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.
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Episodes
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Monday Nov 07, 2022
A mother and seven brothers. Saint Paul encouraging the Thessalonians. Jesus challenging the Sadducees. How are all of these selections supposed to point us to heaven?
Tuesday Nov 01, 2022
Tuesday Nov 01, 2022
The Church has canonized so many saints, yet what is the point of this solemnity? How does it impact us who are not yet saints?
Monday Oct 31, 2022
Monday Oct 31, 2022
We've heard the story of Zacchaeus since we were little. Is there a way, though, that we might be able to identify with him? What is God trying to teach us?
Monday Oct 24, 2022
Monday Oct 24, 2022
Jesus begins a rather harsh inditement of those who are convinced they are righteous, or that they have everything together. Should we be a people who "have it all together" or come to God, even in our poverty?
Monday Oct 17, 2022
Monday Oct 17, 2022
Moses persists in battle as the day draws on. The widow prevails on the judge who seemed unaware at best. What do we do when God seems quiet, or when faith isn't easy?
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Naaman receives healing at the instruction of Elisha; ten lepers receive healing at the hands of Jesus. What does that mean for us in a modern world today? Do we really need to be healed?
Monday Oct 03, 2022
Monday Oct 03, 2022
The apostles approach Jesus with a simple petition: "Increase our faith." How do we make this petition our own prayer when we look at our journey of faith? What does it take to increase our faith?
Monday Sep 26, 2022
Monday Sep 26, 2022
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is one we have certainly heard before, but do we consider the warning that it gives us and the encouragement it affords us towards eternal 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!"