Free Republic

Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued an executive order Tuesday stating that churches are strongly discouraged from worshiping in-person. Weddings and funerals should also be “postponed or attended only by close family members.” Even though Lee states religious services are essential and not banned, he makes it clear that virtual church services are the best option. If a church does decide to hold in-person services, he has created a lengthy and exhaustive list of guidelines for them to follow. While Lee deems church services dangerous, “school sponsored sporting events and activities” are specifically permitted in the order and there is...

For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.(Joel 3:1-3)The prophet Joel saw the Last days as an international trial , with the...

“Walk . . . with patience” (Ephesians 4:1-2). Patient Christians endure negative circumstances, cope with difficult people, and accept God’s plan for everything. In our instant, microwave, drive-through, “I want it now” culture, patience is hard to come by. We get upset if we have to wait too long in the supermarket line or get stuck behind the guy driving ten miles per hour under the speed limit. But today’s Scripture tells us that our lives need to be marked by patience. The Greek word translated “patience” literally means “long-tempered.” A patient person doesn’t have a short fuse or lose...

January 21 2021 Memorial of St. Patroclus St. Patrokli-Dom in Soest, GermanyBy Frank Vincentz - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4022349 Lectionary 314Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Red.Readings for the feriaReadings for the memorialThese are the readings for the feriaFirst readingHebrews 7:25-8:6 ©He has offered sacrifice once and for all by offering himselfThe power of Jesus to save is utterly certain, since he is living for ever to intercede for all who come to God through him. To suit us, the ideal high priest would have to be holy, innocent and uncontaminated, beyond the influence of sinners, and raised up above...

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ( Romans 8:28)Could there be some silver linings on this dark and cloudy day? As a Christian, I do believe there are, as long as we have the courage to see them and rejoice for them. Now That Biden has taken office… We can now let go of our faith in “civic Religion” once and for all, and return to our true religion, (Christianity). I don’t blame anyone for being happy when Trump was elected....

I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.(Joel 3:2-3)Joel the prophet predicted that in the last days God would bring all nations into judgment, listing the complete four count indictment against the nations. We discussed in our last article the first...

No one can number all of Christ’s tender mercies and the manifold blessings of his shed blood. But let’s focus on one victory in particular: the forgiveness of all past sins. “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin … If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7, 9). It is imperative that every follower of Jesus lay hold of this...

“Walk . . . with all . . . gentleness” (Ephesians 4:1-2). To become more gentle, begin by looking closely at your attitudes. We’ve determined that gentleness is essential for those who want to walk worthy. How can you tell if you’re gentle? I’ll give you some practical questions so you can evaluate yourself honestly. First of all, are you self-controlled? Do you rule your own spirit (Prov. 16:32), or does your temper often flare up? When someone accuses you of something, do you immediately defend yourself, or are you more inclined to consider whether there’s any truth in what’s...

January 20 2021 Daily Readings Memorial of St. Sebastian St. Sebastian's Church, Queens, New York, New YorkBy Antony-22 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79276350 Lectionary 313Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Green.First readingHebrews 7:1-3,15-17 ©You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek, for everYou remember that Melchizedek, king of Salem, a priest of God Most High, went to meet Abraham who was on his way back after defeating the kings, and blessed him; and also that it was to him that Abraham gave a tenth of all that he had. By the interpretation of his name, he is, first, ‘king...

January 18, 2021 Dear Reverend Clergy, Greetings and blessings to you and your families in the Name of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ! I pray that you and your holy communities have celebrated joyous and grace-filled feasts of our Lord's Nativity in the flesh, Circumcision on the eighth day, and Baptism in the Jordan. In all of these holy feasts, we witness the love, humility, and obedience of our Lord. He was born to the humble Virgin and laid in a manger to unite His divinity to our humanity. He submitted to circumcision in the flesh in accordance...

Republican congressional leaders to join pro-abortion Biden for pre-inauguration MassWASHINGTON, D.C., January 19, 2021 (LifeSiteNews) — Republican congressional minority leaders Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy will be joining incoming Democrat President Joe Biden and their Democrat counterparts Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi for a Catholic Mass, despite Biden’s (and Pelosi’s) longstanding rejection of key Catholic teachings. While McConnell and McCarthy are Baptists, Schumer is Jewish.All four leaders have accepted invitations to join Biden at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C., The Hill reports, ahead of Biden’s inauguration as the 46th President of the United States. Outgoing...

For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink. ( Joel 3:1-3)Joel saw the Day of the LORD, in it’s final manifestation,...

“Walk . . . with all . . . gentleness” (Ephesians 4:1-2). Jesus is the greatest example of gentleness: He became angry when God the Father was dishonored, but not when He, the Son, was. Jesus Christ is our supreme example of gentleness. Paul refers specifically to this in 2 Corinthians 10:1. Jesus Himself said, “I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matt. 11:29). Jesus showed righteous indignation when it was proper. When He found the Temple filled with people selling exorbitantly priced sacrificial animals, He drove them out, pouring out their money and overturning tables (Matt. 21:12). He told...

My friends, be afraid! Be very afraid! The D.C. Marxist Swampers and the ALL POWERFUL demonic godless media; much like the religious leaders of Jesus' day; have made a covenant with death and hell and have willingly deceived millions of Americans while seeking to eradicate and destroy a great American leader for their own lawless personal gain! These have chosen for themselves a sock puppet thug and lawless reprobate to lead them into the delusional lawless utopia! A man with zero scruples! A man with zero moral character! A man who puts self-interest above the American people! A man who...

January 19 2021 Memorial of St. Fillan of Scotland Lectionary 312Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Green.First readingHebrews 6:10-20 ©In this hope we have an anchor for our soulGod would not be so unjust as to forget all you have done, the love that you have for his name or the services you have done, and are still doing, for the saints. Our one desire is that every one of you should go on showing the same earnestness to the end, to the perfect fulfilment of our hopes, never growing careless, but imitating those who have the faith and the perseverance to...

Beloved, in light of the death of our American Republic and as the dawn of a new darkened America arises; may I greatly encourage all of us who know the Lord as our personal Savior to redeem the time now as Almighty God's ETERNAL ambassadors for the Gospel's sake! For indeed my beloved, our Lord is at hand and ALL His Kingdom promises ready to be fulfilled (Matt. 5:13-16; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Eph. 5:16-17; 1 Thess 5:1-5)! Beloved, fix your eyes, hearts, and minds with all joy on Jesus and on ALL His ETERNAL RIGHTEOUS promises for you in Him...

For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink. (Joel 3:1-3)The Prophet Joel ministered between 835-800 BC, seeing events lining up from his day...

“Walk . . . with all . . . gentleness” (Ephesians 4:1-2). Our anger must be under control and should occur only for the right reason. After the previous lesson, you might think that Christians must always be quiet and passive, never getting upset or angry about anything. Actually, believers do have the right to get angry, but only under certain conditions. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” So there is a certain kind of anger that isn’t sinful. It must be under control, and it...

January 18 2021 Memorial of St. Volusian of Tours (died 496 AD) Eglise de Saint Volusien, Foix, France Lectionary 311Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Green.First readingHebrews 5:1-10 ©Although he was Son, he learned to obey through sufferingEvery high priest has been taken out of mankind and is appointed to act for men in their relations with God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins; and so he can sympathise with those who are ignorant or uncertain because he too lives in the limitations of weakness. That is why he has to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the...

After the governor changes state restrictions into guidelines, Archbishop Sample increases capacity limits, continues to require masksLate last month Archbishop Alexander Sample changed directives for Mass attendance, increasing previous capacity limits while reaffirming other safety protocols. The changes came after Oregon Gov. Kate Brown indicated state directives for religious gatherings are no longer legal requirements but instead public health recommendations. Her office notified the Archdiocese of Portland of the changes, and the archbishop made his announcement just before Christmas. Archbishop Sample said Catholic parishes now may accommodate “as many people as possible in both church buildings and satellite locations, while...