Known among people of Mexican descent in the U.S. as ‘La Candelaria,’ the traditional Feb. 2 feast bids farewell to the Christmas season not with a whimper, but with a bang.
Husband and wife Jose Luis Ortiz and Sylvia Monroy plan to take their made-in-Spain resin, life-size ‘Niño Dios’ to church for a blessing on Feb. 2. (photo: Cristina Treviño)

Sylvia Monroy vividly remembers Christmas Eve 1991.

The housewife had prayed to God that her family, which had been separated, would be together for Christmas. That night, at 11 p.m., a friend brought a gorgeous, life-size figure of a Nativity Baby Jesus to her home in Nogales, Mexico, located just next to the Arizona border.

“My friend told me I had won it in a raffle. But I cannot remember ever taking part in a raffle,” recalled Monroy. “But that night, we got our sign. Our family got together. We carried the Baby Jesus and sang lullabies to him. It was a miracle.”

This Monday, Feb. 2, Monroy and her husband, Jose Luis Ortiz, plan to take their made-in-Spain resin, life-size Niño Dios(“Divine Child”) to their parish for Candlemas Day. Monroy says that the statue inspired her to start Santa Filomena, her small Catholic gift shop, which to this day is still going strong.

Continued below.

Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), SpaceX, and Tesla, has been shown in the newly-released Epstein Files to have had a number of friendly exchanges with the late pedophile financier. Emails show Musk expressing a strong interest in visiting Epstein’s private Caribbean island, known as a notorious hub for his abuse.

In one November 25, 2012, email, Musk replies to a question from Epstein about how many people he planned to bring to the island, writing: “Probably just Talulah and me. What day/night will be the wildest party on =our [sic] island?” At that time, Musk was married to British actress Talulah Riley.

A December 2013 email shows Musk asking about visiting the island over the holidays. Epstein responded: “always space for you.” However, Epstein later had to cancel on the tech mogul due to a scheduling conflict, writing, “Bad news- Unfortunately, my schedule will keep me in New York. I was really looking forward to finally spending some time together with just fun as the agenda. so i am very disappointed. Hopefully we can schedule another time in the near future.”

Continued below.

RileyG said:

Misguided perhaps. Hopefully he comes to repentance.

Click to expand...

Yes lets hope they all do. I think 9 have now been arrested.

Sometimes the conservative refrain, “there’s a war on men,” functions less as a diagnosis and more as a gatekeeper, one that prevents even the most measured, necessary criticism from entering the conversation at all. Any attempt to examine male failure, cultural rot, or institutional responsibility is waved away as feminist hysteria or cultural Marxism before it can even clear its throat.

Earlier this week, I stumbled upon a Christian Post article titled “Is It Always the Women?” It immediately set off my internal alarms. In the article, the author argues that the recent decline of women in church attendance is largely tied to cultural forces and values that lead women away from traditional Christianity, portraying women (especially politically liberal ones ) as the most visible agents of societal unrest and moral collapse.

“Here we go,” I muttered to myself. “The woman whom thou gavest me did give me the fruit, and I did eat,” verse forty-three million and seventy-four.

I’ve long argued that both sides of the political and cultural divide are engaged in the same dishonest game. The Left insists that white conservative men are the singular source of all human misery. The Right, meanwhile, behaves as though America went to Hell the moment women were allowed to vote. You may think I’m overstating my case, and you may be right. I’m exaggerating for effect, perhaps. But you have to at least acknowledge the outright hostility to anything feminism adjacent, even the good stuff.

Continued below.

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/house-bill-clinton-hillary-clinton/2026/01/29/id/1244154/ Some connected with Trump when to jail for ignoring a subpoena. Will the Clintons be above the law

The Morning Offering

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) readings & commentary

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time readings & commentary

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A readings & commentary

Sunday Reflections, 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Readings & commentary

A Scriptural Reflection on the Readings for Sunday, February 1, 2026

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A) Bible study

Picture This! A Homily for the 4th Sunday of the Year

Exegesis of the Word: On the Beatitudes as a Spiritual Portrait

Daily Gospel

Saint Bridget of Ireland

Saints of the Day

This is from the Old Testament, under the Old Covenant, and yet what it teaches us here, in content, is taught us in the New Testament, under the New Covenant God has with his people Israel (Jew and Gentile by biblical faith in Jesus Christ). For we read in 1 Corinthians 10:1-22 that what the Israelites did in the wilderness happened as examples to us, and they were written down for us so that we will not crave evil things as they also craved. For the majority of them made sin their practice, and not obedience to God, and so they were put to death and they did not enter into God’s eternal rest.

So, we are taught in the New Testament not to put our Lord God to the test, as the Israelites (the majority) tested God in the wilderness and did not get to enter into God’s eternal rest because of their disobedience (unbelief). But we are to be those who walk in obedience to our Lord and to his commands in holy living, by the grace of God, in the power of God. And, yes, in the New Testament, under the New Covenant, we who claim to believe in Jesus Christ are taught to do what is righteous and good (holy) in the sight of the Lord if we are to have the hope of salvation from sin and eternal life with God.

For belief in Jesus Christ is not something we do by professions of faith in Jesus Christ only. For just because we may claim to believe in Jesus Christ, it doesn’t necessarily mean that we are of biblical faith in Jesus Christ. For, by faith in the Lord Jesus, if our faith is genuine biblical faith, we are crucified with Christ in death to sin, and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer to live as slaves to sin, but now as servants of God and of his righteousness in walks of obedience to our Lord’s commands. But if sin is still our practice, and not obedience, we do not have eternal life with God.

For, in Jesus’ death on that cross, he who knew no sin became sin for us that he might put our sins to death with him. And this was so that, by faith in him, we can now die with him to sin, in his power, and walk in obedience to his commands, in his strength. Because of what Jesus did for us on that cross we can come out from underneath slavery (addiction) to sin, and we can serve the Lord with our lives, in obedience to his commands. We can now live for the Lord, and for his purposes, in the power of God, and no longer live for the sinful pleasures of the flesh, by the grace of God.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:10,15,21; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

And all the glory belongs to God and not to our human flesh. Amen!

Give God the Glory

Based off Psalm 19
An Original Work / March 10, 2014
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

All of creation now proclaims:
“Give God the glory; honor His name!”
Each day the stars in heav’n above
Show forth His wisdom; tell of His love.

They do not speak. They have no voice.
Yet, they declare we have a choice:
“Worship the God of heav’n above;
Believe in Jesus; trust in His love.”

God’s word is perfect, just and good,
Refreshing souls who trust in the Lord;
Makes wise the simple; radiant -
Lighting our lives with God’s righteousness.

Joy to the heart His words now speak;
Pure and enduring, now we seek.
They are more precious than our gold;
Sweeter than honey; never grow old.

Keeping the word brings great reward.
By the word Jesus speaks and He warns,
Convicting hearts of all their sin;
Forgiving all who call upon Him.

Praying You keep me, Lord, from sins.
May they not rule my life again.
Then will I walk in all Your ways,
Following Jesus all of my days.

Login to view embedded media
Don’t Put God To The Test
An Original Work / February 1, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Lauren_ said:

I'm not an ex-Catholic and still new to this site. I thought there was a place to post for people who are ex-Christians so I don't think you will get any responses here.

Click to expand...

This is a subforum of the Eastern Orthodox forum called The Ancient Way which itself is under the Christian Communities forum.
The purpose of this subforum is found here.
The OP is requesting responses from fellow Eastern Orthodox, some of whom were former Catholics, so the thread is in the right place.
I'm guessing this thread appeared on the home page of the forum or as related thread links at the bottom of another thread. So when you click on the link you don't actually know which subforum you are in and some have strict rules associated that have gotten people into trouble by inadvertently breaking rules they didn't know about.
When you click on a suggested thread, it's always a good idea to scroll to the top to see what subforum you have ended up in.

The following passage of Scripture is from the Old Testament, and it was taught under the Old Covenant God had with his people Israel (Jews only at that time). But some of this is repeated for us under the New Covenant, and the rest of this passage we can learn from, as well. For, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV) Amen!


And, Jesus Christ, when he was asked which was the great commandment in the law, said: “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40 NASB1995)

And Jesus continued to teach that if we love him, we will keep (obey) his commandments. We will keep (stick to) his word. For, those who do not keep (obey, adhere to) his words do not love Jesus/God. And he said that if we keep his commandments, we abide in his love. But if we do not obey his commandments, and if sin is what we practice, instead, we will not inherit eternal life with God. We will not be saved from our sins and be on our way to heaven if obedience to God is not our practice, and if sin is our practice.

[Matthew 7:13-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 8:51; John 14:15-24; John 15:10; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 5:9; James 1:21-25; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-15; 1 John 3:1-24; 1 John 4:19-20; 1 John 5:2-3; 2 John 1:6]

Now, love for God is not in words only, or just in song. Love, which comes from God, for he is love, prefers what God prefers. And he prefers all that is holy, righteous, morally pure, upright, godly, faithful, honest, and obedient to his commands. And this love for God chooses his choices to obey them, too, in his power, wisdom, and strength. For if truly we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and might (strength), we will be those whose lives are surrendered to the Lord, to doing his will, and to obeying his commands.

And if this is true of us, this should not be a private affair that is kept secret from everyone else. It should be obvious by the words that we speak, and by our attitudes, our actions, our behaviors, and by our life choices. And this is not saying that we will be absolutely perfect in all these areas at all times, but this should be how we live, in practice, by the grace of God. And it should be shown outwardly and not inwardly only, for we are to be our Lord’s witnesses throughout the earth, sharing the gospel with the people.

So, we should be living the truth of the gospel, in practice, by the grace of God, and then we should be teaching others the truth of the gospel. We should be teaching our children and grandchildren what it means to believe in Jesus and to live the life he has for us all to live, as his followers. But we must set the example before them, too. For words only mean nothing if they are not followed up with action, and in truth. But words are important, too. For we should be talking about Jesus with other people, in daily practice.

Now, as far as physical displays of faith go, we must be very careful that our outward displays, in the forms of signs and posts and photos and t-shirts with printed words on them, etc., are what we are living, in practice. I have seen some vehicles with “Christian” bumper stickers or pasted signs on their windshields, and then saw the drivers giving someone “the finger,” which is something bad, not good. And, again, I am not saying we will never fail, but that we should be living what we are professing, in daily practice, by habit.

Walking in The Light

Based off 1 John 1-2
An Original Work / November 16, 2011
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

When I lift up my voice, and
Sing praise unto God,
I will fellowship with my
Lord and Savior, King.
In Him there is no darkness.
He is in the light of truth.
If we walk in His light,
From sin He purifies.

If we repent of our sins,
He’ll forgive us now,
When we humble ourselves, and
Before Jesus bow.
The man who says, “I know Him,”
But does not obey His truth,
There is no truth in him.
In darkness still he’s found.

Do not love the world of sin,
For it is hell bound.
If you follow the world, you’ll
Not in Christ be found.
The world and its desires
Will not last; they’ll expire.
The one who does God’s will,
Receives eternal life.

See that what you have heard from
Christ remains in you.
Then, you’ll remain in Christ, and
In His Father, too.
This is what He promised us –
His eternal life with God.
So, continue in Him, and
You’ll receive a crown.

Login to view embedded media
When We Walk By The Way
An Original Work / February 1, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

May the Lord have mercy on you and restore you to full health and strength!

His grace and peace to you!

May God have mercy on these men and women and bring them to the light of the gospel! Amen!

Michie said:

Thank you Riley.

Click to expand...

You’re welcome

Aldebaran said:

Would it be worse if president Trump put his face on a dollar bill such as "dictators" or "King" Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Andrew Jackson, etc.?

Click to expand...

At least these fellows had the good grace to be dead before their likenesses were emblazoned upon our currency.

I remember trying to read the 1st one in high school & was just completely lost reading it. Maybe I was just too young for it

When I was in middle school 2006ish this was the game everyone was playing. If you were anyone you were playing it. I only played it the first time a couple years ago

DragonFox91 said:

By the time they are on Yavin 4, the Rebel Alliance has an authority.

Click to expand...

It's a military organization.

You forgot the best part of that quote: "And the monster is Emperor Palpatine"

I liked how that scene parallels the Revenge of the Sith scene. When we first saw Revenge of the Sith, we were waiting for this moment

Nobody should see himself/herself as hopeless.
Everyone can be a winner.
Everyone has own strengths and goodness. There is an unshakable worth inside everyone.

There is always hope, because of 3 things.
1. The promise of redemption and new life; 2. God's great mercy for us.
Read this life story to find out the 3rd: Click here

451-1802
530-2402

Hidden In Him said:

Greetings, Jlfow.

Don't be afraid. As GTW suggested, the Lord likely allowed you to be homeless for a time to experience what they go through, which actually adds credence to your dream. The "saving" is symbolic and a reference to spiritual salvation, not social work. Though I'm not 100% on the specifics, the general meaning of your dream is this, and I will take it in parts:


It's a glimpse into the future, where homelessness is much more rampant. This time is coming now, btw, which also adds credence to the truthfulness of the dream. But the symbolism is that the economy will decline, and either the area where you live or will live in will become like a ghost town of the Old West symbolically compared to what it was when you had the dream; prosperous times will move on from that area/ city/ nation where you live, and leave its people without employment and homeless. This is the symbolism of wind blowing newspaper like tumbleweed. It represents the winds of change & the sands of time turning it into a ghost town. The bike rack likely represents that there will also be a shortage of ministry specifically to the homeless when the time comes, likely because few will have any money, and most homeless ministries are based on financial or material assistance these days. The sharp blind left turn represents that you will make a sharp turn in your life at some point, which He then describes by saying, "You will help save the homeless, and some you will save will be the greatest in My kingdom."


This is the "news" the governments of this world (maybe more especially in your part of it) will be giving their people, and it will not be good news. It may be the news they give out will be false promises, since this would cause others to give them a strange look. Whatever it is, the symbolism here is that what the government offers the homeless will NOT be the answer. It should be noted that the current government in the US indeed is making many false promises that will end up being no real help in the long run (promises like that there "will be no recession" for example) and this method of calming the masses with false promises will likely continue into the future as a type of modus operandi they operate by, leading to increased suspicion.


This is how you will help. It could represent a couple of things. The satellite dish represents television ministry aimed specifically at helping the homeless. It likely represents a ministry you will help support, financially and/or with employment. There's also the outside chance it is a ministry you yourself develop. Whatever the case, be encouraged that the part you play will not be insignificant at all. He knows that some of the souls this ministry will save will be among His greatest servants in the end-times, hence why you will be used to help pave the way for them.

Hope this interpretation was an encouragement. Let me know if you receive it.
Hidden

Click to expand...

Hidden,
I sit here many years later reading this interpretation, marvelling at it's accuracy in part, and I can only guess in full later. Homelessness is now rampant in my city (Toronto, Canada), employment at a all time low. I have been known in the past to write prophetic words and messages on paper for random people. I have also been collecting tracks for the better part of a year to try to design a "better", more approachable one.
I can only imagine what the rest of this future entails. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for this answer. - Jlfow

I hope you find what you are searching for here! Welcome!

Landon Caeli said:

Oh. Well yeah, there's that.

Click to expand...

Yep.