As we celebrate Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Season of Lent, I reflect on Jesus’ Temptation in the desert. Contemplating Jesus’ experience in the desert helps me to fully grasp and live into the purpose and meaning of this season. My reflection on this intriguing story will focus specifically on how we might use the details of Jesus’ time in the desert to enhance and enrich our own Lenten experience. I also include a prayer for Pope Francis.

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 Scripture Cited: Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13, Joel 2:12-18, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

In this Faith Talk, I share my “This I Believe” essay – My personal Creed, if you will. I find writing a “This I believe” essay to be an excellent Lenten exercise. I hope my essay offers you inspiration to write your own.

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Sources cited: Prayer for Pope Francis adapted from a prayer offered by Fr. James Martin, February 24, 2025.

What role should the Church play in the lives of the faithful? That is the question I am reflecting on in this Faith Talk. I see much value in organized religion, and I believe the ChristianChurch has a crucial role to play in our world. But I also believe The Church has overstepped their role throughout our 2000-year history. Whether you agree with me or not, I hope my reflection will give you some food for thought.

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Scripture cited: Acts 2:1-4, 42-47, Acts 15, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

This Faith Talk came from a need deep within my soul for God’s help and protection. As I often do, I looked for God’s guidance in the upcoming liturgical readings. The gospel reading for February 16 (6th Sunday in Ordinary Time) touched my heart and spoke to many of our societal problems, so I chose to share that message with you. In this scriptural account Jesus spoke his famous words, “Blessed are you” and “Woe to you.” In this episode, I reflect on what Jesus might be calling me to with this powerful message. I hope it is helpful for you.

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Scripture cited: Luke 6:17, 20-26, Matthew 25:31-46, Psalm 91:2

In his Sermon on Mount (Matthew’s gospel) Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth. But what exactly does that mean? In this Faith Talk, I reflect on Jesus’ metaphor of salt with the help of the work of Spiritual Writer, Debie Thomas

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Scripture cited: Matthew 5:13

Other sources cited:

Fr. Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation, December 31, 2024.

Debie Thomas, Into the Mess and Other Jesus Stories: Reflections on the Life of Christ (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2022), 164, 165, 166. 

Where is God in times of war and suffering? That is a question many of us ask. In this Faith Talk, I reflect on the suffering of innocent people in our world today – where is God and how might we make sense of it all? I hope it’s helpful for you. My sources are the Prophet Isaiah, St. Theresa of Avila, and Jesus.

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Scripture cited: Isaiah 9:5-6, Matthew 5:1-12, Acts 1:8

Other sources cited: St. Theresa of Avila.

Let There Be Peace on Earth lyrics © Music Copyright Consultant Grp. Songwriters: Jill Jackson/Sy Miller

What does it really mean that God is with us? And does God’s presence impact the way you live your life? In this Faith Talk, I share my thoughts on these questions – using the words of Jesus as my foundation. Please join me in this Faith Talk and share it with anyone who might benefit.

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I believe the most important word in the Christian vocabulary is Emmanuel. Most of us probably think of the word Emmanuel as a Christmas term. We hear it mostly during the seasons of Advent and Christmas. We sing the famous Christmas song, O Come, O Come Emmanuel during our Advent liturgies. But Emmanuel is not just a Christmas term. It’s not just about the birth of the Christ child in the stable in Bethlehem. Emmanuel, which means God is with us, defines who we are as Christians. Everything that we profess to believe as Christians comes from this one central truth - God is with us. Please join me in this Faith Talk as I reflect on this important word - Emmanuel!

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Scripture cited: Luke 15:11-32, Matthew 6:25-30, John 14:16-18, Acts 1:8

Other sources cited:

Faith Talk with Anita You Tube video #48 I was Lost but now I’m Found: https://youtu.be/k8VdkO-HMYA

Faith Talk with Anita podcast #3 I was Lost but now I’m Found: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/j830iEReYPb

“For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

As we come to the end of our Advent journey and begin our final preparation for the great feast of Christmas, we are reminded of the marvelous gift that God has bestowed upon us. On that day so many years ago, God touched all of humanity in a glorious way. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, we are reminded that God continues to touch each one of us every moment of our lives. The questions we must ask ourselves are, “Will we feel God’s touch? And if we do, how will we respond?” In this Faith Talk I reflect on the gospel reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent which recounts Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. I marvel at how God touched these women. The way in which they

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Scripture cited: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 3:1-6, Luke 3:10-18, Luke 1:39-45

In this Faith Talk, I reflect on the gospel reading for the Third

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Scripture cited: Luke 3:4, Luke 3:10-18, Matthew 5:6-9, Matthew 5:14-16, Matthew 5:44-45, Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 25:40