SD Podcast

Freedom is not doing whatever one wants. Sure, the world tells people that being able to do that is freeing. Yet the things the world calls freeing are sometimes the very things that become the snares we get stuck in, keeping us from God. SHOW NOTES — REFERENCES & CALLBACKS Callback: Episode 1 — Our Longing to Be Happy (the younger son's departure, the far country, "when he came to himself"). Luke...

The words we hear in the Gospel on Sunday about loving others are the same words Jesus asks St. Peter after the Resurrection. They are words asked of us as well. Do we love Him more than all these others?

We close up a week of looking at one of the messages from the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The message not to fear has been a thread throughout the week, and we end it with an example of the Blessed Mother. SHOW NOTES Readings: Lamentations 2:2, 10–14, 18–19; Psalm 74:1–2, 3–5, 6–7, 20–21; Matthew 8:5–17 (NABRE). Voices: St. John Chrysostom, St. Augustine (Catena Aurea); St. John Paul II, Redempt...

I want to begin some reflections on the Prodigal Son. Yesterday was a good entry point for this. All of us have this interior hunger to be happy, to find fulfillment. Listen to this as the start of several reflections on this topic. SHOW NOTES - Luke 15:11–32 — The Parable of the Prodigal Son (central text) - Luke 15:12 — "Father, give me the share of property that falls to me." - Luke 15:17 — "wh...

So what's with the new name? Transformed By Christ is not the first name that my podcasting career has gone under. Well, there is a reason why I decided to go a different route. Some of you know why, others do not. I take some time in this episode to explain some of the reasoning and what to expect from me going forward. I felt it was fitting to explain this, along with a reflection on the foundat...

Celebrating the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, we look to the vocation he was given; to point the way to Jesus - fearlessly. How does this apply to us? What parts of our vocation could be similar? SHOW NOTES Readings: Isaiah 49:1–6; Psalm 139:1–3, 13–15; Acts 13:22–26; Luke 1:57–66, 80 (NABRE). Voice: St. Augustine, Sermo 293 (the Office of Readings sermon for this Solemnity)...

Continuing to build on the 12th Sunday and its message not to be afraid, we look at Hezekiah when he faces threats meant to instill fear. He prays. See what he does. SHOW NOTES Readings: 2 Kings 19; Psalm 48; Matthew 7:6, 12–14 Voices: St. John Chrysostom, St. Cyprian, Pseudo-Chrysostom (Catena Aurea) Full readings at USCCB (June 23, 2026)

What does it mean when Jesus says He came to bring the sword? What is being attacked? Answer: The false sense of peace we might be hiding in, or the things in our lives that don't belong, and never did. The more we say yes to Christ, the more we open ourselves to change, the more the words from the Gospel cut to our hearts and through the wrong things that our hearts are connected to. SHOW NOTES R...

Jesus tells the disciples not to be afraid multiple times. Not that the situations they might face would be frightening, but that none of them should allow themselves to be conquered by fear. Fear can be paralyzing in a way and be one of the things that keep us from trusting that God is there with us. SHOW NOTES Readings: Jeremiah 20:10–13; Psalm 69; Romans 5:12–15; Matthew 10:26–33 (NABRE). Voice...

The last words spoken at Mass can also be among the most overlooked. "Go forth." or “Go in peace.” By the time those words are spoken, a lot of us have already left — mentally, at least. We are running through the grocery list, other lists, where to go for brunch, or do you have plans to watch Football anywhere? What if there was more to do after the dismissal of every Mass? SHOW NOTES The papal t...

My thoughts and prayers go out to those in Minneapolis. While we each have our own opinions about what is unfolding there, we should all agree that prayer is needed for everyone involved. Visit the link for sources https://r1217.com/prayer-and-peacemakers-thoughts-on-minneapolis/

What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? What is expected of a person that decides to be one? This is mentioned by Christ in the Gospel. In a way, this is part of the answer to other things such as the Church speaking to us on how to live.

We are made in God's image and likeness. Since God is completely free, we are made with the ability to be free. Yet this does not mean we are free to do whatever pleases us.

EP 014 - Who Do You Say That I Am? Live Your Answer. by Fr. John Gow

Talk given to my Carmel community, reflecting on things from Scripture on God's love for us.

Traditionally, we look toward more than just the commemoration of the birth of Christ each Christmas. We look towards His next coming. Here are some thoughts before we celebrate His birth.

This is the final talk of the retreat given. This wraps up the theme and reveals where all of us should go with the understanding of having enough light for the way.

This is the third talk of the Night in the Castle retreat. It treats of detachment from all created things and true humility, as Teresa mentioned. In addition to seeing how these help us get disposed for an interior life of prayer, I mention how these also help our friendship with Christ.

This is the second talk of the retreat, 'Night in the Castle,' which focuses on the first of three essentials that Teresa says are necessary for entering prayer, leading into the castle itself.

How often do you pray? When you do, for how long? I have some thoughts as to why I ask these questions.

The opening ceremony of the Olympics in France was offensive and blasphemous. It displayed people who did not choose God but rejected Him. To understand what I'm saying, listen to the first part of this episode on grace. The article I wrote about the evening in more detail and other embedded connections I noticed can be found here: https://sanctusdaily.com/2024/07/olympic-opening-ceremony-revoluti...

While I don't discuss all the things we can do to face the storms life throws at us, I do offer a reflection on the readings from this past weekend. Job 38 and Mark 4:35-41 Ultimately, we should remember that there are some things we cannot control, like storms, and that we need to turn to Christ for help.

Living for God means living the way He has revealed we should. The command to love God with all things is not somehow separate from being His child; it goes together. And ... today marks 10 years since my first podcast episode, which is currently in the archive.

When the mention of the kingdoms' growth is discussed in Scripture, there is mention of the shade that the birds of the sky come to dwell in. Like us being referred to as sheep, we are referred to as these birds that come to find refuge and protection from the heat of the world. First, what is that shade? Second, what part do we play in bringing others to it?

We say the Amen often when we go to Mass. I offer a reflection on the impact those responses have, what Amen means, and some of the many things we are saying yes to when we make them. Sources referenced: St. John of the Cross. The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross (includes The Ascent of Mount Carmel, The Dark Night, The Spiritual Canticle, The Living Flame of Love, Letters, and The Minor W...