So, the word “obey” has developed a negative connotation. When we are called to obey someone, it’s cringe. But “obey” comes from a Latin word which means to listen to. For example, when we obey the Lord, we listen to Him and what the heart of Jesus desires. In the gospel for this Sunday, Jesus asks the leper to obey. He says, “Do not tell anyone about this.” And what does the leper do? He disobeys. And so the result is that Jesus is pushed out of the town and has to be in a deserted place. That’s exactly what happens when we do not listen to the Lord. We push Him away into a deserted place. So when we obey, we listen to the Lord and bring Him close. He is the source of our joy. He’s the source of our freedom. Disobedience ostracizes. Obedience unites.
Reel Homilies with Father Tim Anastos is free to watch, but it’s not free to produce! Generous donors make it possible for us to continue creating this content. If you enjoy Reel Homilies, please consider making a monthly tax-deductible gift. Spirit Juice Entertainment Group (SJEG) is the non-profit arm of Spirit Juice Studios. It is a 501(c)3 organization that relies on your support to continue creating original, authentically Catholic content that reaches thousands of people each week through our website and social media channels.
Start a new monthly donation and receive an array of Reel Homilies and Spirit Juice swag in gratitude for your generosity. For more information, please visit our Reel Homilies Support page.
To qualify, you must donate a minimum of $10 per month. All gifts in between will be rounded down to the nearest package amount. Please allow 6-8 weeks for your package to be shipped. Questions? Contact us at [email protected]. Your donation is tax-deductible within the United States, and we will provide a tax receipt for your records.
-
Best New Year’s Resolution
As a new year begins, many of our resolutions focus on good things, like financial stability, relationships, personal strength. But none of those goals are eternal. They won’t be measured in heaven. What is eternal is our relationship with Jesus, the virtue we grow in, and the way we love. On the Feast of the Epiphany, the Magi, the shepherds, Mary, and Joseph all share one single focus: Jesus Himself. So set your goals for 2026, but don’t forget the most important resolution of all. One word. One focus. Jesus.
-
Blessed Epiphany
So a new “Hunger Games” movie, “Ballad of Songbird and Snakes,” just came out, and this is not a spoiler. However, the two main characters, Coriolanus Snow and Lucy Gray, have an excellent relationship. Lucy Gray, everything about her, inspires Coriolanus Snow to be good and to be more virtuous. She is the light. She is the hope for Coriolanus Snow. Today, we celebrate the blessed Epiphany of the Lord…
-
Protect Your King
I am awful at chess. Like, bad. But the other thing is I try to protect all of the chess pieces on the board, which means I don’t honestly try to protect my king. This is the only thing that you need to win the game. And if you don’t have the king, you lose. Jesus Christ is trying to get this across in the gospel today. You have everything if you have Jesus and nothing else in your life. But if you don’t have Jesus, if you don’t have the king…
