions to the dairy industry. Mike details his own journey within the dairy sector and discusses the various awards and initiatives hosted by the National Dairy Shrine, including scholarships, youth outreach, and the newly introduced Emerging Leader Award. The episode previews interviews with notable figures like Bonnie Ayars, George Wiggins, Scott Armbrust, and others who have significantly impacted genetics, genomics, and dairy advancement.00:00 Introduction to a Special Series00:40 Meet Mike Opperman: A Dairy Industry Veteran02:51 The National Dairy Shrine: History and Mission05:58 Supporting Young Dairy Professionals08:00 Introducing the Emerging Leader Award12:20 Honoring Dairy Industry Pioneers20:30 Conclusion and How to Get InvolvedLink to award applications: https://dairyshrine.org/awards/Link to scholarship applications: https://dairyshrine.org/youth/#scholarLink to donate to Dairy Shrine: https://dairyshrine.org/donate/Link to YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@dairyshrine?si=dS_EVxaA1XhUXBhzInformation about webinarTopic: “Avoiding Burnout in a 24/7 Industry”Date: February 11, 2026Time: Noon CentralClick here to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eTGV4PLeTe2gI4np7Lrlzg
Love isn't just a feeling; it's a sacrifice that costs you comfort and convenience. Jesus calls us to be the light of the world, but like an oil lamp, we can only give light by being willing to burn.#FULLTANKwithBroBo #FULLTANKwithBroBo2026 #BoSanchez #BeTheLight #SaltAndLight #SacrificialLove #FaithInAction #Mark5 #Matthew5 #SpiritualMaturity #TrulyRichMindset #GodsGlory--- P.S. If your spirit has been whispering for a break, listen. Join me on a transformative journey: The "Mary's Comfort" Pilgrimage to Guadalupe, Mexico from March 16 to 25, 2026. The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is not just a destination; it is a spiritual home. It is where Mary made her tender promise to care for all her children. Just click here to learn more: bosanchez.ph/pilgrims/guadalupeSupport this podcast. Help me reach others by supporting this podcast.To support my mission work, click this link now! http://BuyMeACoffee.com/brotherbosanchez
Bogman and CK talk about the risers from the Senior Bowl and Shrine game! We go position by position to tell you who impressed scouts and put their names on 'Risers' lists everywhere. This Draft Class may not be the best over but that might make the process of Bowl games, combine and pro days more important than ever!Follow Us on Twitter! @BogmanSports @CopiepsInthisleague.com
Fr. Elias Mary Mills, F.I., served as Rector of the Shrine Church at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, from 2016 to 2021. He was ordained in May of 2000. In Today's Show: Are throat blessings on the Feast of St. Blaise more special or effective than a throat blessing requested on another day? If a priest changes the words of absolution during confession, would it still be valid? Should a Catholic continue a friendship with someone who is not practicing and has vices? How do we know if a confession was truly valid? Should confession be done face-to-face or through a screen? What is the proper way of fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday? What should we use blessed candles for? Who are Fr. Elias's favorite saints? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!
Fr. Elias Mary Mills, F.I., served as Rector of the Shrine Church at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, from 2016 to 2021. He was ordained in May of 2000. In Today's Show: What can and cannot be done before marriage? Should someone attend their first confession without having received proper catechesis? Can Catholics attend non-Catholic worship services? What is the worst thing Fr. Elias has had to deal with as a priest? Do priests refer to each other as Father? Why is original sin called "original sin" if the angels sinned first? What should we say when someone blasphemes the name of God? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!
Make sure to like and subscribe to the channel! Freemasons, make sure you shout out your Lodge, Valley, Chapter or Shrine below!OES, Job's Daughter's, Rainbow, DeMolay? Drop us a comment too!To learn how to find a lodge near you, visit www.beafreemason.comTo learn more about the Scottish Rite, visit www.scottishrite.orgVisit our YouTube Page: Youtube.com/ScottishRiteMasonsJoin our Lost Media Archive for only $1.99 a month!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv-F13FNBaW-buecl7p8cJg/joinVisit our new stores:Bookstore: https://www.srbookstore.myshopify.com/Merch Store: http://www.shopsrgifts.com/
From Astro Boy to Gundam to real-world robots like ASIMO and Pepper, Japan's fascination with robots runs deep. This week, the Krewe is joined by author, cultural commentator, & robot enthusiast Matt Alt to explore how robots became heroes instead of threats in Japanese pop culture and how those sci-fi dreams quietly shaped Japan's modern relationship with technology, AI, and everyday automation. From giant mecha and cyborg icons to robot cafés and beyond, we dig into why Japan seems so comfortable living alongside machines in an episode that's equal parts nostalgia, culture, and future tech.------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, Threads: @kreweofjapanpodcast & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode!Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan! ------ Matt Alt Links ------Matt's WebsitePure Invention - Publisher's PageMatt's NewsletterPure Tokyoscope PodcastMatt on IG------ Past Matt Alt Episodes ------Akira Toriyama: Legacy of a Legend ft. Matt Alt (S5E3)The History of Nintendo ft. Matt Alt (S4E18)How Marvel Comics Changed Tokusatsu & Japan Forever ft Gene & Ted Pelc (Guest Host, Matt Alt) (S3E13)Yokai: The Hauntings of Japan ft. Hiroko Yoda & Matt Alt (S2E5)Why Japan ft. Matt Alt (S1E1)------ Past KOJ Pop Culture Episodes ------Enjoying Shojo Anime & Manga ft. Taryn of Manga Lela (S5E18)The History & Evolution of Godzilla ft. Dr. William (Bill) Tsutsui (S5E1)Thoughts on Godzilla Minus One ft. Dr. William (Bill) Tsutsui (S4Bonus)Japanese Mascot Mania ft. Chris Carlier of Mondo Mascots (S4E8)Tokusatsu Talk with a Super Sentai ft. Sotaro Yasuda aka GekiChopper (S4E6)The Evolution of PokéMania ft Daniel Dockery [Part 2] (S4E3)The Evolution of PokéMania ft Daniel Dockery [Part 1] (S4E2)Japanese Independent Film Industry ft. Award Winning Director Eiji Uchida (S3E18)Talking Shonen Anime Series ft. Kyle Hebert (S3E10)Japanese Arcades (S2E16)How to Watch Anime: Subbed vs. Dubbed ft. Dan Woren (S2E9)Manga: Literature & An Art Form ft. Danica Davidson (S2E3)The Fantastical World of Studio Ghibli ft. Steve Alpert (S2E1)The Greatest Anime of All Time Pt. 3: Modern Day Anime (2010's-Present) (S1E18)The Greatest Anime of All Time Pt. 2: The Golden Age (1990's-2010's) (S1E16)The Greatest Anime of All Time Pt. 1: Nostalgia (60's-80's) (S1E5)We Love Pokemon: Celebrating 25 Years (S1E3)------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event CalendarJoin JSNO Today!
In today's episode Mike Renner and JP Acosta go through a live 2026 NFL mock draft ahead of Super Bowl LX. The guys go through all 32 1st-round picks for the current draft order! They also give their biggest draft risers following the Shrine and Senior Bowls. (00:00) Intro (1:50) Biggest NFL Draft Risers (19:19) Mock Draft Picks 1-10 (36:47) Mock Draft Picks 11-22 (57:50) Mock Draft Picks 23-32 Pushing the Pile is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@pushingthepile Download and Follow Pushing the Pile on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2RFkEgdbFxbPBDU5F5xEjJ?si=1062d40c04e24fd5 Follow our PTP team on Twitter: @mikerenner_, @Ky1eLong, @acosta32_jp, @pushingthepile Sign up for the Pick Six Newsletter at https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters For more NFL coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ Visit the betting arena on CBSSports.com for all the latest sportsbook reviews and sportsbook promos. You can listen to Pushing the Pile on your smart speakers! Simply say "Alexa, play the latest episode of the Pushing the Pile podcast" or "Hey Google, play the latest episode of the Pushing the Pile podcast." To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020326.cfmThe Church remembers St. Blaise as a powerful intercessor for those suffering from ailments of the throat — but his witness points far beyond physical healing. In this homily, Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC, draws us into the heart of the Gospel, where Christ's miracles transcend the physical.From the blessing of throats after Candlemas to the healing of the woman with the hemorrhage, Scripture reveals a consistent truth: God desires our complete healing, yet He always aims first at the salvation of our souls. Physicians, medicine, and created goods are true gifts from the Lord — but there are moments when only divine grace can reach the deepest wounds. Physical cures may come or not come, but spiritual healing is always offered.The woman who dared to touch the hem of Christ's garment knew she could not approach Him openly. Unclean by the law, exhausted by years of suffering, she reached out in faith — and power went forth from Him. Her healing becomes a sign of what Christ longs to do for every soul that is “bleeding out” through sin, despair, or distance from God.The Gospel does not deny suffering. It reveals its meaning. Jesus restores life not only to bodies, but to souls cut off from grace. Through Confession, Holy Communion, and Eucharistic adoration, He continues to pour out the same mercy that flowed from His pierced side — blood and water that cleanse, revive, and nourish us for eternal life.Saint Blaise understood this truth, and demonstrated it with his life and martyrdom. So do the other saints whose relics remind us that even the smallest contact with the truly holy — like touching the hem of a garment — can become a channel of grace when done with faith.Whether we seek physical healing or carry unseen wounds of the soul, the invitation is the same: Run to the Divine Physician. Do not be afraid. Reach out. He still heals. ★ Support this podcast ★
Bishop David Ricken joins to discuss the news of the opening cause for the Canonization of Adele Brice. Chris McCarthy of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, AL talks about Adoration Sodality Days at the Shrine. Plus, Newman Guide News with Kelly Salomon!
In an unassuming dirt patch in Tucson's Barrio Viejo sits a shrine that is said to grant wishes. But this altar is not like most. It sits at the site of a brutal murder that happened when a love affair went wrong in 1800s Tucson and is said to be the only true shine to a sinner. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, you'll hear the true crime story that lead to a symbol of history and hope for the Mexican-American community in west Tucson. Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Abraham Cooper Host, Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020126.cfmAs our nation approaches a historic milestone, Fr. Mark Baron, MIC invites us to look deeper than slogans, documents, or even the American Dream. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are good aspirations—but they are incomplete unless they are rightly ordered. True happiness, as St. Thomas Aquinas teaches, is not rooted in possessions, power, or comfort, but in communion with God Himself.Father Mark contrasts worldly definitions of happiness with the radical vision Jesus offers in the Beatitudes. Happiness is not a passing emotion or a collection of achievements; it is the deep peace that comes from desires rightly ordered toward God, who alone can satisfy the human heart. When our loves are disordered, we build inverted kingdoms—measuring success by wealth, status, or pleasure. Christ comes to overturn that logic.The Beatitudes show us how to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God in the midst of a wounded world. Poverty of spirit reminds us that God is God—and we are not. Mourning gives us eyes to see the pain of sin and injustice. Meekness governs our anger so it does not become vengeance. Hunger for righteousness fuels a desire to do God's will. Mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaking flow from a life reconciled with God. And yes, living this way may bring persecution—but it also brings freedom.This is not an escape from the world, but a way to live in it rightly. The Beatitudes are Jesus' answer to a restless age: how to be truly happy, even now, by ordering our lives toward heaven. ★ Support this podcast ★
Father Gabe Cillo reflects on St. John Bosco's deep love for young people—and his clear-eyed realism about the world they're growing up in. Formation isn't just about information. It's about helping hearts face a real battle: the pull of culture, personal wounds, and the enemy who wants to distract, numb, and divide.Saint John Bosco knew something essential: young people don't need watered-down truth—they need truth presented with love, joy, discipline, prayer, and mercy. They need to know that life includes work, recreation, suffering, temptation, and grace—and that none of it makes sense without God at the center.At the heart of this homily is a powerful dream of St. John Bosco: a serpent defeated not by strength or fear, but by a rope that becomes the words Ave Maria. The Rosary. A simple prayer that heaven uses to conquer what we cannot on our own.Father Gabe also reminds us never to despair—especially when a life looks broken at the end. God's mercy can move in the final moments. The prayers of a mother. The intercession of Our Lady. A single cry for help whispered years earlier. Grace is never wasted.Teach the truth. Pray the Rosary. Trust Our Lady.And never stop hoping—for yourself, or for the young souls God has placed in your care.“Let us pray, hope, and don't worry.” ★ Support this podcast ★
Mike McCarthyhas been busy hiring his new staff for the 2026 Steelers. We break down all the new hires and talk about how the experience of these coaches can help the future development of the team. We then break down some of the players that jumped out while scouting the Shrine bowl and how they would fit in with Pittsburgh. Go Steelers!
Fr. Elias Mary Mills, F.I., served as Rector of the Shrine Church at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, from 2016 to 2021. He was ordained in May of 2000. In Today's Show: Are the sermons at Mass filled with the word of God? Does the Catholic Church specify what constitutes good entertainment? Should those who doubt the Lord's presence in the Eucharist refrain from receiving? What's the difference between Catholic and Protestant salvation theology? What do I say to those who say you need to be a Zionist to be a real Catholic? Did Adam and Eve have any idea about the severity of the punishment they would receive? Can a Catholic realtor sell a house to a couple who are cohabiting? What is a sin of omission? Can the laity perform Last Rites in an emergency? Resources: Fr. Elias' 2026 Pilgrimage to Japan: Click here Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!
Mike Renner and JP Acosta give their final predictions for the AFC and NFC Championship games. The guys also preview the upcoming Shrine and Senior Bowls! They go position-by-position giving draft prospects to watch and discuss which players have the most to gain. (00:00) Intro (1:38) AFC Championship Preview (14:46) AFC Championship Preview (29:21) Shrine/Senior Bowl Offense Preview (57:22) Shrine/Senior Bowl Offense Preview Pushing the Pile is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@pushingthepile Download and Follow Pushing the Pile on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2RFkEgdbFxbPBDU5F5xEjJ?si=1062d40c04e24fd5 Follow our PTP team on Twitter: @mikerenner_, @Ky1eLong, @acosta32_jp, @pushingthepile Sign up for the Pick Six Newsletter at https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters For more NFL coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ Visit the betting arena on CBSSports.com for all the latest sportsbook reviews and sportsbook promos. You can listen to Pushing the Pile on your smart speakers! Simply say "Alexa, play the latest episode of the Pushing the Pile podcast" or "Hey Google, play the latest episode of the Pushing the Pile podcast." To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices