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...
Apr 18, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Fr. Jim reflects on the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ with dramatic Gospel reading by Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ. John 20:1-9 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out an...
Apr 11, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 19
Fr. Jim reflects on the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ with dramatic Gospel reading by Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ. Read the full Gospel: https://www.heartoheart.org/fr-jim/gospel-studies/cycle-c/gospel-study-jesus-passion-luke-2214-2356/ Gospel Study: Fr. Jim Willig Gospel Narration: Fr. J Michael Sparough, SJ Narration: Lili Fuller Narration Producers: Lili Fuller and Joe Sofranko Primary Music: Michael Kramer Additional Music: Gettin Through It by Brent Wood licensed to Nathaniel Stubblefield ...
Apr 04, 2022•29 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Jesus looks into our hearts and into our souls. He heals that which we might not even know is hurt. John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —. So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” S...
Mar 21, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Fr. Jim teaches on the living water of Christ based on this passage from the Gospel of John. Further, he extolls us to recognize God's gift. John 4:5-15, 19B-26, 39A, 40-42 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...
Mar 14, 2022•27 min•Season 3Ep. 16
How would you react to a beatific vision of our Lord? Imagine Peter, James and John overwhelmed with the change of their friend and teacher who became the glory of God in their midst. Luke 9:28b-36 Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish ...
Mar 07, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Luke 4:1-13 Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone .” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, ...
Feb 28, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 14
How can we invest in ourselves and make a spiritual deposit for eternal life? Listen to what Fr. Jim has to say about using our time, talent and treasure for the glory of God. 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...
Feb 21, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Jesus tells us that we need to stop living by "an eye for an eye" and instead start loving our enemies. As Fr. Jim reminds us, this is much easier said than done, even in our "enlightened" age [emphasis mine]. Matthew 5:38-48 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with yo...
Feb 07, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Fr. Jim reminds us that we are like Peter and seeking fulfillment from the world and our pastimes but that our only fulfillment will come from the Lord, who fills us in His own time. Luke 5:1-11 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a ...
Jan 31, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Fr. Jim tells us that listening is the greatest way of loving. He could not have predicted the current crisis in the world, but he does give us a recipe for working through the day to day conflicts that arise in our lives. Luke 4:21-30 Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” He said to them...
Jan 24, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Fr. Jim calls us on us to reflect on any scripture passage and seek out the work that God is calling each of us to do. Jesus revealed His mission statement to his friends and family. What mission is God calling us to? Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to wr...
Jan 17, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Fr. Jim unpacks the miracle at the Wedding feast in Cana and draws a parallel between the abundance of wine that Jesus creates and abundance of grace that God showers down upon all of us out of pure, unconditional love. John 2:1-11 There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern aff...
Jan 10, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Fr. Jim explores the baptism story of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke and asks, "Are we ready and willing to totally immerse ourselves in God's love and be of greater service to God and one another?" Luke 3:15-16,21-22 The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you ...
Jan 03, 2022•27 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Fr. Jim asks: Will we be the wise men and women taking up the journey to Jesus? Like the Magi, will we take a different path than the world would have us go? Matthew 2:1-12 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all t...
Dec 28, 2021•24 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this Nativity story Gospel Study, enjoy a dramatic proclamation of the Gospel by Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ followed by Fr. Jim's teaching. Luke 2:1-14 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was ...
Dec 20, 2021•27 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Fr. Jim explores Mary's visitation to Elizabeth and the stirring of the Spirit within her. He also reflects on Mary's visit to St. Juan Diego and the miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe and how Mary continues to bring us to her Son. Luke 1:39-45 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried...
Dec 13, 2021•28 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Luke 3:10-18 The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and b...
Dec 06, 2021•29 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Fr. Jim teaches that if John the Baptist came today he would not mince words. He would call a sin, a sin and challenge each of us to identify the sin within our lives and urge us to turn away. Click play above to hear Fr. Jim's full Advent message. Luke 3:1-6 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abil...
Nov 30, 2021•28 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Our world is increasingly holiday focused, not Holy Day focused. The season of Christmas does not begin for the Church until Christmas Day. Father Jim encourages us to celebrate Advent for what it is, a time of preparation. Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36 Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, ...
Nov 23, 2021•27 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Jesus goes before Pilate and says, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." John 18:33b-37 Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?" Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you ...
Nov 15, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 39
In this highly figurative gospel about the end times, Fr. Jim teaches that Mark's message to us is one of change to the whole world as we know it but as the gospel says, even Jesus did not know the hour when he would return. Only the Father knows. Listen below to Fr. Jim's full message or read the full transcript below the video. Read the transcript Mark 13:24-32 Jesus said to his disciples: "In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and...
Nov 08, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Today's Gospel Study concludes: "Remember saints are not perfect, they just try harder to do what the Lord asks." As you reflect on the gospel story of the widow who gave all of what she had to the Temple, ask yourself, "How can I try harder to do what the Lord is asking of me?" Read the full transcript: https://www.heartoheart.org/fr-jim/gospel-studies/cycle-b/gospel-study-whom-do-you-admire#transcript Mark 12:38-44 In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, "Beware of the scribes,...
Nov 02, 2021•28 min•Season 2Ep. 37
In Fr. Jim's words: "I believe that there is nothing more important for us to hear in our entire life than the Gospel we just heard. Nothing." Listen to the full Gospel Study for the rest of his inspiring message. Mark 12:28B-38 One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, ...
Oct 25, 2021•28 min•Season 2Ep. 36
"Jesus, son of David, have pity on me...Son of David, have pity on me." This is what Bartimeaus calls out to Jesus. Fr. Jim reminds us that Bartimeaus is one of the most important figures in the Gospel because he recognizes Jesus as the one who saves, even before the disciples do. Mark 10:46-52 As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out...
Oct 18, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 35
James and John ask Jesus to sit at his right and at his left. Little do they know what Jesus will soon go through and who will be on his left and right as he enters his glory. Fr. Jim reminds us that so often we too make long term commitments without knowing the full reality or consequences. Mark 10:35-45 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered hi...
Oct 13, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 34
A rich man comes to Jesus and kneeling before him, asks "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" The rich man asks the right question but doesn't like Jesus' answer. Fr. Jim challenges us: What is God asking us to tithe that is holding us back from Him? Mark 10:17-30 As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God a...
Oct 04, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Mark 10:2-16 addresses the difficult topic of marriage, divorce and re-marriage. In Jesus' time, divorce was very different than it is today. A man could divorce his wife for any reason and with no warning. Jesus is tested with this reality and responds that cavalierly ending a marriage is a sin. Listen as Fr. Jim teaches about the history behind this Gospel and the pastoral realities we face today. Mark 10:2-16 The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his...
Sep 28, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 32
St. John continues to bring concerns to Jesus, this time about someone performing exorcisms in Jesus' name but without being a true follower. Again Jesus has to remind John of the true mission. Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 At that time, John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me...
Sep 20, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Mark 9:30-37 Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?...
Sep 13, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 30
