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The Average Shepherd
The Average Shepherd episodes
- Waste Time with God | 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time | Year B
In this homily, Fr. Sam French reflects on the Gospel during the 16th Week of Ordinary Time. He addresses a profound cultural shift: our society's loss of true rest and leisure. Fr. Sam explores how modern life, with its relentless focus on productivity and utility, has distanced us from the beauty and purpose that define our humanity. He contrasts the sublime achievements of past cultures with today's emphasis on functionality and economy, questioning the impact on our spiritual well-being.
Drawing from the teachings of Josef Pieper and St. Augustine, Fr. Sam delves into the concept of leisure as an essential aspect of human life. He underscores that true rest is a divine gift, not a self-made achievement. Fr. Sam emphasizes the importance of silence and stillness, urging us to disconnect from the noise and distractions of contemporary life to truly connect with God.
Fr. Sam’s personal experiences as a priest add depth to his message, illustrating the physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion that comes from dedicated service. He invites us to embrace 'wasting time with God,' advocating for regular visits to the Church for Eucharistic Adoration and personal prayer. This episode is a powerful reminder to find rest in God’s presence and rediscover the art of true leisure.
Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights, and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: linktr.ee/frsamfrench
11 min - Weathering the Storm | 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time | Year B
In this homily titled 'Weathering the Storm,' Fr. Sam French reflects on the Gospel of Mark 4:35-41 during the 12th week of Ordinary Time. He discusses how modern technological advancements can create an illusion of control over nature, leaving society unprepared for life's unpredictable challenges. Fr. Sam shares his personal experience with cancer to illustrate the fragility of human control. He emphasizes that true Christian faith lies in turning to Jesus during life's storms, trusting in His divine power and presence. Fr. Sam encourages a strong prayer life and regular reception of the sacraments to maintain this faith.
Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench
8 min - Taylor Swift and Lessons on Love | 6th Sunday of Eastertide | Year B
This week on the podcast, Fr. Sam delves into the theme of divine love as contrasted with the fleeting passions of human affection, inspired by Taylor Swift's latest album. As we explore the 6th Sunday of Eastertide, we uncover the essence of Jesus' command in John 15: "love one another as I have loved you." This exploration reveals how modern culture, steeped in a romanticized view of love, often distorts our understanding of this profound biblical command. Fr. Sam challenges us to rise above the emotional rollercoaster of human relationships and embrace a love that is self-sacrificial, deliberate, and eternal—the love Christ calls us to embody.
Join Fr. Sam French for more thought-provoking content and spiritual insights on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. frsamfrench.com
6 min - Doubting Thomas and the Sacrament of Confession | 2nd Sunday of Eastertide | Year B
This week, Fr Sam invites us into a profound reflection on the narrative of Doubting Thomas and its intrinsic connection to the Sacrament of Confession, as we journey through the Easter season. This homily, set against the backdrop of the second Sunday of Easter, known as Divine Mercy Sunday, unravels the layers of doubt faced by Thomas following Christ’s resurrection. Through an insightful examination, Fr Sam bridges our contemporary struggles with faith and the timeless story of Thomas, encouraging us to see ourselves in his quest for tangible proof of Jesus’ victory over death.
Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench
10 min - Cleansing Our Temples | 3rd Sunday of Lent | Year B
This week Fr Sam delves into the fiery passion of Jesus as depicted in the Gospel reading for the third Sunday of Lent. The image of Christ we encounter is far from the gentle nativity scenes we remember; instead, we witness a Jesus filled with righteous anger, a natural emotion designed by God to propel us towards justice and goodness. This homily explores the concept of righteous anger, contrasting it with the uncontrolled frustration we often experience, and highlights how Jesus' anger in the Gospel is perfectly focused and governed by reason.
Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch: https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench
9 min - Three Mountains | 2nd Sunday of Lent | Year B
In this homily for the Second Sunday of Lent, Fr Sam explores the metaphor of "Three Mountains" drawing parallels between the biblical mountains of Mt Moriah, Mt Calvary, and Mt Tabor, and the personal pilgrimage of faith.
Mt Moriah, highlighting the rejection of false gods; Mt Calvary, emphasizing the centrality of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for salvation; and Mt Tabor, encouraging a transformation towards living in anticipation of eternal life.
Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch: https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench
11 min - What is Temptation? | 1st Sunday of Lent | Year B
Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch: https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench.
12 min - Zoom Masses are the Worst (The Healing Touch of Jesus) | Sunday 6th Week of Ordinary Time | Year B
In a time when leprosy meant not just physical suffering but also social and spiritual isolation, Jesus' actions speak directly to the heart of our sacramental faith. This homily explores how, just as Jesus reached out to heal and restore the leper to the community and to God, He continues to reach out to us today through the sacraments. Fr Sam reflects on the essential nature of physical presence in our relationship with God, especially through the Eucharist and Confession, and how these sacraments offer us the healing touch of Jesus.
Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch: https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench.
8 min - The Truth Will Set You Free | Sunday 4th Week of Ordinary Time | Year B
This week's homily covers:
The Mystery of the Holy Trinity: The homily opens with a story about Saint Augustine and a child, illustrating the vastness of God's nature and our limited understanding.
The Role of Prophets and Truth: The homily delves into the true role of biblical prophets, emphasizing their task of speaking truth into their age, rather than predicting the future.
Authority and Impact of Jesus' Teachings: The focus then shifts to Jesus' profound impact as a teacher with authority.
The Power of Truth in Jesus' Miracles: The homily discusses a specific event where Jesus performs an exorcism, demonstrating his authority over evil and his role as the liberator from the effects of sin and evil.
Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch: https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench.
9 min - God is Chasing You | Sunday 3rd Week of Ordinary Time | Year B
This week's homily is about:
- God's Relentless Pursuit: The homily emphasizes God's desire for a deep, transformative relationship with each individual, highlighting that God persistently seeks our undivided heart and will not settle for being a secondary priority in our lives.
- The Nineveh Example: It draws a parallel between the spiritual blindness and materialistic preoccupations of ancient Nineveh (a city focused on wealth and self-sufficiency) and modern tendencies to prioritize material goods and instant pleasures over a true relationship with God.
- The Necessity of Repentance and Change: The homily stresses the importance of repentance, which means more than just feeling sorry for sins. It involves a profound change in lifestyle, aligning our actions, words, and choices with Jesus' teachings and moving away from things that hinder our relationship with God.
- Call to Radical Transformation and Discipleship: Finally, it calls for a radical transformation in the lives of believers, urging them to prioritize their relationship with Jesus over societal norms, material possessions, or personal desires, and to live as true disciples, not just admirers of Christ.
More from Fr Sam French on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch here: https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench.
8 min
About The Average Shepherd
From the publisher's feed
A weekly homily podcast by Fr Sam French dedicated to breaking open and spreading the Word of God.