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This Episode is sponsored by Jump Into Shape www.jumpintoshape.fun About Our Guest: Adina Edelman is a book editor for Jewish publishers and self-publishing authors. She has worked on over 120 books of various genres and recently published her debut novel, Breaking Open. Adina has led multiple writing workshops and editing webinars, all with the goal of helping writers mine their message for gold. She is passionate about producing high-quality, relatable fiction for Jewish readers and is already working on her next book. She lives in Baltimore, MD. https://www.linkedin.com/in/adinaedelman/ https://israelbookshoppublications.com/products/breaking-open edelmanedits.com www.JewishCoffeeHouse.com franciskakay@gmaill.com
OCIA: Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Second Sunday of Lent.
OCIA: Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the First Sunday of Lent.
CLICK HERE for the video to this reflectionLUKE 6: 39-4539 He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.A Tree and Its Fruit43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
OCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
If there's a central inquiry to the Waking Youth podcast it's this: How might we consciously initiate ourselves—as individuals and as a species–into the next stage of our evolution? Turn our ecological emergency, our polycrisis, into an opportunity for global transformation?Daniel Pinchbeck has dedicated his life and career to living this question.Author of Breaking Open the Head, 2012 The Return of Quetzalcoatl, How Soon Is Now, and more recently, the Substack newsletter Liminal News, Daniel's work explores consciousness, politics, mysticism, and social change.He has spent decades not just writing about change, but actively seeking it through projects like the Evolver Network, The Elevator's Substack, and online courses on the ecological emergency.In this episode, we unpack Daniel's story of becoming—from his early days as a child of the Beat Generation in New York, to his awakening into a more mystical paradigm.We talk about writing as a tool for transformation, how to catalyze social and environmental shifts, the war between the genders, and the connection between non-normative relational models (like polyamory) and social healing.Last but not least, we listen to Daniel's words of wisdom for the younger generations, coming of age in this pivotal evolutionary moment.Enjoy!References:* TAZ: The Temporary Autonomous Zone* Techno-Feudalism: What Killed Capitalism* Why Materialism is Baloney* Morphogenetic Fields, Rupert Sheldrake* Manifesto for the Noosphere* The Myth of Male Power* The Red Pill* The Outrage Machine* Sexual Personae* Existential Kink* Eros Unredeemed* The Case Against the Sexual Revolution* Internet for the PeopleCredits:* Music Audio Producer & Editor: Carlos Sierra* Producer, Writer & Host: Carlota Guedes To hear more, visit www.wakingyouth.org
Watch the video to this reflection by CLICKING HERELuke 6: 27-387 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.Judging Others37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
OCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.
AUDIO ONLY this week.Luke 6: 17, 20-26Looking at his disciples, Jesus said:“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.“But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
OCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Watch the VIDEO BY CLICKING HEREJesus Calls His First DisciplesLuke 5: 1-115 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”5 Simon answered, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
OCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
OCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Presentation of the Lord.
CLICK HERE to watch the video to this reflectionLUKE 1: 14-21Jesus Rejected at Nazareth14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,to set the oppressed free,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”[a]20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
OCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time.
CLICK HERE for the video to this reflectionJesus Changes Water Into WineJohn 2: 1-11On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”4 “Woman,[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[b]7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
OCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.
OCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Baptism of the Lord.
OCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Feast of the Epiphany OCIA, formerly RCIA, is the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. The name change reflects the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops desire to return to the original Latin texts and that the process is a life-long journey and not a one-time event.
OCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Feast of the Holy Family. OCIA, formerly RCIA, is the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. The name change reflects the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops desire to return to the original Latin texts and that the process is a life-long journey and not a one-time event.
OCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. OCIA, formerly RCIA, is the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. The name change reflects the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops desire to return to the original Latin texts and that the process is a life-long journey and not a one-time event.
OCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent. OCIA, formerly RCIA, is the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. The name change reflects the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops desire to return to the original Latin texts and that the process is a life-long journey and not a one-time event.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO to this reflectionthegodminute.org/advent2024
OCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. OCIA, formerly RCIA, is the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. The name change reflects the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops desire to return to the original Latin texts and that the process is a life-long journey and not a one-time event.
CLICK HERE to see the video to this reflection
RCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Breaking Open the Word by Fr. Jordan DeGuire OP. (From A Word of Hope by the Dominicans)In today's Gospel Jesus talks about the end times, when heaven and earth will pass away. What is revealed is that we are not masters of the world or even of our own lives. God is. We are only stewards of our little corner of it. The Good News is that when this time comes, God will collect and protect his faithful. So don't worry, just tend to the little part of the world that God has given you to be steward over. The Master will handle the rest.Based on Mark 13:24–32Jesus said to his disciples, ‘But in those days, after that suffering,the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
RCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time.
This reflection is in AUDIO format only (no video)
RCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.
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RCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Gospel is MARK 10: 46-52
RCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Fr. Charlie Bouchard, OP unpacks the readings for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time during this election season. As Jesus asks James and John if they can drink from the that he drinks from, we are asked the same question—can we drink from the cup of compassion, having compassion for sinners as Jesus did? Can we drink from the cup of solidarity with immigrants and the poor? Can we drink from the cup of justice and truth, acknowledging that the deeper truth and the fuller justice lies far beyond simple black and white characterizations.
RCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
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RCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
RCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.
WATCH VIDEO HEREOur very own, Fr. Brian Walker, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, reminding us of the importance of interpreting scripture correctly. When Jesus says "if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out", he does not mean that literally. Better for us to get our eye and our tongue under control and to teach them not to lead us on a path to sin. Readings: Numbers 11:25–29; James 5:1–6; Mark 9:38–43, 45, 47–48
RCIA Director Matt Gray, reflects on the readings for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
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CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO to this reflection
Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. First, the prophet Isaiah tells a people who were suffering in darkness that God will send a messiah to save them. In the Gospel, Jesus does the things that show that he is the promised messiah, though he does not want everyone to know yet. Then, the second reading is from the Letter of James, a "brother" of Jesus, who does not claim to be the new messiah to carry on Jesus' work. Rather, James claims that Jesus is still alive and is alone the messiah, and is working though him to keep bringing about the kingdom.Readings: Isaiah 35:4–7a; James 2:1–5; Mark 7:31–37
See video to this reflection by CLICKING HEREDownload the Examination of Conscience by CLICKING HERE
WATCH THE VIDEO to this reflectionFr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, centering on different interpretations of Paul's Letter to the Ephesians where he admonishes wives to be submissive to their husbands and husbands to love their wives, as Christ's relationship to the church is analogous to marriage. Which part you emphasize changes the interpretation of the other readings.Readings: Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Eph 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32; Jn 6:60-69
Reflection in AUDIO form only this week.JOHN 6: 51-53Jesus said to the crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."
No Video to this Reflection.Adoration Video (20 minutes)
CLICK HERE for the video to this reflectionJOHN 6: 1-15Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand6 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year's wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.