Readings for the 3rd Sunday in Advent - Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11;  John 1:6-8, 19-28
As we draw nearing to the time of The Coming, we turn our focus on ways we can further open ourselves to allow Christ to be born within our hearts and within our worlds.  We also hear John the Baptist confronted by the religious leaders of his day, asking him to answer two questions that are essential in the life of every follower of Jesus.  And how you and I answer them is of the utmost importance.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performance of our intake and outtake music.  Also - thank you to you for joining me in breaking open God's Word.  If you like the podcast, consider passing it along to someone you think would like it or rate it on your favorite podcast app.  Questions or comments?  Throw them my way at [email protected]

Readings for the 2nd Sunday in Advent - Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11;  Mark 1:1-8
Every Second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptist is introduced to us.  John, of course, was the precursor pointing away from himself and instead pointing to the One who was bringing the Kingdom.  "In the desert, prepare the way of the Lord."  As we take one step closer to the celebration of God's presence in our world, the question before us is this: where are those deserts in your life?  And do you really believe that God can make a home in those places?
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thanks to all of you who continue to listen and break open God's word with me.  What an honor.  If you like the podcast, recommend it to someone you think would benefit.  You can also rate it so others can find it in their searches.  Have a question?  Send it my way at [email protected]

Readings for the First Sunday in Advent - Isaiah 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7  Mark 13:33-37
Welcome to our new liturgical year!  And every year, it can be easy to fall into the idea of Advent being merely birthday planning.  We know a birth is coming up on the 25th and we have some preparations to do in order to celebrate that past event well.  But I urge us all (yes, including myself!) to approach Advent differently this year.  Advent isn't just about what happened then.  It's looking around and asking for God's birth into our own specific and universal worlds now.  It's seeing the need and asking God to rend the heavens and be born again.  And it's recognizing God's presence when indeed God is born.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  Thank you for walking beside me as we open God's Word weekly.  Know anyone who may enjoy it and benefit from it?  Pass it along to them or rate it on your podcast app.  Questions?  Send them my way at [email protected]

Readings for the Feast (Solemnity!) of Christ the King - Ezekiel 34:11-12; 15-17   Matthew 25:31-46
We conclude our liturgical year with this feast day celebration.  Special Guest, Bridget Zenk, and I explore the idea of what it means to be living under royal leadership; what are steps we can take to help us be more like sheep and less like goats;  and another take on what it may mean to sit at the right hand of the Son.  May you celebrate this feast day well.
Special thanks to Bridget not only for appearing as special guest, but also for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  Thanks to you for  being alongside of me and breaking open God's Word!  May you be blessed.  Comments?  Send them my way at [email protected]

Gospel for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Matthew 25:14-30
In this liturgical year's last Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear a familiar parable about a master going away on a journey and investing talents in each of his servants.  In today's pod, we break open that idea and ask 1) how can we discern what these talents are and b) to what end are we invited to use them.  Thanks to Mipso for the title idea to this podcast.  Don't know their song?  Take a few minutes and listen - it'll be worth your while!
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thanks to you for taking time with me to break open God's Word!  Have a comment you wish to share?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Wisdom 6:12-16; Matthew 25:1-13
Is there a difference between wisdom and knowledge?  Anyone able to quote Isaiah and the Gifts of the Spirit (think back to our Confirmation!) would say yes, but what exactly is the difference?  Is one more valuable than the other?  And how can it be obtained?  Wonderful questions which our readings directly address today.  The Spirit of Wisdom, Sophia, desires to be caught.  But She is elusive and must be sought and pursued.  That is up to us.  

Readings For the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10; Matthew 23:1-12
Don't come to today's readings for consolation.  Instead, come for strength, because that's what we see from Jesus and that's what he exhorts from us.  Anyone can profess to be a follower of His and proclaim themselves good.  But God knows the heart.  God knows our real intentions.  And the priests/Pharisees/Sadducees get a large helping of humble pie.  But we can't watch from the sidelines.  We are them and they are us.  We, too, must walk the talk if we don't want the finger pointed in our direction.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performance of our intake and outtake music.  And thank you to you for being alongside of me and opening God's Word with me.  Questions?  Thoughts?  Send them my way at [email protected]

Readings for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Exodus 22:20-26; Matthew 22:34-40
We do Jesus a disservice to think that he did not deal with the many struggles we have to deal with today.  He went from conflict to conflict - and we see another one today.  Once again, the Pharisees are trying to trap him.  But once again, he sidesteps their efforts.  And in doing so, Jesus gives us a new law.  But the difference is that this law invites us into the stew.  This law needs us to discern and step out in faith.  This law is not external and merely seeks our obedience.  This law is internal - and leads us to relationship and the building up of the body.  All it costs is our willingness to be stretched beyond who we are right now.  And that can be a steep price.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thank you to you for your interest in diving deeper into the Word of God.  Comments?  I can be reached at [email protected].  Thanks for joining me on this journey!

Readings for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Isaiah 45:1, 4-6;  Matthew 22:15-21
Two mighty Gentile figures take center stage today, but for different reasons.  Yet both have something very powerful to teach us.  We cannot limit God and we always must be aware of whose image we bear and who or what has our allegiance.  
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  Thank you to all of you for breaking open God's Word alongside of me.  If you enjoy the podcast, share it with someone you think may enjoy it in the same way.  Comments?  Send them to [email protected].

Readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Isaiah 25:6-10a; Matthew 22:1-14
My friends, the readings don't get better than what we hear today.  In two separate images - one from Isaiah and a parable from Jesus - we hear about the goodness and magnanimity of God.  All are invited.  All are welcome.  It's not just an idea - it's the Kingdom of God.  But we must be "worthy" to enter.  And what makes us "worthy" is not what you think it is.
Special thanks to Bridget Zenk for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  Thank you to you for listening to this podcast and breaking open God's Word with me.  If you like it, please consider rating it on your favorite podcast app and/or passing it along to someone you think may enjoy it.  Comments?  I can be reached at [email protected]