Connecting Scripture and Life
Religion & Spirituality
About
If you would like to donate to our ministry please follow this link, http://store.la-archdiocese.org/catholic-bible-institute and thank you for your generosity and being part of our mission to share the Word of God. Connecting Scripture and Life podcast explores the way God speaks in different times and places with the same wisdom that lead to a happy life. Scripture teaches us how to live. Through conversations with people who love, teach, and live it we will explore our own lives in the pages of the sacred. Connecting Scripture and Life is a ministry of the Catholic Bible Institute, Office of Religious Education, Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Episodes
- Episode 107: Choose Life, Choose Love - Numbers 13-14
This episode discusses Numbers 13-14, focusing on the Israelite scouts sent to the Promised Land. It examines their fear-driven rejection of the land and the contrasting faith of Caleb and Joshua, exploring themes of fear versus God's bles…
- Episode 106: Jethro - Transformation and Wisdom
This episode examines Jethro, the Midian priest and father-in-law of Moses, focusing on his encounter with God's work in Israel, his recognition of God's greatness, and the wisdom he shared with Moses through a hierarchical structure.
- Episode 105: Jethro: A Guide to the Divine - Exodus 2:10-3:2
This episode examines Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, exploring his role as a pagan priest who offers a new perspective on Moses's journey and mirrors God in his life.
- Episode 104: Redemption is at Our Feet- John 13
This episode examines John 13, focusing on Jesus washing the disciples' feet. It discusses redemption, humility, and love, contrasting Judas and Peter, and emphasizing the call to love and serve others as a sign of belonging to Jesus.
- Episode 103: The Seder Plate
This episode of Connecting Scripture and Life discusses the Passover Seder plate, explaining its symbolism and significance in celebrating freedom and transforming suffering into hope. It aims to deepen understanding of the Last Supper and…
- Episode 102: Hold One Another Up - Exodus 17:8-16
The episode discusses the Exodus 17:8-16 story where Moses, Aaron, and Hur support each other to ensure victory in battle. It emphasizes maintaining faith and helping others remain uplifted in trying times.
- Episode 101- The Timeless in Our Hearts
This episode discusses Ecclesiastes 3, exploring how the concepts of time and eternity coexist within human experience. It touches on God's purpose and the human capacity to feel, rather than know, timeless truths.
- Episode 100: Choose Love - From the Gemara
This episode explores a story from the Gemara concerning the destruction of the Second Temple, urging listeners to examine their reactions to perceived slights and choose love, drawing parallels to Jesus' teachings.
- Episode 99: All you need is Faith, Hope, and Love - 1 Corinthians 13
Recorded at the 70th Religious Education Congress, Rabbi Fruithandler and Barbara Murphy explore the transformative power of love as a commitment that helps us hope, believe, and endure through all circumstances.
- Episode 97: Demonstrate your Works through your Faith - James 2:14-26
James 2:14-26 emphasizes living out one's faith through actions and service, inspired by Abraham's obedience. The passage suggests that daily practice strengthens faith to endure life's challenges.
- Episode 96 - Disunity Shattered – Genesis 45-50
Episode 96 covers Genesis 45-50, detailing Joseph's reunion with his brothers and father Jacob. The episode explores themes of forgiveness, divine intervention, and overcoming personal and familial disunity.
- Episode 98 - Meditating in Color - Isaiah 40
This episode of Connecting Scripture and Life features Rabbi Jason Fruithandler and Barbara Murphy discussing Isaiah 40. They explore the idea of coloring spiritual reflections, suggesting that while lives are short, the beauty and color w…
- Episode 95: A Family Confronts its Brokenness - Genesis 42-44
This episode examines the brokenness of Joseph, his brothers, and Jacob as they reunite after years of separation due to betrayal and lies. It explores their journey from alienation towards hope, redemption, and restoration, drawing lesson…
- Episode 94: Pharaoh's Dream - Genesis 41
Genesis 41 recounts Pharaoh's dreams of cows and corn, which Joseph interprets as a coming famine. Joseph advises preparation during times of abundance, and following this divine guidance saves the world.
- Episode 93-: God the Interpreter - Genesis 40
In Genesis 40, Joseph interprets the dreams of the chief cupbearer and baker while in prison. The episode focuses on how Joseph maintains his focus on God through suffering and changing fortunes, illustrating God as the interpreter of salv…
- Episode 92 : Led Not Into Temptation - Genesis 39
The episode covers Genesis 39, detailing Joseph's life as a slave to Potiphar, his resistance to Potiphar's wife's advances, his false accusation and imprisonment, and his ability to find favor with God even in hardship.
- Episode 91: This is the Line of Jacob - Genesis 37
This episode delves into the biblical story of Joseph from Genesis 37, highlighting themes of sibling rivalry, betrayal, and the potential for reconciliation, drawing parallels to humanity's own struggles with division.
- Episode 90- May we be like Joseph - Matthew 1-18-2-15
This episode examines Joseph's role in the Jesus infancy narrative, portraying him as a righteous man who protected Mary and the child Jesus. It highlights his obedience to divine dreams and contrasts his selfless actions with the Magi, su…
- Episode 89: Chanukah Light Coming into the World
This episode discusses the Chanukah tradition of lighting candles, drawing parallels with Christian Advent observances. It delves into rabbinic discussions from the Talmud regarding the number of lights lit each night, referencing opinions…
- Episode 88: Blossom of the New Creation - Isaiah 11-1-10
This episode discusses Isaiah 11:1-10, focusing on the prophetic promise of a future filled with peace and love, contrasting it with current reality. It encourages listeners to live towards this aspirational prophecy of a new creation.
- Episode 87: Gratitude for Temptation - Mt 4- 1-11; Mk 1-12-13; Lk 4-1-13
This episode discusses Jesus' temptations in the desert, reframing the narrative within a season of thanksgiving. It explores how fundamental human desires can lead us astray when vulnerable, and how remaining connected to God helps discer…
- Episode 86: Gratitude is a Gift from God - Deuteronomy 8
This episode discusses gratitude as a divine gift, referencing Deuteronomy 8. It emphasizes remembering God's provision during hardship and wealth, and the importance of expressing thanks, particularly after meals and in all life circumsta…
- Episode 85: Praise the Lord! Bless His Name! - Psalm 100
This episode delves into Psalm 100, a psalm of gratitude emphasizing joyful worship and divine blessing. It highlights how individual service contributes to the common welfare for all generations.
- Episode 84: The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me - Luke 4:14-22
This episode discusses the divine spirit
- Episode 83: Nostra Aetate - Prudence and Love
This episode reflects on the Vatican II document Nostra Aetate, focusing on the Church's relationship with non-Christian religions. It highlights how the document encourages faith-sharing with prudence and love, embracing elements of truth…
- Episode 82: Build a Sukkah for Your Life
This episode discusses the commandment of the sukkah, a temporary booth built during the Feast of Booths, representing God's presence and the shelter found in His love and law. It highlights Sukkot as a time for celebration and experiencin…
- Episode 81: Una Tana Tokef - the Silent, Gentle Voice
This episode delves into the Rosh Hashanah prayer Una Tana Tokef, describing it as an awesome and frightening day of judgment. Despite its initial distress, the prayer offers hope, forgiveness, charity, and repentance, holding the promise…
- Episode 80 - The Depth of Loving our Neighbor as Ourselves - Leviticus 19 continued
This episode explores the command to love your neighbor as yourself from Leviticus 19:18. The discussion examines the meaning of this instruction in relation to one's own identity and its connection to a relationship with God.
- Episode 79: The Power to be Holy - Leviticus 19
Leviticus 19 instructs followers to be holy, mirroring God's holiness. The chapter outlines commandments for living a holy life, emphasizing fellowship with God and community, and warning against ungodly cultural influences.
- Episode 78: Ambiguity of the Wilderness - Genesis 21
Genesis 21, read during Rosh Hashanah, addresses the ambiguity of meaning that caused Hagar and Ishmael's banishment. This prompts questions about our lives, relationships, and the consequences of our interpretations, encouraging a wider h…
- Episode 77 : The Sermon on the Mount - Standing on the Rock
This episode discusses Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on self-examination, judging, the narrow gate, and the golden rule. It emphasizes building a foundation on God's Word and understanding motivations to see other…
- Episode 76: Semon On The Mount - continued
This episode continues the exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on the concepts of being salt of the earth and light to the world.
- Episode 75: From Sinai to Bethlehem - The Sermon on the Mount Revisited
This episode revisits Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, examining teachings on overcoming daily anxieties and trusting divine provision. It addresses the challenges of understanding God
- Episode 74: From Sinai to Bethlehem - Weeds among the Wheat - Mathew 13-24-30
This episode discusses the Parable of the Weeds from Matthew 13:24-30, where Jesus explains how good and evil coexist and will only be separated at the final judgment. It prompts listeners to consider how to live as 'children of the kingdo…
- Episode 73: From Sinai to Bethlehem - You Can Petition the Lord With Prayer. Ask Abraham!
This episode examines Abraham's prayer for Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting the theme of petitioning God for others and transitioning from justice to mercy. It connects this biblical narrative to the prayers of the faithful in the Church a…
- Episode 72: From Sinai to Bethlehem - The Rich Ruler: Luke 18:18-30
This episode discusses the story of the Rich Ruler from Luke 18, also found in Matthew and Mark. It explores Jesus' teaching on placing God above all else, including possessions and relationships, and questions whether listeners can love a…
- Episode 71 : From Sinai to Bethlehem - Tell the Story of Hope
This episode discusses the theme of hope, drawing parallels from the biblical narrative to the teachings of the Hasidic master Baal Shem Tov. It highlights how, through generations, the ability to preserve hope evolved from lighting fires…
- Episode 70: From Sinai to Bethlehem - What the World Needs Now is Love: 1 Corinthians 13
This episode discusses 1 Corinthians 13, emphasizing love for God and neighbor as the greatest commandments. It explores how divine love helps overcome pain and anger, fostering kindness and understanding, mirroring Jesus' example.
- Episode 69: From Sinai to Bethlehem - A Paper Chicken
This episode retells a Hasidic story about a young Hasid observing the ritual of Kapparot with Rabbi Elimelekh and Moshe the innkeeper, illustrating unique perspectives on repentance and renewal.
- Episode 68: From Sinai to Bethlehem - The Ugly Man
The episode recounts a Talmudic story where Rabbi Elazar, filled with pride, insults an ugly man. The man teaches the Rabbi a lesson about humility and the creator, leading Rabbi Elazar to understand the importance of being soft like a ree…
- Episode 67 - From Sinai to Bethlehem - A Story from the Talmud
This episode discusses a story from the Talmud featuring Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish, highlighting their Torah scholarship, their havruta relationship, and the tragic end resulting from unresolved anger, drawing parallels to teachings…
- Episode 66: Blood of the Covenant - Exodus 4:24-26
This episode examines the biblical passage Exodus 4:24-26, focusing on the story of Moses, Zipporah, and the circumcision of their son. The discussion delves into the meaning of the "bridegroom of blood" and its relevance to modern life.
- Episode 20 - Go and Make Disciples - The Lectionary and Resources
This final episode of the OCIA series features Leticia Perez and Adrian Aralar discussing the use of the Lectionary and Gospels in the OCIA process. The conversation offers guidance, resources, and ideas for catechumens, candidates, and te…
- Episode 65: Why did the pigs jump off the cliff? - Luke 8:26-39
This episode examines the biblical account of the Gerasene demoniac, discussing the pigs jumping off the cliff and exploring potential interpretations related to trauma and addiction. It references Isaiah 65:4-5 and the historical context…
- Episode 19: Go and Make Disciples-OCIA for the Baptized
This episode discusses OCIA, a program for individuals baptized Catholic or in other Christian traditions who wish to join the Church community. Terri Palmer and Adrian Aralar share their experience in guiding these individuals.
- Episode 64: Parable of the Sower-Luke 8:4-15
The episode discusses the Parable of the Sower, emphasizing that good soil, like a receptive heart, requires care and nourishment through God's word to bear fruit through perseverance.
- Episode 18: Go and Make Disciples - Pray Twice: Music and OCIA
Victor Wheeler and Fr. Juan Ochoa discuss the integral role of music in the OCIA rites, referencing St. Augustine's quote on singing as praying twice. Music is presented as a way to express readings and rites within the Mass for catechumen…
- Episode 63: We are God's Covenant for the Nations - Isaiah 42:1-12
This episode delves into Isaiah 42:1-12, discussing the servant song's interpretations for Catholics and Jews, and its application to individuals as a covenant people for each other through God's blessing and Jesus' love.
- Episode 17: Go and Make Disciples - Conversion to Christ
Fr. Juan Ochoa and Bobby Vidal discuss the interior conversion of the heart to Christ as the foundation of missionary discipleship. They explore the thresholds of conversion to a saintly life as described by St. Paul.
- Episode 62: Psalm 13 - I Trust in Your Love
This episode explores Psalm 13, a lament that expresses feelings of anguish and sorrow while affirming trust in God's love, mercy, and faithfulness. It discusses how these scriptures provide a way to articulate difficult emotions.