The Poco a Poco Podcast with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

Episode 321 - St. Francis and Love's Reply
What if following Jesus wasn't about doing more for God, but responding to how much He already loves us? In this episode, the friars continue their reflections on Saint Francis of Assisi through the book Love's Reply, exploring the heart behind his radical poverty, penance, and complete surrender to God.
For Saint Francis, giving up everything wasn't about proving his holiness or earning God's love. It was a response of gratitude to the One who had already given him everything. The friars reflect on how true conversion begins when we recognize that everything we have is a gift from the Father.
Like Saint Francis, we are invited to let go of our self-reliance, pride, and need for control, not simply to become better people, but to make more room for Jesus in our hearts and lives.
Ultimately, holiness is not about how much we accomplish for God, but how deeply we allow His love to transform us.
Join us as we discover the heart of Saint Francis, and learn to make our own lives a loving reply to the God who loved us first.
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The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. 
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Episode 320 - Sharing in God's Work of Reconciliation
Have you ever felt responsible for correcting someone you love, but struggled to know whether to speak up or let it go? In this episode, the friars reflect on what it means to share in God's work of reconciliation. When we see someone making mistakes, struggling with sin, or drifting away from the faith, it's natural to want to help.
But how do we know when God is asking us to step in, and when He's inviting us to surrender? Through the example of Saint Francis, the friars explore how fraternal correction is not simply about pointing out what's wrong, but about loving others with the same mercy, patience, and tenderness we've received from Jesus.
Sometimes love calls us to speak the truth with courage. Other times, it asks us to listen, build trust, pray, and allow God to work in ways we cannot.
Ultimately, we are called to participate in God's work of salvation, not carry the burden of saving everyone ourselves. Join us as we learn to love with courage, correct with mercy, and trust God with the hearts and lives of those we cannot change.
The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount.
Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!
🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at https://www.pocomerch.com/

Episode 319 - Trusting God with Tomorrow
Have you ever felt like things are going well and started waiting for something bad to happen? In this episode, the friars reflect on what it means to trust God with tomorrow.
When life is peaceful, fruitful, or good, it can be easy to brace ourselves for suffering, fear the next tragedy, or believe that the "other shoe" is about to drop. But that fear often reveals a deeper question: Who do I really believe God is? The friars invite us to stay rooted in the present moment, where God is actually meeting us.
We are not promised perfect understanding of the future, but we are invited to make acts of faith, hope, and love right now. Like Saint Francis, we can learn to cling to what is true: God is good, all good, supreme good.
Join us as we learn to stop living in fear of what might happen, and begin trusting the Father who is with us, caring for us, and holding tomorrow in His hands.
The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount.
Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!
🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at https://www.pocomerch.com/

Episode 318 - Is It Ever Enough?
Have you ever felt like no matter how much you give, it still isn't enough? In this episode, the friars reflect on the difference between holy desire and the exhausting pressure to always do more.
The world often tells us that greatness means never being satisfied, never resting, and never believing we have given enough. But that mindset can quietly lead to burnout, discouragement, self-reliance, and a distorted view of God. Jesus does invite us deeper. He does call us to love with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength.
But His invitation is not shame-driven or fear-driven. He receives the offering we can actually give, in our real limits, poverty, sickness, vocation, family life, and daily responsibilities. The friars invite us to bring our offering to the Lord and ask: Am I giving what I can, or am I trying to prove that I am enough?
Join us as we learn to surrender the pressure of "never enough" and receive the freedom of being loved, called, and held by the God who is enough.
The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount.
Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!
🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at https://www.pocomerch.com/

Episode 317 - Holy Father Francis
What is it about Saint Francis that still captures hearts after 800 years?
In this episode, the friars begin a new series reflecting on Saint Francis during the 800th anniversary of his death. Rather than simply talking about Francis as a historical figure, they each share how he first entered their lives, how their love for him has grown, and what continues to move them about his witness.
They reflect on Francis as a radical follower of the Gospel, a father, a lover, a mystic, and a man completely captured by Jesus. His poverty, penance, joy, prayer, and love for the poor were not just external acts. They flowed from a heart burning with intimacy, gratitude, and total dependence on God.
This conversation invites us to look beyond the familiar images of Saint Francis and rediscover the interior fire that made him who he was. Join us as we begin this journey with Holy Father Francis and ask for the grace to love Jesus with the same freedom, passion, and totality. T
he Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount.
Thinking about helping out?
You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you!
🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at https://www.pocomerch.com/