Cup o' Joe

Joseph Zenk

Thoughts on the Gospels and Catholic Life w/ lay pastoral leader Joe Zenk

  1. 2025-06-03

    The End is the Beginning

    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

  2. 2025-05-29

    The Baton is Passed

    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

  3. 2025-05-23

    The Dance

    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

    31 min

  4. 2025-05-16

    Finding What Is Ours To Do

    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

    28 min

  5. 2025-05-09

    We Have to Hear Differently

    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

    31 min

  6. 2025-05-02

    We Have to See Differently

    The Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Easter - John 21:1-19 Yes, this title could easily have been The Reclamation of Peter.  Because really, that's what it's about.  And, of course, if it's about him, it is also about all of us.  Jesus, using Peter, has something to teach us all.  But there's something tucked within the story that can easily be missed if we are not paying attention.  And that something is too important to let slide.  The disciples, post-resurrection, had to learn to see Jesus differently.  He didn't look like he used to.  If that was true for them then, it's true for us now too.  And if we miss this, we may miss Him.   As we move toward the end of this podcast run (w/ the last episode posting June 6), once again I can't thank you all enough for the feedback that you have given.  I'm humbled as to where this has been taken and my prayer is that this Word that we uncover every week finds a lasting home within each and every one of us.  Have a question or comment?  Shoot me an email at pdjoezenk@gmail.com

    31 min

  7. 2025-04-25

    The Reclamation of Thomas

    Readings for Divine Mercy Sunday - Acts 5:12-16;  John 20:19-31 How would it feel to you to go around for the rest of your life with an adjective attached to your name that seemed to denigrate you?  I don't think any of us would like that.  And yet we still refer to Thomas as Doubting Thomas.  But really, Thomas wasn't a bad guy at all.  He had courage.  And more importantly, he knew what he needed to grow in his faith of the Risen Christ.  Can we say the same about us?  What is it we need today in order for our faith in this incredible miracle to grow? As we move through this Easter Octave and season, we keep Pope Francis and the upcoming conclave in our prayers.  May those involved in the conclave open their hearts minds, ears and eyes to the presence and invitation of the Spirit in their selection.  And thank you to all of you for continuing to listen to and share this podcast.  I'm incredibly humbled.  Have a question or comment?  I can be reached at pdjoezenk@gmail.com

    28 min

  8. 2025-04-17

    Christ Is Risen...

    Readings for the Easter Vigil - Romans 6:3-11; Luke 24:1-12 We celebrate the culmination of the Life of Jesus of Nazareth and our own hope this day.  The stone has been rolled away!  The tomb is empty.  We are invited to look in and, like Peter before us, we are amazed!  But what, exactly, does this day mean to and for us?  How are our lives different because of it?   Special thanks to all of those who have helped make this podcast a reality - and even more so, thank you to all of you who continue to listen, share and rate it.  I'm humbled and grateful for your presence.  Have a question or a comment?  Send them my way at pdjoezenk@gmail.com  Happy Easter!

    29 min
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About

Thoughts on the Gospels and Catholic Life w/ lay pastoral leader Joe Zenk

Information

  • Creator
    Joseph Zenk
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    723
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Cup o' Joe