I would like to suggest listening to a podcast. Father Mike Schmitz, of Ascension Press, has the MOST popular podcast on iTunes. It is: The Bible in a Year. It is a wonderful way to not only have the bible read, but also to understand elements of the story that might not first be apparent.
To help continue growth in faith, the DePorres Pages has created a list of livestreamed Mass sites, Catholic TV and Radio, and prayer resources.
The DePorres Pages podcasts can be heard using the app where you usually get your podcasts. While we are adding our podcasts to many podcast sites so you can subscribe and not miss an episode. Here is a list of podcasts apps where you can find us: RSS, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Soundcloud, TuneIn, Castbox
As some of our users are aware, for a while we have been working on changing our domain name by keeping two domain sites. We are changing our domain site to “thefriar.org” because we think it is simpler and easier to remember. The original domain name will no longer work or be updated.
I remember the first time I really heard today’s gospel. It was September 12, 2001. When I read the words of today’s gospel, the hair on my neck stood up. After the horrific events of September 11, I heard the words of Jesus in a way that cut me to the heart. ” “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.” And just when I thought I had been rattled enough, Jesus continues. “For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back.” And I realized on that day that it was too simple to think that Jesus didn’t really mean what he said. He did. In fact, he died for our sins. I know that I cannot live these words on my own. But I can try to be open to his grace. I can seek forgiveness. And I can seek a deeper relationship with him that even makes these hard words possible.
