In this final episode of Living the Catholic Faith, we encounter the readings for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time where Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants who do not bear good fruit because of their selfishness and sinfulness. We are called to think about if we are good fruit. In our Topic of the Week we will discuss fruitfulness. What does it mean to be fruitful? Are we fruitful? In our segment, Breaking Open the Word, we look at the readings for this week and the challenge the Lord has for us. Isaiah in the first reading talks about the ground yielding wild grapes. Are we wild in our lives, thinking we can do what we want when we want? Are we selfish and sinful like the tenants who even kill the landlord's son? Join me, Deacon Steve, as we contemplate the Word of God and continue our efforts in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 84 of Living the Catholic Faith, we encounter the readings for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time that challenge us to look are our priorities. What really matters to us? What is of primary importance? Our Topic of the Week is priorities. How do we set our priorities? What does priorities have to do with living our faith? In Breaking Open the Word, we hear the Gospel from St. Matthew about the parable of the two sons. One son says "Yes" to his father's will and does not do it. The other says "No" but ultimately follows the priority of doing his father's will. We too are called to follow God's will as the ultimate priority in our lives. My Our loving Lord Jesus, who made His priority doing the will of the Father, help us to get our priorities right as we continue our journey in Living the Catholic faith.

In Episode 83 of Living the Catholic Faith, we look at the readings for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time. We are challenged to contemplate the concept of fairness. Is life fair? Are we treated fairly and do we treat others fairly? Our Topic of the Week is fairness. What is it? Why is it important? In Breaking Open the Word, we will hear from the Gospel of Matthew the parable of the generous landowner. No matter how long his laborers work, they are paid the daily wage. Is this fair? Is God fair? Join me, Deacon Steve, as we contemplate the Word of God as we continue our journey in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 82 of Living the Catholic Faith, we hear the readings for the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time. The readings focus on one theme - forgiveness. Are we willing to forgive? Are we forgiven? Our Topic of the Week is of course, forgiveness. What is forgiveness? What isn't forgiveness? In Breaking Open the Word, we hear Peter ask Jesus how often are we to forgive. Jesus answers 77 times which stands for infinity. We are always called to be open to forgiving - forgiving others who hurt us, going to God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation to receive forgiveness and being willing to forgive ourselves. Join me, Deacon Steve, as we contemplate the words and call of God and continue our journey in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 81 of Living the Catholic Faith, we encounter the readings for the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time. Our reading focus us on our responsibility to hold each other accountable as we journey towards God. What does this mean? How do we do it? Our Topic of the Week is Accountability. What does it mean to be accountable? In Breaking Open the Word, we hear from the Gospel of Matthew about the importance of helping someone who has fallen into sin or lost their way. Jesus makes it clear that this task is not voluntary - that as His followers we have a responsiblity to hold each other accountable out of love. Join me, Deacon Steve, as we listen to the Word of God and strive, with His grace, to live lives accountable to Him, as we continue our journey in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 80 of Living the Catholic Faith, we celebrate the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Last week, our readings focused on the rewards of discipleship. Peter, who professes Jesus as Messiah, is given the keys to the kingdom of heaven. This week, this same Peter is rebuked by Jesus for trying to persuade HIm to abandon His mission. Jesus says we must deny ourselves, pick up our crosses and follow Him. In other words, we must be willing to suffer which is a cost of discipleship. Our Topic of the Week is Discipleship. What does it mean to be a disciple? In Breaking Open the Word, we will hear the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus clearly states that following Him costs us something. We must die to self, be willing to suffer and to follow Him? Are we willing to do so? Are we truly His disciples? Join me, Deacon Steve, as we contemplate the call of Jesus, in our day to day journey in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 79 of Living the Catholic Faith podcast, we listen to the readings for the 21st Sunday or Ordinary Time. Jesus tells His Apostles and God tells Shebna in our first reading, that God rewards His disciples. How does God reward us? Do we even notice? Our Topic of the Week is God's Gifts. Our Lord gives us gifts out of love for us and as a reward to help us grow deeper in our faith. What do we do with these rewards? In Breaking Open the Word, we hear the Gospel of Matthew about the Apostles with Jesus as Jesus asks "Who Do You Say That I Am? Peter answers correctly and is given the keys to the kingdom of heaven, the first Pope. This reward and gift led to Peter being crucified upside. Is this a reward or not? Join me, Deacon Steve, as we contemplate the word of God and His call to us as we continue our journey in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 78 of Living the Catholic Faith, we hear the Gospel and reference the readings for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus sees the faith of the Caananite woman, who is a foreigner, and heals her daughter. Do we help those different from us? Do we provide care and concern for the foreigners we encounter? Our Topic of the Week is Welcoming. Do we welcome the stranger? Do we see the stranger as a potential friend, as a brother or sister? If so, we will welcome them. In Breaking Open the Word, we are challenged to think about are we a people of unity or division. Do we categorize people according to their appearance, race, religion and treat them as less than? Are we willing to follow Jesus and treat everyone with love and mercy, even the foreigner. Join me, Deacon Steve, as we contemplate the Word of God as we continue in our journey in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 77 of LIving the Catholic Faith, we hear the Gospel for the 19 Sunday of Ordinary Time. Jesus comes to His Apostles in the storm. In our first reading from 1st Kings, the Lord comes to Elijah in a tiny whispering sound. God comes to us as well. Our Topic of the Week is Hearing vs. Listening. Do we hear the Lord? If so, are we listening to Him? In Breaking Open the Word, we think about what impedes our ability to hear and listen to the Lord. We can be a distracted people, distracted by all the noise of this world, others, and by the pleasures/stresses of modern day living. And yet, we are called to listen to the Lord. God is with us in all things, all the time. Will we choose to make listening to Him our priority in life? Join me, Deacon Steve, as we contemplate God's call to us to be His disciples, to listen to Him and to continue our journey in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 76 of Living the Catholic Faith, we hear the reading for the Feast of the Transfiguration. Peter, James and John go up the mountain with Jesus. Jesus is transfigured before them. He is changed and transformed. As followers of Jesus, we are call to change as well. Change is our Topic of the Week. What and how are we called to change? Do we have to change? In Breaking Open the Word, we will hear from the Gospel of Matthew about the trip up the mountain for Jesus and three of His Apostles. There three tents are built for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. The Apostles learn that Jesus is the beloved Son of God. Jesus is transformed as are the Apostles. Are we willing to transform our lives? Are we willing to die to ourselves and live for Jesus? Join me, Deacon Steve as we contemplate the Word of God and continue our journey in Living the Catholic Faith.