Fire on the Mountain

Fr-David Dodd
  • 5.0 (19)
  • SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Welcome to the Fire on the Mountain Podcast, a show where we talk about how to stir into flame our God-given potential and spread that flame of renewal to those around us, being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit in order to become agents of transformation in the world around us. Please like and follow Email me at firemountainpodcast@gmail.com

  1. Where the Dove Rests: Meek

    50M AGO

    Where the Dove Rests: Meek

    What if meekness isn’t weakness—but the moment we stop needing to be right? Jesus doesn’t bless those who dominate, out-argue, or control the Church.If He did, He would have come down from the Cross. Instead, He stayed. In this episode of Where the Dove Rests, we explore why meekness is not passivity, but strength that has passed through poverty of spirit, mourning, and trust in the Father. Drawing from Psalm 37, the Passion narrative, and the Beatitudes, we confront how the loss of meekness—through politicking, liturgical tribalism, and the need to win—creates real scandal and quietly blocks access to Jesus. Truth doesn’t need domination to survive.When the Church forgets this, people stop approaching Christ.When meekness returns, the Dove rests—and Jesus becomes visible again.

    22 min
  2. The Tail will Tell: Why Some 'Good' Thoughts are Killing you

    3D AGO

    The Tail will Tell: Why Some 'Good' Thoughts are Killing you

    What if the most dangerous lies in your life didn’t look like lies at all? From the garden of Book of Genesis to the wilderness in Gospel of Matthew, and finally to the fire of Acts of the Apostles 28, Scripture reveals a consistent pattern: the enemy rarely begins with obvious evil. He begins with something reasonable. Attractive. Even spiritual. But as Ignatius of Loyola teaches, you must examine the tail. Where does that thought lead?What does it produce?Peace — or disturbance?Trust — or suspicion?Freedom — or shame? In this episode, we trace the arc of spiritual maturity: In Eden, humanity listens to the whisper. In the wilderness, Jesus answers with the Word. On Malta, Paul shakes the serpent into the fire. You’ll learn how to: Discern the movement of a lie before it forms you Recognize when something that “sounds good” ends in poison Break agreement with accusation Stand on what is written And shake off what does not belong You were formed by breath.Anchored by the Word.Refined by fire. The serpent’s head may look appealing.But the tail will tell.

    24 min
  3. Where the Dove Rests: Mourning

    6D AGO

    Where the Dove Rests: Mourning

    You don’t lack compassion — you’re just emotionally exhausted from feeling it for everyone except the person in front of you. We live in an age of constant exposure to suffering. Headlines, tragedies, outrage, and crisis stream past us all day long. And without realizing it, something happens inside: we go numb. Then indifference grows. Jesus shows us a different way. In Matthew 9:36, He doesn’t carry abstract, global compassion. He has specific compassion for the people in front of Him — the kind that can actually turn into action. This is the heart of the second Beatitude: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matt 5:4) Mourning is not mere sadness. It is the soft, contrite, responsive heart that refuses to go numb. It is the interior condition where the Holy Spirit — the dove — can rest. But there’s a key that unlocks this: personal contrition. Drawing from Catechism 1431 and 2 Corinthians 1:3–4, this episode explores how repentance re-sensitizes the heart, how God’s comfort flows through us to others, and why compassion without action turns inward and becomes bitterness. Why constant exposure to suffering creates compassion fatigue The difference between abstract compassion and actionable mercy Jesus’ compassion in Matthew 9:36 The Beatitude of mourning as an interior posture, not an emotion Catechism 1431: contrition as a grace that softens the heart 2 Corinthians 1: how God comforts us so we can comfort others How repentance reopens the heart to both God and people Why the Holy Spirit rests in a contrite, responsive heart Matthew 5:4 Matthew 9:36 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 When compassion has nowhere to go, it rots.When it flows toward the person in front of you, it becomes mercy.And mercy is where the Holy Spirit rests. Where have you started to feel numb toward others’ pain? Is your compassion mostly digital and abstract, or personal and actionable? What might God be inviting you to repent of so your heart can soften again? Who is “in front of you” this week that you can show real mercy to? Ask the Lord for the grace of contrition — not shame, but a softened heart — and for the comfort that only He can give, so that His comfort can flow through you to someone else.

    19 min
  4. Where the Dove Rests: Poverty

    FEB 10

    Where the Dove Rests: Poverty

    In this conversation, Fr. David introduces a new series focused on the Beatitudes, exploring their deeper meanings and implications for living a life aligned with the teachings of Jesus. He emphasizes the importance of spiritual poverty and dependence on God, illustrating how these attitudes create a welcoming space for the Holy Spirit in our lives. The discussion includes practical applications of the Beatitudes, encouraging listeners to embrace a mindset of surrender and trust in God's provision. Takeaways The Beatitudes are not just moral teachings but attitudes that draw the Holy Spirit. Being poor in spirit means total dependence on the Father. Jesus exemplifies spiritual poverty by choosing to live without control or security. The first Beatitude opens the door to embodying all others. Living out the Beatitudes requires letting go of self-reliance. Heaven supports those who surrender control to God. The upside-down kingdom of God values dependence over control. Obedience often comes before understanding or feeling ready. Practicing surrender can lead to a deeper relationship with God. The Holy Spirit rests where there is trust and surrender. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Beatitudes 04:20 Understanding Spiritual Poverty 10:59 Living Out the Beatitudes 17:54 Practical Applications of the Beatitudes

    18 min

  5. FEB 7

    “Salty Speech, Squinty Light, and a United Church”

    In this episode, we explore the profound teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on the metaphors of salt and light. Jesus emphasizes the transformative power of these elements in the life of a Christian and the responsibility that comes with being a disciple. Through various examples, we will see how Jesus embodies these qualities and challenges us to reflect on our own lives and speech, encouraging unity and forgiveness Takeaways The Sermon on the Mount calls us to live a life of discipleship. Salt preserves, purifies, and gives flavor, just as Jesus does in our lives. Our speech should be seasoned with salt, making others thirsty for Jesus. Unity among Christians is essential for attracting others to the faith. The light of Christ exposes our flaws but also offers healing. We must step into the light to be transformed and become light ourselves. Jesus desires mercy over sacrifice, emphasizing compassion over legalism. The world is looking for authentic expressions of faith and unity. Forgiveness is key to maintaining unity in a divided world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Embracing the Cold and Light 02:56 The Salt of the Earth: Understanding Jesus' Teachings 05:48 Purification and Preservation: The Role of Salt 09:07 The Flavor of Life: Joy and Abundance in Christ 12:05 The Light of the World: Our Responsibility as Christians 15:01 The Challenge of the Light: Reactions to Jesus 17:54 Unity in the Light: The Call to Forgiveness 20:55 The Invitation to Step into the Light 23:47 Conclusion: Living as Salt and Light in the World

    35 min

  6. JAN 25

    Encounter Transformation Night: The Power of Shalom

    Talk given at Encounter School of Ministry in Fairfield Connecticut. What if peace isn’t the absence of storms, but the restoration of order within them? In this talk, we follow Jesus from calming the storm (Matthew 8), to forming new wineskins (Matthew 9), to commissioning His disciples (Matthew 10), and finally speaking “Peace” to wounded hearts after the Resurrection (John 20). With insights from Saints Augustine and John Chrysostom, we discover that peace comes before power, healing before mission, and interior order before lasting fruit. This talk invites you to receive Christ’s shalom, let Him heal your fears, and carry His peace into the world.

    58 min
  7. Spirit on Dry Ground: Joseph's Faith Forests the Kingdom

    12/18/2025

    Spirit on Dry Ground: Joseph's Faith Forests the Kingdom

    In the Advent Kingdom Hearts series finale, witness faith transform Isaiah's dry wilderness into Spirit-filled forests (32:15)—through St. Joseph's bold "option" of naming Jesus amid mystery (Mt 1:18-25), St. Seraphim's call to acquire the Holy Spirit for infinite grace, and Bezalel's sacred building (Heb 11:3). Surrender control, offer load-bearing trust, and plant oaks of righteousness (Is 61:3). Will you stand in the unseen to build God's Kingdom? Come, Lord Jesus.

    35 min
  8. Advent Joy Loud and Near

    12/14/2025

    Advent Joy Loud and Near

    What if joy isn’t something we have to manufacture, but something we recognize? On this Gaudete Sunday episode, we explore how joy consistently follows Jesus wherever healing and restoration break in. Through the Advent readings, we learn how to spot the signs of God’s Kingdom already at work—in justice, healing, patient hope, and everyday grace. This conversation invites us to notice what God is doing, celebrate it together, and spread joy the best way possible: by rejoicing with one another, because when one member rejoices, we all do.

    40 min
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About

Welcome to the Fire on the Mountain Podcast, a show where we talk about how to stir into flame our God-given potential and spread that flame of renewal to those around us, being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit in order to become agents of transformation in the world around us. Please like and follow Email me at firemountainpodcast@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Fr-David Dodd
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    128
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Fr-David Dodd
  • Show Website
    Fire on the Mountain

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