Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Lent - John 9:1-41
In another multi-layered, long Gospel from John, we actually see many of the same attributes that we did last week.  Faith is a progression.  However, there are two other points of note.  Like the blind man in the story, how do we answer the question when people ask us who Jesus is?  And how often do we get caught up in the non-important details and miss the presence and action of God in our midst?  If we do, we're in good company.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  Thank you for listening and blessings on your Lenten journey!  I can be reached at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments. 

Third Sunday of Lent - John 4:5-42
We enter a three week stretch in our cycle of readings where we will have three Gospels from John in a row, all very long.  So because of that, we will focus only on the Gospels in those podcasts.  That begins today with an incredibly layered and deep story - the Woman at the Well.  There are dozens of places the Word of God could have taken us this week in this story.  I chose two.  And they are pretty good.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for composing and performing our intake and outtake music.  And thanks to you for listening!  I'm hopeful that your Lent thus far has been helpful to you on your spiritual journey.  Questions?  Comments?  Shoot them my way at [email protected]

Readings for the 2nd Sunday of Lent: Genesis 12:1-4a; Matthew 17:1-9
The word "vocation" finds its roots in the word "summons".  And it's easy to fall into the trap that says once we've found our vocation, we've done the heavy lifting.  It's over.  Now I just ride that out the rest of my life.  But we would be incorrect.  God continually calls us.  And that calling often will call us out of our comfort zone and into the wilderness; into the great cloud of unknowing.  We hear it in our first reading today with Abram and we hear it in our Gospel  with Peter, James and John.  Listening.  Hearing.  Fear.  Courage to move forward.  Trust in the one who journeys with us.  
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and playing of our intake and outtake music.  Thanks for taking the time to listen.  Blessed Lent to you all!

Readings for the First Sunday in Lent - Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7;  Matthew 4:1-11In the Book of Deuteronomy, God tells us "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.  Choose life, then, that you and yours may live."  And while we don't hear that exact reading today, we really do.  We hear about the choices of Adam and Eve and Jesus, and the profound consequences of each.  It's no surprise that as we begin this season of Lent, we are faced with these readings.  If we wish to be new people when we come to the waters and new life of Easter, we have to make some decisions, too.  

Readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Leviticus 19:1-2; 17-18; Matthew 5:38-48
Jesus continues through His Sermon on the Mount, once again inviting His disciples to take the law into their hearts and not live it as an external reality.  One of the examples He uses is turning the cheek and walking the extra mile.  But how do we do that and not allow ourselves to be abused or become the victim?  How do we carry our dignity in that moment?  We also see how God invites us to be holy, merciful and perfect, just as God is holy, merciful and perfect.  But how on earth can we do such things?  I don't think it's as hard as it sounds...
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performance of our intake and outtake music.  And thank you for listening, rating and passing along this podcast to those you think would appreciate it.  Comments?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings from the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Sirach 15:15-20; Matthew 5:17-37My friends, we are created in the Image and Likeness of God.  What, exactly, does that mean?  That answer is beyond my pay grade and beyond the scope of this podcast, but certainly part of that image and likeness is the ability to carry free will.  What we do with that free will determines how well the Kingdom continues to be built among us...or torn down.  Fire and water are set before us.  You and I have to know when to choose one and when to choose the other.  Jesus helps unlock the key in the Sermon on the Mount.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performance of our intake and outtake music.  Thanks to all of you for listening!  Feel free to rate the podcast - that will help people find it when they are looking for a podcast to assist their spiritual walk.  Comments?  Send them to [email protected]

Readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus continues through the Sermon on the Mount, picking up from last week's discussion of the Beatitudes.  Today, Jesus reminds us that you and me - we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  Not the person down the street.  Not the person in front or behind us in the pews.  You.  Me.  In all of our wheat and weeds.  In all of our strengths and weaknesses.  The Kingdom of God resides in our yes.  And what an important yes that is, for others will see it and be given permission to do the same.  Or not.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  Thanks for taking the time to open God's Word with me!  Comments?  Questions?  Critiques?  I can be reached at [email protected].  Bless you, my friends!

Readings for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13;  Matthew 5:1-12a
On this 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Jesus begins his Sermon on the Mount with some of the most beautiful words in all of Scripture - the Beatitudes.  But before we can even really begin to unpack their beauty, we instead focus upon the first line in that passage.  Jesus saw the crowds.  What a reassuring statement.  We also unpack the difference between charity and justice - and remind ourselves that we are called to breathe with both of those lungs.  
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thank you for listening!  Comments?  Suggestions?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Isaiah 8:23-9:3;  Matthew 4:12-23
Today we hear about Jesus moving from Nazareth to Capernaum, and in so doing, brings the Light of God to a people walking in gloom.  Jesus also calls his first disciples.  How does this speak to us today?  Our world continues to be in darkness and gloom.  Do we believe the light is stronger?  And what are we willing to set aside today in order to answer Jesus's call to follow Him?
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her writing and performing our intake and outtake music.  Thank you for listening!  Have a comment, question or critique?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; John 1:29-34
If you're like me, it can be easy to fall into the trap of praying to God and assuming God will do all the work.  I'll sit by and spectate while God does the heavy lifting.  And while that hold seeds of truth (it is always God's action and not ours), God needs our assistance.  God needs our yes.  For it is through us - through the people of God - that God will show God's glory.  We participate in the salvation of God and building God's Kingdom.  If we don't do it, it won't happen.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  Thanks for listening!  If you ever have any comments, feel free to email them to me at [email protected]