Cup o' Joe

Readings for the Feast of Pentecost - Acts 2:1-11;  Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13;  John 20:19-23 And so, my friends, we have reached the end.  The end of the podcast only.  For it is only the beginning for what lies ahead.  Today is the great feast of the fusion of God's spirit and humanity - and this spirit which enflames and unifies us, invites us to be authentic to who we are created in God.  And that authentic person cannot be hidden within an upper room behind locked doors or hidden under a bushel basket.  It must be a light for all to see - that they may give glory to God and hear of the mighty acts of God.  That's the baton that we have been given.  It's our turn - but never on our own.  We are all one and we walk together.  Everyone.   I can't thank you all enough for your support these past many years.  I never in my life imagined that I would do 723 episodes of this podcast nor that it would go around the globe in the way that it has.  I know that this is a long episode - but there were many people that I wanted and needed to recognize.  Forgive me if there were any of you that I failed to mention.  Let your light shine, my friends.  Be the sacrament of Jesus.  Be the authentic one that our God made you to be.  Speak your language for others will hear and understand. Have a question or comment?  Last chance.  I can be reached at pdjoezenk@gmail.com

Readings for the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord - Acts 1:1-11;  Luke 24:46-53 We know the story.  We've heard it dozens of times.  And we know that it ends up ok in the end.  But what about when we apply it to our lives?  What about those moments of anxiety when we are given the keys?  Or the job training is done and we are now expected to know how to do a task?  Or a child is born and is lying in our arms and we haven't the slightest idea what to do next?  There you go.  Now you understand this feast on a deeper level.  You take the next step in trepidation, anxiety, trust and hope.  That sounds about right.  We don't just watch this one from the sidelines.  We are witnesses of these things. And then there was one...one last podcast to go next week on the Feast of Pentecost.  I can't thank you all enough for listening these many years or these 1-2 times that you have.  Either way, I'm humbled.  I hope to do my thanks next week - but in the meantime, thank you all for sharing this, trusting me and living it in whatever way God invited and invites you.  That's the best.  Final question or comment?  I can be reached at pdjoezenk@gmail.com

Readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter - Acts 15:1-2, 22-29;  Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23;  John 14:23-29 Let's be clear - being a follower of Jesus Christ is not for the weak of heart.  Not just because it could lead to being ostracized or having to make difficult decisions, although both can be true.  Rather, I speak of the gray cloud of unknowing.  Those times when we are uncertain what the right decision is and we are hesitant to step out in faith.  It would be much easier if someone (the Church?  God?  Our spouse?) would simply tell us what to do.  We don't have to engage - we just do as we are told.  But that's not the life of faith to which we are called.  We are invited into a dance w/ the Holy Spirit.  And the Church.  And our loved ones.  And we are never settled.  That ground continually shifts.   The end draws nearer - two more episodes to go.  We will wrap up this podcast on the Feast of Pentecost after over five years and 720 episodes.  Thank you to all of you for your support, your trust and your presence.  I'm humbled and honored.  Have a question or a comment?  As always, I can be reached at pdjoezenk@gmail.com

Readings for the Fifth Sunday of the Easter Season - Acts 14:21-27;  Revelation 21:1-5a;  John 13:31-33a, 34-35 The readings this weekend not only were too good to set one aside, but they all fit together so well.  In the Gospel, Jesus gives us a new commandment - but it's not like a lot of the old one.  Those were pretty cut and dry.  This new one contains a lot of room for interpretation.  Love one another as I have loved you.  What, exactly, does that mean for me right now, here today?  I'm not sure that I can answer that well - but I do use and example from the past to give one interpretation of what that love can look like.   As this podcast winds down to its final show on Pentecost Sunday, once again I thank all of those who helped make it possible.  But mostly, I thank all of you for continuing to listen and share it.  I'm humbled and honored to walk this journey with you.  Do you have a question or a comment?  I can be reached at pdjoezenk@gmail.com

Readings for the Fourth Sunday in Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday) - Acts 13:14, 43-52;  John 10:27-30 While last week's readings invited us to see differently, this week's readings (on this Good Shepherd Sunday) invite us to hear differently.  Jesus says that His sheep hear his voice and follow him.  Assuming that is still true today, where are those instances that we hear the voice of Jesus?  And how do we carve out a place in the whirlwind to make room not only for the voice of God, but gaining the courage to go where He invites us? As this podcast winds down on its five-year run, you will see me (and hopefully hear me!) thank many people in the coming weeks.  I sincerely hope that I don't leave anyone out.  But as always, I wish to thank you - the listener - for inspiring me and making this such a joy.  I'm humbled by your presence.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at pdjoezenk@gmail.com