Everything begins with fidelity… being faithful to the Father, being faithful to Jesus, keeping our baptismal promises, keeping the commandments. And if we put in all the hard work, what do we get in return? We get good things, certainly - God’s love, Jesus’ presence, and the Holy Spirit which give us faith, hope, life, courage, love, happiness, and joy. But we aren’t promised only good things! Jesus also told us we must carry our crosses in this life, which means we will also endure hardship, suffering, sadness, illness, and loss. Peter reminds us that it is better to suffer for doing what is right than for doing wrong. Here’s to making the right choices!

This week's readings:
Gospel – John 14: 15-21
1st Reading – Acts 8: 5-8, 14-17
Psalm 66
2nd Reading – 1 Peter 3: 15-18

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:02:06) - Gospel & Explanation
• (00:17:59) - First Reading & Explanation
• (00:26:19) - Psalm & Explanation
• (00:28:05) - Second Reading & Explanation
• (00:40:45) - Closing & Credits

Jesus has prepared a place for us in the kingdom, and he expects us to do great works in his name, to serve others, to pray without ceasing, and to love unconditionally. Jesus also tells us he is the way, the truth, and the life, so if we listen to him, if we follow him, if we are obedient to his commands, then he will take us to himself, we will be chosen and precious, we will be called out of darkness into his marvelous light. It sounds easy, but the Christian life is rarely easy. The disciples knew Jesus well and still stumbled, still misunderstood, still made mistakes, still made the wrong choices. That should encourage us when we stumble, when we sin, when we make bad choices. Jesus expects much of us, that is true, but if we can do what he asks… the rewards are immeasurable! So, what are we doing to fulfill Jesus’ expectations of us?

This week's readings:
Gospel – John 14: 1-12
1st Reading – Acts 6: 1-7
Psalm 33
2nd Reading – 1 Peter 2: 4-9

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:02:13) - Gospel & Explanation
• (00:20:02) - First Reading & Explanation
• (00:36:07) - Psalm & Explanation
• (00:37:33) - Second Reading & Explanation
• (00:53:41) - Closing & Credits

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, as we observe Good Shepherd Sunday, Jesus tells us that he is the door to the sheepfold and that he came so that we might have life abundantly. The 23rd Psalm presents us with beautiful pastoral images, reminding us throughout that the Lord is our Shepherd. Peter tells his listeners to repent and be baptized, reminding us that Jesus suffered for us, that his wounds healed us, and that he responded to evil with gentleness… an example we should all follow. If we acknowledge Jesus as our Good Shepherd, how can we not follow the example he left for us?

This week's readings:
Gospel – John 10: 1-10
1st Reading – Acts 2: 14a, 36-41
Psalm 23
2nd Reading – 1 Peter 2: 20b-25

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:01:46) - Gospel & Explanation
• (00:14:49) - First Reading & Explanation
• (00:24:41) - Psalm & Explanation
• (00:26:57) - Second Reading & Explanation
• (00:36:15) - Closing & Credits

On this Third Sunday of Easter, we accompany two disciples as they walk the road to Emmaus and encounter the Risen Christ. This road is one that every disciple must walk for it is where we come to know Christ in all the Scriptures; it is where he is made known to us in our shared Eucharistic meal, the breaking of the bread; it is necessary so that our hearts, too, burn within us. Those disciples returned to Jerusalem to share their experience of the Resurrected Christ, to testify… to witness… to evangelize. That is what we are called to do as well. We encounter the Risen Christ at every Mass – in the words of Scripture and in the Breaking of the Bread. How can we not share this great joy with others?

This week's readings:
Gospel – Luke 24: 13-35
1st Reading – Acts 2: 14, 22-33
Psalm 16
2nd Reading – 1 Peter 1: 17-21

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:02:18) - Gospel & Explanation
• (00:21:33) - First Reading & Explanation
• (00:34:28) - Psalm & Explanation
• (00:36:35) - Second Reading & Explanation
• (00:44:33) - Closing & Credits

On this Octave Day of Easter, the Second Sunday of the Easter Season, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday and are reminded of the gifts of peace and joy that come only from God through his Son, Jesus. We are told that we are blessed because we did not see the Risen Christ and yet still believe in him, blessed because we have a new birth to a living hope through Jesus’ Resurrection, blessed because we are able to partake of the Eucharistic bread broken for us. And we are reminded that God established an inheritance for us in heaven… one that we do not merit and of which we are not worthy but which God, in his great mercy, offers us anyway.

This week's readings:
Gospel – John 20: 19-31
1st Reading – Acts 2: 42-47
Psalm 118
2nd Reading – 1 Peter 1: 3-9

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:01:46) - Gospel & Explanation
• (00:25:18) - First Reading & Explanation
• (00:35:51) - Psalm & Explanation
• (00:37:55) - Second Reading & Explanation
• (00:50:30) - Closing & Credits

Welcome to the Triduum!

And welcome to a very special bonus release. I am so grateful to be able to share with you a full version of the theme song for this podcast.

I want to especially thank my production engineer - who also happens to be my son, my co-collaborator, and my co-performer - for all the amazing work he did on this project!

We hope you enjoy this song and that it draws you more deeply into the reality of Christ's love for us!

• (00:00:00) - Introduction
• (00:01:43) - I AM, A song of the Lord's Promises

Happy Easter! Alleluia, let us rejoice and be glad!

We made it through the 40-days of Lent and now celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus with great joy! Jesus’ Resurrection is the central mystery of our faith and the promise which gives us hope… hope for the future, hope for our own resurrections, hope for eternal life. Throughout the coming 50-days of the Easter Season, we will – once again – hear the accounts of Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances to his Apostles, we will be reminded of the work of the early Church, and we will be invited to deepen our faith in the mercy, peace, and love of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. May the joy of Easter dwell within our hearts and minds throughout the coming year!

This week's readings:
Gospel – John 20: 1-9
Afternoon Gospel – Luke 24:13-35
Easter Sequence
1st Reading – Acts 10: 34a, 37-43
Psalm 118
2nd Reading – Colossians 3: 1-4 OR 1 Corinthians 5: 6b-8

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:02:51) - Morning Gospel & Explanation
• (00:14:22) - Afternoon Gospel & Explanation
• (00:33:07) - Sequences Explained
• (00:36:31) - Easter Sequence
• (00:37:43) - First Reading & Explanation
• (00:47:59) - Psalm & Explanation
• (00:50:16) - Second Reading (option 1) & Explanation
• (00:54:55) - Second Reading (option 2) & Explanation
• (01:03:07) - Closing & Credits

On Good Friday our hearts and minds traverse sacred ground as we recall the day that Jesus died for us. The Church celebrates no Mass this day, instead she kneels in solemn witness to a love beyond time and space, a love beyond human understanding, a love that is divine and eternal. We hear the same readings every year because we need to hear them, but our challenge is to know and accept that we are culpable in this death just as we are assuredly saved by it. Father, forgive us.

Readings:
Gospel – John 18:1 – 19:42
1st Reading – Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12
Psalm 31
2nd Reading – Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer
• (00:02:11) - Information about Good Friday
• (00:04:40) - Gospel & Explanation
• (00:49:36) - First Reading & Explanation
• (01:08:01) - Psalm & Explanation
• (01:09:36) - Second Reading & Explanation
• (01:18:09) - Closing & Credits