Shows / Taste & See
Taste & See
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
Episodes
- Taste & See
God's Coin
For the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Zac reflects on Matthew 22:15-21, where the Pharisees' disciples try to trap Jesus over paying taxes to Caesar and He…
- Taste & See
Welcomed Back to the Feast
For the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Zac reflects on Matthew 21:33-43, the parable of the wicked tenants who kill the landowner's servants and finally his…
- Taste & See
From Resentment to Redemption
For the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Zac reflects on the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21: 28-32), unpacking why Jesus told the chief priests and elders…
- Taste & See
Generous Beyond Justice
For the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Zac reflects on the parable of the workers in the vineyard, using a childhood memory of sibling rivalry over a Capri Sun…
- Taste & See
Impossible Debt—Infinite Mercy
For the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, marking the podcast's 100th episode, Zac unpacks the parable of the unforgiving servant, using the true story of St…
- Taste & See
Remember Who You Are
For the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Zac reflects on Matthew 18:15-20 and the practice of fraternal correction, arguing that Jesus' opening words — "if your…
- Taste & See
Receiving the Cross as Gift
Reflecting on Matthew 16:21-27, Zac recounts getting sick right before his friend Vince's funeral, forcing him to skip singing in the choir he'd hoped to honor…
- Taste & See
A Friend's Death and the Living God
Reflecting on Matthew 16:13-20, Zac shares the story of his late friend Vince — a man who bore juvenile arthritis and many surgeries with faith— and Vince's…
Taste & SeeExalted Through Humility
This episode pairs Francisco Bayeu's The Assumption of the Virgin with the Gospel story of the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21-28), drawing out humility as the…
Taste & SeeNear to Him
In Matthew 14:22–33, Peter steps out of the boat and walks toward Jesus in the midst of a storm, revealing a heart that desires intimacy with Christ more than…
Taste & SeeHis Heart, Our Hope
In Matthew 14:13–21, Jesus takes five loaves and two fish, blesses them, breaks them, and feeds over five thousand people, leaving twelve baskets of leftovers…
Taste & SeeWorth Everything
Reflecting on Jesus' parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44-52), this episode explores Eduard Veith's Madonna and Child…
Taste & SeeCrowned by the Cross
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…
Taste & SeeEverything is Gift
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…
Taste & SeeIn Love, At Rest
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…
Taste & SeeBeggars for Love
In this reflection on Matthew 10:37-42, viewed through Gerrit van Honthorst's The Denial of St. Peter, we encounter Peter stepping away from the candlelight…
Taste & SeeFearless in Love
Through William Bouguereau's Madonna with Child and John the Baptist, we explore Christ's repeated command in Matthew 10 to "do not be afraid" and reveals that…
Taste & SeeThe Answered Prayer
Reflecting on Matthew 9:36–10:8 through Nicolás Francés's painting of the Twelve Apostles, this episode explores how God calls unique individuals into a…
Taste & SeeThe Heart That Hungers
On the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, this episode reflects on Jesus’ teaching in John 6: 51-58 and a 15th-century German painting of the Last Supper to explore…
Taste & SeeA Place at Table
This episode reflects on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity through John 3:16–18 and The Hospitality of Abraham by Andrei Rublev, revealing the Trinity not…
Taste & SeeSpirit and Silence
This Pentecost reflection on John 20: 19-23 explores how the Holy Spirit enters into locked and fearful hearts, bringing peace, renewal, and mission, just as…
Taste & SeeReturn to Galilee
Using Rembrandt’s The Ascension of the Lord alongside Matthew 28:16–20, this reflection explores how Christ’s Ascension invites us to lift our hearts toward…
- Taste & See
No Longer Orphans
In this episode on John 14: 15-21, Jesus promises that we are not abandoned but deeply loved children of God, given the Holy Spirit and His own presence so we…
- Taste & See
The Way Home
In this episode on John 14:1-12, Jesus reveals that He is not just a guide but the Way itself—the only path to the Father, who is the true destination of our…
- Taste & See
The Language of the Heart
In the gospel for next Sunday, John 10: 1-10, Jesus reveals Himself as the Good Shepherd who lovingly calls His sheep by name, invites them to recognize His…
- Taste & See
Recognizing Him Again
This episode on Gospel of Luke 24:13–35 reveals that the story of Cleopas and the road to Emmaus is not just a past event, but the very pattern of every Mass…
- Taste & See
The Whole Gospel in Three Words
This episode reflects on Divine Mercy Sunday through Gospel of John 20:19–23, revealing that the risen Christ enters our fear, guilt, and shame not with…
- Taste & See
Step 7: Practice Superabundant Mercy
This episode centers on Mary Magdalene in Gospel of John 20: 1–9, revealing how deep love for Christ becomes a channel of “superabundant mercy”—a grace that…
- Taste & See
Step 6: Find God in Others
This episode connects Gospel of Matthew 21:1–11 with the mystery of the Incarnation, showing how Jesus intentionally enters Jerusalem in radical humility by…
- Taste & See
Step 5: Find God in Yourself
On this Fifth Sunday of Lent in John 11:1–45, Jesus reveals Himself as “the resurrection and the life,” entering into human suffering—He even weeps—and calling…
- Taste & See
Step 4: Rejoice, Beloved Sinner
In this episode we reflect on Gospel of John 9:1–41 where Jesus heals the man born blind and reveals that true sight is not only physical vision but the…
Taste & SeeStep 3: Give God Your Time — Thirsting for Living Water
Reflecting on Gospel of John 4:5–42 (The Woman at the Well), the third step to superabundance invites us to give God some of our time in prayer, especially at…
- Taste & See
Step 2: Use Money for Others
In this episode reflecting on Gospel of Mark 9:2–10 and the Transfiguration, the second step to superabundance invites us to use money for others as a natural…
- Taste & See
The First Step to Superabundance: Honor Your Vows
For the First Sunday of Lent, reflecting on Gospel of Matthew 4:1–11, this episode launches the “7 Steps to Superabundance” with Step 1: Honor Your Vows…
- Taste & See
Fulfilled by Love
In this episode about Matthew 5: 17-20, we reflect on Jesus’ words that He came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it—by filling it to the brim with love…
- Taste & See
Taste of Joy
In this episode, we reflect on Jesus’ call to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, drawing from lived experience among the Missionaries of…
- Taste & See
The Comfort of Mourning
SummaryIn this episode, we sit with the Beatitudes in Matthew 5: 1-12 as Jesus reveals the paradoxical path to true happiness. Through personal vulnerability…
- Taste & See
Light in the Darkness
In Matthew 4:12–17, Jesus enters Galilee and fulfills Isaiah’s promise: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” This episode reflects on how…
- Taste & See
Testimony of Joy
In this episode, we reflect on John 1:29–34, where John the Baptist points away from himself and joyfully testifies, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” revealing Jesus…
- Taste & See
Mine Before Mission
On the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Matthew 3:13–17), Zac reflects on a foundational truth of the Christian life: identity comes before mission. Through…
- Taste & See
Under Joseph's Care
On the Feast of the Holy Family, this episode invites us to rest under the quiet, steadfast care of St. Joseph—the trustworthy father chosen to protect Jesus…
- Taste & See
Spirit of Nazareth: Mary's Heart
In this Fourth Sunday of Advent (Matthew 1: 18-24) , we are invited into the hidden wisdom of Nazareth, where God chose not the biggest city, but the biggest…
- Taste & See
Spirit of Nazareth: Abiding Presence of God
In this week’s episode on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Zac shares a raw and vulnerable story of wrestling with doubt in the silence of a seminary chapel—only to…
- Taste & See
Spirit of Nazareth: Loving Sacrifice
In this second Sunday of Advent episode, Zac reflects on the mark of the Spirit of Nazareth: loving sacrifice. He draws from his own vocational journey with…
- Taste & See
Welcome to Taste & See!
Taste & See is a weekly podcast that builds a community of prayer by offering heartfelt reflections and meditations on the Sunday readings. Hosted by Zac…
- Taste & See
Spirit of Nazareth: Joyful Service
In this First Sunday of Advent episode, Zac reflects on Christ’s first, second, and “third” coming through a tender childhood memory of joyful waiting…
- Taste & See
Throne of Humility
In this episode, we explore the profound kingship of Jesus Christ, revealed not in earthly power but in His selfless sacrifice on the cross, as highlighted in…
- Taste & See
Living for Christ
In this episode for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time on Luke 21:5-19, Zac draws from encounters at a young adult retreat with a joyful Chinese Jesuit priest…
- Taste & See
Giving Over Getting
In this episode for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica on November 9th, 2025, we explore John 2:13-22, where Jesus cleanses the temple, drawing parallels…
- Taste & See
Gift of Love
In this touching episode, Zac shares a heartfelt story from a friend's joy-filled wedding, painting it as a powerful image of self-giving love that mirrors our…
- Taste & See
Mercy Over Masks
In this week’s episode, we explore how an essential principle from romantic relationships reveals the heart of the Gospel in Luke 18:9–14. Through the story of…
- Taste & See
Prayer Changes Us, Not God
In this episode of Taste and See, we reflect on Jesus’ call to persevere in faith even when prayer feels unanswered. Drawing from Luke 18: 1–8, Zac explores…
- Taste & See
Joyfully Serving the Master
In this week’s episode of Taste and See, we enter into Luke 17:5–10, where Jesus calls His disciples to live as humble servants. This Gospel passage challenges…
- Taste & See
Hearts That See
In this episode of Taste and See for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we reflect on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31). I share my own…
- Taste & See
Money and Prudence
What does Jesus mean when He praises the dishonest steward in Luke 16:1–13? In this episode of Taste and See for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we wrestle…
- Taste & See
Suffering to Victory
On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, Zac shares how the color pink—rooted in his mother’s battle with breast cancer—became a symbol of love and…
- Taste & See
Radical Discipleship: Loving and Leaving
In this episode, Zac shares a moving call with his mom after a transformative "Come and See" week in Tijuana with the Missionaries of Charity Fathers—daily…
- Taste & See
Banquet for the Poor
Happy one year of Taste and See!! Praise God and thank you all for listening prayerfully!In Episode 48 (Luke 14:7-14), Zac reflects on pricey Catholic…
- Taste & See
Let Go, Enter
In this episode, we dive into Luke 13:22-30 and the "narrow gate" of forgiveness. Zac recounts the gripping story from The Mission, where ruthless slaver…
- Taste & See
God's Hidden Treasure
This week on Taste and See, we explore the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1:39-56). Zac shares a humorous middle school quest for…