Open Wide the Doors
”Be not afraid, open wide the doors for Christ.” Episodes include homilies, reflections, and lectures given by Fr. Daniel Belken, who is a priest of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau in Missouri, and has been ordained a priest since June 2020.
”Be not afraid, open wide the doors for Christ.” Episodes include homilies, reflections, and lectures given by Fr. Daniel Belken, who is a priest of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau in Missouri, and has been ordained a priest since June 2020.
Episodes

21 hours ago
February 15, 2026: Just Can't Wait to Be King
21 hours ago
21 hours ago
We all want to do what we want to do- but God has some much better ideas.

Sunday Feb 01, 2026
February 1, 2026: A Woodstove and Heaven
Sunday Feb 01, 2026
Sunday Feb 01, 2026
We love the feeling of comfort- but are we willing to take the effort to get it to last forever?

Sunday Jan 25, 2026
January 25, 2026: Authentic Freedom
Sunday Jan 25, 2026
Sunday Jan 25, 2026
We are often told freedom is doing whatever we want, whenever we want. Being a disciple seems different... is it?

Sunday Jan 18, 2026
January 18, 2026: Your Testimony is Important
Sunday Jan 18, 2026
Sunday Jan 18, 2026
John the Baptist gives testimony, and you have a story to share also.

Sunday Jan 11, 2026
January 11, 2026: Deferred Maintenance
Sunday Jan 11, 2026
Sunday Jan 11, 2026
The sacraments might be a little more important than we thought!

Sunday Jan 04, 2026
January 4, 2026: A Star of Crisis
Sunday Jan 04, 2026
Sunday Jan 04, 2026
A star indicates more than three Magi might have thought- a series of "crises" that challenge them and push them. Can they push us as well?

Thursday Jan 01, 2026
January 1, 2026: Calling Your Mother
Thursday Jan 01, 2026
Thursday Jan 01, 2026
We have more than one way to get to the Father- but have we recognized that this past year, and will we let her help us more this year?

Sunday Dec 28, 2025
December 28, 2025: An Exemplary Newsletter
Sunday Dec 28, 2025
Sunday Dec 28, 2025
We can often think of the Holy Family as an irrelevant or unattainable ideal. However, is there a better way to understand the way they may influence us towards living better family life?

Introduction
"Be not afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ." Those words were a part of Pope John Paul II's timeless first address after being named the Holy Father. Through my homilies, talks, and lectures, here presented, it is my hope to continue that same work that John Paul II dedicated himself to so many years ago.
As a priest, I seek to bring others closer to God as a humble instrument, and pray that I can, in some small way, continue to resonate that very same theme that John Paul II begun his papacy with.
Therefore, what he has said, I say to you: "Be not afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ!"



