The Poco a Poco Podcast with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

As Fr. Mark-Mary mentioned, the friars will be taking a meaningful break to embrace the rest and the joy of the Jubilee Year. While they are away, please enjoy listening (or re-listening) to this previously released episode, and join us in continuing to pray for Fr. Mark-Mary, Fr. Innocent, Fr. Angelus, and Fr. PT as they follow God's will and heed the call of the Jubilee. The Poco a Poco podcast...

As Fr. Mark-Mary mentioned, the friars will be taking a meaningful break to embrace the rest and the joy of the Jubilee Year. While they are away, please enjoy listening (or re-listening) to this previously released episode, and join us in continuing to pray for Fr. Mark-Mary, Fr. Innocent, Fr. Angelus, and Fr. PT as they follow God's will and heed the call of the Jubilee. The Poco a Poco podcast...

Episode 269 - End of the Season What would the Jubilee rest look like on your end? After 269 episodes, the friars are stepping away for a season of Jubilee, renewal, and obedience.  In this heartfelt season finale, they share honest life updates, reflect on God's invitation to deeper trust, and remind us that real rest isn't about burnout. It's about surrender. This one's full of laughter, brother...

Episode 268 - The Beatitudes Is following Jesus just another self-help plan? The Beatitudes flip that idea upside down. This isn't about fixing yourself, it's about letting God meet you in your need. In this episode, the friars unpack how the Beatitudes aren't a checklist for spiritual success, but an invitation to deep dependence on God. They explore how true blessings often look like weakness, s...

Episode 267 - Intentional and Wanted by God Were you just a surprise, or were you really wanted by God? In this episode, the friars speak into the quiet questions many carry, especially those born outside traditional circumstances.  They unpack the pain, confusion, and identity struggles that can come with that and speak truth into it all that no matter how you came into the world, whether your st...

Episode 266 - Joy and the Valley of Tears - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 14)  Ever feel too tired, too broken, or too behind to be joyful? You're not alone. But the gift of Paschal Joy isn't about having it all together—it's about Jesus coming to you right where you are. This joy isn't manufactured; it's a gift rooted in the Resurrection. Even in our weakness, Jesus says: "It's not about...

Episode 265 - The Fullness of God - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 13)  Can we let God be the one who provides, who carries us, who fills us with His presence and love? This week, the friars reflect on the heart of the Jubilee rest. True rest isn't just doing less or stopping work—it's a radical shift in mindset and posture from striving to receiving. The invitation is clear—come home to th...

Episode 264 - Jubilee and the Good Samaritan Why do we leave what's good and go searching for answers in places that break us? This week, the friars unpack the story of the Good Samaritan through the lens of the Jubilee year. What draws us away from the peace and identity we have in God—toward places that leave us wounded and empty? Whether it's the orphan mindset, performance pressure, or endless...

Episode 263 - Freed by the Cross How can the wounds of Jesus at the cross set us free? Could the cross be more than a symbol—could it be an exorcism, a place of real freedom and healing? His open heart invites us to lay down our disordered loves and be delivered from the false attachments that enslave us. Could the cross be where we find freedom, not just from sin, but from the Egypt still within...

Episode 262 - Jubilee and Prophets - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 11)  What does our identity as prophets really mean?  We are baptized in Jesus and called to be prophets as well, meaning that we are called to reveal the Father in everything we do. In our words, our actions, our personalities, our vocations, our mission, in everything we are and everything God has given us, we are called...

Episode 261 - Jubilee and Kingship - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 10)  What makes a king in the Kingdom of God? Looking to Jesus, the Son who reigns with mercy and strength, we reflect on how true kingship flows from sonship. As we journey through this Jubilee, we continue uncovering the identities we're meant to live. Today, we explore what it means to live out our kingly identity This e...

Episode 260 - Jubilee and Christ the High Priest - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 9)  What if your true identity is more sacred than you ever imagined? Jesus is the High Priest, the one mediator who intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father, offering not just prayers but our wounds, our brokenness, and all of humanity's sins back to God. As His followers, we are invited to imitate a...

Episode 259 - Jubilee and Christ the Bridegroom - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 8)  Who do we belong to? God shows us that from the beginning, Adam and Eve were bride and bridegroom. There's an original identity that God holds, which is super important for the meaning of our lives as men and women, for the meaning of our lives as sons and daughters. The covenant of marriage is established...

Episode 258 - Jubilee and Identity - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 7)  Have you ever felt disconnected from your true purpose, your true identity? If you never felt security and safety in your sonship or daughterhood, or never felt at home anywhere in the world, or never experienced the truest form of love from The Father. We want to let you know that Jesus has a personal, unique desire to...

Episode 257 - Jesus and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 6) What does Jesus want for us this Jubilee? This Jubilee year, Jesus extends a heartfelt invitation to us all to experience His boundless mercy, forgiveness, and love—to share in His life. Join us as we reflect on His call to renewal, reconciliation, and deeper faith. Let this sacred time be a journey of...

Episode 256 - Patriarchs, Prophets and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 5) What role do the prophets play in this Jubilee? The heart of the Jubilee is spiritual freedom and spiritual reconciliation, and the prophets saw that. They saw that the Jubilee is a year to recall ourselves to our fundamental relationship with God.  Once again, this year, we are invited t...

Episode 255 - The Exodus and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 4) What does true freedom look like, and how can we restore what was lost? In the Book of Exodus, the Israelites' journey from slavery to freedom is a profound story of spiritual liberation. Led by Moses, they confront the oppressive forces of Egypt and experience God's miraculous intervention through...

Episode 254 - The Garden and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 3) What is restored during the Jubilee? The Jubilee reminds us that hope is available to us, a hope that we can be restored to our original state and roles as it was in the Garden of Eden before sin came into the world. In this episode, together with our special guest, Dr. John Bergsma, we will discus...

Episode 253 - Lent Prep: Desert Spirituality Why does the desert during Lent matter?  Why do we journey there every year for three weeks, alongside our brothers in faith? The desert isn't just a place of physical challenge or adventure—it's a biblical invitation to encounter God in a profound way. It's a place where we can strip away distractions, face our vulnerabilities, and open ourselves to Go...

Episode 252 - Lent Prep: On Fasting What does fasting in Lent mean to you and to Jesus? Fasting from food for the sake of health benefits is good, however fasting to bring us closer in relationship with Jesus, now that's something else entirely. Fasting is also an opportunity to feel the hunger in our bodies so that God can come and fulfill our hunger in the deepest ways. In this episode, we'll di...

Episode 251 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Seeing the Unseen, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 6) How do you think Jesus sees us? Jesus's heart desires to see us, to have the unseen be seen. But he doesn't just want us to be seen as collected and consumed. Jesus likes us for us and sees us for who we are and how we want to be truly seen. This episode talks about how Jesus sees us, particularly...

Episode 250 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Faith, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 5) Why is Faith so important to Jesus? Faith is the proof of our belief in God's goodness. It's seeing that God is all-seeing, all-powerful, and all-good. Ultimately, faith shows that we have complete trust and confidence in Him and that He matters more to us than anything else. These are some of the reasons why...

Episode 249 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Repentance, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 4) What does repentance truly look like? A good way to look at repentance is that it brings us back to love. It's one of Jesus's favorite things because he sees our hearts and desires change so that we do not live sinfully anymore. Repentance is not just about wanting to change our behaviors, it's about want...

Episode 248 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Quality Time, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 3) Do you also spend quality time with Jesus? We believe part of Jesus's favorite thing is to be with us. He desires to be with us and wants to spend time with us. He chooses people to be with Him as He's with His Father. Jesus has given himself to us in the most holy Eucharist. It's a true testament that...

Episode 247 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Lowliness, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 2) What does lowliness mean to you and to God? The experience of lowliness can sometimes be what we dislike about ourselves. These are times when we're not doing great, or when we're not rich or not attractive—these are usually the parts that we reject about ourselves.  But part of the mystery is that in this...