In this short reflection, Jesse O'Regan - leader of Abide Youth Ministry - shares what’s stayed with him from the first sermon in the You Brood of Vipers! series: “Spiritual fakeness can spread like a cancer in a church body.” Drawing from Jesus’ rebuke of hypocrisy in Matthew 23, Jesse highlights how spiritual peer pressure can lead us to fake holiness and hide real struggles. He encourages us to build an honest church culture where grace, not performance, shapes our community and growth.

Why do some Bibles skip from Matthew 23:13 to 23:15? What’s going on with the “missing woe”? And can we really trust that our Bibles are accurate?

In this episode, Pastor Mike is joined by Shane Angland, the teaching elder at Ennis Evangelical Church, to explore the fascinating world of biblical manuscripts and what the omission of Matthew 23:14 in some Bibles actually means. Along the way, they also discuss:

📜 What textual variants like this one reveal about the New Testament manuscript tradition
📖 How to respond pastorally to questions about biblical trustworthiness
🧾 Why Shane rejects the JEDP theory (Documentary Hypothesis) and what that means for reading the Old Testament
🤝 The importance of interpreting Scripture within community and in connection with the local church

Whether you’re deeply curious about ancient manuscripts or just wondering why your Bible skips a verse, this conversation offers clarity and encouragement.

In this episode, Pastor Mike Neglia teaches from Matthew 23:13–24 in a message titled How to Be a Religious Hypocrite in 5 Easy Steps. This sermon is part of our “You Brood of Vipers” mini-series, embedded within our verse-by-verse study through the Gospel of Matthew.

Jesus’ most scathing words are not aimed at outsiders but at religious insiders. In this passage, He outlines what bad religion looks like – and why it’s so dangerous. Pastor Mike explores five patterns of hypocrisy that shut people out of the kingdom, prey on the vulnerable, elevate minor rules over major realities, and ultimately distort the character of God.

This message contrasts the woes of Matthew 23 with the blessings of Matthew 5 and includes a timely encouragement for those serving in ministry, such as at this week’s CEF youth camp. Alongside biblical exposition, Mike shares personal stories, cultural reflections, and practical insights for modern Christians who want more than surface-level faith.

Included:

• Definition and biblical context of “woe”

• The link between false zeal and spiritual harm

• A personal story involving St Anthony’s relics and religious superstition

• A preview of the upcoming Calvary Podcast episode on Matthew 23:14 and manuscript reliability

• A pastoral call to pursue justice, mercy, and faithfulness over hollow performance

Whether you’re a church leader, a committed disciple, or someone exploring faith, this episode offers both a warning and an invitation: to leave behind hypocrisy and live out a sincere, Christ-centred life.

Subscribe, rate, and share if this message encourages or challenges you. And don’t miss the Monday release of the podcast conversation with Shane Angland on textual criticism, the “missing woe,” and how we can trust the Bible today.

Why does Jesus speak so strongly in Matthew 23? Because He sees how performative religion crushes people with guilt and expectation. In this message, we begin our new series “You Brood of Vipers” and hear Jesus’ invitation to trade the heavy burden of hypocrisy for the light and honest way of grace, rest, and humble service.

In a world filled with unrest and growing darkness, how do we respond as believers? In this short devotional, Annelise Sabbe shares a powerful encouragement from Scripture, reminding us to stay sober-minded, prayerful and full of hope as we await the return of Jesus. These are not just perilous times - they are prophetic times. Look up, for our redemption is near.

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 4:7
Written and read by Annelise Sabbe, who serves in women's ministry and co-leads the cleaning team.

Why do Christians keep eating this small meal together? In this teaching from Calvary Cork’s Young Adults gathering, guest speaker Mike Neglia explores the meaning, purpose, and beauty of the Lord’s Supper. Drawing from Scripture, church history, and theology, Mike shows how Communion helps us look back to the cross, look forward to Christ’s return, examine our own hearts, and love the church around us.
The session ends with an open Q&A, where participants ask thoughtful questions about symbolism, grace, and the differences between Roman Catholic and Protestant views of the Eucharist.

“In preaching the gospel is heard. In sacrament, the gospel is seen.”

“We believe that Christ instituted two ordinances or symbols for the Church, whereby we could testify of Him, namely water baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Baptism is an ordinance of testimony, a visible expression of faith in Christ whereby the Christian publicly confesses Christ.
The mode of baptism (by submersion in water) is a picture of the Christian as a new creation united with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of remembrance and thanksgiving and also of testimony.
When Christians partake together in the bread and the cup, which are symbols of the body and blood of Christ, they remember Christ’s sacrifice and proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
– Calvary Cork Statement of Faith, Article 14

Wayne Grudem (Systematic Theology, 2nd Ed.):

“From Genesis to Revelation God’s aim has been to bring His people into fellowship with Himself, and one of the great joys of experiencing that fellowship is the fact that we can eat and drink in the presence of the Lord.”

New City Catechism – Q46: What is the Lord’s Supper?

“Christ commanded all Christians to eat bread and to drink from the cup in thankful remembrance of him and his death.
The Lord’s Supper is a celebration of the presence of God in our midst; bringing us into communion with God and with one another; feeding and nourishing our souls.
It also anticipates the day when we will eat and drink with Christ in his Father’s kingdom.”

Derek Murphy speaks with Mike about personal prayer, corporate prayer, missing parcels and the value of honesty before the Lord.

Prayer is pouring out our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving. - New City Catechism

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:13–16, ESV)

In this message, Tadhg O’Keeffe unpacks a series of tense encounters between Jesus and the religious leaders. With wisdom and authority, Jesus answers questions about taxes, resurrection, and the greatest commandment—and then asks a question of His own that gets to the heart of who He really is.

We’re reminded that while Caesar may own the coins, God lays claim to us. Bearing His image means belonging to Him. And through Jesus—the one who perfectly fulfilled both sides of the covenant—we’re invited to respond with full-hearted trust, worship, and love.

Recorded on a walk through West Cork, this short midweek reflection explores a beautiful thread woven through Scripture: God is in the habit of clothing His people. From Genesis 3 to the prodigal son, and into the parable of the wedding feast, we see the same gracious pattern—God provides the covering we need. If you’re feeling exposed, ashamed, or unworthy, this is your reminder: the King Himself offers you His robe. All things are ready. Come and be clothed.

Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a royal wedding feast—an invitation of joy, honour, and generosity. But shockingly, many refuse to come. In this sermon on Matthew 22:1–14, we consider the King’s gracious offer, the danger of indifference, the open call to all, and the surprising importance of being clothed in Christ. The gospel is good news: all things are ready, the feast is prepared, and the invitation is still open.