A Shepherd's Voice

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel - Jn 16:5-11 - Jesus said to His disciples: "Now I am going to the One Who sent Me, and not one of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He comes He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in Me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned."

Bishop Joseph Strickland, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, on the Intersection of glory and humility

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel - Jn 15:1-8 - Jesus said to His disciples:“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in Me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without Me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in Me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples.” Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker Saint Joseph, pray for us!

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel - Mt 9:32-38 - A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.” Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, His Heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Terry discusses the dire situation facing the Church in Germany and Holy Orders; Bishop Strickland explains Pentecost; and addresses his brother Bishops to return to the message of salvation through Christ and to be true to the Church and its teachings, and to shepherd and feed His flock, and two great martyrs of the Church

Bishop Joseph Strickland, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, on Intersections of Heaven and Earth

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel - JN 20:24-29 - Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in His Hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into His Side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see My Hands, and bring your hand and put it into My Side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Terry discusses cleaning up the McCarrick scandal and situation; the Head of the Dicastery for Communication, Dr. Paolo Ruffini's defense of sexual abuser priest, Fr. Rupnik; the Vatican allowing a "transgender" to meet with children at the Children's Day of Prayer, and allowing a comedian to tell children that there is no Purgatory and no hell; and what Bishop Strickland says about Eucharistic Revival; and the role of Priests, Bishops, and the Pope

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel - MT 8:23-27 - As Jesus got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but He was asleep. They came and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us!  We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then He got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What sort of Man is this, Whom even the winds and the sea obey?” Terry discusses life in the womb, newly ordained Priests, the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and other issues facing the Church and Faithful today

Bishop Joseph Strickland, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, on Intersections of Heaven and Earth: The Incarnation

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel - Lk 24:13-35 - That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus Himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to Him in reply, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem Who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And He replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to Him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, Who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed Him over to a sentence of death and crucified Him. But we were hoping that He would be the One to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that He was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but Him they did not see.” And He said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them what referred to Him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, He gave the impression that He was going on farther. But they urged Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while He was with them at table, He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, but He vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. Bishop Strickland and Terry discuss the Particular Judgment, General Judgment, and Baptism

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel - MT 7:6, 12-14 - Jesus said to His disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets.“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” Bishop Strickland and Terry discuss whether the Church is God's Instrument of Salvation or just a social club