Ever feel like the little things you do don't really matter or make an impact? Jesus had a different perspective, which is unpacked in this week's Your Catholic Corner podcast.

Host Julie South examines the biblical readings for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, making connections between the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel and one of Jesus' parables that may change how you view your spiritual efforts.

The readings pair Ezekiel's vision of a small shoot growing into a mighty cedar tree with Jesus' parable about the Kingdom of God being like a tiny mustard seed that becomes the largest plant around, providing shelter for birds.

Julie breaks down how these passages are linked through the theme of something small and seemingly insignificant blossoming into something great and life-giving. She explains how they challenge our assumptions about how God works and what His Kingdom looks like.

The takeaway? Don't underestimate the power of humble beginnings and modest actions done with faith. God can nurture and grow them into something beautiful that provides refuge for others.

Julie's down-to-earth reflections will renew your perspective on:

1) Having patience as you play your part in the growth of God's Kingdom, trusting that He brings the increase.

2) Not writing off situations or people who seem small or unimportant, because God specialises in making greatness out of little things.

3) Doing the simple acts of service, justice and faithfulness asked of you, knowing God can multiply their impact in ways you can't foresee.

If you've ever doubted that your ordinary efforts for God really matter, this podcast will inspire you to stay faithful in the small things, believing that God can transform them into something extraordinary.

BIBLE READINGS:

• Ezekiel 17:22-24
• 2 Corinthians 5:6-10
• Mark 4:26-34

REFERENCES:

Benedictine Monks
Dr Scott Hahn

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In this thought-provoking episode, Julie South skilfully unpacks the rich biblical typology and the Catholic Church's reason in selecting these particular readings for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time in Year B.

You'll gain a deeper understanding of how Jesus - the New Adam - overcomes the curse of original sin, offering a path to redemption and eternal life.

With Julie's reflections and practical takeaways, this episode promises to enrich your spiritual journey and deepen your appreciation for the Catholic faith's profound teachings.

Get spiritually prepared for Mass on Sunday 9th June 2024 by listening to this episode of Your Catholic Corner today!

Three reasons to listen + your takeaways

1. Uncover the profound typological connection between the Old Testament's account of Adam's disobedience and the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus as the "New Adam" who resists the devil's temptations, conquering sin and ushering in redemption.
2. Gain insights into the Catholic Church's intentional pairing of these readings, highlighting the parallel between Adam's fall and Jesus' obedience, and how Christ's victory over Satan's deceptions reverses the consequences of original sin.
3. Explore practical applications and reflections on owning up to mistakes, trusting in God's forgiveness, maintaining hope in difficult times, avoiding hasty judgments, and finding a supportive faith community.

Bible Readings for the 10th Sunday of Ordinary Time in Year B

• Genesis 3:9-15
• 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
• Mark 3:20-35

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Exploring the Biblical Roots of Corpus Christi Sunday

This week's episode takes an in-depth look at the biblical passages read during the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). We'll examine:

The Origins of Corpus Christi
Learn about the Eucharistic miracle in 1263 that led to the establishment of this feast day celebrating Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist.

The Typological Connections
Discover how the Old Testament reading from Exodus foreshadows the events of the Last Supper described in the Gospel of Mark, drawing parallels between covenants and sacrifices.

The Significance of Exodus 24:3-8
Unpack the ceremony where Moses confirms the covenant between God and the Israelites, sealed with the sprinkling of blood.

Insights from Hebrews 9:11-15
Explore how this passage presents Jesus as the high priest offering himself as the perfect sacrifice, establishing a new covenant.

The Last Supper in Mark 14
Reflect on Jesus instituting the Eucharist, using bread and wine to symbolize his body and blood of the new covenant.

Personal Reflections
Hear personal insights on remembering our covenant relationship with God, recognising Jesus as the mediator, and fully participating in the Eucharist.

Whether new to Catholicism or a lifelong believer, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the deep biblical roots underlying our celebration of the Eucharist on Corpus Christi Sunday.

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Are you ready to uncover the profound connections woven through the Bible, linking the Old Testament to the New? On this Holy Trinity Sunday, embark on the fascinating journey tracing the typological threads from Deuteronomy to the Great Commission in the Gospel of Matthew.

Transport yourself back to the time of Moses, as he delivers his farewell speech to the Israelites poised to enter the Promised Land.

Witness his urgings to remember God's mighty acts and miracles that delivered them from Egyptian slavery, setting them apart as His chosen people.

Discover how their witness to God's power foreshadowed a greater mission yet to come.

Then, fast-forward to the tumultuous days of the early Christian community, facing persecution yet boldly spreading the gospel, as told in Paul's Letter to the Romans. Despite opposition, this new movement continued to grow and impact the Roman Empire.

At the heart of this journey stands the pivotal moment when the resurrected Jesus claims supreme authority over heaven and earth.

Marvel at His Great Commission to the disciples: to baptise all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, making them obedient followers of Christ.

Discover the typological significance of this charge, fulfilling the Israelites' role as a light to the nations through the work of the Church spreading the gospel globally.

Follow this thread from Deuteronomy's old covenant witness to the new covenant's discipleship call, leading to a profound revelation of the Holy Trinity's mystery and significance on this feast day.

Join Julie South as she guides you along this typological journey, unlocking the depths of Holy Trinity Sunday through the unbroken tapestry of God's Word.

Holy Trinity Sunday Bible Passages - Catholic Church - Year B:

• Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40
• Romans 8:14-17
• Matthew 28:16-20

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Join Julie South at Your Catholic Corner as she delves into the significance of Pentecost Sunday, exploring the profound connections between the Acts of the Apostles, Paul's Letter to the Galatians, and the Gospel of John.

This episode offers a rich tapestry of history, theology, and personal reflection to spiritually prepare Catholics for Sunday's Catholic Mass.

Three Takeaways from Today's Episode:

1. The Typological Connection: Julie highlights the typological connections between the Old and New Testament readings for Pentecost Sunday. She explains how the Holy Spirit's descent during Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11) symbolises the Church's birth, how Galatians (5:16-25) emphasises the Spirit's transformative power in believers' lives, and how the Gospel of John (15:26-27,16:12-15) underscores the Holy Spirit's role in guiding believers to truth and testifying about Jesus.
2. Historical Biblical Context: The episode provides historical context for each reading, discussing the significance of Pentecost as the conclusion of Easter and as a moment of cultural and linguistic unity. Julie also touches upon the conflicts addressed in Galatians regarding Jewish law and Christian faith, and she reflects on Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit as an Advocate in John's Gospel.
3. Personal Reflections and Actions: Julie encourages listeners to engage with the readings through personal action: embracing diversity (Acts), practicing virtues like kindness and goodness (Galatians), and sharing personal faith experiences with others (John).

Biblical References:

• Acts 2:1-11: The descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the apostles speaking in tongues.
• Galatians 5:16-25: Paul's teaching on living by the Spirit and displaying its fruits, such as love, joy, peace, and self-control.
• John 15:26-27, 16:12-15: Jesus speaks about the coming of the Advocate (Holy Spirit) who will guide believers to all truth.

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Do you sometimes struggle to find deeper meaning and connection in the Scripture readings for Sunday Mass?

Do the selected passages sometimes feel disconnected or leave you wondering how they relate to your life today?

This week your host Julie South walks you through the unifying themes that tie together the readings from Acts, 1 John, and the Gospel of John for the 7th Sunday of Easter.

Julie explains the typological connections between these three biblical passages, revealing how they emphasize the importance of unity, protection, and mission in the Christian faith. She does this in an easy to understand way.

From the apostles' trust in God's plan to replace Judas Iscariot to Jesus' high priestly prayer for his disciples' unity and protection, you'll gain profound insights into the early church's challenges and the timeless wisdom woven throughout these scriptures.

Julie provides historical context, prayerful reflections, and practical applications to help bring God's word to life in a way that deepens your relationship with Him.

Three Takeaways:

1. Learn to trust in God's divine plan, even when it's difficult, and seek His guidance through prayer.
2. Discover how to love one another as God loves us, seeing His presence in everyone.
3. Unlock the power of united prayer by joining in praying for unity and protection among all believers.

Don't miss this opportunity to prepare your heart for the upcoming Sunday Mass and experience the richness of the Easter season.

Share the gift of Your Catholic Corner with three friends or family members who could also benefit from Julie's insightful and faith-nurturing podcast. Simply direct them to YourCatholicCorner.com, where they can access this episode and follow the show for free.

Bible Passages:
Acts 1:15-17,20-26
1 John 4:11-16
John 17:11-19

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Why can’t my Protestant friend come to mass with me and take Communion just like I do...?

Julie South shines light on the Catholic Church's teachings and traditions surrounding Holy Communion, providing clarity on why only Catholics are permitted to receive the Eucharist during Mass.

Speaking with a professional yet engaging tone, she methodically unpacks the core Catholic beliefs that form the foundation of this sacred ritual.

Julie begins by emphasising that while non-Catholics are welcome to attend Mass, there is a distinct reason why they cannot partake in Holy Communion.

She explains that for Catholics, the Eucharist is not merely a symbolic representation but rather the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ made present through transubstantiation during the consecration by the priest.

Drawing from biblical passages in the Gospels of John, Mark, and Luke, as well as the writings of Paul, Julie reinforces the Catholic belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. She contrasts this with the views held by other Christian denominations, which regard the bread and wine as symbols or spiritual representations.

Julie then outlines three key reasons why only Catholics receive Holy Communion:

1. The Eucharist is seen as the ultimate way to be united with the Real Presence of Christ, and only those who fully believe in this teaching are considered prepared to receive it.
2. Holy Communion represents the unity and oneness of the Catholic faith, and since non-Catholics are not fully united with the Church's beliefs, they are typically not allowed to receive it.
3. Catholics undergo specific preparations, such as confession and reconciliation, to be properly disposed to receive the body and blood of Christ, which they believe they are truly partaking of.

Throughout the episode, Julie emphasises that these reasons stem from a place of reverence and respect for the sacred meaning of Holy Communion within Catholic teaching, rather than exclusion or judgment of others.

She highlights the Church's acknowledgment of different Christian traditions while upholding its own beliefs and practices surrounding the Eucharist.

Biblical Passages in support of the Real Presence of Christ:
John 6: 51-58
Mark 14: 22-24
Luke 22: 19-20
1 Corinthians 11: 23-26

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Have you ever wondered why Catholics strike their chest at Mass?

In this eye-opening episode, we look into the ancient Biblical roots and deep spiritual meaning behind the gesture of striking the chest during the Catholic Mass.

What seems like a simple motion is actually a powerful act of contrition directly linked to biblical practices and teachings from early Church theologians like St. Augustine and St. Jerome.

You'll discover:

• The specific moments when striking the chest is prescribed in the Mass liturgy
• How this ritual connects to the story of the tax collector and Peter's denial of Christ
• Why the new Mass translation reintroduced the triple chest strike
• St. Augustine's interpretation of the gesture as bringing "hidden sins to light"
• How this practice spoken of in the Psalms is an "act of humiliation" before God
• Insights from St. Jerome on using it to "dispel evil thoughts and purify the heart"

Whether a lifelong Catholic or just curious about the "why" behind sacred rituals, this fascinating look at the history and theology of the chest-striking tradition will enrich your understanding.

Join host Julie South as she unpacks this deeply meaningful act of humility, repentance, and desire for God's forgiveness that continues in Catholic worship to this day.

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