Gospel teachings and lessons recorded by Fr. Jim Willig during his "Lunch with the Lord" Bible Study.
Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Read the full scripture: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042124.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 Gospel of deja vu all over again, Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" from John 21:1-19 At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We also will come with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they ...
Fr. Jim teaches that Jesus calls his disciples (and therefore us) to love each other as he has loved them. That is to say, not to like each other or tolerate each other but to truly Love each other. John 13:31-33A, 34-35 When Judas had left them, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and God will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new c...
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...
Fr. Jim reflects on the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke with dramatic Gospel reading by Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ. from Luke 22:14-23:56 When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I ...
Fervent prayer can often lead to unexpected results and a vision of Jesus that we weren't looking for. Are you ready for what the Lord might grant? from John 12:20-33 Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you,...
Lazarus' friends thought him to be dead. They went so far as to bind his body and entomb it. Jesus challenges their faith and performs one of His greatest miracles in raising Lazarus from the dead; bringing him back to life. from John 11:1-45 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 ...
Where does change need to begin? Out there in the world or in here, in your heart and mine? Fr. Jim shares a lesson in personal humility as he unpacks the story of Jesus cleansing the Temple. John 2:13-25 Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coi...
Most of us know the story of the Transfiguration. Jesus takes Peter, James and John up to a mountain top and gives them a glimpse of His glory. Fr. Jim takes this well known passage and asks us to find our own mission and our own vision to embrace the glory of God in simple and humble ways. from Mark 9:2-10 Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth c...
Is Lent a time to give up dessert or a time to enter the desert along with Jesus? Fr. Jim suggests the latter. Listen for his profound insight into the healing struggle of this Lenten time. The full transcript is available here . Mark 1:12-15 The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021824.cfm Heart ...
Father Jim is challenged by a woman: "Why don't you priests really heal anyone?" This gave him pause and inspiration for today's Gospel Study: A man with leprosy breaks societal convention and approaches Jesus. He kneels down and reaches out to Jesus physically and through faith: "If you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus responds, "I do will it. Be made clean." Mark 1:40-45 A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he st...
Jesus had his priorities straight. In this Gospel he heals Peter's mother-in-law and then the whole town comes out to be healed. But afterward, what does Jesus do? He goes away to a place of quiet and solitude and prays. We can learn great things from this lesson. from Mark 1:29-39 On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped h...
In this Gospel Jesus teaches in the Synagogue in Capernaum and when confronted by a person with an unclean spirit He drives out the demon. In exorcisms, in order to drive out the demons, they must be confronted and they must name themselves. Fr. Jim reminds us that we too must confront and name our own demons in order to move beyond them. No sin is too big for God to forgive. from Mark 1:21-28 Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were...
Come. Abandon. Learn. Love: CALL This is the acronym Fr. Jim uses to imagine the call that Jesus used for his disciples; the same call He uses for us today. from Mark 1:14-20 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to t...
Fr. Jim asks: Who do you seek? Who do you follow? John the Baptist sees Jesus and proclaims, "Behold the Lamb of God." At this, Andrew leaves his company and joins Jesus. He then recruits his brother Simon to join them. Jesus became their Rabbi, their teacher. from John 1:35-42 John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said t...
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...
The story of this Gospel Study is the Annunciation to Mary by the Angel Gabriel. Fr. Jim reminds us that Mary's role as Mother of Jesus is truly a gift from God because of her deep and profound submission to His will. from Luke 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was great...
In this hectic holiday season Fr. Jim reminds us to think of these as Holy Days, not holidays. John the Baptist came to witness to Jesus. As modern disciples of Christ it is our calling to also witness to Him in our daily lives, especially during this Holy Days. from John 1:6-8; 19-28 A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. And this is the testimony of John. ...
In this Gospel Study Fr. Jim explores the challenges presented by John the Baptizer. John challenges the people of his time, just as he does us today. We are challenged to confess our sin and seek forgiveness so that we can participate on the cause of right and help fight against evil and the powers of darkness. from Mark 1:1-8 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your w...
In this Gospel Study for the first weekend of Advent, Fr. Jim introduces the Gospel of Mark and provides some keen insight into who Mark was. History lessons aside, the poignancy of Fr. Jim's message comes at the very end where he challenges us to lead ourselves, and others, to Christ this Advent season. from Mark 13:33-37 Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in char...
Jesus will sit in judgment. He will separate the sheep from the goats; the righteous from the condemned. Fr. Jim challenges us to enter into a deep prayer relationship with God and ask Him directly what we can do for the least of His people. from Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus said to his disciples: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a ...
5, 2, or 1? How many talents has the Lord given each of us? Regardless of our age, or wealth, or experience, God asks us each to use what He has given us to the fullest. Fr. Jim reminds us of what Billy Graham said, "You never retire from the Lord's work." Listen to Fr. Jim's inspiring words to learn how simple actions can have a lasting impact on the world. from Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus told his disciples this parable: "A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions...
Be prepared and surround yourself with wisdom. In this Gospel parable, Jesus tells the story of the 5 wise bridesmaids and 5 foolish ones. The wise, who were prepared, got into the feast, while the foolish ones did not because they were not ready when the bridegroom arrived. Fr. Jim challenges us to live as the wise bridesmaids did by living for the Lord and anticipating our Heavenly feast. from Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgin...
Rather than a Gospel Study for the Sunday Gospel, this week's Gospel teaching is for the All Saints Day gospel reading. Fr. Jim unpacks one Jesus' most famous teaching moments, the Sermon on the Mount and this section we call, "The Beatitudes." 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...
This Gospel Study addresses Matthew 18:15-20. In this scripture reading, Jesus tells His disciples that whenever two or more are gathered in His name, He is always present. Fr. Jim gives a great analogy of one suffering from anorexia, as he calls it spiritual anorexia or bulimia. We need to be fed on the best of food, which is Jesus Christ himself. He fills us up with His Holy Spirit. This is a diet that is the spiritual nourishment we desperately need. from Matthew 18:15-20 Jesus said to his di...
Tammy Bundy offers a poignant closing to Fr. Jim's powerful story. Stay tuned to the end for a special thank you message from Fr. Michael. Continuing the newly produced and digitally restored version of Lessons from the School of Suffering , the audio book, originally published to tape, then converted to CD and now released digitally as part of Heart to Heart's 30th Anniversary. Produced by Nathaniel Stubblefield for Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry E...
As Fr. Jim's suffering increased he felt himself more and more becoming childlike and enveloped by God's loving embrace. Continuing the newly produced and digitally restored version of Lessons from the School of Suffering , the audio book, originally published to tape, then converted to CD and now released digitally as part of Heart to Heart's 30th Anniversary. Produced by Nathaniel Stubblefield for Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers....
Fr. Jim stresses the need for a deep, compassionate heart in all of our relationships, whether someone is sufferingly deeply like he did or not. Continuing the newly produced and digitally restored version of Lessons from the School of Suffering , the audio book, originally published to tape, then converted to CD and now released digitally as part of Heart to Heart's 30th Anniversary. Produced by Nathaniel Stubblefield for Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Heart to Heart Catholic Media Mini...
Doubt and despair. These are two powerful emotional demons that can threaten us even when we aren't facing life threatening illness. Listen to what Fr. Jim went through and how he was able to respond. Continuing the newly produced and digitally restored version of Lessons from the School of Suffering , the audio book, originally published to tape, then converted to CD and now released digitally as part of Heart to Heart's 30th Anniversary. Produced by Nathaniel Stubblefield for Heart to Heart Ca...
Fr. Jim sees Good Friday in a whole new light as he attends the service and venerates the cross after spending 12 days in the hospital. Continuing the newly produced and digitally restored version of Lessons from the School of Suffering , the audio book, originally published to tape, then converted to CD and now released digitally as part of Heart to Heart's 30th Anniversary. Produced by Nathaniel Stubblefield for Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evan...
