Second Sunday of Advent – Sunday, Sunday, Sunday with Mark Hart

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The Sunday, Sunday, Sunday Podcast is a reflection on the upcoming Sunday Mass readings presented by LifeTeen.com and hosted by Mark Hart.

Sunday Readings from the USCCB

Reading 1 Is 40:1-5, 9-11

Responsorial Psalm ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

Reading 2 2 pt 3:8-14

Gospel Mk 1:1-8

The 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 desert
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
People of the whole Judean countryside
and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.
John was clothed in camel’s hair,
with a leather belt around his waist.
He fed on locusts and wild honey.
And this is what he proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;

STSG1 – An Overview of the Synoptic Gospels Part 1 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts

Episode 1 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – The Synoptic Gospels: An Overview Part 1

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Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your every day life.

Episode 1 –

From the beginning of time, God planned to send his son, Jesus, to be the savior of the world. The story of Jesus is the story of the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke.

In this 2 part overview lecture, Sharon gives a dynamic teaching that outlines God’s plan of salvation, beginning with the fall in the Garden of Eden and culminating with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

But just hearing the story is not enough.

As Sharon tells us, the Church exists to evangelize and we are called to spread the Gospel message to a culture in desperate need of a savior.

“Seeking Truth” is an in depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to:www.seekingtruth.net

STSG2 – An Overview of the Synoptic Gospels Part 2 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran

Episode 2 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – The Synoptic Gospels: An Overview Part 2

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Episode 2 –

From the beginning of time, God planned to send his son, Jesus, to be the savior of the world. The story of Jesus is the story of the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke.

But just hearing the story is not enough.

As Sharon tells us, the Church exists to evangelize and we are called to spread the Gospel message to a culture in desperate need of a savior.

STSG3 – Preparation for the Coming of the Messiah (PART 1) – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran

Episode 3 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Preparation for the Coming of the Messiah (PART 1)

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Episode 3 –

This 2 part lecture is a “must listen to” as Sharon gives us the Biblical basis for the perpetual … (more info)virginity of Mary as well as for her Immaculate Conception. Drawing from both Old and New Testament scripture, Sharon shows us how Mary was filled with grace from the moment of her conception and remained sinless throughout her entire life.

We also learn that through the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary becomes Theotokos, God-Bearer, and is the Ark of the New Covenant. Like the Ark of the Old Covenant, Mary is not meant to be touched, and she remains perpetually virgin.

John-the-Baptist-1

But wait! There’s more! Sharon also reveals to us the amazing fulfillment of Old Testament Messianic Prophecies through the birth of John the Baptist.

You won’t want to miss this foundational lecture.

STSG4 – Preparation for the Coming of the Messiah (PART 2) – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran

Episode 4- Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Preparation for the Coming of the Messiah (PART 2)

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Episode 4 –

But wait! There’s more! Sharon also reveals to us the amazing fulfillment of Old Testament Messianic Prophecies through the birth of John the Baptist.

You won’t want to miss this foundational lecture.

STSG5 – The Birth of Jesus (PART 1) – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran

Episode 5- Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – The Birth of Jesus (PART 1)

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Episode 5 –

The story of Israel is the story of Jesus. On this 2 part lecture, Sharon weaves a beautiful tapestry of the history of the nation of Israel.

The fabric of this history is revealed in the genealogy of Jesus, a family tree ripe with great leaders and scandalous sinners.

This story is a stream that flows through the times of the patriarchs, the wandering in the desert, the era of the Judges, the reign of David and Solomon, the division of the Hebrew kingdom and the exile into Babylon.

This story is punctuated with the voices of the prophets who announce with astonishing accuracy the coming of Messiah.

This story is culminated in the most unlikely of places: the virginal womb of a young Jewish woman.

STSG6 – The Birth of Jesus (PART 2) – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran

Episode 6- Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – The Birth of Jesus (PART 2)

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Episode 6 –

The story of Israel is the story of Jesus. On this 2 part lecture, Sharon weaves a beautiful tapestry of the history of the nation of Israel. The fabric of this history is revealed in the genealogy of Jesus, a family tree ripe with great leaders and scandalous sinners. This story is a stream that flows through the times of the patriarchs, the wandering in the desert, the era of the Judges, the reign of David and Solomon, the division of the Hebrew kingdom and the exile into Babylon. This story is punctuated with the voices of the prophets who announce with astonishing accuracy the coming of Messiah. This story is culminated in the most unlikely of places: the virginal womb of a young Jewish woman.

STSG7 – The Baptism of Jesus (PART 1) – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran

Episode 7- Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – The Baptism of Jesus (PART 1)

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Episode 7 –

Sharon introduces teachings of several Church Fathers.
Of special interest is the Apostolic Father, St. Ignatius of Antioch and his letter to the Ephesians.

Ignatius teaches about three mysteries that must be kept secret from Satan until after the resurrection: Mary’s virginity, the virgin birth and the crucifixion of Jesus.
Drawing from later writings of Sts. Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, and Gregory, Sharon reveals to us some biblical foundations for Ignatius’ teachings as found in both Old and New Testaments.
The Holy Family’s Persona helps to hide Mary’s virginity and the virgin birth from worldly eyes and namely the “prince of the world”, so these secrets could remain hidden as Jesus grew up in Nazareth.
The hidden years come to an end when John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River and Jesus voluntarily submits to the Father’s mission for Him.
The Father is well pleased with His beloved, obedient Son.
The scene ends with the Trinitarian theophany and Jesus is led by the Spirit out into the desert to be tempted by Satan himself.

STSG8 – The Baptism of Jesus (PART 8) – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran

Episode 8- Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – The Baptism of Jesus (PART 2)

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Episode 8 –

Sharon introduces teachings of several Church Fathers.
Of special interest is the Apostolic Father, St. Ignatius of Antioch and his letter to the Ephesians.

Ignatius teaches about three mysteries that must be kept secret from Satan until after the resurrection: Mary’s virginity, the virgin birth and the crucifixion of Jesus.

Drawing from later writings of Sts. Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, and Gregory, Sharon reveals to us some biblical foundations for Ignatius’ teachings as found in both Old and New Testaments.

The Holy Family’s Persona helps to hide Mary’s virginity and the virgin birth from worldly eyes and namely the “prince of the world”, so these secrets could remain hidden as Jesus grew up in Nazareth.

The hidden years come to an end when John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River and Jesus voluntarily submits to the Father’s mission for Him.

The Father is well pleased with His beloved, obedient Son.

The scene ends with the Trinitarian theophany and Jesus is led by the Spirit out into the desert to be tempted by Satan himself.

For more in this series visit the Discerning Hearts “Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran” page

STSG9 – Desert Temptation of Jesus (PART 1) – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran

Episode 9- Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – The Temptation of Jesus (PART 1)

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Episode 9 –

Temptation of Jesus
Matthew 4, Mark 1 and Luke 4 (part 1)

Temptation…. Who can resist it? Led by the Holy Spirit, Jesus goes out to the desert tobattle Satan, the father of lies. Drawing from the Hebrew Scriptures, Sharon shows how this pivotal event in the ministry of Jesus is connected with so many Old Testament figures: Adam, Elijah, Elisha and King David. In addition, Sharon teaches us that the temptations before Jesus are no different than the ones Adam faced, no different than the ones we face. But armed with the Word of God, Jesus triumphs over the Evil One and the angels are sent to minister to Him.