What if Palm Sunday isn't a parade — it's a powder keg? In this Holy Week opener, Tom pulls back the curtain on one of the most politically charged moments in the Gospels. With Roman troops flooding the streets, half a million pilgrims, zealots with swords on their hips, and a crowd screaming a battle cry — Jesus rides in on a donkey. Not a war horse. A donkey. This episode unpacks why that choice was the most radical thing he could have done, and what it means for how we follow him today.
Apr 1
35 min
In this episode, Pastor Tom Rundel preaches from John 11:1–44 on the raising of Lazarus—the climactic miracle that ends the first half of John’s Gospel. This is not a tidy Sunday school story. It’s a sermon about what love costs, where God actually lives, and who the church is supposed to be. Tom traces the escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jerusalem authorities, unpacks why Bethany wasn’t just a location but a theological statement, and explores the Greek distinction between Phileo and Agape love that English translations almost entirely miss. The result is a layered, honest look at grief, delay, mortality, and the kind of resurrection that begins not at the end of history but at the mouth of a tomb.
Mar 25
37 min
What if the most dangerous blindness is the kind that doesn't know it's blind? In this episode, Pastor Tom explores one of the most psychologically rich and theologically challenging passages in John's Gospel — the healing of the man born blind. What begins as a miracle story quickly becomes a courtroom drama, a liberation text, and a mirror held up to every system — religious or otherwise — that has ever made peace with suffering by blaming its victims.
Mar 18
35 min
In this episode, Pastor Tom Rundel explores one of the most radical encounters in the Gospels — Jesus and the Woman at the Well (John 4:5–42). Opening with the story of the Underground Railroad folk song "Follow the Drinking Gourd," Tom draws a vivid connection between enslaved people navigating to freedom by starlight and a Samaritan woman navigating her way out of exile and desperation to an encounter that would change everything. Along the way, he traces the centuries-old animosity between Jews and Samaritans, reframes the woman's five husbands through the lens of Levirate marriage law, and explores why Jesus chose the most marginalized person in the most marginalized community to receive his most stunning self-revelation: I AM. This is the third sermon in the Lenten series Thirsty.
Mar 11
29 min
In this conversation, Tom Rundel explores the deeper meanings and contexts surrounding the famous biblical verse John 3:16, discussing its historical significance, the character of Nicodemus, and the spiritual journey of understanding faith. He emphasizes the importance of context in scripture, the role of doubt in faith, and the transformative practices of Lent as a means to deepen one's spiritual life.
Mar 4
26 min
In this conversation, Tom Rundel explores the significance of Lent as a time for spiritual recalibration and intentional practices. He emphasizes the importance of understanding hunger versus appetite, the experience of mortality through hunger, and the temptations faced by Jesus. The discussion culminates in an invitation for personal reflection and growth during Lent, highlighting the power of love over the love of power.
Feb 25
36 min
In this conversation, Tom Rundel reflects on Black History Month, focusing on the inspiring story of Ruby Bridges and her courage during the Civil Rights Movement. He discusses the significance of Norman Rockwell's painting, 'The Problem We All Live With,' and how it encapsulates the struggles faced by Ruby as she integrated an all-white school. The conversation transitions into the themes of mountaintop moments, sacred separation, and the transfiguration of Jesus, emphasizing the importance of community, love, and the journey of transformation. Rundel encourages listeners to embrace their own moments of clarity and to practice resurrection in their daily lives.
Feb 18
30 min
Tom Rundel explores the profound teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing its counterintuitive nature and the challenges it presents to individuals across the Christian spectrum. He delves into the historical context of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, illustrating how acts of non-violence and dignity can challenge oppressive systems. The discussion further expands on the metaphor of being 'salt of the earth' and 'light of the world,' calling for a communal approach to justice and love that preserves life and reveals truth in society.
Feb 11
34 min
In this conversation, Tom Rundel shares personal anecdotes and insights about the nature of light, the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, and the significance of the Beatitudes. He emphasizes the importance of understanding unseen forces that affect our lives, the transformative power of imagination, and the call to justice and mercy as central themes in the Beatitudes. The discussion encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and the societal structures around them, advocating for a compassionate and just approach to living.
Feb 4
30 min
This conversation explores the context of Jesus' beginning ministry, the nature of time, the role of prophets in society, ancient fishermen, and the call to solidarity and healing within communities. Tom Rundel shares personal fishing memories, transitions into discussing the serious nature of fishing in Jesus' time, and delves into the importance of understanding time as a social construct. He emphasizes the need for prophets to challenge unjust systems and highlights Jesus' radical choice of disciples from the margins of society. The conversation concludes with reflections on healing and the presence of God among those who are marginalized.
Jan 28
37 min
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