The Vine with Joe & Katie Devine
Welcome to "The Vine" with Joe and Katie Devine, where we embark on a journey through the twists and turns of life, love, and faith in our formative twenties. Join us as we candidly share our triumphs, trials, and everything in between, inviting you into our world of learning and growing together. Through heartfelt conversations, we navigate the complexities of marriage, relationships, and spirituality, reflecting on our missteps and milestones with humility and grace.
As branches of the same divine Vine, we embrace the power of community and the guidance of faith, aiming to inspire and uplift our listeners as we collectively journey toward greater understanding and connection. Welcome to a space where vulnerability meets wisdom and where, together, we discover the beauty of being intertwined in the vine of life.
The Vine with Joe & Katie Devine
Count the Fruit: August Gospel Reflections
August Sunday Gospels:
August 3rd - Luke 12: 13-21
August 10th - Luke 12: 32-48
August 17th - Luke 12: 49-53
August 24th - Luke 13: 22-30
August 31st - Luke 14: 1, 7-14
What does it mean to count the fruit in our spiritual lives? In this reflective episode, Katie and Joe dive deep into the August Gospels, uncovering a consistent theme that challenges comfortable Christianity. Together, they explore Jesus's urgent calls to readiness, proper prioritization, and genuine humility.
The conversation weaves through powerful parables – from the rich man building bigger barns to servants waiting for their master's return. "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" emerges as a guiding light through these reflections, prompting us to examine what we truly value. Katie and Joe vulnerably share their own struggles with these teachings, including their tendency to prioritize friends over strangers and their wrestling with expectations in relationships.
Between scriptural insights, the hosts share personal updates that ground their spiritual discussion in everyday reality. Katie opens up about pregnancy challenges and finding unexpected acceptance in her workout community, while Joe recounts driving 2,200 miles in a week and their ongoing battle with a delayed refrigerator delivery. These honest glimpses into their lives create a relatable backdrop for profound spiritual truths.
The episode culminates in a beautiful recitation of the Litany of Humility, a prayer that perfectly encapsulates the themes explored throughout their gospel reflections. By asking for deliverance from desires for esteem, love, and approval, the prayer invites listeners to join in a countercultural approach to faith – one that prioritizes heavenly treasures over earthly recognition.
Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding of August's liturgical readings or seeking authentic conversation about faith amid life's complexities, this episode offers both spiritual nourishment and genuine companionship on the journey. Subscribe now and continue counting the fruit alongside Katie and Joe.
An exclusive from Dery Media Podcasts. Explore diverse perspectives and enrich your knowledge at derymedia.com. Telling stories that matter, sparking meaningful discussions.
Hello peoples.
Speaker 2:Hello everyone.
Speaker 1:How's it going?
Speaker 2:Welcome back.
Speaker 1:Another Monday.
Speaker 2:Another Monday. That's our new recording schedule. We try to record every.
Speaker 1:Monday. Now we try Emphasis on try.
Speaker 2:Because we didn't do it last week.
Speaker 1:We did not.
Speaker 2:Oh, I was traveling though.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, we're here again for another Count the Fruit. Yeah, welcome back to the Vine.
Speaker 2:And Count the Fruit for August.
Speaker 1:I'm Katie.
Speaker 2:And I'm Joe and I'm Count the Fruit as well. I'm counting the fruit.
Speaker 1:We are both counting the fruit, indeed, and we invite you to count the fruit with us.
Speaker 2:Wow, look at how you spun that. Yes, I threw a curve ball at you.
Speaker 1:If you haven't already, look I'm sure maybe you probably have. If you have gone to mass, you have listened to the gospels, but we will have them in the description if you want to read through them before you count with us and reflect on this with us, that's right. We encourage you to do so. Love it, but let's get into August. But actually sorry, I did it again.
Speaker 2:I know you, just you always forget. I did it again.
Speaker 1:Let's not get into August quite yet. Let's talk about us.
Speaker 2:Talk about us. Actually, we need to talk about us. Want to talk about me? Talk about me. Want to talk about I Want to talk about this is a.
Speaker 1:We need to talk, Joe.
Speaker 2:Oh, good Live.
Speaker 1:In front of everyone. We need to hash it out.
Speaker 2:We have to hang more curtains.
Speaker 1:If no, our marriage will end.
Speaker 2:Shattered and broken.
Speaker 1:Okay, peaks and pits. So sorry, peaks and pits, let's do it.
Speaker 2:Okay. Go ahead, do it okay, go ahead, you go first, because I clearly forgot about it um, all right, peak, I would say uh, our fridge is finally going to get delivered on thursday.
Speaker 1:Um I don't think they know the story uh.
Speaker 2:So we moved into our new house, bought all our appliances from samsung because they give out these awesome nurse discounts and we just like. Yeah, and we like the way they look and everything. And then our fridge was supposed to be delivered the same day as our washer and dryer and then it just didn't show up. And then, consistently, I would be talking to people on the customer service line and they just no help, they would have no idea.
Speaker 1:They're like. I don't know. They're like yeah, we have no idea they're like yeah, we have no idea.
Speaker 2:And they're. They always say it's like I'm so sorry. They're like we know how important this fridge is to you and I'm like you don't like you.
Speaker 1:I, we need a fridge um, we've had a garage fridge. We have, we have.
Speaker 2:We've managed um, yeah, I would have gone crazy if we yeah, but we made it work and I would say that it getting delivered now on three weeks late, is.
Speaker 1:I think it's about a. It's close to a month. You're right, it's supposed to be the 25th of July, it's coming August 21st.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's crazy. That's so wild, yeah, so like three and a half weeks or whatever. We're angry at them. But we're getting our fridge, so I would say that that is a peak, and I would plus that with the um, just like having it feel more like home, like we have the curtains up and we have um, you know just, the house is starting to feel really, really like home, which is great we have more curtains to put up.
Speaker 2:I love that you I know I love that that that was the detail that you said to say it feels like home, which is great.
Speaker 1:We have more curtains to put up. I love that. You know, I love that that that was the detail that you said to say it feels like home because I hate putting them up, but they look nice when they're up.
Speaker 2:Um, and then my pit. I would say it was a busy week for me. Last week I drove in total probably I don't have to look at it, but probably close to 2200 miles last week and that was a lot of driving and I have no desire to drive ever again. But I'm going to do it again this week. So not 2200 miles, but drive again this week.
Speaker 1:So that's what you signed up for. I know, I know.
Speaker 2:But I would say that it honestly really wasn't that bad. And then driving home from Norfolk on Thursday and it was like a seven hour drive I just felt like I was just staring Like nothing.
Speaker 1:Okay my my pit. I feel like I'm double dipping in pits because I probably said this before, but it's just getting harder and harder every week. Last week was probably the hardest like physical week I've had, like I just of being pregnant of being pregnant. Yes, I just I still can't figure out what like my boundaries are, like I mentally feel all there and willing to do the things that I normally would do, and I can't, and I don't know that until I'm like in pain afterwards.
Speaker 1:So yeah it's been a big trial and error situation. But, um, last Monday I was in so much pain, we were also busy all day, and that was the day I decided to get up at five to go to a workout class what were we doing on Monday? We went to get our registration oh yeah, all these like side errands.
Speaker 2:That was the pit. Actually I would drive 2200 miles again, sitting at the dmv for two hours.
Speaker 1:That was the pit yeah, it was horrible and we were not planning to do all that in one day and I had gotten up early because I knew we had a busy day and I was trying to like work out. And I think that really set my body into a not good spot because then proceeded to have to be on my feet all day. Not only was I like sitting in that chair at the DMV for like two hours and so uncomfortable and like my muscles were spazzing, it was just like no, like I've never felt that way before. And then the next day at work, I worked half the day and everyone was so kind and let me go home because I was like I can't stand anymore, like I'm sweating talking to patients. So that was a big old pit, not fun. But we're doing better, we're learning, we're learning boundaries and limits and I'm not pushing myself. If you're wondering, peak, um, it was an awful week. No, peak. No, it was. It was a really good, quiet week and I think I really enjoyed that.
Speaker 1:Like I've literally had no desire to leave the house, possibly very rare I know, probably because I'm trying not to do too much in a day, but also just enjoy, like sitting in our space and like looking around and planning, like how we want to make the space more inviting, and like where more curtains can go up and where I can put shades up, make my husband miserable correct um, a very like quirky peak, also to do with working out.
Speaker 1:I went to my bar class this morning and I'm the kind of person that goes to like workout classes, just like not not looking to find friends. Yeah, I just go, I do my thing and I leave early sometimes and especially lately, and then this morning I like got there and it was just like it felt like a new era.
Speaker 2:A new era.
Speaker 1:Because everybody all of a sudden recognized me and considering that I've been fairly intimidated by these women, which is probably why I have no desire to like reach out and make friends. They're all like not much older than me, but older enough to where I'm like, oh, they're kind of cool, but like, yeah, they're all cool. Moms, they're all like not much older than me, but older enough to where I'm like, oh, they're kind of cool, but like yeah, they're all cool moms they're all cool moms.
Speaker 1:You know they live on augusta street, which if you know where that is in greenville, it's pretty fancy and I'm like I have nothing to relate to with them. So we, I just never bothered making a connection, but for some reason today everybody was like katie, like how are you? And I felt so seen, and like I felt like finally a part of the club, and I wonder if it's because I look kind of like a whale now what, that was not a good. That was not a good thing to say.
Speaker 2:You did tip over in the pool on Sunday. I did tip over.
Speaker 1:I've been feeling very well Like, and I feel like that was like my like baptism by fire, because I like. Now they feel like they appreciate me and like see, what does that have? To do with you looking like I'm pregnant and I don't know. I just feel like they respect me now because I'm going to these workout classes looking like a whale and they, they're like look at her go. We need to acknowledge her and you know it doesn't matter what the reason was, but I felt accepted into the community.
Speaker 2:You know, no one comes up to me when I go anywhere and they're like you're, so brave for helping your pregnant wife.
Speaker 1:They say that all the time and I don't even care. They're like wow, look at you, go.
Speaker 2:And I'm like yeah, like rubbing my belly, like look at me, go, I'm doing so well hard naps, second time yeah, you didn't take a nap today, no, but I mean, yeah, I think you've done a great job of keeping active. You really have all kidding aside the key is now.
Speaker 1:I realize it's just showing up and not. You know. Maybe I don't do everything that they're doing, but I'm there and that's all I need like mentally. So that was a silly little peak, but it made me happy and I felt very included.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Just because you're a whale, apparently that's the only reason they saw you.
Speaker 1:I know I qualify now.
Speaker 2:They're like we were all whales once. Yeah, they literally were All right. The first gospel of August.
Speaker 1:Yeah, let's get into the gospel reflections of August, which I don't know, if you feel this way, I feel like it was very much so about like vanity and like.
Speaker 2:Vanities of vanities.
Speaker 1:Yeah, about possessions and treasures and like paving the way to Jesus and repentance and baptisms and all that stuff.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think the overarching theme that I kind of took from it was who Jesus came here for, which is all of us. But how do you actually kind of I don't want to say join the party, but what are some of the rules in order to get into heaven? And these aren't like the rules in the way of the Ten Commandments, but more so what's the mindset of someone who gets into heaven? And I feel like that's kind of there's a lot of questions, I feel like about the afterlife and about where we're going and how to get there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure. So the first gospel. Do you want me to read it?
Speaker 2:yes, because my she's very worried about her mic falling. Um, all right. So the first gospel is luke 12, 13 through 21, and we I think we actually even referenced this gospel in our last podcast, but said someone in the crowd said to Jesus teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me. He replied to him friend who appointed me as your judge and arbiter? Then he said to the crowd take care to guard against all greed, for the one may be rich. One's life does not consist of possessions. Then he told them a parable. There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself what shall I do, for I do not have any space to store my harvest? And then he said this is what I shall do. I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There, I shall store my grain and other goods. And I shall say to myself now, as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years.
Speaker 1:Rest, love it. Yeah who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God Love it. Yeah, the differences in the different kind of treasures that we're speaking about.
Speaker 2:Treasure, that is my treasure. I was just going to say you got it.
Speaker 1:What are your first thoughts?
Speaker 2:The other theme that I think that goes through a lot of these gospels is what action is being taken, and I think the first line that I excuse me, not what action is is being taken, but that action is required.
Speaker 2:To be Christian like action is what makes us, that's what separates us, and I think you read what he says after he builds these barns, and builds these giant barns, he will say now, as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years. Rest, eat, drink and be merry. The whole idea and this is something that I struggle with a lot because I love being lazy can be Mary. The whole idea and this is something that I struggle with a lot because I love being lazy. The whole idea of what this guy is saying is I want to have all this stuff for now, so that I'm going to live the rest of my life with no friction, right, I'm not going to have to work, I'm not going to have to toil for anything, and I think that, again, when you thread it in with the other gospels, it's it's. That is not the mindset of a Christian, because we should always be working and taking action to grow closer to God.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I guess I took a different approach. I see where you're coming from and I like that, but what stood out to me is just this idea of wanting more than you need.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:And I highlighted I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. And I feel like we talked about this in that episode most recently, but about this desire to constantly, like dreaming means, to upgrade, get better, do more, do the next best thing. And he says I shall tear down my barns and I shall build larger ones, but why? So that you can then just be comfortable for the rest of your life.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Or then get there and then want more.
Speaker 2:Wait, sorry, say that again.
Speaker 1:I said, or then get there, get the larger barn, get comfortable, quote, unquote, and then still not be satisfied.
Speaker 2:Yeah Well, and I think that's again just this idea of what is driving your life right. What is giving you that satisfaction? And I also like that. Jesus is very confrontational in a lot of these Gospels.
Speaker 1:He's kind of blunt and a little bit scary Fire and brimstone yeah.
Speaker 2:But I think again. I think that's because my guess is you know what's the context. He's probably being asked by everyone all the time what do I need to do to get to heaven?
Speaker 1:And he's like it's not as easy as you think. Exactly, I'm not just going to carry you there.
Speaker 2:And he's probably trying to be blunt because he needs people to understand, like these are the things that will keep you from heaven, right. Because he needs people to understand, like these are the things that will keep you from heaven, right, and if you go, you know, it's kind of like one of those things where you're in class Maybe that's what I say a lot one of those things I probably need to stop that I didn't notice.
Speaker 2:Like when you're in school and the teacher will say if you only take one thing away from this class, take this.
Speaker 1:And I think that's what jesus is saying in these gospels, trying to emphasize yeah, well, and then also something that I touched on or that I liked was um, towards the end of the passage, he says things you have. God said to him things you have prepared to things you have prepared, to whom will they belong? And I feel like that is things, put, put things into perspective for me, because I'm a big preparer.
Speaker 2:You are.
Speaker 1:I love to prepare, I love to make lists, I love to take care of future, katie, but that is exactly what I'm doing, like I'm preparing them just for me, yeah, and I just I think that I just felt called out reading that because I'm like what am I actually doing this for? Is it just for me or is it for God? And then he proceeds to say thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God? And I think I do have a tendency of doing that. I think I try to consider the things that I'm doing are for God, but for the most part, I do feel like they are all just for my future self.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, I completely agree. The other thing that I just called out and I really liked the first reading from this Sunday, so I actually this is a little bonus, count the fruit, but it's the first reading is Ecclesiastes 2, or, excuse me, ecclesiastes 1, 2, and then 2, 21 through 23. Vanities of vanities, says Quoleth. Vanity of vanities, all things are vanity. He here is one who labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and yet to another who has not labored over it, he must leave property. This also is vanity and a great misfortune, for what profit comes?
Speaker 1:to. This is actually the verse we used from the last episode. Yeah, I realized that halfway through. I was like we did read it. Yeah, but he loved it so much I just love it we had to double dip.
Speaker 2:So nice how to reference it twice, but I just, I don't know. There's something about that, that idea of like. Again to your point what are we working for, what are we preparing for? Ultimately, it's in vain.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Do it be consuming to you let your mind rest at night? Oh no, I have to read the long one.
Speaker 1:Do you want me to read the long one? No, it's okay. Okay, this is the sunday gospel for august 10th, luke 12, 32 through 48. Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys, for where your treasure is there, your heart will be also. Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.
Speaker 1:Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes. Truly, I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night or near dawn and finds them, so, blessed are those slaves. But know this if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Speaker 1:Peter said Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone? And the Lord said who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly, I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions themselves.
Speaker 1:My master is delayed in coming, and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of the slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and in an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. The slave who knew what his master wanted but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted will receive a severe beating, but the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. For everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required, and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.
Speaker 2:Great gospel. Yeah, it's long, it's kind of scary.
Speaker 1:It is long, it's kind of scary.
Speaker 2:It is scary, but I, again, I, I think this is Christ talking to people. Again, the bluntness of here's what I'm actually concerned about getting you guys to heaven and here's how we have to do this. Yeah, um, like one of the things that just actually stood out to me, um, that I didn't highlight is that the first thing I did highlight was Peter said Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone? And Jesus kind of doesn't actually answer that question. But I think it's clear that he's not just giving it to his disciples, to his disciples, and I think the reason he doesn't answer it is because he doesn't want to say it's for everyone and then kind of let his disciples off the hook, where that idea of like oh well, if everyone's involved, then like less is required of me, but it is very clearly for them as well, because of the way he's saying the slave who knew what his master wanted but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted. Okay, I wasn't reading it, it's fine.
Speaker 2:Oh, sorry, sorry, I started scrolling, I forgot the slave who knew what his master wanted but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted will receive a severe beating. But the line that I didn't catch until you read it this time is what I really liked. But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating.
Speaker 2:In my first thoughts reading that, I assumed that it said but the one who did not know but did what was wanted will receive a light beating, kind of in the idea that like, hey, you know, if you don't know who, god is sure there's purgatory and all that stuff that you'll have to go through, but you know, it's just a light beating. But what they're saying is, even if you did the wrong thing and you don't know, you will receive a light beating, not a severe beating.
Speaker 1:Yeah, if you didn't know, because you were naive.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I think that's very interesting. Again, that's where Jesus is shifting, why he can't answer that question of is this for us or for everyone? Because he's saying it's for everyone, but not just everyone who hears the word. This parable is for everyone, you know.
Speaker 1:And that concept was probably would be very hard for the disciples to grasp. Well, because and I guess that to me honestly, when I read this and then we got down to the last verse, which I feel like is popular and a lot of people know, from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required, and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. At first I was like I don't get where that comes from. But you saying that, I feel like now puts it into perspective for me, because the more you know, the more is expected of you If you are a cradle Catholic or raised Christian.
Speaker 1:Your whole life you've been exposed to the word. You know what it looks like. You have good witnesses in your life and you willingly choose not to do those things. And it is so much worse than somebody who's doing the same things, but has no knowledge or relationship like you do.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and I think again, the action. Action is required from us. Much is expected from us. If you look at earlier on and we, you know it's not worth scrolling up for it. But earlier on it says be dressed for action and have your lamps lit.
Speaker 1:Be ready.
Speaker 2:Be ready Again. Don't assume that just because you've heard the gospel or because you go to church on Sunday, don't assume that that is enough, Absolutely. And I wonder if that last verse, the one that you just mentioned, to whom much is given, much is expected, I wonder if that's where the Spider-Man quote with great responsibility comes great power.
Speaker 1:I'm sure.
Speaker 2:That was influenced by that. I was thinking about that.
Speaker 1:Spider-Man reference. I'm sure that was influenced by that. I was thinking about that Spider-Man reference. But yeah, and not to say like I feel like there are some Christians that I've met and they like, I feel like also a lot of the gospels for August kind of reference, the second coming, which I feel like gives off like you're just on edge, like people, I feel like when they talk about it, at least in the South, I've realized is like they're like they're scared.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And they're on edge. They're worried and I don't feel like that is what he's asking us to do. He doesn't want us to be scared all the time, every day, like he can come at any minute. It's more so just be aware, that's a great point nothing is promised.
Speaker 1:You know what the promise is, but you, we also have free will and we can choose to refuse at any time. Sometimes just being comfortable is refusing in itself. So I like how that be dressed for action. Have your lamp lit like be aware. Don't just walk blindly, like look where you're going I like that.
Speaker 1:I like that um, so yeah, I, but I do feel like I I get where the, the tone, like the underlying tone of like be on edge, comes from, because reading this I do feel a little bit on edge that's fair because of the whole fire and brimstone thing.
Speaker 1:But you're right, like jesus needs to be blunt, he needs to be, yeah, you know a little bit more specific. But the very top of the first passage of this scripture says For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. I just wanted to point that out because that's my favorite verse.
Speaker 2:That is your favorite Bible verse.
Speaker 1:It is my favorite verse, and I love that it comes from a place that can be a little bit intimidating, but it's like this little lighthearted reminder, like where your treasure is is where your heart will be. So where do you want your heart to be? In heaven or here?
Speaker 2:on earth. I didn't realize that was what follows that verse.
Speaker 1:I know I was like that's kind of heavy, but I like it. It's just like this gentle reminder, like just to reflect on what you treasure and recognize that that is where you're allowing your heart to lay, and it's like I don't want my heart to be stuck here in the world. I want it to be in heaven. You know where all the good treasures are.
Speaker 2:Amen.
Speaker 1:All right.
Speaker 2:Next gospel, august 17th, luke 12, 49 through 53. Jesus said to his disciples I've come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were blazing, or who are already blazing. There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished. Do you think that I have come to establish peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on, a household of five will be divided three against two and two against three. A father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Katie, big question Are you turned against my mother?
Speaker 1:Yeah, we're frenemies.
Speaker 2:Frenemies. Wow yeah, we have to be friends but we're enemies.
Speaker 1:Kidding, I love her yeah, I loved her family before I loved you.
Speaker 2:I know they all know this, they all know this. Um, it's a. It's a good verse. It's short. Again, I think it comes to the idea of again, uh, returning to the eternal life. How do we get there? What? What is jesus's true purpose here? And again, it is to divide.
Speaker 1:Which is funny because he's the Prince of Peace you know, and I do feel like it there needs to be, like there needs to be discussion about division, because that is like, when you have somebody who actually wants like unity and peace and wants that for us, when you mix that with a very chaotic world, the natural thing to happen is division. So that's expected. It's not because, like he wants that for us. I feel like that's something we actually bestow on ourselves.
Speaker 2:Well, and I think that it's. We have free will right. And that's a core tenant of who we are, and that free will is always going to allow for dissension.
Speaker 1:Yes, right.
Speaker 2:And that's why Christ is coming to bring division, because he's bringing us division not actually from, I feel like, from peace. He's bringing us division from the sin and the lies that we believe, from the devil yeah you know, and that he's bringing us back. He's that great warrior bringing us home. And the division comes not from people. You know who.
Speaker 1:It comes from people who want to stay, who want to stay on earth yes, it's like stirring the pot or like mixing oil and water, like it doesn't quite fit, it doesn't quite mix the right way, but it's also just, I think, growing pains, like it's a natural growing pain, the thing that happens when you choose to follow Jesus. People might not agree with you and you might lose good relationships, and that's just when you have to choose and I think you have to be losing.
Speaker 2:You have to be willing to lose those relationships too, and I think that's one of the hard things.
Speaker 1:That's definitely hard for sure, especially when we talk about in the context of family, like the scripture, like who wants who wants the father and the son to be divided? No one, um. Also, I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing. This was the first. This is the theme of the first retreat I feel like Joe and I helped out with.
Speaker 2:Blaze. Yeah, holy cow, that picture sits on.
Speaker 1:In our bathroom, in our bathroom, yeah.
Speaker 2:It's like one of our first pictures together.
Speaker 1:And I like it because I feel like that, like ties in, like fire and brimstone, the fire and brimstone of Jesus. But it also ties in like the peace of the Holy Spirit, because fire is often referenced in the context of the Holy Spirit as well. And like there's so much peace to that. So I love like the contrast between the two.
Speaker 2:When fire brings new life right. Yes.
Speaker 1:And therein lies the pain. Like the pain. Like the pain is the fire, but the peace is the new life that comes from the fire. Baptism. That's right, All right. August 24th. This is Luke 13, 22 through 30.
Speaker 1:Man I have the long one again. Okay. Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went, and making his way to jerusalem. Someone asked him, lord, will only a few people be saved? He answered them strive to enter through the narrow gate for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.
Speaker 1:After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then you will stand outside knocking and saying Lord, open the door for us. He will say to you and reply I do not know where you are from. And you will say we ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets. Then he will say to you I do not know where you are from. Depart from me all you evildoers. And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out, and people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last. Who will be first and some are first. Who will be last, I think?
Speaker 2:it's again more about calling out current believers, like I think that's. The other thing, too, is like this this set of gospels should be a wake-up call to all christians. So like kind of do like a witness test well, yeah, like, what am I doing?
Speaker 2:right am I actually? Is my heart and is my treasure in heaven, right am I you know? Uh, will jesus know who I am? Right? I mean, I know we've touched on it plenty of times on this podcast, but I just love the idea of, like, when you are standing at the gates of heaven, jesus will ask you know one of the kind of two versions of the question, but like, like, did you love me and do you know who I am?
Speaker 2:You know, and I just think that's so powerful to just think about that and like that should be very invigorating to us and should drive us to, you know, hopefully, make better decisions. And again it's also, it's it's uh, simultaneously like a uh, a chiding of the current christians, while also being open and welcoming to those who maybe are the quote-unquote out group. Right, and people will come from the east and the west and the north and the south and will recline at the table in the kingdom of god. At that time, like you think, we're like a divided people now and like you know, we're segmented in groups. Bro, when all this stuff was going on, like every group was an out group, you know, like everybody was your enemy.
Speaker 2:And for him to say it's not just you know the people in the East, not just the people in the West, not just North or South, but everyone will recline at the table of the kingdom of God will recline at the table of the kingdom of God.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely, I think you mentioning, like the questions that Jesus asked, when you go to heaven. We've always kind of envisioned it that way, but here I never even thought about what would happen if I get to heaven and Jesus is like who are you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's terrifying.
Speaker 1:Like, imagine you go like if nobody were to call me out and say like I'm not, like I'm not following Jesus the right way, like you're not actually building that relationship, like I wouldn't know. And I feel like that is the beauty of having people around you that can say like hey, you need to step this up or do this different. Yeah, I don't know, I just felt like that was that. That would have been like the worst thing ever If you thought that would have been a bummer and was like who are you?
Speaker 1:Have you talked before? And then I thought it was interesting, like again these like very popular verses I did not realize came from the context of these, the scripture but for behold, some are last, who will be first? And some are first, who will be last? I just thought that was an interesting like end to this, because obviously the person who's like what did he say? Never mind.
Speaker 2:What are you looking for?
Speaker 1:And you, oh, here, here. He said we ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets, like just kind of like constantly defending all the things that that person had done to deserve to be worthy of you know the Lord opening the door, and how Jesus then calls out those who kind of expect, like expect to be accepted, and how he then says for behold, some are last, you were probably last, we'll be first, and some are first, we'll be last, will be first, and some are first will be last.
Speaker 2:You know that's a great point and I have not thought about it in that way.
Speaker 1:I hadn't really either, because I didn't realize that this is where that verse came from.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's a great point in the context of this verse I love it Anyways, more to marinate on.
Speaker 1:I feel like I need to think on that a little bit longer, but yeah, well and sorry, the other thing I was.
Speaker 2:I kept forgetting my actual point, but now I remembered it. Like none of them are asking for forgiveness, like they are not saying I am a sinner. Like Lord, I am unworthy, you know.
Speaker 1:He was like I mean, I was there, we were in your company, you saw us while you taught in the streets.
Speaker 2:We view it like the way we read it in my head I view it as like they're saying like but, Lord, we ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets. But they probably were saying it like we ate and drank like indignant.
Speaker 1:Yes, that's kind of how I pictured it and I think that that's a great framing for that. He said, lord, open the door for us, like demanding yeah not like. Oh, you know what this makes me think of what the guy that was sitting behind us in mass oh yeah on sunday, like such a okay, we went to mass on sunday and this man and I have.
Speaker 1:This is going to sound weird, but I have a special place in my heart for older men that are like alone in the world. They just I just. When I take care of them, they just break my heart and I just love them. For the most part they're usually really sweet and this man was clearly alone. He might have had some like disability or cognitive thing. I feel like yeah.
Speaker 1:Because anyways. But he was cute as ever, sitting behind us and during um communion he was just saying prayers over and over again and he was like kind of quietly whispering, but audible yeah, um, and he just kept saying like the most, like small remarks, but I thought they were beautiful. He was just like the. The priest was doing Eucharist.
Speaker 2:He'd be doing the Eucharist.
Speaker 1:We were going through communion and he lifted the Eucharist and this man was like it's okay, it's okay, it's okay. He kept muttering that to himself and he said, lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed. And then he kept saying the prayers.
Speaker 2:He kept saying adoration, he kept saying adoration, adoration.
Speaker 1:Then he then proceeded to like pray the Lamb of God, you take away. Like just all these prayers over and over again, just like this. Clearly he felt so drawn to the presence of the Lord and unworthy of it. He kept, like the prayers that he was saying was just so humbling, to like listen to, and that is what I think god wants from us, not like, lord, I'm here, I did all this, open the door yeah it's what this man was saying, like it was a pure intention and I don't know I I don't have good advice on how to make people have pure intentions, but it was his intention.
Speaker 2:His intentionality when sitting there praying was I mean, you could just see it, you could feel it.
Speaker 1:Like he knew he was unworthy.
Speaker 2:He just wants to be with God.
Speaker 1:Yes, it was. I don't know like the recognition of your unworthiness, but also the the recognition of your need for jesus he doesn't want to be saved, he just wants to be to your point with god yeah, it was beautiful. So I think that that is the disposition our hearts need to need to take when we are encountering the lord all right.
Speaker 2:Last one, august 31st, luke 1, and then 7 through 14.
Speaker 2:Wedding banquet do not recline at table in the place of honor A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say give your place to this man.
Speaker 2:And then you would proceed, with embarrassment, to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that the host, when he comes, sorry, had a scroll, so that when the host comes to you comes, sorry, had to scroll. So that when the host comes to you he may say my friend, move up to a higher position, Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table, For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. Then he said to the host who invited him when you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. Blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
Speaker 1:You know that would have been kind of cool if we'd done that at our wedding. What?
Speaker 2:just invite, I mean also have our family there.
Speaker 1:But like we don't know, I don't know yeah, I do feel I I see like the like, the feeling of like risk in doing so, that like I'm not exactly fond of that idea.
Speaker 2:but I how often do we have dinner with our friends though? Quite often, and oftentimes we like hosting, so we will host dinner. A lot of the times We've never hosted somebody outside of our friend group.
Speaker 1:I disagree.
Speaker 2:Who.
Speaker 1:Our dog sitter Kyler.
Speaker 2:I guess that's true okay.
Speaker 1:And there's been several people. I will say, though, when we do invite people every now and then, I'm like, oh, I should really invite them over, and then we do. There's less urgency.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And we are always like kind of quick to be like maybe we can cancel, but if it's like our friends or people who matter or we have, like you know, close relationships with, we really try and make it work. People who matter we have, like you know, close relationships with, we really try and make it work.
Speaker 2:so I do feel like, yeah, we can maybe grow in that area of like actually desiring to spend time and make, make new relationships with people but, yeah, not, you're not wrong, but I do feel like we try um, but I mean ultimately, I think this again you know kind of threads through the theme I feel silly.
Speaker 1:I'm like we did try our dog sitter. Don't you dare tell me, I haven't tried.
Speaker 2:I just think, like we haven't, like I feel like we could do a little bit better.
Speaker 1:We can totally do, we can totally do better. I just wanted balance me our dog sitter, who lives in our neighborhood three houses down I know I'm not homeless sorry guys, I can you tell I was really trying to prove myself there he's like oh my gosh, I'm so hurt by your comment. Oh my gosh.
Speaker 2:Okay, back to the scripture verse what I mean, I think, I mean I don't. Do you have anything else that really sticks out? I think again, this just goes kind of straight through the theme- yeah, very, very consistent theme every gospel um not a single solemnity.
Speaker 1:Yeah, not for August.
Speaker 2:At least I don't think so. It was a holy day.
Speaker 1:I think just the biggest thing that I need to take away from this is knowing like my actions need to be done, not because of what people will give back to me. I mean, clearly I had expectations for the dog sitter because I expected him to watch our dogs, but not for free. No, not even for free. But having like checking my expectations and just like letting the repayment in heaven be enough. It's so hard to like let that be enough to like let that be enough.
Speaker 2:um, I also think that, while talking about it in the sense of the people who maybe need it most, I think there's also something to be said for the people around you and the way that you treat them, with the expectation that they will repay you and your friend and sometimes it's not in the monetary sense, but that you expect to be loved by it, and I think that that's way more what he's talking about than the monetary side Like, well, oh, hang on.
Speaker 2:All right, technical difficulties fixed. But you look at like, oh well, I know that I'm going to pick an example. I don't know. My sister is not going to, you know, ever reach out to me, so I shouldn't ever reach out to her. That's not true. My sister does call me and reach it out. She's giving us a bunch of stuff for the baby. But, just as an example. Like you know who are these people that? Well, hey, I know that I'm not going to get any thanks for it.
Speaker 1:I'm not going to get any, so I'm just not going to do it. Yeah, exactly, yes, yes. And I think that expectations are so tricky and somebody we're going through a podcast right now with some ladies and something that stood out to me was how expectations actually places people in bondage and how the expectations you hold on somebody does not allow them. I don't know. This was in the context of marriage, so the expectations- don't expect me to put up any more curtains we'll talk about that later.
Speaker 1:But, um, but just like how? Such high expectations for how you want to be loved, how you want this and want that and need this and need that, and expect them to understand that, without even really knowing you like the way God knows you Like, how could you expect that from somebody from this world? It's just setting both of you up for failure in your relationship, and so I do think I struggle with that too is just expecting to be loved the way that I want to be and knowing that that's never really going to happen, not even from you, not from my family yeah only god can.
Speaker 1:Only god can give me that. Yeah, anyways, good, count the fruit. Good count the fruit. Um. So, instead of a marriage meeting today, despite how silly and goofy we may have taken this time up, we do want to end in prayer. I feel like that would be a good way to just wrap up, count the Fruit days or episodes, after we reflect on scripture. So today we will pray the litany of humility. If you want to pray along and respond in prayer, the response is deliver me, o Jesus, and then, halfway through, the response will change to Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.
Speaker 2:Go ahead, you lead. I got it, father, and Son of the Holy Spirit amen.
Speaker 1:O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me From the desire of being esteemed deliver me O Jesus. From the desire of being loved, deliver me O.
Speaker 2:Jesus From the desire of being loved. Deliver me, o Jesus.
Speaker 1:From the desire of being extolled deliver me O Jesus. From the desire of being honored deliver me O Jesus. From the desire of being praised deliver me O Jesus. From the desire of being preferred to others deliver me O Jesus. From the desire of being consulted deliver me O Jesus. From the desire of being approved, from the desire of being approved, from the fear of being humiliated, from the fear of being despised, from the fear of suffering rebukes, from the fear of being colluminated, from the fear of being forgotten, from the fear of being ridiculed.
Speaker 2:From the fear of being forgotten. Deliver me, O Jesus, From the fear of being ridiculed. Deliver me O.
Speaker 1:Jesus From the fear of being wronged.
Speaker 2:Deliver me O Jesus.
Speaker 1:From the fear of being suspected.
Speaker 2:Deliver me O Jesus.
Speaker 1:That others may be loved more than I.
Speaker 2:Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Speaker 1:That others may be esteemed more than I. Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Speaker 2:That in the opinion of the Amen desire it.
Speaker 1:That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as they. Should Jesus grant me the grace to desire it, in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy. Spirit Amen. Well, thanks for tuning in. Hope that you enjoyed it Absolutely, and let's keep growing together. Bye y'all. So I'm going to use a little bit of water to make the water a little bit thicker. I'm going to put it in a little bit of water. I'm going to put it in, thank you.