Stay ConnectedTaste & See is a weekly podcast of heartfelt reflections and meditations on the Sunday readings. Join Zac Wierschem of Paradisus Dei as he guides you into a deeper encounter with Jesus—alongside a global community that prays together each week..
Learn more about Paradisus Dei and our life-changing programs at: paradisusdei.org
Copyright: © Zac Wierschem
On this Fifth Sunday of Lent in John 11:1–45, Jesus reveals Himself as “the resurrection and the life,” entering into human suffering—He even weeps—and calling Lazarus out of death to manifest God’s glory. Through the story of Raul, a dying man encountered at the Missionaries of Charity, the episode shows that even in weakness and confusion, there can be a profound encounter with God dwelling within us, inviting us into deeper union with Him. Step 5 of the Lenten journey—“Find God in Yourself”—calls us to recognize that God is not distant but present within our suffering, speaking our name and inviting us to come out of whatever binds us into new life.Reflection Questions
Here's a link to the meditation: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TgHCE4NdPvJmcWU13QSYQ-mS5V5C2trfIIyOaURUbmc/edit?usp=sharing
_________________________
Learn more about the mission of Paradisus Dei and its life-changing parish programs here.
The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.
Intro music: "My Life (Main)” by Good B Music
Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of A
In this episode we reflect on Gospel of John 9:1–41 where Jesus heals the man born blind and reveals that true sight is not only physical vision but the ability to recognize God at work in our lives. As the fourth step of the Lenten journey toward superabundance—Set Your Mind on the Things Above—listeners are invited to see themselves honestly as beloved beggars before God who depend completely on His mercy. When we allow Christ to open the eyes of our hearts, we begin to see the extraordinary love of God present even in the ordinary and difficult moments of our lives.
Reflection Questions
Here's a link to the meditation: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19FPsZbf3ILsBQzZXBQWXxrKepI3IzvMfG-44Mc_JGK0/edit?usp=sharing
Learn more about the mission of Paradisus Dei and its life-changing parish programs here.
The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.
Intro music: "My Life (Main)” by Good B Music
Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of A
Reflecting on Gospel of John 4:5–42 (The Woman at the Well), the third step to superabundance invites us to give God some of our time in prayer, especially at the places of our deepest thirst. Just as Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at noon—at the height of heat, shame, and longing—He waits for us in our guilt, distraction, and spiritual dryness, asking only, “Give me a drink.” By offering Him intentional time in prayer, we allow Him to satisfy our thirst with living water, transforming our shame into mission and our emptiness into joy.
Journal Questions:
Here's the link to the meditation: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vvvavRLmqhvfKcIv9DTjNimxQHBBsD1GwkgFezBd1vg/edit?usp=sharing
Learn more about the mission of Paradisus Dei and its life-changing parish programs here.
The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.
Intro music: "My Life (Main)” by Good B Music
Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of A
In this episode reflecting on Gospel of Mark 9:2–10 and the Transfiguration, the second step to superabundance invites us to use money for others as a natural response to an authentic encounter with Christ. Just as the disciples saw everything differently after meeting Jesus on the mountain, a true encounter with Him—especially at Mass—transforms our relationship with money from something to possess into something to offer in love. Through a personal story of giving away childhood savings and a guided examen, the episode challenges listeners to detach from scarcity, grow in generosity, and see all financial resources as tools entrusted to them for the service of love.Journey Questions:
Here's a link to the examen: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cg-jzjNwptW2LBNTHiDKCS2lu9OZthaSH0riwqRDvLY/edit?usp=sharing
General Information:
Learn more about the mission of Paradisus Dei and its life-changing parish programs here.
The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.
Intro music: "My Life (Main)” by Good B Music
Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of A
For the First Sunday of Lent, reflecting on Gospel of Matthew 4:1–11, this episode launches the “7 Steps to Superabundance” with Step 1: Honor Your Vows. Through the example of a father’s fidelity during his wife’s battle with cancer and Christ’s victory over temptation in the desert, we see that real strength is proven in faithfulness, not comfort. Lent becomes a training ground where, led by the Spirit, strengthened by fasting, and armed with Scripture, we learn to protect both our baptismal and marital vows.
Reflection Questions:
Meditation:
Here's a link to the meditation: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z1ac1PAxGgpWS8dvKsMOSzqbt0ihY6CQ6typOpAvalk/edit?usp=sharing
Dust to Glory with Gomer, Mark Hartfiel, and Zac Wierschem:
Here's the promo for the 40 Day video series I mentioned: Dust to Glory: 40 Days with the Saints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3zUR-PDzrM
Paradisus Dei:
Learn more about the mission of Paradisus Dei and its life-changing parish programs here.
The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.
Intro music: "My Life (Main)” by Good B Music
Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of A
In this episode about Matthew 5: 17-20, we reflect on Jesus’ words that He came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it—by filling it to the brim with love. Through Zac's personal story of rigidity, a meditation on the Pharisees, and the image of the law as a cup, we see how obedience without love can miss God’s deeper gift. Ultimately, the Cross is revealed as the fullest interpretation of the law: Christ’s love poured out for us, washing us clean and inviting our hearts to overflow with divine love.
Reflection Questions
Meditation
Here's a link to the meditation: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12_pT_CvLPUHPhD3Ix2mBx_gQb1TK1ZNMsSqJHX_qDhM/edit?usp=sharing
Learn more about the mission of Paradisus Dei and its life-changing parish programs here.
The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.
Intro music: "My Life (Main)” by Good B Music
Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of A
In this episode, we reflect on Jesus’ call to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, drawing from lived experience among the Missionaries of Charity in Kenya and the witness of a joyful sister who embodied this Gospel (Matthew 5:13–16). Through the image of salt—its power to preserve and to give flavor—we examine how our lives are meant to safeguard goodness and make life worth living for others. Jesus invites us to purity, integrity, and joyful witness so that, through our visible lives, others may give glory to the Father._
Reflection Questions:
_
Here's the link to the meditation: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cgyHBwRdCpnakGFFi2q_4D0wbIMBLBRCkcIuu8NlAKw/edit?usp=sharing
-
Learn more about the mission of Paradisus Dei and its life-changing parish programs here.
The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.
Intro music: "My Life (Main)” by Good B Music
Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of A
Summary
In this episode, we sit with the Beatitudes in Matthew 5: 1-12 as Jesus reveals the paradoxical path to true happiness. Through personal vulnerability and the suffering of the world around us, we reflect on what it means to mourn with God rather than turn away from pain. “Blessed are those who mourn” becomes an invitation to share in God’s own heart—and to discover the comfort that only He can give.
__
Reflection Questions
__
Meditation
Here's the link to the meditation: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tA1haz-k7PE9EHyngfQO2gOuCd-fKc2NryINWaTFEy4/edit?usp=sharing
__Important Information
Learn more about the mission of Paradisus Dei and its life-changing parish programs here.
The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.
Intro music: "My Life (Main)” by Good B Music
Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of A
In Matthew 4:12–17, Jesus enters Galilee and fulfills Isaiah’s promise: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” This episode reflects on how physical sickness became a doorway into spiritual surrender, revealing a deeper truth—that our greatest illness is often the need to control rather than to trust. Through the image of Christ as the Divine Physician, we are invited to see the Kingdom not as something far away, but as near, intimate, and close enough to touch our wounds. As Ordinary Time begins, this reflection leads us through an examen of the past month, preparing our hearts to move forward renewed by the Light who meets us in the darkness._
Reflection Questions:
_
Here's the link to the text of the examen for this episode: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Ev7tGcWDTd6TeslyRkCPJqn-n85VFeTWGRBuf4I2l8/edit?usp=sharing
-
Learn more about the mission of Paradisus Dei and its life-changing parish programs here.
The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.
Intro music: "My Life (Main)” by Good B Music
Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of A
In this episode, we reflect on John 1:29–34, where John the Baptist points away from himself and joyfully testifies, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” revealing Jesus as the one upon whom the Spirit remains. Rather than proving Jesus through arguments or signs, John witnesses through humble obedience. This reflection invites us to consider how true Christian witness flows not from striving, but from abiding—allowing the Spirit who remains on Christ to remain in us and speak through our joy.
___Reflection Questions:
___
Here's a link to the text of the meditation that you can bring into your personal prayer.
___
Learn more about the mission of Paradisus Dei and its life-changing parish programs here.
The World English Bible is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.
Intro music: "My Life (Main)” by Good B Music
Meditation Music: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of A
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
