From His Word to Our Hearts

We are so fortunate to celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints on a Sunday this year because this feast reminds us that we are all called to live holy lives, we are all called to be saints. Yet we often fall far short of that goal! Jesus redefines happiness in the Beatitudes, reminding us that earthly happiness isn’t as important as being part of the kingdom. The book of Revelation reinforces that lesson, teaching that we must be sealed as servants of God and wash ourselves in the Blood of the Lamb; Psalm 24 tells us we must seek the face of God; and John reminds us that, as children of God, we may not be accepted by the world, but that doesn’t matter because the world rejected Jesus, too. Each year, these readings remind us that our true destiny lies in heaven, so how do we live that every day? This week's readings:Gospel – Matthew 5: 1-12a1st Reading – Revelation 7: 2-4, 9-14Psalm 242nd Reading – 1 John 3: 1-3 Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer(00:02:32) - Information on All Saints(00:09:58) - Gospel (Matthew 5) & Explanation(00:29:01) - First Reading (Revelation 7) & Explanation(00:50:38) - Psalm 24 & Explanation(00:52:53) - Second Reading (1 John 3) & Explanation(01:00:21) - Closing & Credits

This week the Pharisees and the Sadducees, strange bedfellows indeed, unite to challenge Jesus about the Law. They hoped to create a question too controversial for Jesus to answer, but Jesus’ creates an answer that is irrefutable… love God and love neighbor! The passage from Exodus helps us understand who we must see as our neighbor: strangers, foreigners, widows and orphans, the poor, and the vulnerable. And God reminds us that when those who are mistreated cry to him, he hears them in his compassion… meaning that we should not mistreat anyone! Like the Thessalonians, we too are called to serve God who is living and true, so why aren’t we always true to that calling? This week's readings:Gospel – Matthew 22: 34-401st Reading – Exodus 22: 21-26Psalm 182nd Reading – 1 Thessalonians 1: 5c-10 Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer(00:02:23) - Gospel (Matthew 22) & Explanation(00:13:30) - First Reading (Exodus 22) & Explanation(00:27:06) - Psalm 18 & Explanation(00:31:45) - Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 1) & Explanation(00:44:54) - Closing & Credits

The Pharisees and the Herodians, groups that typically oppose each other, unite in this week’s Gospel to challenge Jesus; unfortunately, his response is often misinterpreted. We shouldn’t repeat their mistake by misunderstanding Jesus’ words, but all too often, we do that very thing! God, however, can use anything to bring about good things for us, just as he used the Persian king, Cyrus, to return the exiles from captivity and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. So, rather than misunderstanding God, we should strive to better understand what he teaches us. Rather than rejecting the good things he offers us, we should gratefully receive his blessings. Paul commends the Thessalonians for the faith, love, and hope they have shown to others. It would be wonderful if people spoke of us the way Paul spoke of the Thessalonians. That seems like something that should be within our grasp, so how do we make sure people speak well of us? This week's readings:Gospel – Matthew 22: 15-211st Reading – Isaiah 45: 1, 4-6Psalm 962nd Reading – 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-5b Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer(00:02:11) - Gospel (Matthew 22) & Explanation(00:13:37) - First Reading (Isaiah 45) & Explanation(00:31:02) - Psalm 96 & Explanation(00:34:22) - Second Reading (1 Thessalonians) & Explanation(00:47:04) - Closing & Credits

All of our readings this week touch on some type of banquet, feast, or plentitude. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the Parable of the Marriage Feast, although its message is often misunderstood or misinterpreted. Isaiah describes the banquet God will provide for his people, a feast of plenty where every hunger and thirst will be satisfied. Even Paul’s letter reminds the Philippians that he has lived not only in meager circumstances but also in plentiful ones. These Scriptures teach us that God wants us to be with him in his heavenly kingdom, but we must be ready when he summons us; that we must be prepared for whatever circumstances we encounter. So, will we be ready? This week's readings:Gospel – Matthew 22: 1-141st Reading – Isaiah 25: 6-10aPsalm 232nd Reading – Philippians 4: 12-14, 19-20 Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer(00:01:56) - Gospel (Matthew 22) & Explanation(00:18:17) - First Reading (Isaiah 25) & Explanation(00:25:33) - Psalm 23 & Explanation(00:27:40) - Second Reading (Philippians 4) & Explanation(00:36:48) - Closing & Credits

In this week’s parable, Jesus is still trying to reach the chief priests, but they still don’t understand. Jesus’ words echo Isaiah’s love song for God’s vineyard, but the chief priests don’t make the connection. Even the Psalm tells the Jewish religious authorities that they are the vine planted in God’s vineyard, but that God is unhappy with the fruit they produce, and he withdraws his protection from them. We cannot sit back and think Jesus speaks only to others in this parable, however, because we sometimes reject God’s servants… we mistreat God’s messengers… and we, too, will be judged for our wicked behavior. Paul reminds us, though, that it is never too late to repent. That we should have no fear or anxiety but turn everything over to God who loves us. So, let’s repent while we can and focus our attention on all the good God gives us! This week's readings:Gospel – Matthew 21: 33-431st Reading – Isaiah 5: 1-7Psalm 802nd Reading – Philippians 4: 6-9 Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer(00:02:34) - Gospel (Matthew 21) & Explanation(00:18:00) - First Reading (Isaiah 5) & Explanation(00:29:32) - Psalm 80 & Explanation(00:36:54) - Second Reading (Philippians 4) & Explanation(00:45:08) - Closing & Credits