St. Patrick's Catholic Church

05/09/2024

“To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark – that is faith.” – Charles Spurgeon

In the Gospel of Matthew, we find a powerful story that speaks to our hearts during challenging times. The disciples are in a boat, far from land, and facing a fierce storm. They are alone, afraid, and seemingly helpless against the forces of nature. Yet, in the midst of their fear and uncertainty, Jesus comes to them, walking on the water. His divine power is on display, but more importantly, it’s a testament to His abiding presence with His disciples, even in the midst of their storm.
Jesus doesn’t necessarily remove the storm, but He changes our perspective of it. When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, their fear turned into awe, and their despair transformed into hope. His presence reminds us that we are not alone, that we have a Savior who is with us, and who is greater than any storm we may face.
Peter, in his boldness, asks Jesus to call him out onto the water. He steps out of the boat and walks toward Jesus. But when he sees the wind and waves, fear creeps in, and he begins to sink. Jesus reaches out and saves him, saying, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Our faith is like that mustard seed – small yet powerful. It enables us to move mountains, even when the storms threaten to overwhelm us.
When they climbed back into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat worshiped Jesus, declaring, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Our storms may not instantly vanish, but His presence brings peace. We can find refuge in Him, knowing that He has power over both the elements of earth and the storms within our souls.
Remember that faith in Jesus overcomes the world. No matter what life throws at you, hold onto that faith. Like Peter, step out of the boat, fix your eyes on Christ, and trust that He will sustain you even in the fiercest storms. 🙏

05/03/2024

Kind of surreal to see this on Amazon Music

On Amazon Music

04/16/2024

The early Church Fathers, through their writings and teachings, have provided us with profound insights into the mystery of suffering and its role in our salvation. They viewed suffering not as a punishment, but as a means of drawing closer to God and participating in His divine plan.

St. Ignatius of Antioch, one of the Apostolic Fathers, wrote in his letter to the Ephesians that Jesus is both God and Man, eternal God and born of Mary, and therefore is without suffering and has suffered. This paradox of a suffering God is a central theme in Christian theology. It shows that God is not distant or indifferent to human suffering, but intimately shares in it through the incarnation of Christ.

St. Irenaeus of Lyons, a second-century bishop and theologian, affirmed against the Gnosticism of his day: “God is therefore one, as I have shown, the Father and Jesus Christ is one, Our Lord, who traveled through the whole order of salvation and gathered all things in himself. Man, too, one of God’s creatures belongs to this “all things”; thus he has also gathered all human beings in himself, and to do so the Invisible One became capable of suffering, and the Logos became man. He gathered all things in himself”.

This idea of suffering leading to salvation is echoed in the writings of St. Paul. He wrote in his letter to the Romans: “We know that in everything [suffering] God works for good with those who love him who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). He also wrote: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).

In order for our suffering to lead to salvation, it must be redemptive. Redemptive suffering, that which leads us to salvation, is connected to the discernment of God’s will. By doing God’s will obediently, even through suffering and following in the image of Christ, we are redeemed. In this way, we unite our suffering to Christ’s suffering.

The early Church Fathers teach us that suffering is not meaningless or purposeless. Instead, it is a path to deeper union with God, a means of participating in His redemptive work, and ultimately a way to share in His glory. As Christians, we are called to embrace our crosses, knowing that through them we are drawn closer to our salvation.

This understanding of suffering and its role in our salvation is not only a theological concept, but also a practical guide for living a Christian life. It encourages us to see our sufferings not as obstacles to our faith, but as opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper communion with God. It reminds us that our ultimate goal is not to avoid suffering, but to find God in it and through it.

The early Church Fathers’ teachings on suffering also provide us with a model of how to respond to suffering. They did not deny or ignore the reality of suffering, but faced it with courage and faith. They saw in suffering an opportunity to participate in Christ’s redemptive work, and to share in His glory.

In our own lives, we can apply these teachings by embracing our sufferings, offering them up to God, and seeking His will in them. We can find comfort in the knowledge that our sufferings are not in vain, but are part of God’s plan for our salvation. And we can look forward to the glory that will be revealed in us when we share in Christ’s resurrection.

So, let us take heart from the wisdom of the early Church Fathers, and see in our sufferings not a cause for despair, but a path to glory. Let us remember that in our sufferings, we are united with Christ, and that through our sufferings, we are being shaped into His image. And let us look forward with hope to the day when our sufferings will be transformed into joy, and we will share in the glory of God. 😊

04/14/2024

It appears Israel is going to hit Iran hard and vice versa now. Day one of the hot war between the two has begun. I've spoken for two years that it was imminent and many did believe while a few outright called me an idiot. Time, as always, proves the truth despite the unrealistic hopes of normalcy normans. Everyone needs to get sundries and non perishable food and water supplies. As the cost of gas and food skyrockets due to increased costs of fuel and food shipping it will inevitably mean even higher prices. Have at least two weeks of food, water and gas tucked away. With what's coming now, we are entering a new world. It will ultimately come to the seven year tribulation or "Time of Jacob's Trouble." This time period is focused on Israel as a nation. I've also alerted folks to this as well.
So what happens in the near future? As wars continue to escalate globally, they will reach a crescendo and a cacophony around the world. One man will rise to make peace. A seemingly "good" man. But He will be the devil himself and confirm a 7 yr treaty with Israel and its surrounding nations. When he does, the final seven years begin.

12/13/2022

True spiritual peace is completely different from the superficial, ephemeral, fragile human peace. It is the deep, settled confidence that all is well between the soul and God because of His loving, sovereign control of one’s life both in time and eternity. That calm assurance is based on the knowledge that sins are forgiven, blessing is present, good is abundant even in trouble, and heaven is ahead. The peace that God gives His beloved children as their possession and privilege has nothing to do with the circumstances of life. ~John MacArthur

11/28/2022

11/28/2022

If your anger is due to your recognition that a holy God has been offended by another's behavior, that anger is righteous. In other words, if we are angry because God's revealed will (not His decreed will; for everything that happens has been foreordained by Him) is violated, our anger is righteous. On the other hand, if your anger is the result of not having your personal desires met, that anger is likely to be sinful.

11/17/2022

Joy in God is the happiest of all joys. There are other sweets, but this is the virgin honey dripping fresh from the comb. Joy in God is also a most elevating joy. Those who joy in wealth grow avaricious. Those who joy in their friends too often lose nobility of spirit. But he who boasts in God grows like God. It is a solid joy, and he who joys in God has good reasons for rejoicing. He has arguments which will justify His joy at any time. It is an abiding joy. In a word, it is celestial joy.

10/24/2022

https://youtu.be/mlPOA5K7sXU

This is the true story of a haunting in Washougal Washington This film documents Scott's real life encounters with a dark spirit and the capturing of said en...

10/20/2022

Today, let’s pray for the secret churches that meet around the world and the Christians who face persecution.
~ Pray that they may boldly proclaim the Gospel and remain faithful.
~ Pray that others in their community come to see the truth of who Jesus is and their need for Him.
~ Pray for hope and joy in the midst of hardships.
~ Pray for support, camaraderie, and resources so they can spread the Word of God to more and more people.