by Zac Wierschem
Taste & See is a weekly podcast of heartfelt reflections and meditations on the Sunday readings. Join Zac Wierschem from Paradisus Dei as he guides you into a deeper encounter with Jesus—alongside a global community that prays together each week. Learn more about Paradisus Dei and our life-changing programs at: paradisusdei.org
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
8/30/2024
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
July 14, 2026
<p>In this episode, we pray with the Gospel of the wheat and weeds, where Jesus teaches, "Let both grow together until the harvest" (Matthew 13:30), and reflect on the icon of Constantine and St. Helen holding the Cross. Through the story of Constantine's conversion and the centrality of the Cross in the icon, we discover that true authority is found not in earthly power but in surrender to Christ, the King of kings. Jesus invites us to stop playing the role of judge, trust His timing, and allow Him to transform the weeds in our hearts into wheat for His Kingdom.</p><p><br></p><p>Reflection Questions:</p><ol><li>What "weeds" in my life am I most tempted to hide from God?</li><li>When Jesus looks upon me with open arms from heaven, what do I imagine He sees in my heart?</li><li>Are there people in my life whom I have written off as incapable of conversion or growth?</li></ol><p><br></p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rkiFe6y9s3N6Q7T9Vyhq3mPd0IcHt41p/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Here's the link</a> to the sacred art piece: Icon of Constantine and Helen: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rkiFe6y9s3N6Q7T9Vyhq3mPd0IcHt41p/view?usp=sharing</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KWho46M51fE5O_27QlZM70EyshszRc6kDUV6ub2_0o8/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Here's the link</a> to the Google Slides presentation for experiencing this podcast in a group setting: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KWho46M51fE5O_27QlZM70EyshszRc6kDUV6ub2_0o8/edit?usp=sharing</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uD46l6WLnA_-8bQgz9Yq0a9eJGa6wdX2DSJX3tgnwks/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Here's the link</a> to the text of the mediation from this episode: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uD46l6WLnA_-8bQgz9Yq0a9eJGa6wdX2DSJX3tgnwks/edit?usp=sharing</p><p>________</p><p>Learn more about the mission of <strong>Paradisus Dei</strong> and its life-changing parish programs <a href="https://paradisusdei.org/"><u>here</u></a>.</p><p>The <strong>World English Bible</strong> is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.</p><p><strong>Intro music</strong>: "My Life (Main)” by Good B Music</p><p><strong>Meditation Music</strong>: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of A</p>
July 7, 2026
<p>Drawing from Christ's Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-9, this episode reflects on The Angelus by Jean-François Millet and the profound generosity of God who continually sows His gifts into our lives. Through the image of two poor laborers pausing their work to pray, we explore how the Incarnation elevates both the dignity of human work and the dignity of the poor, revealing Christ's presence in ordinary labor and dependence upon divine providence. As Jesus says, "A farmer went out to sow" (Matthew 13:3), so too God lavishly scatters the seed of His love upon every heart, inviting us to receive everything as gift and to work alongside Him in building His Kingdom.</p><p><br></p><p>Reflection Questions:</p><ol><li>What areas of my life do I still struggle to see as gifts from God?</li><li>Am I more focused on the gifts God gives, or on the Giver Himself?</li><li>If Christ were standing beside me during my work tomorrow, how would it change the way I approach it?</li></ol><p><br></p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1btQdaVua96iKGzBzaS2m-9o7WzXS1VMP/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Here's the link</a> to the sacred art piece, a lithograph of The Angelus by Jean-François Millet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1btQdaVua96iKGzBzaS2m-9o7WzXS1VMP/view?usp=sharing</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13ac3KHT9AIFoh9OZ5v3BFoHRjocAh5DKu7VsKKKrhwI/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Here's a link</a> for the Google Slides presentation with the gospel, sacred art, and reflection questions to experience this podcast in a group setting: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13ac3KHT9AIFoh9OZ5v3BFoHRjocAh5DKu7VsKKKrhwI/edit?usp=sharing</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Om6ZEgP3ImXfR0Ap5SAgOgdB1qvRuDTqwmVwW4_69T8/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Here's the link</a> to the text of the meditation: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Om6ZEgP3ImXfR0Ap5SAgOgdB1qvRuDTqwmVwW4_69T8/edit?usp=sharing</p><p><br></p><p>____</p><p>Learn more about the mission of <strong>Paradisus Dei</strong> and its life-changing parish programs <a href="https://paradisusdei.org/"><u>here</u></a>.</p><p>The <strong>World English Bible</strong> is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.</p><p><strong>Intro music</strong>: "My Life (Main)” by Good B Music</p><p><strong>Meditation Music</strong>: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of A</p>
June 30, 2026
<p>Drawing from Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:25–30, this episode explores how God reveals His deepest truths not to the powerful and self-sufficient, but to those who become like spiritual infants and allow themselves to be loved. Through Interment of Saint Cecilia in the Roman Catacombs by Luis de Madrazo, we discover how St. Cecilia's martyrdom reveals the paradox of the Gospel: that true rest is found not in escaping burdens, but in surrendering them to Christ, who says, "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28-30). As we conclude the month with an examen, we are invited to become childlike before the Father, receive His love, and find the rest that only Christ can give.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Reflection Questions</strong>:</p><ol><li>What burdens have I been carrying that Jesus never asked me to carry alone?</li><li>What truth might God be trying to reveal in the hidden "catacombs" of my heart?</li><li>As I begin a new month, what is one concrete step I can take to live more deeply in God's love and rest rather than in anxiety and striving?</li></ol><p><br></p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1moS5EpH4QS-P-wtpYp9Jbd4uCtHNqf8s/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Here is the link</a> to the sacred art for this week, Interment of Saint Cecilia in the Roman Catacombs by Luis de Madrazo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1moS5EpH4QS-P-wtpYp9Jbd4uCtHNqf8s/view?usp=sharing</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19BnLbnxXo1AiDTHBAKuGYQA6rbqUycfdEhmPMc8TShg/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Here is the link</a> to the Google Slides presentation for experiencing this podcast in a group setting: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19BnLbnxXo1AiDTHBAKuGYQA6rbqUycfdEhmPMc8TShg/edit?usp=sharing</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NVLGy19Kx8Zjl4Jtm0DvshgW0Idg1IH3N96ajtOe0Ak/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Here is the link</a> to the examen that we did for this week: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NVLGy19Kx8Zjl4Jtm0DvshgW0Idg1IH3N96ajtOe0Ak/edit?usp=sharing</p><p>________</p><p><br></p><p></p><p>Learn more about the mission of <strong>Paradisus Dei</strong> and its life-changing parish programs <a href="https://paradisusdei.org/"><u>here</u></a>.</p><p>The <strong>World English Bible</strong> is in the public domain and was used for all scripture quotations.</p><p><strong>Intro music</strong>: "My Life (Main)” by Good B Music</p><p><strong>Meditation Music</strong>: Reawaken Hymns Worship Pads - foundations in the key of A</p><p><br></p>
Discover related shows you might enjoy
ACTS XXIX
Matt Fradd
Ascension
Ascension
Scott Hahn
Ascension
Bishop Robert Barron
Jake Khym & Bob Schuchts
Ascension
Bishop Robert Barron
Chris Stefanick | Real Life Catholic
Ascension
John Heinen, Devin Schadt
Heather Khym, Michelle Benzinger, Sr Miriam James Heidland
Catholic Answers
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Taste & See is a weekly podcast of heartfelt reflections and meditations on the Sunday readings. Join Zac Wierschem from Paradisus Dei as he guides you into a deeper encounter with Jesus—alongside a global community that prays together each week.
Learn more about Paradisus Dei and our life-changing programs at: paradisusdei.org
This podcast updates daily.
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.