So, the coat of arms in my archdiocese is epic. It shows a phoenix, which is a symbol of resurrection. And on the chest of the phoenix is the IHS, which is the holy name of Jesus. And so, in the first reading for this Sunday, Saint Peter, our first pope, heals a man by the holy name of Jesus. He can heal because of his name because Jesus’ name is mighty. In the Old Testament, God’s name was a symbol of his power and his presence.
And so every time we say the name of Jesus, we are reminded that it is powerful and that he is present to us. Often, we don’t know how to pray, and all we have to do, from the depths of our hearts, is say his name, Jesus. So the next time it’s really hard to pray from the depths of your heart, you can say, “Jesus.” That’s enough. This is Spirit Juice, peace.
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.
-
Living Encounter with Christ
Christianity is not just a thought, an idea, or another “ism” to study. It is a living encounter with a Person: Jesus Christ.
There are plenty of philosophies and systems that can change the way we think. But Christianity is different. It doesn’t just change our minds, it changes us.
Because at the heart of our faith is not an abstract concept, but the living Body of Christ. Christianity is alive because Jesus is alive, and He invites us not just to believe something, but to become someone new in Him.
-
Ascension Day
Have you ever been away from home for a long time? And then you finally get back home, and suddenly, you walk into your house, and all of the fears, anxieties, and worries dissolve, and you feel safe. It’s amazing. And this Sunday, we celebrate the ascension, which is Jesus Christ going back home. The crazy thing is that this is not just for Jesus. This is for us. We one day will be…
-
Keep It Simple
A couple of weeks ago, a student approached me after mass and told me, “Hey, Father, you’re homily today. It has many overly complicated words. Next time, make it simpler.” And then they left, and then I cried myself to sleep. A lot of the time, we overcomplicate things. All we have to do is make things simple. This is precisely what the apostles do in the gospel for this Sunday. Jesus told the…
