Zac Wierschem

Taste & See

Religion EN ↓ 92 episodes

Taste & See is a weekly podcast of heartfelt reflections and meditations on the Sunday readings. Join Zac Wierschem from Paradisus Dei as he guides you into a deeper encounter with Jesus—alongside a global community that prays together each week. Learn more about Paradisus Dei and our life-changing programs at: paradisusdei.org

Author

Zac Wierschem

Category

Religion

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

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Episodes

Silence Before Service 15.07.2025

Summary : Explore the tension between service and silence in Luke 10: 39-42, where Jesus reminds us that "one thing is necessary." Reflect on the dangers of burnout from relentless serving, as seen in young adults in ministry, and discover how silent prayer at Jesus' feet restores our connection to God. Featuring a heartfelt meditation on Martha's encounter with Jesus, this episo...

You Did It To Me 08.07.2025

In this episode, we explore the Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37, where Jesus challenges cultural and religious divides by presenting a Samaritan as the model of neighborly love. Unlike the priest and Levite, who pass by a wounded man, the Samaritan shows mercy, embodying the command to "love your neighbor as yourself." Drawing from Hosea’s call for "mercy, not sacri...

Evangelization is Love 01.07.2025

In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the essence of evangelization as an act of love, inspired by Luke 10:1-9, where Jesus declares, “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.” Through a personal story of a chance encounter with a man named James, we explore how simple gestures of kindness—seeing, knowing, and loving others—can reflect God’s love and fulfill the call to evangelize. Thi...

Welcome Home 24.06.2025

In this powerful episode, we reflect on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, exploring the unshakable foundation of the Catholic Church despite human failings. Drawing from Matthew 16:13-19, we delve into Jesus’ promise to Peter: “The gates of hell will not prevail against it.” The 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury report exposed horrific clergy abuse, shaking many Catholics’ faith. Yet, through Zac&#...

Blessed, Broken, and Given 17.06.2025

This episode explores the profound connection between the Feeding of the 5,000 and Corpus Christi Sunday, where the Church celebrates the Eucharist. Both miracles—ordinary bread made miraculous and unleavened bread becoming Christ’s body—reveal Jesus’ heart to feed us abundantly. Through the Eucharist, we are blessed, broken, and given to nourish the Church, the Body of Christ. Miracles of Abundan...

You Are a Gift 20.05.2025

John 17:20–26 | Seventh Sunday of Easter In this week’s episode, we reflect on Jesus’ prayer in John 17: “Father, they are your gift to me.” What does it mean that you are a gift from the Father to the Son? Through the story of a dear friend's wedding—marked by intentional love and heartfelt vows—we explore the powerful truth that love is more than words. It's a gift of persons. This refle...

He Chose Her Everyday 13.05.2025

John 13:31–35 | Fifth Sunday of Easter What does it mean to love like Jesus? In this Catholic podcast episode, we reflect on John 13:31–35 through a powerful personal story of selfless love: my grandfather’s care for my Nana as she battled memory loss and physical decline. His daily acts of service—dressing her, bathing her, teaching her birthday again and again—reveal a deeper meaning of love: wi...

The Shepherd Smells Like Us 06.05.2025

John 10:27–30 | Good Shepherd Sunday What does it mean that Jesus is the Good Shepherd? In this episode, I share a personal story from my time in Kenya caring for sheep, and how that experience brings fresh meaning to Jesus' words: “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” We explore how Christ doesn’t just lead from above—He draws near, enters our mess, and even smells like u...

He Never Denied Me 29.04.2025

3rd Sunday of Easter | John 21: 1-19 In today’s episode, we explore the powerful story of St. Vitalis of Gaza , a 7th-century hermit who risked everything to bring hope to the prostitutes. His hidden sacrifice mirrors how Jesus meets Peter — and us — at the very place of our greatest failures. At a charcoal fire on the shore, Jesus rewrites Peter’s three denials with three confessions of love. He...

When Doubt Becomes Devotion 22.04.2025

Gospel: John 20:19–31 Theme: Divine Mercy | Trust | Doubt | Redemption This episode dives into the powerful grace of Divine Mercy Sunday and the surprising faith of the apostle Thomas—often called “Doubting Thomas.” We explore the stunning promise Jesus gave through St. Faustina: “The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishmen...

Held by Christ 15.04.2025

📖 John 13:1–15 | Mass of the Lord’s Supper Before the Cross, Jesus kneels. In this Holy Thursday reflection, we enter the Upper Room and watch the Son of God wash His disciples’ feet — not just as a ritual, but as an act of love that embraces their full story, dirt and all. Drawing from personal stories, Jewish tradition, and the raw vulnerability of being known and loved, this episode is a call...

Inner Wisdom: Visions and Vocations 08.04.2025

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (Luke 19:28–40) This Palm Sunday, Jesus shows us the power of humility—riding into Jerusalem not on a war horse, but on a colt. In this episode, we explore how God often chooses to meet us in the small, ordinary moments of our lives. I share a powerful story from Kenya about a Marian visionary and how it challenged my discernment journey. We talk about how spiritu...

Inner Wisdom: No Freedom, No Discernment 01.04.2025

5th Sunday of Lent | John 8:1-11 True discernment requires holy indifference—the freedom to choose what is most aligned with God’s will. Without this interior freedom, our decisions are swayed by attachments, fears, and personal desires rather than love and truth. In this episode, we explore: Ignatian Indifference : Not apathy, but the ability to choose freely without personal bias. The Sailboat A...

Inner Wisdom: Created for Love 25.03.2025

4th Sunday of Lent | Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of Jesus’ most moving stories—one that speaks directly to our identity, purpose, and the loving embrace of the Father. In this episode, we continue our Lenten discernment series, Inner Wisdom , by exploring two essential questions that shape every decision: ✅ Who am I? ✅ Why was I created? Through the lens of discernm...

Inner Wisdom: Discern to Decide 18.03.2025

Are you stuck in endless discernment, afraid to make a decision? This episode of Taste and See explores Jesus’ call to bear fruit through decisive action. We break down the meaning of discernment, why God desires our choices, and how to recognize His voice. 🔹 What discernment really is—and what it’s not 🔹 Separating wheat from chaff: hearing God vs. the enemy 🔹 The danger of becoming a “perpetu...

Inner Wisdom: The Lover's Voice 11.03.2025

How do you recognize God’s voice? How can you be sure it’s Him? In this episode, we reflect on the Transfiguration and explore the signs of God speaking in your life. I share a personal story from my discernment journey—where I wrestled with anxiety over making the “right” choice—until God revealed that discernment is more about receiving His gift than achieving perfection. You’ll learn: ✅ How Go...

Inner Wisdom: The Battle for Your Heart 04.03.2025

In this episode, we launch our Lenten series: "Inner Wisdom" —a seven-week journey exploring the principles of discernment for a happy and holy life. This week, we reflect on the temptation of Jesus in the desert (Luke 4:1-13) and learn to recognize the voice of the devil, resist his lies, and stay grounded in our true identity as God’s beloved. 💡 Key Takeaways: The Battle Within: Tempt...

You are Abundant, not Accidental 25.02.2025

In this episode of Taste and See , we reflect on Jesus’ words in Luke 6:39-45 and the truth that we are created out of the abundance of God's love . Too often, we struggle to receive words of affirmation, brushing them aside instead of letting them penetrate our hearts. But what if these words are meant to remind us of our infinite dignity and our irreplaceable role in God’s creation ? I share...

Loving as God Loves 18.02.2025

📖 Gospel: Luke 6:27-38 Why does Jesus tell us to “love our enemies, lend expecting nothing back, and offer the other cheek?” At first, these words may seem counterintuitive or even weak, but they reveal a profound truth about friendship, happiness, and intimacy with God. In this episode, we explore how true friendship forms through shared actions, how loving as God loves brings us closer to Him,...

With You in the Weeping 11.02.2025

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Luke 6:17, 20-26 | The Beatitudes In this episode of Taste and See , we dive into Luke’s Beatitudes, focusing on Jesus’ promise: "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." Through personal stories of sorrow, friendship, and reunion, we explore how our weeping on earth points us toward the joy of heaven. Christ is near to the brokenhearted, and in th...

Dare to Surrender Deeply 04.02.2025

In this episode, we reflect on Luke 5:1-11, exploring the profound truth that God meets us at our lowest points. Drawing from real-life stories and the dynamic of Simon Peter’s encounter with Jesus, we unpack the 4 Steps of Fruitfulness : trying our best, encountering our powerlessness, surrendering, and experiencing fruitfulness. Whether it’s in love, vocation, or personal struggles, the blessing...

Purified for Deeper Love 28.01.2025

In this episode, we reflect on Luke 2:22-32 and the Presentation of the Lord, diving deep into the heart of Mary and Joseph's journey of faith and obedience. Why did Mary, who was without sin, undergo purification? What does this teach us about humility, trust, and the purpose of God’s law? We also share insights from a 30-day retreat, exploring how God's law and Church teaching open our e...

He Offers Himself to You 21.01.2025

In this episode, we reflect on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time and dive into Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21. Together, we explore: Who is Jesus? Discover Jesus’ identity as the Spirit-filled, anointed Messiah sent to proclaim good news. What does He offer? Jesus doesn't offer a 401k with health benefits, but instead He offers Himself. Why do we need Him? Without Him, we remain captives to sin and blind...

Stranger to Myself 14.01.2025

In this episode of Taste and See , we explore the Gospel for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (John 2:1-11), reflecting on the miracle at the Wedding at Cana and how it reveals Jesus’ power to transform our lives. A Personal Journey of Transformation : Zac shares a moving story of returning home after 5 years in the seminary, grappling with lost identity, and discovering God’s peace in the midst...

Beloved Beyond Brokenness 07.01.2025

In this episode of Taste and See , we reflect on the Baptism of the Lord (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22) and how it reveals our identity as God’s beloved children. Explore the profound love of the Father, who gazes at us with infinite worth, even in our brokenness and nothingness. The Meaning of Baptism: Jesus identifies with sinners and redeems us through His sacrifice. Our True Worth: How God sees our inf...

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