The conversion of Paul–from persecutor of Christians to missionary disciple–is one of the most dramatic in the Christian tradition. In this episode of Imagine, we’ll reflect on the story as told in the Acts of the Apostles. In the years following Jesus' death and resurrection, Saul of Tarsus was actively working to persecute the early church. He asked for permission from the High Priest to go to Damascus to arrest and persecute the Christians there. While on the journey, a bright light shone...

From the very beginning, people doubted the resurrection of Jesus. In this episode of Imagine, we’ll focus on one apostle, Thomas, who couldn't bring himself to believe the testimony of the other disciples who had encountered the risen Jesus. The story of "doubting Thomas" is found only in the Gospel of John. When the other disciples tell him they encountered the risen Jesus, Thomas says that he would only believe if he could see Jesus for himself and place his hands in his wounds. The next...

In this episode, as we continue reflecting on stories of conversion, we’ll look at the resurrection appearance of Jesus to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, found only in the Gospel of Luke. In this story, two disciples are walking away from Jerusalem after the death of Jesus. As they try to process the traumatic event, Jesus himself joins them, though they don’t recognize him. Jesus helps them to understand the suffering and death of the Messiah through scripture and they finally begin to...

In this episode of Imagine, we’ll focus on the story of Jesus’ crucifixion as told in the Gospel of Luke. In this version of the crucifixion, Jesus is nailed to the cross and placed between two criminals. One of the criminals joins the crowd in taunting him. The other defends Jesus, recognizing his innocence. Whatever crime he had committed, this man earnestly pleads with Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He reminds us that Jesus can be found in the most unlikely of...

In this episode, we’ll reflect on the story of the woman at the well, found only in the Gospel of John (Chapter 4:4-42). While traveling through Samaria, Jesus encounters a woman alone at a well and asks her for a drink of water. Jesus’ interaction with her is shocking for both the woman and his disciples. Jesus is a Jewish man and it is unusual for him to talk to a woman in public, let alone a Samaritan woman since there was great hostility between Jews and Samaritans. This encounter leaves...

Imagine the tension in the room as a known sinner walks in and starts weeping at Jesus' feet. She's a mess. Simon, the Pharisee hosting the party, is not pleased. “If this man were a prophet," he says to himself, "he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him; that she is a sinner.” Watch Jesus. How does he respond to the woman? How does he respond to Simon? "Imagine: A Guide to Jesuit Prayer" is a podcast that guides you through a form of prayer called Ignatian...

Sitting at his customs post, Levi the tax collector must have gotten some angry glares. After all, tax collectors were despised for collaborating with the Roman authorities and were unwelcome in the Temple or at dinner with upright Jews. But Jesus looked at him in a different way; in a way unlike anyone had ever looked at him before. Imagine this scene unfold as Jesus calls Levi who leaves everything to follow him. As they dine together at Levi's house, the scribes and Pharisees balk and...

When Jesus calls to a group of fishermen at the Sea of Galilee, they leave everything behind to follow him. The story is simple, but powerful. What was it about this man and his invitation that inspired them to go with him? In what ways have we heard the simple call to, “Follow me”? IMAGINE: A Guide to Jesuit Prayer is a podcast that introduces a form of prayer called Ignatian Contemplation, in which you use your imagination to interact with various scenes from Scripture. In this first...

Lent is a time of personal and communal conversion, when we acknowledge that God calls each one of us to draw closer and we examine the ways in which we need to grow in response to that call. Calling and conversion are also major themes of the Ignatian Year, which marks the 500th anniversary of St. Ignatius' conversion after being struck by a cannonball.  This new season of Imagine: A Guide to Jesuit Prayer focuses on stories of calling and conversion in the New Testament. In each episode, we...

Imagine is proud to share the latest podcast in the America Media family: Hark! The stories behind our favorite Christmas carols. Subscribe to the entire Hark! podcast series online, on apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. O Come, All Ye Faithful is a rousing, controversial and some might even say, miraculous Christmas carol! And it’s believed to have a subversive Jacobite rallying call hidden in the text. To peal back the layers of history in this song, Host Maggi Van Dorn is...

The resurrected Jesus reveals himself to Peter and the disciples by the sea. After catching nothing through the night, a man tells the disciples to cast their nets again, and they catch a huge number of fish. They realize that it is Jesus and eat with him on the shore. Afterwards, Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” Focus on Peter in this story and his own need for healing and reconciliation. Find more reflections and resources for Lent and Easter at:...

In this episode, we’ll reflect on the events that take place following the last supper. We’ll keep watch with Jesus as he prays in the garden. Accompany Peter as he watches Jesus’ trial from a distance and witness his heartbreaking denial of his friend and teacher. Details will be taken from each of the Gospel accounts. What do these events teach us about Jesus’ experience of human suffering? Find more reflections and resources for Lent and Easter at:...

“If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” - Mark 5:28 r  A woman who had been afflicted with a hemorrhage for years believes that if she just touches the garments of Jesus, she will be cured. Pray with this moment of great faith and her encounter with Jesus.  Find more reflections and resources for Lent at: https://www.americamagazine.org/lent2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“What do you want me to do for you” - Mark 10:51 As Jesus passes by with a large crowd, the blind man Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus, “Son of David, have pity on me.” When the crowd tries to silence him, Bartimaeus calls out even louder. Witness this healing encounter between Jesus and the blind man who can see who he truly is. Find more reflections and resources for Lent at: https://www.americamagazine.org/lent2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you.” - John 8:10-11 While Jesus is preaching at the Temple, a group of scribes and Pharisees bring before him a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. They seek to condemn her, but Jesus treats her with mercy. What can we learn about the healing love of God through this encounter? Find more reflections and resources for Lent at: https://www.americamagazine.org/lent2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Rise and walk’?” - Luke 5:23 While Jesus is speaking in a crowded home, a group of people go to extraordinary lengths to bring their friend before him for healing.  Find more reflections and resources for Lent at: https://www.americamagazine.org/lent2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” - Luke 5:8 Jesus calls on Peter and his partners to cast their nets into the deep, where they catch a huge number of fish. Peter responds with a moment of vulnerability. See how Jesus responds. Find more reflections and resources for Lent at: https://www.americamagazine.org/lent2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Released on Fridays during Lent, new episodes of "Imagine" will introduce you to a form of prayer called Ignatian Contemplation, in which you use your imagination to interact with various scenes from Scripture. First Friday of Lent: “At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by the devil.” - Mark 1:12-13. Before Jesus began his ministry of healing and reconciliation, he faced his own temptations in the desert. Join him in the...

“When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’” Angels announce the birth of Jesus to the poor and lowly shepherds of the region. Join them to visit the newborn Jesus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” - Luke 2:1-5 Accompany Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and witness the birth of Jesus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.” Travel with Mary and Joseph on the long and rough journey to Bethlehem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” In this episode, we witness the Visitation, when Mary travels to see her relative Elizabeth.

“Hail Mary, the Lord is with you.” In this episode in the Advent/Christmas season of Imagine, we witness the Annunciation, as Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to Mary and awaits her response. For more Advent content from America Media, click here.