Taste & See

In this episode, we explore the profound kingship of Jesus Christ, revealed not in earthly power but in His selfless sacrifice on the cross, as highlighted in the Gospel of Luke. Through the story of Fr. Jaison, a humble pastor who embodies servant leadership by cleaning parish bathrooms, we see how true authority mirrors Christ's loving service. The meditation from St. Dismas reminds us that even in our brokenness, Jesus remembers and invites us into His eternal kingdom of mercy and love.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does the image of Jesus reigning from the cross challenge your understanding of power and authority in your own life?
2. What does your schedule reveal about your knowledge of Jesus' love for you, and how might you adjust it to reflect a deeper relationship with Him?
3. If the cross is Jesus' throne of self-sacrificial love, what "throne" in your heart needs to be conquered by His reckless love for you?

Here's a link to the meditation for you to re-read and pray with!

Don't forget to pray for one another!

The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.

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

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

In this episode for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time on Luke 21:5-19, Zac draws from encounters at a young adult retreat with a joyful Chinese Jesuit priest descended from a canonized martyr and a tearful participant inspired to priesthood despite family persecution, the discussion connects to Jesus' warnings of betrayal and hatred, urging a reception of a martyr's heart ready to face external and internal Calvaries. The episode challenges believers not only to die for Christ but to live fully for Him in ordinary moments, transforming personal pain into divine compassion, culminating in a meditative letter from Jesus inviting followers to persevere in love for healing and authentic self-giving.

Reflection/Journal Questions:

1. Consider the stories of the Chinese Jesuit priest and the retreat participant: How does hearing about their martyr's hearts, shaped by real persecution, challenge or deepen your own commitment to faith in a freer environment?
2. How does the idea that true faith means not just dying for Christ, but living for Him in everyday ordinariness, resonate with your daily routines? What small "martyrdoms" can you embrace today?
3. Ponder Jesus' invitation: "Give yourself away for my name’s sake, receive this martyr’s heart, and don’t just receive this heart, but receive your very self"—how can self-giving reveal your authentic identity rooted in His love?

Meditation Link:

Here's a link to a Google doc of the meditation if you would like to read it over and/or bring it to personal prayer.

Don't forget to pray for each other!

The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.

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

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

In this episode for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica on November 9th, 2025, we explore John 2:13-22, where Jesus cleanses the temple, drawing parallels to personal experiences of inner turmoil. Host shares a recent dating dilemma filled with anxiety and indecision, resolved through confession, likening it to Jesus driving out mental "moneychangers" for true peace and surrender. Delving deeper, the discussion highlights the heart of worship as giving rather than getting, emphasizing Jesus' zeal for the poor and His call to purify our consumerist approach to faith. A meditative story from a temple dove seller's perspective illustrates transformation from profit-driven life to following Christ, reminding us of our dignity as temples of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection/Journal Questions

1. How has anxiety or indecision in your relationships acted like "moneychangers" in the temple of your heart, and what steps can you take to invite Jesus to drive them out?
2. In what ways do you see your own heart as a temple of the Holy Spirit, and what distractions or negative thoughts need to be purified for deeper peace?
3. How might viewing Mass or prayer not as a place to receive but to offer everything deepen your connection to God and others?
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Here's a link to the meditation for you to read over and pray with!

Don't forget to pray for one another!

The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.

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

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

In this touching episode, Zac shares a heartfelt story from a friend's joy-filled wedding, painting it as a powerful image of self-giving love that mirrors our human call to freely give and receive. Rooted in John 6:37-40 for the Commemoration of All Souls, he reveals how we are precious gifts from the Father to Jesus, embraced without rejection and promised resurrection, igniting hope no matter our past. The episode challenges us to embrace purgatory as God’s merciful fire, actively urging us to pray and offer acts of love for departed souls, letting our identity as cherished gifts in the Trinity spark transformative action.

Reflection Questions:

1. Picture a moment when you gave yourself fully to someone—how did that spark joy, and how can you make that a daily habit reflecting God’s love?
2. Knowing you’re woven into the Trinity’s eternal love, how can you face a current struggle with renewed courage and purpose?
3. As a gift of love meant to love, what bold action (like praying daily for the departed or helping someone in need) can you commit to this month to shine your true identity?

Don't forget to pray for one another!

The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.

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

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

In this week’s episode, we explore how an essential principle from romantic relationships reveals the heart of the Gospel in Luke 18:9–14. Through the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector, we uncover how emotional and spiritual intimacy with God must come before outward expressions of faith—just as authentic love precedes physical intimacy in relationships. Join us for a meditation from God the Father’s perspective, as He speaks tenderly to the tax collector, revealing what true humility and intimacy with Him look like.

Journal Questions

1. When you think about your relationship with God, do you tend to focus more on what you do for Him or how close your heart is to Him?
2. How might the principle “emotional intimacy should come before physical intimacy” reshape the way you think about love — both human and divine?
3. If your relationship with God were described as a romance, what small gesture of love might He be inviting you to offer Him this week?

Here's a link to the meditation for you to take into prayer!

The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.

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

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

In this episode of Taste and See, we reflect on Jesus’ call to persevere in faith even when prayer feels unanswered. Drawing from Luke 18: 1–8, Zac explores what it means to keep trusting God without growing weary and how prayer transforms us rather than trying to change Him. Through honest reflection and prayer, we’re reminded that faith isn’t proven by results but by our willingness to remain in relationship with the One who loves us. Join us as we rediscover the quiet strength of steadfast prayer.Journal Questions:

1. How would you life changed if you really only had one hope in God every time you prayed?
2. How does this episode challenge the way that you pray?
3. Have you not just grown weary in praying to God, but also grown weary in listening to Him also?

Here's the link to the meditation for you to bring into prayer with the Lord.

The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.

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

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

In this week’s episode of Taste and See, we enter into Luke 17:5–10, where Jesus calls His disciples to live as humble servants. This Gospel passage challenges us to recognize that no matter how holy our works may appear—daily Mass, prayers, or acts of devotion—we are still called to say, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.”

Through a personal story of daily Mass and a touching encounter with a fellow parishioner, we reflect on the temptation to pride when others see holiness in us. True sainthood, however, is not about recognition or reward, but about the joy of serving the Master with humility. Jesus Himself took the lowest place, and He invites us to do the same so that He may lift us into eternal life.

Join us as we pray, “Lord, increase our faith,” and discover the deep joy that comes from serving Christ, not for profit, but out of love.

Journal Questions:

1. What does sainthood mean to you?
2. What would taking the lowest place look like in your everyday life?
3. How does God want to increase your faith this week?

Here's a link to the meditation - I hope it blesses you in prayer!

Please pray for each other!

The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.

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

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

In this episode of Taste and See for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we reflect on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31). I share my own journey from being a “good Catholic guy” who ignored the poor to discovering compassion through friendship, immersion trips, and encounters with the homeless. Jesus reveals that the path to heaven is walked with broken hearts—hearts softened by compassion, pierced by suffering, and made like His Sacred Heart. Together we’ll explore how true faith is not just about having answers but about seeing Christ in the poor at our doorstep.

Journal Questions

1. How do I respond to those who beg or ask favors from me? Am I defensive, too accommodating, etc.?
2. Am I afraid of letting me heart be broken, so I decide to numb it or avoid others instead?
3. What thoughts do I think go through God's mind when He gazes at my heart?

Here is the link to the meditation! I hope the Lords blesses you through it in prayer!

The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.

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

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

What does Jesus mean when He praises the dishonest steward in Luke 16:1–13? In this episode of Taste and See for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we wrestle with one of the most surprising and challenging parables in the Gospel. Through personal stories from religious life, struggles with money and the spirit of the vow of poverty, and a meditation from the steward’s perspective, we explore how Christ teaches us to use earthly things as means—not ends—and to practice true prudence that leads us to God.

Journal Questions

1. Where do I find myself using money imprudently?
2. How would God see my use of how I use my money?
3. What was the greatest challenge for me in trying to understand this episode?

Here's a link to the meditation!

Pray for each other!

The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.

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

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

On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, Zac shares how the color pink—rooted in his mother’s battle with breast cancer—became a symbol of love and victory. In the same way, the cross, once a sign of death and defeat, is exalted as the sign of Christ’s triumph and our salvation.

Journal Questions

◦What personal “crosses” in my life have felt like burdens of suffering, and how might God be inviting me to see them as paths to deeper love and even victory?

◦When I look at the cross, do I truly see a symbol of God’s love for me, or do I sometimes still see only suffering and failure? What would it take for my perspective to change?

◦Like Zac’s memory of pink and his mom’s perseverance, what tangible reminders in my own life point me back to God’s love and the victories He has already won for me?

Here's a link to the meditation! Please don't forget to pray for each other!

The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.

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

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