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.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

In this Gospel of deja vu all over again, Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?"from John 21:1-19At 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 caught nothing.When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?"They answered him, "No."So he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boatand you will find something."Heart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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, 34-35When 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 commandment: love one another.Heart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

Fr. Jim reflects on the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ with dramatic Gospel reading by Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ.John 20:1-9On 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 Peterand 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 and came to the tomb.They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peterand arrived at the tomb first; ...Read the full Easter scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033124.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 22:14-23:56When 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 againuntil 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 tell you that from this time onI shall not drink of the fruit of the vineuntil the kingdom of God comes.”Then he took the bread, said the blessing,broke it, and gave it to them, saying,“This is my body, which will be given for you;do this in memory of me.”And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying,“This cup is the new covenant in my blood,which will be shed for you. ...Read the full Gospel and homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041022.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 12:20-33Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feastcame 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, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.Whoever loves his life loses it,and whoever hates his life in this worldwill preserve it for eternal life.Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.The Father will honor whoever serves me.Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031724-YearB.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 11:1-45The 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 and her sister and Lazarus.So when he heard that he was ill,he remained for two days in the place where he was.Then after this he said to his disciples,+Let us go back to Judea."When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarushad already been in the tomb for four days.When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,she went to meet him;but Mary sat at home.Martha said to Jesus,"Lord, if you had been here,my brother would not have died.But even now I know that whatever you ask of God,God will give you."Heart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 2:13-25Since 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 cordsand drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changersand overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said,“Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me.At this the Jews answered and said to him,“What sign can you show us for doing this?”Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”But he was speaking about the temple of his body.Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing.But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature.He himself understood it well.Heart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 9:2-10Jesus took Peter, James, and Johnand 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 could bleach them.Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,and they were conversing with Jesus.Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,"Rabbi, it is good that we are here!Let us make three tents:one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;from the cloud came a voice,"This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyonebut Jesus alone with them.Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022524.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 1:12-15The 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.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 1:40-45A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said,“If you wish, you can make me clean.”Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021124.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 1:29-39On leaving the synagogueJesus 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 her up.Then the fever left her and she waited on them. ...Read the full Gospel passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020424.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 1:21-28Then they came to Capernaum,and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.The people were astonished at his teaching,for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?Have you come to destroy us?I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"Jesus rebuked him and said,"Quiet! Come out of him!"Heart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 1:14-20After 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 them,"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. ...Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012124.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 1:35-42John 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 to them,"What are you looking for?"They said to him, "Rabbi" — which translated means Teacher —,"where are you staying?"He said to them, "Come, and you will see."So they went and saw where Jesus was staying,and they stayed with him that day.Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011424.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 2:1-12When 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 risingand have come to do him homage.”When King Herod heard this,he was greatly troubled,and all Jerusalem with him.Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,for thus it has been written through the prophet:And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;since from you shall come a ruler,who is to shepherd my people Israel.”Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child.When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” ...Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010724.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 1:26-38The angel Gabriel was sent from Godto 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 greatly troubled at what was saidand pondered what sort of greeting this might be.Then the angel said to her,“Do not be afraid, Mary,for you have found favor with God. ...Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122423.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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; 19-28A 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.When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priestsand Levites to himto ask him, “Who are you?”He admitted and did not deny it,but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” ...Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121723.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 1:1-8The 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 way.A voice of one crying out in the desert:“Prepare the way of the Lord,make straight his paths.”John the Baptist appeared in the desertproclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.People of the whole Judean countrysideand all the inhabitants of Jerusalemwere going out to himand were being baptized by him in the Jordan Riveras they acknowledged their sins.Read the full Gospel passage: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121023.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

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 13:33-37Jesus 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 charge,each with his own work,and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.Watch, therefore;you do not know when the lord of the house is coming ...Read the full gospel passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120323.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate