In this episode of Taste and See, we reflect on the conclusion of the liturgical year and the celebration of Christ as King of the Universe. Through the lens of John 18:33b-37, we explore what it means to follow a king whose reign transcends worldly power and authority.

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Join us as we celebrate Christ the King and reflect on how His reign transforms our lives and leads us to eternity.

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Gospel reading taken from the World English Bible Translation

Intro music: "My Life (Main) by Good B Music

Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of D

In this episode of Taste and See, we reflect on the gospel for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, where Jesus describes the end times and His glorious return (Mark 12:24-32). The imagery is intense—darkened skies, angels gathering the elect—and it can stir both excitement and fear. But what if this isn’t just about judgment and apocalyptic visions? What if it’s about longing for the One we love?

Through a personal story of a long-distance relationship, Zac explores the deeper meaning of waiting for Christ. Just as absence made love grow fonder, so does our distance from Jesus increase our desire for Him. We don’t await a distant judge but a beloved Savior who longs to be close to us.

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Scripture Reference: Mark 12:24-32

Gospel reading taken from the World English Bible translation

Intro music: "My Life (Main)" by Good B Music

Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship PAds - foundations in the key of G

In this week's episode of Taste and See, we explore the Gospel passage of the widow’s offering in Mark 12:41-44, focusing on the profound act of giving everything we have. Drawing from his own experiences, Zac reflects on a deeply emotional moment with his mother, who chose a path of suffering for the love of him. This episode invites us to consider the true meaning of sacrificial love and trust in God when life’s challenges feel overwhelming.

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Listen now to deepen your faith and learn how to embrace sacrificial love, even in times of great difficulty. Join us as we journey through the story of the widow, the mystery of Mary’s love, and the transformative power of trusting in God.

- Intro Music: "My Life (Main)" Good B Music

- Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of G

In this episode of Taste and See, we explore Jesus’ challenge in Matthew 23:1-12, calling us to live with humility, servant-heartedness, and freedom from pride. Zac shares a personal story from his time as a missionary in Guatemala, reflecting on an encounter with a child in the slums that uncovered his own struggle with material attachment.

We discuss:
✨ How small choices reveal our hearts and reflect the Gospel.
✨ What it means to live what we preach, even when it costs us.
✨ Finding freedom by letting go of anxieties, pride, and possessions.
✨ How Jesus' open, wounded hands invite us into deeper trust and service.

Listen for a guided meditation on surrender and an intimate letter from Jesus encouraging you to release burdens and embrace His joy.

Key Themes: Humility, service, discipleship, spiritual freedom, mission work, Matthew 23, personal growth in faith

🔗 Scripture Reference: Matthew 23:1-12
🎧 Tune in now to embrace the call to serve with open hands and discover the joy of letting go!

In today’s episode, we dive into the Gospel story of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, and reflect on what his encounter with Jesus reveals about our hearts and our need for healing. Bartimaeus meets Jesus not on a mountaintop but in Jericho, the lowest city on earth—symbolic of hitting rock bottom in life. What happens when we encounter God not in success but in failure and helplessness? Zac shares the story of the poorest woman he met in a Kenyan slum and how she was the happiest woman because she encountered God in her poverty as Provider.

Where is my lowest place, and have I encountered God there?

What is in the way of encountering God in my woundedness?

Can I see God in the poverty of my own heart?

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Bible verses quoted:

*all scripture verses are taken from the World English Bible

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Taste and See, we reflect on Mark 10:35-45, where James and John approach Jesus with bold, unfiltered requests. Together, we explore the importance of bringing our true desires to Christ—whether it’s asking for miracles, relationships, or dreams that feel risky. Through this reflection, we challenge the fear of desire, discuss how God delights in hearing the honest longings of our hearts, and explore how our deepest desires, when surrendered to God, draw us closer to Him and His plan for eternity. Then Zac shares about his own experience of overcoming his fear of his romantic desires both before and after seminary.

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Prayer Reflection:
Take a moment this week to ask yourself: What is the deepest desire of my heart right now? Bring that desire honestly before God in prayer, trusting that He delights in hearing you and will lead you toward what is best for you.

Scripture Reference:
Mark 10:35-45

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Intro Music: "My Life (Main)" by Good_B_Music

Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - Foundations in the key of G

Episode Summary:
In this episode, we explore the profound message of Mark 10:17-30, where Jesus invites us to surrender our possessions and distractions to truly follow Him. We reflect on the nature of love, the essence of true treasure, and what it means to possess the greatest gift of all—our relationship with Christ most preeminently in the Eucharist at Mass. Zac shares how he felt the call to sell everything he had and give to the poor 6 years ago and how that has affected everything he does even to today. Through personal anecdotes and spiritual insights, we are reminded that the path to fulfillment lies not in worldly success, but in the depths of divine love detached from things of the world.

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Intro music: "My Life (Main)" by Good_B_Music

Meditation Music Background: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - Foundations in the key of C

In this episode, we explore Jesus' profound teachings on marriage from Mark 10:2-12 and how they reveal a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Trinity. Marriage, far from just being a legal or romantic contract, is a reflection of the self-giving love of God, the ultimate love of the Trinity. This episode will challenge misconceptions about love, commitment, and divorce, and invite listeners to reflect on the true purpose of marriage: to embody divine love through sacrifice, mercy, and union with God. Zac shares the touching example of the sacrificial love of his dad for his mom when his mom had breast cancer, and how his dad witnessed to the truth that love is possible by staying faithful to his wedding vows: in sickness and in health.

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Link to article regarding the decline in Catholic Marriages, quoting Georgetown's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate's findings that Catholic marriages have gone down 70% between 1968 - 2019: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/258240/as-marriage-rates-continue-to-plunge-how-can-the-church-get-more-people-to-the-altar

In this episode, we dive deep into understanding sin, not merely as the breaking of a rule but as a failure to love. Drawing from the Greek word hamartia—meaning "missing the mark"—we explore how every sin distances us from the love that we were created for. We also reflect on the gravity of sin and how it impacts our relationship with God, our neighbor, and ourselves. Through the lens of the Catholic faith, we discuss the healing power of purgatory, God's suffering on our behalf, and Zac shares his personal experience of the importance of sacramental grace.

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Call to Action:
As you listen to this reflection, consider how you can prioritize confession and seek God’s healing mercy more regularly. Reflect on the ways sin has distanced you from God’s love and what steps you can take to realign with Him.

In this episode of Taste and See, Zac dives deep into Mark 9:30-37, where Jesus redefines greatness through the example of a child. Zac explores the themes of humility, dependency, and trust, and how Jesus calls us to embrace a childlike spirit in our walk with Him. True greatness, in the eyes of God, is found not in power or status but in our willingness to be small, humble, and open to God’s love. Zac shares his own struggle to be small enough to be loved with the adoption of his sister when he was younger.

Join Zac as he reflects on Jesus’ teachings, His embrace of a child, and how we are invited to trust Him with the same childlike dependency.

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