Podcasts about Wikimedia Commons

Jesus' death is the final sacrifice. No others are needed because his is a truly perfect one. He embraces death that we might know life for eternity.Image: Drawn by Gustave Doré, engraved by J. Gauchard Brunier. Scanned by Michael Gäbler with Epson Perfection 4490 Photo., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

At the Last Supper our Lord, Jesus established the Eucharist and washed his disciples' feet. In the process of this, we are reminded that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. How does this connect to the establishing of the Passover so long ago? Father Jeremiah explores this and explains it in his Maundy Thursday sermon.Image: Jaume Huguet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 History's Craziest Failed Predictions: Why the Experts Got It Hilariously WrongThink you can predict the future? Think again! In this episode of An Ounce, we dive into history's biggest and funniest prediction fails. Discover why experts confidently declared airplanes impossible, dismissed the telephone, called personal computers pointless, and even predicted rock ‘n' roll's quick demise.History has never been so amusingly wrong!

Den amerikanska revolutionen var mer än bara en kamp om representation och frihet. I Boston var flera av de ledande revolutionärerna rika handelsmän som såg sina affärsintressen hotade av brittiska tullar. I Philadelphia och New York växte motståndsnätverk fram som försvarade rätten till fri handel.Under 1700-talet var dessa tre städer sammanlänkade genom ett livligt nätverk av både laglig handel och en omfattande smuggling. Tillsammans utgjorde de ett slags ekonomiskt kluster som agerade mer som rivaler än lydiga provinser under London. Genom smuggling och handelsförbindelser med franska, portugisiska och nederländska hamnar byggde de upp ett parallellt system som effektivt kringgick brittiska handelshinder.I detta avsnitt av podden Historia Nu samtalar programledaren Urban Lindstedt med ekonomhistorikern Jeremy Land om de ekonomiska orsakerna bakom den amerikanska revolutionen. Han är aktuell med boken Colonial Ports, Global Trade, and the Roots of the American Revolution (1700–1776).När vi tänker på den amerikanska revolutionen är det ofta dramatiska scener som dyker upp: Boston Tea Party, vapenskrammel vid Lexington och Concord, rop om frihet och självständighet. Men kampen för ekonomisk frihet från kolonialmakten Storbritannien föregick den politiska självständigheten.Storbritannien försökte tygla denna utveckling med lagar och tullar, men saknade resurser för att få full kontroll. Tulltjänstemän var få och ofta korrumperade, och lokala handelsmän hade både pengar och makt att göra motstånd. Denna relativa ekonomiska frihet ledde till en form av mental och praktisk självständighet långt innan självständighetsförklaringen skrevs. Boston, New York och Philadelphia började agera som ekonomiska aktörer med egna intressen – inte som kuggar i ett imperium.När britterna på 1760-talet skärpte tonen med skatter som Stamp Act och Townshend Acts utbröt inte bara vrede – utan också organiserat motstånd. Bojkotter, smuggling och politisk mobilisering blev vardag. Det var handelsmännen, de ekonomiska motorerna i kolonierna, som ofta stod i spetsen för revolutionen.Det är i skärningspunkten mellan ekonomi och politik som den amerikanska revolutionen verkligen tar form. De koloniala hamnarna var inte bara strategiska punkter på en karta – de var hjärtat i en ekonomisk förändring som gjorde revolutionen oundviklig.Det var köpmännen i hamnstäderna som i praktiken började skriva självständighetens förhistoria. Långt innan de första skotten avlossades i Lexington, pågick en annan kamp – tystare, men minst lika avgörande – i hamnmagasin, på handelsfartyg och i de koloniala gatornas skuggor.Bild: Förstörelsen av teet i Bostons hamn, en ikonisk litografi från 1846 av Nathaniel Currier; uttrycket "Boston Tea Party" hade ännu inte blivit vedertaget. Notera att få av männen som kastade teet som faktiskt var förklädda till ursprungsamerikaner enligt den vanliga historien.Musik: ”Chester” är en patriotisk hymn komponerad av William Billings och sjöngs under det amerikanska revolutionskriget. Chester av William Billings (kompositör), William Schuman (arrangör). framförd av United States Marine Corps Band, 2014. Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.Lyssna också på Göteborgs briljanta historia.Klippare: Emanuel Lehtonen Vill du stödja podden och samtidigt höra ännu mer av Historia Nu? Gå med i vårt gille genom att klicka här: https://plus.acast.com/s/historianu-med-urban-lindstedt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read Online“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once.”  John 13:31–32Jesus speaks this line about Himself being glorified immediately after Judas leaves the supper to go forth to betray Him. Jesus had just finished washing the feet of His disciples, and soon He would finish the Last Supper, go to the Garden of Gethsemane, be arrested, beaten and crucified. And this was to all take place through the betrayal of one of the Twelve. Yet rather than speak of these pending events in a fearful or anxious way, Jesus points to the glory He will receive through them.Everything in life has the potential to become an instrument of the glory of God. Even our sin can end in God's glory when we repent and receive God's forgiveness. It will not be our sin that glorifies God but His mercy poured forth from the Cross upon us that gives Him glory.The same is true with the events of Holy Week. When looked at from a purely human perspective, what Jesus endured was tragic and horrific. One of His closest companions betrayed Him. The religious leaders of the time betrayed Him. The civil authorities betrayed Him. And all of the disciples except John fled in fear as Jesus was betrayed. But Jesus did not look at any of this through human eyes alone. He saw it all from the eternal perspective and clearly taught that all of these seemingly tragic events would end in His glory.When we commit ourselves to the following of Christ, we can be assured that we will also share in His Cross. We will experience the sins of others, encounter mistreatment, and have to endure various sufferings. The question for us all as we have these encounters in life is whether we will endure them in anger and despair or with the hopeful confidence of our Lord. Again, everything in life has the potential to become an instrument of the glory of God. Nothing in life has the power to steal away that glory when we keep our eyes upon the will of God and His power to use all for His glory. Reflect, today, upon your call in life to see everything from the divine perspective. If you are upset, angry, despairing or confused at times, know that God wants to bring clarity and grace to every situation. He wants to show you how you can share in His divine mission of transforming every evil into God's glory. Seek out the ways that your life must give glory to God in everything, especially those things that seem incapable of being used for good. The more an experience in life seems incapable of being used for God's glory, the more that experience is capable of giving true glory to God. My glorious Lord, You brought forth good from all things. Even the grave evil of Your betrayal was transformed into a manifestation of Your glory. I offer to You, dear Lord, all that I endure in life and pray that You will be glorified in all things, and that my life will continually become a manifestation of the glory due Your holy name. 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.Image: Philippe de Champaigne, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Was Darwin’s evolutionary theory inspired by his opposition to slavery? Explore the complex relationship between Darwin’s personal abhorrence of human slavery and his scientific observations of slave-making ants as natural selection in action. While born into a family of abolitionists, Darwin’s evolutionary works notably lack anti-slavery advocacy and even describe slavery in nature as “beneficial.” This examination challenges recent claims about Darwin’s motivations, revealing how his theories were later used to justify racial hierarchies rather than combat them. The author argues that contrary to popular portrayal, Darwin’s “sacred cause” wasn’t abolition—it was challenging the idea of divine creation.

This blue cannibalistic, vampiric boogey-woman roams the countryside preying upon young children in Leicestershire.  MUSIC COURTESY OF:

What is so unique about Jesus' death upon the cross? What makes this man's death so important to all of history? St. Paul gives us a glimpse of this reality when he speaks of Jesus being in the form of God and yet taking on the likeness of man. We come to realize that Jesus is no ordinary man dying upon the cross, but God in the flesh dealing with our sin. And thus, Christmas and Good Friday come together for us on this Palm Sunday.Image: Benjamin Haydon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Benjamin_Robert_Haydon_-_Christ%27s_Entry_into_Jerusalem_-_WGA11207.jpg

 The Mandela Effect strikes again! Find out what's changing this time and test yourself on famous examples like Star Wars, KitKat, and Tinker Bell. Explore the theories of parallel universes and false memories in this mind-bending video!NOTE: The images displayed in this video are the property of their respective copyright and trademark owners. They are used here under the doctrine of 'fair use' for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, or research. No copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

When Jesus tells the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, he is confronting the wicked leaders of the Jewish people with the reality that they had neglected how they came to be in the vineyard in the first place. The tenants were chosen and brought into the vineyard by the owner that they might care for it while he was away, but they rejected him and wanted to keep everything for themselves. Father Jeremiah explains how this relates to our very salvaiton.Image: Phillip Medhurst, Photo by Harry Kossuth, FAL, via Wikimedia Commons

All the details from the big Nintendo Switch 2 reveal this morning. Wikimedia says AI bots are increasing its costs by 50%. North Korean IT workers allegedy continue to go after remote IT jobs worldwide. Meta is reading its more ambitious, more expensive smartglasses for maybe later this year. And maybe the CoreWeave IPO wasn't a bust?Sponsors:Udacity.com/ride and promocode RIDELinks:Amazon Said to Make a Bid to Buy TikTok in the U.S. (NYTimes)Everything announced at Nintendo's Switch 2 Direct (Polygon)AI crawlers cause Wikimedia Commons bandwidth demands to surge 50% (TechCrunch)North Korean IT worker army expands operations in Europe (BleepingComputer)How Meta's Upcoming $1,000+ Smart Glasses With a Screen Will Work (Bloomberg)Stablecoin issuer Circle files for IPO as public markets open to crypto (CNBC)CoreWeave shares rip nearly 42% higher, rising above IPO price (CNBC)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In our third episode on beliefs and ideologies, we explore China’s newfound enthusiasm for psychiatry. Counselling was only registered as a profession in 2001 yet has seen a massive boom under Xi Jinping. The psy-boom is such that even party branch meetings are doing mindfulness exercises, and practitioners are trying to indigenise counselling practices. There’s plenty to work on; the 2022 China Mental Health Survey found seven percent of the population were suffering from depression, half of them schoolchildren. To explore what’s drawing China to the couch, Louisa and Graeme are joined by Yiying Xiong, a counsellor and associate professor at John Hopkins University, Barclay Bram, an audio journalist at the Economist and fellow at the Asia Society, and medical anthropologist Hsuan-Ying Huang, from Taiwan’s National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. Image: c/- Wikimedia Commons, Sigmund Freud's Couch, London, 2004. Episode transcripts are available at: https://ciw.anu.edu.au/podcasts/little-red-podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twisted bands of rock, once soft as clay, now tower in rigid beauty. How did they come to be? Mainstream geology says time and pressure worked their slow magic over millions of years. But what if there’s a faster, more powerful explanation rooted in biblical history? This striking look at folded strata challenges deep-time thinking, offering strong geological evidence that these layers were laid down rapidly and bent while still wet. Discover why the global Flood described in Genesis remains the most compelling answer.

When the younger son returns from his shameful life and the older son refuses to come to the party for his brother, the father chooses not to reject his sons, but instead bears their shameful actions upon himself so that they can be reconciled to him. The father in this parable is a picture of what Jesus does for us through the cross in his bearing of our sin to restore us to God the Father.Image: Pompeo Batoni, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Image location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pompeo_Batoni_003.jpg

Read OnlineTax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable. Luke 15:1–3This is good news! Our Lord “welcomes sinners and eats with them.” For that reason, there is room at His table for you!Sometimes it's hard to admit that we are sinners. Of course we know in our minds that we are. But our pride can easily lead us to justify our sin, downplay it and conclude that we are not that bad after all. If you find yourself thinking this way, be careful. Doing so will make you like the Pharisees and scribes in the passage above. Clearly they did not see themselves as sinners, which is why they condemned Jesus for welcoming sinners and eating with them. The passage above comes from the beginning of Chapter 15 of Luke's Gospel and serves as an introduction to three subsequent parables. First, our Lord tells the Parable of the Lost Sheep, then the Parable of the Lost Coin, and then the Parable found in the rest of today's Gospel passage, the Parable of the Lost Son. In the first parable, the shepherd who finds his lost sheep rejoices. In the second parable, the woman who finds her lost coin rejoices. And in the parable we read today, the father who finds his lost son rejoices and throws a party to celebrate.Return, again, to the passage above that introduces these three parables: “Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus.” Once they drew near, Jesus spoke to them about the joy of finding that which was lost. Perhaps as Jesus initially spoke about the finding of the lost sheep and lost coin, this would have resonated with these tax collectors and sinners to a certain degree. But then our Lord tells them the long and detailed story about this boy who disrespects his father, takes his inheritance, squanders it on illicit living, and ends up with nothing. The story expresses the confusion of this boy, his desperation, his guilt and his shame. We learn of his interior thinking, reasoning, fears and anxiety.As you ponder this parable, try to understand the effect that it would have had upon the tax collectors and sinners who all drew near to our Lord. They were spiritually hungry, just as the prodigal son was. They had a past full of regret, just as this boy. They were unsatisfied in life and were looking for a way out, just as this son of the loving father was. For these reasons, those tax collectors and sinners who drew near Jesus would have been mesmerized by all that Jesus taught them and filled with hope that they, too, could share in the joy that was so generously bestowed upon this wayward son. Reflect, today, upon the touching image of these tax collectors and sinners drawing near to Jesus. Though they may have had a certain fear and caution, they would have also had hope. Try to understand what they must have thought and felt as they heard this story of the father's abundant mercy. Think about how they would have related as they discovered that there was hope for them, too. If you struggle with being like the scribes and Pharisees, reject that temptation. Instead, see yourself as one of those sinners who drew near to our Lord and you will be the cause of joy in the Heart of the Father in Heaven. Most loving and compassionate Lord, tax collectors and sinners were drawn to You. They found in You someone Who could free them from the burdens they carried within. Please help me to see myself as one of those humble souls in need of You and Your mercy. I reject my pride that leads me to self-justification and pray for humility so that I can come to You and gladden the Heart of the Father 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.James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 In this episode, Steve Fouts Fouts and returning guest Jarvis Funches explore an Ernest Hemingway quote: “The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” They unpack the complexities of trust, particularly in the context of relationships, discussing how trust is often given unconsciously and the impact of past experiences on one's ability to trust again. They dive into the counterclaim and essential question, stating that it is sometimes good for a person to have a criteria they use to determine who to trust. Image source: Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Ernest_Hemingway_%2C_auteur%2C_kop%2C_Bestanddeelnr_924-0503.jpg 

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and RCP White House Correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss the duo's  “Fighting Oligarchy” Tour, the future of the Democratic Party, and whether Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will run for president.  Then they discuss next steps in Ukraine and President Zelensky's cover-story interview in Time magazine. Comedian Conan O'Brien is awarded the Mark Twain Prize in a celebration that featured multiple jokes about President Trump. Also, former Utah Representative Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman in Congress, is dead at age 49. Tom Bevan talks to RCP contributor Richard Porter about the fight between The White House and some of America's top legal firms. And Andrew Walworth talks to RealClear Investigations editor J. Peder Zane about a new article by RCI writer Paul Sperry that looks into allegations that FBI Director James Comey used a female undercover agent to fish for evidence of criminal activity by the Trump campaign as early as June, 2015."Image of Alexandria Ocasio Cortez courtesy of Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons"

"I based my composition upon the 5 note motif from the original field recording incorporated at the beginning of the piece and repeated throughout using predominantly Asian instruments." Musical instrument on the Great Wall of China reimagined by Scott Lawrence Whitman. ——————— This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world's most famous sights. Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage IMAGE: Prince Roy, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

"The rhythmic power of those hooves reminded me of the connection between culture and sound—the way certain sounds define a place and its history. As I began composing, I thought about how these sounds could be preserved, transformed, and shared. I layered the field recording into the track, allowing the hooves to guide the rhythm while blending modern synths reminiscent of Daft Punk's groove.  "The piece embodies both sonic heritage and the intersection of old and new. It reflects how sounds like these often become tourist attractions, yet hold deeper, cultural significance. The composition is my personal tribute to the preservation of sound—a celebration of how the past continues to shape the music of today. This fusion reflects the way new technology can breathe new life into old traditions, allowing them to be experienced in fresh ways while honouring their cultural significance. It's a blend of heritage and innovation, where both can coexist." Seville horses reimagined by Harry Panayiotou. ——————— This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world's most famous sights. Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage IMAGE: English:  Taken by the uploader, w:es:Usuario:BarcexEspañol:  Tomada por w:es:Usuario:Barcex, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

"My composition “Temple Of The Tooth” for the Sonic Heritage Project is based on a recording from The Drums Evening Pooja, a ceremony held at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The ceremony creates a special atmosphere of reverence where many people visit the temple to pray and make offerings. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is where a gold casket containing the tooth of the Buddha resides. "The temple was built in the early 1700s by King Vira Parakrama Narendra Singha, and legend says that the tooth was smuggled into Sri Lanka in the baggage of a princess. This Sacred Tooth Relic is regarded as the living Lord Buddha. It is this ritual of affection and immense respect towards Lord Buddha that inspired me. I imagined being swept up in the poojas and rituals, in a trance, taken away by the drumming with pure endless affection." Kandy Temple of the Tooth reimagined by Jeff Dungfelder. ——————— This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world's most famous sights. Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage IMAGE: Krishantha Piyanandana via Wikimedia Commons. 

"I composed this piece using the software Fl studios. I made a drill beat and I managed to incorporate the sound from 'England Bath Heritage Tourist Talk'. I did this by adding processing effects like delay to the sound. I then added the sound into the intro and verse of the beat." Tourist talk at Bath Spa reimagined by Aubrey. ——————— This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world's most famous sights. Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage IMAGE: NH53, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

"I want to dedicate this composition to my grandfather - Anatoliy Mytianskyi. He was a passionate tourist and loved Berlin school of electronic music very much. He actually was at Svaneti in the 1970s and made some beautiful photos of this place.  As a kid I remember looking at this old photos, admiring the towers of Svaneti and mountains around them while my grandfather was listening to some epic instrumental pieces by Klaus Schulze.   "So when I saw this sound in the database and heard it - it was a miraculous little moment of recognition and delight, as I felt like I've already been there. And I really love bell sounds! "Happy accidents continued, as at this time I had a rather unique modular system in my hands. It's called UkrRack and made entirely of Eurorack modules made in Ukraine. So I've created a patch and walked to the rhythm of sequencer until it felt right. Then recorded an improvisation with it and it determined the structure, harmonic movements and hence the mood of this composition. "Original recording is everywhere here - in the sequence itself (captured and repitched), as ambient bed, as percussion elements. Sometimes blurred, sometimes immediately recognisable, phasing in and out like a distant but potent memory. And the name of the track is an hommage to Ash Ra Tempel - krautrock band originally created by Manuel Göttsching, Hartmut Enke and Klaus Schulze. "My grandfather never understood the technical side of my sonic endeavours but always loved how it sounded. And he would've liked this one in particular. But unfortunately he passed away almost a year ago. "I don't believe in afterlife of any kind. But I believe that our loved ones, places we've been and all of the impressions of them will continue to live as memories and could always be passed to future generations.  "Especially as sound and music." Upper Svaneti bells reimagined by Vlad Suppish. ——————— This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world's most famous sights. Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage IMAGE: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Hidden deep within the breathtaking mountains of Svaneti lies Ushguli, one of the highest and most remote inhabited villages in the world. The air here is crisp, and the silence is punctuated by the gentle chime of temple bells. These bells echo the prayers of villagers who live amid snow-draped peaks and ancient stone towers, their faith and traditions anchoring them in this harsh, otherworldly terrain. UNESCO listing: Upper Svaneti Recorded by Rafael Diogo. ——————— This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world's most famous sights. Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage IMAGE: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

"I was drawn to this sound due to it's sacred lineage. As an atheist, I am fascinated by peoples devotion to their sacred beliefs. The notion of these spaces being 'tourist attractions' allows fleeting glimpses in to the historical conventions surrounding religiosity.  "What interests me is experiencing the sonic character of these spaces, most likely an unintended result of the grandiose design of the building itself, and its intended use. I processed the raw recording using Logic software. Creating reverb impulse responses from the recording itself.  "Grabbing certain frequencies and creating gently evolving drones from them. Granular synthesis processes are applied to the tourist chatter to re-contextualise contemporary experience within the historical context." UNESCO listing:  Pisa battistero reimagined by Kent Macpherson. ——————— This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world's most famous sights. Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage IMAGE: Lucarelli, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

This field recording, captured on May 13th, 2023, in Pisa at the Battistero di San Giovanni, immerses the listener in the acoustics of one of Italy's most iconic heritage sites. The soundscape is a blend of the bustling noise of tourist groups, their conversations drifting in and out of focus, and the captivating vocal performance of a tour guide.  As the guide demonstrates the remarkable acoustics of the Baptistery, their voice rises in song, reverberating through the building's awe-inspiring echo. This recording reflects the tension between the overwhelming presence of tourism—where quiet reflection is almost impossible—and the reverence for the sacred space. The unique resonance of the Baptistery, with its long, warm reverb, amplifies both the chaos of modern tourism and the humility of the building's spiritual and sonic qualities. UNESCO listing: Battistero di San Giovanni Recorded by Richie Herbst. ——————— This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world's most famous sights. Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage IMAGE: Lucarelli, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

When Jesus is questioned about terrible events that happened to others, he turned the question back on the questioners. He saw the heart of their question came out of presumption that they were not as bad as the others that these terrible things had happened to. How do his words lead us to know a path away from presumption and guide us into true salvation through Jesus?Image: James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Image Location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Tower_of_Siloam_(Le_tour_de_Silo%C3%AB)_-_James_Tissot_(cropped).jpg

 Uncover the truth behind history's biggest myths  - and truths you were never told before. Facts from Napoleon's height to the dancing plague. Prepare to be surprised! You've been lied to - find out the real stories here! There are truths that aren't true - and truths that have been hidden from you. 

In this episode of the Teach Different podcast, Dan and Steve Fouts engage with guest Matt Sundermier to explore a quote from Paulo Coelho's 'The Alchemist': 'When you really want something, all the universe conspires to help achieve it.' Joined by guest Matt Sundermier, owner of  Blue Waters Mortgage & Real Estate Group, a small business in Folsom, they unpack the claim of the quote – the importance of setting intentions, and share personal stories of pursuing their dreams. They discuss the counterclaim – there are moments when the universe seems to be against you and not helping you achieve your desires. The conversation ends with some thought provoking essential questions such as, how can we figure out what we truly desire?Image Source: Paul Macleod, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Lund grundades omkring år 990 av den danske kungen. Staden etablerades som ett strategiskt maktcentrum för att stärka den danska centralmakten och kristendomen i regionen.Under de följande århundradena växte Lund till ett religiöst och administrativt nav i det danska riket, och 1103 blev staden ärkebiskopssäte för hela Norden. Här utvecklades en av medeltidens mest betydelsefulla kyrkliga metropoler, men reformationen på 1500-talet innebar en dramatisk förändring för stadens roll och status.Detta är det första av två avsnitt om Lunds historia. Programledaren Urban Lindstedt samtalar med historikern och museimannen Göran Larsson. Detta avsnitt är ett betalt samarbete med Visit Lund.Under 1000-talet utvecklades Lund snabbt till ett religiöst centrum. År 1060 blev staden biskopssäte, och 1103 upphöjdes den till ärkebiskopssäte för hela Norden, vilket innebar att Lund var det kyrkliga centrumet för Danmark, Sverige, Norge och Island.Lund fortsatte att blomstra samtidigt som Sven Tveskäggs son, Knut den Store, byggde upp Nordsjöriket, som omfattade England, Norge, Danmark samt de skånska landskapen.Under medeltiden byggdes inte mindre än 27 stenkyrkor i Lund, samt flera kloster, såsom Allhelgonaklostret och Gråbrödraklostret. Kyrkorna och klostren gjorde att en stor del av stadens befolkning bestod av präster, munkar och andra kyrkliga ämbetsmän. Lund blev därmed en andlig metropol, unik i Norden.Den mäktiga romanska Lunds domkyrka började byggas under 1100-talet, inspirerad av tyska och italienska förebilder. Vid denna tid var Lund en av de viktigaste städerna i Danmark, och domkyrkan stod som symbol för stadens status.Under 1300-talet började Lund tappa i betydelse till förmån för Malmö, som växte fram som en viktig handelsstad. Reformationen på 1500-talet slog hårt mot Lund, då många av stadens kyrkor och kloster revs och det kyrkliga inflytandet kraftigt försvagades.Lunds roll som Danmarks främsta kyrkliga centrum förändrades dramatiskt under 1500-talet när den lutherska reformationen svepte över Norden. När reformationen genomfördes i Danmark 1536 innebar det en radikal förändring för Lund. Ärkebiskopsämbetet avskaffades, och kyrkans omfattande egendomar sekulariserades, vilket innebar att staten tog över kyrkans land och tillgångar. Klostren stängdes, och många av stadens kyrkor revs under de följande decennierna. Vid reformationens genomförande fanns det uppemot 27 kyrkor i Lund, men i slutet av 1500-talet återstod endast domkyrkan och Sankt Peters klosters kyrka.Den danska reformationen 1536 innebar också att Lunds betydelse som maktcentrum minskade kraftigt. Staden hade i århundraden varit ett administrativt nav för den danska kyrkan, men efter 1536 flyttades mycket av denna funktion till Köpenhamn och Malmö. Vid samma tid flyttades även det kungliga myntverket från Lund till Malmö, vilket tydligt visade stadens ekonomiska nedgång.Vid tiden för Roskildefreden 1658, då Skåne blev svenskt, var Lund en medelstor dansk stad med omkring 1 500 invånare.Omslag: Lunds domkyrka. Av Sergei Gussev Wikipedia.CC BY 2.0Musik: Breves dies hominis av antingen Léonin eller Pérotin. Framförd live och inspelad av Makemi. Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain.Lyssna också på Bortglömda Karl X Gustav tog stormakten till sitt maximum.Klippare: Emanuel Lehtonen Vill du stödja podden och samtidigt höra ännu mer av Historia Nu? Gå med i vårt gille genom att klicka här: https://plus.acast.com/s/historianu-med-urban-lindstedt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump's orders to deport 137 alleged Venezuelan gang members, as well as the deportation of a Lebanese doctor with an H1B visa and a teaching position at Brown University. Is the clash between the courts and the White House on immigration policy coming to a head? They also talk about Donald Trump's social media post challenging the legitimacy of Joe Biden's pardons because they were signed by autopen. Plus, the cold war between the press and the White House continues at the Gridiron Dinner this past weekend and the upcoming White House Correspondents Dinner, two signature spring social events for the Washington press. Next, Andrew Walworth interviews Jeffrey Gedmin, president and CEO of the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, on this weekend's executive order cutting support for the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and other public diplomacy organizations funded by the US government. And finally, Tom Bevan interviews Nicole Russell, columnist for USA Today, about the state of the US economy. She argues that inflation will cool, interest rates will drop and consumer confidence will return, all as a result of Trump's policies. Image of Donald Trump courtesy of Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

In this episode of the Teach Different Podcast, host Steve Fouts is joined by guest Aaron Robinet to unpack a thought-provoking quote by Bruce Lee: 'It's better to be a warrior in a garden than to be a gardener in war.' Aaron Robinet is a personal trainer from Folsom, California, and part of Teach Different's current project, the discussion explores the claim of the quote: preparedness, internal motivation, and the balance between peace and conflict. Together, they also consider potential counterclaims and the psychological aspects of preparedness in both sports and life, highlighting the significance of understanding one's 'why' in pursuing success. They conclude with some essential questions on how to know what you are good at. Image Source: Thomson JK, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons 

 Join us on the incredible journey of two sisters who dared to ride 5500 miles across America on their Indian Power Plus  motorcycles in 1916. Follow their tough, adventurous journey as they prove a point and travel on their own terms!You've probably never heard of them. But you should have. .

In this episode, Steve and Dan Fouts dive into a provocative quote from the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu: "When you realize nothing is lacking, the whole world belongs to you." Joined by returning guest and inspiration behind the Teach Different Method, Jarvis Funches, they unpack the claim of the quote – that true fulfillment comes from within, and that once we recognize our completeness, we gain access to everything life has to offer. They explore the counterclaim of the quote – realizing you lack something could motivate you to grow and improve as a person. Lastly, they explore some essential questions such as, what about those who face real struggles, financial hardships, or systemic barriers? Can you truly feel whole when the world constantly tells you that you're lacking? How does one know when to act on their feelings of lack or to put them to the side. Whether you agree with Lao Tzu's wisdom or find yourself questioning it, this conversation is sure to challenge your perspective. Tune in and think differently with us.Image Source: N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Stone_statue_of_Lao_Tzu_at_Qingyuanshan_%2820200930154018%29.jpg 

Read OnlineJesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. The Pharisees approached him and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. Mark 10:1–2Notice the contrast above. The crowds gathered around Jesus to listen to Him. Clearly, they were coming to faith. But the Pharisees came to Jesus to test Him. They did not come in faith; they came with jealousy and envy and were already seeking to trap Him. The question they proposed was a trick question, not an honest attempt at communication with our Lord. They presumed that however Jesus answered the question, some people would be offended. The Pharisees were ready to stir things up, since so many were flocking to Jesus. Also, the Pharisees wanted to find fault with Jesus' answer so as to show that He opposed the Law of Moses. But Jesus' answer was perfect.Much could be said about the content of Jesus' answer. He clearly supports the indissolubility of marriage. He states that “what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” He adds: “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” For those who have suffered through a divorce, it is important to prayerfully ponder this teaching from our Lord. It is also important to work with the Church Tribunal to examine the marriage in the light of truth so that a determination can be made about the validity or invalidity of the marriage bond. With that said, the approach that both the crowds and the Pharisees took toward Jesus also teaches us an important lesson about communication, not only with God but also with one another. This is a lesson that is especially important for married couples to learn.Think about your own approach to communication. When you struggle with conflict with another, how do you resolve it? How do you bring your questions and concerns to your spouse? The crowds came to Jesus to listen and understand. The reward was the gift of faith in that they received a deeper knowledge of Who Jesus was. The Pharisees, however, came to Jesus with the intent of finding fault with Him. And though it is obviously foolish to take this approach with our Lord, it is also foolish to do so with another, especially a spouse.Use the above approaches of the crowds and the Pharisees to think about how you come to others with your questions and concerns. When there is some conflict or misunderstanding, do you come with an open mind and heart, seeking to understand and resolve the question? Or do you come with a loaded question so as to trap and find fault with the other? So many conflicts in life with others, especially among spouses, could be resolved if the goal of any conversation was simply to understand the other person, not trap them or find fault with them. This is hard for many people to do and requires much humility and openness.Reflect, today, upon any relationship with which you are currently struggling. Reflect, especially, upon whether your approach to communication with that person is more like the crowds or more like the Pharisees. Commit yourself to the approach of seeking open and honest communication and you will find that this commitment brings true resolution, peace and unity.Lord of all truth, You desire that I always come to You with sincerity, honesty and humility, seeking resolution to every internal question and conflict I face. You call me to approach others with this same depth of communication. Give me the grace to always seek the unity and truth that result in peace of mind and heart. 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.Jacob Jordaens, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Dr. Robert Sorensen, Professor of Theology and Foreign Languages at Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, Illinois, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about St. Matthias, whose commemoration day is February 24, including where we hear about St. Matthias in Scripture, what is unique about how he became an apostle, how he served the Church, and what we can learn from Matthias' story and service to the Church. Feature image: Peter Paul Rubens, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org. The Coffee Hour is underwritten by Concordia University Wisconsin. Live Uncommon. Learn more at cuw.edu.

"The Wedge" is a key concept for Phil and JF. When exploring weird phenomena—from artworks to ghosts, and everything in between—one tends to emphasize one or the other "end" of the event. At the thin end of the Wedge, the focus is on subjective experience: how it felt, what it was like, and its personal significance. At the thick end, the emphasis shifts to what actually happened, independent of how it was experienced. Though their roles sometimes switch, Phil generally thinks from the thin end, while JF approaches things from the thick. In this episode, they begin unpacking the implications of the Wedge for making sense of reality's stranger aspects. Header image by SavidgeMichael via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ForgottenMemoriesofExploringaLiminalSpace.jpg). _ Join the Weirdosphere (http://www.weirdosphere.org), our online learning platform Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/weirdstudies). Buy the Weird Studies soundtrack, volumes 1 (https://pierre-yvesmartel.bandcamp.com/album/weird-studies-music-from-the-podcast-vol-1) and 2 (https://pierre-yvesmartel.bandcamp.com/album/weird-studies-music-from-the-podcast-vol-2), on Pierre-Yves Martel's Bandcamp (https://pierre-yvesmartel.bandcamp.com) page. Listen to Meredith Michael and Gabriel Lubell's podcast, _Cosmophonia (https://cosmophonia.podbean.com/). Visit the Weird Studies Bookshop (https://bookshop.org/shop/weirdstudies) Find us on Discord (https://discord.com/invite/Jw22CHfGwp) Get the T-shirt design from Cotton Bureau (https://cottonbureau.com/products/can-o-content#/13435958/tee-men-standard-tee-vintage-black-tri-blend-s)! REFERENCES Weird Studies, Episode 184 on David Lynch (https://www.weirdstudies.com/184) Phil Ford, “The View from the Cheap Seats at the UFO Show” Scene by Scene, 1999 Interview with David Lynch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0itTpuzzcQ&ab_channel=DidymusBibliophilus) Weird Studies, Episodes 76 on Henri Bergson's Metaphysics (https://www.weirdstudies.com/76) Henri Bergson, Creative Evolution (https://bookshop.org/a/18799/9781420940435) Phil Ford, Dig (https://bookshop.org/a/18799/9780199939916) Johan Huizinga, The Waning of the Middle Ages (https://bookshop.org/a/18799/9781774642238) Lewis Lockwood, Beethoven: The Music and the Life (https://bookshop.org/a/18799/97803933263830)

Read Online“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” Mark 9:42St. Bede, an early Church Father, states that “he who is great, whatever he may suffer, departs not from the faith; but he who is little and weak in mind looks out for occasions of stumbling.” In other words, the “little ones” here could be understood to be those who are weak in faith and are constantly looking for reasons to depart from the faith.Consider who might struggle with this tendency in your own life. Perhaps there is a family member who continually questions the practice of the faith, perhaps someone you know considers himself or herself a “fallen away Catholic.” According to St. Bede, these are the “little ones” of whom Jesus is speaking.When dealing with someone who appears to lack faith, expresses doubts and disagreements, is caught in a life of manifest sin, or has begun to walk away from the practice of the faith, there can be a temptation to criticize, argue or condemn. If this is a temptation you struggle with, then listen closely to Jesus' words: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin…” We cause those who are weak in faith to sin when we fail to show an abundance of virtue toward them during their struggles. Deep down, most people who are struggling with a life of sin or a weakness of faith do, in fact, have some faith. They do believe in God. But their faith is often easily shaken, and they can be easily pushed further away from God if we fail to exercise the necessary virtues of patience, compassion and mercy they need.With that said, we also have to avoid offering a “compassion” that is not grounded in the truth. On this point, St. Gregory states: “If a stumbling block is laid before men in what concerns the truth, it is better to allow the offense to arise, than that the truth should be abandoned.” In other words, it is not compassionate or merciful to show support for another in their error so as to make them feel good. The truth of the Gospel must never be abandoned; instead, that truth must always be offered with the greatest of charity, especially toward those “little ones” who are weak in faith.Reflect, today, upon the important balance that is necessary in the apostolic life. “Balance” does not mean compromise. Rather, it means that we seek to continually bring forth the full truth of the Gospel while also seeking to exercise the fullness of every virtue in the process. Do not become a stumbling block to others in the faith. Seek, instead, to lavish God's grace and mercy upon those in your life who need it the most. If you do, then many of those little ones will one day become truly strong in the grace and truth of our loving God.Most merciful Lord, You desire that all of Your children come to the full revelation of Your truth and mercy. Please use me as You choose to reach out to those who struggle with their faith and need to be treated with the utmost care. May I never be a stumbling block to them but always be a bridge to You and Your abundance of grace. 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.James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Read OnlineJohn said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him…” Mark 9:38–39Why would John and the other disciples try to stop someone from driving out demons? To understand this, imagine the scene. John and the other disciples had come to believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah of God. They witnessed Him perform many miracles and change many lives. As a result, they no doubt wanted everyone to discover Who Jesus was and come to faith in Him. But then they encountered someone they did not know, who was driving out demons in Jesus' name, and they tried to stop him.Just prior to this passage, we read the story of a man who had brought his possessed son to Jesus' disciples and asked them to cure the boy, but they were unable to do so. Perhaps the disciples were a bit humbled by their inability to cast out the demon, and then they witnessed another person, not of their company, who was able to cast out demons in Jesus' name. This might have added to their feelings of weakness and humiliation, and perhaps that is part of their motivation for trying to stop the man from exercising authority in Jesus' name.One common temptation that the evil one issues upon the members of the Church is that of internal division. As followers of Christ, we are all entrusted with the same mission, in different ways. We are called to become instruments of God's grace for the salvation of souls and the glory of God. But sometimes we fail to act in unison and, instead, see our co-workers as our opponents.Within our Church today, there are plenty of internal divisions that must cease. Perhaps the best way to accomplish this is to make it a priority to focus upon mutual support. Instead of allowing pride to create jealousy toward those who perform “mighty deeds” by the grace of God, we must work to rejoice in every good that we see. This seems like an obvious statement, but pride and feelings of inadequacy are real temptations that lead us to look down upon those who accomplish the will of God in powerful ways. When we see someone doing something good, we often immediately think about ourselves, wishing we were the ones doing the good work. And when God uses another in a powerful way, we can easily be tempted to see our own inadequacies and failings, rather than glorifying God for the good deeds done by another.Reflect, today, upon the simple truth that every Christian is on the same spiritual team. We are all called to work toward the goals of the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Try to humbly think about those in your life who do this well and consider your attitude toward them. If you see any form of jealousy, envy or criticism, commit to dispel those attitudes. Instead, seek to have gratitude as you rejoice in the many ways that God uses others for His purpose.Lord of power and might, You accomplish countless good through the generosity and fidelity of Your people. You constantly use all who follow You to bring forth Your will. Please use me, dear Lord, as an instrument of Your will, and help me to always rejoice in the ways that You bring Your grace forth through others. 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.Ilyas Basim Khuri Bazzi Rahib, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Have you ever seen letters from the 1800s? Aside from the pristine penmanship and grammar, the way friends expressed their fondness for each other is remarkable.“Letters sent between friends are often full of the kinds of loving and affectionate language that today we would only associate with romantic or sexual relationships: ‘My darling,' ‘I love you,' ‘I can't wait to be near you,'” said UC Berkeley historian Sarah Gold McBride, who in 2022 created the course, Friendship in America, with Berkeley anthropologist Christine Palmer. Throughout history, with changes in cultural norms and communication technology, the ways we stay connected to each other has also changed, and not always for the better. While social media can make it easier to find people with similar interests, it can also make it easier to forget what it takes to build and keep meaningful relationships. Gold McBride and Palmer hope their class will inspire students to draw from the past and approach their friendships with the intentionality they require.This is the fifth episode of our eight-part series on transformation. In eight episodes, we're exploring how transformation — of ideas, of research, of perspective — shows up in the work that happens every day at UC Berkeley. New episodes of the series come out on the last Monday of each month. See all episodes of the series.Key takeaways:Gender norms, throughout U.S. history to the modern day, influence the kinds of friendships we make and how we express affection for each other.As our dominant modes of communication shift, how we conceive of friendship evolves, too.By investigating friendship in a deeper way, we can better understand the role of friendship in our lives and become more intentional in how we make and maintain our connections.Read the transcript, listen to episode and see photos on UC Berkeley News (news.berkeley.edu/podcasts).Find us on YouTube@BerkeleyNews.Music by Blue Dot Sessions.Photo by Sarah.rdguezz via Wikimedia Commons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read Online“But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35–36It is certainly difficult to be “kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” But doing so is exactly what our Lord commanded us to do. And His command is not a command in the sense of being a burden. On the contrary, it's a command that frees us from the ingratitude and wickedness we encounter.Oftentimes, when we encounter ingratitude from another, or any other form of wickedness, we tend to react in kind. Our fallen human nature lures us into cruelty when faced with cruelty. We criticize, condemn, attack and get angry. But Jesus is very clear that this is not how the “Most High” acts toward the wicked. And it is not how He acts toward us. In the end, the wicked who fail to repent will endure the consequences of their rejection of God's mercy. But until that final judgment, hope of conversion must always be present. And for that reason, we must never give up on another, no matter how difficult. Kindness shown to everyone, in every circumstance, goes to the heart of the mission we have received as children of God.Think about the person in your life who seems unworthy of your kindness and generosity. Why are they undeserving? Are they truly undeserving? The truth, according to our Lord's teaching, is that these are not questions we should even ask ourselves. Instead, we must fully commit ourselves to loving everyone who appears to be our enemy, and do good to them and to everyone whom we encounter. Though this is difficult, it won't be if we understand the goodness that God has shown to us.God has shone us perfect goodness, not because He expected anything back, but simply because He has willed to love us. If we want to be children of God the Most High, then we must reciprocate the love given to us. That's the nature of God's love. It cannot be contained. It cannot be selfishly received without also allowing it to pour forth from our lives. When we understand this, we will understand the reason Jesus instructed us to be “kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” It is simply because this is how God has treated us. Reflect, today, upon the unlimited love God has for you. It is beyond what you could ever comprehend. Reflect, also, upon the great benefit there is in opening yourself to God's perfect love, kindness, generosity and mercy. The benefit is that you are able to be filled with that which you receive. And as you receive this love of God, it necessarily overflows into the lives of everyone you encounter, the good and the wicked. Everyone must always be offered this love. Do not hesitate, for God does not hesitate with you. Most merciful Lord, You bestow Your abundant goodness upon all people, the good and bad alike. You never cease offering Your love and mercy. May I always be counted among those who fully open themselves to Your grace, and may I always offer this same depth of love to all. 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.Matthias Grünewald, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Read Online“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.  I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.  Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”  Matthew 16:18–19There are several foundational truths taught to us by this passage above. One of those truths is that “the gates of the netherworld” shall never prevail against the Church. There is much to rejoice over by that fact.Think of the many human institutions that have existed throughout the centuries. The most powerful governments have come and gone. Various movements have come and gone. Countless organizations have come and gone. But the Catholic Church still remains and will remain until the end of time. That is one of the promises of our Lord that we celebrate today.The Church has not remained simply because of good leadership all of these years. In fact, corruption and serious internal conflict have been evident within the Church from the beginning. Popes have lived immoral lives. Cardinals and bishops have lived as princes. Some priests have gravely sinned. And many religious orders have struggled with serious internal divisions. But the Church itself, this shining Bride of Christ, this infallible institution still remains and will continue to remain because Jesus guaranteed it.With today's modern media by which every sin of every member of the Church is able to be instantly and universally broadcast to the world, there can be a temptation to look down on the Church. Scandal, division, controversy and the like can shake us to the core, at times, and cause some to question their ongoing participation in the Roman Catholic Church. But the truth is that every weakness within Her members should actually be cause for us to renew and deepen our faith in the Church itself. Jesus did not promise that every Church leader would be a saint, but He did promise that “the gates of the netherworld” would not prevail against Her. Reflect, today, upon your own view of the Church today. If scandals and divisions have weakened your faith, then turn your eyes to our Lord and to His holy and divine promise. The gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against the Church. That is a fact promised by our Lord Himself. Believe it and rejoice in that glorious truth. My glorious Bridegroom, You have instituted the Church upon the rock foundation of Peter's faith. Peter and all of his successors are Your precious gift to us all. Help me to see beyond the sins of others, the scandals and divisions, and to see You, my Lord, leading all people to salvation through Your bride the Church. I renew my faith, this day, in the gift of this One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.  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.Nicolas Poussin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 Prepare to be spooked with these 10 creepy coincidences that will leave you in disbelief. From eerie connections in history to bizarre occurrences, this countdown will have you questioning the universe.

Read OnlineJesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” Mark 8:27In answer to this question, the disciples informed Jesus that some thought He was “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” But then Jesus asked the disciples who they thought He was. It was Peter who responded by saying, “You are the Christ.”As we ponder this exchange between Jesus and the disciples, try to hear our Lord ask you the same question. “But who do you say that I am?” Though you most likely will find this easy to answer on an intellectual level, don't answer it too quickly. Think about it. Deep within your soul, what do you believe about Jesus?Though Peter's answer is the correct answer, it's important to ponder what that actually means. This is especially evident by the fact that as soon as Jesus began to explain His mission as the Christ, Peter could not accept it. Jesus explained to Peter and the other disciples that, as the Christ, he would “suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.” In other words, Jesus wanted the disciples to understand the essence of His mission. His mission was one in which He would become the sacrificial Lamb of God and die for our sins. But this was too much for the disciples to immediately understand, accept and embrace with gratitude.Do you understand, accept and embrace this primary mission of Jesus? Do you understand that because of the sins you have personally committed, you need a Savior? Do you understand that the consequences of your sins are death? Eternal death? And do you further understand that it is only by Jesus' death that all sin and death are destroyed?Sometimes we can fall into the fallacy of thinking that Jesus is only an inspirational figure Who teaches us how we should live. And though that is true, Jesus is so much more. He is the one and only way to Heaven. Without His death and resurrection we cannot attain Heaven. He is the one and only Savior. The Lamb Who was slain for our sins. The one and only source of eternal redemption. The exclusive bridge between Heaven and humanity. And though you might understand this intellectually to a certain extent, your faith in this fact must enter deeply into your soul so that you can believe it and embrace His gift of eternal salvation within the deepest core of your being. This takes a radical understanding, acceptance and embrace if we are to truly receive the gift of Jesus' life. Reflect, today, upon how you would answer this question from our Lord. “Who do YOU say that I am?” If you are to answer this correctly, then it requires that you continually deepen your understanding, acceptance and full embrace of the saving mission of our Lord. Though this is a lifelong process, we must never stop entering more deeply into this divine mystery and gift so that we will become completely transformed by the life, death and resurrection of He Who is the Christ of God. Saving Lord, please open my mind and heart to You more deeply this day and every day of my life. May I continually go deeper in my faith and understanding of You and Your divine mission of salvation. As I do, please transform me more and more so that I will be more fully disposed to receive all that You came to bestow upon me. 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.Pieter Coecke van Aelst, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Read Online“Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?” Mark 8:17–18How would you answer these questions that Jesus posed to His disciples if He had posed them to you? It takes humility to admit that you do not yet understand or comprehend, that your heart is in fact hardened, and that you fail to see and hear all that God has revealed. Of course there are various levels to these struggles, so hopefully you do not struggle with them to a grave degree. But if you can humbly confess that you do struggle with these to a certain extent, then that humility and honesty will gain you much grace.Jesus posed these questions to His disciples within the larger context of a discussion about the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. He knew that the “leaven” of these leaders was like a yeast that corrupted others. Their dishonesty, pride, desire for honors and the like had a seriously negative affect upon the faith of others. So by posing these questions above, Jesus challenged His disciples to see this evil leaven and to reject it.Seeds of doubt and confusion are all around us. It seems these days that almost everything the secular world promotes is in some way contrary to the Kingdom of God. And yet, just like the disciples' inability to see the evil leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, we also frequently fail to see the evil leaven within our society. Instead, we allow the many errors to confuse us and lead us down the path of secularism.One thing this should teach us is that just because someone has some form of authority or power within society does not mean that they are a truthful and holy leader. And though it's never our place to judge the heart of another, we absolutely must have “ears to hear” and “eyes to see” the many errors that are held up within our world as good. We must constantly seek to “understand and comprehend” the laws of God and use them as a guide against the lies within the world. One important way to make sure we do this well is to make sure that our hearts never become hardened to the truth. Reflect, today, upon these questions of our Lord and examine them especially within the broader context of society as a whole. Consider the false “leaven” taught by our world and by so many in positions of authority. Reject these errors and recommit yourself to the full embrace of the holy mysteries of Heaven so that those truths and those truths alone become your daily guide. My glorious Lord, I thank You for being the Lord of all Truth. Help me to daily turn my eyes and ears to that Truth so that I will be able to see the evil leaven all around me. Give me wisdom and the gift of discernment, dear Lord, so that I will be able to immerse myself into the mysteries of Your holy life. 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.James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons  

Read OnlineThe Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”  Mark 8:11–12Jesus had performed many miracles. He healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and fed thousands with only a few fish and loaves of bread. But even after all of that, the Pharisees came to argue with Jesus and demanded a sign from Heaven.The response of Jesus is quite unique. “He sighed from the depth of his spirit…” This sigh was an expression of His holy sorrow over the hardness of hearts of the Pharisees. If they had the eyes of faith, they would have no need for yet another miracle. And if Jesus would have performed a “sign from heaven” for them, even that would not have helped them. And so Jesus does the only thing He can—He sighed.At times, this type of reaction is the only good one. We may all face situations in life where others confront us with harshness and stubbornness. When this happens, we will be tempted to argue with them, condemn them, try to convince them we are right, and the like. But sometimes one of the holiest reactions we can have to the hardness of the heart of another is to experience a deep and holy sorrow. We must also “sigh” from the depths of our spirits.When one is hard of heart, rational talking and arguing will prove to be of little avail. Hardness of heart is also what we traditionally call the “sin against the Holy Spirit.” It's a sin of obstinacy and stubbornness. In that case, there is little or no openness to the truth. When you experience this in the life of another, silence and a sorrowful heart are often the best reaction. Their hearts need to be softened and your deep sorrow, shared with compassion, may be one of the only responses that can help make a difference.Reflect, today, upon any person in your life with whom you regularly argue, especially regarding matters of faith. Examine your approach and consider changing how you relate to them. Dismiss their irrational arguments and let them see your heart in the same way that Jesus allowed His divine heart to shine forth in a holy sigh. Pray for them, have hope, and allow your sorrow to help melt the most stubborn of hearts.My compassionate Jesus, Your heart was filled with the deepest compassion for the Pharisees. That compassion led You to express a holy sorrow over their stubbornness. Give me Your same heart, dear Lord, and help me to grieve not only over the sins of others, but also over my own sins, especially when I am stubborn of heart. Melt my heart, dear Lord, and help me to also be an instrument of Your holy sorrow to those in need of this grace. 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.Jacob Jordaens, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Read OnlineThey were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Mark 7:37This line is the conclusion to the story of Jesus healing a deaf man who also had a speech impediment. The man was brought to Jesus, Jesus took him off by himself, cried out “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”), and the man was cured. And though this was an incredible gift to this man and an act of great mercy toward him, it also reveals that God wants to use us to draw others to Himself.On a natural level, we all lack the ability to hear the voice of God when He speaks. We need the gift of grace for this. As a result, on a natural level, we are also incapable of speaking the many truths that God wants us to speak. This story teaches us that God also desires to heal our ears so as to hear His gentle voice and to loosen our tongues so that we can become His mouthpiece.But this story is not only about God speaking to each one of us; it also reveals our duty to bring others to Christ who do not know Him. The friends of this man brought him to Jesus. And Jesus took the man off by himself. This gives us insight into how we help others to come to know our Lord's voice. Oftentimes when we want to share the Gospel with another, we tend to talk to them and try to rationally convince them to turn their lives to Christ. And though this can bear good fruit at times, the real goal we must have is to help them to go off with our Lord by themselves for a while so that Jesus can do the healing.If your ears have truly been opened by our Lord, then your tongue will also be loosened. And only if your tongue is loosened will God be able to draw others to Himself through you. Otherwise your act of evangelizing will only be based on your effort alone. Therefore, if you have people in your life who do not appear to be listening to the voice of God and following His holy will, then first and foremost commit yourself to listening to our Lord yourself. Let your ears hear Him. And when you do hear Him, it will be His voice that, in turn, speaks through you in the way He desires to reach out to others.Reflect, today, upon this Gospel scene. Ponder, especially, the friends of this man as they are inspired to bring him to Jesus. Ask our Lord to use you in a similar way. Prayerfully ponder those in your life whom God wants to call to Himself through your mediation and place yourself at the service of our Lord so that His voice can speak through you in the way He chooses.My good Jesus, please open my ears to hear all that You wish to say to me and please loosen my tongue so that I will become a mouthpiece of Your holy word to others. I offer myself to You for Your glory and pray that You will use me in accord with Your holy will. Jesus, I fully trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Image via Wikimedia Commons

Read OnlineWhen the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. Mark 7:6–8It seems quite clear that Jesus' instant fame led these religious leaders to jealousy and envy, and they wanted to find fault with Him. As a result, they carefully observed Jesus and His disciples, and they noticed that Jesus' disciples were not following the traditions of the elders. So the leaders began questioning Jesus about this fact. Jesus' response was one of severe criticism of them. He quoted Isaiah the prophet who said, “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.”Jesus strongly criticized them because their hearts were lacking true worship. The various traditions of the elders were not necessarily bad, such as the careful ceremonial washing of one's hands before eating. But these traditions were empty if they were not motivated by a deep faith and love of God. The external following of human traditions was not truly an act of divine worship, and that's what Jesus wanted for them. He wanted their hearts to be set ablaze with a love of God and with true divine worship.What our Lord wants of each one of us is worship. Pure, heartfelt, sincere worship. He wants us to love God with a deep interior devotion. He wants us to pray, to listen to Him, and to serve His holy will with all the powers of our soul. And this is only possible when we engage in authentic worship.As Catholics, our life of prayer and worship is grounded in the holy Liturgy. The Liturgy incorporates many traditions and practices that reflect our faith and become a vehicle of the grace of God. And though the Liturgy itself is far different from the mere “tradition of the elders” that Jesus was criticizing, it's useful to remind ourselves that the many Liturgies of our Church must move from the external actions to interior worship. Going through the motions alone is pointless. We must allow God to act on us and within us as we engage in the external celebration of the Sacraments. Reflect, today, upon the burning desire in the heart of our Lord to draw you into worship. Reflect upon how well you allow yourself to be drawn into this worship every time you attend the holy Mass. Seek to make your participation not only an exterior one but, first and foremost, an interior one. Doing so will help ensure that the rebuke of our Lord upon the scribes and Pharisees does not also fall upon you. My divine Lord, You and You alone are worthy of all worship, adoration and praise. You and You alone deserve the worship I offer You from the depths of my heart. Help me and Your entire Church to always interiorize our exterior acts of worship so as to give You the glory that is due Your holy name. 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.James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons 

Read Online“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”  Mark 6:34The Twelve had just returned from going about the countryside preaching the Gospel. They were tired. Jesus, in His compassion, invites them to come away with Him to rest for a while. So they get in a boat to cross over to a deserted place. But when the people hear about this, they hurry on foot to the place that their boat was heading. So, when the boat arrives, there is a crowd awaiting them.Of course, Jesus does not get upset. He does not get discouraged by the burning desire of the people to be with Him and the Twelve. Instead, the Gospel relates that when Jesus saw them, “his heart was moved with pity,” and He began to teach them many things.In our own lives, after serving others well, it's understandable to desire rest. Even Jesus desired this for Himself and His Apostles. But the one thing that Jesus permitted to “interrupt” His rest was the clear desire of the people to be with Him and to be fed by His preaching. There is much to learn from this example of our Lord.For example, there are many times when a parent may only want to be alone for a while, and yet family concerns arise that need their attention. Priests and religious may also have unexpected duties that arise from their ministry that can, at first, appear to interrupt their plans. The same can be said for any vocation or situation in life. We may think we need one thing, but then duty calls and we find we are needed in a different way.One key to sharing in the apostolic mission of Christ, be it to our families, Church, communities or friends, is to be ready and willing to be generous with our time and energy. It's true that prudence will dictate the need for rest at times, but at other times the call to charity will supersede what we perceive as a legitimate need for our own rest and relaxation. And when true charity is demanded of us, we will always find that our Lord gives us the needed grace to be generous with our time. It is often in those moments when our Lord chooses to use us in ways that are truly transforming for others. Reflect, today, upon the true needs of those around you. Are there people who would greatly benefit from your time and attention today? Are there needs that others have that will require you to change your plans and to give of yourself in a way that is difficult? Do not hesitate to give generously of yourself to others. In fact, this form of charity is not only transforming for those whom we serve, it is often one of the most restful and rejuvenating activities we can also do for ourselves. My generous Lord, You gave of Yourself without reserve. People came to You in their need, and You did not hesitate to serve them out of love. Give me a heart that imitates Your generosity and help me to always say “Yes” to the charitable work to which I am called. May I learn to find great joy in serving others, especially in those unplanned and unexpected circumstances of life. 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.Rembrandt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Read OnlineHerod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Mark 6:20Ideally, when the Gospel is preached and received by another, the effect is that the receiver is filled with joy, consolation and a desire to change. The Gospel is transforming for those who truly listen and respond with generosity. But what about those who do not respond with generosity? What effect does the Gospel have upon them? Our Gospel today gives us that answer.The line above comes from the story of the beheading of Saint John the Baptist. The bad actors in this story are Herod, Herod's illegitimate wife Herodias, and Herodias' daughter (traditionally named Salome). John had been imprisoned by Herod because John told Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” But what's most interesting about this story is that, even in prison, Herod would listen to John preach. But instead of leading Herod to conversion, he was left “perplexed” by what John preached.Being “perplexed” was not the only reaction to John's preaching. Herodias' reaction was one of hatred. She appeared to be stung to the heart by John's condemnation of her “marriage” to Herod, and it was she who then orchestrated John's beheading.This Gospel, then, teaches us of two other common reactions to the Truth of the holy Gospel when it is preached. One is hatred and another is confusion (being perplexed). Obviously, hatred is far worse than simply being perplexed. But neither is the right reaction to the words of Truth.What is your reaction to the full Gospel when it is preached? Are there aspects of the Gospel that leave you uneasy? Are there teachings of our Lord that confuse you or lead you to anger? First look within your own heart to determine if you struggle with having a similar reaction as did Herod and Herodias. And then consider how the world reacts to the Truth of the Gospel. We should not be surprised at all that we find many Herods and Herodiases alive today. Reflect, today, upon any ways that you see the Gospel being rejected on one level or another. If you sense this within your own heart, then repent with all your might. If you see it elsewhere, do not allow the hostility to shake you or concern you. Keep your mind and heart upon the Truth and remain steadfast no matter the reaction you encounter.My Lord of all Truth, Your Word and Your Word alone brings grace and salvation. Please give me the grace I need to always listen to Your Word and to respond generously with all my heart. May I repent when I am convicted by Your Word and may I wholeheartedly return to You. Give me courage when others reject Your Truth and wisdom to know how to share that Word with love. 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.Pieter de Grebber, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Read OnlineJesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. Mark 6:7–8Why would Jesus instruct the Twelve to go forth to preach with authority but to take nothing with them on the journey? Most people who set out on a journey prepare ahead and make sure to pack what they need. Jesus' instruction was not so much a lesson in relying upon others for basic needs as it was a lesson on reliance upon divine providence for their ministry.The material world is good in and of itself. All creation is good. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with having possessions and using them for our good and for the good of those who have been entrusted to our care. But there are times when God wants us to rely more upon Him than upon ourselves. The story above is one of those situations.By instructing the Twelve to go forth on their mission without bringing the basic necessities of life, Jesus was helping them to trust not only in His providence for those basic needs but also to trust that He would provide for them spiritually in their mission of preaching, teaching and healing. They were given great spiritual authority and responsibility and, for that reason, needed to rely upon the providence of God to a far greater extent than others. Thus, Jesus exhorts them to trust Him regarding their basic needs so that they will also be disposed to trust Him on this new spiritual mission.The same is true in our lives. When God entrusts us with a mission to share the Gospel with another, He will often do so in a way that requires great trust on our part. He will send us forth “empty-handed,” so to speak, so that we will learn to rely upon His gentle guidance. Sharing the Gospel with another is an incredible privilege, and we must realize that we will be successful only if we rely wholeheartedly upon the providence of God.Reflect, today, upon those to whom you sense God wants you to reach out to with the Gospel. How do you do this? The answer is quite simple. You do so only by relying upon the providence of God. Step out in faith, listen to His guiding voice every step of the way, and know that His providence is the only way that the Gospel message will be effectively shared.My trustworthy Lord, I accept Your call to go forth and to share Your love and mercy with others. Help me to always rely upon You and Your providence for my mission in life. Use me as You will and help me to trust in Your guiding hand for the upbuilding of Your glorious Kingdom on earth. 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.Phillip Medhurst, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons