Prophet Series Episode 05 Hosea

Theme: God’s compassionfor all people, even our enemies.Key Verse: Jonah 4:2 – “Iknew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and aboundingin love, a God who relents from sending calamity.Welcome back to TheProphet Series! In our last episode, we explored Amos’s powerful call forjustice and righteousness. Today, we turn to the story of Jonah, a uniqueprophet for his reluctance to follow God’s call.Jonah’s story isn’t justabout a prophet running away; it’s about God’s compassion—a love that extendsto everyone, even those we might consider undeserving. Jonah struggled toaccept this, just as we sometimes struggle to show others grace and forgiveness.As we explore Jonah’sjourney, we’ll discover lessons about obedience, humility, and God’s boundlessmercy. Let’s dive in.Jonah’s story begins witha clear command from God:“Go to the great city ofNineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” –Jonah 1:2Nineveh was the capital ofAssyria, a powerful and brutal empire known for its violence and oppression.Jonah didn’t want to go—not because he was afraid, but because he didn’t wantGod to show mercy to the Ninevites.Instead of obeying, Jonahboarded a ship to Tarshish, fleeing in the opposite direction. But God pursuedhim. A great storm arose, and Jonah, knowing he was the cause, told the sailorsto throw him overboard to save themselves.Jonah was swallowed by agreat fish and spent three days and three nights there. In the belly of thefish, Jonah prayed, acknowledging God’s mercy and committing to obey Him. Thefish then vomited Jonah onto dry land, and he finally went to Nineveh to deliverGod’s message.

28 Apr 6min

Welcome back to The Prophet Series! In our last episode, wereflected on Hosea's powerful story of love and forgiveness. Today, we shiftour focus to Amos, a prophet whose message challenges us to examine our heartsand actions, particularly in pursuing justice and righteousness.  Amos was an ordinary man called by God to deliver anextraordinary message. He spoke out against his time's injustice, corruption,and complacency, reminding the people that true worship of God must beaccompanied by justice and care for the vulnerable.  Amos's words are as relevant today as they were centuriesago. His call to "let justice roll like a river" invites us toreflect on how we live out our faith in a world that desperately needs God'sjustice and righteousness.Let's dive into the life of Amos and explore how hismessage challenges and inspires us today.  Amos was a shepherd and fig farmer from Tekoa, a small townin the southern kingdom of Judah. He wasn't a professional prophet or priest,yet God called him to deliver a powerful message to the northern kingdom ofIsrael.  During Amos's time, Israel was experiencing politicalstability and economic prosperity under King Jeroboam II. But beneath thesurface, society was deeply corrupt. The wealthy exploited the poor, justicewas perverted, and religious rituals had become empty and hypocritical. Amos boldly confronted these issues, proclaiming that Godwould not tolerate such injustice. His message was uncompromising: repentanceand righteousness were the only paths to avoid God's judgment.  Amos's background as a farmer reminds us that God can useanyone to speak His truth. You don't have to hold a position of power orinfluence—your willingness to be faithful to God's call matters.

20 Apr 7min

Key Verse: Daniel 6:22 – “My God sent his angel, andhe shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me because I was foundinnocent in his sight.”Welcome back to The Prophet Series! Inthe last episode, we explored Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones anddiscovered God’s power to bring life to hopeless situations. Today, we focus on Daniel, aprophet whose life exemplified courage and unwavering faith. Daniel is bestknown for surviving a night in a den of lions, but his story is much more thana miraculous rescue.Daniel lived as a faithfulservant of God in a foreign land, navigating a culture that often opposed hisbeliefs. His courage, prayer life, and trust in God offer us timeless lessons.Let’s explore Daniel’s storyand how we can stand firm in faith, even under pressure.  Daniel’s story begins in Daniel 1 when he, alongwith other young Israelites, was taken captive by the Babylonians. KingNebuchadnezzar brought them to Babylon to serve in his court, hoping toassimilate them into Babylonian culture.  Despite being far from homeand under immense pressure, Daniel resolved to remain faithful to God. In hisearly years, he refused to eat the king’s food, instead following God’s dietarylaws. His faithfulness was rewarded, as God gave him wisdom, understanding, andfavor.Daniel’s ability to interpretdreams and visions brought him to a position of influence under several kings,including Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus. Yet, despite his highstatus, Daniel remained humble and committed to God.

8 Apr 7min

Ezekiel – The Valley ofDry BonesKey Verse: Ezekiel 37:5 – "This is whatthe Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and youwill come to life."Welcome to The ProphetSeries! In our last episode, we reflected on Jeremiah's life and hisfaithfulness in suffering. Today, we journey into the remarkable story ofEzekiel, a prophet known for his powerful visions and symbolic acts.Ezekiel's ministryoccurred during one of the darkest periods in Israel's history—the Babylonianexile. The people of Judah had lost everything: their land, their temple, andtheir sense of identity. They felt like a valley of dry bones, lifeless and withouthope.But God delivered amessage of restoration through Ezekiel. His vision of the valley of dry bonesis one of the most vivid and hope-filled passages in Scripture. It reminds usthat no situation is beyond God's power to revive.Let's dive intoEzekiel's life and discover how his message speaks to us today.Ezekiel was a priestfrom a prominent family in Jerusalem, but his life took a dramatic turn when hewas among the first exiles taken to Babylon in 597 B.C. Five years into hisexile, at the age of 30, Ezekiel received his prophetic call.His calling wasextraordinary. In Ezekiel 1, he describes an awe-inspiring vision of God'sglory: a whirlwind, living creatures with four faces, wheels within wheels, anda radiant throne. Overwhelmed, Ezekiel fell facedown, and God spoke to him,commissioning him to be a prophet to the exiles.God warned Ezekiel thathis task would be challenging. The people were rebellious and hard-hearted, butGod told him to deliver the message faithfully, whether they listened or not.Ezekiel's obedience was absolute, even when it required unusual symbolicactions, like lying on his side for 430 days to represent the years of Israeland Judah's sin or shaving his head to signify the coming judgment.

31 Mar 7min

Jeremiah – The Weeping Prophet Key Verse: Jeremiah29:11 –“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper youand not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Welcome back to TheProphet Series! In our last episode, we explored Isaiah’s message of hope andGod’s promise to renew our strength. Today, we journey into the life ofJeremiah, often called the “Weeping Prophet.” Jeremiah had one of themost challenging callings in Scripture. Tasked with delivering a message ofjudgment and repentance, he faced rejection, ridicule, and deep personalsuffering. Yet, through it all, Jeremiah remained faithful to God. Why does Jeremiah’sstory matter to us? Because we all face moments when our faith is tested.Whether it’s rejection, hardship, or unanswered prayers, Jeremiah’s lifeteaches us that faithfulness is about trusting God even when seeing His plan iscomplicated. I am your host on theshow Fr. Dominic Veigas SVD. Today, we’ll reflect on Jeremiah’s perseverance,his hope-filled prophecy in chapter 29, and what it means for us when lifefeels overwhelming. Jeremiah’s ministrybegan during the reign of King Josiah, a time of reform in Judah. But afterJosiah’s death, the nation quickly turned back to idolatry and injustice. Godcalled Jeremiah to warn the people of impending judgment and to urge them torepent. From the very beginning,Jeremiah knew his calling would be difficult. In Jeremiah 1:5-8, God said:“Before I formed you inthe womb, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you asa prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah responded withhesitation, saying, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But Godreassured him: “Do not be afraid… I am with you and will rescue you.” Despite this promise, Jeremiah’s path was anything buteasy. He was mocked, imprisoned, and even thrown into a cistern. Yet, hecontinued to speak God’s truth with courage and conviction. His faithfulness inthe face of suffering is a powerful example today.

24 Mar 8min

Welcome to The Prophet Series, where we journey through the lives and messages of God’s chosen voices. This is season 6, and we’ll explorethe stories of the great prophets in Scripture, their timeless messages, andtheir relevance to our lives today. I am your host on the show Fr. VeigasDominic SVD. Let us begin with the prophet Isaiah. In this first episode, we focus on Isaiah, the “Prince ofProphets.” God called Isaiah to speak to a nation that had lost its way, apeople weary from uncertainty and rebellion. His prophecies are rich with hope,comfort, and the promise of a Savior. Isaiah’s words resonate with us because we live in a timewhere hope is often hard to find. His message reminds us that God’s promisesare steadfast, and His strength is always available to those who place theirhope in Him. Today, we’ll unpack Isaiah’s life, his powerful message ofhope, and how we can apply his wisdom. Let’s get started. Who was Isaiah?  Isaiah was a prophet in the southern kingdom of Judah. Heministered during the reigns of four kings: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.His ministry occurred in the 8th century B.C., during significant political andspiritual turmoil. The kingdom of Judah faced threats from powerful neighborslike Assyria. Instead of turning to God for deliverance, the people oftensought alliances with foreign powers and worshiped idols. Isaiah was called todeliver a stern message: repentance and trust in God were the only paths toproper security. But Isaiah wasn’t just a prophet of judgment but also aprophet of hope. His writings are filled with promises of redemption,restoration, and the coming of a Messiah who would save Israel and the world. One of Isaiah’s most famous visions is recorded in chapter6. In it, he sees the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, with angelscrying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty!” At this moment, Isaiahresponded to God’s call with the words, “Here I am. Send me!”

17 Mar 8min

"In a world searching for answers... they were thevoices of God. Voices that echoed through centuries, bearing messages of hope,warning, and divine truth. Chosen, anointed, and sent with a message thattranscends time. They faced rejection, isolation, and persecution, yet theystood unwavering, proclaiming the Word of God. From the cries of the desert tothe whispers in the wind, their words shaped nations and hearts.  Join Fr. Dominic, on 2 Minutes with the Lord throughthe lives of the prophets. To feel their courage, understand their call, andembrace the message they bring to our world today. Discover their struggles,and the timeless messages they offer us today. Their struggles were real, theirwords challenging. Yet, they remind us that the call of God is never silent—itstill speaks to those who choose to listen. Their voices call across time,asking: Who will listen? Who will believe? Their call is now our call—to standfor truth, to walk in faith, to speak with courage. Let the voices of theprophets awaken your soul. Let their courage inspire yours.Coming soon. Only on '2 Minutes with the Lord.' Be ready tolisten. Be ready to believe.

15 Mar 1min