Podcasts about prodigal son

Martin Kove is a veteran actor whose career spans more than five decades, with iconic roles including John Kreese in The Karate Kid franchise and Cobra Kai, Detective Victor Isbecki on Cagney & Lacey, and memorable appearances in films such as Rambo: First Blood Part II. His enduring portrayal of Kreese transformed him into one of pop culture's most recognizable screen villains and introduced his work to a new generation through the success of Cobra Kai. Check out his new movie “The Dink” which debuts on Apple TV on July 24th and keep an eye out for “Prodigal Son” the adaption of his comic book that is in development now! IN THE NEWS: WNBA fans seething at punishment handed to player who put fist on Caitlin Clark's throat - AOL, Chuck Schumer Booed At Pride Parade, Dem running for Pelosi's seat mocked after anti-Israel hecklers chase him from SF Trans March, Iran, Egypt outraged over ‘Pride Match' designation for World Cup faceoff — urge FIFA to scrap LGBTQ+ affiliationsFOR MORE WITH MARTIN KOVE:MOVIE: The DinkOut On July 24th On Apple TVT.V. SHOW: Cobra Kai (Netflix) FOR MORE WITH JESSE KOVE:COMIC BOOK (Being Developed Into A Movie): Prodigal SonFOR MORE WITH ELISHA KRAUSS:WEBSITE: elishakrauss.comYOUTUBE: Elisha Krauss INSTAGRAM: @elishakrauss TWITTER: @elishakrauss LIVE SHOWS: July 9 - Las Vegas, NV (2 Shows) July 10 - Las Vegas, NV (2 Shows)July 11 - Las Vegas, NV (2 Shows)Thank you for supporting our sponsors:BetOnlineMarathonRewards.comoreillyauto.com/ADAMPluto.tvPodcastOneSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spirital Animal Sam hosted the Meta Mystics to better understand the well known bible story of the prodigal son, told by Jesus. Sure, the face value version of the story is great, but we all know Jesus spoke in parables because he was more than likely a mystic of eastern understanding. If you wanna get weird with the bible, Stay Weird!To Follow The Webb Of Mysteries---> https://open.spotify.com/show/1BQyXMEpxRk4g2rckuCHfo?si=861858e2a72d4589To Follow Us On Patreon—> https://www.patreon.com/c/MetaMysticsFor A Past Life Regression Or To Inquire About Anything Else, Email Us!—> MetaMystics@yahoo.comSubscribe to our Youtube—> http://www.youtube.com/@MetaMysticsTo Follow Us On TikTok—> https://www.tiktok.com/@metamysticsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cult-of-conspiracy--5700337/support.

We are recording in front of a live studio audience in Nauvoo, Illinois.  In this week's episode, we begin with a movie review of the 1980s classic Prodigal Son and Cipher in the Snow, and then make the obvious transition to Nauvoo Lyceum. Gerrit regales the audience with several topics discussed in this adult education program, and we cover the Chestnut Hill College Lacrosse Team's dominance from 2021 to 2024 If you are interested in joining us in 2027 in Palmyra and Kirtland, August 1st through August 7th, click on the link below and reserve your spot: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261567888174171 Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ ⁠⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠⁠ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

Jase, Al, and Zach dig into the parenting rhythms that plant God's word in kids early, including the moment a Jase's godson thought God was too far away to hear him pray. Zach connects sin to a false version of reality that promises freedom but produces death. Al reflects on Liam Neeson's iconic movie “Taken,”  and the scene that illustrates the perfect picture of what it means to be a man of your word, in truth and action. In this episode: John 1, verse 1; James 1, verses 14–18; James 1, verse 21; James 2, verse 26; Genesis 1, verse 3; Psalm 33, verse 6; Psalm 148, verse 5; John 4, verses 46–54; Psalm 92, verses 5–15; Isaiah 55, verses 8–12; Ephesians 3, verses 16–19; Matthew 18, verses 1–14; Luke 15, verses 1–32; Revelation 12, verse 9; Matthew 22, verses 23–33 “Unashamed” Episode 1362 is sponsored by: https://meetfabric.com/unashamed — Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family. https://rocketmoney.com/unashamed — Join Rocket Money and let them help you reach your financial goals faster. https://unashamedgold.com — Get a free 2026 Gold & Silver Guide and a no obligation consultation!  http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ — Sign up now for free, and join the Unashamed hosts every Friday for Unashamed Academy Powered by Hillsdale College Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Chapters 00:00 Jase Refuses to Join the Nonsense 08:03 Planting God's Word in Kids Early 14:47 The “Slow Drip” of a Faithful Life  19:35 Building Faith That Lasts for Generations 26:20 The Word of Action & Truth 33:50 When Words Become Reality 40:10 Jesus' Word Carries Creative Power 44:15 Sin, Reality, and Bearing Fruit in Old Age 48:05 Matthew 18 and the Danger of Deceiving Kids 52:20 The Prodigal Son, the Older Brother, and Deception — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Prodigal Son reminds us that through Christ's sacrifice, we are fully accepted by God.Subscribe to daily devotions e-mails: https://wcmin.us/ddsub

TRIGGER WARNING! Many people have asked to hear more of Fred's story. In this episode, he opens up about parts of his life he doesn't often share publicly. This episode of Draw Near contains adult themes; we do not recommend listening in the presence of children. Through an honest conversation with Kara, Fred reflects on his childhood, the hardships he experienced, and the wounds throughout his early life. He shares why he often says, "I shouldn't be alive," and how there were moments when his future seemed uncertain. Yet this episode is about far more than suffering or past wounds. Looking back, Fred can now see how Christ was present even in the darkest seasons: through unexpected people, quiet moments of grace, and circumstances that helped lead him toward healing and faith. What once seemed like random events now reveal a story of God's providence and relentless pursuit. In this episode, we discuss: Fred's childhood and family experiences The challenges and wounds that marked his early years Why he says he "shouldn't be alive" The lasting impact of suffering and brokenness Where Christ was present throughout the journey How God works even when we cannot see Him The path that eventually led Fred to deeper faith and conversion Hope for anyone who feels trapped by their past Whether your story is marked by loss, pain, disappointment, or unanswered questions, this conversation is a reminder that God is never absent. He is often working in ways we cannot yet understand. As Jesus says in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (and Kara referenced in the episode): "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." (Luke 15:24) No wound is beyond Christ's reach. No story is beyond redemption. *Resources Mentioned * OCIA curriculum from Ascension: INVITED Webinar The Surrender Journal *Listen Next * If this episode resonates with you, consider listening to Fred's other testimony episodes, where he shares more about his conversion, his Catholic faith, and the ways God continues to work in his life today. Fred's First Testimony Episode: From Heathen to Heaven "Why are you Catholic?" Testimony For reflections, formation, and community, FOLLOW Draw Near on Social Media: @drawnearbygrace YouTube Instagram Facebook! Like our podcast? Hit that “follow” button and tell your friends. :) Click here to become a patron! We wouldn't be "Draw Near" without your support! Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell

Many people carry a distorted picture of God, and that picture quietly shapes how they live, pray, and trust. Jesus told the story of the Prodigal Son to cut through every misconception and show us exactly what God is like. Through a father who runs to meet his returning son, we see that God's love is constant, unshakable, and never fails, whether we are at our best or our worst. Sin always costs more than we expect, hurts more people than we anticipate, and lasts longer than we planned. Coming back to God is not complicated, but it is honest. It requires turning back toward Him, confessing sin, humbling ourselves, and trusting His response. The story also reminds us that distance from God is not always physical. Sometimes the farthest hearts are the ones that never left the building. The real older brother in this story is Jesus Himself, who left heaven, lived a sinless life, and gave everything so that anyone who has wandered can find their way home. Follow and subscribe to stay updated with our latest content: Youtube  | Facebook | Instagram | Central Wired Website

The story commonly known as the Prodigal Son is really the story of a loving Father and two lost sons. One son ran from the Father's house in rebellion, while the other stayed close physically but drifted from the Father's heart. Through both stories, Jesus reveals a God who never stops pursuing people, whose grace outruns shame, and whose greatest desire is not simply obedience or blessings, but relationship. The hero of Luke 15 is not the prodigal son—it is the Father who continues watching, waiting, and running toward His children.

Happy Father's Day! What makes a father? Is it biology, a title, or something deeper? In this Father's Day sermon, we explore the strength, sacrifice, and faithfulness of the people who helped raise us. In this special Father's Day message, we honor fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, mentors, coaches, teachers, and all those who have helped guide and shape the next generation. We also recognize the sacrifices of single parents who faithfully carried both roles, as well as the family members, friends, and role models who stepped in when they were needed most. Through the examples of Joseph, the father of Jesus, the Prodigal Son's father, and personal reflections on the lessons passed down from one generation to the next, we explore what it means to have "The Strength to Stay." This sermon is a reminder that some of life's greatest acts of love are found in showing up, staying faithful, and being present for the people God has entrusted to us. Whether you were raised by a father, a mother, a grandparent, a mentor, or someone who stepped into that role, this message is for you.

As we celebrate Father's day, we will look at the character of God the Father, as Jesus reveals it in his Parable of the Prodigal Son. Our God is one who rejoices when lost sinners return home because he is a God of compassion.https://midtownchurch.com/

In this episode of the Who's Your Daddy GODcast, Frank and Christina reflect on a community Father's Day worship service and dive deep into one of Jesus' most powerful parables, "The Prodigal Son". But what begins as a celebration quickly turns into a passionate discussion about a message they believe many Christians have misunderstood.Focusing on the heart of the father rather than the failures of the son, Frank and Christina explore God's unconditional love, restoration, grace, and the believer's true identity in Christ. They challenge teachings that keep Christians trapped in guilt, shame, and a "sinner" mentality, arguing instead that Jesus restored us to sonship, authority, and righteousness through His finished work on the cross.If you've ever struggled with feelings of unworthiness, questioned your identity in Christ, or wondered what it really means to be fully restored by God, this candid Father's Day conversation will encourage you to see yourself through the eyes of a loving Father who never stopped watching, waiting, and welcoming His children home.BONUS! Be SURE to watch this YouTube video with Dan Mohler as he debunks "If you say you have no sin, you're deceived".https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXjTmy5K3XI

The Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us how we should properly view God as a loving, caring Father who waits expectantly with open arms for His children.

O.S. Hawkins, Chancellor of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, explains that the parable of the prodigal son is not primarily about a rebellious child. It is about the Father, and through Him, a portrait of who God is and how He relates to us. The Father's love is tough enough to release, tender enough to receive, and wide enough to pursue even those standing outside in bitterness. True repentance is not mere remorse, regret, or reform. It is a change of mind that leads to a change of will, which leads to a change of action. Whether you have wandered far from God or are physically present but spiritually distant, the Father is not waiting with crossed arms. He is waiting with open hands, open arms, and an open heart. The story is yours to complete.

Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat it, we are doing Bollhagen's Prodigal Son interpretation again. But that's not all! There's World Cup observations! Bulk caffeine for cheap! And a special surprise at the end!!!! Third Sunday after Trinity: Micah 7:18–20, 1 Tim. 1:12–17, Luke 15:11–32

In this sermon, Josh Kouri teaches that in the parable of the Prodigal Son, both the rebellious younger brother and the self-righteous older brother are lost, and that the Father's extravagant grace—ultimately revealed through Jesus, the true Older Brother—seeks, welcomes, and restores sinners who could never earn their way home.

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son's Father, we discover a love that refuses to give up. While one son ran away and the other stayed home filled with resentment, both were lost in different ways. Through the heart of the father, Jesus reveals God's patience, mercy, and desire for restoration. This message challenges us to move beyond self-protection, bitterness, and pride, and embrace the kind of love that seeks redemption over retribution. Ultimately, the Father's love reminds us that true freedom is found when we surrender our lives to Christ and allow Him to live through us.

Bill Grady Sunday Evening 6/21/26

This Sunday, Pastor David unpacked the Parable of the Prodigal Son, reminding us that God's love and forgiveness reach us long before we ever have it all together. Through Jesus' powerful story, we were invited to see the heart of a Father who runs toward His children with grace, compassion, and open arms. No matter where you are in your journey, this message is a powerful reminder of the Father's relentless love. You won't want to miss it!

Mark opens up our new Summer Stories series and teaches on the prodigal son. He shares how in the end the truth is that we have a good Father who wants all His children to come back to Him.Luke 15:11-322 Corinthians 1:3-4

The Father You've Always NeededFather's Day can bring a lot of different emotions. For some, it's a celebration. For others, it's complicated. For many, it's a little of both.In this Father's Day message, Pastor Randy takes us to one of Jesus' most beloved stories—the Prodigal Son—but through a different lens. What if the real hero of the story isn't the son at all? What if it's the Father?Discover four powerful truths about the heart of God: He is present when others leave, patient when others quit, running toward you instead of away from you, and giving identity before assignment.No matter what your experience with earthly fathers has been, this message will remind you that through Jesus Christ, you can know the Father you've always needed.

What does it take to be a godly father in today's world? In this special Father's Day message, A Champion's Heart, we celebrate the strength, perseverance, and faithfulness of fathers who continue to lead their families despite life's challenges. Drawing from Proverbs 24:16, Hebrews 12, and the story of the Prodigal Son, this message reminds us that a champion isn't someone who never falls—it's someone who gets back up. Whether you're a father, grandfather, mentor, or simply seeking encouragement, you'll be inspired to keep moving forward, keep training, keep praying, and never give up on those God has entrusted to your care. Discover how the Father's heart shapes our own, why perseverance matters more than perfection, and how a legacy of faith can impact generations to come. Join us as we honor fathers and learn what it means to live with A Champion's Heart.

In this sermon from Luke 15:11-32, we walk through one of the most famous stories Jesus ever told and discover it's not really about a wayward son who wasted his inheritance. It's about a father whose love is running toward us before we ever make it home. Whether you've spent your life in the far country chasing things that left you empty, or you've spent your life in the house keeping score and missing the party, this parable has a word for you: the Father is calling, and the door is open.

We often call it the Parable of the Prodigal Son, but the true focus of the story is the father. In one of Jesus' most powerful parables, we see a father who allows freedom, never stops watching, runs toward the broken, restores the repentant, and extends love even to the self-righteous. This Father's Day message reveals the heart of our Heavenly Father—a Father whose grace is greater than our failures and whose love pursues us even when we wander far from home. Whether you identify with the rebellious younger son, the resentful older brother, or a parent praying for a prodigal child, this message offers hope, restoration, and a fresh glimpse of God's amazing love. Join us as we discover that no matter how far we've strayed, the Father is still watching the road, ready to welcome us home.

Pastor Mitch begins his summer sermon series, "The Parables of Jesus: Stories That Transform Our Lives", by exploring "The Parable of the Prodigal Son"; Luke 15: 11-32.

We all want our lives to matter. But when everything is said and done, what kind of impact will we leave behind?In this Father's Day message, Pastor Phil looks at four legacies that stand the test of time: faith, prayer, blessing, and grace. Whether you're a parent or not, this message reminds us that the greatest influence we have isn't what we achieve, but who we become and how we impact others.Send us Fan Mail

By Mark Miller - The Parable of the Prodigal Son is well known to Christians. Have you considered that not one, but both, sons in the story were lost? We dive deeper into the story to derive lessons from both of these lost sons.

Freedom doesn't begin when the addiction ends—it begins when repentance starts. In this powerful message, we discover that repentance is not about guilt, shame, or simply feeling sorry for our mistakes. Biblical repentance is a change of mind, a change of direction, and a return to God. Through the stories of the Prodigal Son and Israel's struggle with the Philistines, we learn that true freedom comes when we stop believing the lies that bind us and begin aligning our hearts and minds with God's truth. Whether you're battling addiction, strongholds, unhealthy habits, or spiritual complacency, this message reveals God's pathway to lasting freedom and restoration. Jesus came to set the captives free, and repentance is the first step on that journey.

Join John and Katlin as they speak on the Prodigal Son and the heart of the Father

In this message, guest speaker Pastor Edgar shares how no matter how far you've wandered, the Father runs toward those who turn toward Him. Looking at the story of the Prodigal Son, we see that God gives us freedom but waits fervently for our return with a love greater than our deepest shame. Ultimately, the Father doesn't just forgive—He fully restores what sin tried to destroy, extending His relentless grace to the broken and the self-righteous alike.

Pastor Kenn's sermon on Luke 15:11-32 (Prodigal Son) highlights God's pursuing love for sinners. Both the rebellious younger son and the self-righteous older son are lost. The Father runs to welcome the repentant with full restoration and joy. The gospel offers hope: no one is too far gone, and no one is good enough without grace.

Most people secretly wonder if they've gone too far to come back — too far into sin, too far from God, too far from who they were meant to be. The Parable of the Prodigal Son isn't just a story about a rebellious son who wasted everything. It's a story about a Father who runs. In this message, Pastor Layla walks through Luke 15 and shows us that there are actually two sons who are lost — one who ran from the Father, and one who stayed home but never really knew him. Both reveal something about how we relate to God: through striving, through fear, through trying to earn what has already been freely given. But the heart of this parable is the Father — and what he does when he sees his son coming from a long way off. If you've ever felt like a slave in a house you're supposed to own, or wondered whether God's love is really for someone like you, this message is for you. In this message, you'll discover: Why sin doesn't just affect what you do — it goes after who you are What the robe, the ring, the sandals, and the party each represent for your life today How living in the Father's love restores your identity, authority, position, and freedom The difference between living FROM his love versus living FOR his love You don't have to earn what has already been given to you. Read along: Luke 15:11-32

When faith is watered down to a checklist of ministries or evangelistic goals, we start believing our worth comes from our output. But our value isn't tied to our performance. God treasures friendship with you far more than He needs your accomplishments

Excuses, excuses: The Parable of the Banquet St. Luke 14:16-24 & Deuteronomy 20:1-9 by The Rev'd Dr. Matthew Colvin I am often asked about “application” in sermons. “I enjoy a good sermon,” someone will say, “but I need to have application so I know what to do with it.” Well, you will notice that neither Fr. Bill nor I, his understudy, do very much with “application.” The pulpit is not the place to give you “ten steps to a better marriage” or “key principles of childrearing” or “the blueprints to build a Christian business.” Rather, we are concerned with the Biblical story, and we want to apply you to it, so that you read the Bible as your story. When Paul says, “These things happened as examples for us, upon whom the ends of the ages have come,” he means that to follow Jesus, we need to understand ourselves as being part of the story of the people of God. That is why Hebrews 11 gives us the “hall of faith”; it is why Stephen's sermon in Acts 7 sums up the entire history of Israel; it is why, when Peter is telling Christian wives to respect their husbands, he calls them “daughters of Sarah.” We are consistently told to inscribe ourselves into the story of God's people Israel. There is nothing more practical. Indeed, if we do not get this right, no amount of “application” will work. Our lectionary for this morning pairs Deuteronomy's laws about exemption from military service with Jesus' parable of the banquet and the excuses made by those who were invited. It is, if we think about it, a very odd transposition, rather as though military language had found its way into a wedding or some similar occasion: “WILT thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?” “Yes, sir, corporal, SIR. Hoo-ah!” So what is going on here? To understand the parable, we need to think about the nature of banquets and the nature of the excuses. Let's start with the excuses. Verse 20's excuse, “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come” is an allusion to Deuteronomy 24:5. That passage gives the grounds for the exemption of any newly married bridegroom from military service for a year: “that he may bring happiness to his wife whom he has taken.” There is here something of the logic of the law against boiling a kid in its mother's milk: in both cases, one must not mix up life and death, joy and sorrow. In verse 18, we should understand “I have bought a field and must go out and see it” to mean that the transaction needs to be complete. It is the “closing” of a real estate purchase, not an inspection at leisure that could just as easily be postponed for another day. Legally, socially, this is a very good excuse. Verse 19's excuse about needing to test “five yoke of oxen” recalls the calling of Elisha by Elijah in 1 Kings 19:19. There, Elisha is actually in the middle of plowing when Elijah throws his mantle over him: “Tag, you're it!” This is an act of sudden investiture. Elisha responds to it with alacrity: “he left the oxen and ran after Elijah” and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” The excuses are such powerful ones that they actually have statutory warrant in Biblical law. Legally, socially, by all the etiquette of ancient Israel, these excuses are golden, unimpeachable, valid. But in the parable, they are not good excuses in the eyes of the host. Who is he? He is introduced as ἄνθρωπός τις, “a certain man.” Immediately, we recall other parables: “A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went in a far country for a long time.” (Mt 21:33) “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.” (Lk. 13:6) “A certain man had two sons.” (Lk. 15:11) “A certain rich man had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.” (Lk. 16:1) There are other instances where “a certain man” is someone else, but this is a pretty good sample of instances where “a certain man” is instantly known to stand for God. The parable, then, shows us God's response to the excuse-makers. Note that the “certain man” operates through servants. God is frequently depicted this way, sending his angels and human prophets to do his bidding and deliver his messages. God's reaction to the refusal of his invitations is anger (ὀργισθείς). This requires some explanation. In Matthew's gospel, the banquet is a wedding feast for a king's son, and the invited guests behave much like the wicked vinedressers: they “lay hold of his servants and treat them violently and kill them.” But Luke's version has a different emphasis. It is less allegorized and is designed rather to highlight the reversal of fortune and the approaching deadline. “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and bring here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.” — all of them likely to be beggars, likely to smell bad, likely to be shabbily dressed. Precisely the sort of unsightly people one does not want at a banquet, any sort of banquet. They would never have been invited had not the originally invited guests refused. Just as Esau rejected his birthright and Jacob received it; just as the majority of the Jews rejected the Messiah so that the gospel might be preached to the gentiles, so here, as Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 1:28, “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no flesh might boast in the presence of God.” This is someting God did in history. Unlike every other religion on earth, the Bible makes public claims about events that took place at particular times: “In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against the fortified cities of Judah and took them.” “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.” Or even in our Nicene Creed, where week after week, we make mention of the name of a corrupt Roman official named Pontius Pilate. Contrast the claims of other religions: that Mohammad was out there in the desert and an angel appeared to him and dictated the Quran. That Joseph Smith was guided by an angel named Moroni and found gold plates inscribed with “Reformed Hieroglyphics” which he translated into King James English. That Siddartha Gautama was meditating under a fig tree and became enlightened. The Mary Baker Eddy or L. Ron Hubbard or some other guru has discovered the secrets of the universe. Even in antiquity, the Stoic sage or Epicurus or the philosopher in Plato's Republic is never about history. It is always private revelation or special understanding of timeless truths or the realm of forms or deep insight into nature. By contrast, the assumption of Jesus' parables is that God deals with Israel in time. The invitation to the banquet and the host's angry reaction to the invited guests refusal, and the verdict at the end of the story that “none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet” — all presuppose that Israel is facing a decisive crisis in its history. The invitation to the banquet is the gospel summons to follow the Messiah — and this is appropriate, since Jesus is so frequently shown feasting during his earthly ministry. He feasts so much that he incurs the charge of being a glutton and a winebibber. Everywhere he goes, he feasts. He feasts in the house of the Pharisee named Simon; in the house of a tax collector named Zacchaeus; at a wedding at Cana; in company with immoral women, and with “tax collectors and sinners.” This was unusual even by Jewish standards, so that some come to Jesus and ask him, “The Pharisees and the disciples of John fast a lot, but your disciples do not fast.” Jesus explains that the disciples of Jesus do not fast because the bridegroom is with them. What is the appropriate response to the invitation? What do etiquette and emotional rightness and social expectation dictate? Jesus' words about John's ministry and the Jews' reaction to it, in Luke 7:32, are couched in similar terms: “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not weep.” The refusal to recognize Jesus as the one Israel has been waiting for is like the refusal of the invitation to the feast. It is a rejection of the good ending of the story, a refusal to take part in the consummation. It is as if all the actors walked off the stage of a Shakespeare play after act 4. There are times when we want to describe a process has failed to produce its intended fulfillment and consummation — say, when I am talking to my Greek students who are struggling with Greek grammar and vocabulary. If they never go on to actually read Greek literature, I say it is like “a courtship without a marriage.” This is not about timeless truths or Buddhist spiritual enlightenment. A marriage is a historical event. That is the language that God uses about his relationship with his people. The coming of Jesus is the climax of Israel's story. And to everyone, the invitation poses the stark alternative: either enter into the banquet, or be excluded. Remember the older brother of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15: Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in•. (Luke 15:25–28, ESV) Or we may recall the words of Jesus after he has healed the centurion's servant in Matthew 8:11: I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. (Matthew 8:11–12, ESV) Or there is the parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25: And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' (Matthew 25:10–12) Or we may remember what C.S. Lewis calls the “unforgettable words” in John's gospel's account of the Last Supper, once Jesus has handed the sop to Judas and told him, “What you are going to do, do quickly”: So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.  (John 13:30, ESV) It was night. Judas is literally in the outer darkness. To be excluded from the banquet, to be shut out in the darkness, away from the light and joy of the wedding or the feast or the Passover meal, is all the more tragic in light of the fact that those who are excluded are the very ones who had been invited. Jesus “came to his own, and his own did not receive him.” The result is a crucial difference between Judaism and Christianity over the place of Jesus in the story of the people of God. Can you be a Jew and believe in Jesus? It is a silly question. All the original disciples were Jews. As Peter says, “The promise is to you and to your children” and “You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' (Acts 3:25, ESV) But can you follow Rabbinic Judaism and believe that Jesus is the Messiah? That is a different question. The Church places Jesus at the hinge of history, dating our years with the words “Anno Domini” from his first coming and looking forward to his second coming, when he will judge the quick and the dead. Judaism, by contrast, denies that Jesus is the Messiah, and insists that all the passages of Scripture that point to him — the sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham, Joseph and his brothers, the suffering servant in Isaiah, “behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”, Zechariah's “behold your king comes to you, meek and having compassion, lowly and riding on a donkey,” David's beloved son Absalom suspended from a tree and pierced by a spear, and all the rest — are really not about him. Christians say, with Paul, “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; therefore, let us keep the feast.” In saying this, we are saying that Christ is the climax of the story. It is the natural function of feasting to mark consummations. Weddings, coronations, graduation, retirements, anniversaries, birthdays — all are marked by parties, cakes, feasting, toasts, ceremony. And that is the difference between Christianity and Judaism: Has the story of Israel reached its climax? Has the bridegroom come? Does history now stand revealed as His story? Or are we, with the Rabbis, in the position of insisting that the messiah has not come, and that the Passover does not point to him. God had promised Moses that “I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.”  (Deuteronomy 18:18–19, NKJV) And the rabbis say, “Jesus is certainly not the prophet like Moses, but unfortunately he is so much like Moses that we had better delete Moses from the Passover liturgy, lest Christians start using the haggadah to persuade Jews to follow Jesus.” And that is what they have done. David Daube says, “…[T]he figure of Moses, dominating the Biblical narrative of the exodus from Egypt and, naturally, at one time prominent, too, in the celebration of the deliverance on Passover eve, is radically eliminated: in the Passover eve liturgy as it stands, his name is not mentioned once in any of the prayers and recitals woven around the Biblical record, and, more than that, no Biblical passage mentioning it is quoted. It is a fantastic tour de force. Think  what it means. It is as if one were to spend annually a night commemorating Britain's rescue in the Second World War, rehearsing the main course of events as well as telling elaborate stories about them — without once mentioning Churchill. A fantastic tour de force: but there must be no human Mediator. We are left with a religion full of pointers that were designed to lead us to Jesus as the climax of the covenant, but the rabbis insist that they do not; a religion of tabernacle and temple that are all about God dwelling with His people, but now that Jesus has come, and ascended and sent the Holy Spirit, complete with the sound of “a mighty rushing wind that filled the whole house where they sat” just like God moving into the temple of Solomon and the tabernacle of Moses — now, no, the rabbis say, it is not about Jesus. But then, Judaism no longer has a temple, and the entire system that God gave in the Torah does not work without the Temple. The emperor Constantine's grandson, Julian the Apostate, hated Christianity and decided he wanted to prove it false, and the way he decided to do it was by rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem that had been destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, in fulfillment of Jesus' prophecies on the Mount of Olives. Julian died before he could do it. Again, Judaism is a religion whose Scriptures promised the forgiveness of sins, so that God's people could live with him, and that demonstrated, as though by a gigantic show and tell of continual slaughter of animals for centuries, of daily splashing of blood against the altar, of red heifers sacrificed every year on the day of atonement, that the forgiveness of sins would happen through blood. But now, the rabbis tell us, the death of Christ was not the fulfillment of the sacrificial system — and oh, by the way, you can't offer sacrifice anymore, anyway. There are still people named “Cohen” or “Cohn” — my mother in law's family, for instance — but they are more likely to be making movies than sacrificing animals. They continue to set out a cup for Elijah, that forerunner of the Messiah promised in Malachi. And Jesus says, “But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. (Matthew 17:12, NKJV) The church father, Athanasius of Alexandria puts it this way in his On the Incarnation: So the Jews are telling fables, and putting off the time which is actually now… They are suffering like one, maimed in mind, who might see the earth illumined by the sun, but denies the sun which illumines it. For what more has he who is expected by them to do when he comes? Call the Gentiles? But they have already been called. To make prophet and king and vision to cease? This has already happened. To refute the godlessness of idols? It has already been refuted and condemned. To destroy death? It is already destroyed. What then must christ do, which has not been done? Or what is left unfulfilled, that the Jews now rejoice and disbelieve? For if, as we see, they have neither king, nor prophet, nor Jerusalem, nor sacrifice, nor vision, but the whole world is filled with the knowledge of God, and those from the Gentiles are abandoning godlessness, and henceforth taking refuge in the God of Abraham through the Word, our Lord Jesus Christ, it should be clear even to those who are exceedingly obstinate that Christ has come, and that he illumines absolutely all with his light and teaches the true and divine teaching concerning his Father. We are about to partake of Holy Communion, which is rightly understood as a continuation of Jesus' meals with his disciples, and an anticipation of the great wedding feast of the Lamb at which “many will come from east and west and recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” The Holy Communion is thus truly the consummation of the story of people of God. By partaking in it, we share in Christ our Passover. We have been crucified with Him, so that we may also share in his resurrection. We locate ourselves in the story of Israel, which is the story of the Messiah. And we recite the shape of the story and inscribe ourselves in it when we say, “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.”

It is Christ's desire to recover and save all who are lost. This parable shows how ready He is to pardon our sins, as well as the obstinacy of those who murmur at God's compassion. The prodigal son lived an extravagant wasteful lifestyle – a life of madness and self-deception. But it is a sign of God's mercy to not leave prodigals in their backsliding. The son came to his change of mind by remembering the kindness of His Father. The goodness of God leads us to repentance. The older son was a picture of the self-righteous moralist who cannot bear the idea of sinners receiving mercy. Proud and self-righteous people resent the compassion of Christ, and think that obedience is only outward and not from the heart. Let us remember the Psalmist's prayer in Psalm 25: "Remember not the sins of my youth; remember me for Your goodness' sake, O Lord!"

Read OnlineAt the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36As Jesus went “to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness” (Matthew 9:35), He was moved with deep compassion for the crowds. The Greek verb splagchnizomai is often translated as “moved with pity” or “moved with compassion.” It appears twelve times in the Gospels—eight times describing Jesus' own compassion and four times illustrating divine mercy in parables or related contexts (the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, the Unforgiving Servant, and the plea of a father for his demon-possessed son). This verb conveys not just an emotional response but a profound stirring of His entire being, compelling Him to act with divine mercy—engaging His mind, will, body, and emotions.Understanding this verb is essential because it unveils the very heart of Christ's mission, where His divine mercy is fully manifest in His humanity. Though His mercy originates in His divinity, He fully lived and expressed it in His human nature, allowing it to consume Him entirely and drive Him to shepherd His people.Jesus' all-consuming compassion should profoundly console us. God does not love us out of mere divine obligation; His love is deeply personal, intimate, and relentless. He is not distant or impersonal, aloof in His perfection. In Christ, God's mercy is made visible—His human heart is stirred to action, doing everything He can to draw us closer to Himself. This is why His compassion is such a source of reassurance: He is not a distant or angry God, standing far off to condemn. Rather, He is the God who, in Christ, allows Himself to be consumed with mercy, driven by compassion, and moved to act for the salvation of each one of us.That same profound mercy continues to flow from the Sacred Heart today. In Heaven, Christ's human heart remains inseparably united to His divinity, pouring forth the love of the Father and the Holy Spirit upon the world. His compassion is made present to us through His Church, especially in the Sacraments and in the lives of saintly men and women. This same compassion must become the driving force behind all we do for the Kingdom. We are called to be His living instruments of mercy, reflecting His Sacred Heart in our actions, words, and love for others—so that each of us might be reassured of God's unfailing love.We see in today's Gospel that Jesus' compassion moved Him to send out twelve of His disciples as His Apostles, entrusting them with His divine authority to proclaim the Kingdom of God, cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons. They were to be His chosen instruments of mercy, reaching out to the lost sheep of the house of Israel—those in dire need of God's truth and healing grace.Today, Jesus sends each of us forth in a unique way to be a beacon of light and mercy to others. He first calls us to love those closest to us—our family and friends—not in an ordinary way, but in a radical self-giving that mirrors His own love. We must allow our whole beings to be moved with divine compassion for them, reassuring them of both our love and God's love. But our mission cannot end there. After loving our families, we must extend that same compassion to all whom God places in our lives, offering the same depth of mercy that filled Jesus' Sacred Heart long ago.Reflect today on Jesus' divine compassion from two perspectives. First, gaze at His overflowing love for you. There is no way to overestimate that love. Second, allow that love to transform you so that His mercy flows through you into the lives of others. Do not hold back the love of God—let it pour forth freely and abundantly. Let His divine compassion move your entire being so that you become a true instrument of His mercy, drawing souls to Him through the power of love and all-consuming compassion. Most loving Lord, when You gazed upon the people of Israel's troubles and abandonment, Your Sacred Heart was stirred with deep compassion. Pour forth that same compassion upon me, O Lord, and make me an instrument of Your mercy in the lives of others. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: The mosiac of Sermon on the mount in churchSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

What if God's silence in your life isn't accidental—but intentional? Summary Hosea 5 answers a hard question most people avoid: why does God withdraw from his people? After repeated warnings, ignored truth, and persistent rebellion, God steps back—not out of indifference, but as a response to ongoing rejection. The chapter outlines clear reasons—ignored warnings, hidden sin, pride, false repentance, misplaced trust, and refusal to return. Yet even in withdrawal, God's goal is restoration, waiting for his people to recognize their need and come back to him. Reflection & Small Group Discussion Questions  1. Why does God sometimes move from warning to withdrawal instead of continued correction? 2. What does it mean to "ignore God's repeated warnings" in a practical, modern sense? 3. How can someone know about God but still not truly know him (Hosea 5:3)? 4. Why do repeated sinful actions make it harder for someone to return to God (Hosea 5:4)? 5. How does pride prevent genuine repentance and a relationship with God? 6. What is the difference between true repentance and performative religion (Hosea 5:6)? 7. Why do people often turn to other solutions instead of God when problems arise (Hosea 5:13)? 8. What does it mean that God "withdraws until we return" (Hosea 5:15)? 9. How does the story of the Prodigal Son help us understand God's posture in Hosea 5? 10. In what area of your life might God be calling you to stop resisting and start returning?

In this episode, I review an article by Dave Aldon comparing the Prodigal Son to Pornography addiction and discuss the solution to sexual immorality through humble submission to God's way of escape: marriage. To access the sources for this episode, visit: https://davealdon.com To become a subscriber of this podcast, visit:⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/seth-hensley/subscribe⁠

This week, Jake and Bob are joined by Fr. John Horn, co-founder of the Institute for Priestly Formation, to continue their series on confession. They explore how the sin of pride often hides beneath the surface of our spiritual lives and can even affect the way we approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation itself. Using the parable of the Prodigal Son, they also uncover how fear, shame, and self-reliance can keep us from fully receiving the Father's love. At its core, Confession is an encounter with a Father who rejoices over His children and allowing our hearts to receive this love leads us toward deeper healing and freedom   Key Points: Zephaniah's image of God rejoicing and singing over His people reveals the Father's true posture toward repentant sinners. Many of us approach confession assuming God is disappointed in them rather than delighting in their return. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that "whatever is received is received according to the mode of the receiver." Which means, the disposition of our hearts is connected with our ability to receive the Father's love. Self-condemnation and self-hatred can be hidden forms of pride rather than genuine humility. Many deeply rooted patterns of sin become so familiar that we mistake them for normal life instead of areas needing healing. The younger son's demand for his inheritance reflects a desire for God's gifts apart from relationship with God Himself. The younger son's return reveals how shame can continue to operate even after repentance begins. The Father's embrace, kiss, robe, ring, and feast demonstrate God's extravagant response to repentance. The older brother reveals a different form of pride expressed through resentment, self-righteousness, and comparison. Resentment often exposes deeper fears, wounds, and unmet desires hidden beneath the surface. Joy can be difficult to receive when we are attached to self-protection, control, or self-judgment. True healing involves uncovering and renouncing the lies that keep us from trusting God's love. The Holy Spirit restores our original beauty by healing the places where we have rejected ourselves and doubted God's love.   Resources: Institute for Priestly Formation Zephaniah 3:14-18   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 03:25 The Father Rejoices Over His Children 13:38 Disposition Changes Everything 22:42 Entering into the Prodigal Son Story 33:02 Shame and the Younger Son 39:14 The Father's Embrace and Mercy 43:33 The Older Brother's Hidden Pride   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

Spirital Animal Sam hosted the Meta Mystics to better understand the well known bible story of the prodigal son, told by Jesus. Sure, the face value version of the story is great, but we all know Jesus spoke in parables because he was more than likely a mystic of eastern understanding. If you wanna get weird with the bible, Stay Weird!To Follow The Webb Of Mysteries---> https://open.spotify.com/show/1BQyXMEpxRk4g2rckuCHfo?si=861858e2a72d4589To Follow Us On Patreon—> https://www.patreon.com/c/MetaMysticsFor A Past Life Regression Or To Inquire About Anything Else, Email Us!—> MetaMystics@yahoo.comSubscribe to our Youtube—> http://www.youtube.com/@MetaMysticsTo Follow Us On TikTok—> https://www.tiktok.com/@metamysticsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/meta-mystics--5795466/support.You Don't Know What You Don't Know!

A Deeper Look at Pride - Series Info Pride is the quiet enemy that whispers we're self‑sufficient. In today's episode of A Deeper Look at Pride, Pastor  Nunn peels back the layers of that hidden self‑reliance. He shows how pride sneaks into everyday attitudes—refusing apology, acting superior, or ignoring God's voice—and how it steals our joy, peace, and fruitfulness.

 Your story is powerful. As you yield your story to God.  He can use it for your good and for His glory. In this message, Chris Ambrose shares his story of God's redemption and faithfulness. 

Every family has an empty seat. A prodigal son. A wayward daughter. A relationship that went cold. Someone who walked away and hasn't come back yet.In Luke 15, Jesus tells what we've always called the Parable of the Prodigal Son — but it's actually the parable of two sons. And if you only follow one of them, you'll miss the radical message Jesus is after.The younger son takes his inheritance early, wastes it, and ends up in a pig pen. The older son stays home, does everything right, and ends up just as far from the father's heart. Both had a place at the table. Both walked away from it — just in different directions.What this parable shows us is a Father who runs. Who doesn't wait for you to clean yourself up before He embraces you. Who goes out to the bitter son standing outside the party just as eagerly as He ran toward the lost one coming up the road.God's rescue mission in your life may not start at your best moment. It may very well start at your worst.No matter how far you've gone or how long you've been away — you are welcome at the table.

As we continue our Rethinking the Prodigal Son series, we arrive at two ideas introduced in the book Finally Free: hedonism and Epicureanism. What do these terms actually mean? How have they shaped modern culture?

What do you do when someone you love keeps making the same mistakes? When you've given the advice, had the hard conversations, prayed for them, and tried everything you know to do but they still choose a different path?In this episode of the Friendship University Podcast, we're exploring one of the hardest parts of friendship: learning when to let go of the need to control someone else's decisions.We discuss:The difference between helping and controllingWhy love requires boundariesHow to support a friend without trying to save themWhat it means to trust God with the people you care aboutWhy consequences are sometimes part of the learning processHow to continue loving someone while allowing them to make their own choicesThrough biblical examples including Saul's transformation into Paul, the children of Israel demanding a king, and the story of the Prodigal Son, we explore how God gives us free will and what we can learn from His example when our friends choose a path we wouldn't choose for them.Key Takeaway: Letting go doesn't mean you stop caring. Sometimes it means trusting God to do what you cannot.

The Bible makes sense in its deepest and richest capacity only when we read it through Jesus shaped goggles. When we see all of it through the lens of its Main Character – it should cause us to preach explicitly Christian sermons.Mike Neglia (with some help from Pilgrim Benham) explains, shows and tells how to preach Gospel centered sermons that proclaim the gospel from every passage at our in-person training event in St Petersburg, Florida. After graduating Bible college in Siegen, Germany in the summer of 2002, Mike flew to London, then hitchhiked across the UK and over to Ireland and finished up in the city of Cork. He helped out with Calvary Chapel Cork for a few weeks of summer outreaches and intended on leaving, but the pastor asked him to stay on “for a little bit longer.” He stayed in Cork as a full-time missionary youth outreach coordinator/assistant for more than two years. In 2005 the pastor felt called by the Lord to go elsewhere (New Zealand) and asked if Mike and Rachel would consider staying on and taking over the church. His first Sunday morning was October 18, 2005, preaching to a congregation of four people. Recommended Episodes:Is it a stretch to say that everything in the Bible points to Jesus? –https://anchor.fm/theologyforthepeople/episodes/Christ-Centered-Hermeneutics—Part-1-Is-it-a-stretch-to-say-that-everything-in-the-Bible-points-to-Jesus—-with-Mike-Neglia-e17q0sdResponding to Objections to Christ-Centered Hermeneutics: https://anchor.fm/theologyforthepeople/episodes/Christ-Centered-Hermeneutics—Part-2-Responding-to-Objections-to-Christ-Centered-Hermeneutics—with-Mike-Neglia-e18563kFrom Punk to Pastor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCRutGpHvT8 The Preacher as Historian Linguist and Mystic: https://www.expositorscollective.com/podcast/2019/2/26/episode-36-the-preacher-as-historian-linguist-and-mysticConnect:For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective

After years of preparation, Czech deep-cover spy Václav Jelínek is in London and living as Erwin Van Haarlem. But now, the Dutch mother of the real child whose identity he's using has found him. And her inquisitiveness could blow his whole mission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 299 - Winning Summer What does it actually look like to rest well? As summer begins, the friars talk about how to enter a season of more space, flexibility, and rest without drifting into idleness. Whether it's summer break, vacation, weekends, or simply a change of rhythm, these moments can become a real gift, but only if we bring Jesus into them. In this episode, they reflect on the difference between true Sabbath rest and just checking out. Rest isn't a break from prayer, charity, or our relationship with God. It's an invitation to receive life with Him in a new way with intentionality, joy, good recreation, and space to be renewed. They also offer practical encouragement for staying grounded: keep prayer at the center, stay connected to others, choose wholesome fun, and look for small ways to love each day. Join us as we learn how to win summer, not by doing more, but by resting with Jesus and letting Him renew what matters most. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you! Join the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in Rome and Assisi:  https://www.ctscentral.net/travel-tours/an-immersive-franciscan-retreat-to-rome-and-assisi

Join Amir and Dr. Rick Yohn for this episode of Explore the Bible as they uncover the rich cultural and spiritual depth of Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Through the three "lost and found" parables, Amir and Rick reveal the Father's heart of mercy, restoration, and rejoicing over repentant sinners, while highlighting the powerful prophetic and personal implications for every believer today.Connect with us on social:Telegram: @beholdisraelchannelInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amir.tsarfati/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beholdisrael/X: https://x.com/beholdisraelYouTube: https://youtube.com/@beholdisrael

Episode 298 - How Does Jesus See My Sin? Have you ever felt like your sin says more about you than God's mercy does? In this episode, the friars reflect on how we experience our own sin and how easy it is to fall into shame, discouragement, anxiety, or self-condemnation. They explore the difference between healthy sorrow for sin and the kind of shame that begins to define us, isolate us, and keep us from bringing our weakness honestly to Jesus. This conversation is not about taking sin lightly. It's about learning to see our sin with the mind and heart of Christ. Jesus does not ignore our sin, but He also does not reduce us to it. He meets us there with mercy, patience, and a love that calls us deeper into freedom. Join us as we learn to stop staring only at our weakness and begin again by looking at Jesus, who sees us fully and still calls us beloved. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you! Join the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in Rome and Assisi:  https://www.ctscentral.net/travel-tours/an-immersive-franciscan-retreat-to-rome-and-assisi