1+ hour, 12+ min ago (411+ words) I will put My Spirit upon Him" (Matthew 12:18). The prophet promised that God would put His Holy Spirit upon Messiah in a special way, and the Spirit did descend on Jesus at His baptism (Matt. 3:16). But that was not when the Spirit first indwelt Him, because the Holy Spirit conceived Him (Matt. 1:20). Yet, if Jesus was the preexistent Son, eternally a member of the Godhead, why would the Spirit need to come upon Him during His incarnation? First, the Spirit needed to empower Jesus human nature. Our Lord was fully human, even to the extent of being... I will put My Spirit upon Him" (Matthew 12:18). The prophet promised that God would put His Holy Spirit upon Messiah in a special way, and the Spirit did descend on Jesus at His baptism (Matt. 3:16). But that was not when the Spirit first…...

9+ hour, 4+ min ago (667+ words) The Advent season begins this Sunday, and that means The Sound of Music will soon be on television in the United States. The ABC network airs the film classic starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer each year before Christmas, a broadcasting tradition that began in 2002. (It would air before Easter when I was a child, which shows my age.) As I considered the latest contretemps involving the prefect of the Dicastery of for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), Argentine Cardinal Victor Manuel Fern'ndez, a song from the film came to mind. "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" sing the sisters of the convent in which the heroine of the story is an unlikely novice at the beginning of the picture. Though they are reasonably unlikely to be breaking out in song anytime soon, Vatican types may be…...

10+ hour, 2+ min ago (859+ words) Theologically speaking, scholars generally regard the book of Hebrews to be second in importance only to Paul's letter to the Romans in the New Testament. No other book so eloquently defines Christ as high priest of Christianity, superior to the Aaronic priesthood, and the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. This book presents Christ as the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). However, both the authorship and audience are in question. VIDEO AT LINK................... The title "To the Hebrews," which appears in the earliest known copy of the epistle, is not a part of the original manuscript.... Theologically speaking, scholars generally regard the book of Hebrews to be second in importance only to Paul's letter to the Romans in the New Testament. No other book so eloquently defines Christ as high priest of Christianity, superior to the Aaronic…...

10+ hour, 58+ min ago (395+ words) Join with fellow FREEPERS to pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Healthcare, Education, Churches, and the Media. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone: for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men,... I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone: for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. For this is good…...

11+ hour, 27+ min ago (472+ words) THE POWER OF LOVE What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things instead of using people and loving things. This story will keep you singing! Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. Karen and her spouse found out that the new baby was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael would sing to his sister in Mommy's tummy. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown Tenn. Then the labor pains came. Every five minutes, every minute. But complications arose during delivery. Hours of labor. Finally, Michael's little sister was born. But…...

14+ hour, 14+ min ago (208+ words) [Catholic Caucus] New Cardinal of Krakow: "I Don't Want Any Other Church Than That of Francis'Cardinal Grzegorz Ry, 61, has learned "everything I believe in about the Church from Francis,' he said according to Onet.pl after Leo XIV appointed him as Archbishop of Krakow on November 26.Francis taught Cardinal Ry "how to understand the Church'.And: "I don't want another Church. I simply don't want it. I cannot imagine another Church than the one Francis taught us.'Experience at Francis" TombCardinal Ry recounted an experience during the days leading up to the conclave. He visited Francis' tomb with Cardinal Konrad Krajewski. There,... [Catholic Caucus] New Cardinal of Krakow: "I Don't Want Any Other Church Than That of Francis' Cardinal Grzegorz Ry, 61, has learned "everything I believe in about the Church from Francis,' he said according to Onet.pl after Leo…...

14+ hour, 33+ min ago (1085+ words) Pope Leo XIV joined Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Protestant leaders in Turkey this week to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, marking one of the most symbolically charged ecumenical gatherings of his pontificate. The prayer service, held in modern-day Iznik, which used to be Nicea, brought together twenty-seven heads of Churches and Christian communities in a setting uniquely associated with the earliest definitions of Christian doctrine. During the liturgy, the Pope and the assembled leaders recited the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed in English, using the original Greek form without the Filioque clause. The joint recitation rendered the line concerning the Holy Spirit as "who proceeds from the Father, omitting the Latin tradition's "and the Son. In his prepared address, Pope Leo XIV thanked Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I for what he described as the Patriarch's "great wisdom and foresight in calling…...

19+ hour, 54+ min ago (878+ words) By Dr. John Bergsma Happy New Year, everyone! The Church Year begins this week with the First Sunday of Advent, and we are back to reading cycle A. In the Gospel sequence, the First Sunday of Advent focuses on Jesus" Second Coming, forming a good transition from the month of November with its focus on the Last Things. The Second and Third Sundays of Advent focus on John the Baptist, the fore-runner of Jesus. The Fourth Sunday finally casts its gaze on the events leading directly to Jesus birth. That"s the journey we are about to begin, so without further ado, let"s plunge in! 1. The First Reading is Isaiah 2:1-5: At the risk of repeating myself from earlier posts, let me give some background on the Book of Isaiah: In Judaism in antiquity, the Samaritans and Sadducees accepted as inspired…...

21+ hour, 10+ min ago (203+ words) 29 November 2025Saturday of week 34 in Ordinary TimeThe Basilica of Saint Saturnin in ToulouseReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: Green. Year: C(I).First readingDaniel 7:15-27His sovereignty will be an eternal sovereigntyI, Daniel, was deeply disturbed and the visions that passed through my head alarmed me. So I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him to tell me the truth about all this. And in reply he revealed to me what these things meant. "These four great beasts are four kings who will rise from the earth. Those who are granted sovereignty are the saints of the Most High,... Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: C(I). That day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap You can also view this page with the New Testament in Greek and English. Universalis podcast: The week ahead " from 30 November to 6 December Looking forward to the…...

21+ hour, 51+ min ago (258+ words) Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth." Luke 21:3435 On a literal level, carousing and drunkenness means a person relies upon alcohol for satisfaction in life, and they do so by using it to live a lively and somewhat carefree life. They live for the moment and look for satisfaction in self-indulgence. And though drunkenness is specifically mentioned here, there are numerous ways that people attempt to live this way. My hopeful Lord, You and You alone are the answer to every struggle in life. You and You alone can relieve me of my burdens and the poor choices I make....