Cup o' Joe

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 54-58 Jesus, having finished his teaching in parables, returns to "his native place".  And while they immediately see the wisdom and workings of God, they talk themselves out of it because of the vessel bearing the message.  We can scoff at these people from 2,000 years of distance, or we can accept that they are us and that each one of us carries so...

Gospel of John, Chapter 11, verses 19-27 We celebrate the Feast of Ss. Martha, Mary & Lazarus today, and so we take a break from our hearing of Matthew's Gospel.  In today's familiar story, we see three people completely at ease with Jesus.  So much so, that they are not afraid to be angry, vulnerable and wait for Him.  Do we see some of Martha, Mary or Lazarus in our relationsh...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 44-46 Jesus returns to speaking in parables and offers two for us in a very short Gospel today.  The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure in a field and like finding a pearl of great price.  What are we willing to give up for those items?  And do we even find ourselves searching for them?  The scales tilt on one thing: desire Special guest:...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 24-30, 36-43 Because the Word of God is so good, we get not one but two Gospels today.  Ok, really - it is Jesus telling a parable in the first Gospel and then Jesus explaining the parable in the second Gospel.  But I, in my folly, take the parable and explain it in an entirely different way than Jesus.  Now why on earth would I do such a thing?...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 31-35 Jesus continues to speak in parables, today speaking to us about mustard seeds and yeast.  The images He uses speak to us of growth and transformation.  But that growth is not linear and that transformation is not always in a positive trajectory.  Growth takes time.  Are we gracious and patient with ourselves in the midst of this?&nbs...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 18-23 We jump back to Wednesday's Gospel (The parable of the sower and the seed), and Jesus explains the meaning.  So today, we take a more in depth look at what types of soil Jesus is describing and invite ourselves into the parable.  Which soil do we see in the mirror today? Note: I've been having technical issues with my podcast this week (with st...

Gospel of John, Chapter 20, verses 1-2, 11-18 We celebrate the Feast Day of Mary Magdalene today, and we see her faithfulness to her Love, even in death.  We also see her Love's faithfulness to her, as Jesus comes to her in a way and with a face unexpected.   Note: I'm experiencing technical difficulties this week with my recorder - and you may experience some static or some skips i...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 1-9 Jesus begins teaching the people by the seashore in parables - and relates the parable of the sower and the seed.  But rather than talking about the parable itself today (you'll have to wait until Friday for that), we talk about learning how to pivot with grace and learning to speak the language of our neighbors. Note: For some reason, I'm experiencin...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 12, verses 46-50 Jesus, while teaching is approached by someone in the crowd telling him that his mother and brothers are outside the crowd and would like to speak with him.  Jesus, in turn, looks at those around Him and, by doing His Father's will, calls them His mother, brother and sister. Does this denigrate Mary or honor her?  What is He inviting us to? Spe...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 12, verses 38-42 Jesus and the Pharisees/Scribes are once again at odds.  The Pharisees want to live in illusion and wait for a sign to pull them out - but even when they see it they won't allow themselves to be changed by it.  Jesus points out this and uses Jonah and Nineveh as an example of what healthy conversion can look like.  I also go on a bit of a...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 12, verses 1-8 Have you ever found yourselves on any given day simply going through the motions?  Or you get to the end of the day and you wonder where it went and what you did to contribute to it's beauty?   That's where Jesus meets us in today's Gospel.  He is challenging the Pharisees (and you and I!) to make sure we actively engage our hearts in o...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 11, verses 28-30 Jesus, in one of His most famous sayings, invites all those who are weary and find life burdensome to come to Him and find rest, for His yoke is easy and His burden light. But what, exactly, is He saying here?  What should we expect based on this Gospel saying, and what should we not expect? We also celebrate the feast day of St. Bonaventure and mar...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 11, verses 25-27 Jesus contrasts the learned and the clever with the childlike, and finds favor with those who carry their  faith like a child.  Why would He do that?  What is there about being a child that can bring us closer to the Kingdom?  The difference is between knowing about and knowing. We also look briefly on the life of Saint Kateri Tekakwi...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 11, verses 20-24 Jesus challenges the people of some local towns to see the wonders being done within them and to think and live differently because of that. But that is much easier said than done, no? Today, i ask the question - what keeps us from repentance?  What keeps us from turning around and living our lives differently? I also return to yesterday's Gospel wh...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 10, verse 34 - Chapter 11, verse 1 Late pod today - thanks for your patience!  Jesus concludes his instruction to the disciples before sending them out...and what he reminds them ultimately is that a) this won't be easy 2) this won't bring peace and iii) you better make sure that you are grounded in the right thing.  Anything less and you're looking for somethi...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 16-23 Not all of the words of Jesus feel like Good News...and today's reading falls into that category.  Jesus, as He sends out the 12 on their first mission, places before them the price of discipleship.  That same price applies to us and we have to ask ourselves if we are willing to pay.

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 7-15 My title today is a blatant rip off of U2's song Grace, which if you've never heard it before put down this podcast, look it up on Spotify, iTunes or Pandora and listen to it.  It's that good. It's also the topic of our pod today.  God's unconditional, unmerited, overwhelming love for you and I.  Can we really capture that in a podcast?&nbs...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 1-7. Jesus calls together the 12 and gives them authority to heal every disease and illness.  And in doing so, he sends them out on mission. You and I, too, are summoned.  We are named within the 12 - and we find ourselves in their midst.  And by God's grace, we carry His authority with us as we go forward on our mission.

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 9, verses 32-38 Jesus encounters a demoniac who is mute and restores his voice.  But others accuse Him of driving out demons by the Prince of Demons.  So Jesus leaves that place and goes out to the surrounding towns and villages and proclaims the Gospel of the Kingdom.  How?  By bringing healing and wholeness.

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 9, verses 9-13 We hear of Jesus's call of Matthew today and Matthew's "yes" to Christ.  Call and response...that's the pattern.   Today we have two special guests join us on the podcast - Mike and Ginger - talking about their mission, ministry and faith life.  How did they come to say "Yes" to God, and where has that led them?

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 9, verses 1-8 Jesus crosses back over to His hometown, where some people bring to Him a paralytic.  The question before the crowd is what is truly binding this individual?  Their paralysis or their sin?  Jesus makes clear his thought...and invites us into the dance.

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 8, verses 28-34 Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee to the territory of the Gadarenes, a Gentile region.  And upon disembarking He is confronted by two demoniacs asking what His intentions are.  His intention?  Freedom.  And dead pigs.  Which side of that story will we be occupied with? Special Guest - Bridget Zenk

Feast of Ss. Peter & Paul   Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 16, verses 13-19 We hear of St. Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi of who Jesus is, but our podcast today answers the question: who are Peter & Paul?  And why does that matter in my life today?  Answer?  We wouldn't be here without them.  Both of them.  

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 8, verses 18-22 On this Feast of St. Irenaeus, Jesus reminds us that the end goal of discipleship is not just around the corner.  We need to be in it for the long haul.  He also reminds us that the time of decision is today.  Right now.  Our excuses may be legion and they may be good ones.  But they are just that - excuses.  Will we follow o...

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 8, verses 1-4 Jesus comes down from the mountain, after having been teaching from its summit for the last three chapters.  And while life is great on the mountaintop, it is lived in the valley.  Appropriately enough, Jesus encounters a leper immediately upon returning.  This is where the rubber meets the road.