Liturgy Live

This week on the Podcast we talk about the prophecy of the baptism and the fulfilment in Christ. We really go into our response to holiness. In maturity we are able to rejoice in the gifts of others, not tear them down in jealousy or envy. We talk about how John recognised his role and questioned his worthiness to complete it. It was allowed for the fulfilment of scripture. We also talk about attitudes in which we question God in our confusion or misunderstanding, John does not fall into the same sin as his father.

Our speaker today Dwight Edwards has worked for over 30 years in the high-tech industry and a member of Toastmasters for 10 where he has achieved the Distinguished Toastmasters distinction. He has many times, during his Catholic life, swerved off his path, however the process you will pick up today not only helped him become resilient and get back on track, but it also helped him to earn a top 20 finish out of 10,000 speakers at “The World Championship of Public Speaking.” This is the same process that will help you to become resilient and stay strong in your faith. Presenting his Keynote entitled: “How to navigate doubt and attain stronger faith through Resiliency.” This podcast is recorded live and attendants were able to share some of their struggles and fears about living the faith and also how they stay strong in it.

After a few weeks with technical issues, we are back! We have actual bingo cards being created to play during the show. If you have common words or phrases you think we should have on the cards let us know, and if you want a bingo card, email us at [email protected]. This week we talk about many different topics. It all comes down to the signs given to us and obedience to God's commands. We are all called to perfection and not to be afraid of the plans God has for us. St Joseph hears the commands and follows them, St Paul calls for us to receive the grace given to call others to the obedience of faith.

This week on the podcast we talk about the spiritual leadership of David. How David waited for so long, already anointed, and still mourned the death of King Saul even though they were enemies. This really spoke to us about holding the office in respect even if we know that the leadership is not perfect. The anointed of God still should be respected and mourned. It is a perspective that is lacking in today's culture. In the second reading we talk about how Paul points out Christ as the king of everything created, the levels of angels that are bad and good are subject to Him. We discuss the paradox of Christ's Justice and Mercy and how we should hold them together. We also focus on the correct interpretation of what Mercy really is verses the illusion of compassion. In the Gospel we talk about contemplating the sufferings of Christ and how they are the beatific vision.

This week on the Podcast we continue to talk about the last things. In the first reading we talk about Prophet Malachi and how his book condemns the offensive defiled sacrifices made in the temple since the return from exile. Malachi prophesies the destruction of the evil ones. In the second reading we talk about how St Paul exhorts us to work hard even if we think it is the end times. We need to keep from the idleness that brings about sin. In the Gospel we talk about the destruction of the temple in 70AD and how we are all called to be prepared for the end times in our day as well. Jesus tells us not to be terrified and persevere in order to save our lives, our spiritual lives.

This week on the podcast, we talk about the hope of the coming Resurrection through Christ. The first reading shows the seven sons suffering for their faith in front of their mother, who encouraged them to stand firm. Their witness, belief in the resurrection of the dead, and a life to come is an example of courageous faith. The blood of the Martyr is the seed of the church. We then go into talking about thinking in a meta context, and how to go about contemplation healthily. We talk about how a deeper reflection of the right way and wrong way to contemplate is needed.

This week we really dive deep into the beginning of the first reading. How the whole universe is a grain from the balance. How small we are in the relation to everything, yet how much God loves each and every one of us. We talk about thinking about God and thinking about thinking about God. We get a little meta. It goes into the experience of how to pray and how to slow down and think about life and how to make choices. In the second reading we talk about the warning from St Paul not to despair over those who cry out that the second coming is near. Do not be shaken, tend to the battle that is before you and do not sin. We didn't make it to the gospel this week, we spent our time on the first readings.

This week on the podcast we talk about the struggles of moving through the spiritual levels. One of the temptations of conquering your sins is to become judgmental of the process of others. We talk about having to be very aware of what is hurting us in sin to be able to fight it. How do we walk the line of proclaiming God's work in our lives and also not becoming prideful in that work. We talk about how hard it is to share successes with friends, but it is easy to find friends who will join us to complain about our struggles.

This week on the podcast we talk about the necessity of both the active and contemplative life. Moses holds his hands up for the success of those fighting the troops of Amelek, there are 2 groups in this situation, the contemplative prayer needed for success and the active fighters also needed for the same success. We talk about personal experience with prayer. In the second reading we talk about how we are charged with the mission to proclaim the gospel, teach and encourage those around us, which is only possible when we are connected to God with perseverance in prayer. In the Gospel we talk about how the unjust judge knew that he was breaking the great commandments, but was able to conclude that he should be good to the widow due to her perseverance. How much more will God who loves us perfectly, hear us and respond to our persistent prayer.

This week on the podcast we talk about the O word, yes the word that sends some into a fit of rage. Obedience. Our culture is a culture of disobedience, it is expected and sometimes even revered as some sort of secular virtue. This weeks readings go into having to be obedient to the Word in order to be healed, and then return in thanksgiving in order to be saved. Christ has the ability to heal us, but we have to be faithful and not walk away from Him in our restored state.