The Liturgy Podcast from Spirit & Song

"I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" In the raising of Lazarus, Jesus presents us with his promise of eternal life.  

"You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. . . Live as children of light!" Jesus is our light. Do we believe this?

"If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." Jesus calls us to the waters of eternal life.

"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid."

"Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights." If we are one with the Spirit and nurtured by God's Word, we, too, will be able to face the temptations that lead us astray.

"When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees you in secret will repay you." Ash Wednesday begins our Lenten journey. It is an invitation to deepen our relationship with God.

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" "Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." Jesus teaches that holiness is the way to divine perfection.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill." In today's Gospel, Jesus challenges us with a call to holiness.

"Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." We do good works of compassion not for our own glory, but for the glory of God.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Jesus is challenging us to have a heart like God's so that we, too, may not only embrace the poor but become poor ourselves.

"Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shone." In the midst of our daily struggles and uncertainties, the Word of God brings us clarity and a renewed sense of purpose.

"I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." We are called to proclaim Jesus Christ to the world!

"Lord, every nation on earth will adore you. . ." At the Epiphany, God is revealed to all nations and peoples through Jesus Christ.

"And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart..." Son of God and Son of Mary, Jesus brings peace on earth to people of good will.  

"And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son..." Good news! The birth of Jesus brings much needed light into our world.

The shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place which the Lord has made known to us." From this early morning liturgy, let us return home and share with our loved ones the Good News that Jesus Christ is born!

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown." A child has been born to us! He is the Prince of Peace.

"For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her." The Gospel of Matthew's carefully crafted genealogy of the Messiah is upended by divine intervention through the conception of the Son of God within Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit.

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her." Joseph's unwavering faith inspires our celebration of Emmanuel - God-with-Us!

"Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God." On Gaudete Sunday, we rejoice as our celebration of Christmas draws near.

"I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Through Mary, we are inspired to join her in saying Yes to God's will. She is the First Disciple and our model of holiness.

"On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious." During Advent we are uplifted by the poetry of the prophet Isaiah, who points to a world transformed by the coming of the Lord.

"It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." The joyful season of Advent begins!

"And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth... May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you." On this day of blessings, we pray the Eucharist, the great feast of thanksgiving, as we gather with family and friends in our parish community.

"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." In the midst of our troubled world, across this vast universe, in life and in death, Jesus Christ is our Lord and King.