Seeing the crowds that are following him, Jesus ascends the Mount of the Beatitudes and begins to teach his followers a new way to look at life, blessings, and what it means to be his disciple. It’s not about riches, or strength, or wisdom – it’s about being poor in spirit, being meek and humble, being reviled, persecuted, and foolish in the eyes of the world. These words are spoken to us as modern followers of Jesus and they are, perhaps, much more important now than they were when they were first spoken. Each and every Christian needs to hear and internalize these words today! But this message is the opposite of what society tells us, what politicians and internet influencers tell us, and often what our friends and family tell us. So, how do we turn down the world and listen to the quiet voice of Jesus?

This week's readings:
Gospel – Matthew 5: 1-12a
1st Reading – Zephaniah 2: 3a; 3: 12-13
Psalm 146
2nd Reading – 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:02:02) - Gospel & Explanation
• (00:26:17) - First Reading & Explanation
• (00:35:31) - Psalm & Explanation
• (00:38:00) - Second Reading & Explanation
• (00:53:33) - Closing & Credits

This week Jesus begins his public ministry in Capernaum, a small town on the Sea of Galilee, in order to fulfill yet another prophecy of Isaiah. It is there that Jesus preaches the same words used by the recently arrested John the Baptist – demonstrating the link between their two missions and ministries. It is the place where Jesus calls his first disciples, those who will be closest to him, those who will become his Inner Circle. Saint Paul tells us that there should be no dissensions or quarrels among the Christian community, that we should be united in mind and purpose… but we aren’t, are we? So, how do we change that?

This week's readings:
Gospel – Matthew 4: 12-23
1st Reading – Isaiah 9: 1-4
Psalm 27
2nd Reading – 1 Corinthians 1: 10-13, 17

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:01:40) - Gospel & Explanation
• (00:19:15) - First Reading & Explanation
• (00:32:00) - Psalm & Explanation
• (00:37:41) - Second Reading & Explanation
• (00:49:25) - Closing & Credits

This week, as we return to Ordinary Time, we hear John the Baptist declare Jesus to be the Lamb of God, the one who takes away the sins of the world. But have those words become just that – words that are often heard but not often believed? What do those words really mean to us – in our heart of hearts? If we really have God as our strength, if we really believe that we should be a light to the world, why don’t we always act like that? Saint Paul reminds the people in Corinth, and by extension us as well, that we are all called to be saints. So, why aren’t we?

This week's readings:
Gospel – John 1: 29-34
1st Reading – Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6
Psalm 40
2nd Reading – 1 Corinthians 1: 1-3

To see the images related to this week's episode, follow me on Instagram as @fromhiswordtoourhearts.

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:02:12) - Gospel & Explanation
• (00:15:21) - First Reading & Explanation
• (00:29:01) - Psalm & Explanation
• (00:32:25) - Second Reading & Explanation
• (00:41:35) - Closing & Credits