Friends, the Lord Jesus Christ is not a teacher from a distant age, not someone from long ago we remember fondly, not a moral exemplar; rather, he is a field of force. We don’t just listen to him or imitate him; we live in him. Our Gospel for this Fifth Sunday of Easter gives us one of the most beautiful and powerful images for this truth: Jesus is the vine, ... Show More
Sep 2
Will the Good of the Other
Friends, for the wokeist philosophy that dominates today, empathy—feeling the feelings of the other and not harming those feelings—is treated as a supreme value. But while empathy is perfectly good and decent, the Bible teaches that love, not empathy, is the supreme value. And lo ... Show More
14m 39s
Aug 26
A Living Sacrifice
Friends, for this Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, I want to begin with our very brief second reading from Paul to the Romans. It opens, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.” Here we see Christ’s cross and res ... Show More
14m 58s
Jun 2024
I Am the Vine
<p>To people who like to think of themselves as independent and self-sufficient, Jesus’ words, “I am the vine,” can be humbling. Apart from Jesus, we can do <em>nothing</em>. But for those who are trusting in Jesus, abundant, supernatural life is available! Jesus wants to produce ... Show More
46m 27s
Feb 2024
#202: Praying the Bible (John 15:1-11: I Am the Vine)
Vineyards were grown everywhere in Israel during the time of Jesus. When He said, "I am the vine," His followers would have understand what a vine is and does. As the vine, Jesus gives us life. He produces the fruits of His Holy Spirit living in us. Without Him, we cannot bear fr ... Show More
15 m
Jun 2022
Day 159: Bearing Fruit (2022)
As we read about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, Fr. Mike breaks down Jesus' interactions with his disciples and the sadducees, and his reaction to the widow's offering. We learn that a life rooted in Jesus, is a life that bears good fruit. Today we read Mark 11-12 and Psalm 67. For ... Show More
22m 9s
Jun 2024
Day 159: Bearing Fruit (2024)
As we read about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, Fr. Mike breaks down Jesus' interactions with his disciples and the sadducees, and his reaction to the widow's offering. We learn that a life rooted in Jesus, is a life that bears good fruit. Today we read Mark 11-12 and Psalm 67. For ... Show More
22m 9s
Nov 2018
Love Poems, Vineyards, and Rocks - Gospel of Matthew Part 28
<p>We look at a story from a controversy that Jesus was involved in in this episode. During his final week in Jerusalem for Passover, he ends up telling this famous story of God’s covenant with Israel leading up to Jesus. He tells it through a story about a landowner who owns a v ... Show More
51m 47s
