TSP 30: Herod and the Slaughter of the Innocents: The Rest of the Story

Today the Church remembers the slaughter of the innocents, Herod's savage massacre of all the children two years and younger in the region of Bethlehem after Jesus' birth. The story is recounted in Matthew 2.

Who was Herod? How did he become king? How were the Romans involved in Palestinian political affairs? Understanding the historical backdrop of first-century Judea helps us put the story in perspective. It also reveals its historical plausibility. This podcast will give you the complete run down.

I hope you enjoy it!

As always, you can listen on iTunes or click the link below and, as always, your comments are welcome in the comment box below.

TSP 30: TSP 30: Herod and the Slaughter of the Innocents: The Rest of the Story

St Stephen: Deacon, Martyr, Theological Genius (Special TSP Podcast)

Today our focus--as it should be--is on Christmas. Tomorrow we continue to celebrate the Christmas season, but, as we do that, we celebrate the Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church.

Why is he so important that he is the follow-up to Christmas Day?

I've always had a fascination with St. Stephen. Over on the right you can see a picture of me standing at the traditional site of his burial site in Rome. So I couldn't let December 26th go by without posting some thoughts on this great figure from the Acts of the Apostles.

Learn more in this special podcast.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below.

As always, we welcome your comments below.

Merry Christmas!

St. Stephen: Deacon, Martyr, Theological Genius (Podcast for 12/26/12)

St. Stephen TSP Podcast

TSP 29: The First Christmas: The History and Theology of Jesus' Birth in Matthew and Luke

With Christmas upon us, The Sacred Page Podcast turns to look at the birth narrative of Jesus in Matthew and Luke.

Are the infancy narratives hopelessly contradictory? Were they simply invented out of whole cloth? Why are there so many hymns in Luke 1-2? Why did Luke not tell us about Magi? Why did Joseph seek to divorce Mary? Was he really suspicious of her?

Find out the answers to these and many other questions in this podcast.

For more on Joseph, see this post.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below.

Your comments are welcome as always in the comment box. 

TSP 29: The First Christmas: The History and Theology of Jesus' Birth in Matthew and Luke