Taste & See

In this episode, Zac shares a moving call with his mom after a transformative "Come and See" week in Tijuana with the Missionaries of Charity Fathers—daily holy hours, simple living, and serving the poor—sparking his vocational call and her tears over family detachment.

Delving into Luke 14:25-33, Zac explains Jesus' "hate" for family as holy detachment: freedom to love God above all, fueled by Christ's Cross and Eucharistic love that casts out fear and breaks attachments.

He Ends with Jesus' meditative invitation to agape love, mirroring His heavenly sacrifice. Explore Bible discipleship, Christian detachment, and faith adventures!

Journal Questions:

1. What are you are attached to more than God?
2. What is hindering you from being ready to leave your attachments if God called you to do so?
3. How does God view that attachment?

Here's the link to the meditation for you to print out, bring to prayer, and go deeper with it.

Don't forget to pray for one another and for those who are suffering form the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School.

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

Happy one year of Taste and See!! Praise God and thank you all for listening prayerfully!

In Episode 48 (Luke 14:7-14), Zac reflects on pricey Catholic conferences and their barriers for the poor, questioning if Jesus Himself could afford one today. Drawing from the parable of choosing the lowest place and inviting the maimed, lame, and blind to banquets, the episode calls for radical heart hospitality—welcoming the unlovable into our inner homes, recognizing our own spiritual poverty. An Examen meditation guides gratitude, review, forgiveness, and resolve to embrace the poor as Christ does.

Journal Questions

1. How often do I think about the poor on a daily basis?
2. How often does God think about the poor on a daily basis?
3. What can I do to have a heart of radical hospitality?

Don't forget to pray for one another and place your prayer requests in the comment section!

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, we dive into Luke 13:22-30 and the "narrow gate" of forgiveness. Zac recounts the gripping story from The Mission, where ruthless slaver Rodrigo Mendoza hauls his armor-laden burden up Iguazu Falls as penance—only to have a Guarani boy slice it free, symbolizing true redemption through letting go.

This mirrors Jesus' call: True strength isn't in carrying guilt or grudges, but in forgiving yourself and others, unburdened by the Cross's ultimate mercy. Jesus suffered unimaginable wounds—over 5,000, mystics say—to forgive us first, urging us to drop our "netted bundles" and enter heaven's door. A poignant meditation from Jesus on the Cross invites you to embrace His love, console Him, and live freely in forgiveness.

Journal Questions:

• What part of Mendoza's story resonates with your own?
• What are the specific persons for specific things that you need to forgive in order to enter the narrow door?
• Why did Jesus endure so much suffering for you?

Here's the link to the meditation!

Don't forget to pray for me and pray for one another!

Let's create a community of prayer, and not just consume content.

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

This week on Taste and See, we explore the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1:39-56). Zac shares a humorous middle school quest for YouTube fame, reflecting a deeper desire to be loved. This connects to Mary, a humble woman from Nazareth, chosen by God as His hidden treasure and assumed into heaven. The episode highlights God’s love for the lowly and includes a meditation from Mary’s perspective, encouraging listeners to embrace their poverty and trust in God’s love.

Journal Questions

1. Do you struggle with having a relationship with Mary? Why?
2. How do you think Jesus felt when He took up Mary into heaven?
3. How can you live out the truth that you are God's hidden treasure?

Here's the link to the meditation for you to bring to your 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

Join me as we dive into Luke 12:32-48, reflecting on what it means to stay awake for Jesus’ return. I share a personal story from my days in religious life, struggling to stay alert during late-night Eucharistic vigils, yet finding a deep connection with Jesus in the quiet. We’ll explore how being "vigilant" is all about waiting in love, not fear, for our Savior’s coming. A heartfelt meditation from Jesus’ perspective invites you to open your heart and prepare for His embrace. Perfect for anyone seeking a closer walk with Christ this 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Come listen and grow with me!

Journal Questions

1. If Jesus were to come tomorrow, what would I need to do or change to get ready for His coming?

2. How does God want me to do to prepare for His Second Coming?

3. Who does God want me to help prepare for His Second Coming?

Here's the link to the meditation!

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

Summary:

In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus warns against hoarding wealth, urging us to embrace detachment for true richness in love. A Camino de Santiago story about ditching heavy boots for sandals reveals how letting go of attachments lightens our spiritual load. This episode challenges us to shed worldly burdens, focus on love, and prepare for eternity with a monthly examen to realign our hearts.

Journal Questions:

1. What are you carrying on your journey that is burdening you unnecessarily?

2. What is stopping you from letting go of that burden?

3. What would you life look like if you stuck to the essentials?

Don't forget to pray for each other!

We need to hold each other up on our journeys to heaven!

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 Luke 11:1-13, Jesus teaches the Our Father and urges persistent prayer, revealing God’s desire to give us more than we ask. Inspired by a story of a missed opportunity to give generously, this episode explores how we limit God by asking for too little. Learn to pray boldly for big things—God’s kingdom, forgiveness, and daily bread—drawing closer to His heart. A moving meditation from God the Father invites us to seek, ask, and knock for His abundant gifts.

Journal Questions:

1. What may God want to give you, but which you never asked for?

2. Is your spiritual life more of a mansion, or are you still digging the foundation? Why?

3. What gift can you give you God this week?

Here's the link to the meditation to take into personal prayer!

Don't forget to pray for one another!

Let's not just consume content, but create a community of 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

Summary:

Explore the tension between service and silence in Luke 10: 39-42, where Jesus reminds us that "one thing is necessary." Reflect on the dangers of burnout from relentless serving, as seen in young adults in ministry, and discover how silent prayer at Jesus' feet restores our connection to God. Featuring a heartfelt meditation on Martha's encounter with Jesus, this episode challenges us to prioritize relationship with God over busyness, ensuring our service flows form a deep, prayerful faith.

Journal Questions (to go deeper):

1. Who do I identify more with: Mary or Martha?

2. Think of a time when you felt burned out from serving - what were the signs of burnout that you might have been unaware of?

3. How is God inviting you to deepen your prayer life this next week?

Meditation:

Here's the link to the meditation.

See you next week - 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, we explore the Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37, where Jesus challenges cultural and religious divides by presenting a Samaritan as the model of neighborly love. Unlike the priest and Levite, who pass by a wounded man, the Samaritan shows mercy, embodying the command to "love your neighbor as yourself." Drawing from Hosea’s call for "mercy, not sacrifice," we reflect on how true worship is rooted in self-sacrificial love. A personal story from the 2015 European refugee crisis in Greece illustrates how compassion transcends differences, reminding us that we will be judged by our love for others, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did to the least of these, you did to me.”

Key Takeaways:

• Mercy Over Sacrifice: The Samaritan, despite being despised, fulfills God’s law through compassion, unlike the priest and Levite who prioritized ritual over love.

• Love Transcends Differences: Cultural, ethnic, or ideological divides (like Jews vs. Samaritans or modern-day conflicts) are overcome through acts of mercy.

• Judgment Based on Love: We are called to see Christ in the suffering and act with love, as our eternal judgment hinges on how we treat “the least of these.”

  Journal Questions:

1. Who in your life or community might you be tempted to “pass by” like the priest and Levite, and how can you show them mercy instead?

2. Reflect on a time when you experienced or witnessed an act of unexpected compassion. How did it reveal God’s love to you?

3. How can you better recognize Christ in the suffering people around you, and what practical steps can you take to love them as your neighbor?

   Scripture Referenced in the Episode:

• Hosea 6:6: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

• Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did to the least of these my brethren, you did to me.”

• Leviticus 19:18: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

• Learn more about the European Refugee Crisis (2015-2016) for context on the personal story shared.

• Reflect on the Parable of the Good Samaritan with this scripture study guide.

Listen Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe: Don’t miss an episode—subscribe and share with others seeking to grow in faith and love.

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 heartfelt episode, we dive into the essence of evangelization as an act of love, inspired by Luke 10:1-9, where Jesus declares, “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.” Through a personal story of a chance encounter with a man named James, we explore how simple gestures of kindness—seeing, knowing, and loving others—can reflect God’s love and fulfill the call to evangelize. This episode challenges listeners to embrace opportunities to share the Gospel through compassion, courage, and vulnerability, even in the face of rejection.

Key Points

• The Heart of Evangelization: Evangelization is not about preaching doctrines but about inviting others to experience God’s love, helping them see themselves as seen, known, and loved by Him.

• A Personal Encounter: A story of meeting James, a man begging at a stoplight, illustrates how small acts of connection—like asking someone’s name or offering a prayer—can touch hearts and plant seeds of faith.

• The Call to Love: Jesus sends us, like the 72 disciples, to share His love in everyday moments, whether through kindness, prayer, or bold faith-sharing.

• Embracing Rejection: Evangelization can be vulnerable, but facing rejection allows us to share in Christ’s sufferings and grow closer to Him.

• Practical Steps: Reflect on moments to evangelize through an examen of the past month, focusing on gratitude, awareness, forgiveness, and resolve to bring one person closer to Christ.

  
  

  Journal Questions:

1. Reflection on Connection: Think of a recent interaction where you had the opportunity to show kindness or share your faith. How did you respond, and how might you act differently next time to reflect God’s love more fully?

2. Identifying Opportunities: Where in your daily life—at home, work, or in your community—do you sense God calling you to evangelize through small acts of love or prayer?

3. Overcoming Fear: What fears hold you back from sharing your faith or connecting with others? How can you ask God for courage to be a “window” of His love in those moments?

   
   

• Subscribe: Never miss an episode—subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

• Share: Spread the message of love and evangelization by sharing this episode with a friend or on social media.

• Reflect: Take 10 minutes this week to complete the examen shared in the episode and journal your responses to the questions above.

  
  

  Related Scripture:

• Luke 10:1-9: Jesus sends the 72 disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

• John 8:32: “The truth will set you free.”

  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