Episode 04 Psalm 51 : A Prayer for a New Beginning

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 Mars 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 Mars 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 Mars 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 Mars 1min

“Welcome to ‘2 Minutes with the Lord.’ I am your host of the show Fr. Veigas Dominic SVD. We are in the last episode of Season 5 with one of the Bible’s most uplifting and heartfelt Psalms: Psalm 103. This Psalm is a song of pure gratitude, reminding us to bless the Lord for His endless mercy, unfailing love, and abundant blessings. It’s not just a call to praise—it’s a guide to shifting our focus from life’s struggles to the goodness of God. If you’ve been overwhelmed or distant from joy, this Psalm is here to lift your soul.”“Let’s listen to the opening verses of Psalm 103 and allow them to stir our hearts to gratitude:”‘Bless the Lord, O my soul,and all that is within me, bless his holy name!Bless the Lord, O my soul,and forget not all his benefits,who forgives all your iniquity,who heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from the pit,who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,who satisfies you with goodso that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.’Psalm 103 begins with a personal call to worship: ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul.’ It’s as though the Psalmist is reminding himself to turn his whole being—mind, heart, and soul—toward praising God. Why? Because of all God has done.Look at the list:• He forgives all your sins.• He heals your diseases.• He redeems your life from destruction.• He crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.• He satisfies you with good things.These aren’t small blessings—they are life-changing realities. The Psalmist isn’t just listing God’s benefits as a routine; he’s declaring them with awe and gratitude. He’s reminding us that God’s love and mercy are active, renewing, and restorative.But notice this: the Psalm moves beyond the individual. Later, it declares that God’s steadfast love extends to all who fear Him, from generation to generation. This love is not just personal—it’s universal and eternal. Where in your life do you need to pause and say, ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul’?

23 Feb 5min

Have youever looked up at the stars on a clear night and felt awe at their vastness? Welcometo ‘2 Minutes with the Lord.’ I am your host on the show Fr. Dominic VeigasSVD. Psalm 19 begins with this sense of wonder, proclaiming that creation is a testimonyto God’s glory. But it doesn’t stop there—it also celebrates the beauty andpower of God’s Word. Today,let’s reflect on how God speaks to us through both the vastness of the heavensand the pages of Scripture.“Let’slisten to the opening verses of Psalm 19 and let the imagery draw us intoworship.”‘Theheavens declare the glory of God;the skies proclaim the work of his hands.Dayafter day they pour forth speech;night after night they reveal knowledge.They have no speech, they use no words;nosound is heard from them.Yettheir voice goes out into all the earth,theirwords to the ends of the world.’“Psalm 19is often described as a Psalm of revelation because it shows us two ways Godspeaks to us: through creation and His Word.The first half of the Psalm focuses on nature. It describes the heavens as declaringGod’s glory, the skies proclaiming the work of His hands. Imagine that for amoment—the sun rising each morning, the stars shining at night, all like asilent symphony praising the Creator. This iswhat theologians call ‘general revelation’—the way God reveals Himself to allpeople through the natural world. Have youever felt that pull when standing in awe of a sunrise, a mountain, or theocean? That’screation pointing you to its Maker.Thesecond half of the Psalm shifts to the ‘law of the Lord,’ or God’s Word. Here,the psalmist moves from the vastness of the heavens to the intimate guidance ofScripture. He says, ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.’ Whilecreation reveals God’s power and majesty, His Word reveals His will andcharacter, giving us a roadmap for life. Together, these two voices—the voiceof creation and the voice of Scripture—draw us closer to God.Whatmight happen if we paused to listen to both? To look up at the heavens with aweand open God’s Word with the same reverence?”“Psalm 19beautifully bridges the gap between nature and Scripture. In ancient Israel,people often saw creation as a canvas on which God painted His glory. Forexample, the sun, which the psalmist describes as a bridegroom rejoicing in itscourse, symbolizes constancy and provision.But thetransition to God’s Word is just as important. The psalmist highlights that the‘law of the Lord is perfect,’ this law doesn’t just inform—it transforms.Itrefreshes the soul, gives wisdom to the simple, and brings joy to the heart.This echoes what Paul writes in Romans 1:20: Creation makes God’s invisiblequalities clear, but it’s through Scripture that we understand His heart andHis call on our lives.Together,these two revelations—creation and Scripture—remind us that God is bothinfinite and personal. He is the Creator of the cosmos and the One who wants toguide your every step.” Psalm 19celebrates God’s revelation through creation and His Word, uniting natural andspecial revelation in one hymn of praise.  Thethemes of this Psalm are Creation’s Testimony, God’s Word, and personalResponse; the final verses shift to a personal prayer, asking God for cleansingand guidance. “Thisweek, take two moments to listen to God’s voice:Thank youfor joining me today. Psalm 19 reminds us to slow down and listen—to see God’sglory in the heavens and to hear His guidance in His Word. Thisweek, marvel at creation and open your heart to Scripture. Join me next time aswe continue exploring the Psalms, and until then, let God’s voice fill yourlife with wonder and wisdom.

14 Feb 5min

IntroductionWelcometo ‘2 Minutes with the Lord. I am your host Fr. Dominic Veigas SVDHave youever felt like the world around you was spinning out of control?Maybe itwas a crisis, unexpected news, or just the constant demands of daily life.Psalm 46 meets us in these moments, offering a powerful reminder: God is ourrefuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Today, let’s reflect onwhat it means to find peace, even when life feels chaotic.PsalmReading“Let’slisten to the opening verses of Psalm 46, hearing them as words of comfort andtruth.”‘Godis our refuge and strength,anever-present help in trouble.Thereforewe will not fear, though the earth give wayandthe mountains fall into the heart of the sea,thoughits waters roar and foamandthe mountains quake with their surging.’“Psalm 46opens with one of the most comforting declarations in Scripture: ‘God is ourrefuge and strength.’ A refuge is a place of safety, a shelter from the storm.But this Psalm goes further—it reminds us that God is not just a distant, safeplace;He isactively present, providing strength when we feel weak.Theimagery in this Psalm is dramatic: the earth giving way, mountains falling intothe sea, waters roaring and foaming.It paintsa picture of complete chaos yet boldly declares, ‘We will not fear.’ Why?Because God’s presence is more significant than any storm.Noticethe phrase ‘ever-present help in trouble.’ It doesn’t say God is only presentwhen life is calm, or we’ve figured everything out. He is with us in the middle of the mess, thenoise, and the uncertainty. This isn’t just a promise for ancient Israel butfor you today, no matter what you’re facing.ThisPsalm may have been inspired by a deliverance event, such as God protectingJerusalem during Sennacherib’s invasion (2 Kings 19:32–36).Where inyour life do you need to experience God as your refuge? What storm are you inright now, and how might it change your perspective to know that God isstanding with you?”Psalm 46was likely written during a tremendous national turmoil for Israel—perhapsduring a siege or invasion. For the people of Israel, Jerusalem symbolizedGod’s presence, particularly the temple, often called ‘God’s dwelling place.’In verse4, the Psalm speaks of a river that brings joy to the city of God. WhileJerusalem doesn’t have a literal river, this imagery reflects the spiritualsustenance from God’s presence.ThisPsalm also inspired Martin Luther’s famous hymn, ‘A Mighty Fortress Is OurGod.’ During the Reformation, Luther turned to this Psalm for strength andcourage in the face of immense opposition.Itreminds us that throughout history, God’s people have leaned on Him as theirunshakable refuge.” Wheneveryou feel overwhelmed or anxious this week, pause and repeat these words: ‘Godis my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.’ Let them remindyou that no matter what shakes your world, God is your steady, immovablefoundation.”Let’spray.Lord,thank You for being our refuge in the storms of life. When chaos surrounds us,and fear tries to take hold, remind us that You are near, giving us strengthand peace.Help usto trust in Your unshakable presence, knowing that You are always with us, evenin the most challenging moments. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. Thank youfor joining me today. Psalm 46 reminds us that no matter how chaotic lifefeels, God is our refuge and strength, always present, always faithful.Thisweek, lean into that truth and let it bring you peace. Join me next time as wecontinue our journey through the Psalms, and until then, trust in His presenceand rest in His strength.”

7 Feb 4min

Have you ever felt spiritually dry, like your soul was searching for something it couldn’t grasp? “Let’s hear the opening verses of Psalm 42, imagining ourselves in the psalmist’s shoes:” ‘As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”’ Welcome to ‘2 Minutes with the Lord. Psalm 42 is a heartfelt cry from someone who longs for God in the wilderness. It begins with an image we can all relate to—a deer, thirsty and desperate, searching for water. This Psalm invites us to reflect on our own spiritual thirst and discover what it means to find refreshment in God. Psalm 42 speaks directly to the human heart. The psalmist begins with an image of intense longing—a deer panting for water. This isn’t a casual thirst; it’s a desperate, survival-level need. The psalmist compares this to their soul’s deep yearning for God. Have you ever felt that kind of thirst—not just for relief, but for something that touches the core of your being? The psalmist is honest about their pain. They feel distant from God and overwhelmed by doubts, symbolized by their tears being their food day and night. Yet, even amid this spiritual dryness, there’s a longing for God, a belief that only He can satisfy. Psalm 42 is the first of the “maskil” attributed to the sons of Korah. It was likely written during a time of exile or deep distress and expressed a longing for God’s presence. The psalmist may have been physically removed from Jerusalem and the temple, intensifying their spiritual thirst for God. Notice how the psalmist asks, ‘When can I go and meet with God?’ This question reveals a longing for presence, not just answers. It reminds us that in times of spiritual dryness, what we need most isn’t a quick fix but a renewed connection with God—a return to the living water that refreshes our souls. The phrase ‘living God’ stands out. The psalmist isn’t searching for rituals or traditions but for the God who breathes life into the driest places. Where in your life are you longing for that living water? The imagery of water is rich throughout Scripture. Water symbolizes life, refreshment, and God’s provision. Think of Jesus’ words in John 7:37: ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.’ The psalmist’s longing for streams of water foreshadows this promise. It points to a God who doesn’t just quench our thirst temporarily but offers a wellspring of eternal life. In the ancient world, water was a precious resource. A stream in the wilderness meant survival. For the psalmist, God is that stream in a spiritual wilderness, the source of hope and sustenance. This Psalm reminds us that when we’re parched—spiritually, emotionally, or even physically—our ultimate refreshment comes from God. “This week, take five minutes each day to sit quietly and reflect on your spiritual thirst. What are you longing for? What feels dry or distant in your life? As you reflect, pray this line from Psalm 42: ‘As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.’ Let this be your invitation to reconnect with the living God. Thank you for joining me today. Psalm 42 reminds us that longing for God is the first step toward finding Him. This week, let’s seek the living water that only God can provide, trusting that He is always ready to refresh and renew us. Join me next time as we continue exploring the Psalms, and until then, keep thirsting for Him and trusting in His presence. Let’s pray. Lord, You are the living water that refreshes our souls. When we feel dry or distant, help us turn to You, knowing You are always near. Renew our spirits, quench our thirst, and draw us closer to Your presence. Teach us to trust in You, even in the wilderness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

3 Feb 5min