What does it mean to guard the deposit of faith? If the deposit of faith is given free of charge, those who receive it are charged to invest in its practice and share it freely with others.
Fr. Barnabas Powell of Faith Encouraged Ministries attends to the treasure entrusted in St. Paul's letter to Timothy. He challenges us to allow Christ's message to confront us - our mindset and behavior - so that we shift focus to that which is eternal over the temporary. What we truly value will be evident on the Last Day when we are called to account for this precious deposit of faith. Read the full episode transcript here.
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"Has the Lord not taken the lead?" This is the challenging question Deborah the Judge poses to the commander of Israel's army in the Old Testament story in the book of Judges. It remains a critical question for today's leader who aspires to serve the Lord.
Women like Deborah and Jael were not the expected leaders of a nation over 2000 years ago. People would rather put their trust in the strength of an army and its commander. In this episode, Fr. Dustin Lyon shares how the army commanders from both sides were judged by the Lord who accomplished His will through the unexpected leaders of Deborah and Jael, a righteous judge and fierce warrior. Read the full episode transcript here. 
How might we consider the rewards and punishments presented throughout the Scriptures without getting caught up in the heretical prosperity gospel where human self interest attempts to disguise itself in righteousness?
Dr. Andy Geleris, author of Money and Salvation: An Invitation to the Good Way, discusses the contrasts in sowing abundantly and sowing sparingly. He explores St. Paul's appeal to the Corinthians to sow generously, offering what the Lord provides, so that material resources might be transformed into spiritual blessings. Read the full episode transcript here. 
In our parish councils and other teamwork, we strive to appreciate the diversity of ideas and opinions in the group and work toward consensus. But when it comes to the Gospel of Matthew, all voices are silenced by the one crying in the wilderness which culminates with Jesus crying out from the cross and yielding his spirit. What follows is the apocalyptic quaking of the earth, tearing of the temple curtain, opening of tombs, and the raising of saints who all witness to the same message proclaimed by the one voice.
As we celebrate All Saints, Fr. Timothy Lowe suggests they witness to the message that must shake our own world, break our idols, and silence the noise that distracts us from the race we are called to run according to the Gospel. Read the full episode transcript here. 
The Gospel is a disrupter, and this is the case even in our attitudes and behaviors around money and generosity. Fr. Evan Armatas shares ideas and practices surrounding stewardship from his forthcoming book, Reclaiming the Great Commission: A Roadmap to Parish Health. These include:
In this interview, Fr. Evan cites a study which suggests that while many people face the same disruptive force, only 5% of us will make a positive change because of the disruption. Fr. Evan urges us to "press on," as the Apostle Paul instructs in his letter to the Philippians, allowing the Gospel to do its disruptive work in us for the sake of meaningful change and salvation. Read the full episode transcript here. 
Do you ever get the feeling that the more you own, the more it owns you? Why are we so tempted by accumulation? What do our cupboards, closets, garages, and storage units reveal about our trust in the Lord's provision? How do we faithfully steward what the Lord so generously provides?
Professional organizer, Presvytera Stacey Dorrance, reflects on the teaching of Jesus who instructed, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume . . but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matt 6:19-20) Presvytera Stacey Dorrance is one of many presenting at this year's National Leadership Conference which you are invited to attend online or in person. Read the full episode transcript here. 
We love leaders with vision and clarity, assuring us of the certain path ahead. The Gospel writers challenge the certainty of the religious leaders by offering a clear and simple vision of mercy - expressing gratitude for the mercy received and extending mercy to others.
Fr. Timothy Lowe shares the perspective of The Blind Man from the Gospel of John. Jesus extends mercy, bringing sight to the blind and revealing the blindness of those who presume to see through the certainty of self-righteousness. Read the full episode transcript here. 
Like Samson, it's easy to be blinded by poor choices, bad habits, and neglect of the vocation to which the Lord calls us. And like Samson's story, the Lord's strength is revealed despite our unfaithfulness. Samson's sacred vocation is finally realized in bringing down the entire structure of disloyalty and idolatry, crashing down even upon his own head.
Samson and Delilah's story, like many others in the Bible, provide a clear warning and an opportunity to reflect, repent, and realign priorities to the Lord's priorities. Fr. Dustin Lyon shares the Lord's hope for the next generation through the telling of this sacred vocation. Read the full episode transcript here. 
Making excuses comes almost as naturally as eating or sleeping, and it begins at a young age. We are wired to cover our sins with self-justification and shifting blame. But for a doulos charged with service in the Lord's household, there is no room for excuses. Jesus offers wholeness and new life, demonstrated by the story in John's Gospel of the paralytic man who was healed despite the excuses and presumed accountability to the old way of life.
Fr. Timothy Lowe shares how with this new life comes freedom from excuses and new accountability to walk in the life-giving commandments and to "Go and sin no more." Read the full episode transcript here. 
Is cheer and gladness a prerequisite to giving and tithing? Or might obedience to the Lord's instruction to give alms and tithe foster true cheer and gladness? In any case, Fr. Patrick O'Grady warns against any transactional approach to tithes and offerings. Rather, in response to the philanthropy of God, the One who loves mankind, we are invited to act in kind.
Fr. Patrick O'Grady, pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Antiochian Church, opens the Wisdom of Sirach and shares the story of St. Philaret to encourage generous giving with cheer and gladness. Read the full episode transcript here. |
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