Throughout our lives we experience special events in which we feel God’s presence – those extraordinary events that we would call sacred. But those significant events of life are rare in the big scheme of things. Most of our lives are spent on ordinary, mundane activities. Things like cleaning, cooking, shopping, caring for loved ones, working, waiting in line, etc. So, I ask - aren’t the ordinary moments of our lives also sacred moments? Don’t we encounter Christ in every moment - in every activity regardless of how insignificant or mundane it may seem? These familiar, everyday activities surely aren’t special events – but, I believe, they can be sacred events, nonetheless. That is what I reflect on in this Faith Talk - experiencing the sacred in the ordinary. I hope it is helpful for you!

Faith Talk with Anita You Tube videos: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@FaithTalkWithAnita/videos

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Other Sources Cited: A Living Prayer performed by Allison Krauss. Written by Ron Block.

Shirt of Flame, a Year with Saint Therese of Lisieux by Heather King. Paraclete Press, Massachusetts, 2011.

This Faith Talk is my reflection on a presentation Bishop Robert Barron gave about Origen of Alexandria (185 A.D. – 252 A.D.) and how he interpreted the Bible. Bishop Barron refers to Origen as “a man of the Bible.” In short, Origen believed that Christians should read the entire Bible Christologically – through the lens of Christ. And I agree. Clearly the Bible is the foundation of our Christian faith, but biblical interpretation can be a kind of free-for-all in our world today, so I thought this topic might be valuable and interesting for you.

Faith Talk with Anita You Tube videos: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@FaithTalkWithAnita/videos

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faith_talk_with_anita/

Scripture Cited: Genesis 1:1-31, John 1:1-14, Matthew 14:22-33 Other Sources Cited: Bishop Robert Barron, Word on Fire Institute. Origen of Alexandria and Christological Exegesis. Wordonfire.org.

This Faith Talk is intended to be a personal faith reflection. The story of God’s call of the Prophet Samuel offers us three simple, yet significant faith lessons that I will focus on: First is the importance of the support he received from his family and his community. Second is the fact that he intentionally placed himself in God’s presence. And lastly, is his persistence in faith. I hope this personal faith reflection is helpful for you.

Faith Talk with Anita You Tube videos: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@FaithTalkWithAnita/videos

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faith_talk_with_anita/

Scripture Cited: 1 Samuel 3:7-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Matthew 11:28

Other Sources Cited:

Faith Talk with Anita: Speak, Lord, for your Servant is Listening:

You Tube video episode 109 https://youtu.be/QacexgrECzg

Spotify podcast episode 64 https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/bwHkLtgJrLb