Take a pilgrimage with Steve and Janet Ray!
Steve on EWTN’s Bookmark to Discuss “Genesis”
I had a great time at EWTN down in Alabama recording two TV shows: Bookmark with Doug Keck and Mitch Pacwa Live with you guessed it Fr. Mitch.
On both shows we discussed my new book GENESIS, A BIBLE STUDY GUIDE AND COMMENTARY. A deacon friend just wrote me:
I finished reading your book on Genesis and really loved it. It reads well, provides lots of interesting information about both Scripture and culture, even has some personal anecdotes, and helps orient readers to all the prominent characters of the OT. I heartily recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about this book of Scripture.
The first show is posted here — I will add the Fr. Mitch show tomorrow or Thursday.
Bookmark is already on YouTube (see below) but will also air live on EWTN in May – all times below are Eastern time.
Sunday, May 12 at 10 AM, Monday May 13 at 5 AM and 5 PM, Saturday May 18 at 11:30 PM. Enjoy!
Hair Cut only Once a Year
David had a very handsome son. His name was Absalom and he betrayed his father the king and led a rebellion against him. The Bible says that Absalom was “beautiful“ and he only cut his hair once a year. Here is what the Bible says about him:
“Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his beauty as Absalom; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of every year he used to cut it; when it was heavy on him, he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels by the king’s weight” (2 Sam 14:25-26).
The pile of hair left on the floor each year, after Absalom’s haircut, weighed 200 shekels. How much is 200 shekels? It is an amazing 4.4 pounds!
Now, do you remember how Absalom died in his fight against his father, King David?
“Absalom was riding upon his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak, and his head caught fast in the oak, and he was left hanging [presumably by his hair] between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on….
“Joab said, “I will not waste time like this with you.” And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom, while he was still alive in the oak. And ten young men, Joab’s armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him, and killed him” (2 Sam 18:9, 14-15 ).
St. Augustine and St. Paul on Real Bishops
“No man can be a good bishop if he loves his title but not his task.” St. Augustine
May God grant us good Shepherd‘s. May he grant us those willing to be politically-incorrect, willing to be honest with their flock, exposing heresy and sin even if it’s among their own bishops and priests — even if it causes them grief, ostracization and discomfort.
Where are the Shepherds that lay down their lives for the sheep? Where are the shepherds ready stop being politicians and ready to be martyrs?
If they do, they will be amazed at the loyalty, love and devotion the sheep will show them. The sheep will follow such shepherds anywhere!
God bless all the marvelous bishops that grace our Church. I know many of them and I love them dearly. They already heed the words of St. Paul. But there are others who need to take heed…
Acts 20:28–30 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking [and doing] perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.”
Venerable Fulton J. Sheen “Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, and the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops act like bishops.”
Please pray for our shepherds, praise them for what they do, thank them for being a bishop which is a very difficult job, support them.
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