Vox Veniae Podcast

How might we be tempted to over-identify with our politics in unsettling times? On the second Sunday of Easter, Nic Acosta fasts from being “that guy” in regards to seeing everything solely through a political identity and challenges us to question how a purity psychology of politics might subtly supplant our love for Christ and neighbor.  [John 12:1-8]   Reflection Has purity thinking affected how I relate to other with different political views? What are some ways I can practice detaching my sense of self from my political views? How can I lean into Christ as the true source of my identity?

How does Easter invite us to live into the unexpected experiences of rebirth? On Easter Sunday, Weylin Lee beckons us to the Risen Christ through unexpected loss, listening to unexpected voices, and reimagining unexpected hope.  [Luke 24:1-12]   Reflection How might the places of loss in our lives be generating rebirth? What unexpected voices are inviting us to disrupt our lens of normalcy? How might we expand our imagination of hope?

How might we put our nonviolent resistance into words? On Palm Sunday, Gena St. David draws inspiration from both the nonviolent example of Jesus and the nonviolent practice during the civil rights era on how we might resist dehumanizing evil and injustice.  [Luke 22:47-54]   Reflection How might we draw courage from Jesus’ response to violence? How might you practice nonviolence toward yourself this week? Which violent patterns might you wish to interrupt?

How might some of our unquestioned core beliefs keep us from growing in the Life of Christ? On the fifth Sunday of Lent, Christopher Mack wonders how we might jump off the treadmill of unfulfilled dreams and imagine what arrival at purpose and belonging in the Life of Christ looks like. [Philippians 3:7-14]   Reflection Are there some dreams for your life that seem ill-fitting in light of the life of Christ? Does understanding the love of God we experience and extend to others as cruciform, invite you to reexamine your own belovedness or someone else’s? How does the cruciform love of God expand your longing and understanding of bearing good fruit?   Resources Book: Letters and Papers from Prison by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Book: The Selfless Way of Christ: Downward Mobility and the Spiritual Life  by Henri Nouwen PDF: Core Beliefs Info Sheet from Therapist Aid https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/core-beliefs-info-sheet  Podcast: Don Koch, John Mark McMillan, Thomas Torrey, hosts, “Redefining Success” You Have Permission (podcast), March 24, 2025, accessed April 2, 2025. https://megaphone.link/TOREC2388149299

How does being made new connect with peacemaking? On the fifth Sunday of Lent, Christopher Mack considers what is required for healthy new growth in our lives and community. [Philippians 3]   Reflection Are there some dreams for your life that seem ill-fitting in light of the life of Christ? Does understanding the love of God we experience and extend to others as cruciform invite you to reexamine your own belovedness or someone else’s? How does the cruciform love of God expand your longing and understanding of bearing good fruit?

What does it look like for us to care for one another’s pain? On the third Sunday of Lent, Gena St. David and Weylin Lee bear witness to pain & injustice, collaborative peacemaking, and hope. [Isaiah 55]   Reflection Where do you notice scapegoating inside us and between us today? Who is “an opponent” you might wish to get to know better as a person? How are you becoming a source of “unexpected kindness” toward someone?

Are you longing to fit into empire or for belonging in the Kingdom of God? On the second Sunday of Lent, Kimberly Culbertson contrasts the allure of empire to the way we show up to protect one another in the Kingdom of God. [Luke 13:31-35]   Reflection Where might God be inviting you to challenge the status quo of empire and lean more into a kingdom mindset? In this season of Lent, how are you creating space to examine the longings of your heart? What is one way you might let God gather you under her wings this week?

What do we need to let go of in order to bear good fruit in our lives? On the first Sunday of Lent Christopher Mack looks to Jesus’ triumph over evil, injustice, and suffering as opening a way for us to ground pain in Divine Love . [Luke 4:1-13] Reflection As we begin Lent, is there a place where you feel acutely depleted or empty? Where do fears, resentments, and insecurities threaten to block your ability to see God at work? How can you listen to the Nonviolent Forgiving Way in silence? Resources Book: Wondrous Encounters for Lent by Richard Rohr Book: Breathing Underwater: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps by Richard Rohr Music: Sanctuary: Exploring the Healing Path by Alana Levandoski Podcast: The Cosmic We, season 4, episode 1 (Albuquerque, NM: Center for Action and Contemplation, 2023)  https://cac.org/podcasts/crisis/  Video: Contemplative Sit 12-Minute Meditation by Dr. Barbara A. Holmes (Albuquerque, NM: Center for Acton and Contemplation, 2023) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGU8QusRjD0

What do you feel separate from in your life? On this Transfiguration Sunday, Lilly Ettinger reminds us that creative transformation often comes in times when we experience great challenge and turmoil. [2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2]   Reflection In what ways do we struggle with “veils” that obscure our understanding of God and ourselves? How might you open yourself to Jesus’ transformative work in an area of your life where you veil a “veil” remains? What steps can you take to confront the veils that obscure God’s light in your relationships, work, or community?

When you encounter systems of oppression do you tend to shrink or fight? Kimberly Culbertson acknowledges the conflicts we encounter all around us and within us, inviting us to creatively resist the destructive violence, and imagine a world in harmony with God’s Reign. [Luke 6:27-30, 35b-36]   Reflection How might you lean into the creativity of a third way when you are caught in the either/or thinking of shrinking or fighting as you encounter systematic oppression? When you encounter dissonance, how open are you to repentance as a move toward greater freedom and strength in relationships and community? How compassionate are you toward yourself when you make missteps in your pursuit of justice and right relationship?