The BreadCast

jameshkurt@gmail.com

Spirit-filled daily reflections on the Mass Readings of the Roman Catholic Church from the book Our Daily Bread by James Kurt (with imprimatur). The daily podcasts are voice only, while the podcasts for Sundays and Solemnities are produced with music and other elements. Another podcast recently added: Prayers to the Saints - a prayer to each saint on the calendar for the US. Also with imprimatur.

  1. 18시간 전

    July 2 - Thursday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

    (Amos 7:10-17; Ps.19:8-11; Mt.9:1-8) "The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." Amos says of himself in our first reading: "The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people, Israel." And so he can say, "Now hear the word of the Lord!" And so he can speak for God. And so he can reveal the Lord's will to the people, calling them to return to His presence. Like the prophets is the law, of which David, another shepherd called by God – himself to be king – sings today in our psalm: "The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul." As the prophets' chastisement would bring healing to those who listen and obey the word of the Lord they impart, so the law of God is meant to bring a "fear of the Lord [which] is pure, enduring forever," so it, too, would bring blessed healing to the wayward child, "rejoicing the heart" and "enlightening the eye." But the people did not listen to the prophets; they refused to obey the law of the Lord. His words they cast aside, unable to swallow them, unable to make them an enduring part of their lives. Like a cloud which passes, so ephemeral, so abstract and therefore unknown they would too often become. And so the Father sent His Son. "Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven," Jesus says to the "paralyzed man lying on a mat"; and this word He has come to make real in all our hearing – to all He brings forgiveness for their straying hearts. Even the stiff necks of the scribes the Lord would bring healing. The sins of the past He comes to wash away, advocating to the Father for us that we knew not what we were doing before His arrival, and come now He has to make real for us God's presence in our midst, to take away our ignorance of the Father's love… to enable us to stand up and walk "toward [our] home." Indeed, "a feeling of awe" should come over us as it did over the crowd that witnessed Jesus' power, for the same authority resides with us now in His Church – He has not left His people abandoned. And so, come to the Lord and confess your sins, for the Lord in His grace gave "such authority to men" to act in His stead as does Christ. And now find the courage and conviction to live your life led by the Incarnate Word of God. May your soul be in the hands of the Good Shepherd. ******* O LORD, your Word be in our hearts and upon our lips that we might be saved from death. YHWH, in ancient times you gave authority to ordinary men to speak in your NAME. Simple shepherds you called to prophesy against Israel and serve you as king. In the fullness of time you sent your Son with the power to forgive men's sins, to heal us of all our ills. And now your authority rests in your Son's apostles, those whom He sends forth to forgive and feed your flock. May all souls come to your Church to receive grace from on high! Who will listen to your Word, O LORD, and turn away from his sin? Who will be refreshed by your Law and find the enlightening of his eye? Who treasures the sweetness of your chastisement, who knows the mercy bleeding in the heart of Jesus…? Who of this fallen race would stand and walk with Him toward our home in Heaven? Give us courage, dear God, that you are with us and you care for all your sons. From our exile let us be taken, that we might be held in your Hand.

    5분
  2. 1일 전

    July 1 - Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

    (Amos 5:14-15,21-24; Ps.50:7-13,16-17,23; Mt.8:28-34) "Hear, my people, and I will speak; Israel, I will testify against you." The chastising continues in our readings today. Against the people's vain sacrifices and "noisy songs," both Amos and our psalmist speak in the Lord's name. In need of healing as the two men "possessed by demons" do we find ourselves in the sight of God. "Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?" comes the warning from the Lord. And is it not a word we who pray must keep constantly in our hearts? For how easy it is to fall into empty worship; how readily do we begin to offer mere lip service to our God, when it is our very souls He demands. And not for His sake does He instruct us to "let justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream" – to put into practice the words we speak. He commands us to "seek good and not evil," for "then truly will the Lord, the God of hosts, be with [us] as [we] claim." Indeed we claim His presence in our lives; we presume His blessing upon us as we attend Mass and read His words, each day receiving His Body and Blood and hearing His instruction. But continually we must check ourselves, for blindly do we fall into separation from the Lord, even in His house, and so may hear from His mouth: "I hate, I spurn your feasts… I take no pleasure in your solemnities." At these times we must come "out of the tombs" as do the demoniacs today. We must cry out to the Lord as we realize our sin. And He will be faithful to us. As He healed even these, He will cast the devils from us, too, and quickly. But first we must realize that His "are the world and its fullness," that He needs nothing from us. First we must see that all our sacrifices do Him no good – only us. Then He "will have pity," when we have humbled ourselves. Then He will gather us into His fold, when our hearts are set on His justice. Let the devil be cast from your mocking lips; accept the chastising Word of God, and new life at His feet you may find, possessed of the breath of His Spirit. Then will your offerings find favor in His eyes. ******* O LORD, come to us and stay with us and let us stay with you, sharing your goodness with all, your healing graces upon all souls. YHWH, you are God and need nothing from us; justice alone you seek of our lives. To be as you are is your desire for us, and so you rebuke us in our wickedness. Cast the devils from our heart, O LORD; let us never dwell in vain pride, for then we should live as if in a tomb, separated far from you and your love. Then we should know your justice. Help us to come rightly before you and beg your mercy, LORD, to bow before your majesty. If we but recognized your greatness, your glory in our midst, and desired your rule over our wayward hearts… quickly you would come to save us – with a word from your mouth we would be redeemed. Our words are empty, dear LORD, and our worship vain, except when you bless us with your presence, except when you take pity on our sinful state. Let your discipline bring us back to you; let us find ourselves at your feet, clothed and in our right minds. By your hand let us be fed this day – we beg you to stay with us at all times!

    5분
  3. 2일 전

    June 30 - Tuesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

    (Amos 3:1-8,4:11-12; Ps.5:4-9; Mt.8:23-27) "The lion roars – who will not be afraid! The Lord God speaks – who will not prophesy!" Yes, the Lord prophesies against Israel today like a lion rending and roaring: "You alone have I favored, more than all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your crimes." He brings upon His chosen "such upheaval as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah: [they are] like a brand plucked from the fire." In no uncertain terms does He cry out through Amos – "Prepare to meet your God, O Israel." A frightening prospect indeed it is which is presented to us in our readings. Here is the Lord God coming to take vengeance on His people. This is He before whom "no evil man remains," who "destroy[s] all who speak falsehood." And against His own who turn from Him, He reserves greater punishment. How shall we react, we who are now become His chosen children? What should we do before such an awesome prospect as the Lord's hand coming with power? With David we should "bring [our] plea expectantly before [Him]"; with the disciples we should make "our way toward Him" and call out: "Lord, save us! We are lost!" And if we have the faith and humility of the Lord's king, who declares, "I, because of your abundant kindness, will enter your house; I will worship at your holy temple in fear of you, O Lord," then with his same confidence we may believe that the Lord will wake and take "the winds and the sea to task" – that what besets us because of our sin and separation from Him will be appeased by the same voice which threatens our destruction thereby. For indeed the Lord is abundantly kind and speaks to us as His own, and chastises us as His own. He raises His voice that we might return to Him; He places us in the fire that we might be purged. Let us find our strength in a holy fear. And let us join His voice. Let us call out with Him to His blessed children, that all might return to Him who is their maker and protector – that all might be rescued from harm. The Lord would not see us caught in the snare laid for the wicked, and so He has sent His only Son to appease the wrath He has justly spoken forth. Let the lion's mouth not close upon our heads, but may we be awakened by its voice and open our own mouths to declare the mercy of our God. ******* O LORD, the wind and the sea obey your Son, but we harden our hearts against Him – O let us heed His voice! YHWH, even wind and sea obey you, and so we call upon your NAME to be saved from their clutches. Let not our sins overwhelm us, but bring us the grace of your salvation. LORD, we deserve your just punishment, for we have stubbornly turned our hearts from you. Though you have been kind in watching over and protecting us from harm, we have not recognized your goodness toward us and praised your NAME; instead, we have turned to other gods and walked in the wickedness of our hearts. And so, what can you do but cry out against us; and so, what can we be but destroyed if we do not heed your voice? Give us courage, LORD, for our strength fails us. All we can see is the turmoil our weakness brings upon us. Help us to see beyond the troubles the world presents, troubles we have brought upon ourselves, that we might see you and your power at work, and place all our faith therein. O let us listen to your prophets as they cry out and so walk your way in peace and light, despite the surrounding darkness.

    5분
  4. 4일 전

    June 29 - Sts. Peter and Paul

    Acts 12:1-11; Ps.34:2-9; 2Tm.4:6-8,17-18; Mt.16:13-19) "On this rock I will build my Church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it." We go through death to life, for death has no power over us: the power of Jesus founded firmly on Peter, brought forward by Paul, and present in all the members of the Church and in its faith, has conquered death and leads us all to heaven. Today we celebrate the solid foundation of the Church in Peter, the man of faith, first of the apostles and rock upon whom we are firmly set; and Paul, the great Apostle, through whom that faith went out to "all the nations." Our readings today clearly manifest the faith we possess, which overcomes even death, in Jesus' commissioning of Peter and in the example shown in the lives of both Peter and Paul. Our first reading describes Peter's mystical release from prison and reveals in this act our own coming to the heavenly kingdom: the chains of sin fall from us, we are clothed in righteousness, and led through the snares of this world to freedom. And it is he who holds "the keys of the kingdom of heaven" who is led out; and indeed by these keys, by this office and its grace, "the iron gate leading out to the city" opens before us "of itself." And in our second reading we find Paul declaring the faithful life he has led even unto the end, which he now faces, and that his fighting of the good fight has merited the crown which awaits him on the Day of Lord. He is able to state with confidence, "The Lord will continue to rescue me from all attempts to do me harm and will bring me safe to His heavenly kingdom." Finally, our psalm confirms the protection the Lord grants His faithful ones: "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them." We are sharers in this faith with Peter and Paul. This is evident in the Church who "prayed fervently to God" on behalf of Peter, and whose prayers were answered in this astounding fashion, and is made certain in Paul's proclaiming that Jesus gives the reward of a heavenly crown not only to Paul himself "but to all who have looked for His appearing with eager longing." The Church is one in all its members, and though the Lord has chosen certain of us to special places and granted them special blessings and powers, all are blessed by this same God. So, today as we rejoice in this faith with which we have been gifted by the Lord, as we "together extol His name," let us consider the place we have in His holy Church and the work to which He calls us. And let us resolve to fulfill that call, pouring ourselves out unto death, that we might be assured of our entering through the heavenly gate. Let us walk in faith the narrow path the Lord has set before us, for it leads beyond death to life. Written, read & chanted by James Kurt; produced by James Kurt. Music by Carie Fortney; performed by Carie Fortney and Annette Meyer. Used by permission. ******* 96 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} O LORD, may we be loosed from the chains of this earth that we might walk with you in Heaven. YHWH, the gates of the netherworld cannot prevail against you and your Church. To Peter you have given the keys to the kingdom and these shall open every lock the devil can devise; the chains fall from our wrists by the angel you send to guide us. You deliver us, LORD, from every evil and bring us into your heavenly kingdom. The lion's mouth shall not close upon us, nor any prison door keep us from you. For we are redeemed by the sacrifice of your Son; in Him and in His blood your Church finds power and grace to facilitate release from all the wiles of the evil one. Jesus sets your people on solid rock through His commissioning of His apostle Peter. And your Word goes forth to the ends of the earth through Paul and all your disciples. And so, on the day of your Son's appearance, all shall enter freely through the eternal gates to dwell in your presence forever. You have heard our cries to you, O LORD, and bring us quickly to Heaven.

    6분

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Spirit-filled daily reflections on the Mass Readings of the Roman Catholic Church from the book Our Daily Bread by James Kurt (with imprimatur). The daily podcasts are voice only, while the podcasts for Sundays and Solemnities are produced with music and other elements. Another podcast recently added: Prayers to the Saints - a prayer to each saint on the calendar for the US. Also with imprimatur.