The Faith and Science Podcast

These are the readings for Reformation Sunday or the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost.  The Reformation Sunday readings are: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 46, Romans 3:19-28, and John 8:31-36.  The reading for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost are: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 with Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17, or Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 with Psalm 1, with 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, and Matthew 22:34-46.  When the world gets hard, do we pull back or keep giving? This week, the texts point to the love of God and neighbor as the heart of discipleship. Creation offers a surprising picture of what that looks like. In Panama, certain acacia trees keep feeding their protective ants even through drought, a living example of mutualism, where the relationship matters more than the cost. What might it mean to be reformed without living on nostalgia, to stop seeing difference as a threat, and to look for the ways we can help each other grow?  Let me know what you think of it.

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These are the readings for the Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost; Exodus 33:12-23 and Psalm 99, or Isaiah 45:1-7 and Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13), with 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, and Matthew 22:15-22.  Jesus tells us to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s, but what exactly belongs to God? This week, we look to the brain for an answer, exploring how the cerebellum and brainstem quietly automate our heartbeat, breathing, and balance so that we are free to think deeply. Just as we rarely notice these vital systems, we can easily overlook the ways God is always at work around us.  Let me know what you think of it.

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These are the readings for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost; Exodus 32:1-14 and Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23, or Isaiah 25:1-9 and Psalm 23, with Philippians 4:1-9, and Matthew 22:1-14  Mary Anning reshaped the study of dinosaurs, yet she was shut out of the scientific society of her day and left uncredited for her discoveries. This week's texts, from the golden calf to the wedding banquet where the invitation goes out to all, challenge us to remember what God has done, to put aside pride, and to welcome others to the table. Anning's story shows what happens when the people in power can't see someone as worthy of the room. Where might we have blinders on, and who is waiting for us to open the door? Let me know what you think of it.

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These are the readings for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost; Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 and Psalm 19, or Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:7-15, with Philippians 3:4b-14, and Matthew 21:33-46  This week, we look at how easily short-term thinking can cost us in the long run, using the history of leaded gasoline as a case study. Despite early warnings from doctors and scientists, the cheap and convenient fix was chosen over safer alternatives, and the effects rippled across generations. Compared with the greedy tenants in this week's parable, it's a reminder to look beyond the immediate payoff. Along the way, we ask how we can build a long-term vision into our faith and our lives.  Let me know what you think of it.

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These are the readings for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost; Exodus 17:1-7 and Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16, or Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 and Psalm 25:1-9, with Philippians 2:1-13, and Matthew 21:23-32.  Humility is hard, and it's easy to talk about doing good without following through. This week, we look at the parable of the two sons and the story of Tim Berners-Lee, who chose to make the World Wide Web an open standard rather than profit from it, and how that choice shaped the internet we use today. What would it look like to use our own gifts and breakthroughs to benefit as many people as possible? Join us as we consider where we can make our world impact, and how our faith is reflected in what we do. Let me know what you think of it.

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These are the readings for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost; Exodus 16:2-15 and Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45, or Jonah 3:10-4:11 and Psalm 145:1-8, with Philippians 1:21-30, and Matthew 20:1-16.  A rare genetic mutation should have doomed him to early-onset Alzheimer's — it killed 10 of his mother's 13 siblings. Instead, this Navy veteran in his 70s is one of only three known people worldwide defying that fate, and researchers think they've found why: decades of extreme heat in a steam-powered ship's engine room may have permanently supercharged his brain's natural repair proteins. This episode digs into the science behind his story and asks what it might mean for the future of Alzheimer's treatment, while exploring how the wilderness, a stubborn prophet, and a landowner's vineyard all wrestle with a similar question — what do we do when the world doesn't work the way we expect it to? Tune in for a story that's part medical mystery, part ancient wisdom, and entirely worth your time. Let me know what you think of it.

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These are the readings for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost; Exodus 14:19-31 and Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21, or Genesis 50:15-21 and Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13, with Romans 14:1-12, and Matthew 18:21-35.  This week's episode dives into the lectionary's themes of forgiveness and debt — from Joseph reassuring his brothers to the parable of the unforgiving servant — and asks what it means to actually forgive rather than just say the words. That question gets turned toward our current climate crisis: current CO₂ and temperature data are laid out alongside a challenge to stop pointing fingers (at individuals or at corporations alone) and instead take real, collective responsibility for change. The episode argues that true repentance isn't just asking forgiveness for the damage we've caused the planet, but actually changing how we live. It closes with a hopeful call to work together, since real transformation — for ourselves and for the earth — is still possible if we choose it.  Let me know what you think of it.

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These are the readings for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost; Exodus 12:1-14 and Psalm 149, or Ezekiel 33:7-11 and Psalm 119:33-40, with Romans 13:8-14, and Matthew 18:15-20.  The readings for Feast of Creation in Christ are Genesis 1:1-2:3 or Genesis 2:4-25, Psalm 148:1-14, Acts 17:22a, 24-28, and John 1:1-5.  The episode explores how creation, community, and conflict resolution intersect in this week's scripture, then turns to the same-day launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, NASA's newest tool for probing dark energy, dark matter, and distant exoplanets. Drawing a line between cosmic wonder and faith, the discussion frames scientific curiosity as a God-given pursuit worth valuing for its own sake, not just its economic payoff. This also leads to a reflection on staying humble and open to surprise in the face of a universe—and a God—far bigger than we can fully grasp.  Let me know what you think of it.

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These are the readings for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost; Exodus 3:1-15 and Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b, or Jeremiah 15:15-21 and Psalm 26:1-8, with Romans 12:9-21, and Matthew 16:21-28.  What happens when the unexpected turns out to be exactly what we needed? This episode explores how faith, science, mistakes, and surprising discoveries can challenge our assumptions and open us to possibilities we never anticipated. From responding to others with unexpected kindness to recognizing the value hidden in accidents and setbacks, we’re reminded to stay curious and trust that we may not always see the bigger picture. The episode invites us to consider where we’ve been surprised by something meaningful—and where we might need to make room for surprise in our own lives. Let me know what you think of it.

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These are the readings for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost; Genesis 45:1-15 and Psalm 133, or Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 and Psalm 67, with Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, and Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28.  What do a dismissed body part and an overlooked Bible story have in common? This week dives into the lectionary readings for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost—stories of quiet defiance, unexpected blessing, and Peter's bold declaration about who Jesus is—paired with a fascinating look at the appendix, an organ written off as useless for over a century and only recently discovered to play a vital role in immunity and gut health. Together they raise a compelling question: what small, easy-to-overlook things might actually be essential to your community and your faith? Tune in for a fresh take on why the little things deserve a second look.  Let me know what you think of it.

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