The Poco a Poco Podcast with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

Episode 70 - Last Words of Christ Jesus always chose his words carefully. There was great meaning and intention behind each word, part of which we can only begin to understand by listening carefully. How much more, then, should we pay attention to Jesus's very last words? The ones he painfully uttered as he was dying on the cross? What do these words reveal about the heart of God? Jesus's whole life was about the Father's business, and his last words begin and end with "Father." Meditate on these words—let them tell you the truth about God, and about your relationship with him. Let Jesus restore you, a son or daughter, to the Father. Let the prayer of Jesus inspire you; let him teach you to pray.

Episode 69 - A Father And Son Moment There's an intense vulnerability to letting people into your most tender moments. Allowing someone to witness a private, cherished part of life is no small thing, and being a witness to one of these moments is an honor. There's a particular part of Jesus's life for which we get to be these witnesses only a few times: his experience of prayer. In these rare instances, we are privileged to see him as he sees the Father look upon him with love and delight. Teach us to pray. When the disciples saw Jesus pray, that's what they asked him. They were totally captivated by the sight of him rejoicing in the presence of the Father. Scripture invites us to be witnesses to this only a few times, but Jesus constantly experienced the Father looking at him with love and delight. We can, too, if we look to the Father. Let the prayer of Jesus inspire you; let him teach you to pray. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of generous donors like you. You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!

VIDEO episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9P586wY2HI Episode 68 - House of Prayer, Not Den of Thieves Sometimes we need someone to fight for us. To respond forcefully to injustice in our lives. Jesus does this, as he did in the temple—He's not afraid to clean house. The Divine Physician heals us, though the medicine isn't always tender and gentle. The medicine that's needed is tougher, and the only way to remove obstacles and create space for him to heal. And doesn't that teach us a new approach to our sin? We should feel strongly about it, not accept a pattern of sin as "the way it is." Time to stop compromising or settling with our sin and reject it. Intensely. Some things are worth fighting for. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of generous donors like you. You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!

Episode 67 - The Compassion of God Compassion; it means "to suffer with." Recall those times when you've been suffering, alone, and someone has come into that isolation with you. It's powerful! Now… don't skip the fact that God became man so he could suffer with us. God is the prodigal son's father, spending every day looking at the horizon with longing even though his son hurt him in such a concrete and direct way. Want to be a more compassionate person? It's really hard to love and accept others without first being able to love and accept ourselves. First, get to know God's compassionate heart for you—then you'll be able to show true compassion for others and have the grace to respond to a person in need. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of generous donors like you. You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!

Episode 66 - The Heart of God This episode starts a new series: The Heart of God. The Sacred Heart. This is a series about the goodness of God—not only the reality that he is, but that he is good, with a human face and a human heart that rejoices. A deeper encounter with his heart; that it may be the remedy that heals the wounds of our hearts. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of generous donors like you. You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!

Episode 65 - A Prophetic People We're called to be prophets. Real, recognizable prophets in our day to day. How does that hit you? What does your life look like? Do people around you see it and think, This guy's living it. He communicates in the depths of who he is that Jesus is alive and he's real and he's risen from the dead and this means something for us. He's a prophet. We have to live provocative lives—lives that provoke people to ask questions. We can't be shy about it. At the same time, we have to be the first to ask questions, always quick to be interested in someone, to genuinely listen in a way that makes him or her feel undeniably heard. In this episode, we discuss many aspects of living a prophetic life. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of generous donors like you. You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!

Episode 64 - The Art of Sacrifice To sacrifice is to make holy. Most of us are given enough suffering in this world that if we were to offer it fully and freely to the Lord, that would be enough. We need only to accept—well—the penances that life gives us. Any additional sacrifices—ones that we choose—should be chosen carefully; intentionally, and after checking in with someone else, and always looking toward freedom. We sacrifice to seek always greater freedom to be totally given again to the Lord. Get your copy of Habits for Holiness (by Fr Mark-Mary Ames, CFR!) at https://ascensionpress.com/habits The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of generous donors like you. You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!

Episode 63 - Learning to Love Like Jesus The fullness of the mission of Christ includes a heart for the poor. This is pretty central, actually, but somehow doesn't always get a lot of air time. This isn't just something we do, but who we are. It's not just a Christian thing—this is being like Jesus. And even once that heart is developed and the desire is there… the how can be unclear. How do we live the Gospel this way? In this episode: examining our heart for the poor, and how to live this out in everyday life. How to love like Jesus. Get your copy of Habits for Holiness (by Fr Mark-Mary Ames, CFR!) at https://ascensionpress.com/habits The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of generous donors like you. You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!

VIDEO: Watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfhPsn_uF30 Episode 62 - Christian Contentment In our world of wanting more and of endlessly upgrading, we have to get good at saying, "Ok, that's enough." There's a game of constant consumption and if we're not careful, it's going to take advantage of us. Don't get played! Simplicity isn't about getting rid of everything. It's saying "no" to things you need to say "no" to—creating a space where you're not controlled by things. How? A poverty check. A regular practice of examining everything to see what really needs to stay and what can go; a regular challenge to take an honest look at what we're clinging to and what we can let go of. Get your copy of Habits for Holiness (by Fr Mark-Mary Ames, CFR) at https://ascensionpress.com/habits The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of generous donors like you. You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!

Watch this video episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbtZV0z_is0 Episode 61 - Your Stuff is Holding You Back Ever try to connect with the person right in front of you… but he or she is staring at a phone, totally preoccupied? You want to jump in and say, "Look up! Look at me." How often are we those preoccupied people in prayer? We have to be real about attachment. Whether we like it or not, our humanity is into stuff. In our weakness, we can get attached to stuff, which can serve us or not serve us. It's a burden. Instead: lean into the freedom of simplicity, at the service of intimacy. We only have so much emotional and spiritual energy throughout the day. And after all—the lilies don't get up in the morning and have to pick out their nicest dresses. Can we give God our full attention by being less cluttered in our thinking or our environments? Get your copy of Habits for Holiness (by Fr Mark-Mary Ames, CFR!) at https://ascensionpress.com/habits The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of generous donors like you. You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!