For last week's special Thanksgiving episode, Marcus Grodi shared a portion of a sermon he gave as part of a Thanksgiving service back when he was a Presbyterian pastor in 1985. That message focused on Philippians 4:4-7, in which St. Paul calls us to present our requests to God with gratitude already in our hearts. Marcus follows up this week by focusing on the verses that immediately follow that passage. In Philippians 4:8-9, St. Paul gives us a template of how to guard our hearts and mind from the world, the flesh and the devil, which bombard us with temptations of every kind. Rather than fall to those temptations, Paul offers us this challenge:   "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you."   For more episodes of Deep in Scripture, visit www.deepinscripture.com

In a special Thanksgiving edition of Deep in Scripture, Marcus Grodi shares audio from a sermon he preached on the Sunday before Thanksgiving in 1985, when he was still a Presbyterian pastor in central Ohio. The text for that sermon came from Philippians 4:6, where St. Paul exhorts his readers to "have no anxiety about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." In 1985, as a Presbyterian pastor, Marcus preached on the need to present our prayers with thanksgiving, because we know that God is trustworthy. On this episode, Marcus reflects on that same passage with the benefit of 35 years of hindsight, to share how his understanding of this passage from St. Paul has deepened over time.

Marcus and JonMarc Grodi wrap up their study of St. Cyprian of Carthage's treatise on the Lord's Prayer, specifically looking at the implications of what it means to ask for God's will to be done in our lives. The last points that St. Cyprian makes in this passage have to do with following God's will, even under the threat of persecution. God calls us to faithfulness despite our circumstances, which St. Cyprian had the courage to follow all the way to his martyrdom by beheading in 258AD.

Marcus and JonMarc Grodi continue their series looking at St. Cyprian of Carthage's treatise on the Lord's Prayer, specifically focusing on St. Cyprian's thoughts regarding the will of God. St. Cyprian tells us to "prefer nothing whatever to Christ, because He did not prefer anything to us." Jesus held nothing back in His incarnation, passion, death, and resurrection; our call as Christians is to give everything of ourselves back to Him in return.

Marcus and JonMarc Grodi continue their study of St. Cyprian of Carthage's treatise on the Lord's Prayer by diving even deeper into what it means to ask for God's will to be done in our lives. What exactly does the fear of the Lord mean, properly understood? What are its implications in regard to our humility, our wonder, our worship, and our obedience? If, as Proverbs 9:10 tells us, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," then how do we enter into that mystery?

As Marcus and JonMarc Grodi continue their study of St. Cyprian of Carthage's remarks on the Lord's Prayer, they look at what he has to say about love of God and neighbor. St. Cyprian speaks of the need "to love God with all one's heart; to love Him in that He is a Father; (and) to fear Him in that He is God," but what is that supposed to look like in our everyday lives? Marcus and JonMarc explore what St. Cyprian says about this challenging aspect of what it means to live in God's will.

Marcus and JonMarc Grodi continue their series on St. Cyprian of Carthage's treatise on the Lord's Prayer by looking at one of the most difficult aspects of what it means to pray the seemingly simple phrase, "thy will be done." It can be manageable to live that principle when it comes to obeying directives from God, or changing negative behaviors; but what are we supposed to do when it comes to applying that principle to accepting the harm that others intend for us? Are we supposed to be doormats, or should we demand justice? Where is the balance? In this episode, Marcus and JonMarc explore the mystery of suffering, humility and the Will of God, and look at how submission to God's will means not that we're called to solve a problem, but rather enter into a mystery.

As Marcus and JonMarc make their way through St. Cyprian of Carthage's treatise on the Lord's Prayer, they look at what he has to say about the importance of maintaining control over our bodily passions.As human beings, what we do with our bodies has implications for our souls. St. Cyprian reminds us that our bodies express the disposition of our souls when it comes to lust, gluttony and sloth, but also in regard to faith, hope and charity.

Marcus and JonMarc Grodi continue their study of St. Cyprian of Carthage’s treatise on the Lord’s Prayer, this time around focusing on what St. Cyprian has to say about the relationship between justice and mercy. To focus on justice to the exclusion of mercy leads to legalism; to focus on mercy to the exclusion of justice leads to license. St. Cyprian reminds us that in order to balance these goods, we must seek to do the will of God, who is both infinitely just, and infinitely merciful.

Marcus and JonMarc Grodi continue their study of St. Cyprian of Carthage’s treatise on the Lord’s Prayer, they look at the way St. Cyprian talks about moderation and self control in the spiritual life. What is the relationship between our will and our passions? How do we avoid the complacency that leads us to let our guard down in regard to sin? How do we tame the tongue? Marcus and JonMarc dig into what St. Cyprian has to say about employing the virtue of prudence in our walk as Christians.

In this episode of Deep in Scripture, Marcus and JonMarc Grodi continue to look at St. Cyprian of Carthage's treatise on the Lord's Prayer. This time around, they look at the way that the "Our Father" calls us to have the humility to conform our will to the will of God, and Marcus specifically discusses how he understands this concept differently now as a Catholic than he did in his years as a Presbyterian pastor.

Taking a slightly different approach to Scripture study, Marcus and JonMarc Grodi look at the Lord's Prayer through the eyes of St. Cyprian of Carthage, a 3rd century bishop and martyr. Focusing specifically on the phrase "Thy will be done," Marcus and JonMarc unpack St. Cyprian's wisdom when it comes to understanding how to live in the will of God. ***** From a treatise on the Lord’s Prayer by Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyr (Office of Readings, Twelfth week of Ordinary Time, Wednesday) After this we add: Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven; we pray not that God should do his will, but that we may carry out his will. How could anyone prevent the Lord from doing what he wills? But in our prayer we ask that God’s will be done in us, because the devil throws up obstacles to prevent our mind and our conduct from obeying God in all things. So if his will is to be done in us we have need of his will, that is, his help and protection.  No one can be strong by his own strength or secure save by God’s mercy and forgiveness. Even the Lord, to show the weakness of the human nature which he bore, said: “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me,” and then, by way of giving example to his disciples that they should do God’s will and not their own, he added: “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” All Christ did, all he taught, was the will of God.  • Humility in our daily lives,  • an unwavering faith,  • a moral sense of modesty in conversion,  • justice in acts,  • mercy in deed,  • discipline,  • refusal to harm others,  • a readiness to suffer harm,  • peaceableness with our brothers,  • a wholehearted love of the Lord,  • loving in him what is of the Father,  • fearing him because he is God,  • preferring nothing to him who preferred nothing to us,  • clinging tenaciously to his love,  • standing by his cross with loyalty and courage whenever there is any conflict involving his honor and his name,  • manifesting in our speech the constancy of our profession  • and under torture confidence for the fight,  • and in dying the endurance for which we will be crowned This is what it means to wish to be a coheir with Christ, to keep God’s command; this is what it means to do the will of the Father.

As our nation and world continue to be faced with disease, injustice, and unrest, Marcus and JonMarc Grodi look at some passages from Scripture that model for us what it means to trust Christ in the midst of difficulty. St. Paul in particular speaks strongly to what it means to prefer union with Christ even more than our mortal lives. And it is Our Lord himself who tells us that the treasure of heaven is greater than any good we could ever receive in this life. Marcus and JonMarc discuss how a relationship with Christ helps put fear, pain, and even death into perspective. ***** "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better." Philippians 1:21-23 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21

In many parts of the country, people are beginning to return to Mass, but some regions remain under restrictions put in place due to COVID-19. Looking at the Last Supper discourses from Jesus in John 14 and 15, Marcus and JonMarc Grodi discuss how Catholics can remain in Christ while they wait to return to regular participation in the sacraments. We must avoid the extreme that says we cannot know Christ unless we receive the sacraments, but also the error that says we don't need the sacraments to know Christ. While we wait to receive Jesus in the most perfect sacrifice of the Eucharist, we still have an opportunity to meet Him in prayer, in creation, and in our brothers and sisters. ***** "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." John 15:5-11

In this "Memorable Verses" take on Deep in Scripture, Marcus and JonMarc Grodi take a Biblical approach to some of the difficulties that many of us are facing as we all continue to navigate the problems raised by COVID-19. Marcus and JonMarc look at passages from St. Paul, St. James, St. Jude and the Psalms for advice about how to live as faithful witnesses in times of crisis.

In a special episode of Deep in Scripture, Marcus Grodi shares some verses from the Bible to help us put the COVID-19 crisis in perspective. Marcus looks at what St. Paul, St. James and others had to say about steadfastness in times of persecution, and also reflects on how this time of quarantine has affected the way we approach our work with people who are interested in the Catholic Church.

As we continue to deal with the challenges that have come about due to COVID-19 and its effects, Marcus Grodi and Jim Anderson look at some passages that show forth God's providence and peace in the midst of uncertainty. Looking at Paul's hopeful remarks in chapter 8 of his Epistle to the Romans, as well as Matthew's account of Jesus calming a storm at sea, Marcus and Jim share how Scripture has been a source of strength for them in these uncertain times. "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28 "And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, 'Save, Lord; we are perishing.' And he said to them, 'Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?' Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, 'What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?'" Matthew 8:23-27

Marcus Grodi and Ken Hensley conclude their study of the Epistle of St. James by giving a larger look at the perspective on trials and priorities that we hear about in this rich letter from the New Testament. After recalling the opening verses of James, which focus on perseverance in the face of testing, Marcus and Ken look at the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic provides a fresh opportunity to revisit how James reminds us of what's truly important in the sight of God, and why the call to holiness remains, no matter what circumstances the Church may face at any point in history.

Marcus Grodi and Ken Hensley continue their series on the Epistle of St. James from their perspective as former Protestant pastors. They look specifically at James 1:5-8, and what it means to ask for wisdom from God. Why is it that so many pastors, of varying denominations, ask for such wisdom, but come up with so many varying conclusions as to how to interpret the Scriptures? Marcus and Ken share their experience, and why they eventually came to the conclusion that there was an authoritative and apostolic interpretation of the Scriptures.

The Epistle of St. James begins with a puzzling statement: "Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." What are we to make of the idea that we should be happy in the midst of trials? Marcus Grodi and Ken Hensley look at the historical context and the audience to which St. James was writing, and try to get to the heart of what is being said in this complex and mysterious New Testament epistle.