Best Saint Walter Church Podcasts (2025)

1
The Grand Inquisitor 34:13

3d ago34:13

34:13

As we enter the season of Lent, the Lectionary appropriately takes us to the temptation of Christ. Before Jesus ever preached a sermon or worked a miracle, he faced off with the devil in the wilderness. And perhaps no one has explored the the temptation of Christ in a more profound way than Fyodor Dostoevsky did in his famous parable of "The Grand …

1
The Light of Tabor 33:47

10d ago33:47

33:47

Jesus is the kingdom of God in person. And Jesus is the one who now fills all things everywhere with himself. What happened to Jesus on Mount Tabor when he was transfigured in appearance from an ordinary Galilean Jew into his true appearance as the glorious Son of God, is what will happen in the eschaton to all of God’s creation.…

1
The Perfection of Mercy 32:34

18d ago32:34

32:34

In his Sermon on the Plain Jesus tells us that God is our Father, and that our Father is merciful; and because we are children of God, we should be merciful just as our Father is merciful. Jesus calls us to mercy, not merely because mercy is a superior ethic or because mercy tends toward peace, as true as that is; rather, Jesus calls us to be merci…

1
No Easy Alliance 31:02

24d ago31:02

31:02

There is no easy alliance between the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God, and all attempts to create an easy alliance between these two kingdoms are misguided and doomed to failure. The kingdom of the world is founded on greed and war—Mammon and Mars. The kingdom of God is founded on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Furthe…

1
Called Beyond the Crowd 34:00

1M ago34:00

34:00

When Simon Peter first got a glimpse of who Jesus really is, his initial reaction was one of fear. The transcendent and holy otherness of Jesus simply overwhelmed Simon Peter. But the Lord’s response to Peter’s fearful reaction can be understood as something like this: Don't be afraid of me, follow me. If you follow me, I will make you into a new p…

1
The Prophet In His Hometown 31:39

1M ago31:39

31:39

It’s astonishing how angry some people will get if you try to take away their religion of revenge. They’re terribly upset by the idea that God might give divine favor to those they deem unworthy of it—to those who do not belong to their kind of people. The very idea that God might have mercy on all is condemned as blasphemy. This is exactly what Je…

1
JESUS: The Fullfillment of Scripture 30:09

2M ago30:09

30:09

Jesus is the fulfillment of Scripture, and all Scripture is fulfilled in Christ. This may sound like a simple statement, but it’s actually an essential foundation for good theology. Scripture is not fulfilled by “biblical principles applied to your life.” Scripture is not fulfilled by geopolitical events speculated as “end time signs.” Scripture is…

1
Cana of Galilee 30:20

2M ago30:20

30:20

Most of Jesus’ miracles involve dire circumstances—disease, death, danger, demons, and so on. But in Jesus’ very first miracle there is none of that—no deadly storm, no one is dying, there are no demons; it’s merely a wedding feast that is running low on wine. Some would dismiss this as “first world problems.” But Jesus doesn't do that, and we're s…

1
Baptizing the Waters 29:00

2M ago29:00

29:00

Why was Jesus baptized for repentance by John the Baptist? (Yes, Jesus is willing to participate with us in our repentance. But there is something deeper.) Jesus is not so much being baptized by the waters, as he is baptizing the waters. Jesus is sacramentally consecrating the waters so they become mighty waters—the mighty waters of salvation.…

1
The Logos In Adolescence 28:49

2M ago28:49

28:49

To actually celebrate the Twelfth Day of Christmas may seem strange and overly religious to some, but in a secular age determined to rush past the holy, it’s an act of sacred resistance. And the final day of Christmas is a good time to meditate on the Logos in adolescence.By Brian Zahnd

1
A Light for Revelation 32:25

2M ago32:25

32:25

"Hope builds a bridge across the abyss into which reason cannot look. It can hear an undertone to which reason is deaf. To the hopeful, the world appears in a different light. Hope gives the world a special radiance; it brightens the world." –Byung-Chul Han, The Spirit of HopeBy Brian Zahnd

1
Sore Afraid 31:47

3M ago31:47

31:47

Shepherds, though now romanticized in Nativity scenes, were at the bottom of society. These were not landowners but hired hands who watched over the sheep by night; sleeping, if they did, on the cold hard ground. That these simple shepherds and not the high and mighty were the first to know the greatest news of all was entirely in keeping with Mary…

1
An Anthem for A New Age 36:51

3M ago36:51

36:51

In our contemporary context we need a Christianity formed by the Magnificat. In the American superpower we are typically inclined toward ideologies of success and anthems of strength. But the grace of God does not run uphill toward the pinnacles of success and strength, it rolls downhill toward the low places of humility and trust.…

1
The Mother of God 35:02

3M ago35:02

35:02

Mary as the Mother of God is both a holy and unique mystery, and an enduring archetype.By Brian Zahnd

1
The Last and Greatest of the Old Testament Prophets 33:30

3M ago33:30

33:30

John the Baptist drinks no wine, because he’s not the one who brings the party, he only prepares the way. The party begins when Jesus turns the water to wine at the wedding feast of Cana. John is Advent; Jesus is Christmas.By Brian Zahnd

1
You Tell Me 33:19

4M ago33:19

33:19

Jesus of Nazareth being interrogated and ultimately condemned by Pontius Pilate is one of the most dramatic moments in the gospel story, and one of the most strangely fascinating moments in human history. Jesus on trial before the Roman governor of Judea establishes a historical context for the crucifixion. Indeed, it creeps into the Creed: “He suf…

1
"All Will Be Thrown Down" 34:17

4M ago34:17

34:17

In his Olivet Discourse Jesus predicted that the Temple would be destroyed, saying “all will be thrown down.” This came to pass a generation later when the Roman legions destroyed Jerusalem. But if Jesus’ words are words that “will not pass away,” what do these words say to us today, these words that—“all will be thrown down”?…

1
My Soul Waits for the Lord 36:44

4M ago36:44

36:44

Psalm 130 invites us to wait for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning. Our souls wait for the Lord because there are no quick and easy paths on the road to spiritual formation. Waiting is inevitable. Waiting is baked into this ancient Christian faith we have received. Instead of a hurried dash through a department story, the Christian life i…

1
A Tale Told By An Idiot 35:08

4M ago35:08

35:08

Let nothing disturb you Let nothing frighten you All things are passing away God never changes Patience obtains all things Whoever has God lacks nothing God alone suffices –Teresa of ÁvilaBy Brian Zahnd

1
Being Bartimaeus 30:15

5M ago30:15

30:15

In Mark's Gospel bar-Timaeus (son of Timaeus) is the only person Jesus healed who is given a name. The blind beggar bar-Timaeus is also the first person in Mark's Gospel to identify Jesus as the Son of David. So who is Timaeus and why does it matter?By Brian Zahnd

1
The Uncontainable Christ 30:52

5M ago30:52

30:52

The problem that James and John and the rest of disciples had, was that they thought Jesus could be contained in their own ambitions and agendas; that Jesus could be contained in the systems and political structures of the world they already knew. But they were wrong. They were wrong because Jesus is the uncontainable Christ.…

1
The Faith of Abraham 31:50

5M ago31:50

31:50

The faith of Abraham is a pilgrim faith that confesses the kingdoms of this world are all transitory and passing away, and that the only eternal kingdom is the kingdom of the heavens, where Jesus Christ reigns at the right hand of God.By Brian Zahnd

1
Riders In the Chariot 37:43

5M ago37:43

37:43

Philip the Evangelist rode in a chariot with the Ethiopian Eunuch on the Gaza Road two thousand years ago. Brian Zahnd road on a train with Yu in Paris on the day Derrida died. The two stories are not entirely different.By Brian Zahnd

1
Recalled To Life 34:28

6M ago34:28

34:28

No matter what cripples us, no matter what issues we have, no matter how many dark spirits afflict us, Jesus is the one who recalls us to life.By Brian Zahnd

1
Live Like A Narnian 35:59

6M ago35:59

35:59

In The Chronicles of Narnia, Puddleglum tells the underworld witch, "I'm on Aslan's side even if there is no Aslan. I'm going to live like a Narnian even if there isn't any Narnia." In this story C.S. Lewis is doing more than telling a children's fantasy, he is portraying what it means to "walk by faith."…

1
Bread in the Hands of Jesus 34:38

6M ago34:38

34:38

Bread on the table is ordinary, but bread in the hands of Jesus becomes extraordinary. Bread in Jesus' hands during the Passover meal became an extension of Jesus’ very flesh. During Jesus' teaching ministry, bread became a feast for 5,000 people. During a meal with two disciples in Emmaus, bread became a revelation of Jesus in their midst. And we …

1
Wounded Healers 40:09

6M ago40:09

40:09

This sermon explores the transformative work of Christ to give us beauty for ashes and bring healing to our woundedness. As Henry Nouwen states: "Nobody escapes being wounded. We are all wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not 'How can we hide our wounds?' so we don't have to be embarrasse…

1
Finding God In The Music | 90's Edition: Until The End Of The World 44:26

6M ago44:26

44:26

Haven't seen you in quite a while I was down the hold just passing time Last time we met was a low-lit room We were as close together as a bride and groom We ate the food, we drank the wine Everybody having a good time Except you You were talking about the end of the world I took the money I spiked your drink You miss too much these days if you sto…

1
Finding God In The Music | 90's Edition: Losing My Religion 35:48

7M ago35:48

35:48

Oh life is bigger It's bigger than you And you are not me The lengths that I will go to The distance in your eyes Oh no I've said too much I set it up That's me in the corner That's me in the spotlight Losing my religion Trying to keep up with you And I don't know if I can do it Oh no I've said too much I haven't said enough I thought that I heard …

1
Finding God In The Music | 90's Edition: Come As You Are 34:23

7M ago34:23

34:23

Come as you are, as you were As I want you to be As a friend, as a friend As an old enemy Take your time, hurry up Choice is yours, don't be late Take a rest as a friend As an old Memoria Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach As I want you to be As a trend, as a friend As an old Memoria And I swear that I don't have a gun No I don't have a gun No I …

1
Finding God In The Music | 90's Edition: Shine 38:54

7M ago38:54

38:54

Shine Collective Soul Give me a word Give me a sign Show me where to look Tell me, what will I find? What will I find? Lay me on the ground And fly me in the sky Show me where to look Tell me, what will I find? What will I find? Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down... Love is in the water Love is in the air Show me where to look Tell me, will lov…

1
Finding God In The Music | 90's Edition: One Of Us 38:34

7M ago38:34

38:34

If God had a name what would it be? And would you call it to his face? If you were faced with Him in all His glory What would you ask if you had just one question? And yeah, yeah, God is great Yeah, yeah, God is good Yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us Just a stranger on the bus Tryin' to make his way ho…

1
God's Neighboring Presence 35:29

8M ago35:29

35:29

The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood to reveal God’s neighboring presence. God has joined us as us in order to rescue us and the world. The infinite took on the finite. Immortality took on mortality. The eternal took on the earthly. The God of creation moved into the neighborhoods of our creation in order to rebuild our n…

1
The Gospel as Rebirth 37:40

8M ago37:40

37:40

When by the grace of God we realize that who we've become is not who we are supposed to be, the good news is this: We can put our trust in Jesus, be reborn, and begin the salvation journey of becoming the person we were always meant to be.By Brian Zahnd

1
The Gospel as Tragedy 31:46

8M ago31:46

31:46

Can the gospel be told as a tragedy? Obviously. And it certainly was by the Apostles. Before we jump to the triumph of the resurrection we must first face the tragedy of the cross.By Brian Zahnd

1
The Gospel as Comedy 34:45

8M ago34:45

34:45

The gospel is the divine comedy that begins with a ninety-year-old woman having a baby and concludes with a slain lamb overcoming all the monsters of the abyss. This is the divine comedy we’re invited join by simply believing that Jesus is Lord, and the joke is on the devil.By Brian Zahnd

1
The Gospel as Voyage and Return 37:43

9M ago37:43

37:43

In a Voyage and Return story the central character travels out of their familiar, “everyday” surroundings into another world completely cut off from home. This other world is strange, different, exotic, and perhaps at first, exhilarating. But eventually a shadow intrudes. Things begin to change…for the worse. The traveler increasingly feels threate…

1
The Gospel as the Quest 36:06

9M ago36:06

36:06

"You seek a great fortune, you three who are now in chains. You will find a fortune—though it would not be the fortune you seek. But first, first you must travel—a long and difficult road, a road fraught with peril. You shall see things wonderful to tell. You shall see a cow on the roof of a cotton house, and oh, so many startlements. I cannot tell…

1
The Gospel as Rags to Riches 33:05

9M ago33:05

33:05

Rags to riches is the familiar story where we begin with an apparently ordinary, insignificant person, overlooked or even dismissed by everyone else, who suddenly takes center stage and is revealed to be someone quite extraordinary. And the greatest rags to riches story is the gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth.…

1
The Gospel as Overcoming the Monster 32:37

9M ago32:37

32:37

The greatest stories, epics, and myths offer a profound insight into the deepest longings of the human heart, for as Ecclesiastes says, “God has placed eternity in their hearts.” In analyzing the great stories we discover that there are seven basic plots: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, The Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, and Reb…

1
Lord of the Story 38:40

9M ago38:40

38:40

The gospel is first and foremost a story—it’s the story of Israel, the story of Jesus, the story of God saving the world. And this story is what all the great stories in one way or another point to—because, indeed, Jesus Christ is Lord of the Story.By Brian Zahnd

1
The Circle of Divine Love 34:42

10M ago34:42

34:42

The unique way Christians talk about God is found in ancient language. We say God is a Holy Trinity. We believe the one true living God, the creator God, the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob has been revealed in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe in one God, one divine essence and substance in three persons…

1
The Very First Church 36:58

10M ago36:58

36:58

The church born on Pentecost -- the very first church -- devoted itself to four things: 1. The Apostles' Teaching (Didache) 2. The Fellowship (Koinonia) 3. The Breaking of Bread (Eucharist) 4. The Prayers (Liturgy)By Brian Zahnd

1
Christ of the Tanakh 29:24

10M ago29:24

29:24

Tanakh is a Hebrew acronym for the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings/Psalms. After his resurrection Jesus told his disciples, "Everything written about me in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. If we want our minds to be opened to understand the Scriptures, there’s o…

1
The Uncontrollable Mystery 29:09

10M ago29:09

29:09

The Apostle Paul speaks often of the mystery of Christ as the supreme revelation of God, but this in not a mystery we can place under our control. In his poem The Magi, William Butler Yeats aptly describes the incarnate Word born at Bethlehem as "the uncontrollable mystery on the bestial floor."By Brian Zahnd

1
Pastures of Peace 35:56

11M ago35:56

35:56

The landscape of our current culture seems to be filled with fury and it has left the condition of our souls vexed with anxiety. If we trust and follow Jesus, the one who cares for our soul, he will lead us, as the Good Shepherd, out of the landscape of fury and into pastures of peace.By Jacob Taylor

1
Freed from the Chains of the Fear of Death 34:12

11M ago34:12

34:12

By Peri Zahnd

1
Why Are You Frightened? 35:57

11M ago35:57

35:57

Do you believe in ghosts? The disciples may have. Upon seeing the resurrected Jesus, they wrongly assumed he was a ghost. This opens the door for Jesus to assure them(and us) that he has risen indeed. If Jesus has been raised, then death has been defeated, and we need not fear. Therefore, Jesus continues to ask "Why are you frightened?".…

1
A Doorway into a New Life 34:25

11M ago34:25

34:25

One way to think about the resurrection is to see it as Jesus’ first step towards ascension. Another way is to think of the resurrection of Jesus like a wormhole, a tunnel through time and space. From this perspective, Jesus went into death creating a passageway from this broken down world into God’s new world where all things are new again. In ste…

1
The Wood Between the Worlds: The Center That Holds 34:15

12M ago34:15

34:15

Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold. -W.B. Yeats, The Second Coming In him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, The firstborn from the dead. -St. Paul, Colossians 1:17–18…

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