The Monk and The Meathead

Committed, Fascinated, Sustained: What St. Paul Teaches Us

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Monk and the Meathead, the priest co-host shares highlights from a pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey, then reflects on St. Paul's life. Paul spent about 20 years traveling, preaching and writing letters. He endured prison, stoning and shipwreck without seeking revenge. The main question is whether we are "committed, fascinated and sustained" by our own callings, and how to press on without bitterness, with love as the constant. The episode ends with a teaser for a November homily on stillness, marvel and delight.

Episode Notes

Key takeaways

  1. Paul's mission took years of formation, then about 20 years on the road.
  2. He pressed on through prison, beatings and betrayal, and never sought revenge.
  3. Love drove everything he did, even toward his enemies.
  4. Ask yourself: am I committed, fascinated and sustained by my marriage, kids and work?
  5. When things get hard, go back to what your work is for.
  6. Don't get bitter. Lift others up.
  7. Our struggles are small next to Paul's. If he stayed positive, we can too.

 

Chapters

0:00 Welcome back and fall baseball 

1:26 The trip to Greece 

3:21 Athens to Corinth, Philippi and Meteora

 4:20 Cruise to Turkey and the Greek islands 

4:47 Ephesus and Patmos 

6:38 Two book recommendations on St. Paul 

8:53 Paul's conversion and missionary journeys 

11:59 Paul the tent maker 

13:11 Paul's long years of formation 

16:24 Nero and the death of Peter and Paul 

20:00 Taking the gospel to Greece 

21:32 Committed, fascinated, sustained 

24:00 Are we in love with our callings?

 25:00 What Paul endured 

28:16 Staying motivated when work gets hard

 30:53 Love as the constant (1 Corinthians 13) 

35:13 The airport billboard

 37:38 Paul, John and Mary in Ephesus

 43:30 Press on without bitterness 

48:08 November homily teaser

 49:36 Closing prayer and sign-off

 

Books:

T. Wright.