The Angel of the Lord & St. Clement - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #15

 

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Episode #15

For the past several weeks we have been exploring the Unseen Realm and studying the various Angels that inhabit it.  It has been an odd, strange and mysterious journey with the Angels and this week we turn to explore the most odd, strange and mysterious of them all – The Angel of the Lord.  Who is this mysterious Angel?  How does the Angel of the Lord relate to Jesus?  What is meant by the Old Testament concept of the “Two Powers” in Heaven?  It is a fascinating topic and one we could spend weeks discussing, but we will attempt to cover it in one.    

We also will remember Saint Clement, a true hero of the faith.  As the fourth Pope (he was ordained by Saint Peter himself) he was exiled by the Emperor Trajan to Crimea where he earned his Martyr’s crown.  His story, and the study of the Angel of the Lord will certainly make for quite an exciting Saturday Morning!     

God's Army: The Ranks of Angels - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #14

 

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Episode #14

Friday is All Hallows Eve - Halloween.  And our entire culture is overrun by carved pumpkins, inappropriate costumes, trick or treaters, scary movies on TV and a panoply of ghosts, ghoulies and all things spooky.  This week, Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints will remember the true source of these celebrations – the Feast of All Saints.  

Each week when we study one of the numerous Saints on our calendar, we should always remember that there are more than are officially commemorated in our Liturgies.  Countless martyrs and other heroes of the faith are anonymous, known only to God, their lives unrecorded and unheralded.  All Saints Day is a day to remember them, the uncountable great cloud of witnesses.  

We also will continue our study of the Unseen Realm, this week focusing on the other orders of Angels: Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels and finally Angels.   It is certain to be a lively discussion this week.   

All Souls Day Special - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints

 

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All Souls Day is November 2nd, and in my opinion, it is one of the most meaningful and moving holidays on the Christian Calendar.

We, in our contemporary 21st American culture don’t do grieving very well.  We have mastered the funeral, but not the days, weeks, months and years AFTER the service.  We don’t know what to do with THAT.  The “after the funeral” time for grief we have neglected terribly as a culture.  

Which is why “All Souls Day” is so vitally needed.   It is important to remember those who have passed away – publicly and with others in our Church communities.  All of us in some way or another are on this journey of grief, and All Souls Day is the time set aside to remember and talk about those we love who have died.  

Enjoy this special episode of Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints when we celebrate the importance of this Ancient Christian Holiday.  

The Secrets of the Angelic Realm - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Bonus Episode #13

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Bonus Episode #13

   

It gets even wilder this week in this Special Bonus Episode of Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints.  This episode we explore the intriguing subject of the Seraphim, Cherubim and the whole hierarchy of characters in the Spiritual World.   Beings with the face of a man, the body of a bull and the wings of Eagles.  Flying snakes.  Wheels with eyes.  It can all be very strange and confusing.  

Some of the most enigmatic and mysterious passages of the Bible refer to these beings, and this week they will be explored in depth.  And, contrary to what you may think, they are not only referenced in our Bible.  They show up everywhere in the Ancient World, from Jerusalem to Japan!  Understanding this imagery is difficult for modern people, and this week we will try and make sense of it all.    

 

Saint James the Just - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #13

 

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Episode #13

This week we have a very interesting Saint to discuss – James the Just – The Brother of our Lord.  His feast day is celebrated on October 23rd, and he was an enormously influential figure in the early history of the Church.

Now…, it gets confusing.  There are a LOT of Jimmys in the Bible and this is yet another one.  He is often confused with the Apostle James, James the Greater - one of the inner three (James, Peter and John).  He was not THAT James.  Or he gets confused with James, son of Alphaeus also known as James the Less and also an Apostle.  He isn’t that James either.  Both of them will, no doubt, come up in our rotation on Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints.  

And if that wasn’t confusing enough, there is also another James,  James, Father of Judas (not Iscariot) referenced in Acts and Luke.  Also… not him.  

No, this James was a very close relative of Jesus and wasn’t an Apostle BUT because of his family connection, he was chosen to be the first Bishop of Jerusalem following the Resurrection.    And it is this fact, the fact the brother of our Lord only became a follower of Jesus AFTER the Resurrection that is one of the strongest cases for the Truth of the Resurrection that exist.  You won’t want to miss this fascinating discussion of James the Just.  

Step into the hidden history of one of Christianity’s most enigmatic figures—James the Just, the kinsman of Jesus and revered leader of the Jerusalem Church. This episode unearths the life, legacy, and martyrdom of the man known for his unwavering righteousness, deep prayer life, and pivotal role in shaping the early Christian movement.

📜 Discover:

•  Was James truly the brother of Jesus?

•  Why was he called “the Just”—and what did it mean in his time?

•  His leadership during the Council of Jerusalem and stance on Mosaic Law

•  The mystery of the James Ossuary and its explosive implications

•  His connection to the Epistle of James and its enduring wisdom

•  How his martyrdom shaped Christian identity and memory

The Divine Council & Babylon - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Bonus Episode #12

 

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Bonus Episode #12

This special Bonus episode will continue our study of Angels, and we will resume our exploration of the “Divine Council”, focusing this week on the Fallen Members of the Council – the “gods” of the Nations.  You will be shocked to discover the many striking parallels between the stories in the Bible and the stories from Ancient Mythology in the Near East.  The pagan myths we all know from school take on a new light when viewed through a Biblical lens.  I promise you will never read them (or your Bible) the same way again!  This promises to be a fascinating discussion.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #12

 

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Episode #12

This Saturday we will remember one of the true giants of the faith – Saint Ignatius of Antioch whose feast day we celebrate this week.   Born during the time of Christ’s life on earth he was martyred during the reign of the Emperor Trajan in 107 AD by “Damnatio ad bestias” (condemnation to the beasts).  His heroic example in death, his numerous prolific writings to the early Christian communities and his rich theological teachings on the Eucharist continue to inspire us today.  

This promises to be a fascinating discussion about a fascinating Saint.

Fatima & the Miracle of the Sun - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #11

 

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Episode #11

This week, Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints will commemorate one of the most amazing supernatural episodes to occur in modern times – “The Miracle of the Sun” that took place on October 13th, 1917.  This miracle was witnessed by over 70,000 people that day in Fatima Portugal and is the most well documented Supernatural Event in recent history.   Its impact continues to reverberate now and is a fascinating story.  

And continuing our study of Angels, on Friday we will explore the biblical concept of the “Divine Council”.  So many passages from the Old Testament refer to the Divine Throne and the Spiritual Beings which surround it, how are we as modern people to interpret these images?  This week we tackle this challenging, mysterious and intriguing concept.  It promises to be quite the eye-opening experience this morning, so you won’t want to miss it!

Saint Francis of Assisi - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #10

 

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Episode  #10

This week Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints turns our attention to one of the most beloved Saints of all – Saint Francis of Assisi.  Saint Francis (c. 1181–1226) was a visionary mystic, reformer, and lover of all creation whose radical embrace of poverty and humility reshaped Christian spirituality. Born into wealth, he renounced material comforts to live among the poor, preach peace, and honor the divine in nature. Known for his deep compassion—toward lepers, animals, and even the elements—Francis founded the Franciscan Order and inspired generations with his joyful simplicity and unwavering devotion to Christ. His legacy endures as a symbol of spiritual renewal, ecological harmony, and selfless love.

Elohim - Spiritual Beings in the Bible - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Bonus Episode #10

 

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Bonus Episode #10

We are continuing our study of Angels this week as we delve into the fascinating topic of Spiritual Beings.  What are they exactly?  Spiritual Beings are all over the Bible, but our modern worldview and contemporary sensibilities have a very difficult time processing this concept and we often project our modern worldview back into the text.  

Have our modern translations of the word Elohim caused our understanding of the unseen world to radically deviate from the way the Ancient People of Israel understood it?  This week we will continue to study the text, as best as we can, through the eyes of the original readers.  It promises to be a fascinating morning!

Saint Michael the Archangel - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #9

 

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Episode #9

Coming up on September 29th is one of the biggest feast days in the Christian Tradition – The Feast of Saint Michael and all the Angels.   For centuries this day was set aside as a huge celebration in the Church – Michaelmas and because of this long and esteemed history it deserves special attention.  Today, Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints will turn its attention to one of the most mysterious Saints in the Bible – Saint Michael the Archangel.

Our popular culture has so domesticated Angels, or completely ignored them, we tend to have a distorted and naïve view of them.  They are NOT the cute and cuddly beings we see depicted in Renaissance paintings – harmless adorable babies with wings.  Far from it!  They are some of the most powerful and mysterious characters in the Bible and they show up continuously throughout the text.  

For the next several weeks we will delve into this fascinating subject – Spiritual Beings in the Bible beginning with one of the most amazing and mysterious, our Saint today - Saint Michael.  It promises to be a fascinating journey, and at the end of this Odyssey, I guarantee you will never read your Bible quite the same way again.  You certainly don’t want to miss THIS week’s episode!

The Parable of Lazarus & The Rich Man - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Bonus Episode #8

 

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Bonus Episode #8

It is quite sobering to ponder this chilling and unavoidable fact.   Jesus Christ spoke more about Hell than any other person in the Bible.  There isn’t even a close second.   His teaching on Hell is central to the Christian Faith.  

Our Modern sensibilities recoil at this, much preferring a softer portrayal of our Lord’s words than any discussion of the judgement and people going to the “bad place”.  We don’t like to think about such things, and many prefer a milder teaching of a friendly, “nice” Christianity.  But the truth is - this popular, watered-down modern take is not faithful to the actual text of the Bible.  And if we are wise, we should take heed of our Lord’s actual words.   Christ frequently warned his 1st Century followers of the dangers of Hell, and we too should listen to Him just as carefully in the 21st Century.  The stakes could not be higher. 

This bonus episode will explore the most terrifying Parable in the whole Bible – “The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus”.   The lessons to be learned from it are of eternal significance!

Saint Matthew - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #8

 

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Episode #8

This Saturday we will celebrate a major Saint and Apostle - Saint Matthew.  From his being called to follow Jesus out of his old career as a Tax Collector, we will trace Matthew’s journey after the Ascension all the way to Ethiopia!  

This trail gets even more fascinating in Ethiopia when we explore the rich and beautiful traditions of Christianity in one of its most ancient forms – the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.   All sorts of avenues will be explored on our Odyssey: King Solomon, The Queen of Sheba, the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians, the Lost Ark of the Covenant, Hallie Selasie and even Bob Marley!  It will be an amazing morning; you won’t want to miss it. 

Feast of the Holy Cross - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints Podcast – Episode #7

 

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Episode #7

This Saturday we will celebrate a tremendous feast in our tradition – The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  This is going to be quite the morning!  It is an incredibly exciting tale involving the Fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple, Roman Civil Wars, the Crusades, Constantine the Great and of course, the heroine of THIS day, his mother, Saint Helena.  It will be an action-packed tale, so get ready!  

And we also will explore part 2 of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, this week focusing on the older son.  We all know and understand the lesson from the younger son – you are never too far gone away from the Lord to return.  But what is the lesson to be learned from the older son?  It may turn out that HIS story and the lessons to be learned from it may have been Jesus’ primary purpose in telling this parable.  

And if that wasn’t enough, we also are going to have a surprise Birthday Party for our GREATEST Saint.  You may need to plan for an extra cup of cappuccino today as there is so much to cover.

Pope Saint Gregory the Great - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints - Episode #6

 

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Episode #6

This Saturday we will remember the amazing Saint Pope Gregory the Great (one of the few Popes in History given the title of “Great”).  He is quite an impressive man to study and given that he was assigned the title of Great, it won’t be surprising to learn why he is so remembered!  It promises to be a very eye-opening morning.  

For the last several weeks we have also been studying one of the many Parables of Jesus along with the Saints.  It is quite a long list of parables, and we will continue this journey for some time yet.  We aren’t even halfway finished.   

There have been many we have studied that may be new to some of us.  Others we have discussed are very well known to everyone – true classics.  But there is probably NO parable better known, or more beloved, than the one we will discuss this week – “The Parable of the Prodigal Son”.   It seems to be everyone’s favorite parable.  All love the story of the Forgiving Father taking back his wayward “prodigal” Son.   Their reunion is one of the most heartwarming and touching scenes in the New Testament.

But…, the parable is a story of TWO sons, not just one.   And it is a far more complex and deep lesson being taught by our Lord than many of us realize.  This Parable is so deep and rich, it is going to take two weeks to explore!  This week, we will focus on the Younger Son.

Saint Augustine & Saint Bartholomew - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints - Episode #5

 

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Episode #5

There is a small, elite number of Saints in our tradition, who because of their immense contributions to Theology and Philosophy have come to be known as “Doctors of the Church”.   Saint Augustine, who we remember this week, is one of those Doctors – a true giant in world history.  

The impact Saint Augustine has had on Western Civilization cannot be overstated.  It is enormous and his path from rebellious non-believing youth to his authoring the classic works “Confessions” and “City of God” to eventually becoming a Bishop and then Saint is quite the winding tale.   His life story is an amazing journey and should inspire us all.  

This morning, we also will remember the great Martyr and Apostle Saint Bartholomew as well as study the “Parable of the Lost Coin.”  It is going to be an amazing episode this week!

Saints Oscar Romero & Dietrich Bonhoffer - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints - Episode #4

 

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Episode #4

On any given Saturday we highlight a “Saint of the Week”.  A large percentage of these Saints are drawn from the innumerable number of Martyrs that have lost their lives for the faith throughout Church History.  Their number is too large to count – a vast and unending army of Saints!  

Saints Peter and Paul shed their blood for the faith, but also so many others: Saints Lawrence, Lucy, Agatha, Sebastian, George just to name a few.  The list is enormous and sometimes we can forget a troubling fact when studying so many heroic examples from Ancient History.  This is not just a phenomenon from the ancient world.  The 20th Century, the bloodiest in all History, created more Martyrs to the Faith than all other centuries combined!  

This week we will highlight two of them: Oscar Romero and Dietrich Bonhoffer.  Archbishop Romero was assassinated in 1980 by a corrupt and evil regime in El Salvador.  Dietrich Bonhoffer, 35 years earlier, was also murdered by an evil regime (the most evil of all) - Nazi Germany - in the closing days of World War II.   Both men are towering examples that should inspire all of us today.  

And speaking of Towers, it seems only appropriate that our parable this week is “The Parable of the Tower” also known as “Counting the Cost”.  It should be an interesting discussion this Saturday morning.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #3

 

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Episode #3

Throughout the Christian World, August 15th has been set aside as a special feast day to remember the greatest of all the saints - Saint Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mary and mother of our Lord.  This week, Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints will remember the Blessed Virgin Mary on her big day.  And it seems especially appropriate that since this day is already set aside as a Great Feast to study the Parable of the Great Feast.  It will be quite an interesting conversation this Morning so settle in.

Saint Lawrence and the Holy Grail - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints - Episode #2

 

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Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints – Episode #2 - Saint Lawrence and the Holy Grail

Episode #2

It has often been said that our modern world doesn’t have any heroes anymore.  The old ones have all been toppled from their places of honor and relegated to the dustbin of history - tossed away like so much debris and clutter from the past.  Modern 21st century America loves to tear down the honored men and women of days gone by.  It is our favorite national pastime.

And yet, no society can function without heroes, and that includes our own.  And who do we as a culture admire today?  Entertainers? Celebrities?  Athletes?  YouTube influencers?  These are but mere pitiful shadows of the truly heroic - pale and pathetic imitations of the truly honorable.  Instinctually, we shake our heads at this sad state of affairs but acknowledge that is where we are today.  

But it needn’t be so.  There are numerous examples of true heroism from our Christian past, and few are more inspiring than the Saint we will study this week – Saint Lawrence.   Subjected to horrific tortures under the Emperor Valerian in the mid third century he literally laughed in the face of death as he earned his martyr’s crown.   He is the very model of courage, devotion and heroism, and his example should inspire us all!  He also has a connection to one of the most fabled objects in all of history – the Holy Grail, so this is one Saturday Morning you will definitely not want to miss!  It is going to be a fascinating morning.

St. Joseph of Arimathea & the Transfiguration - Saturday Cappuccino with the Saints - Episode #1

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Episode #1

This week we will celebrate one of the major feasts of the Church – the Feast of the Transfiguration!  There is far more going on in this story than you might think.  

We also will remember the great Saint Joseph of Arimathea.  Who was he?  Why did he give his empty tomb (at considerable risk to himself) for the burial of Jesus?  What happened to Joseph AFTER the resurrection?  

A significant amount of mystery and legend have built up around Joseph of Arimathea over the centuries and this Friday should involve some fascinating discussions as we dive deep into some of these traditions.  Additionally, we will study the parable of “The Friend at Night” so you won’t want to miss this week’s video!  It promises to be quite the ride.