A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth.

But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.

Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.

Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

--

Here are the big questions… 

How do everyday type people, like us, know and receive everything that Christ died to give us? 

How do we develop Christ-like values and principles, and the discipline to implement them into our lives? 

How do we take up the mission of Christ to go and make disciples? 

The mission of Narrow Gate Ministries, through the Gospels and this podcast, will help lead you to the answer…

Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and ­reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.

So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.

People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

The Gospel of the Lord.

--

Here are the big questions… 

How do everyday type people, like us, know and receive everything that Christ died to give us? 

How do we develop Christ-like values and principles, and the discipline to implement them into our lives. 

How do we take up the mission of Christ to go and make disciples? 

The mission of Narrow Gate Ministries, through the Gospels and this podcast, will help lead you to the answer…

Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying,

“John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were ­saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.”

But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.”

Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.

John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody.

When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.

His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”

He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you ­whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.”

She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”

The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her.

So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head.

He went off and beheaded him in the prison.

He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother.

When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

The Gospel of the Lord.

--

Here are the big questions… 

How do everyday type people, like us, know and receive everything that Christ died to give us? 

How do we develop Christ-like values and principles, and the discipline to implement them into our lives. 

How do we take up the mission of Christ to go and make disciples? 

The mission of Narrow Gate Ministries, through the Gospels and this podcast, will help lead you to the answer…

Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord,

Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.

This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted—and you yourself a sword will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the ­daughter of ­Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was ­eighty-four.

She never left the temple, but ­worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the ­redemption of ­Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

--

Here are the big questions… 

How do everyday type people, like us, know and receive everything that Christ died to give us? 

How do we develop Christ-like values and principles, and the discipline to implement them into our lives. 

How do we take up the mission of Christ to go and make disciples? 

The mission of Narrow Gate Ministries, through the Gospels and this podcast, will help lead you to the answer…

Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished.

They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!

Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?

And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.”

So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

The Gospel of the Lord.

--

Here are the big questions… 

How do everyday type people, like us, know and receive everything that Christ died to give us? 

How do we develop Christ-like values and principles, and the discipline to implement them into our lives. 

How do we take up the mission of Christ to go and make disciples? 

The mission of Narrow Gate Ministries, through the Gospels and this podcast, will help lead you to the answer…

Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.

One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her so that she may get well and live.” He went off with him and a large crowd followed him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had.

Yet she was not helped, but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak.

She said, “If I touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately, her flow of blood dried up.

She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”

But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?”

And he looked around to see who had done it.

The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling.

She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why bother the teacher any longer?”

Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.

So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping?

The child is not dead, but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out.

He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and entered the room where the child was.

He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”

The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded.

He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

The Gospel of the Lord.

--

Here are the big questions… 

How do everyday type people, like us, know and receive everything that Christ died to give us? 

How do we develop Christ-like values and principles, and the discipline to implement them into our lives. 

How do we take up the mission of Christ to go and make disciples? 

The mission of Narrow Gate Ministries, through the Gospels and this podcast, will help lead you to the answer…

Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes.

When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him.

The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain.

In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him.

Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones.

Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?

I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”)

He asked him, “What is your name?” He ­replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.”

And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory.

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine.

Let us enter them.” And he let them, and the ­unclean spirits came out and entered the swine.

The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned.

The ­swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside.

And ­people came out to see what had happened.

As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind.

And they were seized with fear.

Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine.

Then they began to beg him to leave their district.

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him.

But Jesus would not ­permit him, but told him instead, “Go home to your ­family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”

Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

The Gospel of the Lord.

--

Here are the big questions… 

How do everyday type people, like us, know and receive everything that Christ died to give us? 

How do we develop Christ-like values and principles, and the discipline to implement them into our lives. 

How do we take up the mission of Christ to go and make disciples? 

The mission of Narrow Gate Ministries, through the Gospels and this podcast, will help lead you to the answer…

Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the ­kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who ­hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown ­mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they ­insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

--

Here are the big questions… 

How do everyday type people, like us, know and receive everything that Christ died to give us? 

How do we develop Christ-like values and principles, and the discipline to implement them into our lives. 

How do we take up the mission of Christ to go and make disciples? 

The mission of Narrow Gate Ministries, through the Gospels and this podcast, will help lead you to the answer…

Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:

“Let us cross to the other side.”

Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.

And other boats were with him.

A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.

They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”

The wind ceased and there was great calm.

Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

The Gospel of the Lord.

--

Here are the big questions… 

How do everyday type people, like us, know and receive everything that Christ died to give us.

How do we develop Christ-like values and principles, and the discipline to implement them into our lives. 

How do we take up the mission of Christ to go and make disciples? 

The mission of Narrow Gate Ministries, through the Gospels and this podcast, will help lead you to the answer…

Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;

it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.

Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it?

It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.

But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

The Gospel of the Lord.

--

Here are the big questions… 

How do everyday type people, like us, know and receive everything that Christ died to give us? 

How do we develop Christ-like values and principles, and the discipline to implement them into our lives. 

How do we take up the mission of Christ to go and make disciples? 

The mission of Narrow Gate Ministries, through the Gospels and this podcast, will help lead you to the answer…

Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.