Podcast

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and MartyrJn 12:24-26Jesus said to his disciples:"Amen, amen, I say to you,unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,it remains just a grain of wheat;but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”

Only a few weeks ago, we all listened to the reports of the devastation and suffering caused by hurricane Ian, particularly in Florida. Personally, I still vividly remember that in late September 2009 the Philippines suffered a “double-hit” of two back-to-back typhoons. Typhoon Ondoy dumped the equivalent of over one month’s rainfall on Manila and the surrounding areas in less than 24 hours. The situation was urgent.

Tuesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary TimeLK 11:37-41 The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees!Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,inside you are filled with plunder and evil."

Today’s Gospel from Saint Luke narrates the merciful action of Jesus in curing ten lepers. Certainly, to be healed of such a horrible affliction is a great gift, flowing from Jesus’ compassion. Surprisingly, only one returns to express his gratitude to Jesus. Thus, Jesus asks: “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” And, as Saint Luke notes: “He was a Samaritan.”

In this episode we are joined by Orbis Books Author, Jim Forest. Jim takes us through his early years that inspired his writing, from childhood to his time in the United States Military and into his lifelong work as an activist for peace. He reflects on his call to christianity, his time working with Dorothy Day at the Catholic Worker and how he was first introduced and inspired by Daniel Berrigan.About Jim ForestJim Forest is an internationally renowned peacemaker and spiritual writer. His many books include biographies of Dorothy Day (All is Grace) and Thomas Merton (Living with Wisdom). His most recent book is The Root of War Is Fear: Thomas Merton’s Advice to Peacemakers. He lives in Alkmaar, the Netherlands.Join Jim on the new Orbis Book Club Facebook Group. When you join, all book club members will receive 35% off At Play in the Lions' Den: A Biography and memoire of Daniel Berrigan.

Today’s second reading comes from Saint Paul’s second letter to Timothy. Its opening chapter contains much practical inspiration for all Christians on the theme of mission; it describes the gift of the missionary vocation and provides specific advice on how to actively engage in mission.

Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary TimeLK 9:46-50Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.”Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

All of us are quite familiar with today’s Gospel from Saint Luke (16:19-31) which narrates the parable of the poor man Lazarus lying at gate of the rich man Dives. We also hear it proclaimed every year on Thursday of the second week of Lent. The parable actually illustrates that our attitude to our needy neighbor is actually our attitude to God himself

Today, we’re joined in the studio by award winning Author and recent speaker at Maryknoll, Jana Laiz.As you will hear in this interview, Jana’s mission is to change the world, one book at a time. You will hear how the topics she is so passionate about such as climate change, the global refugee crisis, equal rights are woven into her stories; stories that are not only take her readers on a captivating journey, but also speak to critical issues of our time… You may even learn a thing or two about faeries.More About Jana LaizFascinated by other cultures, Jana studied anthropology and Chinese language at University. She is a teacher, a writer, an editor, a mom, an animal lover, a sea glass collector, a musician and a dreamer.She is passionate about our beautiful planet and endeavors to make a difference in the world and to work with others who feel the same.Jana is the very first Writer-In-Residence at Herman Melville's beloved Arrowhead where she is working on a new novel. She lives in a 205-year-old farmhouse in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts. Episode Notes:Learn more about Jana: JanaLaiz.comFind her on Facebook: facebook.com/authorjana/Discover her books on Amazon by entering Jana Laizhttp://berkshirehistory.org/

Today’s first reading is taken from the prophet Amos, known as the “prophet of social justice.” He warns against anyone who “tramples upon the needy and destroys the poor.” The Church continues to challenge us to make a clear “preferential option for the poor.” This is more than just a nice-sounding phrase or a clever play on words. Today we seek to understand this important dimension of living our Christian faith.

Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the ChurchLk 7:11-17Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,"A great prophet has arisen in our midst,"and "God has visited his people.”

Pope Francis is truly a “pope of mercy”; he has focused the Church’s attention on the theme of mercy and the poor. His document, Misericordiae Vultus (MV) (The Face of Mercy), proclaimed an entire year of mercy, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the close of Vatican II (1962-1965). Francis says: “We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace…. Mercy [is] the bridge that connects God and man” (MV 2).

In Episode 2 of Among The People, Father John Dear joins us to discuss how he has committed his life to promoting world peace, social justice, non-violence and awareness to the extreme dangers we face with climate change. His empowering message will motivate you to deeply consider your personal role in ending violence, racism and poverty as he shares his own accounts of non-violent activism, incarceration, protest and putting himself in harm’s way for the promotion of peace and justice. “To be a Christian, is to be a person of non-violence. Which means to be a christian you cannot have anything to do with war, racism, greed, nuclear weapons, environmental destruction … you have to be continuing Jesus’ life of revolutionary non-violence.”His profound stories range from hitch-hiking through war ravaged Lebanon, where from the Sea of Galilee he witnessed Israeli bombs drop upon the place where Jesus spoke. Father Dear goes on to share his reflections from his life-long work that has taken him around the world, from the most dangerous war-zones to the streets of the largest cities, spreading his message in protest to violence and social injustice. Father Dear is an author and sought after lecturer on the topics of peace, disarmament and nonviolence throughout the United States, and around the world, including national speaking tours of England, Australia and New Zealand.Father Dear has received several peace awards, including the 2010 Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award and has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize. In January 2008 he was nominated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and with Leo Rebello in 2015.Today, Father Dear lives completely off the grid on a remote mountain top in the desert, but continues his busy schedule of education people on the necessity of creating a new culture of peace throughout the world. “We all have to become activists, we all need to stand in opposition to the culture of war.”

Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, PriestLK 6:39-42"Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?How can you say to your brother,‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?”

Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary TimeLK 6:20-26Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:“Blessed are you who are poor,for the Kingdom of God is yours.Blessed are you who are now hungry,for you will be satisfied.Blessed are you who are now weeping,for you will laugh…"