It’s Time for Some Pruning

Friends, for the wokeist philosophy that dominates today, empathy—feeling the feelings of the other and not harming those feelings—is treated as a supreme value. But while empathy is perfectly good and decent, the Bible teaches that love, not empathy, is the supreme value. And lo ...  Show more

Friends, peace be with you—an echo of the words of the risen Jesus in our Gospel for the Second Sunday of Easter, also called Mercy Sunday. Christ gives his disciples the gift of shalom (peace). But there’s an exceptionally important juxtaposition here: He also shows them his wou ...  Show more

To people who like to think of themselves as independent and self-sufficient, Jesus’ words, “I am the vine,” can be humbling. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. But for those who are trusting in Jesus, abundant, supernatural life is available! Jesus wants to produce ...

Vineyards were grown everywhere in Israel during the time of Jesus. When He said, "I am the vine," His followers would have understand what a vine is and does. As the vine, Jesus gives us life. He produces the fruits of His Holy Spirit living in us. Without Him, we cannot bear fr ...  Show more

Jesus preaches on providence and on fruit-bearing. 

As we read about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, Fr. Mike breaks down Jesus' interactions with his disciples and the sadducees, and his reaction to the widow's offering. We learn that a life rooted in Jesus, is a life that bears good fruit. Today we read Mark 11-12 and Psalm 67. For ...  Show more