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

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!

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!

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."

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!

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/

Episode 53 - You Are Not an Outsider We're all really interested in what God can do for us; the healing, the restoration, the gifts of the Father. Are we as interested in committing to the long-term relationship that allows us to receive all of that? It's all too easy to spend the inheritance while overlooking the relationship. As sons and daughters of God, we're meant to live from the inside of Jesus' heart. Not as outsiders or coworkers or bystanders, but within, where we can experience being known and seen and loved by the Father. That's discipleship. Because life is demanding, and the only thing that makes your vocation and your ministry sustainable is through a receiving relationship with the Father. That relationship transforms you into an instrument of God. Without that relationship, it's just too hard. Be courageous in making time for prayer, for the Word of God — making time for the beloved. This podcast is possible because of generous supporters like you. Interested in helping us? Go to https://www.spiritjuice.org/pocoapoco/

Episode 52 - The Rich Man Who Didn't Turn St Francis is the rich young man who didn't turn away sad. God invited St Francis, and his response was even more than his heart burning for the Lord — he was consumed. There was no going back. He became more like Jesus, but without being less like Francis. He became more like Francis; not losing himself in God, but finding himself in God. The unique man that he is in the eyes of the Father, not just repeating the works of other saints. Our hearts have such a capacity that we want more and more… which means that at some point, you leave behind some lesser goods. You develop a taste for a love that's greater, and that's a good thing. Francis didn't settle for anything less — and neither should you. This podcast is possible because of generous supporters like you. Interested in helping us? Go to https://www.spiritjuice.org/pocoapoco/

Episode 51 - God Is Looking for You We have a God who's always on the move, always pursuing. In our busyness, we're distracted — we miss things. We miss people. But God is constantly seeking, constantly encountering what is broken, and seeing the wholeness. Christianity is different: it's about God becoming Man and coming to us. He's looking for you. Let yourself be found. For the next few episodes, we're focusing on Habits for Holiness, a new book written by our own Fr Mark-Mary. You can find it at ascensionpress.com/habits The Poco a Poco podcast is possible because of generous donors like you. Become a monthly benefactor at https://www.spiritjuice.org/pocoapoco/ We now have video! Watch this full episode on facebook.com/spiritjuice, instagram.com/spiritjuice, youtube.com/c/SpiritJuice.

Jesus has a wounded human heart; he allowed himself to be fully wounded this way. If it had only been his hands or feet, he would've survived. How do we allow ourselves to be wounded for him? My sacrifices thus far are survivable. I could still be intact on my own. He gave us everything; we can't turn back. Evangelical chastity is the full, total gift of your heart, which is set on fire with love for God and for one another. Jesus teaches us a new way to love on the cross — one that lines up with our desires. We want to love differently, but we're tempted to settle. There's a real fear in getting our hopes up. The Father wants you to get your hopes up. Set your hopes high for intimacy — for the union and the love that is possible. If you can, donations to support the Poco a Poco podcast now gratefully accepted at spiritjuice.org/pocoapoco

Obedience isn't something being snatched from you; it's about willingly offering the gift of your freedom. It comes from great humility, a bold statement that "I'm not in charge of my life. I'm not God." It's recognizing that we don't have all the answers, and God really knows what is best for us. So wherever Jesus is, wherever he's leading you: go there. Stay there. Choose to go there... don't get dragged! Don't back off, don't fill it with other things. Stay focused on him on the cross. We're so grateful to be able to connect with you. If you're able, consider making a donation to this podcast and community at spiritjuice.org/pocoapoco