Wednesday, January 7th 2026
The Third Day after Epiphany
• 1 John 4:11-18
• Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13
• 1 Timothy 3:16
• Mark 6:45-52 Christians, the word testifies that Jesus went up into the mountains to pray! Truly, with this one statement we realize that the Lord Christ Jesus had a privacy that none of us -- not even the disciples nor Apostles knew anything about; still, he did say unto us from now on since you have seen me, you have also seen him, referring to God the Heavenly Father. Now the truth is, we could speculate for the rest of our lives and more, generations of lifetimes to what exact thing Jesus was doing, while he went up into the mountains to pray, but such conjectures would be the exact thing that we should not be doing as disciples of the Lord Christ Jesus. Truly, let us recall what Jesus says to Saint Peter, Apostle in the last half-day or so that they spent together, Jesus saying before he ascended into heaven in their presence, something we humans of today likely either: scuff, embrace, envy, and or joy at the knowledge and the remembrance of that sight. For the Lord Jesus Christ said to the Apostle Peter: feed my sheep, feed my people, feed my lambs, which does not mean nor can it in accordance with the Gospel of the Lord Christ Jesus mean forced immigration rather than doing the blessed and hard work of bringing the Lord Christ Jesus’s Gospel to places that are destroying his people, killing his people and causing his people to commit idolatry. Still, Jesus says unto Saint Peter: what is it to you if it is my will that he tarries until my return; your responsibility is to follow the Lord Christ Jesus. Now Christians, we would not think that we would have to explain this statement, “follow the Lord Christ Jesus,” but with people misunderstanding that to believe in the Lord Christ Jesus means that we believe in his gospel of spirit and life; that we must repent of our sins and sinfulness or we will perish; that we are to go and sin no more – as in turning away from our sins and do not continue in them; and to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, we then say to follow the Lord Christ Jesus also means: to repent, to live according to his gospel of spirit and life; and to first seek the kingdom of heaven and the Heavenly Father’s Righteousness! So, Christians, as we adventure further into this testimony from Mark, we read Jesus telling them: take courage and be of good cheer; it is I, so do not be afraid! We may consider also that God the Heavenly Father tells to Joshua this very similar thing: be strong and of good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Now Christians, although we do not know what Christ Jesus was doing up the mountain other than praying, we do know that the Apostles were sailing to Bethsaida. Yes, we also know that a great storm arose and that Jesus came to them by walking on the water, and telling them to be of good cheer and do not be afraid! Therefore Christians, we may also understand from this statement that Jesus is telling them and to us, storms and troubles will come in your life, but do not be frightened unto death but be of good cheer and take courage, which is something we can do only if the Holy Spirit blesses us with this strength. Remember, Jesus Christ testifies that with men it is impossible to be saved, but with God all things are possible and as well, we should clearly remember that Saint John, Apostle testifies that which is in us is greater than anything in the world. This phrase in the world meaning: mammon, anything of the flesh: sinful desires, temptations, which also includes: greed, lusts, covetous, idolatry, blasphemy and of all these things Christ Jesus did overcome and the advocate that he sent unto us will help us also overcome these things: leaving our minds and hearts with love, charity, joy, faith, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, generosity, self-control and these gift are secondary to the greatest gift that Christ Jesus did bring unto us: that being repentance, which makes the rest of these available and possible. Then too in this reading we have this testimony: they had not considered nor understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened. Interestingly Christians, these two sentences could be understood as being a part of a different paragraphs or even chapter, but here we have them explaining and describing one incident! For understanding the way these verses hang here by themself, it could almost be like a person walking into a room and hearing the last two lines of a conversation, but any conclusions drawn from the last two lines of conversation would not relate back to the previous happenings. It could be liken too, two people talking about a football game, and then when the person walks in they had shifted the conversation to the wrongheadedness the politics of illegal immigration: the person walking into the room may have believed that the entire conversation was about politics when in reality, the two people had been talking for the most part about how the Bears defense could not stop the 49ers offense but also how the 49ers defense did not stop the Bears offense! So, Christians what is the miracle incident of the loaves and why were their hearts harden; is it not important to make inferences in the hope of understanding, since we do not have a clear explanation in these verses! Christians, there seems to be two obvious choices to consider: one being beware the leaven of the Pharisees and also the leaven of Herod and the second would be: oh! ye of little faith have you not understood that I have feed 5000 people with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish; why then do you concern yourselves about what you will eat: this then is always a question of faith, what will we have to eat. Now Christians, with both the leaven of the Pharisees and leaven of Herod, Herod being a government, Christ Jesus is telling them: do not put your faith in these but stand in his Gospel and stand in his word and build your lives upon his Gospel of spirit and life and then also the second part of this may relate to the teaching: look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them; are you not of more value than they? Christians, in this teaching we not only have the essence and the need for faith but also the reality of life: if the birds have things to eat as they do will not you as well have substance; still, Christ Jesus is predicating this substance for us as God’s blessing to those who are righteous by faith and having faith in him and his creation. Truly, if God allows it, he will feed us with manna from heaven; still, his purpose and his word are at work through all his creation. Christians we may synthesize what Saint Paul, Apostle testifies rightly by saying: through Christ Jesus’s word all things are held together. Now Christians, in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus let us pray and be thankful. Amen.

Wednesday, January 14th 2026
Of the First Week in Ordinary Time
• 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20
• Psalm 40:2 & 5, 7-10
• John 10:27
• Mark 1:29-39 Christians, when, we read this testimony in Mark let us consider the occasions that led up to the meeting, at Simon’s mother-in-law’s home! Recall, that Jesus had recently called, to apostleship: James the son of Zebedee and John his brother! Now, they Jesus, James, and John and the others who were with them; remember, James and John were recently called – although timelines of testimony were not the main concern of the writer whereas the truth of the occasions were their concern – and at this synagogue that they entered, in Capernaum, not only did the Lord Christ Jesus teach with authority but the Lord Jesus commanded an unclean spirit -- that was crying out, what have we to do with you Jesus of Nazareth: Jesus commanded this unclean spirit to come out of the man, the man, who was at the synagogue. Now, with abductive reasoning, we realize that this unclean spirit knew who the Lord Christ Jesus was and yes believed in the Lord Christ Jesus: are we now going to testify: since this unclean spirit knew the Lord Jesus Christ and that this unclean spirit also knew it was subject to the Lord Christ Jesus’s commands -- are we going to testify that this unclean spirit was saved because it believed in the Lord Christ Jesus! No! of course we are not going to testify this: for this unclean spirit, as with Satan, has been condemn, and now is the judgment of the world; now shall the ruler of this world be cast out! Christians, this is the setting; the unclean spirit is cast out, by Jesus Christ; the unclean spirit cries out, “what have we to do with thee Jesus of Nazareth;” the unclean spirit is told to hold its peace, while it was crying out with a loud voice and as it comes out of this man it also tears him. Yes, Christians, with this sight or this happening, we see the Lord Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who was with God before the creation of the world and with whom, God the Heavenly Father was pleased that in him all the fulness dwell; Jesus, being the Christ. Moreover, all the people around about him witnessed in amazement; insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying: what thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commanded the Lord Christ Jesus even the unclean spirits; and they do obey the Christ, the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth. Now Christians, here to be, we read and understand what came, before, and also what is being introduced: while, Jesus and those Apostles who were with him, at this time, when they went to Simon’s, wife’s mother and when she was sick with fever. Suppose! for we know that the Apostles were still infants, in Christ Jesus, and perhaps had not yet realized, in completeness, that this was not -- in plain terms -- another prophet, but that this was the truth incarnate: that Jesus Christ is God, Jesus saying: for now you know him and have seen him: he who has seen the Lord Christ Jesus has also seen God the Heavenly Father…. Now Christians, with faithful hearts and discerning minds let us read, look, and try to understand this tremendous testimony about Samuel, the boy, but soon to be one of God the Heavenly Father’s most important Prophets. Now, Samuel was yet a young individual. He had spent all his life in the synagogue with Eli; for his mother, Hannah had dedicated Samuel to God! So, both Samuel and Eli were fast asleep, but Samuel believed that Eli was calling him: so, Samuel got up and went to see, for what he was being called! Now, this sequence of events happen three times, and Eli came to the realization that God the Heavenly Father, likely through an angel, was calling out to the young boy, the young man, Samuel. Now Christians, in verse eleven of this testimony we read what God the Heavenly Father told the boy, the Prophet Samuel! For God the Heavenly Father was going to do a thing in Israel – we should not forget, because of this extraordinary thing God the Heavenly Father was about to do, that God was still also working, dwelling, and being and that his word was working his purpose each and every day -- still, God was about to do something to make the ears of the people tingle. Now, Christians, in this next verse we are shown a true image of God the Heavenly Father, an image some modern Christians do not seemingly like to acknowledge: that God is a man of war but that now in Christ Jesus we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but our fight is spiritual, which then manifest into our daily activities. Truly, Christ Jesus said: when I sent you out without purse and scrip and shoes you did not lack for anything. Then, Jesus Christ says: now, let the person who has a purse, and who has scrip take this money, and the person who has no sword buy a sword. Yes, let them sell their garments and buy a sword. So, let us look at this terrible thing that God the Heavenly Father did, which was actually a righteous, just and holy thing, for God the Heavenly Father was rewarding Eli and his sons: for their harlotry, their extortion and their wickedness. Now it was so, that Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas were extortionist: for when people would bring sacrifice to God, these two perverted the sacrifice, stole from the sacrifice, and more than this: through their position of authority they took advantage and sexually abused women into fornication and whoredom. Now, Eli’s sin was; although, he was aware of this, he did not take the correct actions to address his son’s behaviors. Therefore, God the Heavenly Father in fulfillment of prophecy caused both sons to be slain the same day! The tragedy was also revealed upon Eli, as well! For Eli was seated by the wayside and upon receiving the news of his son’s death, he fell over backward, broke his neck, and died. Truly Christians, these deaths of both Eli and his sons were prophecy from Samuel given to him from God the Heavenly Father. Now Christians, in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus let us pray and be thankful. Amen.

Wednesday, January 21st 2026
Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
• 1 Samuel 17:32-33, 37, & 40-51
• Psalm 144:1-2 & 9-10
• Matthew 4:23
• Mark 3:1-6 Christians when we read this second line of testimony from these verses in Mark, we note that it is in reference to a man with a withered hand. Now, we may imagine or think to ourselves: this is not a testimony about a man with a withered hand, but this is a testimony about the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, the truth is: this is testimony about a man with a withered hand! It is about testimony that Christ Jesus had the patience, the love, the kindness and goodness and since he is God, the Son of God, he had the God given power to say to this man: “stretch out your hand and let it be healed.” Consequently, the man in faithful response to the Lord Christ Jesus did exactly as Jesus, the Christ said; he stretched out his hand, and the hand was made whole! One thing of clarity in this we should consider: in today’s world when we believe we have been healed by the Lord Christ Jesus, we have been healed, but perhaps not in the way we would have a healing or would think of it as a healing. For in this synagogue where Jesus and this man were, there is a huge difference between that and our conscience of thought when being healed by the Lord Christ Jesus. Again, we were healed but perhaps not in the way we would have hoped or imagine or thought or received – given such examples as Jesus, the Christ healing this man with the withered hand! In faith, we know that God created the heaven and the earth, so it is not a difficult thing for God being able to heal a man’s withered hand; it is a yawn to God. However, if God the Heavenly Father does not heal us in the way of our demanded prayer, do we then repent of God, that is, turn away from God; because, God did not do as we demanded in our prayer! So then Christians, this is God doing as he said: he tests us to see if we are being faithful regardless of our given circumstances: because we believe God is God and we know that God is--who he is; and not what we imagine him to be. God is of his word and not our imaginations of what God should be: for if we believe God is the god of our imaginations that is clearly idolatry and not faith in God the Lord Christ Jesus or God the Heavenly Father in union with the Holy Spirit; in fact, it is not at all belief in God in accordance with his word. Let us consider this: the Church is the body of Christ: the head of the Church is Jesus, the Christ, Son of Mary. Now what is the body of Christ other than our neighbors gathered together! We are commanded to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and we are commanded to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. Christians, In course of events, the Lord Christ Jesus was brought up on a high mountain, and there he was being tempted by Satan. Whereas, the Lord Christ Jesus admonishes Satan, rebukes him, saying: get thee behind me Satan: for it is written, “Thou Shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve!” So Christians, if we find ourselves worshiping the church, the body of Christ and not worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ, we are doing as the Pharisees did: giving lip-service to Jesus Christ for our societal authority, but we are also committing idolatry. Now Christians, let us go back to a time that is about 950 years before Christ Jesus to the testimony from the First Book of Kings, also known as 1 Samuel. Now Christians, let us pose or introduce a question: could have any Israelite boy gone up and slain Goliath with a stone from his sling shot: the answer is an emphatic no! Remember, David had one thing that no other child of Israel had at that time: David was anointed by God! Another question! were the other boys of Israel jealous and envious that David was the chosen of God the Heavenly Father or were they filled, with love that God is… and that God chose… and that God being God chose David? The answer is both: there were likely people in Isreal and even surrounding nations who were envious and jealous that God chose David and not them. Yes, even Goliath was likely jealous, that he was only a brut serving death instead of serving the one and only true living God: that being the God of Jacob-Israel! So Christians, we know the story of David, but for some and especially for the young, it may be the first time that they have heard the testimony from the Book of Samuel. Now because, we have heard or read this testimony several times; truly, it is temptation which makes us contemplate it: as mundane or a yawn or a common thing instead of the magnificent mighty work of God the Heavenly Father that it is: do not allow temptation to conform your mind to this world rather be not conformed to this world, but be transform – be made new, be born again – transforming our heart, mind, soul and strength and proving what is that good and proving what is that acceptable and proving what is that perfect will of God, yes the perfect will of God. Now Christians, let us move our attention back to the testimony of David fighting Goliath. In verse thirty-six we read that David is persuading King Saul, by stating not so much his qualification but that he has no fear of Goliath, and moreover, he believes that the God of Jacob-Israel has and will deliver the brut-giant Goliath into his hands. Truly Christians, when we read King Saul response, it is not one of confirmation and hope, but it is of sarcasm, doubt, and even with a penchant of hope that the lad David would fail at his attempt to slay Goliath: King Saul is actually caustic not caring when he said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. Still, David is not supported by his emotional dependency of being a close subordinate of King Saul, but David is grounded in his anointment from God the Heavenly Father and also as we read, his previous dealings in life -- where God did deliver him out of the hands of a lion and a bear, when David was saving a lamb from the clutches of death. Now Christians, in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus let us pray and be thankful. Amen.

Wednesday, January 28th 2026
Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church
• 2 Samuel 4-17
• Psalm 89:4-5 & 27-30
• Mark 4:1-20 Christians, we see four separate conditions in this parable of the sower: the word fell by the wayside, the word fell on stony ground, the word fell among thorns, and the word fell on good ground. Now, three of these conditions are absent true belief in Christ Jesus and are absent the words and teachings of the Lord Christ Jesus, and since Jesus is the word even both these are the same! So, we must face the reality of truth in order to hope to be grounded in faith. For the tempter or enemy is like a roaring lion and there is no condition of heart nor mind that he will not try to exploit, either through: deceptions, lies, charming, cajoling, fear, hoodwinking, temptations, exploiting our wants and desires so as in the purpose to destroy all of God the Heavenly Father’s good works. Truly, the Lord Jesus Christ is our Shepherd, and we shall not want and also, with the Holy Spirit as our advocate, comforter, and teacher we pray in hope, and in faith: first seeking the kingdom of heaven and the Heavenly Father’s Righteousness, knowing God will bring us unto the truth of life, his purpose, and with which we are to be in learned agreement. Yes Christians, a multitude of people, a large crowd of people had gathered, and Jesus was at the water’s edge on the shore testifying of the kingdom of heaven, but they were pressing against one another, as large crowds do – those in back wanting to get closer, so the Lord Jesus took advantage of a nearby boat: got in the boat and sat down so as to calm the pressing of the crowd. Yes, the Lord Christ Jesus taught them many things, taught them in length and in this testimony, he spoke: the Parable of the Sower. Now, we should know straight-off that Jesus is the sower, and the seed that he was sowing is the word of spirit and life, those words being the teachings that God the Heavenly Father gave unto him to testify. Truly, brothers and sisters in Christ, when we read these next lines of testimony, we must discern between the temptations from our enemy the tempter and discern and understand, and choose to live the teachings that Christ Jesus is testifying unto us. For the Lord Christ Jesus is testifying about our God given free will! Jesus, the Lord and Christ is teaching us of the kingdom of God and the mysteries thereof. The Lord Christ Jesus testifies: so that they may look and see but not perceive; truly, Jesus is teaching us that some individuals can look at the day, they see that their behavior is against God’s word but yet they do not perceive! Again, the Lord Christ Jesus testifies: that even though they hear and listen to the words and teachings of the Lord Christ Jesus, they do not understand; they do not perceive. Now Christians, this next line of testimony is where we see the choice of free will clearly: do we choose to live in hope and the substance of faith, although the kingdom of heaven is invisible or do we choose to prefer the darkness, the way of the world, and choosing to live in the sins of the flesh instead of in the Holy Spirit the image that God the Heavenly Father created us to be! Now Christians, this next line of testimony from the Lord Christ Jesus is Jesus saying: my disciples, you know that you understand this parable so do not pretend that you do not – for if you choose to do this: will you also deny the truth of the rest of the parables that have been testified and will be testified! In reality, the Lord Christ Jesus is saying unto the Apostles and disciples: although, it is true that the mysteries of the kingdom of God have been granted unto you to perceive, do not choose to be like those who only hear the parable and not what it testifies. Then as the moment of the conversation with the Lord Christ Jesus proceeds and no doubt the Apostles were feeling somewhat uncomfortable emotionally – Jesus was saying, “Do you not understand this parable,” which is a challenge to them! Therefore, we realize that Jesus is loving them in the way, the truth and the life, for the Lord and Christ, the Nazarene then clearly explains the parable so there will be no mistake about what they had already perceived. Yes Christians, we know that the Apostles and Disciples perceived what the Lord Christ Jesus testified in parable, because he tells us they understood; although there is no doubt that they also were unsure to exactly what he was saying; likely ending up the conversation, after Jesus Christ explained the entire thing with a comment such as this: that is what was realized as your meaning but glad and blessed that you cleared it up! Now Christians, when we read this testimony from the Book of Samuel, open your minds and your hearts and your imaginations in the completeness of the human creature that God the Heavenly Father created us to be; whereas, His holy image. Realize that the flesh and the spirit are in opposition. The first thing Christians that we should likely remember and realize is what the Lord Jesus Christ says, himself: Jesus testifies that the spirit is willing but that the flesh is weak. So now, Christians, let us tie this statement into the conversation God the Heavenly Father is having with King David through, this time the Prophet Nathan; for God did also talk directly to King David! Now as life was happening, Christians, it was in King David’s thoughts, his heart and mind to build God the Heavenly Father a house of cedar; yet truly, God the Heavenly Father’s reply is: David your desire to build a house of cedar is good! However, you are not hearing clearly; for God cannot and does not dwell in the houses made by human hands, but the Temple is for sacrifice, sacrifices that the Lord Christ Jesus replaced. Yes, Christians, truly, the house that God the Heavenly Father wants David to realize is the temple of David’s own person! For Jesus Christ testifies: if a man, a person, loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love them, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Now Christians, in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus let us pray and be thankful. Amen.