Explore every episode of the podcast You Were Born for This with Fr. John Riccardo
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 397: Before You Tell Anyone Else | 31 Aug 2026 | 00:36:32 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary break open Jesus’ challenging instructions on how to have messy conversations with brothers and sisters. Click here to purchase your Advent of Rescue 2026! Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 396: How Do You Become Catholic? | 24 Aug 2026 | 00:27:02 | |
Fr. John and Mary tackle in this episode one of the most absurd, extraordinary and demanding words of Jesus in all the Gospel…and why it is that what seems so absurd is actually quite reasonable and leads to true happiness. A Preaching Proposal for an Extended “Parish Mission”Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 395: I Wonder If You Know Him? | 17 Aug 2026 | 00:36:26 | |
Fr. John and Mary offer some background and personal reflection around Jesus’ most pointed and important question in the Gospel: who do you say that I am? Check out our merch store here. Pre-order your Advent Guide here. Jesus, the Final Days: What Really Happened, by Craig Evans and N. T. WrightConnect with us and our community on our websites and social media. ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 394: A Jarring, Yet Encouraging, Gospel | 10 Aug 2026 | 00:29:58 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary wrestle with one of the most difficult encounters in all of the Gospels — the meeting between Jesus and the Canaanite woman.
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| Episode 393: The Father Who Runs | 03 Aug 2026 | 00:38:47 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary build on last week’s episode regarding our understanding of God the Father. They invite everyone to listen to perhaps Jesus’ most pointed parable on His Father.
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| Episode 392: The Key to Surrender and Trust | 27 Jul 2026 | 00:34:41 | |
Father John and Mary start a series on God the Father and how essential it is not just for prayer but for life to know Him.
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| Episode 391: The Spiritual Backbone of the Church | 20 Jul 2026 | 00:21:53 | |
In this episode, fresh off the heels of a visit to the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Los Angeles, Fr. John and Mary gently encourage us to take time this week to pray in a special way for those who dedicate themselves to pray for us — the religious! To learn more about The Resistance or pre-order your copy click here.Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 389: Sail, Don’t Row | 13 Jul 2026 | 00:29:29 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary conclude their series on what ACTS XXIX calls their apostolic values — the “how” of their mission, which is equally as important as the “what”. This week they look at the 3rd and final value: Being Docile to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, Fire of Divine LoveConnect with us and our community on our websites and social media. ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 390: Do Life Together | 29 Jun 2026 | 00:30:40 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their conversation about why how we do what we do is as important as what we do. This week they address this by looking at their 2nd Apostolic Value entitled: Striving to Be Authentically Human
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| Episode 388: Ambitious for God and His Kingdom | 22 Jun 2026 | 00:38:08 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary reflect on God’s call in our lives to be and do great things for Him as they break open ACTS XXIX’s first core, or apostolic, value: ambitious for God and His Kingdom. Give Jesus Back the Pen | Fr. John Riccardo & Ron Huntley | Huntley Leadership Podcast #224 Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 387: Do You Have Clarity on How You Behave? | 15 Jun 2026 | 00:28:37 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary begin a new series looking at “the how” behind the work we do. It is intended for everyone, but perhaps will be especially helpful for those who lead ministry at any level. Give Jesus Back the Pen | Fr. John Riccardo & Ron Huntley | Huntley Leadership Podcast #224 Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 386: One of the Ways Scripture is Useful | 08 Jun 2026 | 00:40:24 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary share some of the key takeaways from the recent ACTS XXIX pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Paul and how we can live and do in our day what Paul did in his.
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| Episode 385: Becoming Ever More Human | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:24:02 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue to talk about transitions in parish life, only this time Fr. John asks Mary to speak about this from the perspective of someone in the pews. It all ends in an exhortation to allow ourselves to love ever more genuinely.
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| Episode 384: Farewells Are Not Easy | 25 May 2026 | 00:36:48 | |
Given these days of ordinations and changes of assignments in parishes, Fr. John and Mary have a raw and honest conversation about the challenges that both priests and the people of a parish experience during transitions.
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| Episode 383: The Undoing of Babel | 18 May 2026 | 00:28:31 | |
As we get ready for the great feast of Pentecost, Fr. John and Mary take a look at the opening prayer for Mass this Sunday, and discuss the Father’s desire for His creation and our role in helping it come to fruition – all by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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| Episode 382: From Persecutor to Apostle | 11 May 2026 | 00:37:19 | |
Fr. John and Mary conclude their Easter series on the appearances of the risen Jesus. This week they look at the appearance of Jesus to Paul. ========================== ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 381: A Most Unexpected Question | 04 May 2026 | 00:30:22 | |
Fr. John and Mary continue their Easter series on the appearances of the risen Jesus. This week’s episode breaks open the encounter between Jesus and His friend, Peter, at the Sea of Galilee after Peter’s failure.
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| Episode 380: God Wants His Family Back | 27 Apr 2026 | 00:32:39 | |
Fr. John and Mary continue their Easter series on the appearances of the risen Jesus. This week’s episode breaks open one of the most remarkable of all: the appearance to His “brother” James.
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| Episode 379: A Word For Discouraged Disciples | 20 Apr 2026 | 00:40:23 | |
Fr. John and Mary continue their Easter series on appearances of the Risen Jesus to disciples. Today, they look at Jesus’ encounter with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus — could these people be members of His family?! Pope Francis's address to the Bishops of Brazil in 2013Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 378: One Word That Changed Everything | 13 Apr 2026 | 00:41:48 | |
Fr. John and Mary continue their Easter series on select appearances of the Risen Jesus to disciples. Today, they pray with the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene, a woman who had been mightily freed by His power and mercy, and was sent as “the apostle to the apostles.” Books mentioned: Mary Magdalene: Insights from Ancient Magdala, Saint Mary Magdalene: Prophetess of Eucharistic LoveConnect with us and our community on our websites and social media. ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 377: She Had to Have Been First! | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:27:56 | |
Fr. John and Mary begin a series on various appearances of the Risen Jesus for the Easter season. On this Easter Monday, they consider the person many saints reasoned was the first to whom Jesus showed Himself alive: His mother.
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| Episode 376: Stern Yet Hopeful | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:27:02 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary conclude their series on Jesus’ words to the seven Churches in the Book of Revelation. Today, they look at His direct and yet hopeful words to the Church in Laodicea. To watch the presentation given by Fr. John this past November entitled, “Priesthood: The Unspoken Crisis, Why Praying for Priests Matters", click here.Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 375: Say Not “I Am Too Small” | 23 Mar 2026 | 00:24:14 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their series on Jesus’ words to the seven Churches in the Book of Revelation. Today, they look at Jesus’ words to the little and seemingly insignificant Church in Philadelphia, ironically, the one that endured the longest of all the seven Churches due to their patient endurance.
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| Episode 374: Heart Failure | 16 Mar 2026 | 00:24:13 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their series on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation. Today, they look at Jesus’ devastating words to the Church in Sardis, reminding us all that He knows us through and through.
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| Episode 373: Don’t Drift | 09 Mar 2026 | 00:30:37 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their series on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation. Today, they look at Jesus’ words to the Church in Thyatira and how relevant what He said to them so long ago is for us here and now.
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| Episode 372: No Compromise | 02 Mar 2026 | 00:29:30 | |
_Dear friends, please bear with us as we encountered some audio issues during this episode. We’re grateful for your patience and thank you for tuning in! Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 371: He Sees You and He Cares | 23 Feb 2026 | 00:31:24 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their series on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation — Churches that are at one and the same time real places and symbolic of the Church in every age. Today, they look at Jesus’ words to the Church in Smyrna and see what it might mean for us.
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| Episode 370: An Exhortation and Encouragement from Jesus to Us As We Prepare for Lent | 16 Feb 2026 | 00:30:48 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their series on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation — Churches that are at one and the same time real places and symbolic of the Church in every age. Today, they look at Jesus’ words to the Church in Ephesus and see what it might mean for us.
Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 369: What Does Jesus Want to Say to Us? | 09 Feb 2026 | 00:30:35 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary introduce a series on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation — Churches that are at one and the same time real places and symbolic of the Church in every age.
Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 368: What Are They Saying About Us? | 02 Feb 2026 | 00:29:10 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary offer a proposal to consider as a parish or church community for Lent based on this Sunday's Gospel from Matthew 5: 13-16.
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| Episode 367: Building For the City of God | 26 Jan 2026 | 00:31:06 | |
In this episode Fr. John and Mary break open the richness found inside just one line in the prayer Jesus taught us, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
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| Episode 366: Learning to Pray as We Say Our Prayers | 19 Jan 2026 | 00:22:20 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary start a conversation about how common it can be for many of us to let our prayers become mere words and begin to break open in depth the prayer He taught us.
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| Episode 365: An Invitation from God to Help Put His World Back Together | 12 Jan 2026 | 00:11:49 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary let everyone know when and how to register for ACTS XXIX’s big event of 2026: The Jesus Conference — Mobilizing the Church for the World He Loves! Podcast Sponsor: ========================== ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 364: A Resolution That Will Change the World | 05 Jan 2026 | 00:19:14 | |
In their first episode for 2026, Fr. John and Mary extend an invitation to consider so as to build momentum around a movement to bring hope and renewal to our parishes, neighborhoods, universities and more.
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| Episode 363: The Holy Family Might Not Be What We Think | 29 Dec 2025 | 00:27:44 | |
In this episode, in light of the Feast of the Holy Family, Fr. John and Mary talk honestly about family—the blessings, the wounds, and the ache many carry into holidays and gatherings. Looking at Jesus’ own family life in the Gospels, we discover that the Holy Family is bigger than we think, and that Jesus understands the complexity of our relationships, offering us hope and consolation.
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| Episode 362: Speechless | 22 Dec 2025 | 00:22:17 | |
In this episode to prepare us for the great celebrations of Christmas, Fr. John and Mary attempt to put into words several ways to help us better understand events and mysteries that are truly beyond all telling. Merry Christmas, everyone!
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| Episode 361: Don't Box God In | 15 Dec 2025 | 00:27:08 | |
For this 4th Sunday of Advent, Fr. John and Mary reflect on Joseph and John the Baptist as examples of people the Lord allowed to experience great confusion in their lives, but who also exemplify astounding trust in the God for whom nothing is impossible.
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| Episode 360: The Plan Is the Plan Until… | 08 Dec 2025 | 00:32:21 | |
On this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Fr. John and Mary hold up our Lady as the model for radical trust and surrender to God, and discuss how oftentimes our good and holy plans might need to be discarded if God has another and better plan.
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| Episode 359: There’s Power in the Name of Jesus | 01 Dec 2025 | 00:24:29 | |
As we continue our way through these first few weeks of Advent and our focus on the coming of the King, Jesus, Fr. John and Mary offer some thoughts and Scripture passages to pray with on the power of Jesus’ name.
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| Episode 358: The Big Story | 24 Nov 2025 | 00:24:29 | |
As we prepare for the 1st Sunday of Advent and the start of the Church Year, Fr. John and Mary step back and invite us to consider God’s design for creating the human race so as to better understand the mission that belongs to us all as the Church.
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| Episode 357: Stand Before Jesus … Today | 17 Nov 2025 | 00:28:44 | |
Father John and Mary invite us to reflect on and prepare for that real day when each of us is going to stand face to face in front of Jesus and be judged by Him who is the King of the Universe and hear one of two things.
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| Episode 356: Creation Is On Tiptoe. Are We? | 10 Nov 2025 | 00:24:29 | |
Fr. John and Mary invite us to learn a lesson from the beauty and wonder of creation all around us as we await the real and glorious day of the King’s return.
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| Episode 355: The Temple That Is You | 03 Nov 2025 | 00:29:16 | |
On this feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Fr. John and Mary explain what this feast is about, and then reflect on the readings assigned for this feast in general, before highlighting several key themes in Psalm 46. ========================== ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission The Rescue Project Our Streaming Channels | |||
| Episode 354: I Will Be There That Day | 27 Oct 2025 | 00:25:19 | |
In this episode for All Souls Day, Fr. John invites Mary to share her experience of standing at the entrance of the valley of death, and what it was that gave her strength at that time. They then invite us to ask ourselves if we know the Good Shepherd, and what we’re going to do today to get ready for the day of our death.
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| Episode 353: He Listens, Do We? | 20 Oct 2025 | 00:20:35 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary break open Psalm 34, highlighting the beautiful reality that God is the most attentive listener there is and encourages us to imitate Him.
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| Episode 352: Where Does Your Help Come From? | 13 Oct 2025 | 00:18:47 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary break open Psalm 121 and invite us to breathe and reflect upon the steady assurance of God’s all powerful and loving presence with us.
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| Episode 351: Praise Demolishes Discouragement | 06 Oct 2025 | 00:25:45 | |
In this episode, mindful of so many things that are tempting us right now to discouragement, Fr. John and Mary discuss for what and how we can praise God, and what precisely praise can do to demolish discouragement.
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| Episode 350: God’s Gym is the Book of Psalms | 29 Sep 2025 | 00:32:29 | |
In this episode, Fr. John and Mary discuss how the Psalms help us to exercise various spiritual “muscles,” training us to get in shape and become the men and women God created us to be and that we want to be.
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| Episode 349: Seeking Consolation From God in a Troubled Time | 22 Sep 2025 | 00:19:26 | |
In this episode, against the backdrop of all that’s taking place in our country, Fr. John and Mary seek God’s wisdom and help from His Word.
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| Episode 348: Praise the Lord, Who Lifts Up The Poor, That Is, Me. | 15 Sep 2025 | 00:24:17 | |
In this episode, as Fr. John and Mary discuss Psalm 113, they reflect on how important it is to see ourselves as being among “the poor.”
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