Ron Bruni - The intriguing story of Daniel - As we progress in this investigation of the book of Daniel, it's essential to remember the historical context in which it was written.
Norm McGraw - We've got a lot to be thankful for - The books of Maccabees remind us of how great He is in protecting us from evil. The psalms exhort us to rejoice in His goodness. And in Luke, Jesus reminds us that we are His children.
Lou Occhi - He will find faith on earth - The many other prayer groups throughout the world and in particular, our prayer group, will ensure that when the Son of Man comes He will find faith on earth.
Tim Trainor - The Grace of Humility - Catholic Theology views humility as a sub-part of the Cardinal Virtue of Temperance. St Augustine the three most important virtues of the spiritual life are: humility, humility, and humility.
Ron Bruni - Listen to God’s word and obey his will - God’s word is the light that shines in the darkness
Norm McGraw - Surrender to the Grace of God - “Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.”
Lou Occhi - Its meaning was hidden from them - “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.”
Tim Trainor - Coming of the Kingdom - The notion that God, the Creator of the universe, would have reason to initiate a conversation with a mere human being, is unimaginable.
Steve Leininger - Going to School with the Saints - As I began my quest for a deeper understanding of today’s alternate reading, I wondered why this is a memorial and not a feast.
Ron Bruni - My pleasure, no tip needed - God had mercy on the Gentiles, like Ruth, even during Old Testament times. It foreshadows the gift of salvation to all the Gentiles which Jesus brings.
Norm McGraw - The Bible and its cliffhangers - Sometimes reading the Bible is like watching a cliffhanger serial. You must follow the entire story line to completely understand the narrative.
Lou Occhi - Shema prayer on their arms or forehead - The Shema prayer was so important to the Hebrews that they would recite it every morning and night. They took this prayer literally. This prayer is as valid today as it was in the days of Moses.
Tim Trainor - Why Jubilee and Which Herod Got Boxed In? - His act of redeeming his people from Egypt committed Him to provide for them on every level because they were His own children. He was also setting an example for them (and us) to follow.
Steve Leininger - Martha, Martha, and 2 Mary’s - In 1969, Pope Paul VI removed the identification of Mary Magdalene with Mary of Bethany and the "sinful woman”
Ron Bruni - From old to new - It is as true today as it was during Jesus’s time that whatever the teacher’s followers do that gives offense, reflects adversely on the teacher either by omission or commission.
Norm McGraw - Getting past the distractions - Trust in another being Indeed, there is a yearning in every human to develop faith and trust in another being than oneself. Isn’t an obvious candidate the Supreme Being that created us? Regarding miracles, the “miracle of life”—birth—everyone has experienced.
Tim Trainor - What's in a God-Given Name? - In our scripture reading, we find that John is given a “special name by God.”
Lou Occhi - When others feel unable to ask God for help - When someone is in the extremes with God, they are probably unable to ask God for help. In that case, we should pray for them.
Steve Leininger - Stay in your own lane - After getting Peter’s assurances of his love for Jesus, Jesus tells Peter “Follow me.”
Ron Bruni - From confusion to the wisdom of God - Almost every word of Christ gave them some sort of confusion. This hindered their progress. But soon afterward . . .
Norm McGraw - Never said it would be easy - And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”
Tim Trainor - What return can I make? - After his conversion, Saul, now called Paul, was no longer trying to stamp out this new Faith. He was actively spreading it!
Lou Occhi - The disciples had not understood the close tie between Jesus and the Father and the extent of that tie.
Steve Leininger - Peter and John were often in the spotlight and had more than one major run-in with the Sanhedrin, the Jewish judicial and administrative body.
Norm McGraw - The big picture - So, what was the reaction of the Pharisees when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead? They debated how to quench his popularity because they saw him as a political threat.
Lou Occhi - Mary was without sin - Adam and Eve were successfully tempted by Satan, while Mary is with Jesus when Satan is defeated at the cross.
Tim Trainor - Mercy is love's second name - The tax collector prays to God, the Pharisee to himself
Steve Leininger - The Father is always with us - It is reassuring to hear that God is always with us and everything he has belongs to us
Norm McGraw - A legacy of faith - Hopefully, their passing has left us a legacy of faith in God---“the realization of what is hoped for”.
Lou Occhi - All people are our neighbors - It is easy enough to love a friend and people who are generous and loving. What about those that aren’t? How do you go about loving someone who is mean and harms you or others?
Steve Leininger - Faith Happens - Abraham committed his whole self to obeying God’s commands. It is that combination of belief, trust, and commitment that is embodied in faith.
Norm McGraw - Every time we read scripture . . . - And as our faith grows, we feel His presence and His grace in our lives.
Tim Trainor - Give ourselves over to the Lord - Mark records that Jesus could satisfy not only the spiritual but also the physical needs of the crowd. He provides food for the people just as God provided “manna” for the Israelites wandering in the desert.
Norm - Every time we read scripture . . .- Every time that we pray, we strengthen our belief in Him. And as our faith grows, we feel His presence and His grace in our lives.
Lou - Light of the World - Like our weekly prayer sessions, there are also many other activities which keep our spiritual batteries charged.
Tim - Already but not yet – Christmas - He, as my horn of salvation, wishes me a “Very Joyful and Bright Christmas!”
Steve Leininger - Not another Genealogy - Finding one’s roots, learning about your family tree, and visiting the “place of one’s birth” has always been a yearning burned into the human psyche.
Norm - God knows how weak we humans can be. That’s why He continually prods us to be good.
Lou - We are the light of the world. We have to rejoice in the love of our God and spread that love in whatever our Lord wishes for us.
Tim - Do we desire the kind of faith that leads us to persist, as 2 Timothy suggests, whether it is convenient or inconvenient?
Steve Leininger - My “October Surprise” this year was a letter from Colorado state saying I owe them enough additional money to get my attention.
Lou - The Resurrection included the Gentiles - 10/8/22
Norm - Mystery of the Trinity - 10/15/22
Tim - God's forgiveness - 10/1/22
