Draw Near

If Jesus Is Lord, Life Looks Different

December 3rd, 2025  |  36 mins 43 secs

catholic life, christian living, conversion, discernment, discipleship, draw near podcast, gospel reflection, grace, holy spirit, obedience, prayer, scripture, spiritual growth

In a gentle (yet challenging) episode on Luke 6:46, Fred and Kara explore Jesus's words to his followers: "Why do you call me Lord Lord and do not do what I tell you?" This episode takes an honest look at what it means to actually live Jesus words from Scripture and his personal promptings to each of our hearts. We explore the freedom and difficulties in the promptings of the Spirit, real obedience even when teachings are hard, and how to discern the deeper “yes” God is inviting you into.

Encountering God in Scripture: Listening with Your Heart

July 27th, 2025  |  39 mins 47 secs

catholic bible, faith journey, hearing god, prayer, scripture, spiritual growth

In this episode of Draw Near, we explore how Scripture becomes a living encounter with the voice of God. We talk about how to prepare our hearts to hear him, the power of knowing the full story of salvation, and how God speaks uniquely and personally through his Word. With personal stories, practical tips, and favorite passages that have carried us through suffering and joy, we hope to inspire you to trust that God is speaking to you.

Whether you’re new to reading Scripture or longing to go deeper, this conversation will help you move from simply reading the Bible to truly encountering the God who loves you.

A Chosen People: Building the Kingdom of God

May 28th, 2025  |  8 mins 44 secs

catholic, church, community, discipleship, holy spirit, scripture, unity

What does it mean to be a "living stone" in God's Church? How can we live as a royal priesthood, and build communities that truly reflect the love and unity of Christ?

In this episode, Fred explores the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter and unpacks our identity as chosen people—called not just to believe, but to build. Drawing from Acts, Revelation, and John’s Gospel, we’ll dive into what it means to be part of something eternal and radiant: the Kingdom of God.

🔹 Discover how God is building his Church through us
🔹 Learn what it means to offer spiritual sacrifices in daily life
🔹 Be inspired to live your faith with peace, purpose, and unity

Whether you're new to the faith or a lifelong disciple, this episode will challenge and encourage you to take your place in God’s spiritual house.

Advent Reflection: Already and Not Yet

December 18th, 2024  |  38 mins 2 secs

advent, christmas, draw near podcast, lectio divina, scripture

Jesus is coming... AGAIN!
Advent is a time of Preparation! In this Lectio Divina Reflection Fred and Kara talk about preparing for the coming of Jesus! He was born of a virgin in a manger and so has ALREADY come. BUT also... not YET, because Jesus will come again. Are we preparing ourselves for Jesus to return? What if Jesus returned tomorrow? Are you ready?

DN Classics: There's Something About Mary

December 6th, 2024  |  1 hr 1 min

blessed mother, catholic, catholic teaching, conversion, december 8, encouragement, full of grace, healing, identity, immaculate conception, mary, scripture, trauma

In the deeply personal first half of this episode, Fred and Kara reflect on their relationship with Mary, and how that has changed and grown over the years. Fred shares more of his testimony about converting to Catholicism and the role Mary played in that process. He also reflects on issues such as identity, childhood trauma, mistrust, and difficult family experiences and how these can effect our relationship with God; as well as with Mary. He shares the story of his relationship with Mary, and how she has helped him to find healing. Christ, while bleeding out and dying on the Cross, said to his Mother, “Behold your son;” and to his beloved disciple, “Behold your Mother.” Scripture then affirms that from that day, this beloved disciple “took her into his home.” We to, as beloved disciples must take her into our homes, and allow the love of the Mother of God to penetrate our hearts as only that of a faithful mother can. Her heart is to draw us near to the source of peace that surpasses all understanding: her son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In the second half, we return to Kara's teaching on the Immaculate Conception, which we celebrate on December 8. Kara dives into a scriptural study of key texts that point to Mary’s Immaculate Conception with hopes that each listener would be drawn deeper into the celebration of this Holy Day of Obligation.

"In the Desert, I Praise You:" Gratitude Reflection

November 20th, 2024  |  37 mins 37 secs

lectio divina, prayer, reflection, scripture, spirituality

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, it is common to be thankful for the good gifts, graces, love, or comforts of life. But, how often do we thank God for the thorn in our side, the pit we have fallen into, or the desert we simply cannot find a way out of? In this episode of the Catholic podcast, Draw Near, Fred and Kara reflect on 2 Scripture passages focusing on gratitude to God in the midst of difficulty.

One Boat: Are We a Church Divided?

August 21st, 2024  |  48 mins 48 secs

division, one boat, scripture, the church

There is so much division in the world... but also in the Church! The Church has been described in the image of a "Boat" since the Early Church Fathers. We are all ONE BOAT. ONE Church. Why do our opinions divide us? In this episode of Draw Near, Fred and Kara touch on what causes division in the Church and how it can be healed.
What do we allow to divide us? Where is God in our opinions? Does pride divide us?

Why do bad things happen to good people?

April 3rd, 2024  |  57 mins 18 secs

scripture, suffering

As we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus at the beginning of this Easter season, we revisit the topic of suffering and reflect on its relationship to the Resurrection; and the experience of resurrection in our own lives. Why do we suffer? What purpose does it serve? How should we approach it? Why does the Lord allow it? And can anything good come from it? In this episode we pull ALOT from Scripture, get a little personal and honest, and reflect suffering in our own lives, and the life of Job, in reflecting on the answers to these questions.

Emmaus Teaches the Mass (MLMG Ep 24)

March 22nd, 2024  |  24 mins 53 secs

eucharist, scripture, teaching, the mass

Did you know the Road to Emmaus reveals a lot about our encounter with Christ in the Mass? This is one of Fred and Kara's favorite passages!

Feeding the 5000 (MLMG Ep 14)

January 5th, 2024  |  27 mins 58 secs

bible, feeding 5000, proof, scripture, teaching

Serving as a "bridge" between our last episode, Bread from Heaven, and our discussion on the Bread of Life discourse (John 6); this week we take up the topic of the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. From the 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, Jesus multiplied the available food such that the crowd that was following him could "eat their fill." Yet, 12 baskets remained leftover. How is this possible? What was John trying to reveal to us about Jesus Christ? What is significant about the language the Gospel writer uses and what are the parallels that can be drawn? How does this miracle point ultimately to the Eucharist? Listen to find out!