Ad Jesum per Mariam

Ad Jesum per Mariam

4.8 (23)
Religion & Spirituality

Podcast by Ad Jesum per Mariam

Oct 15

Faith Working Through Love

Faith Working Through Love Today’s homily and Gospel reflection is that true faith must express itself through love. In his Letter to the Galatians, St. Paul explains that we are justified through faith in Jesus Christ, not by merely observing the requirements of the law. Christian freedom, however, does not mean that good works are unimportant. Rather, genuine faith calls us to respond to God’s grace through acts of love, generosity, and service to others. As St. Paul teaches, faith becomes visible in the way we give ourselves for the good of our neighbors. In the Gospel, Jesus challenges the Pharisees for concentrating on external ritual cleanliness while neglecting the condition of their hearts. Outward observance cannot substitute for inner conversion. Envy, jealousy, pride, and selfishness must be replaced by charity, compassion, and generosity, especially toward those in need. Jesus’ call to give alms reminds us that serving others helps purify our hearts. Before judging whether others are following religious rules, we should examine our own lives and ask whether our faith is producing the fruits of love. We are called to cleanse both the inside and the outside, becoming whole in our love of God and neighbor. Hear more within this Meditation Media. Faith Working Through Love --------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Saint Thomas of Villanueva Giving Alms to the Poor: Spanish Painter: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo: 1665–1670
Oct 12

The Love That Begins With Listening

The Love That Begins With Listening In the Gospel of Luke, a woman in the crowd praises Jesus . . . . . . by declaring blessed the womb that bore Him and the breasts that nursed Him. Jesus responds, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” This is not a rejection of praise for Mary, but a revelation of the deeper reason for her greatness. Mary is blessed not only because she became the mother of Jesus, but because she listened so completely to God’s Word, received it into her heart, and faithfully surrendered her life to His will. As St. Augustine expressed it, Mary conceived the Word of God in her heart before she conceived Him in her womb. Mary’s example teaches us that listening is an essential expression of love. Truly listening requires us to quiet ourselves, give others our time and attention, and remain open even when what we hear challenges us. The same is true of our relationship with God: we must allow His Word to enter our minds, transform our hearts, and guide our actions rather than merely hearing it. The gestures we make before the Gospel remind us to keep God’s Word in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts. By learning to listen as Mary did, we grow in holiness, become more loving toward others, and prepare ourselves to receive Christ more fully in the Eucharist. When we respond “Amen” at Holy Communion, we can echo Mary’s own surrender: “Let it be done to me according to your word.” Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: The Love That Begins With Listening ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Virgin Annunciate: Italian Painter: Lorenzo Monaco : 1410 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Luke 11:27-28 First Reading: Galatians 3:22-29 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why this image?: Mary’s quiet, devotional posture conveys inward attentiveness and openness to God’s message. The painting connects especially well with the homily’s conclusion: just as Mary received the Word through faith, we prepare to receive Christ in the Eucharist by welcoming His Word into our hearts. This amazing painting is over 600 years old!
Sep 24

Mercy Greater Than Our Past

Mercy Greater Than Our Past In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus receives an invitation to dine at the home of Simon the Pharisee, . . . . . . where a sinful woman approaches Him with profound humility and love. While Simon neglects the customary gestures of hospitality . . . washing Jesus’ feet, offering a kiss of peace, and anointing Him with oil . . . the woman performs all three acts, using her tears, her hair, and precious ointment. Simon judges both the woman and Jesus, but Christ reveals that her actions express the depth of her love and her desire for forgiveness. Through the parable of two debtors, Jesus teaches that the person who recognizes the greater forgiveness received will respond with greater love. He then assures the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” The homily emphasizes that self-righteousness, rather than our sinful past, can become a significant obstacle to God’s grace. When we judge others, we close our hearts to gratitude, humility, love, and mercy, forgetting that everything we have received is ultimately a gift of God. The sinful woman demonstrates that our past does not have to define our future or prevent us from encountering Christ’s mercy. Saint Paul provides a similar witness: despite his persecution of the Church, he recognizes that he is who he is through God’s grace. The central invitation is to acknowledge our own need for mercy, resist judging others by their past, and allow God’s grace to lead us toward loving others as Jesus has loved us. Hear more within this Meditation Media. Mercy Greater Than Our Past ------------------------------------------ Art Work The Feast in the House of Simon the Pharisee: Flemish Painter: Peter Paul Rubens: 1618
Aug 15

Glory Beyond the Cross

Glory Beyond the Cross The Transfiguration reveals Jesus’ divine glory . . . . . . and shows that the mountain is a recurring place in Scripture where humanity encounters God. On Mount Tabor, Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, symbolizing the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in Him. The disciples are given a glimpse of Christ’s glory before they witness His suffering and death on the Cross. The experience assures them that the Cross is not the end of the story: Christ’s glory comes through the Cross, and everything that God has revealed throughout salvation history finds its fulfillment in Jesus. The Transfiguration also speaks directly to our own lives. Whether we experience joy, sorrow, suffering, or moments when life feels like a cross, we are called to remember the Father’s command: “This is my beloved Son… listen to him.” We cannot remain forever on the mountaintop; like the disciples, we must come down and live our faith in the realities of everyday life. Yet the vision of Christ’s glory gives us hope. What happened to Jesus points toward what awaits those who believe in Him: suffering and death do not have the final word. The glory of the Resurrection lies beyond the Cross. Hear more within this Meditation Media. Glory Beyond the Cross ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Transfiguration Church on Mount Tabor One small note: the Feast of the Transfiguration is August 6, which also makes Fr. Felix’s personal recollection of being on Mount Tabor on August 6 particularly meaningful. The connection between the physical illumination of the church on that feast and the Gospel’s imagery of Christ’s face shining “like the sun” is a beautiful detail worth listening to within this Meditation Media. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Transfiguration: Danish Painter: Carl Bloch: 1872
Aug 13

From Seed to Fruit

From Seed to Fruit Today’s Homily goes beyond just a strong reflection on the Parable of the Sower, . . . . . . because it moves beyond simply identifying the four kinds of soil and asks what they reveal about our response to God. The central message is that God scatters His grace generously and without calculation . . . upon the path, the rocky ground, among thorns, and upon fertile soil. God does not withhold His love from those who may not yet be ready to receive it, and we are called to imitate that generosity. The Homily then examines the different ways we can receive God’s Word: we may hear it without understanding; receive it enthusiastically but fail to let it take root; allow worldly anxieties and concerns to choke it; or truly understand it, nurture it through prayer and community, and ultimately bear fruit. The reminder that Scripture is “living and active” is especially important: even a Gospel passage we have heard many times can speak something new to us if we approach it with an open heart rather than assuming that we already know what it means. The Homily concludes by pointing to St. Charbel Makhlouf as an example of the fertile soil Jesus describes. His humility, prayerfulness, and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary enabled him to receive God’s Word, nurture it, and express it through his life. The challenge for us is therefore not merely to hear the Word or even to be moved by it momentarily, but to allow it to become rooted within us through prayer, the Rosary, adoration, and participation in the faith community. When God’s Word takes root, the inevitable trials and anxieties of life do not destroy our faith. Instead, the Word produces tangible fruits . . . patience, trust, love, and faithful action. Listen to this Meditation Media. From Seed to Fruit ------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work The Sower (Le semeur): French Painter: James Tissot: 1886-1894
Jul 30

Preparing the Heart to Receive God’s Word

Preparing the Heart to Receive God’s Word The Homily reflects on Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower, . . . . . . drawing attention to the different places where the seed falls: the path, rocky ground, thorns, and fertile soil. While a careful farmer would sow only on good soil, God generously scatters His grace upon everyone without discrimination. This reveals God’s boundless love and mercy, inviting believers to imitate His generosity rather than being selective in whom they love or serve. The preacher emphasizes that hearing God’s Word is not enough; it must be understood, welcomed with humility, and allowed to take deep root. Echoing the words of St. Jerome, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ,” he encourages continual engagement with Scripture, reminding listeners that God’s Word is “living and active,” always revealing new insights regardless of how many times it has been heard. The Homily further explains that shallow enthusiasm cannot sustain faith when trials arise, nor can faith flourish when worldly anxieties and the pursuit of riches choke God’s Word. Lasting spiritual growth requires prayer, participation in the faith community, devotion to the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, and perseverance through suffering. Those who cultivate fertile hearts bear the fruits of patience, trust, and love. The preacher concludes by presenting St. Charbel as a model disciple whose humility, deep prayer life, and profound devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary enabled him to receive God’s Word, nurture it faithfully, and bear abundant spiritual fruit. We are likewise called not merely to hear the Gospel but to live it so that their lives become a witness to Christ. Hear more within this Meditation Media. Listen to: Preparing the Heart to Receive God’s Word ------------------------------------------------------------------ Art Work Parable of the Sower: Dutch Painter: Pieter Bruegel the Elder: 1557 A Sower went out to sow. The painting depicts a farmer scattering seed across a field. On the left, thorny bushes threaten to overtake the grain. Nearby, rocky ground offers quick growth but little endurance. To the right, further down the hill, the seed falls on fertile soil. Across the river, a crowd gathers to hear the teachings of Jesus. The painting was inspired by a trip to the mountains the artist took just before creating this piece. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Gospel: Matthew 13:18-23 First Reading: Jeremiah 3:14-17
Jul 14

The Habit of Holy Living

The Habit of Holy Living This Homily reflects on the Gospel’s command, “Do not be afraid,” . . . . . . through the life of St. Benedict, whose fear was not of persecution but of allowing the moral decay of the world to corrupt his soul. Leaving behind the comforts and temptations of Rome, Benedict sought solitude, prayer, study, and honest work, forming what the Church calls the “habit of holy living.” His life demonstrates that holiness is not usually built through dramatic moments but through the quiet, faithful rhythm of daily prayer, worship, and perseverance. His Rule became the foundation for monasteries that not only strengthened the Church spiritually but also preserved education, culture, and civilization throughout Europe during times of great instability. The message is that steadfast faithfulness, practiced consistently over years, has the power to transform both individuals and society. The Homily then turns to the prophet Isaiah’s vision of God’s overwhelming holiness, drawing a profound connection to the Eucharist. Isaiah’s fear arose from recognizing his own sinfulness before the holiness of God, yet he was purified when a burning coal touched his lips. This Old Testament image foreshadows the Eucharist, where Christ Himself becomes the true “burning ember” from God’s altar, purifying those who receive Him with faith. We are reminded that regular participation in Mass is not merely an obligation but a gift through which Christ continually cleanses, strengthens, and renews His people. Just as Benedict’s steadfast habits changed history, the simple but faithful habit of gathering Sunday after Sunday allows God to gradually transform hearts, families, and ultimately the world. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Saint Benedict Writing the Rules: German Painter: Herman Nigg: 1926
Jul 10

The Declaration: An Ideal Worth Living

The Declaration: An Ideal Worth Living The Homily reflects on the 250th anniversary . . . . . . of the Declaration of Independence alongside the celebration of a wedding anniversary, drawing a profound connection between freedom and faithful commitment. The Homily argues that true freedom is not found in independence alone but in choosing to belong . . . to God, to one another, and to the common good. The Declaration of Independence is presented not as the achievement of liberty but as its foundational vision, proclaiming that every person is created equal by God and endowed with the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Throughout American history, the nation’s greatness has not consisted in perfectly living these ideals but in continually striving toward them despite their difficulty. The Homily then turns to Christ’s teaching on the Last Judgment (the sheep and the goats), emphasizing that Jesus speaks not only to individuals but to nations. A nation’s greatness is measured by how it cares for the hungry, thirsty, stranger, sick, and imprisoned. The ideals of the Declaration find their fullest meaning when illuminated by the Gospel, reminding believers that authentic citizenship begins with fidelity to God. Drawing upon the wisdom of G.K. Chesterton and Pope Leo XIII, the Homily concludes that Catholics become their nation’s best citizens precisely because their first loyalty is to Christ. Just as the Declaration continues to call every generation to realize its promises, so too the Gospel continually calls every nation and every person to transform noble ideals into faithful action. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Declaration of Independence: American Painter: John Trumbull: 1819

4.8

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23 Ratings

Thank you!

10/12/2024

Longtime Friend Nancy

I am so grateful to have access to these most beautiful and necessary podcasts! I have been listening to them on the quiet and they feed my soul. God Bless the Shrine and all our Holy Priests! 🙏🩵🙏

Podcast by Ad Jesum per Mariam

Creator

Ad Jesum per Mariam
Years Active

2021 - 2026
Episodes

500
Rating

Clean
Copyright

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Ad Jesum per Mariam

Christianity

Christianity

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Christianity

Christianity

Updated Weekly