<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Always Toward the Light: Scripture Reflections]]></title><description><![CDATA[From the Gospels]]></description><link>https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/s/scripture-reflections</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!oPRo!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F61389cd6-2e21-4960-ac97-4a0a988152fa_1280x1280.png</url><title>Always Toward the Light: Scripture Reflections</title><link>https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/s/scripture-reflections</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 02:02:44 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[John Henry]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[alwaystowardthelight@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[alwaystowardthelight@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[John Henry]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[John Henry]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[alwaystowardthelight@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[alwaystowardthelight@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[John Henry]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[A Sacred Pause]]></title><description><![CDATA[Sitting at His Feet]]></description><link>https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/a-sacred-pause</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/a-sacred-pause</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Henry]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2025 23:51:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/youtube/w_728,c_limit/frcI6OD0IbY" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="youtube2-frcI6OD0IbY" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;frcI6OD0IbY&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/frcI6OD0IbY?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><p>This Sunday, we meet Abraham at the oak of Mamre and Mary <strong>at the feet of Jesus.</strong> Two very different scenes. One bustling with hospitality, the other marked by quiet attentiveness, and yet, both are moments of divine encounter.</p><p>Abraham hurries to welcome mysterious visitors and offer them sustenance. Mary, meanwhile, offers <strong>her full presence</strong>, simply listening to Jesus. In both stories, God speaks.</p><p>One of the most countercultural things we can do today is stop. Not scroll. Not skim. Not hustle. But stop &#8230; to notice the sacred guest already in our midst. In a world of Marthas, always rushing to complete the next task, Jesus still reminds us:</p><blockquote><p>&#8220;There is need of only one thing.&#8221;<br>(Luke 10:42)</p></blockquote><p>And as the psalmist so beautifully invites us:</p><blockquote><p>&#8220;Be still and know that I am God.&#8221;</p></blockquote><p>What is that <em>one thing</em> for you today? What sacred presence have you overlooked while preoccupied with the urgent?</p><div><hr></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CKrE!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6900d6af-59f9-4dbd-9fd4-016a9b46fe7e_425x175.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CKrE!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6900d6af-59f9-4dbd-9fd4-016a9b46fe7e_425x175.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CKrE!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6900d6af-59f9-4dbd-9fd4-016a9b46fe7e_425x175.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CKrE!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6900d6af-59f9-4dbd-9fd4-016a9b46fe7e_425x175.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CKrE!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6900d6af-59f9-4dbd-9fd4-016a9b46fe7e_425x175.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CKrE!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6900d6af-59f9-4dbd-9fd4-016a9b46fe7e_425x175.jpeg" width="425" height="175" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/6900d6af-59f9-4dbd-9fd4-016a9b46fe7e_425x175.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:175,&quot;width&quot;:425,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:39796,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/i/168746203?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6900d6af-59f9-4dbd-9fd4-016a9b46fe7e_425x175.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CKrE!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6900d6af-59f9-4dbd-9fd4-016a9b46fe7e_425x175.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CKrE!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6900d6af-59f9-4dbd-9fd4-016a9b46fe7e_425x175.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CKrE!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6900d6af-59f9-4dbd-9fd4-016a9b46fe7e_425x175.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CKrE!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6900d6af-59f9-4dbd-9fd4-016a9b46fe7e_425x175.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3><strong>For Teachers and School Leaders: A Special Invitation</strong></h3><p>The Learning and Leadership Initiative (LLI) is launching a <strong>free pilot program</strong> to help make schools places where:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Kids love learning</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Teachers love teaching</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Parents love the journey</strong></p></li></ul><p>We are inviting teachers and principals to join this vision by exploring early access to our platform, filled with tools, training, and community support designed to build thriving schools.</p><p>If you're an educator&#8212;or know one&#8212;who's ready to make a difference in the culture of learning, we&#8217;d love to hear from you.</p><p>&#128231; <strong>Contact us at:</strong><br>hello@learnleadgrow.org</p><p>Let&#8217;s re-imagine education together - from the inside out.</p><div><hr></div><h3><strong>Before You Go...</strong></h3><p>Whether you're more like Martha, juggling ten things at once, or more like Mary, curled up with coffee and Scripture, know this:</p><p>God is not measuring your holiness by your productivity today.</p><p>He&#8217;s just happy you paused long enough to listen, reflect, and maybe even smile. And hey &#8230; if your &#8220;one thing necessary&#8221; today is a nap, a walk, or five minutes of actual silence, then don&#8217;t underestimate the holiness of that sacred sanity.</p><p>And to all our teachers and principals gearing up for a new school year:<br>You&#8217;ve got this! &#8230; Yes, even if your to-do list is longer than your summer vacation.</p><p>Let grace go before you, laughter go with you, and may at least one copier be working when you get back.</p><p>Warm regards,</p><p>John Henry</p><div><hr></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/a-sacred-pause/comments&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Leave a comment&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/a-sacred-pause/comments"><span>Leave a comment</span></a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share Always Toward the Light&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share Always Toward the Light</span></a></p><p></p><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Summer is On]]></title><description><![CDATA[And So is the Son!]]></description><link>https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/summer-is-on</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/summer-is-on</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Henry]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 21 Jun 2025 19:57:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524503033411-c9566986fc8f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0N3x8c3VtbWVyJTIwa2lkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTA1MzU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524503033411-c9566986fc8f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0N3x8c3VtbWVyJTIwa2lkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTA1MzU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524503033411-c9566986fc8f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0N3x8c3VtbWVyJTIwa2lkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTA1MzU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 424w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524503033411-c9566986fc8f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0N3x8c3VtbWVyJTIwa2lkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTA1MzU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 848w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524503033411-c9566986fc8f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0N3x8c3VtbWVyJTIwa2lkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTA1MzU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1272w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524503033411-c9566986fc8f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0N3x8c3VtbWVyJTIwa2lkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTA1MzU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524503033411-c9566986fc8f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0N3x8c3VtbWVyJTIwa2lkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTA1MzU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" width="6000" height="4000" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524503033411-c9566986fc8f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0N3x8c3VtbWVyJTIwa2lkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTA1MzU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:4000,&quot;width&quot;:6000,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;shallow focus photography of two boys doing wacky faces&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="shallow focus photography of two boys doing wacky faces" title="shallow focus photography of two boys doing wacky faces" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524503033411-c9566986fc8f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0N3x8c3VtbWVyJTIwa2lkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTA1MzU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 424w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524503033411-c9566986fc8f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0N3x8c3VtbWVyJTIwa2lkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTA1MzU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 848w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524503033411-c9566986fc8f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0N3x8c3VtbWVyJTIwa2lkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTA1MzU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1272w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524503033411-c9566986fc8f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0N3x8c3VtbWVyJTIwa2lkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTA1MzU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Photo by <a href="true">Austin Pacheco</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure></div><p>Dear friends in the Light,</p><p>Summer has officially arrived&#8212;and so have the kids. Everywhere. All the time.<br>The fridge is suddenly empty, the house is surprisingly loud, and your patience&#8230; well, it's probably taking a little vacation of its own. &#128516;</p><p>But even in the heat and hustle of summertime, there&#8217;s something beautiful st&#8230;</p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/summer-is-on">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reflecting on Mark 1:40-45: Jesus's Healing Touch]]></title><description><![CDATA[A model of faith and humility]]></description><link>https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/reflecting-on-mark-140-45-jesuss</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/reflecting-on-mark-140-45-jesuss</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Henry]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:39:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uxlH!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7cc0042-ee33-4064-a70c-394d5d88f182_5824x3264.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uxlH!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7cc0042-ee33-4064-a70c-394d5d88f182_5824x3264.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uxlH!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7cc0042-ee33-4064-a70c-394d5d88f182_5824x3264.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uxlH!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7cc0042-ee33-4064-a70c-394d5d88f182_5824x3264.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uxlH!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7cc0042-ee33-4064-a70c-394d5d88f182_5824x3264.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uxlH!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7cc0042-ee33-4064-a70c-394d5d88f182_5824x3264.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uxlH!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7cc0042-ee33-4064-a70c-394d5d88f182_5824x3264.jpeg" width="1456" height="816" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a7cc0042-ee33-4064-a70c-394d5d88f182_5824x3264.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:816,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:3069789,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uxlH!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7cc0042-ee33-4064-a70c-394d5d88f182_5824x3264.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uxlH!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7cc0042-ee33-4064-a70c-394d5d88f182_5824x3264.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uxlH!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7cc0042-ee33-4064-a70c-394d5d88f182_5824x3264.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uxlH!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7cc0042-ee33-4064-a70c-394d5d88f182_5824x3264.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Mark 1:40-45 recounts a profound moment in Jesus&#8217; ministry: a man with leprosy approaches Him with faith and humility, saying, &#8220;If you are willing, you can make me clean.&#8221; Jesus, moved with compassion, stretches out His hand, touches the man, and says, &#8220;I am willing. Be clean!&#8221; The leprosy instantly leaves the man. Despite Jesus&#8217; instruction&#8230;</p>
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          <a href="https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/reflecting-on-mark-140-45-jesuss">
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[God’s Patience and Joy in Forgiveness: ]]></title><description><![CDATA[A Reflection on Sirach 18]]></description><link>https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/gods-patience-and-joy-in-forgiveness</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/gods-patience-and-joy-in-forgiveness</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Henry]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 11 Jan 2025 16:21:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1437603568260-1950d3ca6eab?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8YmlibGV8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM2NTIzNzIyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1437603568260-1950d3ca6eab?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8YmlibGV8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM2NTIzNzIyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1437603568260-1950d3ca6eab?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8YmlibGV8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM2NTIzNzIyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 424w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1437603568260-1950d3ca6eab?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8YmlibGV8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM2NTIzNzIyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 848w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1437603568260-1950d3ca6eab?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8YmlibGV8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM2NTIzNzIyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1272w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1437603568260-1950d3ca6eab?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8YmlibGV8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM2NTIzNzIyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1437603568260-1950d3ca6eab?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8YmlibGV8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM2NTIzNzIyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" width="5472" height="3648" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1437603568260-1950d3ca6eab?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8YmlibGV8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM2NTIzNzIyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:3648,&quot;width&quot;:5472,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;man holding his hands on open book&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="man holding his hands on open book" title="man holding his hands on open book" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1437603568260-1950d3ca6eab?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8YmlibGV8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM2NTIzNzIyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 424w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1437603568260-1950d3ca6eab?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8YmlibGV8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM2NTIzNzIyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 848w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1437603568260-1950d3ca6eab?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8YmlibGV8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM2NTIzNzIyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1272w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1437603568260-1950d3ca6eab?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8YmlibGV8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM2NTIzNzIyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Photo by <a href="true">Patrick Fore</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure></div><p>Note: I didn&#8217;t plan to write this article today&#8230; but I&#8217;ve been having discussions with people about the missing books from Protestant Bibles which led me to engage with one of them &#8230; the Book of Sirach. As I flipped through my Bible, I was reminded about some of my favorite passages that I underlined years ago. I felt co&#8230;</p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Preparing for Christ's Coming]]></title><description><![CDATA[Gospel According to Luke, the Third Sunday of Lent]]></description><link>https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/preparing-for-christs-coming</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/preparing-for-christs-coming</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Henry]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 15 Dec 2024 14:02:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604882737206-8a000c03d8fe?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw3fHxiaWJsZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzQyMjQzMDd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604882737206-8a000c03d8fe?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw3fHxiaWJsZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzQyMjQzMDd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604882737206-8a000c03d8fe?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw3fHxiaWJsZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzQyMjQzMDd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 424w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604882737206-8a000c03d8fe?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw3fHxiaWJsZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzQyMjQzMDd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 848w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604882737206-8a000c03d8fe?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw3fHxiaWJsZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzQyMjQzMDd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1272w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604882737206-8a000c03d8fe?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw3fHxiaWJsZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzQyMjQzMDd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604882737206-8a000c03d8fe?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw3fHxiaWJsZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzQyMjQzMDd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" width="3475" height="5212" 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class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Photo by <a href="true">Priscilla Du Preez &#127464;&#127462;</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure></div><p></p><h3>Reflection: Preparing for Christ&#8217;s Coming</h3><p>In this Sunday&#8217;s Gospel, Luke 3:10-18, John the Baptist calls us to action: <em>&#8220;Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.&#8221;</em> The crowd&#8217;s question, &#8220;What should we do?&#8221; resonates deeply during Advent, a season o&#8230;</p>
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          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reflection on Matthew 11:16-19]]></title><description><![CDATA[Friday, December 13, 2024]]></description><link>https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/reflection-on-matthew-1116-19-nab</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/reflection-on-matthew-1116-19-nab</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Henry]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Dec 2024 02:23:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!260c!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb0fdba4e-e04a-4667-9057-7d86a63a48f8_5760x3264.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!260c!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb0fdba4e-e04a-4667-9057-7d86a63a48f8_5760x3264.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!260c!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb0fdba4e-e04a-4667-9057-7d86a63a48f8_5760x3264.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!260c!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb0fdba4e-e04a-4667-9057-7d86a63a48f8_5760x3264.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!260c!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb0fdba4e-e04a-4667-9057-7d86a63a48f8_5760x3264.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!260c!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb0fdba4e-e04a-4667-9057-7d86a63a48f8_5760x3264.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!260c!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb0fdba4e-e04a-4667-9057-7d86a63a48f8_5760x3264.jpeg" width="1456" height="825" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/b0fdba4e-e04a-4667-9057-7d86a63a48f8_5760x3264.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:825,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:6904823,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!260c!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb0fdba4e-e04a-4667-9057-7d86a63a48f8_5760x3264.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!260c!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb0fdba4e-e04a-4667-9057-7d86a63a48f8_5760x3264.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!260c!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb0fdba4e-e04a-4667-9057-7d86a63a48f8_5760x3264.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!260c!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb0fdba4e-e04a-4667-9057-7d86a63a48f8_5760x3264.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p></p><p><em>"To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, &#8216;We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.&#8217; For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, &#8216;He is possessed by a demon.&#8217; The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, &#8216;Look, h&#8230;</em></p>
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          <a href="https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/reflection-on-matthew-1116-19-nab">
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reflection on Luke 1:26-38]]></title><description><![CDATA[December 12, 2024]]></description><link>https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/reflection-on-luke-126-38</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/reflection-on-luke-126-38</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Henry]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 12 Dec 2024 03:47:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1f4S!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4742409-d019-4716-b729-00b4075c453f_5824x3264.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1f4S!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4742409-d019-4716-b729-00b4075c453f_5824x3264.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1f4S!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4742409-d019-4716-b729-00b4075c453f_5824x3264.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1f4S!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4742409-d019-4716-b729-00b4075c453f_5824x3264.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1f4S!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4742409-d019-4716-b729-00b4075c453f_5824x3264.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1f4S!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4742409-d019-4716-b729-00b4075c453f_5824x3264.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1f4S!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4742409-d019-4716-b729-00b4075c453f_5824x3264.jpeg" width="1456" height="816" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c4742409-d019-4716-b729-00b4075c453f_5824x3264.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:816,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:2867833,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1f4S!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4742409-d019-4716-b729-00b4075c453f_5824x3264.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1f4S!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4742409-d019-4716-b729-00b4075c453f_5824x3264.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1f4S!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4742409-d019-4716-b729-00b4075c453f_5824x3264.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1f4S!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4742409-d019-4716-b729-00b4075c453f_5824x3264.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>In the Gospel of Luke 1:26-38, we encounter one of the most profound moments in salvation history: the Annunciation. The angel Gabriel comes to Mary, a young woman of Nazareth, with a message that will forever change the world. He announces that she will conceive and bear the Son of God, and her response is one of humility, faith, and total surrender:</p><p><em>"B&#8230;</em></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reflections on Matthew 11:28-30]]></title><description><![CDATA[December 11, 2024]]></description><link>https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/finding-rest-in-christ</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.alwaystowardthelight.org/p/finding-rest-in-christ</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Henry]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2024 21:24:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8BCO!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0ddef41-f1d2-4800-a6bf-fb0553904c3f_6250x3125.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8BCO!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0ddef41-f1d2-4800-a6bf-fb0553904c3f_6250x3125.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8BCO!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0ddef41-f1d2-4800-a6bf-fb0553904c3f_6250x3125.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8BCO!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0ddef41-f1d2-4800-a6bf-fb0553904c3f_6250x3125.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8BCO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0ddef41-f1d2-4800-a6bf-fb0553904c3f_6250x3125.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8BCO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0ddef41-f1d2-4800-a6bf-fb0553904c3f_6250x3125.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8BCO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0ddef41-f1d2-4800-a6bf-fb0553904c3f_6250x3125.jpeg" width="1456" height="728" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e0ddef41-f1d2-4800-a6bf-fb0553904c3f_6250x3125.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:728,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:4452146,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8BCO!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0ddef41-f1d2-4800-a6bf-fb0553904c3f_6250x3125.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8BCO!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0ddef41-f1d2-4800-a6bf-fb0553904c3f_6250x3125.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8BCO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0ddef41-f1d2-4800-a6bf-fb0553904c3f_6250x3125.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8BCO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0ddef41-f1d2-4800-a6bf-fb0553904c3f_6250x3125.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3></h3><blockquote><p>"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."</p></blockquote><p>In today&#8217;s Gospel, Jesus offers us one of the most tender and compassionate invitations in all of Scripture. He calls out t&#8230;</p>
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