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

Latest Episodes:

Learning to Love Like Jesus Jun 30, 2021

Show notes

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!

Christian Contentment Jun 23, 2021

Show notes

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!

Your Stuff Is Holding You Back Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

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!

Are You Stuck in the Ordinary? Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

VIDEO now available! Watch on Spirit Juice's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_wJgfHG1sI

Episode 60 - Are You Stuck in the Ordinary?

As Christians, what does our free time look like? Do we prioritize the same things as the world? Is there any difference in how we spend our time and money and attention?

Those who know Jesus live differently. In important things, and also ordinary, everyday things. We're talking about the kind of mindset that changes the most important thing about Friday from "End of the Work Week!" to "The Day Our Lord Suffered and Died For Us."

It can be a struggle to feel like everything is ordinary… but God wants to encounter us in that ordinary and make it extraordinary.

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!

Loving The Person Who Has All Your Pet Peeves Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

VIDEO now available! Watch on Spirit Juice's YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/dZ78lBznd_s

Episode 59 - Loving The Person Who Has All Your Pet Peeves

Love your enemies. AND love that one person who embodies every single one of your pet peeves and always seems to find the fastest way to most intensely annoy you.

Each person's personality—our most and least favourite parts—is gift, and it's all about how we receive the uniqueness of each person in his or her personality. Each trait speaks an aspect of God's heart.

Accepting everyone as they are isn't always easy… but it's easier than being surprised and rattled every time they do that one thing over and over and over again. It's more than that, though; when we accept people, they have the freedom to be themselves. After all, unity is not uniformity.

It's scary to give people permission to be themselves. Maybe the Lord is asking you to expand your heart to fit them in it.

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!

You Need Community. (Really.) May 26, 2021

Show notes

VIDEO now available! Watch on Spirit Juice's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFruaMSgbdc

Epiosde 58 - You Need Community

We have some pretty strong feelings on this topic… and it shows in this week's episode.

Passing through purgatory is the experience that prepares us for heaven. There's no greater insight into what purgatory is like than family life or community life.

The most important thing you'll bring to your vocation—whether that's religious life or family life—is your capacity to be a man or woman of communion.

This applies directly to mission, too. We can be obsessed with mission at the cost of communion… and that's when your mission will dry up because it's no longer connected to the vine.

So what does it mean to be a man or woman of communion? What does a life like that look like? We get into all of it in this conversation.

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!

Discipleship Is a Team Sport May 19, 2021

Show notes

Now with video! WATCH the podcast on Spirit Juice's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4Hg26S_bDo

Episode 57 - Discipleship Is a Team Sport

Discipleship is a team sport. Family—both through our natural families, and our supernatural family through baptism—and communion with others is an essential ingredient to the Christian life.

Not that it will be easy… it won't be. It is simple, but not easy. An encounter with family lived well is redeeming not because it's perfect, but because there's love and sacrifice in the midst of the mess. That's where healing is, especially if your experience of family has been painful in some way.

And truly, if the mention of "family" is painful for you, know this: God wants to break through and redeem that. The bond through baptism is real and deep—this family is not second best; not a consolation prize. Blood is thicker than water, but grace is thicker than blood.

"Lord, help me to see today how you're going to reveal yourself in my family."

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!

Jesus, look at my heart. May 12, 2021

Show notes

Now with VIDEO! Watch this episode on Spirit Juice's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FteWNKQD8wM

Episode 56 - Jesus, Look At My Heart

It's key to commit to prayer; to schedule it and keep honor it through intention and discipline. But, then, how do we maintain prayer as an intimate relationship and not let it become a routine?

The answer to one question: where's your heart in it?

Going through the motions to get it done is not the point. You know… when you finish your prayer time, look up, and think what just happened? It's better, even, to do less with a whole heart than to try to do more while totally disconnected.

Even if you're not in a good place to pray—tired, hungry, whatever—be honest about that and bring that to prayer. Because just like you can tell when somebody's totally checked out of a conversation (nodding, "uh huh, yup"), the Lord knows our hearts. He can tell. Talk to him instead about why you're distracted or angry or not in it; that's where he wants to be.

Simply be still, and with your whole heart, say "Jesus, look at my heart."

You'll Be Glad You Prayed May 05, 2021

Show notes

Now with VIDEO! Watch this episode on Spirit Juice's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbgj8IU-ogg.

Episode 55 - You'll Be Glad You Prayed

Do you know anybody who wants to work out *every* time? Unlikely. But nobody who gets in that workout says afterwards, "That was a waste of time. Why'd I bother?"

Even more with prayer. When you take the time, it's always, "I'm so glad I did that."

Eternal perspective changes how you use your time. What are we made for? To live forever. Our decisions now have an effect on that. We're made to be fully alive starting now.

When you grow in prayer, your heart grows in capacity. And you take that capacity—an expansive heart with deep desires—with you to heaven. Let God expand your heart.

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/pocoapoco. Thank you!

We're Not Kids Anymore Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

Episode 54 - We're Not Kids Anymore

You crave conversion and real change; to receive the healing and hope that God wants to give you. How does that lasting, long-term change happen?

It happens when we accept some truth or let go of some lie. Each step forms our will, either strengthening it or weakening it. And the stronger our will, the more we'll be able to choose the good even when it's hard and resist the evil even when it's tempting.

This change can start in an instant, but the long-term forming of the will happens slowly, over time and over many, many choices — choices that might seem small, but matter. Deeply.

Because we're not kids anymore. Choices have consequences and all those moments make up the battle for our hearts and our minds. Our lives. This is it!

This podcast is possible because of generous supporters like you. Interested in helping us? Go to https://www.spiritjuice.org/pocoapoco/

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