The Average Shepherd – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Average Shepherd

Fr Sam French

Religion & Spirituality

Frequency: 1 episode/9d. Total Eps: 69

A weekly homily podcast by Fr Sam French dedicated to breaking open and spreading the Word of God.

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Data updated on 04/07/2026

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You Can't Fake It Till You Make It | 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time | Year B

Saturday, August 31, 2024 • Duration 09:21

In this week's homily, Fr. Sam French explores the dangers of going through the motions without heart, cautioning against the mindset of “faking it to make it.” Reflecting on the First Reading, where Moses exhorts the Israelites to observe God’s laws, Fr. Sam highlights the importance of connecting our traditions to the faith that gives them life. He challenges us to move beyond mere lip service and embrace the deeper meaning behind our Catholic practices. By thoughtfully making the Sign of the Cross, lighting candles, and praying the Angelus, we can renew our faith and let our actions flow from a sincere love of Christ.

Tune in to hear Fr. Sam’s reflections, homilies, and insights on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: ⁠⁠linktr.ee/frsamfrench

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The Best Things in Life are Free | 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time | Year B

Sunday, August 11, 2024 • Duration 08:43

In this week's homily, Fr. Sam French reflects on the profound truth that "the best things in life are free." Using a personal experience with aggressive gym sales tactics as a springboard, Fr. Sam explores how our culture’s obsession with money and material goods can distort relationships and distract us from what truly matters. He reminds us that the most important things—love, family, friendships, and above all, the Kingdom of Heaven—are priceless gifts from God that cannot be bought.Fr. Sam delves into the Gospel's message about the Kingdom of Heaven, likening it to a mustard seed that, though small and easy to overlook, has the potential to become the most significant part of our lives. He challenges us to resist the constant bombardment of consumer culture and to focus instead on cultivating our relationship with God through prayer, the Sacraments, and acts of service.Fr. Sam encourages us to see beyond the distractions of modern life and recognise the Kingdom of Heaven already present within us. He invites us to foster this divine relationship, which brings true fulfilment and meaning to our lives.Tune in to hear Fr. Sam’s reflections, homilies, and insights on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: ⁠⁠linktr.ee/frsamfrench.

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God Shaped Hole | 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Year B

Sunday, August 4, 2024 • Duration 12:16

In this homily, Fr. Sam French reflects on a personal encounter with God that profoundly changed his life, experienced on a train journey during his youth. He shares how this moment of grace, amidst a busy life filled with worldly desires, revealed the "bread of life" that only Jesus can provide. Fr. Sam delves into the concept of the "God-shaped hole" within every soul, a void that nothing but divine love can fill.

Drawing from his experiences and the teachings of St. Paul, Fr. Sam explores the struggle against the distractions and temptations of modern life. He highlights the dangers of a culture that prioritises comfort and pleasure over spiritual growth, cautioning against the "therapeutic age" mentality. Fr. Sam emphasises the importance of silence, Scripture, and Sacrament in cultivating a genuine relationship with God, urging us to seek these essential elements daily to experience true fulfilment.

With heartfelt honesty, Fr. Sam invites us to reflect on our own lives and the desires that drive us, encouraging a deeper pursuit of the divine. He reminds us that in seeking Jesus, we find the true purpose of our existence and the satisfaction of our deepest longings.

Join Fr. Sam French for more reflections, homilies, and insights on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: ⁠linktr.ee/frsamfrench.

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Waste Time with God | 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time | Year B

Saturday, July 20, 2024 • Duration 10:58

In this homily, Fr. Sam French reflects on the Gospel during the 16th Week of Ordinary Time. He addresses a profound cultural shift: our society's loss of true rest and leisure. Fr. Sam explores how modern life, with its relentless focus on productivity and utility, has distanced us from the beauty and purpose that define our humanity. He contrasts the sublime achievements of past cultures with today's emphasis on functionality and economy, questioning the impact on our spiritual well-being.

Drawing from the teachings of Josef Pieper and St. Augustine, Fr. Sam delves into the concept of leisure as an essential aspect of human life. He underscores that true rest is a divine gift, not a self-made achievement. Fr. Sam emphasizes the importance of silence and stillness, urging us to disconnect from the noise and distractions of contemporary life to truly connect with God.

Fr. Sam’s personal experiences as a priest add depth to his message, illustrating the physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion that comes from dedicated service. He invites us to embrace 'wasting time with God,' advocating for regular visits to the Church for Eucharistic Adoration and personal prayer. This episode is a powerful reminder to find rest in God’s presence and rediscover the art of true leisure.

Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights, and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: linktr.ee/frsamfrench

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Weathering the Storm | 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time | Year B

Saturday, June 22, 2024 • Duration 07:51

In this homily titled 'Weathering the Storm,' Fr. Sam French reflects on the Gospel of Mark 4:35-41 during the 12th week of Ordinary Time. He discusses how modern technological advancements can create an illusion of control over nature, leaving society unprepared for life's unpredictable challenges. Fr. Sam shares his personal experience with cancer to illustrate the fragility of human control. He emphasizes that true Christian faith lies in turning to Jesus during life's storms, trusting in His divine power and presence. Fr. Sam encourages a strong prayer life and regular reception of the sacraments to maintain this faith.

Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench⁠⁠⁠

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Taylor Swift and Lessons on Love | 6th Sunday of Eastertide | Year B

Saturday, May 4, 2024 • Duration 05:33

This week on the podcast, Fr. Sam delves into the theme of divine love as contrasted with the fleeting passions of human affection, inspired by Taylor Swift's latest album. As we explore the 6th Sunday of Eastertide, we uncover the essence of Jesus' command in John 15: "love one another as I have loved you." This exploration reveals how modern culture, steeped in a romanticized view of love, often distorts our understanding of this profound biblical command. Fr. Sam challenges us to rise above the emotional rollercoaster of human relationships and embrace a love that is self-sacrificial, deliberate, and eternal—the love Christ calls us to embody.

Join Fr. Sam French for more thought-provoking content and spiritual insights on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. frsamfrench.com

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Doubting Thomas and the Sacrament of Confession | 2nd Sunday of Eastertide | Year B

Friday, April 5, 2024 • Duration 09:17

This week, Fr Sam invites us into a profound reflection on the narrative of Doubting Thomas and its intrinsic connection to the Sacrament of Confession, as we journey through the Easter season. This homily, set against the backdrop of the second Sunday of Easter, known as Divine Mercy Sunday, unravels the layers of doubt faced by Thomas following Christ’s resurrection. Through an insightful examination, Fr Sam bridges our contemporary struggles with faith and the timeless story of Thomas, encouraging us to see ourselves in his quest for tangible proof of Jesus’ victory over death.

Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench⁠⁠

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Cleansing Our Temples | 3rd Sunday of Lent | Year B

Saturday, March 2, 2024 • Duration 08:11

This week Fr Sam delves into the fiery passion of Jesus as depicted in the Gospel reading for the third Sunday of Lent. The image of Christ we encounter is far from the gentle nativity scenes we remember; instead, we witness a Jesus filled with righteous anger, a natural emotion designed by God to propel us towards justice and goodness. This homily explores the concept of righteous anger, contrasting it with the uncontrolled frustration we often experience, and highlights how Jesus' anger in the Gospel is perfectly focused and governed by reason.

Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench⁠⁠

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Three Mountains | 2nd Sunday of Lent | Year B

Sunday, February 25, 2024 • Duration 10:41

In this homily for the Second Sunday of Lent, Fr Sam explores the metaphor of "Three Mountains" drawing parallels between the biblical mountains of Mt Moriah, Mt Calvary, and Mt Tabor, and the personal pilgrimage of faith.

Mt Moriah, highlighting the rejection of false gods; Mt Calvary, emphasizing the centrality of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for salvation; and Mt Tabor, encouraging a transformation towards living in anticipation of eternal life.

Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench⁠⁠

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What is Temptation? | 1st Sunday of Lent | Year B

Sunday, February 18, 2024 • Duration 11:04

Join Fr. Sam French for more content, insights and homilies on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench⁠⁠.

The Average Shepherd – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

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Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

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The Average Shepherd – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify