In Episode 57 of Living the Catholic Faith podcast, we first encounter a question about the color of the vesture for this weekend's Masses. Pink, Rose, huh? We hear a meditation from a nun about the meaning of the Third Sunday of Adevent. Rejoicing is the topic we discuss this week. What is there to rejoice about in a world of sin and division? Our Gospel is from Matthew as John the Baptist inquires as to the identity of Jesus. He waits patiently in prison during this time. We too are called to be patient. In fact, can we rejoice without it? Join me, Deacon Steve, as we break open the word of God as we continue our journey in Living the Catholic faith.

Welcome to Episode 56 of the Living the Catholic Faith podcast. We will do a deep dive into the readings for the 2nd Sunday of Advent as we continue our journey to Christmas. Our question this week is about repentance and the Sacrament of Reconcilation. We hear a meditation from a Saint about the main focus of the Gospel this week, John the Baptist. Change is the topic we will contemplate. Why do we resist change? Will we give up the "safety" of the status quo? Will we follow the Lord? Our Gospel reflection this week is from Matthew. We hear the John the Baptist who baptizes with water for the forgiveness of sins. He calls the people to repentance. Will we repent? Do we even know what we need to repent from? Join me, Deacon Steve, as we break open the word of God as we continue our efforts in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 55 of Living the Catholic Faith, we listen to and break open the word as we begin the Advent season. We hear in the Gospel of St. Matthew Jesus telling his disciples that He will come again. Christ's coming again is the focus of the Advent season. Christ will of course keep His word and return. This week our question asks if Advent is a penitential season as the priest wears purple like in Lent. We will hear a meditation from a nun about the meaning of Advent. Our topic this week is sometimes a challenge for us - waiting. We will meditate on the Gospel of Matthew, as Jesus tells His disciples that when he comes, some will be taken and some will be left. He commands us to stay awake. May we stay awake to the reality around us - that our Lord is very involved in our lives and wants us to be prepared when He comes again. Join me, Deacon Steve, as we contemplate the meaning of this first Sunday of Advent as we continue our journey in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 54 of Living the Catholic Faith, we think about the readings for the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus, in the Gospel of Luke, remind us that this world will end. We, as followers of Jesus, are in the meantime called to speak the Truth that is Jesus Christ. We hear a question this week about how to evangelize. Our meditation is from a man who was preparing to die. Speaking the Truth is the topic we discuss this week. What is the truth? In our Gospel this week from Luke, we hear Jesus tell his disciples signs prior to the end of the world and His second coming. He also reassures them of their mission - to speak the truth, and to spread the Gospel. Are we not called to do so as well? Join me, Deacon Steve, as we break open God's word to grow in communion with him as we continue in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 53 of Living the Catholic Faith, we break open the Gospel and the theme of the readings for the Thirty-second of Ordinary time, the Resurrection. Our question this week challenges us to think about the Resurrection and how it impacts us. We hear a meditation from at 20th century laywoman demonstrating belief in a life beyond this one. Our topic this week is of course, Resurrection. What is it? Why did it happen? What does it ask of us? Finally, we will meditate on the Gospel we hear from St. Luke, as the Sadducees, a religious sect that does not believe in the Resurrection, try to challenge Jesus and the idea of the resurrection of the dead. Jesus' response is quite clear that those resurrected do not die and will rise. Do we believe this? Does this change our lives? Join me, Deacon Steve, as we contemplate the Lord's words and pray together in our continual efforts in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 52 of the Living the Catholic podcast, we contemplate the readings for 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time about a short tax collector and his encounter with Jesus. Our question this week challenges us to think about what do get out of going to church regularly. We hear a meditation from a minister on this week's readings. Transformation is our topic of discussion this week. What does it mean in the spiritual life? Am I called to transform? We break open the Gospel of Luke, discussing the challenge of this Gospel with the encounter of Zacchaeus the chief tax collector and Jesus. We too are called to encounter Jesus. And when we do, will we every be the same? Join me, Deacon Steve, as we meditate on the words of God as we continue our day to day journey in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 51 of Living the Catholic Faith, we meditate and contemplate the readings for the 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time.  We break open the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.  What does this parable say to us?  Our question this week challenges us how much do we envy and compare ourselves to others?  What is really important?  We hear from an unknown author about the meaning of this week's parable.  Humility is our topic of the week.  Is humility important and if so, why?  Finally, we will look at the Gospel of Luke, and do a deeper dive into the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.  Was the Pharisee a bad guy?  What is wrong with fasting and giving money to the poor?  Join me, Deacon Steve, as we contemplate God's word as we continue our journey in Living the Catholic Faith.

In the 50th Episode of Living the Faith podcast, we break open the word of God, as we celebrate the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings for this weekend focus us on staying the course and persevering in our prayers. We begin with a question about an ill family member who is not seemingly getting any better. Our meditation this week is on the Gospel of Luke that we hear this weekend. Perseverance is the topic we discuss this week. What is it? Why is it important in the spiritual life? Finally, we will break open the Gospel from Luke telling us the parable of the widow and the dishonest judge. Join me, Deacon Steve, as we pray together and contemplate in order that by God's grace, we can increase our faith, hope and love, as we continue our journey in Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 49 of Living the Catholic Faith, we hear the readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary time. Our question of the week is about how to handle the challenges of every day life. A convert to the faith who became a priest, cardinal and saint, offers us a meditation about God's gifts. Gratitude is the topic of the week. What is it and why is it so important in the spiritual life? Finally, we break open the Gospel of Luke with Jesus' healing of the 10 lepers. Join me, Deacon Steve, as we meditate on God's word in our continuing journey of Living the Catholic Faith.

In Episode 48 of Living the Catholic Faith podcast, we ponder the readings for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time. First, we discuss a question about how to increase one's faith. We hear a meditation from a saint about prayer, humility and faith. Speaking of faith, this is the topic of the week. What is faith anyway? We hear the Gospel from Luke about Jesus telling His Apostles they could plant a tree in the sea, even if they have little faith. How strong is our faith? Join me, Deacon Steve, as we unpack the word of God, and continue to strive for holiness in our efforts in Living the Catholic Faith.