Knowing Jesus is the best gift that any person can receive, that we've encountered him as the best thing that's happened in our lives, and making him known by our word and deeds is our greatest joy.

Ave Maria Radio presents Christ is the Answer with Father John Ricardo.

He's a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit and is currently the executive director of a nonprofit organization called Acts 29, which exists to work with pastors and their teams to transform their parish culture and reclaim the church's missionary identity.

He was ordained in 1996.

In 2009, the most radically pro-abortion candidate

in the history of the country was elected. To Father Ricardo, it was an historic day. In this talk,

Father Ricardo wants to suggest to us some things we can do for the culture and for ourselves.

It basically boils down to knowing the facts, getting involved, and to be on guard against discouragement.

It's also to know the faith, love the church, and be people of prayer.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

This is from the letter to the Hebrews.

Some were tortured, refusing to accept release that they might rise again to a better life.

Others suffered mocking and scourging and even chains and imprisonment.

They were stoned.

They were sought in half.

They were killed with the sword.

They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated,

of whom the world was not worthy, wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely.

And let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith,

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