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.
Older Posts
Bible Riddle: What Am I?
This puzzle was written by a lady in California in 1890 in response to a gentlemen in Philadelphia, who said that he would pay $1,000
What does the word “Catholic” mean? A history of the word “Catholic”
What Does Catholic Mean? A History of the Word “Catholic” By Steve Ray As a Protestant, I went to an Evangelical church that changed an
Day 10: Last Evening; Comments & Farewells
All good things must come to an end, and this pilgrimage has come to a very happy and successful conclusion. The last evening is always
What Happened to Detroit?
A friend from the UK wrote and asked me what happened to that once magnificent city of Detroit. I gave his a short response which
Day 9: Mass at Lourdes Grotto; Tour of Bernadette’s Life & Apparitions
The weather cooperated nicely with us today as we went to the early morning English Mass at the Grotto at Lourdes. We had our group
The Stones Cry Out: What Does Archaeology Say about the Reliability of the Bible and the Catholic Faith?
How do we know the sites related to Jesus are authentic? Didn’t the truth of these places get lost in the mist of history? Is
Day 8: First Full Day at Lourdes France!!
It was raining today, but we all started out with good spirits anyway. We walked up to the huge basilica, and had Mass in the
“Should I attend my Niece’s “Gay Wedding” to a Transgender?”
Paul wrote, Hi Steve, I attended your conference recently — thank you for being there and sharing your experiences with everyone. Your beliefs and passion
Day 7: Burgos to Loyola for Mass then to Lourdes
Left Burgos and headed for Lourdes through the Pyrenees Mountains. We stopped enroute in Loyola, Spain, the birthplace of St. Ignatius to visit the basilica
Augustine’s Comment on Travel; Popes and Saints on Pilgrimages
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” –St. Augustine ********************************************* Pope Paul VI referred to the Holy
Day 6: Divine Mercy Sunday from Santiago to Burgos
Fun on the bus since to is 285 miles along the coast of Spain today to reach our destination of Burgos with its stunning cathedral
First Seven Ecumenical Councils – Excellent Summary
First Seven Ecumenical Councils This is a simple, very short and helpful summary of the First Seven Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church. These councils
Upcoming Events
All Day in Fatima video of our day following the 3 little shepherds, the apparitions, the village of Adjustrel and Mass at the site of the dancing sun miracle. And much more…
Arrival in Fatima Day 1 - VIDEO BELOW
Our new adventure begins! Portugal, Spain, and France. Our goals are the major sites of Fatima, Santiago, de Compostela, and Lourdes — with lots in between.
Today the Lufthansa flight arrived in Lisbon Portugal where all 40 of us boarded…
Random Quote
“It is requisite for the relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful deeds and jokes.”
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