Readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter - Acts 9:26-31;  John 15:1-8
The further we get from Easter, the less "Eastery" our readings sound.  Today we hear of Paul attempting to find his footing in Jerusalem among the apostles and Jesus speaking to us of grapes and vines and fruit that will remain.  But what does this have to do w/ the celebration of Easter?  What lessons are we to take?  It means that new life is not found just among the tombs of Jerusalem.  It's found in our daily walk and work, the unseen growth we experience, and the courage of those around us.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thanks to all of you for breaking open God's Word alongside of me.  If this is a podcast that has touched you, I invite you to rate it on your favorite listening app or share it with a friend.  Have a question or a comment?  I can be reached at [email protected] 

Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter - Acts 4:8-12;  John 10:11-18
Peter follows closely in the footsteps of Jesus in our readings today - both through his actions and then as fearlessly speaking the truth to power.  But what he reminds the leaders of Israel is also good for us to recall - that in the economy of God, nothing is useless.  There is nothing that need be thrown away.  God can and will use it all - including those things about ourselves of which we are most ashamed and we most try to hide.  
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thank you to you for continuing to break open God's Word with me.  I'm humbled and honored.  Question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter - Acts 3:13-15, 17-19  Luke 24:35-48
Special Guest, Eileen Piper (VP of Life Long Missions at FOCUS Ministries) joins Joe to help break open to Scriptures for this Third Sunday of Easter.  Within we hear how nothing can keep us from the love and forgiveness of our God.  Acts puts those words into Peter's mouth, while the Gospel shows us what forgiveness looks like on Easter Sunday evening.  Is there something troubling you?  Do you feel imprisoned in fear?  Do not be afraid.  For there is no where you can go to outrun the forgiveness, love and mercy of our God.
Special thanks to Eileen Piper for joining in this podcast, as well as to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  Thank you to you for continuing to break open God's Word alongside of me.  May it bring you peace and hope.  Do you have a question or comment?  Feel free to email me at [email protected].  

Readings for the Feast of Divine Mercy - Acts 4:32-35;  John 20:19-31
On this Second Sunday of Easter, we focus on the Divine Mercy of our God.  What, exactly, does that Divine Mercy look like?  It looks like peace in the midst of our fear and doubt and hurt and despair and darkness.  Christ enters into our spaces, our tombs, not because we deserve it but because God's life and God's grace are bigger.  And thankfully, there is no wall too high or door too locked to keep the presence and peace of God away.  That is worth celebrating.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thank you to you for continuing to listen and share this podcast with others.  I'm so humbled and grateful.  May the peace of God break into your hearts and lives this day!  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings from the Easter Vigil of Holy Saturday - Romans 6:3-11;  Mark 16:1-7
Easter stands out from the rest of the Church's liturgical year as the high point.  And while it may stand out, it does not stand apart.  Easter walks hand in hand with Good Friday.  And so it's only appropriate that the readings we hear this day are from Holy Saturday - that place where Good Friday and Easter Sunday meet.  And that ground where they meet?  We know it well.  We stand there every day.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thank you to you for trusting me enough to continue to listen and share this podcast with others.  I'm humbled and honored.  By rating the podcast on your favorite listening app and sharing it with friends, we continue to grow.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected].  Blessed Easter, my friends!

Readings for Passion (Palm) Sunday - Isaiah 50:4-7;  Philippians 2:6-11;  Mark 11:1-10
The readings carry the power today, as we enter into this holiest of weeks.  And so because of that, we hear all three.  What do they have to say to us today, all these years later?  And what can we carry with us this week to ponder as we walk alongside Jesus?  Two main focuses this pod - humility and death.  Both present then and both needed now.  Sometimes.  
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thank you to all of you who listen and share this podcast with friends/family.  I'm humbled at your trust and presence.  May your walk w/ our Lord this week be one of trust, growth and joy.  Questions or comments?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings from the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Jeremiah 31:31-34;  John 12:20-33
I know, I know - I'm not getting any shorter, and I promised you quicker podcasts.  You may have to get me to put that in writing.  But these readings are too good to leave at a surface level.  And they have much to say to us about Lent.  My friends, if this Lent has not been all you've hoped for, we still have 14 days left.  Let these readings guide these last two weeks - into people who listen well to the Law within and to allow ourselves to die to our individual and collective agendas.  Why?  So that others may live.  Death is not a virtue.  Dying so that others may live is.  
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thank you to you for continuing to helping this podcast be heard around the world.  I am humbled and grateful.  If it speaks to you, please pass it along to someone you think would enjoy it as well or rate it on your favorite app.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings from the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Jeremiah 31:31-34;  John 12:20-33
I know, I know - I'm not getting any shorter, and I promised you quicker podcasts.  You may have to get me to put that in writing.  But these readings are too good to leave at a surface level.  And they have much to say to us about Lent.  My friends, if this Lent has not been all you've hoped for, we still have 14 days left.  Let these readings guide these last two weeks - into people who listen well to the Law within and to allow ourselves to die to our individual and collective agendas.  Why?  So that others may live.  Death is not a virtue.  Dying so that others may live is.  
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thank you to you for continuing to helping this podcast be heard around the world.  I am humbled and grateful.  If it speaks to you, please pass it along to someone you think would enjoy it as well or rate it on your favorite app.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) - 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23;  John 3:14-21
Our readings directly name two incidents and Jesus alludes to a third where the darkness present seemed insurmountable.  But in each case, God shows up in a unique, surprising and unexpected way - reminding us that there is nothing that God cannot redeem and make good.  We have reached the halfway point of our Lenten journey, which may involve sacrifice and hardship.  These readings take purposely take time out to remind us that our God walks with us right here and right now, even in the midst of our struggles.  
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thank you to all of you for continuing to share this podcast and helping it to grow.  If you like it, pass it along to someone you think would also benefit from hearing God's Word.  Or rate it on your favorite listening app.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the Third Sunday in Lent - Exodus 20:1-17;  John 2:13-25
The readings we hear today are long, but they are packed.  In the first reading, Moses gives the Law to the Hebrew people - the 10 Commandments.  And while it can be easy to think of all as equal (and perhaps they are), I think one, maybe two, rise above the others.  And one of these may surprise you.  Our Gospel focuses on Jesus and his actions when there seems to be little difference between what He sees inside the Temple and outside.  And it's not a pretty sight.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thank you to you for continuing to listen and help this podcast grow!  I'm humbled.  If you like it, share it with a friend or consider rating it on your favorite listening app.  It helps others be able to find it as well.  Have a comment or question?  I can be reached at [email protected]