Cup o' Joe

Readings for the Feast of Pentecost - Acts 2:1-11;  Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13;  John 20:19-23And so, my friends, we have reached the end.  The end of the podcast only.  For it is only the beginning for what lies ahead.  Today is the great feast of the fusion of God's spirit and humanity - and this spirit which enflames and unifies us, invites us to be authentic to who we are created in God.  And that authentic person cannot be hidden within an upper room behind locked doors or hidden under a bushel basket.  It must be a light for all to see - that they may give glory to God and hear of the mighty acts of God.  That's the baton that we have been given.  It's our turn - but never on our own.  We are all one and we walk together.  Everyone.  I can't thank you all enough for your support these past many years.  I never in my life imagined that I would do 723 episodes of this podcast nor that it would go around the globe in the way that it has.  I know that this is a long episode - but there were many people that I wanted and needed to recognize.  Forgive me if there were any of you that I failed to mention.  Let your light shine, my friends.  Be the sacrament of Jesus.  Be the authentic one that our God made you to be.  Speak your language for others will hear and understand.Have a question or comment?  Last chance.  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord - Acts 1:1-11;  Luke 24:46-53We know the story.  We've heard it dozens of times.  And we know that it ends up ok in the end.  But what about when we apply it to our lives?  What about those moments of anxiety when we are given the keys?  Or the job training is done and we are now expected to know how to do a task?  Or a child is born and is lying in our arms and we haven't the slightest idea what to do next?  There you go.  Now you understand this feast on a deeper level.  You take the next step in trepidation, anxiety, trust and hope.  That sounds about right.  We don't just watch this one from the sidelines.  We are witnesses of these things.And then there was one...one last podcast to go next week on the Feast of Pentecost.  I can't thank you all enough for listening these many years or these 1-2 times that you have.  Either way, I'm humbled.  I hope to do my thanks next week - but in the meantime, thank you all for sharing this, trusting me and living it in whatever way God invited and invites you.  That's the best.  Final question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter - Acts 15:1-2, 22-29;  Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23;  John 14:23-29Let's be clear - being a follower of Jesus Christ is not for the weak of heart.  Not just because it could lead to being ostracized or having to make difficult decisions, although both can be true.  Rather, I speak of the gray cloud of unknowing.  Those times when we are uncertain what the right decision is and we are hesitant to step out in faith.  It would be much easier if someone (the Church?  God?  Our spouse?) would simply tell us what to do.  We don't have to engage - we just do as we are told.  But that's not the life of faith to which we are called.  We are invited into a dance w/ the Holy Spirit.  And the Church.  And our loved ones.  And we are never settled.  That ground continually shifts.  The end draws nearer - two more episodes to go.  We will wrap up this podcast on the Feast of Pentecost after over five years and 720 episodes.  Thank you to all of you for your support, your trust and your presence.  I'm humbled and honored.  Have a question or a comment?  As always, I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the Fifth Sunday of the Easter Season - Acts 14:21-27;  Revelation 21:1-5a;  John 13:31-33a, 34-35The readings this weekend not only were too good to set one aside, but they all fit together so well.  In the Gospel, Jesus gives us a new commandment - but it's not like a lot of the old one.  Those were pretty cut and dry.  This new one contains a lot of room for interpretation.  Love one another as I have loved you.  What, exactly, does that mean for me right now, here today?  I'm not sure that I can answer that well - but I do use and example from the past to give one interpretation of what that love can look like.  As this podcast winds down to its final show on Pentecost Sunday, once again I thank all of those who helped make it possible.  But mostly, I thank all of you for continuing to listen and share it.  I'm humbled and honored to walk this journey with you.  Do you have a question or a comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the Fourth Sunday in Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday) - Acts 13:14, 43-52;  John 10:27-30While last week's readings invited us to see differently, this week's readings (on this Good Shepherd Sunday) invite us to hear differently.  Jesus says that His sheep hear his voice and follow him.  Assuming that is still true today, where are those instances that we hear the voice of Jesus?  And how do we carve out a place in the whirlwind to make room not only for the voice of God, but gaining the courage to go where He invites us?As this podcast winds down on its five-year run, you will see me (and hopefully hear me!) thank many people in the coming weeks.  I sincerely hope that I don't leave anyone out.  But as always, I wish to thank you - the listener - for inspiring me and making this such a joy.  I'm humbled by your presence.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

The Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Easter - John 21:1-19Yes, this title could easily have been The Reclamation of Peter.  Because really, that's what it's about.  And, of course, if it's about him, it is also about all of us.  Jesus, using Peter, has something to teach us all.  But there's something tucked within the story that can easily be missed if we are not paying attention.  And that something is too important to let slide.  The disciples, post-resurrection, had to learn to see Jesus differently.  He didn't look like he used to.  If that was true for them then, it's true for us now too.  And if we miss this, we may miss Him.  As we move toward the end of this podcast run (w/ the last episode posting June 6), once again I can't thank you all enough for the feedback that you have given.  I'm humbled as to where this has been taken and my prayer is that this Word that we uncover every week finds a lasting home within each and every one of us.  Have a question or comment?  Shoot me an email at [email protected]

Readings for Divine Mercy Sunday - Acts 5:12-16;  John 20:19-31How would it feel to you to go around for the rest of your life with an adjective attached to your name that seemed to denigrate you?  I don't think any of us would like that.  And yet we still refer to Thomas as Doubting Thomas.  But really, Thomas wasn't a bad guy at all.  He had courage.  And more importantly, he knew what he needed to grow in his faith of the Risen Christ.  Can we say the same about us?  What is it we need today in order for our faith in this incredible miracle to grow?As we move through this Easter Octave and season, we keep Pope Francis and the upcoming conclave in our prayers.  May those involved in the conclave open their hearts minds, ears and eyes to the presence and invitation of the Spirit in their selection.  And thank you to all of you for continuing to listen to and share this podcast.  I'm incredibly humbled.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the Easter Vigil - Romans 6:3-11; Luke 24:1-12We celebrate the culmination of the Life of Jesus of Nazareth and our own hope this day.  The stone has been rolled away!  The tomb is empty.  We are invited to look in and, like Peter before us, we are amazed!  But what, exactly, does this day mean to and for us?  How are our lives different because of it?  Special thanks to all of those who have helped make this podcast a reality - and even more so, thank you to all of you who continue to listen, share and rate it.  I'm humbled and grateful for your presence.  Have a question or a comment?  Send them my way at [email protected]  Happy Easter!

Readings for the Feast of Palm Sunday - Isaiah 50:4-7;  Philippians 2:6-11;  Luke 19:28-40We know the pattern.  And on this Feast of Palm Sunday, this is the one we don't like to hear nor talk about.  But it's half of the Pascal Mystery.  Christ has died.  Now if we were just talking about an historical event, that wouldn't be so hard.  Jesus did it for all of us and you and I just get to bask in the fruit of God's great act.  That's not a Catholic thought, my friends.  For we Catholics, we participate in this action.  We are another Christ, baptized into this same mission and if it's true for Jesus, it's true for us, too.  That's what makes this part so hard.  Death is a reality - in our world and in our life of faith.Special thanks to all those who have made this podcast a reality (you know who you are!) - I cannot thank you enough.  And thank you to all of you for listening and sharing this podcast.  I'm beyond humbled.  Have a question or a comment?  Feel free to reach out at [email protected]

Readings for the 5th Sunday in Lent - Isaiah 43:16-21;  John 8:1-11You know how some people have a face for radio?  You get to listen to a voice made for silence for a lengthy bit of time today - but, thanks be to God, the readings are worth it.  It can often be easy for us to fall into the trap of seeing God merely as someone who has acted in the past.  In doing so, we miss the beauty and the opportunity of God's action right here, right now in our midst.  God is not an event of the past, but a dynamic presence in the Present.  And he invites us to set aside those past notions and move into a new space - if only we have the courage to imagine and perceive it.  Special thanks as always to Shamus, Bridget and Mandy, without whom this podcast would even be a thing.  And mostly, thanks to you for listening, for rating, for recommending this podcast.  I am continually humbled at the places it has gone and that is all because of you.  And yes, thank you for your patience during these past months when the drop schedule has been uneven.  I'm hoping that we are beyond that now.  Fingers crossed.  Have a question or a comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the Fourth Sunday (Laetare Sunday) of Lent - Joshua 5:9a, 10-12;  Luke 15:1-3, 11-32Readings don't get much better than this.  They both focus upon and celebrate God's goodness and presence within our circumstances.  But they also remind us that there is work to do.  There is a journey to take.  We need to come to our senses.  During this 40 day movement of penitence and simplicity, fasting, almsgiving and prayer, we come up for a moment of relief.  A breath of fresh air.  We already live within the vision.  We just need to go that final mile.  Special thanks to all of those who have made this podcast what it is - those who helped vision it and create it into being, and those who have walked w/ me in many and various ways along the path.  I am grateful.  I'm most grateful, however, for you who continue to listen and share this with others.  Thank you for your trust.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the 3rd Sunday in Lent - Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15;  Luke 13:1-9Lots of time spent in this podcast on the first reading which is so good.  Moses and the Burning Bush.  Yeah, kind of an important reading - but there is so much there.  Moses thought he was in a place where he couldn't be found.  A bush is burning but not consumed.  Moses makes a conscious decision to go nearer.  The ground is holy.  Every one of these points has something to say to you and I.  And I haven't even talked about the Gospel yet!  Time is short.  We can't afford to walk by those moments of encounter in our lives any more.Special thanks to Bridget, Shamus and Mandy, without whom this podcast wouldn't even be a thing.  And thanks to all of you - for your patience as I work through this annoying problem with my host feed but also continuing to listen and share.  I'm so grateful.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the Second Sunday of Lent - Genesis 15:5-12; 17-18  Luke 9:28b-36Most of the time, we go through life asleep.  This is not a put down, it's simply the truth.  We sleep walk through our days, our months, our years, our lives.  But there are those days when the scales fall from our eyes, when we have the wherewithal or the ability to break through the cloud and we awaken.  The veil parts and we see.  They are mountaintop experiences and we realize the imminence and greatness of our God.  And as long as we are able to remember, our lives are no longer the same.  Until we get drowsy again.  This weekend, our readings invite us to waken to the glory and humility of the Almighty One.Special thanks to Bridget, Shamus and Mandy, without whom this podcast would be a thing.  But most of all, thanks to all of you.  Because of your listening, your rating, your sharing, people all over the world have joined in.  I'm so humbled and grateful.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the 1st Sunday of Lent - Deuteronomy 26:4-10;  Luke 4:1-13We hear the same story every 1st Sunday of Lent, with the only difference being whose version it is.  The story is the Temptation in the Desert and this year, we get Luke's perspective.  And like so many of the Gospel stories, we can read them and think of them merely as stories that happened to Jesus all those years ago, showing us His wisdom, strength and confirming Him as God's Beloved.  But we would be selling the Gospel short if that's how we hear it.  The stories may be about Jesus, but they are our stories, too.  Jesus is the pattern and shows us the way.  We walk in His footsteps. Special thanks, as always, to Shamus, Bridget and Mandy - for without them this podcast wouldn't be a reality, and it wouldn't sound like it does.  Mostly, thanks to you - for continuing to listen (especially during this time of not knowing when the podcasts will be dropped into your feeds!) and share them with others.  I'm grateful and humbled.  Have a question or a comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 1 Corinthians 15:54-58;  Luke 6:39-45Listen, we all know that death is incredibly difficult and traumatic.  So what, exactly, is Paul talking about in 1 Corinthians and how can he make such a claim?  We then turn once again to the Gospel and Jesus's Sermon on the Plain, where Jesus invites us into another death of sorts.  And where we are invited is no easy journey.Special thanks to Bridget and Shamus, without whom this podcast would not sound like it does or operate as it does.  And thanks to Mandy, without whom this podcast would even be a thing.  Mostly - thanks to all of you for listening, sharing and rating this pod.  I'm humbled at your trust and at the places this podcast has gone.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23;  Luke 6:27-38The Kingdom of God is not like the kingdoms we create as humans.  And if we try to fit our understanding of God and the teachings of the Kingdom into our current mode of thinking or our current structures, they just won't fit.  And if we force them in, they are no longer the teachings of Jesus.  They become made in our image, because we would rather have our agendas dictate the outcomes.  We do it all the time.  And it's tragic.Special thanks to Bridget and Shamus - for setting me up in this space and making it better than I could have done on my own.  And thanks to Mandy for the inspiration.  Mostly - thanks to all of you for continuing to listen, share and rate this podcast.  I'm humbled and grateful.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Jeremiah 17:5-8;  Luke 6:17, 20-26Jesus invites us down to a level place and shares a hard truth with us.  And for many of us listening, it's a time to take a look in the mirror and see which side of the truth we've been living within.  But as with all things God, there is a fork in front of us today and we can choose which road we take.  Special thanks, as always, to Shamus and Bridget - to whom I owe much in this podcast.  I also need to thank Mandy for her inspiration with the whole idea.  Of course, I'm most grateful to all of you for listening, rating and sharing this pod.  I'm incredibly humbled.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8;  Luke 5:1-11In today's readings, we hear about the call of God.  But, thankfully, it doesn't just focus on the action of God.  It focuses on the ones God calls - their thoughts, their response, how they see themselves and how they see God.  And the more things change, the more they stay the same.  The people we see, the barriers that are placed between God and their response, sound so familiar.  They are us.  If that is true - and it is - then what will be our response?Special thanks, as always, to two of my children - Shamus for helping me set up this whole project and Bridget for providing the music we hear as we enter and exit.  I'm grateful for their support - and yours!  Without your listening, rating and sharing this podcast, it wouldn't be what it is.  Thank you - I'm humbled and honored.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected].

Readings for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord:  Malachi 3:1-4;  Luke 2:22-40Continuing my shameless ripping off of the titles of famous songs (and this time, my apologies to Bob Seger), we hear a familiar story that sounds so wonderful at first listen.  A couple presents their child in the Temple and people come out of the woodwork to proclaim his title, mission and ministry.  Who wouldn't be consoled by that?  If only Simeon would've stopped halfway through.  But he didn't.  He looks directly and Mary and Joseph and tells them what lies ahead for them, should they continue to move forward.  Yet they do.  They steel themselves and walk into the future.  Our faith invites the same from us.  It's not all duckies and bunnies.  Special thanks to my daughter, Bridget Zenk, for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  And thanks to my son, Shamus, for setting me up on this host and helping me figure all of this technical stuff out.  Of course - thanks to you, as always.  Thanks for listening, for trusting, for passing it along, for rating.  I'm humbled and grateful.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at [email protected]

Readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10;  Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21My apologies to Billie Eilish on stealing the name for this title.  But I just had to.  It works too well.  Today we hear about beginnings in the Gospel, and new beginnings in the first reading.  And both take tremendous courage.  It takes courage to own up to our mistakes and attempt to begin again.  And it takes courage to accept the mission for which we were born and to live it out even in the midst of others questioning us.  As followers of Jesus, we are called not to be women and men of perfection, but rather to be women and men of courage, both individually and as a people. Special thanks, as always, to my daughter Bridget for her composition and performing of our intake and outtake music.  I'm so proud of her.  And special thanks to you for continuing to listen, rate and share this podcast with others.  I'm humbled and grateful.  Not sure why it didn't post last week and I'm hoping this one does - but I'll continue to work on it.  As always, questions/comments can be sent to me at [email protected]