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 Dec 08, 2025
Monday Dec 08, 2025
When we celebrate the Immaculate Conception, there is more to this celebration than meets the eye. Can it encourage us to change ourselves?
Sunday Dec 07, 2025
Sunday Dec 07, 2025
John the Baptist seems to be such a Lenten character- and yet, here he is in Advent, challenging us to repentance and conversion. Perhaps there is more work to be done for Christmas after all!
Sunday Nov 30, 2025
Sunday Nov 30, 2025
Life has a way of making one drowsy. Enter Advent- and we receive encouragement to start again!
Monday Nov 24, 2025
Monday Nov 24, 2025
What can this celebration of our Lord, Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, teach us in our situation today?
Monday Nov 17, 2025
Monday Nov 17, 2025
In the midst of the frightening themes of apocalyptic nature, what should we take forward with us as Jesus speaks in the Gospel?
Sunday Nov 09, 2025
Sunday Nov 09, 2025
There is only one life-giving stream- and it comes through the Church- especially when we need it. But are we satisfied with this life-giving stream of grace?
Sunday Nov 02, 2025
Sunday Nov 02, 2025
It's one of many topics that many will claim a different point of view on- but perhaps the thought of purgatory is more of a revelation of God's goodness, than added difficulty in attaining Heaven.
Sunday Oct 26, 2025
Sunday Oct 26, 2025
You cannot hide things in your spiritual journey, nor distract God from them. So, in hearing this Gospel- is it better to act like we have it all together- even if that means trying to hide, or being honest in our brokenness, and letting the Lord see the "real" us?
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!"