Shows
Inbreaking of the WordSeventeenth Sunday in Ordinary TimeEach week, Fr. Jim Sabak, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, helps listeners meditate upon and contemplate this past Sunday’s readings as we carry the Word with us into our weeks. The readings can be accessed here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072725.cfm. Inbreaking of the Word is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.2025-07-2805 min
Inbreaking of the WordSixteenth Sunday in Ordinary TimeEach week, Fr. Jim Sabak, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, helps listeners meditate upon and contemplate this past Sunday’s readings as we carry the Word with us into our weeks. The readings can be accessed here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072025.cfm. Inbreaking of the Word is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.2025-07-2107 min
Inbreaking of the WordFourteenth Sunday in Ordinary TimeAfter some technical issues last week, Fr. Jim Sabak, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is back this week with another reflection! Each week, Fr. Jim helps listeners meditate upon and contemplate this past Sunday’s readings as we carry the Word with us into our weeks. The readings can be accessed here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070625.cfm2025-07-0708 min
Friar TimeS2 E3 • Aging and How We Think About ItToday, FRIAR TIME offers a revealing look at something that’s unavoidable, universal, and always top of mind, aging. Join me and Amy Stewart-Wilmarth, a Registered Nurse and Health Coach, for Aging and How We Think About It. Is aging something that’s beyond our control? Do our personal attitudes about aging affect our happiness? Amy will answer these questions and offer unique perspectives informed by her experience as the Director of Health and Wellness for the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe; an Integrative Wellness Nurse; and a Reg...2025-07-0527 min
Inbreaking of the WordThe Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of ChristFather Jim Sabak, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, helps listeners to meditate upon and contemplate this past Sunday’s readings as we carry the Word with us into our weeks. The readings can be accessed here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062225.cfm.2025-06-2307 min
A Franciscan Heart In the WorldFar More Than They KnowIn this episode, Mike O.F.M. reflects on a friendship that shaped his life—through laughter, illness, and the quiet wisdom of presence. A rediscovered funeral program opens a doorway into memory, gratitude, and what it means to be truly seen by another.2025-06-2006 min
Inbreaking of the WordTrinity SundayFather Jim Sabak, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, helps listeners to meditate upon and contemplate this past Sunday’s readings as we carry the Word with us into our weeks. The readings can be accessed here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061525.cfm.2025-06-1607 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldShall We Dance?This Trinity Sunday falls on Father’s Day, and in this episode, I reflect on both—through the memory of a Bolivian fiesta, a traditional Cueca dance I was pulled into, and the divine rhythm of love we’re all invited to join. The Trinity isn’t something to solve; it’s something to step into. And so is fatherhood. Whether you’ve been dancing a while or still feel off-beat, you belong in the circle.2025-06-1508 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldA Love that StretchesWhat do we do when the shape of love changes — when the people we cherish move away, when routines shift, or when goodbyes come too soon? This episode explores the quiet ache of transition and the deeper invitation to love without grasping. Grounded in Gospel, Franciscan spirituality, and lived experience, it reflects on how love can stretch across distance, time, and even loss — and how we might stay present to what still is, even as we let go of what was.2025-06-1109 min
Inbreaking of the WordPentecostFather Jim Sabak, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, helps listeners to meditate upon and contemplate this past Sunday’s readings as we carry the Word with us into our weeks. The readings can be accessed here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060825-Vigil.cfm.2025-06-0908 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldThe Power of FlowersIn this episode of A Franciscan Heart in the World, Brother Mike reflects on a spring morning at a local garden center — and the quiet, surprising kindness of fellow gardeners. What is it about planting and tending that makes us more polite, more gentle, more human? Drawing on the wisdom of St. Francis and Wendell Berry, this reflection explores how gardening can be more than a hobby — it can be a sacred practice that calls us to slow down, pay attention, and become the best version of ourselves.2025-06-0407 min
Inbreaking of the WordSeventh Sunday of EasterFather Jim Sabak, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, helps listeners to meditate upon and contemplate this past Sunday’s readings as we carry the Word with us into our weeks. The readings can be accessed here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060125-Ascension.cfm.2025-06-0205 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldThe Feast of the Ascension-Left Behind?In this episode of A Franciscan Heart in the World, Brother Mike reflects on the Feast of the Ascension — that strange, sacred moment when Jesus departs and the disciples are left staring at the sky. What does it mean to feel left behind? And what might Franciscan spirituality say to those moments in our own lives when God feels distant or absent? Acts 18:1-8:1-112025-05-2805 min
Inbreaking of the WordSixth Sunday of EasterFather Jim Sabak, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, helps listeners to meditate upon and contemplate this past Sunday’s readings as we carry the Word with us into our weeks. The readings can be accessed here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052525.cfm.2025-05-2704 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldFacing the Coming Storm-Finding Grace In Life's Hardest SeasonsIn this episode of A Franciscan Heart in the World, Brother Mike Johnson shares the story of a man facing terminal illness and the grace that emerged in his final season. It’s a reflection on courage, love, and the quiet ways God meets us in life’s storms.2025-05-2308 min
Off the PageJim Sabak & Matt Halbach — Pope Leo XIV: From Missionary to PontiffIt has been a little over one week since Robert Francis Prevost was elected Bishop of Rome and took the name Pope Leo XIV. In this special episode we have a discussion with Father Jim Sabak, OFM, and Deacon Matthew Halbach about Pope Leo and the significance of this historic moment. The interview took place on Wednesday, May 14, six days after the pope's election was announced. Father Jim Sabak is a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province and currently serves as Director of Divine Worship for the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina, and the Director...2025-05-191h 08
Inbreaking of the WordFifth Sunday of EasterFather Jim Sabak, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, helps listeners to meditate upon and contemplate this past Sunday’s readings as we carry the Word with us into our weeks. The readings can be accessed here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051825.cfm.2025-05-1907 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldPrimary TrustDrawing on last Sunday's reading on Good Shepherd , we reflect on Primary Trust, the story of Kenneth — a quiet man who finds healing through simple kindness. With echoes of the Shepherd’s voice, we ask: How do we calm, encourage, and seek out with a Franciscan heart?2025-05-1609 min
Inbreaking of the WordFourth Sunday of EasterFather Jim Sabak, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, helps listeners to meditate upon and contemplate this past Sunday’s readings as we carry the Word with us into our weeks. The readings can be accessed here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051125.cfm.2025-05-1306 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldThoughts on our new Holy FatherPeople have been asking me repeatedly over the last days , "Are you excited to have an American Pope?" He is how I have answered.2025-05-1006 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldOf Cherry Trees and a Harvest We May Not Witness.What does it mean to plant seeds for a future we may never see?In this reflection, Brother Mike shares a story from his time at his Maryland parish, when a simple act of planting trees became a deeper lesson in hope, legacy, and trust in God’s slow work.Drawing on Franciscan spirituality, Scripture, and gentle humor, this episode explores how small, faithful acts — whether planting trees or nurturing relationships — can bear fruit long after we are gone.What seeds are you planting today?2025-05-0706 min
Inbreaking of the WordThird Sunday of EasterFather Jim Sabak, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, helps listeners to meditate upon and contemplate this past Sunday’s readings as we carry the Word with us into our weeks. The readings can be accessed here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050425.cfm.2025-05-0509 min
Inbreaking of the WordSecond Sunday of EasterFather Jim Sabak, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, helps listeners to meditate upon and contemplate this past Sunday’s readings as we carry the Word with us into our weeks. The readings can be accessed here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042725.cfm.2025-04-2806 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldEaster Week Charcoal Fire and Second ChancesWhen Peter denies Jesus, it happens beside a charcoal fire.When Jesus invites him back, it happens beside another fire—this time, with breakfast waiting.This is the final episode of From Ashes to Alleluia: A Franciscan Journey Through the Early Church.Thank you for walking this Easter journey with me.I have launched a new weekly podcast called A Franciscan Heart in the World—stories and reflections about finding God in the ordinary joys, struggles, and surprises of everyday life.I hope you’ll join me there. John 21:1–142025-04-2706 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldEaster Thursday- When Resurrection Seem Too Good to Be TrueWhat if the hardest part of resurrection is learning to trust it? In this episode, we explore why hope can feel scary, and how Jesus meets us gently—even in our doubt.Luke 24:35-482025-04-2407 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldEaster Wednesday-Quiet Miracle on the A TrainBr. Mike explores how healing begins with presence, not solutions—from the temple gate to a subway seat. Sometimes, the first miracle is simply choosing to see. Acts 3:1-102025-04-2305 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldEaster Tuesday -“There was no needy person among them.”In a world that clings tightly to “mine,” the early Church reminds us what it means to live as if grace is real. This episode explores Acts 4:32–35 and the radical, freeing power of Christian community—where no one claims ownership, and no one is left out. With a story of hospitality and a quiet act of courage from a woman named Sheila, we’re invited to rediscover what it means to hold our lives—and our resources—with open hands.2025-04-2207 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldEaster Monday and the Death of Pope FrancisI relfect on the readings from today in light of the passing of our holy Father Francis 2025-04-2106 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldEaster-The Journey to New LifeJan is 42 and just starting chemo. Anna is 71, a retired teacher who’s been down this road before. What begins as a quiet companionship becomes something sacred—echoing the Road to Emmaus.This Easter, discover how Christ still walks with us—often in ways we don’t recognize at first.2025-04-2008 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldHoly Saturday-Sitting in the In-Between TimesHoly Saturday is a day of silence, darkness, and waiting. But what if waiting isn’t wasted? In this reflection, we look at how Francis of Assisi lived through his own Holy Saturday moments—times of prison, retreat, uncertainty, and surrender. From the cave to the mountaintop, from silence to witness, Francis shows us how to sit in the in-between—and how to trust that God is working even when we can’t see the end of the story.This Holy Saturday, we sit in the in-between and trust that even in the silence, God is already making a...2025-04-1907 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldGood Friday The Love That Refuses to BreakOn this most solemn day, we remember a love that would not retreat.He was betrayed, denied, abandoned—and still he loved.John 18–192025-04-1804 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldHoly Thursday-The Water Turns BlackOn a dusty Holy Thursday in a Peruvian slum, a basin of water turns black—and everything changes. In this episode, we return to a sacred moment in a chapel with broken windows and a sand floor, where foot washing became more than ritual. Rooted in Franciscan spirituality, this reflection invites us tosee the Eucharist not just as bread broken, but as love enacted.The question is not only “Whose feet will we wash?”—but “Will we have the humility to kneel?”John 13:1–15 friars.us2025-04-1706 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril 16, 2025 Judas Mercy and the Love That Never LeavesJudas, Mercy, and the Love That Never LeavesJudas Iscariot: the name still makes us flinch. But what if his story is notonly about betrayal—but about despair, shame, and the love he couldn’t believewas still his?Drawing from The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Franciscan wisdom, and thetheology of Duns Scotus, this Holy Week reflection invites us to ask:What defines us—our failures, or the mercy that never stops reaching for us? friars.us Matthew 26:14-252025-04-1608 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril 15, 2025 When Our Work Feels in Vain: Trusting in God's PurposeA Franciscan Reflection on Purpose and TrustWe all have moments when we wonder if what we do really matters. Isaiah felt it. Francis wrestled with it. Scotus reminded us that each of us is uniquelycreated for a purpose only we can fulfill. In this episode, we explore what it means to trust in God's plan when our efforts seem to fall short. How do we move forward when we can't see the results of our labor?2025-04-1504 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril 14, 2025 The Servant Who AdvocatesWhat does it mean to be a servant in today’s world?Isaiah’s vision of a quiet, faithful servant—who lifts up the broken and brings justice without fanfare—comes alive in our Franciscan ministries.From feeding our neighbors on the sidewalks to advocating for fair access to diapers, we explore how humble service becomes both practical and prophetic. friars.us. Isaiah 42:1-72025-04-1406 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril 13, 2025. "Palm Sunday: When Life Breaks Us"The people cheered for Jesus when they thought he was coming to bring power.Five days later, they called for his death.Why?Because he didn’t meet their expectations.And neither does he meet ours.This Palm Sunday, we ask the hard questions:What do we do when Jesus asks for more than we wanted to give?What happens when faith isn’t just comforting, but costly?friars.us Luke 22:14—23:56 2025-04-1308 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril 12, 2025 "Peacemakers and Bridge Builders: Living Ezekiel’s Vision Today"In a world marked by division and polarization, how do we live Ezekiel’s, vision of unity?Inspired by the life of St. Francis, this episode explores what itmeans to be a bridge builder—choosing relationship over rivalry, stepping into spaces of healing, and modeling the Gospel through action.Join us as we reflect on how we can embrace the Franciscan call to be peacemakers in our families, communities, and beyond.2025-04-1206 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril 11, 2025 Letting Go in Trust: A Lesson from Francis of AssisiWhat if letting go isn’t loss—but trust?Jeremiah questioned. Francis grieved. Ben faced retirement unsure of whomhe’d become. And yet—God was still at work.Join us for this Franciscan reflection on surrender, humility, and them freedom to trust what comes next. Jeremiah 20:10-132025-04-1105 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril 10, 2025 The Freedom to Trust: Abraham, Clare, and the Call ForwardGod told Abraham, “I have made you a father of many nations.” Not “I will.”Clare left behind everything familiar to walk toward her calling.David stepped into a second-half-of-life vocation that transformed his past into service.What if trust isn’t just letting go—but walking toward something already prepared for us?Join us for today’s Franciscan reflection on vocation, transformation, and the courage to trust. friars.us2025-04-1004 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril 9, 2025 The Fire and the Fourth FigureThe Fire and the Fourth Figure: A Reflection on Faith, Abuse, and the God Who Walks With UsThe furnace wasn’t metaphorical for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—and for many today, neither is the fire.In this episode of From Ashes to Alleluia, we explore what it means to stand firm in the face of coercion, fear, and silence. From the biblical flames of Daniel to the quiet fires behind closed doors, this reflection holds space for survivors of domestic violence and for all who are walking through something hard.We reflect on the God...2025-04-0908 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril 8, 2025 Facing What We FearThe Israelites wanted God to take away the serpents. But healing didn’t come from running—it came from looking.Francis of Assisi wanted to avoid lepers. But healing came when he faced what he feared.What if the “leper” we need to embrace isn’t outside of us, but within us? What if healing isn’t about escape—but about allowing God to transform what we have been avoiding?friars.us. Numbers 21:4-92025-04-0806 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril 7, 2025 Defending Susanna!When Susanna was falsely accused, she didn’t stay silent. And when no one else would speak, Daniel stepped forward.In a world where truth is sometimes twisted or ignored, their story challenges us to ask:Where do we need to step in, speak out, or simply live more honestly?Join us as we reflect on what it means to live truthfully in difficult times—with courage, integrity, and Franciscan wisdom.friars.us Daniel 13:1-622025-04-0703 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril 6, 2025 Dropping Our StonesIn today’s Gospel, Jesus stops a woman’s execution—not with force, but with a question:“Let the one without sin cast the first stone.”One by one, they drop their stones and walk away.But what about us?Some of us are still holding them—toward others, and toward ourselves. This Lent, maybe the holiest thing we can do is… let go. friars.us John 8:1-112025-04-0605 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril 5, 2025 The Fear of Speaking UpAs Lent deepens, so does the tension. In this episode, we sit with the quiet courage of Nicodemus and the cost of following a truth that unsettles power. Why do we hesitate when we sense what’s right? What holds us back from speaking or living with integrity?Rooted in John 7, this Franciscan reflection explores the struggle of living undivided in a divided world. With insights from the lives of Francis, Clare, and Scotus, we reflect on how to align our lives—not just our words—with the truth we carry.If you've ever stayed silent...2025-04-0505 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril, 4, 2025 When Living the Truth Costs YouWhat happens when standing in truth puts you at odds with the people closest to you?When even your family, friends, or faith community make the Gospel harder to live?In today’s episode, we reflect on the cost of integrity, through the lens of the Book of Wisdom and the life of St. Francis.We explore what it means to become the person God created you to be—even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it costs you belonging.Join us as we reflect on what Franciscan freedom really looks like in tod...2025-04-0406 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril, 3 2025 The Molten Calves of Today: What Do We Worship?The Israelites made a golden calf. We build different idols—success, security, image, ideology, distraction.This Lent, we're invited to take an honest look at what we’ve come to depend on—and what it might mean to let go.Join us as we reflect on Moses, Francis, and the God who still calls us to something deeper. friars.us Exodus 32:7-142025-04-0306 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril 2, 2025 A Prison, A Duckling, and the Tenderness of GodWhat if God is working in the places we least expect?In today’s episode, we reflect on Isaiah’s words: "I will say tothe prisoners: Come out!" Through the story of a prison duck farm, a man named Ramiro, and an unexpected moment of tenderness, we discover the God who never writes anyone off.friars.us Isaiah 49:8-152025-04-0205 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldApril, 1-Arise and Walk: The First Step Toward TransformationStuck in the same cycle, waiting for the "right moment" to change? In today’s episode of Ashes to Alleluia, we explore Jesus’ encounter with the man at the Pool of Bethesda—and the radical truth it reveals about transformation. With wisdom from St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan tradition, we ask: What is keeping us from the fullness of life God desires for us? More importantly, what is the first step we can take today? Because healing requires movement—and we don’t walk alone. friars.us. John 5:1-162025-04-0107 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 31 Did I Make A Difference Today?What if God is already doing something new—right here, right now—and our job is simply to trust it?Isaiah promises a new heaven and a new earth. The psalmist says ourmourning will turn to dancing. And in the Gospel, a royal official chooses to believe in Jesus’ word before anything changes.Faith is not just belief—it’s living into a reality we cannot yet see. friars.us. Isaiah 65:17-212025-03-3106 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 30, 2025 What About Me!Have you ever felt overlooked for doing the right thing—the steady thing? While others are celebrated for returning, you’ve been the one holding everything together. In today’s episode of From Ashes to Alleluia, we meet Anna, a modern-day “older sibling,” and revisit the parable of the Prodigal Son—not from the one who left, but from the one who stayed.What does grace look like when it’s hard to rejoice? And how do we step into the celebration when it feels like no one sees us? friars.us. Luke 15:1-3, 11-32Join us as we explore...2025-03-3007 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 29, 2025 When Grace Interrupts the ScorecardHave you ever felt like you had to prove yourself—to God, to others, even to yourself?What if the hardest thing to let go of isn’t our sins—but our need to measure up?Today’s readings challenge us to rethink how we stand before God. The Pharisee in Jesus’ parable left the temple unchanged because he measured himself against others, clinging to his own sense of righteousness. The tax collector, in contrast, let go—of comparison, of control, of the need to justify himself.And God met him there—not with judgment, but...2025-03-2805 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 28, 2025 What's My Place in the Story God's Writing Now?Faith isn’t about standing still—it’s about stepping in.Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbor. Not just in words, but in action.Dan, a retired letter carrier, found new purpose by building urban hydroponic farms in a food desert—creating jobs for youth, fresh food forneighbors, and hope for a struggling community.Some resist stepping into God’s call, but love compels us forward.How is God calling you to take your place in the story he is writing now? friars.us...2025-03-2805 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 27, 2025 The Fear That Holds Us Back—And the God Who Calls Us ForwardIn this episode of From Ashes to Alleluia, we explore the deep resistance we all have to change—even when we know it’s necessary. Through the struggles of the Israelites, the doubts of Jesus' contemporaries, and our own fears of stepping into the unknown, we see how transformation requires trust. Drawing from the Enneagram, the formation of young friars, and personal experiences in ministry, we reflect on what keeps us stuck and how God continually calls us beyond what feels safe. As St. Francis learned in embracing the leper, true conversion happens when we step past our fears into...2025-03-2706 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 26, 2025 When Life Forms Us in Unexpected WaysFormation never ends—and it happens in the ordinary moments of life.Joe never imagined that his final years with Lorena would be spent as her caregiver. But in the middle of exhaustion and heartbreak, he found something deeper—a love that didn’t need words, a presence that didn’t needfixing.Like Moses, Jesus, and St. Francis remind us today, Godcontinually shapes us through our daily experiences, gently forming us into the fullness of who we were created to be.Listen now to explore how God might be forming you right now on this...2025-03-2605 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 25, 2025 The Yes That Changed Everything The AnnunciationIn this episode of From Ashes to Alleluia, we explore the power of a single 'yes'—the kind that redirects our lives in unexpected ways. Through Jean’s journey from a retired teacher to a mission leader across nine countries, we witness how trust and courage open doors we never imagined. Reflecting on Mary’s response at the Annunciation, we ask: Where is God calling us to step forward in faith, even when we don’t have all the answers? Join us as we embrace the unknown and discover the blessings hidden in every leap of trust. friars.us. Luke 1:22025-03-2506 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 24, 2025 Grace Disguised As OrdinaryWe often look for God in the big, the bold, the unmistakable. But what if grace is found in the quiet, the small, the unimpressive? In today’s episode of Ashes to Alleluia, we meet two seekers—Naaman , a powerful commander who nearly missed his healing because it wasn’t dramatic enough, and Alex, a restless soul who longs for depth in prayer but resists the simplicity of stillness.Through their stories, we’ll explore how we often wait for something extraordinary while God’s presence is already here, quietly inviting us to trust the process. What if surrend...2025-03-2407 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 23-The Divine NudgeThe Nudge – Have you ever felt a quiet restlessness, a gentle push to stop and pay attention? Sometimes, God speaks in whispers, in moments we almost ignore. Today’s reflection explores how the interruptions in our day—like helping a stranger—might be invitations to step onto holy ground. Drawing on the wisdom of Bonaventure, we’ll consider how every encounter, even the most ordinary, can be a step on the ladder to God. Where might God be nudging you? friars.us Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15. 2025-03-2305 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 22-The Love That Moves FirstWe all know the story—the son who runs away, squanders everything, and comes home expecting rejection. But what if this parable isn’t really about his failure at all? What if it’s about a love that refuses to keep score?Today, we dive into one of Jesus’ most radical messages: God’slove isn’t something we earn. It’s already running toward us—before we even turn back. But if that’s true, why do so many of us still live like we have toprove ourselves? And what about those moments when, deep down, we don’t want grace t...2025-03-2205 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 21-The Vineyard and the Care of Creation: Have We Been Faithful TenantsGod has entrusted us with a vineyard—creation itself. But have we cared for it as faithful tenants, or have we acted as if it were ours to exploit? In today’s reflection, we explore Jesus’ parable of the vineyard, the wisdom of St. Francis, and the urgent call of Pope Francis in Laudato Si’. From climate justice to local action in Hartford, we ask: What must we change—today—to honor the gift of creation before it is too late? Join us as we move from reflection to action this Lent. friars.us. Matthew 21:33-43, 45-462025-03-2107 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 20-The Sin of Not Seeing: Who Are We Walking Past?A man lay at the gate. The one who could help walked past—without even seeing him. Today’s Gospel challenges us with a truth that’s easy to overlook: what separates the rich man from Lazarus isn’t wealth—it’s attention.I learned this lesson the hard way, as a young chaplain in Bolivia, when I stepped over a man to get to Mass. St. Francis learned it when he finally saw Christ in the leper. Where is Christ waiting for you to see him? Join me as we reflect on what it means to wake up, to...2025-03-2006 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldSt Joseph-The Risk and Reward of Saying YesJoseph never spoke a word in Scripture, yet his life speaks louder than words ever could. Today, we pause in the middle of Lent to reflect on the quiet trust of St. Joseph—the man who surrendered his plans to embrace God's call. Like Joseph, St. Francis faced a moment of interruption, a choice between clinging to his dreams or stepping into the unknown. And like them, we, too, are invited to trust. Where is God asking you to let go? Where might surrender lead you into something deeper? Join us as we explore faith, trust, and the courage to...2025-03-1905 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 18-Uprooting What Chokes the SoulLent is a season for weeding—not to destroy, but to make space for what truly matters. Today’s reflection invites us to confront the hidden "weeds" in our lives—the habits, routines, and blind spots that choke out justice, mercy, and love. Drawing from Isaiah’s bold call to action, Jesus’ warning against empty faith, and the wisdom of Duns Scotus, we ask: What needs to be uprooted in us so that new life can grow? friars.usIsaiah 1:10, 16-202025-03-1806 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 17, 2025. The Mercy That Transforms UsMercy stretches us. It asks us to let go, lean in, and love beyond whatfeels possible. "Ashes to Alleluia" is a Franciscan Lentenjourney into the mercy that transforms—not just what we receive, but what wegive. Through scripture, real-life struggles, and the wisdom of Francis, eachshort episode invites you to step into grace, even when it’s hard. friars.us Luke 6:36-38. 2025-03-1704 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 16-Held in the Hard Places: God’s Presence in SufferingSuffering touches every life, whether through illness, loss, or the quiet struggles we carry unseen. In this episode, we journey from Abraham’s long night of doubt to the disciples’ glimpse of glory at the Transfiguration, and finally to Francis of Assisi at La Verna, where suffering became a doorway to grace. What does this mean for those facing cancer or any deep trial? How can pain transform us rather than diminish us? Through scripture, story, and reflection, we explore how God is not absent in suffering but profoundly present, shaping us into people of deeper compassion and love. fria...2025-03-1607 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 15, 2025 Pruning for New Life: The Hard Work of Becoming Who We’re Meant to BeLent invites us to tend the garden of our souls—to notice what is thriving, what is withering, and what is crowding out new growth. My nana’s wisdom about gardening—pay attention to what’s growing, prune what no longer gives life, and make space for new things—mirrors the spiritual work we are called to. Drawing from Bonaventure’s insight on shedding the false self, we reflect on how pruning distractions and old patterns allows us to flourish in the freedom of who God created us to be. Deuteronomy 26:16-19 friars.us2025-03-1504 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 14, 2025 When Truth is Complicated: Listening with a Franciscan HeartIn a world that pushes us to take sides, what if truth is less about winning debates and more about seeing the person in front of us? Through the lens of John Duns Scotus, St. Francis, and a modern-day debate over book bans, this episode explores how truth is encountered in real people, real moments, and real struggles—not just in abstract ideas. Join Br. Mike as he unpacks what it means to listen, seek common ground, and engage with others through a Franciscan way of seeing. Matthew 5:20-26 friars.us2025-03-1408 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 13, 2025Seeking, Knocking, and the Answers We Don’t Expect"What if God’s answer doesn’t look like what you expected?"Jesus tells us to ask, seek, and knock—but faith isn’t about getting what we want. It’s about trust. In today’s Ashes to Alleluia reflection, I share how my time in a Bolivian prison taught me to see God in the unexpected. What if God is already answering—just not in the way we imagined?Matthew 7:7-12. . . friars.us2025-03-1308 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 12, 2025 Who is My NinivehHave you ever struggled to forgive someone who hurt you? Someone who, in your mind, didn’t deserve a second chance? If so, you’re not alone.Jonah felt the same way about Nineveh. He wanted justice, not mercy. He wanted them to pay, not be redeemed. But God had other plans—plans that pushedJonah beyond his own sense of fairness and into something deeper.And isn’t that our struggle, too?We want mercy for ourselves but justice for those who have wronged us. Wewant second chances but hesitate to give them. Join us...2025-03-1205 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 11, 2025 -Slogging Toward CompletionHave you ever felt stuck? Like you’re working, praying, doing all theright things—but nothing seems to change?Maybe you’ve tried to repair a broken relationship, but healing feelsslow. Maybe you’ve prayed for clarity, but the answers remain just out ofreach. Or maybe, like me, you’ve looked at a project, a goal, even your ownspiritual growth and thought, Is anything actually happening?Join us today at From Ashes to Alleluia A Franciscan Lenten Journey. Friars.us Isaiah 55:10-112025-03-1107 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 10 The Danger of IndifferenceIn your school, at work, on the streets—how often doyou pass by someone struggling and convince yourself it’s not your problem? Notout of hatred. Not out of cruelty. Butbecause it’s easier to look away.Most of us won’t deliberatelychoose to ignore others, but distraction, busyness, and fear can make us blind to those in need.Today’s Gospel reminds us that thegreatest danger isn’t always what we do—but what we failto see and the danger inthat.Matthew25:31-46 friars.us2025-03-1005 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 9, 2025 The Temptation to ForgetLent is a season of remembering—a call to step beyond the narrow walls of our own comfort and into the vast landscape of mercy. But one of our greatest temptations is to forget—to forget where we came from, the hands that once lifted us, the grace that made a way when there was none. Moses tells us: Do not forget. And Jesus takes us even deeper—asking us to see him in the face of the stranger, to love past fear, to make space where the world would shut its doors. Join me for Ashes to Alleluia: A Fran...2025-03-0907 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 8, 2025-The Fast That HealsLent isn’t just about giving things up—it’s about making space for something better.Isaiah reminds us:"If you remove oppression from your midst… Ifyou offer your food to the hungry… Thenyour light shall rise in the darkness."Francis of Assisi got this.He didn’t just give to the poor—he stepped into their world. Hedidn’t just offer kindness—he let their struggle change him.Maybe fasting isn’t about what welose, but about what we make room for. Maybe prayer isn’t just about what rises up—but abou...2025-03-0805 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 7, 2025-The Fast God Wants"Fasting is easy when we’re in control. We decide what we give up, how much it costs us, and when it ends. But what if true fasting isn’t about sacrifice, but about surrender? What if it isn’t about proving our strength, but about breaking something open? Today, Isaiah and Francis invite us into a fast that doesn’t just change us—but transforms a piece of the world. Will we dare to step in?" Isaiah 58:1-9a2025-03-0706 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 6, Choose Life, Not FearAsh Wednesday is in the rear view mirror, and Lent truly begins today. In today's podcast, we will face a simple, powerful question: Are we settling for safe, or do we really want to live? Yesterday’s renewal promises might already be challenged by old fears, but Lent isn’t about perfection—it's about stepping forward despite uncertainty and intentionally listening for God's voice amid the noise.Reflection Questions:Where am I playing it safe rather than choosing what truly brings me alive?Could letting go of comfort now lead to something deeper and ri...2025-03-0605 min
A Franciscan Heart In the WorldMarch 6, 2025 -Choosing Life, Not Fear"Ashes brushed from our foreheads, we wake to the first full day of Lent. The promise of renewal still lingers, but so does the weight of the journey ahead. Maybe yesterday’s resolve already feels a little shaky. Maybe the fears we named in the quiet of our hearts are creeping back in. The question is—will we step forward anyway?"This episode explores the invitation in today’s first reading from Deuteronomy: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life.” But choosing life isn’t always easy. Fear gets in the way—fear of...2025-02-2805 minA Franciscan Heart In the WorldAsh Wednesday"You step forward, and the minister smudges a cross of ashes onto your forehead. 'Remember, you are dust…' The words hang in the air. Maybe you nod solemnly, maybe you shuffle back to your seat, but deep down, something stirs. A whisper of fear. Not just fear of death, but fear of something more immediate—the fear of stepping fully into the life God is calling you to. What if this Lent isn’t just about giving something up, but about letting something go? Something that’s been holding you back for far too long.This episode...2025-02-2808 min
Young Catholics RespondMarian Summit: Fr. Thomas CzeckFr. Thomas Czeck, OFM Conv., Spiritual Assistant to the Militia of the Immaculata USA presents "Reflections on the Message of Our Lady of Guadalupe."2024-06-1013 minYoung Catholics RespondMarian Summit: Fr. Thomas CzeckFr. Thomas Czeck, OFM Conv., Spiritual Assistant to the Militia of the Immaculata USA presents "Reflections on the Message of Our Lady of Guadalupe."2024-02-0413 min
The Good Catholic LifeTGCL #0432: Fr. Rick Martignetti, OFMSummary of today’s show: Fr. Rick Martignetti grew up in the North End of Boston before becoming a Franciscan priest of the Order of Friars Minor. The Lord has returned him to his old neighborhood where he serves at St. Leonard’s Parish among the people he grew up with. Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams talk with Fr. Rick, who was at St. Joseph’s in Wakefield where he was preparing to speak on the third night of the 2012 God of This City Tour. They discussed how to discern God’s call in our lives and how we can best...2012-12-1256 min