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PODCAST · religion

Juan Point at a Time

by Juan P Ruiz

I am a Jesuit priest in the Roman Catholic Church. This podcast is a collection of my best homilies thus far... plus some of the rest. (Feel free to be the judge of that.) My focus is often on spiritual insights that are gleaned from the readings or the occasion being celebrated. May it bring some reprieve and encouragement for the journey. :D

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Episodes

  1. Practicing an Open Heart to Feedback

    The prophets were challenging and our own response to those who challenge us prepares us for better or worse depending on how we practice responding.

  2. Questions for God - Obstacles or Openings?

    When God calls us to something big, we usually have lots of questions. Is that a problem? This homily was given during a discernment retreat for the Society of Jesus. Lk 1:24-38

  3. Learning Humility

    Luke 14:1, 7-14

  4. Give it the College Try

    Mt 25:14-30

  5. Who would you say that he is?

    Jesus is ascribed contemporary titles from ancient times… what titles might be applied today? And would you call him friend? Mt 16:13-23

  6. A Vision of the Cross from Heaven

    In the Gospel reading on the feast of the transfiguration, Luke invites us to see the suffering, passion, and death of Christ from the perspective of heaven.

  7. Woes to Freedom

    As always, Jesus wants us to avoid spiritual traps and see ourselves through the eyes of God our Father... especially when he's naming one woe after another! Luke 6:20-26

  8. Lie #22 of the Evil Spirit - If I don't defend my faith in public, I'm a bad Catholic.

    It is not uncommon to hear disparaging remarks about the Catholic faith and tradition today. Sometimes that creates a space for the evil spirit to get under our skin a bit. Year C - Ordinary Time - Week 3 Lk 4:14-21

  9. Sharing the Graces God Gives Us

    Sometimes we keep ideas or graces that might have come from God to ourselves out of fear, but as always, God's invitation is not to fear.

  10. Embracing the Messiness

    God chose to enter straight into the world, straight into the messiness of our lives. Christmas Vigil Mass

  11. The Yoke Made Easier

    One of the many ways we sometimes make a burden of life is presuming God is punishing us for some past transgression, when perhaps that is not a helpful question to even ask. Mt 11: 28-30

  12. Hiding from Forgiveness

    JBap is out preaching to himself and to others the same message, "Make way for the Lord." Year C - Advent - Week 2

  13. Liturgical New Year's Resolutions

    Boy, what a confusing title for this episode, but it's accurate. The new liturgical year begins with readings that call to mind the Last Judgment. It is an invitation to make resolutions from a different perspective than usual... Year C - Advent - Week 1

  14. Pausing for Peace

    Jesus sees the Israelites are pursuing peace where it will not be found and weeps for them. If only they had paused and noticed his visitation, they might have avoided a lot of tragedy. Lk 19:41-44

  15. Marriage is meant to Soften our Hearts

    As always, God is on our side. In today's Gospel, Jesus addresses the tough topic of divorce and has some encouraging words about what we should expect marriage to do for us. Year B - Ordinary Time - Week 27

  16. Not Shutting Down God

    If we shut God down when the needs seem overwhelming, the story ends early. Year B - Ordinary Time - Week 17

  17. When time seems too short

    What does Christ prioritize when time feels too short? Year B - Ordinary Time - Week 13

  18. False Prophets exist, but God and goodness will not fail us

    False prophets exist and will catch us at times, but recovery is always possible. Year 2 - Ordinary Time - Week 12 - Tuesday

  19. Hitting Below the Belt

    Once again, Jesus is giving some practical advice and helps to hoping when we hit or get hit "below the belt." Ordinary Time - Week 12 - Tuesday

  20. No-Win Scenarios

    Sometimes the evil spirit presents us with no-win scenarios, that turns out are not no-win scenarios when Jesus enters the story.

  21. We Know the Way

    When the future seems very unclear, it doesn’t mean that today we need feel lost. (Easter - Week 4 - Friday)

  22. Entering into the Wilderness

    This homily was given at a mass where a major relic of Saint Jean de Brébeuf was present which is why the homily has so much to do with him.

  23. Of course I will it. Be healed.

    One can sometimes doubt if Jesus desires our spiritual healing, but it is more likely that he is inviting us to take another step.

  24. Attitudes That Harm Us

    Jesus confronts an unclean spirit in today's Gospel, one which he easily casts out and a sort of spirit which each of us might need to be liberated from as well.

  25. A Cameo Worth Noting

    The prophetess Anna makes a cameo in today's Gospel and her history can prove a valuable, though simple, lesson.

  26. How to Grow in Wisdom

    You know wisdom when you see it, but how do we grow in it? Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 32

  27. What is My Price of Admission?

    Without even realizing it, we may sometimes be charging Christ a price of admission into our hearts. And there's a simple question way to figure out what that price might be. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 31 - Thursday

  28. Preparing a Room for the Guest

    Jesus invites us to develop routines that keep us open to his Spirit and remain faithful to them. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 29 - Tuesday

  29. A Litmus Test for our Relationship with God

    Jesus opens the eyes of the Pharisees in today's readings with a litmus test that we can apply to our own lives. Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 30

  30. North American Martyrs sacrificing for the sake of the Gospel

    Today is a memorial of 8 Jesuits who were martyred in North America and their witness can still be a model for us today, even in a context which lacks the violence of their time. Memorial of the North American Martyrs

  31. Start Praying Right Where You Find Yourself... and Don't Stop

    Today's reading offers some suggestions from Jesus on prayer. Ordinary Time - Week 27 - Thursday

  32. Christ has resolutely set himself on our hearts

    Jerusalem is a city, but also a symbol. Luke is well aware of what he is doing when writes that Christ determined to go there. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 26 - Tuesday

  33. Lord, I am not worthy you should enter under my roof.

    Unworthiness can be a rather distasteful concept in popular culture, but they are valued within our Christian tradition. So much so that we repeat it every mass... Why? Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 24 - Monday

  34. God sees us first

    Today's Gospel is about an encounter between Philip, Jesus, and Nathaniel. As always, God takes the lead. Feast of Saint Bartholomew

  35. Decide in neither Desolation nor Jubilation

    Saint Ignatius offers guidelines for the discernment of spirits in his spiritual writings. If I could add one thing with confidence thus far, it would be the simple reminder in this homily. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 17 - Saturday

  36. Two Criteria for Companions on our Spiritual Journeys

    This homily was given to high school freshman at the end of their orientation. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 17 - Friday

  37. Accepting as God does

    We can easily get lulled into one extreme or another when it comes to accepting others. Jesus wants to free us to love others just as he has loved us. Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 13

  38. 3 Perspectives on Meaning in the Universe

    Jesus speaks with metaphor about how the body is illumined or darkened by what we believe to be out there in the world - and tracking how different worldviews perceive meaning can help us understand our own perspective. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 11 - Friday

  39. Telling Lies Telling Small Little Lies

    Sometimes we tell lies to avoid a storm, but it erodes our integrity and becomes self-defeating. Jesus gives us the best reason not to do so. Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 12

  40. Keep Holy Those Sacred Spaces

    Like an expectedly intense liturgist, Jesus unexpectedly draws our attention to sacred spaces. How much do I do to maintain my own? Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 08

  41. Get over thyself, my friend.

    Jesus points Peter three times beyond himself, and, Saint Philip Neri, who is celebrated on this memorial, is one example of what that can look like. Memorial of Saint Philip Neri Easter - Week 07 - Friday

  42. God has judged the world.

    God has judged the world and in response He gave his only Son. Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 09

  43. Jesus had to leave.

    Jesus didn't want us creating more division or setting ourselves against each other, that's why he had to leave. The unity Jesus wants is Catholic, universal. Solemnity of the Ascension

  44. Judas Sullied What Jesus Washed

    Jesus teaches us a small lesson on how to respond to those whose betrayal is pending. It is a small lesson to learn, but very difficult lesson to practice. Easter - Week 05 - Thursday

  45. Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and the Life

    Jesus refers to an often-heard and often-misunderstood or not-understood phrase in today's reading. This homily is a bit of unpacking of that phrase. Year A - Easter - Week 05

  46. We already know the Good Shepherd

    Jesus claims that the sheep know the voice of the good shepherd... So what is that good shepherd like? Easter - Week 04 - Sunday

  47. When God Seems Disguised

    People have difficulty recognizing Jesus after his resurrection. Is it because he wears disguises or they are missing something that has always been evident? Year A - Easter - Week 03

  48. What Thomas Sought

    What exactly did Thomas doubt and was the doubt the real issue? Easter - Week 02 - Divine Mercy Sunday

  49. A Missing Detail on Resurrection Sunday

    Who tells the story of the the salvation of the world? Easter Sunday

  50. The Messiness of Farewells

    Saying farewell well is always worth the trouble, even with the smallest things. And Jesus isn't bothered by the process in the least. Holy Week - Monday

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

I am a Jesuit priest in the Roman Catholic Church. This podcast is a collection of my best homilies thus far... plus some of the rest. (Feel free to be the judge of that.) My focus is often on spiritual insights that are gleaned from the readings or the occasion being celebrated. May it bring some reprieve and encouragement for the journey. :D

HOSTED BY

Juan P Ruiz

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Juan Point at a Time have?

Juan Point at a Time currently has 137 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Juan Point at a Time about?

I am a Jesuit priest in the Roman Catholic Church. This podcast is a collection of my best homilies thus far... plus some of the rest. (Feel free to be the judge of that.) My focus is often on spiritual insights that are gleaned from the readings or the occasion being celebrated. May it bring some...

How often does Juan Point at a Time release new episodes?

Juan Point at a Time publishes regularly with 137 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

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You can listen to Juan Point at a Time on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Juan Point at a Time?

Juan Point at a Time is created and hosted by Juan P Ruiz.
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