Come Away By Yourselves

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A Catholic priest’s occasional meditations on the Gospel and Christian life.

Fr. John Grieco


    • Jun 21, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 26m AVG DURATION
    • 329 EPISODES

    4.9 from 150 ratings Listeners of Come Away By Yourselves that love the show mention: fr john, reflections, meditations, prayer, spiritual, lord, god bless, insights, conversation, helpful, life, highly, recommend, thank, time, listening, great, john grieco.


    Ivy Insights

    The Come Away By Yourselves podcast is a truly transformative and uplifting spiritual resource. Led by Fr. John Grieco, this podcast offers insightful and meditative reflections that are invaluable for anyone seeking to grow in their spiritual life. The meditations provided by Fr. John are approachable and relatable, making them accessible to listeners of all backgrounds and levels of faith. The podcast covers a wide range of topics including the gospels, Christian life, and the human condition, providing practical guidance for personal prayer and development. The bite-sized format of each episode makes it convenient to listen at any time, whether during a morning routine or a work commute. These meditations have been particularly helpful during Lent, offering daily reflections that help deepen one's understanding of the season.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is Fr. John's ability to create an intimate conversation between himself and Our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his rich spiritual insights and casual anecdotes, the listener feels like an active participant in this conversation rather than a passive observer. This creates a unique experience where the listener can engage with their faith on a deeper level and develop a stronger relationship with God. Fr.John strikes the perfect balance between seriousness and informality, creating an enjoyable listening experience that leaves a lasting impact.

    While it is difficult to find any major flaws in this podcast, some listeners may desire more variety in terms of topics covered. Although the reflections on the gospels, Christian life, and the human condition are valuable, others may prefer additional discussions on specific theological concepts or practical tips for living out one's faith.

    In conclusion, The Come Away By Yourselves podcast is an exceptional resource for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with God and grow in their spiritual life. Fr.John Grieco's insightful meditations offer both guidance and encouragement for personal prayer and development. His ability to create an intimate conversation with Jesus Christ through relatable anecdotes sets this podcast apart from others. Overall, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to enrich their spiritual journey and find solace in their faith.



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    Latest episodes from Come Away By Yourselves

    Corpus Christi: Believing that He is Here

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2025 30:51


    The Feat of Corpus Christi highlights the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.  What a great mystery of confidence, consolation and closeness.  Knowing that Jesus is truly present should change our way of thinking about him and of relating to him.  Above all in communion, the real presence brings us into vital contact with Our Lord. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    [Rebroadcast] Holy, Holy, Holy!: The Mystery of the Trinity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2025 31:16


    The Trinity is the deepest mystery of our Faith, revealing to us the secrets of God's inner life.  This mystery transmits to us God's transcendence, his intimacy with us, and the importance of charity in the Christian life. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    "Come Holy Spirit": Pentecost Sunday

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2025 31:16


    The conditions for the fruitful reception of the Holy Spirit seem to be obedience, prayer and unity.  The "tongues of fire" which descends on the Apostles lead them and us  to the "gift of tongues" in proclaiming the Gospel.  The gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit are ours for the taking!https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Feast of the Visitation: Presence, Words, Reaction

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2025 28:55


    On the last day of May, we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation. Elizabeth's response to Mary's greeting reveals a beautiful chain of presence, words and responsiveness.  Her compliments to Mary on her motherhood and her confidence in God are closely connected.  By imitating one of them we also participate spiritually in the other.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Mary, Teacher and Model of Prayer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2025 27:12


    In this month of May, we turn our hearts and minds towards Our Lady.  Like a good mother, she can teach us the most important of lessons.  Among these, how to prayer better is something we can learn from her example and her life with Jesus.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Rebroadcast: Praying with Our Lady of Fatima

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2025 29:41


    Reflections on Marian devotion and Our Lady of Fatima. 

    (Rebroadcast) The Bread of Life: Jesus Abiding in You

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2025 31:50


    "He who eats this bread will live forever."  "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him."  In the Bread of Life Discourse, Jesus makes wonderful claims about Eucharistic Communion.  In Communion, we share in Jesus' resurrection and are intimately united with him.  This should change the way we think about Jesus.  He is not a merely figure from the past or a distant model to imitate, he is a spiritual force in our lives, a person who is always present with a mind, a will, power, and initiatives.  Faith unlocks Jesus' life in our lives, his activity in our activities. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Meeting Jesus on the Shore

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 28:19


    In St. John's Gospel, Jesus's third appearance happens after a night of fruitless fishing for the apostles.  Our Lord's intervention makes up abundantly for the lack of success they had that night.  Our lives too are often marked by apparent failure and frustration.  Like the apostles, this can be made right by a new encounter with the Risen Christ.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    [rebroadcast] Divine Mercy Sunday: The Power of Forgiveness

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2025 29:54


    God's power is especially evident in his mercy.  There are no sins that he can't forgive and his mercy waits upon the smallest opening of repentance and sorrow for sin.  Receiving God's mercy is also the result of being merciful ourselves.  Forgiving others is a condition for being forgiven.  Our own forgiveness and mercy make us like our Father God: constant in love and invincible in goodness. Thanks for listening and supporting Come Away By Yourselves.  Please rate and review the podcast wherever you listen.  Good reviews help spread the show.   https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Jesus Christ, Victor!: Exultant Easter Joy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2025 26:45


    At the Easter Vigil, the Exultet tells us to rejoice with the joy of Christ's Victory.  Easter Joy is triumphant.  Christ is a victor and conqueror of sin and death.  We share in this victory in the sacraments and in charity.  Living a sincere Christian life, we become the resurrection for the world.https://comeawaybyyourselves.com   

    Living the Triduum: Don't Leave Jesus Alone

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 23:48


    How do we make the most of these Holy Days?  Keep Jesus company in his passion and death.  To get the most out of Easter, let's try to stay with Jesus from the Last Supper through his death, burial and Resurrection.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Children of God!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2025 28:39


    At the Last Supper Jesus opens his heart to the apostles and to us.  St. John shares Jesus' own description of the Father's love for us: it is the same love that he has for his only Son, Jesus.  If and when we truly believe this, it changes everything and serves as the foundation of our Christian life. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    "He who sows in tears will reap with rejoicing": From Sin to Salvation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2025 28:46


    In today's Gospel Jesus saves the woman caught in adultery from a terrible fate.  We can imagine her joy, relief, and love after Jesus's intervention.  As sinners saved by Jesus, we are all in the same position.  Deep sorrow for sin precedes the great joy of forgiveness in Christ. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    (Rebroadcast) Practices of Lent: Connoisseurs of Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2025 26:59


    Almsgiving (charity) is one of the three traditional practices of Lent.  When preaching about almsgiving, Jesus focuses on purity of intention.  We should love others for their sake and for the glory of God.  St. Paul paints a portrait of the Christian heart in his letter to the Ephesians.  Christian charity is especially imbued with understanding of others and selflessness in service.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    "Seek the Lord while He may be Found": Lenten Urgency

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2025 27:42


    Moses encounters God on Mount Horeb in the burning bush.  We do so in our Lenten prayer and penance.  The time for conversion, for correspondence to Christ's offer of mercy, is limited.  Like the fig tree given just one year more to produce fruit, our life and our Lenten season are passing by. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Lent: Deny to Affirm, Empty Out to Fill Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2025 29:23


    Lent is a time of self-denial.  The higher, better part of ourselves strives to deny and to master our lower nature.  This interior struggle is a necessary condition for Christian life.  In emptying ourselves out, especially of our pride, we invite God to enter in. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    "Have Mercy on Me Lord": Lent and Psalm 51

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2025 28:17


    David composes Psalm 51 as an extended act of contrition.  This follows his being convicted of his sin by the Prophet Nathan.  The "Miserere Psalm" can help us enter into Lent well, focussed on bravely recognizing and humbly repenting of our sinful deeds and state. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Jubilee ‘25: “Hope does not disappoint”

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2025 28:56


    "Spes non confudit" -- with these words from St. Paul, Pope Francis invited the Church to celebrate the Jubilee year of 2025.   Living Christian hope, firmly based on God's love for us, we can become beacons of hope for many others. 

    [Rebroadcast] Savage Sincerity: "The Strength to Stand Before the Son of Man"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2025 31:56


    Jesus tells us to pray to have the strength "to stand before the Son of Man."  When we die we will be judged by God.  This is a hard truth but also a truth that saves us.  If we ask God for the courage to see ourselves as we really are now, we will be prepared for our death and God's judgment.  Reliance on God's grace, fostering sincerity with ourselves and others, living charity, and regularly examining our conscience are all ways to avoid self-deception and to prepare for our definitive meeting with God.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Lost and Found: Moving from "Where are you?" to "Here I am!"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2025 29:40


    "Where are you?"  This is God's haunting question to Adam and to fallen humanity.  "Here I am!" This is our response to Christ's search and rescue mission on our behalf.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Eucharistic Souls

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2025 28:55


    "To be eucharistic souls" was a great ideal proposed by St. Josemaria.  Having our lives and hearts shaped by what we celebrate in the eucharist has various manifestations in our spiritual life.  Adoration, receptiveness to God's love, imitating Christ's charity, joy, and thanksgiving are among the characteristics of truly eucharistic souls.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Jubilee '25: "Hope does not dissappoint"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 28:56


    "Spes non confudit" -- with these words from St. Paul Pope, Francis invited the Church to celebrate the Jubilee year of 2025.   Living Christian hope, firmly based on God's love for us, we can become beacons of hope for many others. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Praying with St. Thomas Aquinas

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 25:52


    This week we celebrated the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas.  Thomas believed that the Crucifix was his greatest book and source of wisdom.  Guided by St. Thomas, we too can learn great spiritual lessons of from Christ by contemplating his passion. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    [Rebroadcast] The Cross and Transformation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2025 28:27


    "He who loves his life will lose it, he who loses his life for my sake will find it."  Finding our true life, and our true selves, means handing ourselves over to Christ.  Losing our lives for the sake of Christ is a transformative union with him.  This takes work and an acceptance of suffering.  There is no resurrection of ourselves in Christ without the cross.https://comeawaybyyourselves.com 

    Like the Apostles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 25:18


    Like the apostles themselves, the life of the Christian is a call to be close to Jesus and to go out and spread the Good News.  Holiness and apostolate are two sides to the same divine vocation.   To be an apostle, however, we have to confront various obstacles which would keep us from sharing Christ with others. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    The Baptism of Jesus: Humility, Love, and Joy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2025 28:34


    The Baptism of Jesus speaks to us of his incredible humility.  Without being a sinner, Jesus plays the role of one by letting himself be baptized by John the Baptist.  Humility unlocks our ability to love God and others.  It protects our peace and joy.   https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Feast of the Epiphany: Seeking the Truth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2025 21:30


    The Feast of the Epiphany invites us to set our on our own journey to find Christ.  Christ is the Truth, the light of Life.  To find him means to deepen in our understanding and acceptance of the Truth about Him and about ourselves.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    [Rebroadcast] A Permanent New Year's Resolution: Holiness

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2024 31:19


    Holiness is God's own will and resolution for us.  In calling us to be holy God resolves that we be such.  Holiness is the fullness of charity.  To respond to our call to holiness, to live this divine resolution, is to learn to love God in himself and in and through all things.  

    The Gift of the Child

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2024 26:03


    Heading into Christmas we turn our hearts towards the Christ Child.  Christ is our great Christmas present from God the Father.  Mary and Joseph give him the gifts of their faith, hope and love.  These are gifts that we too can give to the Baby Jesus.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Rebroadcast: Gaudete Sunday — Deep and Resilient Joy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024 32:36


    Bartimaeus (and Mary): Novena Reflection

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 23:05


    Given as part of a Novena to the Immaculate Conception. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Novena to the Immaculate Conception: "Mother of the Fallen Away"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2024 18:14


    A reflection given for the Novena to the Immaculate Conception on Mary as "Mother of the Fallen Away."

    [Rebroadcast] Advent: Making Room for Jesus

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2024 27:15


    In Advent we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas. Jesus, who found no room in the inn at Bethlehem, can find room in our souls and our lives if we prepare well for his coming. Making room for Jesus means clearing other things out, finding time for prayer, and welcoming him in others. 

    Christ the King

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2024 23:40


    What is the Kingdom of God and the Kingship of Christ?  How can we be loyal subjects of this Kingdom?  What keeps us from letting Christ rule as King?https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    "Pray without ceasing": Benefits of Prayer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2024 30:10


    Jesus encourages us to pray constantly.  This advice is seconded by St. Paul and many other saints.  Scripture teaches us the many benefits of habitual prayer: joy, motivation, peace and fruitfulness.  Prayer is the very shape of Christian life: a sharing of our life with Christ's. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    The Example of Jesus' Prayer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2024 32:12


    Prayer was a regular part of Jesus' daily life.  We can learn a lot from watching when, how and where he prayed. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Rebroadcast: Feast of All Saints

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 29:53


    Learning True Manliness from Christ

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2024 29:18


    Given at an Annual Men's Conference.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    [Rebroadcast] The Power of Prayer

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2024 28:28


    Send us a textJesus's parable of the widow and the unjust judge teaches us to pray with persistence and intensity.  While always confident that God our Father hears and answers our prayers, we are called to exercise this confidence by patient perseverance in our petitions.  "Prayer works."  This is a fundamental Gospel truth.  Prayer is powerful and others depend on our prayers of intercession for them.  Prayer of petition brings us closer to God, by reminding us of our status as his creatures and children.   https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    "Free to Love": The Point of Living Poverty

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2024 30:50


    After the Rich Young Man goes away sad, Jesus tells his disciples twice that it will be difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God.  The possession of riches comes with the danger of relying on them too much, seeking our happiness in them, falling into a kind of practical idolatry.  The solution to this is detachment or poverty of spirit.   Detachment frees our hearts to love God and others.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Walking by Faith

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2024 28:52


    When Job sees God he accepts God's plan and submits to his judgment.  In this life, our vision of God is always indirect and partial.  "We see through a mirror dimly." It takes thus faith to trust in God's plan and his providence especially when things are difficult or go against us.  In this life, faith in God's promises substitutes for sight especially in moments when it is hard for us to understand God's ways. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    To Struggle for Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 27:17


    The reward for charity is great, the punishment for sin is daunting.  We live in a battle between good and evil, between joy and misery.  Victory in this struggle is not just a matter of effort but of clear spiritual vision.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    [Rebroadcast] St. Matthew and the Certainty of Faith

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2024 30:16


    Matthew's response to his vocation demonstrates a great deal of trust in Jesus.  His Gospel emphasizes Jesus's deep appreciation of faith and his disappointment at its absence.  Trust in Jesus should be absolute, lending a great certainty to our faith in his Church and in all of his teachings.  "Faith is the evidence of things unseen."  This means that at times we will have to trust more in Jesus than in the evidence of our own senses or the apparent evidence of our own judgment. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    [Rebroadcast] September 14: Triumph of the Cross, Triumph of Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2024 29:52


    Christ's Triumph on the Cross defeated sin and death.  It was a triumph of love over selfishness.  This victory needs to be repeated in our own lives, in our own carrying of the Cross.  Sin and selfishness have to be defeated in us and this entails the acceptance of suffering and sacrifice; in a word the acceptance of the Cross.   Suffering is inevitable in life, but whether it is redemptive and sanctifying or futile and permanent is truly up to us.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    "Be strong, fear not!": Christian Courage

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2024 26:07


    Our Faith constantly encourages us to overcome our fears.  This entails standing up to them and being open to fearful situations.  Christian courage, however, is primarily based on belief in God's powerful presence and protection.  With God, "whom shall we fear?"  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    "Welcome the word that has been planted in you"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2024 27:49


    St. James describes the word of God has "having been planted in us."  This gift of God leads to the growth of His own Life in each Christian.  To foster the growth of the word in us we need to remove obstacles and create an environment in which it can flourish.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Finding Christ, Found By Christ

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2024 28:54


    St. Bartholomew's first meeting with Jesus is recorded in the Gospel of St. John.  Introduced by Philip, Bartholomew is struck by Jesus's already knowing him before they ever met.  Jesus is struck in turn by Bartholomew's sincerity, "an Israelite in whom there is no guile."  Our own Christian life is a matter of meeting Jesus, finding that he already knows and loves us, and being radically sincere with him so that he can completely forgive and save us. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Choosing the Better Part

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2024 29:03


    Martha invites Jesus into her home along with her sister Mary.  Jesus's interaction with them is a great source of insight for us.  "The better part" that Mary has chosen, sitting at the feet of Jesus, tells us of the importance of prayer.  Jesus's correction of Martha, however, also has to do with her inner attitude of distraction, worry, and resentment.  In this sense, Martha can choose the better part, keep working, and maintain her peace and joy. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Spiritual Oylmpics

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2024 28:36


    Jesus wants his joy to be in us and our joy to be full.  Sharing the joy of Jesus means sharing in his victory over sin and death on the cross.  Jesus receives a crown of glory and joy in heaven for his triumph.  We too will be crowned victors if we persevere joyfully in the Spiritual Olympics of life. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Rebroadcast: The Bread of Life Discourse

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2024 30:01


    The "Bread of Life" Discourse in John Chapter 6 is a treasure trove of spiritual insights.  Faith in Jesus's person is paramount for the Christian life.  This faith is tested by the audacity of his claims for the Eucharist as well as by the trials and difficulties of our personal Christian vocation.  Jesus promises spiritual satisfaction, eternal life, and, most amazingly of all, intimate communion with him for those who receive the Bread of Life in the Eucharist.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

    Resting with Jesus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2024 30:11


    Jesus takes his apostles to a lonely place to rest with them.  He offers us the same opportunity in our prayer life and when we practice trust in his constant care for us. We need to distinguish healthy rest from rest that can short-circuit our attempts to refresh ourselves. ]https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

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