Archbishop George Lucas

Easter: A Season for Joy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Archbishop George Lucas discusses the centrality of the Resurrection in the Christian life. He reflects on the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ, using the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus as a model for how Jesus meets people in their confusion and sorrow. This personal encounter, available through the Church and its sacraments, is not dependent on perfect understanding or worthiness. Instead, it is a gift offered through the Holy Spirit, calling each person to live in the reality of Christ’s presence here and now. The Resurrection isn’t just a past event to remember—it’s a living truth that invites a response of joy, relationship, and witness. He also speaks to the responsibility of parishes to support new members entering the Church through the Easter Vigil. These neophytes, full of zeal and spiritual gifts, should be welcomed as vital parts of the community, not left to navigate the life of faith on their own. Parishes must foster a “clear path of discipleship,” continually encouraging growth and deeper conversion. While many might relate to spirituality in a general sense, the Resurrection proclaims a concrete truth about God’s love and power. He urges us to carry the joy of Easter beyond the season and into their daily lives, staying connected to Christ not only through Lenten penance, but through an ongoing relationship nurtured in prayer, community, and the sacraments. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions How do I personally encounter the risen Christ in my daily life? In what ways might I be missing Jesus’ presence, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus? Do I believe that Jesus desires to meet me where I am, even in confusion or doubt? How does the Resurrection shape my understanding of suffering, hope, and new life? What prevents me from sharing the joy of encountering Christ with others? How can I help my parish become a place where others can truly meet Jesus? What does it mean for me to live as someone “alive in Christ” today? Am I continuing to grow in my faith after Easter, or slipping back into old habits? How can I support new members of the Church in their journey of discipleship? What is one step I can take this week to respond more fully to the truth of the Resurrection? For more episodes in this series, visit the

Episode 42 – Experiencing the Joy of Divine Mercy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss Easter as a season for joy within our lives and within the church, focusing on the joy found in the devotion to the Divine Mercy. For more episodes in this series, visit the Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org The post WM42 – Experiencing the Joy of Divine Mercy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts .

Episode 41 – Easter: A Season for Joy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss Easter as a season for joy within our lives and within the church, drawing back upon the Kerygma as shown in the Gospel readings throughout the Easter Season following Jesus’ resurrection. For more episodes in this series, visit the Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org The post WM41 – Easter: A Season for Joy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts .

Episode 40 – Journey of Faith – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss the “Journey of Faith”, a new way to bring together parishes within the Archdiocese, helping to meet the challenges and new reality facing parish life. While the conversation primarily addresses what is happening within the Archdiocese of Omaha, Archbishop Lucas’ words can be of great benefit to other Dioceses across the country facing similar challenges as well. From the Archdiocese of Omaha’s Website : Current Realities, priesthood “The challenge is to see this as an opportunity, to have a deeper experience in the activity of the Holy Spirit, and to respond really in faith, and to trust God.” – Archbishop George Lucas Families of Parishes: A Modern-Day Answer in Our Journey of Faith Why does this Journey of Faith matter so much right now? Think about how you have experienced or struggled in your own journey of faith. As one church, we must respond to changes in our Catholic community and the world around us. A Vision for Active Parish Communities Our shared vision for the archdiocese guides our Journey of Faith over the next three years. It comes directly from the hopes and spiritual desires of Catholics shared in listening sessions across the archdiocese. Where We’ve Been What we’ve learned over the last few years, will help us understand how to embark on a new journey to live our Catholic faith in new, more outgoing ways. Journey of Faith Prayer Lord and Giver of Life, we ask for your guidance as we journey to discover your plan for our parishes and schools. Change can bring about great excitement; it can also be the source of anxiety and fear. Help us to move forward with faith, courage and confidence. Give us open minds and clarity as we discern your will for a promising future. May Jesus, the constant companion of the Church since Pentecost, help us to accept the challenges of loving service in new and invigorating ways. May Mary, Mother of the Church, encourage our efforts to listen and learn. In the beginning, you hovered over the waters, giving birth to your plan for creation. You were present to the People of Israel, speaking to them, teaching them, and guiding them. Be present with us now, and give us your light to see the way. Amen. For more episodes in this series, visit the <a href="https://www.discerninghearts.com/catholic-podcasts/why-it-matters-an-ex

Episode 39 – Living the Reality of the Christmas Season – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss living the joys and challenges of the Christmas Season authentically. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Christmas mystery 525 Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. 202 Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to this event. In this poverty heaven’s glory was made manifest. 203 The Church never tires of singing the glory of this night: The Virgin today brings into the world the Eternal And the earth offers a cave to the Inaccessible. The angels and shepherds praise him And the magi advance with the star, For you are born for us, Little Child, God eternal! 204 526 To become a child in relation to God is the condition for entering the kingdom. 205 For this, we must humble ourselves and become little. Even more: to become “children of God” we must be “born from above” or “born of God”. 206 Only when Christ is formed in us will the mystery of Christmas be fulfilled in us. 207 Christmas is the mystery of this “marvellous exchange”: O marvellous exchange! Man’s Creator has become man, born of the Virgin. We have been made sharers in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share our humanity. 208 Notes: 202 Cf. Lk 2:61.203 Cf. Lk 2:8-20. 204 Kontakion of Romanos the Melodist. 205 Cf. Mt 18:3-4. 206 Jn 3:7; 1:13; 1:12; cf. Mt 23:12. 207 Cf. Gal 4:19. 208 LH, Antiphon I of Evening Prayer for January 1st. For more episodes in this series, visit the Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org The post WM39 – Living the Reality of the Christmas Season – Why it Matters: An Exploratio

Episode 38 – Preparing for the Coming of Christ – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss the events leading up to the celebration of Christmas and how the coming of Christ experienced in our lives today. Gospel Lk 2:1-14 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” For more episodes in this series, visit the Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org The post <a href="https://www.discerninghearts.com/catholic-podcasts/wm38-preparing-for-the-coming-of-christ-why-it-matters-a

Episode 36 – Second Sunday of Advent and the Kerygma – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss the season of Advent and its particular nature in relation to the Kerygma ( the pronouncement of the Good News ). In this episode, they discuss the gospel reading found in the First Sunday of Advent. Gospel Mt 3:1-12 John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” For more episodes in this series, visit the Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org <div c

Episode 35 – First Sunday of Advent and the Kerygma – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss the season of Advent and its particular nature in relation to the Kerygma ( the pronouncement of the Good News ). In this episode, they discuss the gospel reading found in the First Sunday of Advent. Gospel Mt 24:37-44 Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” For more episodes in this series visit the Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org The post WM35 – The First Sunday of Advent and the Kerygma – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts .

Episode 34 – What is the Kerygma Part 2 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Luca Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor begin the discussion of the first announcement, more formally known as KERYGMA From the APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION EVANGELII GAUDIUM OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS 164. In catechesis too, we have rediscovered the fundamental role of the first announcement or kerygma, which needs to be the centre of all evangelizing activity and all efforts at Church renewal. The kerygma is trinitarian. The fire of the Spirit is given in the form of tongues and leads us to believe in Jesus Christ who, by his death and resurrection, reveals and communicates to us the Father’s infinite mercy. On the lips of the catechist the first proclamation must ring out over and over: “ Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you. ” This first proclamation is called “first” not because it exists at the beginning and can then be forgotten or replaced by other more important things. It is first in a qualitative sense because it is the principal proclamation, the one which we must hear again and again in different ways, the one which we must announce one way or another throughout the process of catechesis, at every level and moment. [126] For this reason too, “the priest – like every other member of the Church – ought to grow in awareness that he himself is continually in need of being evangelized”. [127] 165. We must not think that in catechesis the kerygma gives way to a supposedly more “solid” formation. Nothing is more solid, profound, secure, meaningful and wisdom-filled than that initial proclamation. All Christian formation consists of entering more deeply into the kerygma, which is reflected in and constantly illumines, the work of catechesis, thereby enabling us to understand more fully the significance of every subject which the latter treats. It is the message capable of responding to the desire for the infinite which abides in every human heart. The centrality of the kerygma calls for stressing those elements which are most needed today: it has to express God’s saving love which precedes any moral and religious obligation on our part; it should not impose the truth but appeal to freedom; it should be marked by joy, encouragement, liveliness and a harmonious balance which will not reduce preaching to a few doctrines which are at times more philosophical than evangelical. All this demands on the part of the evang

Episode 33 – What is the Kerygma – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Luca Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor begin the discussion of the first announcement, more formally known as KERYGMA From the APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION EVANGELII GAUDIUM OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS 164. In catechesis too, we have rediscovered the fundamental role of the first announcement or kerygma, which needs to be the centre of all evangelizing activity and all efforts at Church renewal. The kerygma is trinitarian. The fire of the Spirit is given in the form of tongues and leads us to believe in Jesus Christ who, by his death and resurrection, reveals and communicates to us the Father’s infinite mercy. On the lips of the catechist the first proclamation must ring out over and over: “ Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you. ” This first proclamation is called “first” not because it exists at the beginning and can then be forgotten or replaced by other more important things. It is first in a qualitative sense because it is the principal proclamation, the one which we must hear again and again in different ways, the one which we must announce one way or another throughout the process of catechesis, at every level and moment. [126] For this reason too, “the priest – like every other member of the Church – ought to grow in awareness that he himself is continually in need of being evangelized”. [127] 165. We must not think that in catechesis the kerygma gives way to a supposedly more “solid” formation. Nothing is more solid, profound, secure, meaningful and wisdom-filled than that initial proclamation. All Christian formation consists of entering more deeply into the kerygma, which is reflected in and constantly illumines, the work of catechesis, thereby enabling us to understand more fully the significance of every subject which the latter treats. It is the message capable of responding to the desire for the infinite which abides in every human heart. The centrality of the kerygma calls for stressing those elements which are most needed today: it has to express God’s saving love which precedes any moral and religious obligation on our part; it should not impose the truth but appeal to freedom; it should be marked by joy, encouragement, liveliness and a harmonious balance which will not reduce preaching to a few doctrines which are at times more philosophical than evangelical. All this demands on the part of the evangelizer