You may listen directly here:
or you may download it there.
Gospel: Today's stunning Gospel reading often shocks people: Jesus's relatives, including Mary, come to Capernaum to "restrain" or "seize" him (κρατῆσαι) because they thought "he was out of his mind." Everyone faces opposition, even Jesus. Don't let it deter you. (Mk 3:21-25) pic.twitter.com/jjKUXksH9B
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) January 20, 2018
Be not quick to anger,
for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
Wisdom is good with an inheritance,
an advantage to those who see the sun.
For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money;
and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
Consider the work of God;
who can make straight what he has made crooked?
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.
–Ecclesiastes 7:9-14
What a beautiful start to the day – this is Whittington Castle, near Oswestry, photographed not long after sunrise. There wasn’t a breath of wind when I arrived so I was able to capture a perfect reflection in the moat of this 12th century border fortress. #Shropshire pic.twitter.com/7lfynYckrU
— ShropshireAndBeyond (@ShropsAndBeyond) June 10, 2024
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever!
Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures for ever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures for ever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His steadfast love endures for ever.”
–Psalm 118:1-4
Sunday morning clouds at sunrise 😎 pic.twitter.com/SaNh91BOQg
— graham ross (@grahamr27165817) June 9, 2024
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were in bondage to beings that by nature are no gods; but now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days, and months, and seasons, and years! I am afraid I have labored over you in vain.
–Galatians 4:1-11
Good morning all
— 🌱Mystic Mel (@Melshenny1) June 8, 2024
Buenos días pic.twitter.com/GgkGuPVJAG
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake; why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase, empty words grow many: but do you fear God.
–Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
Happy Friday all! Here's the view from Roseberry Topping:) pic.twitter.com/1dtV68tCv1
— David Oxtaby (@Disc_light) June 7, 2024
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. As he went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
–Matthew 14:13-21
90% of the soldiers on the first boats to hit the beach didn't live to see the end of the day. Look at those faces. Some of them never made it to 18.
— Lest We Forget (Andy) (@poppypride1) June 5, 2024
They paid the ultimate price for your freedom. You live your life the way you do because of them. pic.twitter.com/gT0XxFrV0I
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus; and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist, he has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison, for the sake of Hero′di-as, his brother Philip’s wife; because John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Hero′di-as danced before the company, and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And the king was sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given; he sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it; and they went and told Jesus.
–Matthew 14:1-12
It's Cauldron Falls in #Bishopdale for #WaterfallWednesday 💚 This pretty waterfall can soon become a torrent after rain! It was one of the spots painted by Turner on his travels in the #YorkshireDales in 1816.
— Yorkshire Dales National Park (@yorkshire_dales) June 5, 2024
📸 @ChrisMBurgess pic.twitter.com/n1VTwG085c
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up by revelation; and I laid before them (but privately before those who were of repute) the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, lest somehow I should be running or had run in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. But because of false brethren secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage— to them we did not yield submission even for a moment, that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. And from those who were reputed to be something (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who were of repute added nothing to me; but on the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter for the mission to the circumcised worked through me also for the Gentiles), and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised; only they would have us remember the poor, which very thing I was eager to do.
–Galatians 2:1-10
Summer sunrise over @Bamburgh_Castle…#Northumberland #photography pic.twitter.com/4aZxJWHA2b
— Jim Scott (@jimscottphoto) June 4, 2024
So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had spent in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what he has already done. Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness. The wise man has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness; and yet I perceived that one fate comes to all of them. Then I said to myself, “What befalls the fool will befall me also; why then have I been so very wise?” And I said to myself that this also is vanity.
–Ecclesiastes 2: 22-25
New week, new possibilities. pic.twitter.com/Z2ZbidkaOb
— 🌳Tree-lined🌳lanes🌳 (@LanesTree) June 3, 2024
The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
–John 4:19-26
Stunning shot of a mature supercell thunderstorm, illuminated at varying heights from the setting sun in West Texas
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) June 2, 2024
[📷 Laura Rowe] pic.twitter.com/Ug5RdUe44R
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
To the end that [my] glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
–Psalm 30:11-12 (KJV)
The Saturday Fireworks at Navy Pier started early today. This morning's sunrise in Chicago. #weather #chicago #news #ilwx pic.twitter.com/JrL2XRqa3z
— Barry Butler Photography (@barrybutler9) June 1, 2024
Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was beset as in a besieged city.
I had said in my alarm,
“I am driven far from thy sight.”
But thou didst hear my supplications,
when I cried to thee for help.
–Psalm 31:21-22
First light at Tewkesbury Abbey this morning.. pic.twitter.com/qGlJzKUfyC
— Andy Marshall 📸 (@fotofacade) May 31, 2024
What if most of the stories in the Bible are designed to primarily evoke a worship encounter with God rather than a self-improvement task list? We would do well, particularly those of us in production-based cultures, to be suspicious of our relentless need to improve and grow. If we’re reading the text with our minds always thinking we have something to work on, we may be missing the heart of God. Maybe God is less concerned with our improvement and more concerned with our worship.
The text clearly shows we can stay in the boat, watch our friend almost drown, and still end up worshiping Jesus. Now there is a sermon waiting to be preached! “Friends, this week, I don’t recommend stepping out in faith. I recommend staying in the boat and watching your friend take steps. You’ll end up worshiping Jesus either way!”
Read it all.Thinking about God inspires risk-taking for believers. “Those who believe God will protect them from negative consequences feel more confident in pursuing potentially dangerous or uncertain activities because of a perceived safety net.” https://t.co/txVid49FsT
— Steve Stewart-Williams (@SteveStuWill) December 17, 2023
Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
–1 Timothy 4:7-16
"Williams River in Pouring Rain"
— Thomas R Fletcher (@ThomasRFletcher) May 30, 2024
"Rainy Day in May"#AlmostHeaven #WestVirginia #Highlands #StormHour #ThePhotoHour pic.twitter.com/FxKVyIPGKj
Reviewing the development of Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) reveals that it demonstrates an even more serious ‘PLF’ problem, one that is evident in other areas of church life as well: Persistent Leadership Failure. It first traces this failure back to the rushed origins of PLF in late 2022 and early 2023.
These resulted in further failures leading to an instability and incoherence which is traced from early 2023 to the present in relation to repeated changes in:
This latest proposal has a certain logic as the prohibition on standalone services was an abuse of the House’s power and did not make canonical sense once the substance of the prayers were commended by the bishops for use under Canon B5.
However, there are ten problems with this route, some new but some previously recognised and given as reasons to reject commendation….
In the Church of England's 'Prayers of Love and Faith', does PLF actually stand for Persistent Leadership Failure? Where did the process go so badly wrong, and what are the numerous problems with the current proposals? @simonsarmiento @theologyethics1 https://t.co/P6uq2M6mEF
— Dr Ian Paul (@Psephizo) May 29, 2024
Holy God,
faithful and unchanging:
enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth,
and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love,
that we may truly worship you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
The Holy Trinity by Andrei Rublev. pic.twitter.com/kxl6Aj8cU2
— Christian Culture (@Christian8Pics) February 13, 2019
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest, but he finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and brings with him seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. So shall it be also with this evil generation.”
While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
–Matthew 12:43-50
A gorgeous sunrise this morning over Downtown Charleston! pic.twitter.com/NG2ZyieFHn
— Chris Holtzman (@ChrisHoltzmanWx) May 29, 2024
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
than a fatted ox and hatred with it.
–Proverbs 15:16-17
Genieten van besneeuwde bergtoppen in #Banff. Fijne dinsdag😀 #natuur #landschap #lente #mountains #Canada #Alberta pic.twitter.com/7dSeu6z3tG
— Tjark Dieterman (@DietermanTjark) May 28, 2024
To thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in thee I trust,
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
Yea, let none that wait for thee be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know thy ways, O Lord;
teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me,
for thou art the God of my salvation;
for thee I wait all the day long.
–Psalm 25:1-4
Stokesay Castle with a near-perfect reflection seen in the pool. The settlement was originally called Stoke but later became Stoke de Say – abbreviated to Stokesay – after the Norman de Say family, who were tenants of the manor. #Shropshire pic.twitter.com/SXyEq7YzwH
— ShropshireAndBeyond (@ShropsAndBeyond) May 27, 2024
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ”˜After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ”˜He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
–John 1:29-34
Trinity Sunday
— Memento Mori (@TempusFugit4016) May 26, 2024
"The Father is not the Son nor the Holy Spirit; the Son is not the Father nor the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit is not the Father nor the Son: but the Father is only Father, the Son is only Son, and the Holy Spirit is only Holy Spirit" – St. Augustine pic.twitter.com/BNTNiUq7H2
Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all, and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not wrangle or cry aloud,
nor will any one hear his voice in the streets;
he will not break a bruised reed
or quench a smoldering wick,
till he brings justice to victory;
and in his name will the Gentiles hope.”
–Matthew 12:15-21
Unusual steeple with Sanctus bell, from Ickleton #steeplesaturday pic.twitter.com/8p6zrMxJGh
— Sandy De Born (@SandyDeBorn) May 25, 2024
And he went on from there, and entered their synagogue. And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath?” so that they might accuse him. He said to them, “What man of you, if he has one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, whole like the other. But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him, how to destroy him.
–Matthew 12:9-14
Morning everyone hope you are well. I do love a lone tree, and the setting is not too bad either. Buttermere towards Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks. Have a great day. #LakeDistrict @keswickbootco pic.twitter.com/qLD0KmCyIu
— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) May 24, 2024
My son, keep my words
and treasure up my commandments with you;
keep my commandments and live,
keep my teachings as the apple of your eye;
bind them on your fingers,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call insight your intimate friend;
to preserve you from the loose woman,
from the adventuress with her smooth words.
–Proverbs 7:1-5
Beautiful sunrise getting starting looking from Downtown toward the Ravenel Bridge! pic.twitter.com/dxpsYA1Smc
— Joey Sovine Live 5 (@JoeySovine) May 23, 2024
Or you can listen to it all here. The sermon itself starts around 17:45.
For those interested in downloading you may find the link there.
Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles,empowering them with divine inspiration&guidance.Just as flames danced upon their heads,let this Pentecost renew our faith&fill our hearts with the warmth of divine love.#Pentecost #feastofpentecost pic.twitter.com/v4usaCfCut
— The John Bradburne Memorial Society (@BradburneJohn) May 19, 2024
Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God, and every one who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth. There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has borne witness to his Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne to his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who has not the Son of God has not life.
–1 John 5:1-12
Happy Rose Wednesday #RoseWednesday pic.twitter.com/ZE377V6PPF
— 🌱Mystic Mel (@Melshenny1) May 22, 2024
[At Pentecost Peter] intendeth to prove…that the Church can be repaired by no other means, saving only by the giving of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, forasmuch as they did all hope that the restoring drew near, he accuseth them of sluggishness, because they do not once think upon the way and means thereof. And when the prophet saith, “I will pour out,” it is, without all question, that he meant by this word to note the great abundance of the Spirit….when God will briefly promise salvation to his people, he affirmeth that he will give them his Spirit. Hereupon it followeth that we can obtain no good things until we have the Spirit given us.
–Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles
The Pentecostal descent of the Holy Spirit on the Church is connected with his descent on Christ at baptism: the mission of the Church, the community of God's children, in the power of the Spirit is a continuation of the mission of Christ, the eternal Son.@keblelib Ms 39, f.111v pic.twitter.com/IE6SaYCFZA
— Vir Desideriorum (@VirDesideriorum) May 19, 2024
Eternal God, who gives good gifts to all people, and who teaches us to have the same spirit of generosity: Give unto us, we pray thee, hearts that are always open to hear thy word, that following the example of thy servant Lydia, we may show hospitality to all who are in any need or trouble, through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
“Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira listened and the Lord opened her heart.” -Acts 16:14
“The Baptism of Lydia” by Marie Ellenrieder (1861) Alte Nationalgalerie pic.twitter.com/B7DKLGgiQF
— Lady of Good Counsel (@ofgoodcounsel) May 23, 2022
Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain insight;
for I give you good precepts:
do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,
tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
he taught me, and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
keep my commandments, and live;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Get wisdom; get insight.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.
–Proverbs 4:1-7
Sunny start and clear skies – Skye Bridge, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye #Scotland 🏴 21/05/24 @angie_weather @StormHour @ThePhotoHour @VisitScotland @carolkirkwood @BBCScotWeather pic.twitter.com/iXMmmA1o5b
— James MacInnes (@Macinnesplant) May 21, 2024
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
–Psalm 1:1-3
Pentecost, with the dove descending on Mary and the apostles#Pentecost
BL Lansdowne 383; the 'Shaftesbury Psalter'; 12th century; England; f.14r @BLMedieval pic.twitter.com/CoK4jl5buQ— Ennius (@red_loeb) June 4, 2022
Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
–Acts 4:32-33
It's Pentecost, the patronal festival of linguists – so I thought I'd share some of the realisations that liberated my approach to language, and gave me the confidence to work (or try to work) with multiple languages in my research pic.twitter.com/3Jsc9B7jbs
— Dr Francis Young (@DrFrancisYoung) May 19, 2024