Stephen K. Ray's Blog

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Where did Jesus appear alive between his resurrection and ascension? And who were the witnesses, beyond just the holy women and the apostles? It can be very confusing. So we will lay it out in an orderly manner.

Jesus had repeatedly informed his disciples in advance of his death and resurrection, “And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise” (Luke 18:33).

Luke summarizes Jesus’ activity before his ascension into heaven. “Jesus presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).

We will start with a brief summary of the twelve places and events. We will continue with more detailed information.

Short Summary of Resurrection Appearances — Summary of Places and Events

The post Unraveling Jesus’ Activity Between Resurrection and Ascension – My Newest Catholic Answers Magazine Article appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

Janet and I love being grandparents. This is grandbaby No. 21 named Benedict Carlo.

Our first great-grandbaby is due in June

The post Love being a Grandpa! appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

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I had a great time on Catholic Answers Live putting in order all the people and places surrounding the resurrection. Acts says, ”

“He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3)

How many times did Jesus appear after His Resurrection—and where did these appearances take place? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists walk through the key post-Resurrection appearances of Christ, from the Upper Room to the road to Emmaus and beyond.

They explain what happened during the 40 days leading up to the Ascension, the significance of Jesus appearing to the apostles, and how these encounters strengthen the case for the Resurrection. The discussion also covers the Ascension from the Mount of Olives and Christ’s later appearance to St. Paul on the road to Damascus.

A clear and compelling look at one of the most important periods in Christian history.

Questions Covered:

04:45 – In the Bible, how many times did Jesus appear between the Resurrection and the Ascension? 16:55 – Where did he physically appear during the 40 days? 29:00 – What happened when he appeared in the Upper Room? 36:12 – Mount of Olives and the Ascension. 44:20 – Appearing to Paul on the Road to Damascus. 

The post Catholic Answers Live: “What Happened After the Resurrection? Forty Days with the People and Places” appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

These Christians in Jerusalem are indomitable. You will never crush their spirit.

They are at the St. Xavier Church within the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. This is the compound of the Franciscan  Custody of the Holy Sites.

Since they can’t celebrate at the Holy Sepulchre, they’re having it at the Franciscan Church near New Gate.

Thanks to my good friend Tarik George Abogarfah for the video!

The post Good Friday with Friends in Old City of Jerusalem! appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

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Listen to the audio version above OR read the article HERE. I hope you enjoy this meditation through the eyes of Jesus on the cross.

Jesus was observant. He certainly noticed everything from the cross. We, too, should be observant and meditate deeply upon everything surrounding the crucifixion of Our Lord.

This is a list of things Jesus saw from the cross on Good Friday, as seen through Scripture, with a few notes to assist your meditation. To read the article and see the images, click the box below

The post 20 Things Jesus Saw from the Cross – my new article in Catholic Answers Magazine appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

We get busy on during the Easter Season. We don’t have a lot of respect for people who go to church only on Christmas and Easter. We may be irritated that seats are taken and the church is noisy.

But, you are praying for your family and friends to come back to church and MAYBE these folks visiting today are answers to someone else’s prayers.

Smile and be helpful and kind  step out of your comfort zone.

Make sure you welcome people, especially visitors and families or someone who looks “lost” or alone. Maybe they are stepping into church for the first time. Maybe your welcome and friendship will be the determining factor if they ever come back.

Pretend Jesus just walked in the door….

The post Welcoming New People at Mass this Easter – They May Be an Answer to Someone’s Prayers appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

Do the Gospels Conflict?
How Long was Jesus on the Cross?

The question intrigued me sufficiently enough that I spent the best part of a day working on it. There seems to be a contradiction in the Gospels, mentioning different times for the crucifixion. Maybe someone forgot to check their watch!

Mark says Jesus was crucified at the third hour and John tells us the crucifixion took place after the sixth hour. So, what are we to make of this seeming contradiction? And how long was he anctually hanging on the cross?

For the whole story, click here.

By the way, isn’t this a COOL picture? I took it several years ago at the Cross in the Woods Shrine in Indian River Michigan. It is the largest crucifix in the world and right across the street from my wife’s parents’ summer home.

The post How Long was Jesus on the Cross — Do the Gospels Conflict? appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

What was Holy Week really like? Steve has been to the Holy Land over 200 times and takes us on a journey from the Institution of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday, through the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

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The post Virtual Tour of the Passion of Christ appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

Steve dives into the life and meaning of St. Joseph and his life with the Holy Family. This is not the Joseph holding a lily with lotion-soft hands. This is the rugged man with muscles of steel and a heart of gold – the man God chose to raise his son.

https://catholicconvert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Ave-Maria-in-the-Afternoon-St.-Josephs-Silent-Leadership-.mp3

The post St. Joseph’s Silent Leadership appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

There has been a lot of discussion on this. I believe Israel was doing their best to protect the population. The mosques and synagogues were also closed.

But it was wise to come to this agreement. I’ve seen the videos of missiles and shrapnel over the Old City, some landing within meters of the holy slicker. My Palestinian Christian friends have been communicating with me daily.

The post Cardinal Pizzaballa and the Israeli Police appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.