Posts Tagged ‘Faith’
Episode 495 – Soften Your Heart to Receive the Word of God
When we hear the Word of God, the condition of our hearts is critical into accepting the Word and producing fruit for our faith. It is based on our effort through prayer, fasting, almsgiving and the sacramental life of the Church to work the garden of our souls. Our fruit will be a hundred-fold. Transcript:…
Read MoreModern Martyrs
The Daily synaxis of saints almost always includes the story of a martyr who was ‘put on trial’ and tortured for their faith. These stories can inspire us to live ‘against the odds’ of modern society, even if our martyrdom does not include whips and iron stakes. Consider the story of Saints Sergius and Bacchus.…
Read MoreFearless Thomas
Poor Saint Thomas. The Apostle Thomas is called “The Twin” in Scripture, but has another nickname. Many call him ‘Doubting Thomas’ because he doubted the truth of Christ’s resurrection unless he could see proof for himself. There’s a part of the story missing. On the evening of that day, the first day of the week,…
Read MoreWhat God does and does not Control
One of the expressions about God that turns my head is, “God has a plan for me.” We usually say in regard to how we are supposed to live on earth. Another expression like it is, “God placed him in my life.” I don’t like either expression. Both expressions are a denial of free will.…
Read MoreConfess Jesus Christ as Lord
It seems so simple. We think it is understood. We call ourselves Christians and we wear Christian jewelry. Yet, when was the last time we spoke the words ‘out loud’ that we confess Jesus Christ as Lord? Think about it. Brethren, have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he…
Read MoreYou Have the Strength
I hear it all the time. I experienced it often throughout my life. We all have moments of doubt. Do we have enough strength to do what we have to do to be healed by God? I’m here to tell you, YES, you have the strength. You will always have the strength to reach God.…
Read MoreEpisode 490 – Our Chance to Honor God
In the Gospel story of the Vineyard, Christ takes the Church away from the servants who didn’t produce fruit for God. The Church was given to us to produce fruit. The Church is more than just the building. God will demand an accounting of us when He returns. How will God see our behavior toward…
Read MoreFreedom Requires Endurance in Faith
We like to think that it would be easier to be a Christian if we never had to endure suffering. If we weren’t the target of persecution from a society that is against us. If we didn’t have to fight off temptation around every corner. I believe it would be much harder. You see, if…
Read MoreReligion and Politics
It’s been going on for centuries, millennia actually. Religion and politics have long been partners in gathering people and passing down important traditions of life. Long before Christ’s incarnation, even God used politics to organize the Church. It hasn’t always been great. Today’s Gospel lesson is an example of how God has partnered with government.…
Read MoreEmpty Hope is Folly
All this talk about hope in the Church should make one wonder. What are we hoping for in the first place? Some use hope merely to lift our spirits in a difficult situation. We believe that hope will get us though, but if hope is empty then we are just fools. For Saint Paul, hope…
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