Author Archives: Mark Hart

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How to Read 1st & 2nd Thessalonians

By | April 30, 2012

The letters of St. Paul to the Thessalonians are very pastoral. The Apostle is writing to a group of recent converts who are experiencing great persecution. He offers his prayers, thoughts and paternal encouragement in their time of great trial and difficulty. He commends them for their growth faith, hope and love (1 Thessalonians 1:3; 3:6; 5:8), offers no big criticisms or reprimands, and urges them to remain steady in the Christian journey (1 Thessalonians 4:1; 5:11).As in all his epistles, Read more [...]

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How to Read 1st & 2nd Corinthians

By | April 29, 2012

The city of Corinth was a busy place. A lot of trading was done in the city, and it was known for its great economic prosperity and success. Attracting many people from all walks of life, Corinth was also known for its rampant sinfulness. It was kind of like the Las Vegas of its time. St. Paul himself had helped to start the Church in Corinth, but he was unable to remain in the city and oversee its spiritual growth (Acts 18:1-18). Unfortunately, a lot of scandalous behavior began to emerge within Read more [...]

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How to Read Galatians

By | April 29, 2012

Although not quite as long (or as complicated) as his epistle to the Romans, the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians is also focused on this primary question: Does one have to be circumcised in order to be a full Christian? Again, as he said in Romans, the answer is no. Circumcision is not necessary. It does not communicate grace. Baptism — not circumcision — communicates grace and enters us into God’s covenant family. St. Paul is writing to persuade Christians that the ceremonial laws Read more [...]

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How to Read Romans

By | April 29, 2012

The letter of St. Paul to the Romans is a very special epistle. It displays the apostle’s theological brilliance as well as his deep love and spirituality. It is St. Paul’s longest and most influential letter. St. Paul wrote the letter to introduce himself to the Christians who lived in the heavily populated city of Rome, and also to prepare them for his upcoming visit. The apostle had heard reports of trouble amidst the various Christian converts in the area. Through the ministry of the Read more [...]

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Beyond Words: 04/29/12

By | April 27, 2012

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Sunday, Sunday, Sunday: 04/29/12

By | April 23, 2012

The readings this Sunday are about how Jesus is the good shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. Jesus makes a voluntary sacrifice for us; He wasn’t forced to give up His life for our souls. Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter: Acts 4:8-12; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29; 1 Jn 3:1-2; Jn 10:11-18 Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

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Beyond Words: 04/22/12

By | April 20, 2012

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Sunday, Sunday, Sunday: 04/22/12

By | April 16, 2012

What does Karate Kid teach us about God? Find out in this podcast as well as how our past, present, and future all matter to God. Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Ps 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9; 1 Jn 2:1-5a; Lk 24:35-48 Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

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Beyond Words 04/15/12

By | April 13, 2012

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Finding Christ in a Secular Easter

By | April 9, 2012

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I recently heard someone ranting about how commercialized Easter has become and how there is “no trace of Christ” left in His holiday. I understood the person’s concerns and agreed, in part, with their assertions. The more I got to thinking about it, though, I felt like their thoughts, while valid, were a little bit short–sighted.

Christ is everywhere. His death and resurrection are everywhere. We just need to know where to look and how to uncover them.

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Love Hurts

By | April 6, 2012

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Try to picture it now. When the earthquake subsided and the darkness lifted that Friday afternoon, it must have resembled something like a crime scene. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your mind and heart now as you discern the site.

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LifeTeen.com Podcast

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday: Triduum 2012

By | April 5, 2012

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This week’s Sunday, Sunday, Sunday podcast is a special edition with Mark Hart and Lino Rulli, the host of the “Catholic Guy Show” on Sirius/XM Satellite radio. Listen as Mark and Lino talk for an hour and half about the entire Triduum, the three days of Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection. Read more [...]

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Sunday, Sunday, Sunday: 04/01/2012 – Palm Sunday

By | March 28, 2012

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord: Mk 11:1-10; Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1-15:471 Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

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Thou Shalt NOT Have Fun

By | March 27, 2012

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My image of God the Father, enthroned in heaven in flowing white robes and Birkenstock sandals, was overshadowed by my certainty that he didn’t want me to have any fun. Not only was God all about rules, he’d drop anybody that strayed off his path. Parochial school should have taught me how to live but instead I learned how not to die and burn. The result was that I treated Moses’ Commandments with the same reverence I reserved for one of Letterman’s “Top Ten” lists.

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Beyond Words: 3/23/12

By | March 23, 2012

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Close Your Eyes: Porn and The Sixth Commandment

By | March 20, 2012

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I was once told that the easiest way to remember commandment number “six” is that it sounds like “sex.” At the time I thought it was just another lame example from my youth minister.

The funny thing is – I still remember it.

What wasn’t funny, however, is that at the time I somehow thought the “don’t commit adultery” commandment had little to do with me, an unmarried sixteen year old. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The truth is that this commandment isn’t only for married people. It’s violated by all ages – including teenagers – almost daily.

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St. Joseph: The Ultimate Dad

By | March 19, 2012

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In St. Joseph, then, we’re given a glimpse into the heart of God the Father. It would be completely illogical to think, after all the trouble of the incarnation, that he would fail to choose a man who reflected his divine image of paternal love with the highest possible measure of human faithfulness.

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Sunday, Sunday, Sunday: 03/25/12

By | March 19, 2012

This Sunday’s readings reveal to us the beauty of the New Covenant that Jesus made with us on the cross. We no longer only know Him from afar, but Jesus desires to dwell within us in the Eucharist. Fifth Sunday of Lent: Jer 31:31-34; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15; Heb 5:7-9; Jn 12:20-33 Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

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An Irish Blessing – A Story about Saint Patrick’s Day

By | March 16, 2012

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You never know who God is going to bring into your life. This past week I had an amazing experience of God while waiting for my dinner. “Iced tea, please.” I requested with a genuine tone. “You guys goin’ to get ripped on Friday?” the waiter asked me (and my friends). “I’m sorry?” I asked a little confused and more than a little intrigued. “You know, are you guys gonna get lit up to celebrate Saint Patrick’s day this Friday?” he asked again, (obviously assuming that Read more [...]

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Beyond Words: 03/16/12

By | March 16, 2012

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