Heart to Heart: Fr. Jim Willig - Gospel Teachings

Fr. Jim wants us to notice the importance of the opening line in today's Gospel passage. "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Or put another way Jesus says, "Do not be afraid" that I will be leaving because I will return to you. Excerpt from John 14:1-12 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Read the full Gospel passage: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050326.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

A Gospel Study on Doubting Thomas by Fr. Jim Willig that combines stories of doubt with stories of love and hope. from John 20:19-31 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” ... Read the full scripture: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041226.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

His friends believe him dead. Jesus challenges their faith and performs one of His greatest miracles in raising Lazarus from the dead. John 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33B-45 The sisters of Lazarus sent word to Jesus, saying, "Master, the one you love is ill." When Jesus heard this he said, "This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was. Then after this he said to his disciples, +Let us go back to Judea." When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha said, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus told her, "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?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world." He became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Sir, come and see." And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him." But some of them said, "Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?" So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the dead man's sister, said to him, "Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me." And when he had said this, He cried out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, "Untie him and let him go." Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him. The Gospel of the Lord Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

from Matthew 17:-1-9 Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." ... Read the full scripture: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030126.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

Jesus came to fulfill the Law. Listen as Fr. Jim teaches what that really means. from Matthew 5:17-37 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ... Read the full scripture passage: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021526.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

from Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. Read the full scripture passage: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020826.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

from Matthew 5:1-12a When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. ... Read the full scripture: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020126.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

In this previously unreleased Gospel Teaching by Fr. Jim Willig, Fr. Jim examines the call of the first Apostles by Jesus and invites us to consider our own call to follow the Lord. from Matthew 4:12-23 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. Read the full scripture passage: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012526.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

Even John didn't know that Jesus was the Messiah until the Spirit of God revealed the truth to him. How can we learn from John the Baptist to recognize Christ? John 1:29-34 John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” ... Read the full scripture: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011826.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

With a dramatic reading by Fr. Michael of those who mocked Jesus' on the cross, Fr. Jim focuses on the thief hanging to Jesus' right side; the thief who recognized his own sinfulness and need for repentance. from Luke 23:35-43 ...Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Read the full scripture passage: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

When will Jesus return? The disciples didn't know 2,000 years ago and we don't know today, but the message is the same: Believe in me. Tell others about me. Wait for me, patiently and with perseverance. Listen as Fr. Jim expounds. from Luke 21:5-19 "Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives." Read the full scripture passage: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111625.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

Which life is your priority? This one or the next? from Luke 20:27-38 Jesus said to them, "The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out 'Lord, ' the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive." Read the full scripture package: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110622.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

Zaccaeus went out on a limb for Jesus. Would we? from Luke 19:1-10 At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/103022.cfm Homily read by Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ Gospel Study by Fr. Jim Willig Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

from Luke 18:9-14 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector... Read the full scripture passage: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102625.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

What does it mean to pray always? Does it mean to pray without ceasing? As Fr. Jim notes, St. Luke is giving us a little hint. The goal isn't to pray without end, but to be consistent and to persevere in prayer, regardless of the outcome. from Luke 18:1-8 ...The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" Read the full scripture: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101925.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

Fr. Jim asks: "If you could ask God for one gift or blessing, what would it be?" The apostles said, "Increase our faith." and Jesus compares their faith to a tiny mustard seed and the power even that tiny bit would bring. Can we even wrap our heads around the enormity of God and the true gift of faith? from Luke 17:5-10 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you... https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100525.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

Lazarus, a poor sick man covered in sores is ignored by the rich man living near him. They both die. Who gets the royal treatment in heaven? Listen to Fr. Jim's gospel teaching to find out. from Luke 16:19-31 Jesus said to the Pharisees: "There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092825.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

from Luke 16:1-13 Jesus said to his disciples, "A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, 'What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.' The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.' He called in his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master?' He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.' Then to another the steward said, 'And you, how much do you owe?' He replied, 'One hundred kors of wheat.' The steward said to him, 'Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.' And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092125.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate

Fr. Jim teaches on the living water of Christ based on this passage from the Gospel of John extolling us to recognize God's gift. from John 4:5-42 Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" —For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.— Jesus answered and said to her, "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." Read the full scripture: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032325-YearA.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Support Heart to Heart: htoh.us/donate