Father Mike's Podcast

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time. God demonstrates that we are not disposable. If we come to God, we need to put a little effort into it, come in humility, and live for God rather than the opinions of others."

Birth of John the Baptist. "What is a prophet? What does John teach us and how can we be prophets in word and deed like John?"

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time. How the Kingdom grows is how it works with prayer as well. Thomas Green has a nice little book describing prayer. I hit some highlights this weekend and help frame what prayer is and how to do it well."

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. For what and for whom do we live? What ultimately can make us fulfilled and happy? Jesus, Vatican II, and The Catechism tell us it is the Eucharist as the fount and high point of Christian life. Why?"

Feast of the Holy Trinity. Why does the Trinity matter? What are the implications of the Trinity? How specifically can we live in harmony with what God teaches us in his very nature?"

Feast of Pentecost. What the Holy Spirit and the Church teach us about unity in the Body of Christ."

Good Shepherd Sunday is also First Communion Sunday at St. James. How does Jesus shepherd us and how can we learn from his example by allowing others to shepherd us and encouraging us to be shepherds for others."

This week and for the next three weeks we have a parish mission The mission is partly based on the book "The Case for Jesus" written by Brant Pitre as well as Fr. Mike's own research and commentary. It is focused on giving reasonable explanations to the skeptic who might also have a bias against Christianity. How can we know and explain who Jesus was and is? How do we know that our information is accurate? Can we reasonably have confidence in what Jesus said and did? Did Jesus really claim to be God? These and other questions will be discussed."

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time: "How do we live according to what is eternal? How does Jesus want to leave his mark in us? How can we leave our mark on the world?"

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: "God calls all of us to him. We find our calling when we are open, sit at his feet, step out in faith, and persevere. We don't need to wait, he calls us now and where we are."

The lesson of the Magi and how they lead us by their example to be better Christians."

Experiencing the reality of Christmas and learning from the example of the first Christmas."

First Sunday of Advent: "What is Advent? What do we do to prepare for Christmas as Christians? How does our alertness help us to do repentance and preparation?"

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: "How much is a talent? Why does that matter and what does it say for us?"

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time: "Being a slave to the slaves and how Jesus calls us to reject worldly jockeying for importance and greatness for Christian greatness."