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Fr. Mike introduces us to the books of Ezra and Haggai, explaining the Israelites’ return to the promised land. He also warns us against apathy and indifference in our relationship with God, as we see Israel display towards the temple. Today’s readings are Ezra 1-2, Haggai 1-2, and Proverbs 20:1-3.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/4_15qozDj0A
Fr. Mike continues to take us through the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, and the importance of moving on from the past to see what God is doing in our lives right now. He also gives some context on the Samaritans and what was happening across Jerusalem, post return. Today’s readings are Ezra 3-4, Zechariah 1-3, and Proverbs 20:4-7.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/CVYwsdZYNoM
Fr. Mike encourages us not to be discouraged about the small things happening in our lives, because just as we see through Zechariah’s visions, God takes small things and turns them into great triumphs. He also touches on the dedication of Israel to rebuild the temple, and the connection between the crowing of Joshua and the crowning of Christ the King. Today’s readings are Ezra 5-6, Zechariah 4-6, and Proverbs 20:8-11.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/8vlMnuM1frc
Fr. Mike explains how God’s favor was with Ezra because he set his heart to study God’s laws, to obey his laws, and to teach his laws to others. We also learn about hypocritical fasting, and how our sacrifices should remind us that everything ultimately belongs to God at all times. Today’s readings are Ezra 7-8, Zechariah 7-8, and Proverbs 20:12-15.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/Wq96tM44tAo
Fr. Mike discusses God’s instruction to the people of Israel not to marry women from foreign lands. He explains why God would provide this instruction and how Ezra reacted when he discovered that many prominent Israelites had not obeyed it. He also identifies the prophecies of Palm Sunday and the thirty pieces of silver found in Zechariah. Today’s readings are Ezra 9-10, Zechariah 9-11, and Proverbs 20:16-19.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/vxEtEDgtKQw
Fr. Mike introduces the book of Nehemiah and takes us through Nehemiah’s exemplary response to the call of God as he does what God asks simply because he asks. He also encourages us to pray for our enemies and explains the need to refrain from vengeance in our interactions with others, especially when we are provoked by their actions. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 1-2, Zechariah 12-13, and Proverbs 20:20-22.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/zbvENgoZvbw
Fr. Mike continues discussing the call of Nehemiah and how we should approach the work the Lord calls us to do. He explains why all work is divine participation in God’s Kingdom on earth and encourages us to remember our service to God and to others, keeping our focus on serving and loving in the realm of our influence. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 3, Zechariah 14, and Proverbs 20:23-26.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/2qNdSZ_oPQc
Fr. Mike continues to describe Nehemiah’s process of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem and encountering a variety of challenges in his calling. He explains that in doing God’s work, we will often face internal or external opposition which we must meet with prayer and perseverance, trusting God entirely. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 4-5, Esther 11-12, and Proverbs 20:27-30.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/RU4FW7-X7b0
Fr. Mike continues reading from the book of Nehemiah as we read of the many attempts to prevent Nehemiah from doing the great work of God. We also see the events that lead to Esther being chosen as queen and the goodness she will bring even in the midst of a broken system. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 6-7, Esther 1-2, and Proverbs 21:1-4.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/mPcKNfRKj8o
FAs Fr. Mike reads from Nehemiah today, we hear about how the hearts of the people of Israel were moved as Ezra reads the book of the law of Moses to them. In our reading of Esther, we have the beginning of the crisis that will unfold throughout the book as Haman, backed by the king, seeks to destroy the Jews. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 8, Esther 3 and 13, and Proverbs 21:5-8.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/94bkfSB7XCM
