COURAGE: FEAR, PERSECUTION Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 69; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33 Fear is one of the most powerful weapons the devil uses against God’s children. Whenever we encounter situations we cannot control, understand, or predict, fear often takes hold of our hearts. Yet not all fear is bad. The Bible distinguishes between the FEAR THAT […]
20
Jun
Jun
Faith over fear 2 Chronicles 24:17-25; Psalm 89; Matthew 6:24-34 The first reading presents us with the danger of borrowed faith. While Jehoiada the priest was alive, the people remained faithful to God. But immediately after his death, they abandoned the covenant and turned to idols. When Zechariah called them back to God, they silenced […]
19
Jun
Jun
The Reign of Athaliah 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18; Ps. 132; Matthew 6:19-23 The first reading presents us with the reign of Athaliah, the queen mother who ruled over Judah. Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and was given to King Jehoram of Judah as a bride. She was a corrupting influence on both […]
17
Jun
Jun
Prayer Sirach 48:1-14; Psalm 97; Matthew 6:7-15 “Our Father” is not a poem, it’s a prayer and a pattern for prayers. William Law says, “Prayer is the nearest approach to God.” That is true. You can’t approach God except you pray. Prayer is not babbling while your mind is on your phone. “Hallowed be Thy […]
16
Jun
Jun
True worship 2 KINGS 2:1, 6-14/ PSALM 31/ MATTHEW 6:1-6, 16-18 Jesus names three pillars of Jewish piety that we still practice today: almsgiving, prayer, fasting. But He’s not impressed by the pillars themselves. He’s looking at the foundation. He warns: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them.” […]
16
Jun
Jun
Sin and Mercy 1 Kings 21:17–29; Psalm 51; Matthew 5:43–48 One of the biggest lies people tell themselves is: “Nobody saw it.” But God sees everything. Ahab thought he had gotten away with Naboth’s murder and the theft of his vineyard. Yet God sent Elijah with a terrifying message: “In the place where dogs licked […]
13
Jun
Jun
THE CALL AND MISSION OF THE TWELVE Exodus 19:2-6; Psalm 99; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 9:36-10:8 Our readings for today have a strong emphasis on calling and mission. Call is one of the many biblical terms that are usually misinterpreted. Because God’s call is not well discerned churches are birthed on a daily bases yet conversion […]
13
Jun
Jun
THE IMMACULATE HEART 1 Kings 19:19-21,Psalm 15:1-2,5,7-10, LUKE 2:41–51 Today we celebrate the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Immaculate means pure, spotless or no clutter. Purity attracts God’s presence. Matt 5:8 says “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Mary did not just see God. God moved into her. Purity, not […]
12
Jun
Jun
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Deuteronomy 7:6-11 | Psalm 103 | 1 John 4:7-16 | Matthew 11:25-30 In Scripture, the heart isn’t just an organ. It’s the center of a person (physical, emotional, moral). The Sacred Heart of Jesus is God’s love made visible. And what does this Heart do? It heals, not hates. Consoles, not […]
11
Jun
Jun
Elijah on Mount Carmel 1 Kings 18:41–46; Ps. 65; Matt. 5:20–26 At the end of the drought, Elijah instructed Ahab to “go up, eat, and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” While he himself climbed to the top of Mount Carmel. Beloved, faith is that inner listening. Don’t despise […]