The BreadCast

O parents of the Virgin Mary, grandparents of the Lord our God, you who gave birth to our Blessed Mother, through whom we are blessed for all ages… O you through whom the promise to David came to be fulfilled, you whose virtues found favor with the Lord, you whom He chose to bring forth His Mother and the Mother of all the redeemed – pray our posterity shall endure even as your own, that we shall bear fruit even in our old age and see our children's children in a happy Jerusalem. Pray we shall know the Virgin as intimately as you and so come to know our Lord in the kingdom where He reigns.

(1Kgs.3:5,7-12; Ps.119:57,72,76-77,97,127-130; Rm.8:28-30; Mt.13:44-52) "The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple." Wisdom. The "pearl of great price." How precious the ability "to distinguish right from wrong" by the grace of God, and to choose the right way at all times. For finding the pearl is one thing, a gift from the Lord, but wisdom is revealed in him who "goes and sells all that he has and buys it," knowing there is no treasure greater than the heavenly light shining from the face of God. It is heaven we must desire. What else is of any worth, my friend? And in His justice, in His truth, in the wisdom and understanding that come from the touch of His hand and the words from His mouth alone will we find what is the desire of all the righteous souls. Solomon demonstrates that he "love[s] [the Lord's] commands more than gold," and this pleases the God who seeks to rule His heart. He shows that he is the son of his father David by coming humbly before the Lord, recognizing that he is "a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act." And such utter dependence on the Lord's grace He cannot but bless, declaring to His servant: "I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you." Because the young king has made the desire to "know what is right" his request of his God, he receives this, and so much more. All knowledge, all wisdom is given to Solomon, and shall not be taken away. But perhaps we should note that what he is given here in such abundance, he shall not heed throughout his life – for he shall not always sell all else to follow in the light of the Lord's decrees. Perhaps none but Jesus Himself can do this wholeheartedly; but none should also make the riches of the earth, which contradict the heavenly treasure, his abiding desire, as the older king shall do. All must strive to remain in His light, to be as "the scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven… who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old," who serves as the angels that "separate the wicked from the righteous" – even on this earth distinguishing evil from good. "Brothers and sisters, we know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose." Paul's words reflect the wisdom of God. For truly His elect are known to Him from before time; truly He calls us "to be conformed to the image of His Son." And truly we know that by the justification of our souls under the cross of Christ we shall come to the glorious presence of the Father in heaven. And this is all that matters. "Do you understand all these things?" Then place all in His hands. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: ""Heaven" from Listening to the Lamp, ninth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, you yourself are the pearl of the greatest price – let us find you and your Word at work in us this day. YHWH, let your kingdom come into our midst; let us seek it with all our heart. For nothing else has worth, nothing else lasts – only in you do we find a home. Let your wisdom fill us, LORD, like light from above. Let us listen to your Son's teaching that we may be conformed to His image. You desire to give us every good gift; it is your will to bring us to glory. May our desire be in accord with your own and all will work only for our good. And we shall come to Heaven, where you dwell. We shall come to the light of your face, O LORD, and gaze upon you forever. Your angels will gather us into your House, and there we will remain always. You invite us to ask of you our heart's desire, and you cannot but grant what you offer freely. May our desire please you, LORD, may it be your own, and we shall be blessed with your treasure.

O martyred apostle, first to endure the death of Christ, you have indeed drunk of His cup, fully accepting the sacrifice to which all are called, and so blazed the path of service for others to follow – pray all God's children, all those blessed to be called as sons, as brothers of the Lord, will have the courage and strength that comes from the Spirit to lay down their lives as a ransom for many and so find a place beside our Savior Jesus in His heavenly kingdom. Pray the blood of Christ in which you shared so intimately pour upon His Church and all souls be blessed to drink thereof unto the world's salvation.

(2Cor.4:7-15; Ps.126:1-6; Mt.20:20-28) "Continually we carry about in our bodies the dying of Jesus, so that in our bodies the life of Jesus may also be revealed." In His apostles the death and resurrection of Jesus are most clearly shown. It is particularly their place to suffer persecution, to be "afflicted" and "crushed", "constantly being delivered to death for Jesus' sake"; and it is particularly their grace to show forth the glory of the resurrection. In this selfless service of the Lord, what comes through them is the preaching of the Word; "the spirit of faith" prompts them to speak, and though it bring their death, they do not hesitate: "We believe and so we speak, knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up along with Jesus and place both us and you in His presence." Paul speaks here for all the apostles, and for the grace which comes to us as well through their service. The Son of Man has come "to give His life as ransom for the many," and James truly moves quickly "to drink of the cup" of which the Lord partakes. As the first apostle martyred for the faith, he leads all the apostles forth to such sacrifice, in which they shall all soon join him. Once the Spirit is upon them, speaking through them, they will have the unquestioned faith necessary to confront without fear, but indeed with holy joy, the death to which each is called. They "possess a treasure in earthen vessels" and the vessels must be broken for the "surpassing power" of God to come to fulfillment in them and through them. Willingly do they lay down their lives once the Spirit inspires them, once their faith has been strengthened – once they have lost entirely any preoccupation with honors and attachments of this life, they come preaching and serving, facing the death the world inflicts therefore without a thought to run and hide, but knowing the joy it shall bring deep inside. "Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing." We are taken as captives from this world, our hands tied behind us. But upon returning from this exile, after this death we suffer, we know our mouth will be "filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing." So surpassing is the peace which awaits us, the troubles of this life of mission in His Name are as nothing. Let us pray to the Lord that we shall always speak freely in His Name. Let us pray to imitate James and all the apostles in their selfless service of Christ. May we have always that Spirit of faith that led them forth, that in the death of our bodies, we, too, may know and reveal the life of Jesus Christ. Written, read & chanted by James Kurt; produced by Carie Fortney. Music by Carie Fortney; used by permission. ******* O LORD, may the sacrifice of the apostles bring many souls into the gates of your kingdom. YHWH, let us be ready to be delivered even to death for the sake of your Name and in union with your Son and the blood He has shed for our sakes. All persecution let us gratefully endure, knowing it shall but lead to great joy in your kingdom. Crushed in union with the sacrifice of Christ, let us rejoice for the blessings to come. Let our hearts be set on service of you, O LORD, and not on the honors of this world. Only those who lay down their lives for the sake of your Name shall find union with you in Heaven. And so, let us drink of the cup of your Son that your glory may be known among all. Though speaking of you bring our end in this world, we shall still continue as has James, for then we shall be raised up with him at Jesus' side. All power comes only from you, LORD. We pray you work in all our lives that even our mortal flesh shall serve as a holy sacrifice.

O solitary prayer, alone with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament you offered your life for the salvation of souls; in penance you lived, and so a light shone even from your tomb to show the presence of Christ and His miraculous powers at work in the world – pray all souls seek perfection in prayer, the perfection of being with Jesus, of remaining always in His presence with a heart of love poured out for our fellow man. Pray even now for the salvation of all, for what else matters but that we come to dwell with you in the light of our Lord, adoring Him forever?

(Jer.3:14-17; Jer.31:10-13; Mt.13:18-23) "At that time they will call Jerusalem the Lord's throne; there all nations will be gathered together to honor the name of the Lord at Jerusalem." I would like today to focus the attention particularly of the Lord's chosen race on the following prophecy of the great Jeremiah: "They will in those days no longer say, 'The ark of the covenant of the Lord!' or miss it, or make another." For I must in obedience to the Spirit of Truth ask the question: If the temple of the Lord has been destroyed, how is it Judaism can be said to yet exist? With the discontinuance of the sacrifices, does the heart of the Mosaic Law not undergo a certain transformation? To the point: Does the sacrifice of Christ not supplant – even as it fulfills, perfectly – the Old Covenant? Is His blood poured upon the altar now and sprinkled upon all our souls, is it not this which gives birth to the New Jerusalem, where "they shall come streaming to the Lord's blessings"? And does not the destruction of the temple so soon after the death of Him who prophesied it in tears not substantiate His claim as the Temple not built by human hands? And does the fact that the ancient walls have remained in ruins for some two thousand years not indicate its permanent end? Would the Lord really wish it to be built again? And do you think He would leave you alone for so long a time? Has He not come? My brothers, my sisters, should not he who has the deepest "roots" be the strongest tree reaching to the greatest heights? Is He not? And should you not be as this quintessential Jew, suffering for the sake of all at the hands of those who breathe condemnation? (Here is a message to those who would take the Lord's justice in their violent hands – you shall not escape condemnation for your sin. Whatever good may seem to result from your prideful persecution, though His chosen may turn at your threat, yet your sin will be remembered.) "Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion." This word is for all who understand "the message about God's reign" Jesus comes to sow in receptive hearts. And so, "hear the word of the Lord, O nations, proclaim it on distant coasts" to all God's "rebellious children," to all who yet walk "in their hardhearted wickedness" – for all may now "become fruitful in the land." (And you, brother Catholic, do you know the blessing that is upon you; do you see that you stand in the New Jerusalem?) But still the chosen are called first of all; still the Lord waits for those most blessed, to pour His new graces upon them. Let no man's soul be choked by "worldly anxiety"; let all come now to the Lord's glorious throne, here in the heavenly Jerusalem. ******* O LORD, let us not falter along the way but come streaming to your blessings. YHWH, how shall we bear a fruitful yield, we who have been so rebellious? Have we not choked your Word off from our souls; are we not today void of the roots of your kingdom? Yet you remain as a Shepherd who cares for His flock, you continue in your love for us, and so you call us back to the land set aside for our flourishing – you ransom us from our sin that your City we might enter with dancing. Open our ears to hear the Word of your Son. Open our hearts to receive your grace. Let us be planted in good soil, in the flesh of Jesus; let us be as the New Jerusalem. In the Temple of His Body let us make our home, all hardness of heart taken from us. O LORD, let us again be blessed to be your children, washed clean by the blood of the Christ. These waters from Heaven fall upon our souls that indeed we might grow and produce an abundant harvest in your NAME, O LORD.

O seer of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the scourges and the nails, of the blows and mockery He endured, of the blood which covered His face and all His skin… O you who have witnessed all His suffering and sought so diligently to share in it with Him – pray that we who are so blind to the pain and anguish our Savior bore under the weight of the Cross we build by our sin may by His grace have our eyes opened, and so turn from our own condemnation to the blood of redemption He has shed for our sakes and take refuge in the penance that leads all souls to the kingdom.

(Jer.2:1-3,7-8,12-13; Ps.36:6-11; Mt.13:10-17) "They look but do not see, they listen but do not hear or understand." Oh how "sacred to the Lord was Israel, the first fruits of His harvest." And oh how they loved the Lord "as a bride," following Him so closely. But oh how they have forgotten "the devotion of their youth" and turned from Him. For when He "brought [them] into the garden lands to eat its goodly fruits," they did not seek Him from whom all their blessings flowed, but rather "entered and defiled [His] land," and "made [His] heritage loathsome." So blindly "they have forsaken [the Lord], the source of living waters [and] have dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water." And so, how empty of life they have become. And so Jesus echoes Isaiah's prophecy upon the people today, declaring it now fulfilled: "Listen as you will, you shall not understand, look intently as you will, you shall not see." Though the Son of God stand before them, though their blessing is complete in their midst, strain as they might they cannot see what is so obvious – for "sluggish indeed is this people's heart." Too long have they turned their sights away from Him, and now what shall refresh their vision? Should they not sing with David of the Lord's glory – "How precious is your kindness, O God!" Should they not "take refuge in the shadow of [His] wings?" Does He not spread them above them this day? In Jesus should they not "have their fill of the prime gifts of [His] house"; does the Lord not "give them to drink" from this "delightful stream"? Then why are their mouths closed to receiving this precious gift offered upon His altar? Is He not the holy sacrifice of the covenant renewed? Is it not so that in drinking His blood all find life? Is He not the source of living water? O Lord, "with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light." Awaken our hearts to see your face; let us "turn back to [you]" that you may "heal [us]." For you are Light and Life itself, and all our blessings flow from you and from your Body and Blood offered for our sakes. In your Son may we find again our home; may our hearts be open to understand your love present in our midst. ******* O LORD, let us be blessed to hear your word of forgiveness, we who have blinded ourselves to your good gifts. YHWH, you are the fountain of life, the source of living water; in you we find all blessings. You provide for all our needs, planting us in a garden land filled with good fruits. You make us as your holy Bride – such is your love for your faithful child. But we are not faithful to you, O LORD. We do not drink from the fountain of living water but dig for ourselves broken cisterns, the creation of our soiled hands, of our wayward hearts and minds. And so our soul languishes in a foreign land. How shall you heal our blindness, LORD? How shall our ears open to your Word? How shall we return to you and find again your blessing? Your kindness knows no bounds and so you send your Son among us. To His teaching let us be obedient; let our hearts open before Him that we might be redeemed. How blessed are we to have the living God in our midst, His face shining upon us, His voice speaking to our hearts… O LORD, take not your Son from us, but let us be healed by His presence.

O woman of great love whose heart burned with desire for the Lord, whose soul thirsted for the living God… the tears you cried became the source of the greatest joy as from your sins the Christ released you, as your eyes beheld your blessed Teacher – pray for us this day, O Mary, that our hearts shall be set aflame with faith and love as we hear the news you bring us: that our Lord is no longer in the tomb, that He lives and so we with Him, that He is ascending to the Father and we shall join Him there. O pray His love dispel the coldness of our hearts that we shall be like you, remaining with Him forever.

(Sg.3:1-4 or 2Cor.5:14-17; Ps.63:2-6,8-9; Jn.20:1-2,11-18) "Whom are you looking for?" Let us stand with Mary Magdalene at the tomb of our risen Lord. Let us weep a little that our hearts might bleed with her same love, and so our eyes be opened to see Jesus standing before us. Let us hear Him call us by name. O let us search night and day for our God, thirsting for Him "like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water." Let us know that without Him we are lost in darkness, empty as the tomb. May it be "the love of Christ [that] impels us" further outside of ourselves and toward the Lord, allowing nothing to impede our progress as we pass every watchman, as we leave even our senses behind to become one with our lover, partaking of "the riches of [His] banquet." Let us "regard no one according to the flesh anymore," not even the Christ, but release His body from our grasp that He might ascend to Heaven and we follow in His wake. A "new creation" let us be with a heart burning with love, a love that transcends all the world and discovers our Lord within. In the shadow of [His] wings [we] shout for joy," declaring His glory to all, for He looks upon our tears, upon every heart longing for His presence, and our desire He does not disappoint. Written, read, and produced by James Kurt. Music - "Cry Mercy," from Remove the Mask of Lies, second album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt.