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

Latest Episodes:

A Father's Heart Apr 06, 2022

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Episode 103 - A Father's Heart

We come in as sons and daughters, then we graduate from sonship and daughtership.

When we fall in love and receive the gift of the beloved, we have this deep desire to bear fruit and to let this love overflow. In this love, sons and daughters become spouses and from there we mature to become mothers and fathers.

What we want is to live with the Father's heart—to give unselfish and sacrificial love. It is definitely not easy. But we are invited to become fathers and mothers after the heart of God.

This episode tackles this topic through the most challenging moments in the desert.

This Lent, we continue to work through Born of Fire by Fr. Innocent Montgomery, CFR. Order now (including digital copies) at bornoffirebook.com/

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!

Intimacy with the Bridegroom Mar 30, 2022

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Episode 102 - Intimacy with the Bridegroom

The world is a crazy place. There's always the temptation to hide, run away or to fear Love. There are distractions and lies—the lie that we cannot do it, that we may lose ourselves, that our love won't be reciprocated.

But we are made to be in love.

First and foremost with the Lord, Jesus the bridegroom, who comes to save, to love, and to die for us, His bride. And from this love we are called to lay down our lives and give ourselves fully for a bride or bridegroom.

This Lent, we continue to work through Born of Fire by Fr. Innocent Montgomery, CFR. Order now (including digital copies) at bornoffirebook.com/

We Do Hard Things (Lent 2022) Mar 23, 2022

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Episode 101 - We Do Hard Things

Love demands everything. Not only carrying the cross—dying on it.

We do hard things, but not for the sake of doing hard things. When modeled after the way that Jesus did hard things, it's a stepping stone that leads to the cross.

This episode goes through all this by one of the desert's more intense moments: a helicopter rescue. Listen to what that experience was like… and how, afterwards, the journey continued.

This Lent, we'll be working through Born of Fire by Fr. Innocent Montgomery, CFR. Order now (including digital copies) at bornoffirebook.com/

Get Over Yourself (Lent 2022) Mar 16, 2022

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Episode 100 - Get Over Yourself

The fraternal life is not accessory to life. We're coming to the desert together, which constantly challenges each of us to give ourselves to the Lord and to each other. We belong to one another.

Then there are times where the hardest part isn't giving… but receiving. We absolutely have to choose to be a brother, and we also have to choose to receive the brotherhood. We have to accept help and service and love.

Either way, we have to keep learning more and more: life isn't about me.

This Lent, we'll be working through Born of Fire by Fr. Innocent Montgomery, CFR. Order now (including digital copies) at bornoffirebook.com/

This is My Beloved Son (Lent 2022) Mar 09, 2022

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Episode 99 - This is My Beloved Son

Being a son means that you have a Father.

The first and most important identity: son. This is the foundational identity that the Father gives us—everything else builds on this.

We're not talking about the Father as an idea or a concept. Because you can't have a relationship with an idea. An idea can't rejoice in you. This is a real relationship, with a real Father.

We're inviting everyone into the desert because we all have a longing to know who we are. And once you've been given the gift of yourself, and are able to say strongly, "Lord, I'm a Son/Daughter," you come alive.

This Lent, we'll be working through Born of Fire by Fr. Innocent Montgomery, CFR. Order now (including digital copies) at bornoffirebook.com/

Rending the Heavens (Lent 2022) Mar 02, 2022

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Episode 98 - Rending the Heavens (Lent 2022)

Sometimes Lent is a missed opportunity. We focus too much on what we're going to give up, what we're going to do, etc. This year, focus on our desire to have a Lent that brings us into contact with Jesus.

Where are we going, and why are we going there?

Jesus doesn't go into the desert for himself; he doesn't have some personal need. He does it for us.

And in a real way, we get to go into the desert as Jesus did. We go with him into the desert because he absolutely wants us to experience what he experiences with the Father. That relationship is everything.

But it takes work. It takes tough decisions. And this world, as we know it, doesn't form us to say "yes" to that.

There is a mark on our souls from baptism, and we go into the desert so Jesus can remind us what that means. To claim our inheritance: direct access to God, in everything. But we have to let everything else go to receive this gift.

It's time to choose to step into the desert.

This Lent, we'll be working through Born of Fire by Fr. Innocent Montgomery, CFR. Order now (including digital copies) at bornoffirebook.com/

Confronted by the Eucharist Feb 23, 2022

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Episode 97 - Confronted by the Eucharist, Series on Conversion by Fr Haggerty (Part 8 of 8)

When you have a conversion, you live a Eucharistic life, with a gravitational pull to be with Jesus. There, no matter how you feel, you know you're not alone.

It's not just about our desire to go to him, though—he is also drawing us to himself. Allow yourself to be drawn.

Order Conversion by Fr Haggerty: https://www.ignatius.com/Conversion-P341.aspx

Starting next week… Born of Fire by Fr. Innocent Montgomery, CFR. Order now at bornoffirebook.com/

From Fullness For Fullness Feb 16, 2022

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Episode 96 - From Fullness For Fullness, Series on Conversion by Fr Haggerty (Part 7 of 8)

When we get to know Jesus, our need for "stuff"—for entertainment, for status—is lessened.

Besides… we have to stop pretending that stuff and noise and grasping doesn't have an effect on our lives. Really examine it in your own life; the truth is that prayer only works in silence. Being on your phone all the time or watching hours of tv every day, well, those things impact your interior life.

You have to make the small spaces where you let go of things and be simple, and then God can come in and fill that space.

Order Conversion by Fr Haggerty: https://www.ignatius.com/Conversion-P341.aspx

Born of Fire by Fr. Innocent Montgomery, CFR. bornoffirebook.com/

Loving to the End Feb 09, 2022

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Episode 95 - Loving to the End, Series on Conversion by Fr Haggerty (Part 6 of 8)

The first big "yes"—when we originally orient our lives to Christ—is not the most important. It's the later yesses, of a deeper surrender and trust and giving of our lives, that mean a lot more. At some point, it's not enough to be doing the right things; there must still be a desire for even deeper intimacy with God.

Over time, it's easy to slowly start compromising on little things; to lose the initial enthusiasm and excitement and energy of conversion. This is when sacrifice comes in—when maybe there's not as much consolation, and no novelty, and it's all about choosing to sacrifice for the relationship. It's about a love that perseveres.

If you're looking for this deeper intimacy, there's a revealing question to ask yourself. Where am I still hiding?

Order Conversion by Fr Haggerty: https://www.ignatius.com/Conversion-P341.aspx

Born of Fire by Fr. Innocent Montgomery, CFR. bornoffirebook.com/

Thy Will Be Done Feb 02, 2022

Show notes

Episode 94 - Thy Will Be Done, Series on Conversion by Fr Haggerty (Part 5 of 8)

This is NOT a How to Discern episode.

It's much closer to the foundation. What does the "will of God" even mean? What about "surrendering my life to God"?

Discernment isn't a calculation or program or roadmap, it's not a "do this and do that and God's mystery in your life will be revealed."

It's wanting to trust in this relationship with God, and, through that, wanting to let go of our own preferences. It diminishes our selfish desires.

After all, fascination with the will of God is fascination with the heart of God. Why does he have a plan? Because he is Father. And you are his beloved son or daughter. His heart for you is one that wants to bring joy and happiness and fulfillment.

God gives us complete freedom to live our plans. But when we stop to ask for his plan, there's a deeper freedom and a deeper joy. It's what we're made for.

Order Conversion by Fr Haggerty: https://www.ignatius.com/Conversion-P341.aspx

Born of Fire by Fr. Innocent Montgomery, CFR. bornoffirebook.com/

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