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Word & Table

265 episodes - English - Latest episode: 20 days ago - ★★★★★ - 281 ratings

Word and Table is a weekly podcast about liturgy, sacrament, and the great tradition of Christian worship and why it is vital in our world today.

It is hosted by Fr. Alex Wilgus, rector at Redemption Anglican Church in Frisco, TX and features Fr. Stephen Gauthier, the Canon Theologian of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest in the Anglican Church in North America

Christianity Religion & Spirituality Spirituality church liturgy sacrament theology anglican catholic orthodox christian worship
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Episodes

Mailbag: Confirmation, Divorce, Ecumenism

June 27, 2018 08:00 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MB

Great questions from our listeners! Does Confirmation mean "becoming Anglican?" - Micah Thompson How does the church handle sacramental marriages that end up abusive? - Alyssa Keysor What would it take to reunite our Anglican churches with Roman Catholicism or other evangelical protestant denominations? - Seth Hedman Email your question! Support Word & Table Music: Veni Creator Spiritus by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications

The 39 Articles

June 13, 2018 07:00 - 35 minutes - 32.7 MB

In which Father Stephen summarizes every one of the 39 Articles of Religion in 35 minutes. That's less than a minute per article! Plus a short introduction explaining what the Articles are and are not. Email the show Support the show Music: "Ubi Caritas et Amor" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

In Jesus' Name

May 31, 2018 13:00 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MB

How do we pray "in Jesus' name?" What does the common ending actually mean and how does the liturgy help us address God directly? Email the show Support the show Music: "Pater Noster" and "Blessing and Amen" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from "More Sublime Chant." Copyright GIA Publications.

Divorce and Remarriage

May 17, 2018 08:00 - 32 minutes - 29.9 MB

What did Jesus really say about marriage and divorce? How has the church upheld such a difficult teaching? Email the show Support the show Music: "Invitatory and Night Hymn" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

The Ten Commandments

May 02, 2018 07:00 - 31 minutes - 29 MB

Think the Ten Commandments is just a list of "don'ts?" Father Stephen and Alex dig into the "dos" behind the "don'ts" to show how the Ten Commandments truly is a holistic moral vision for human flourishing. Got a question? Email the show Like the show? Support the show Music "Alleluia Pascha Nostrum" and "Panis Angelicus" from More Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

Christ in the Old Testament

April 20, 2018 07:00 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MB

If the whole Bible is about Jesus, then where do we find him in the Old Testament? What's the difference between exegesis (getting something out of a text) and "eisegesis" (reading something into the text). And what's the difference between interpreting the Bible and any other book?

Difficult Passages in the Gospels

April 04, 2018 08:00 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MB

Sometimes you want to be inspired by the words of Jesus but you just cannot figure what he's talking about! Alex asks Father Stephen about several difficult passages in the gospels and learns how to interpret them. Give to the show Email the show Music: "Gloria in Excelsis" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant copyright GIA Publications.

Basil of Caesarea

March 14, 2018 07:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MB

Father Stephen and Alex talk about another Church Doctor, Basil the Great and what he did to clarify the teaching of Christ's nature, the Holy Spirit and also his work on the liturgy and monaticism. Email the show Support the show Music: Alma Redemptoris Mater by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from More Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

Temptation

March 03, 2018 08:00 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MB

Have you ever been tempted to sin? We're willing to bet you have. Father Stephen and Alex talk about temptation, how it is different from sin and God's purpose behind allowing us to be tempted. Email the show Give to the show Music: Agnus Dei from Missa Simplex and Missa de Angelis from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications

Cyprian of Carthage

February 16, 2018 09:08 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MB

Cyprian of Carthage was a 3rd Century Bishop who lived as he wrote: dedicated entirely to the unity of the Church. Father Stephen introduces us to the life and writings of this beloved Father of the Church. Music: O Benedicamus Domino by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

What do I do if I can't go to Church?

February 08, 2018 16:48 - 2 minutes - 2.78 MB

A listener writes in with a very good question! Father Stephen responds in a special mini-episode.

The Pharisees

February 01, 2018 08:00 - 34 minutes - 31.7 MB

Father Stephen focuses on the Pharisees in the gospels. Who were they, what was it about them that Jesus objected to, and what can we learn from them today? Email the show. Support the show. Music: "Agnus Dei" and "Ubi Caritas et Amor" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from More Sublime Chant and Sublime Chant, respectively. Copyright GIA Publications.

Irenaeus of Lyons

January 17, 2018 14:00 - 34 minutes - 32 MB

We talk about another early Church Father, Irenaeus of Lyons, his life, writings and theology. His encounter with early gnosticism occasioned some of the Church's first dogmatic and apologetic writings. You can read Book 3 of Irenaeus's "Against Heresies" here. Email the show. Give to the show. Music: "Sanctus (Ambrosian)" and "Only Begotten Word of God Eternal" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from More Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications.

The Holy Name of Jesus

January 03, 2018 08:00 - 19 minutes - 18 MB

Father Stephen talks about the Feast of The Holy Name, the last day in the Christmas Octave, why it takes place 8 days after Christmas, what naming means in traditional Jewish culture, and what is special about the name of Jesus in particular. Music: "Jesu Dulcis Memoria" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant copyright GIA Publications. Email the show Give to the show

The Incarnation

December 23, 2017 08:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MB

A special bonus Christmas episode! Father Stephen and Alex discuss the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and why assuming humanity is essential to our salvation. We also include a huge thanks at the end to those who gave to the show this year. Thanks to you, Word & Table will return in 2018! Email the show. Give to the show. Music: "Salve Mater Misericordiae" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

The Greatest Commandment

December 19, 2017 08:00 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MB

Father Stephen discusses why Greatest Commandment, identified by Jesus, is actually two commandments and why it really is the greatest out of all 613 commandments in the law. Music: "Ubi Caritas et Amor" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications.

Movable Feasts and Calendars

December 03, 2017 06:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MB

Father Stephen breaks down the reason why Christmas is always December 25 but Easter moves around. More than you ever thought you wanted to know about solar and lunar dating and how Christians do it differently from Jewish and Muslim holy days. Email the show Support the show Music: "Creator alme Siderum." From Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

Clement of Rome

November 15, 2017 08:00 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MB

Father Stephen introduces us to another Apostolic Father, Clement, an early bishop of Rome who knew Peter and Paul who wrote a letter admonishing the Corinthian Church. Music: "Creator Alme Siderum" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications. Email the show. Donate to the show.

Fasting

October 31, 2017 07:00 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MB

We talk about the ancient Christian and Jewish practice of fasting and talk about the spiritual logic behind abstaining from food and why it's not about despising the body but honoring its proper place before God. Music: Kyrie Eleison and Gloria in Excelsis (Missa Simplex) from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and The Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications. Email the show. Donate to the show.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

October 19, 2017 07:00 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MB

The Feeding of the Five Thousand is one of the few episodes mentioned in all four gospels. What is the deeper meaning behind the miracle? What does it have to do with how we worship today? Music: Alma Redemptoris Mater by Richard Proulx. From "More Sublime Chant" copyright GIA Publications.

Vestry

October 07, 2017 13:15 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MB

We answer a listener's question about Vestries. What are they? Where do they come from? What do they do? What don't they do? To support our show, go to wordandtablepodcast.com and click on the '$' symbol. We are coming up on our first full year of broadcasting and hosting and licensing costs are looming. Your support will ensure there is another year of Word & Table! Music: "Ave Verum Corpus" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications.

One Year Update

October 04, 2017 18:19 - 2 minutes - 2.57 MB

Some announcements about the next year of Word & Table and how you can support the show going forward. In short: We are moving to a bi-weekly schedule for the time being. We want to ask for your help for us to cover this next year's costs. Donate at wordandtablepodcast.com Click on the '$' link for an online gift.

Justin Martyr

September 21, 2017 05:00 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MB

Fr. Stephen and Alex introduce the next Church Doctor: Justin Martyr, an early church philosopher whose writings are "the mother load" for helping us understand early church life and thought . Music: "Corde Natus ex Parentis" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

The Book of Hebrews

September 07, 2017 07:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MB

Fr. Stephen gives an introduction and summary of the Book of Hebrews, what makes it different from the other epistles in the New Testament, and what it has to say about the often overlooked virtue of hope. Music: "De Profundis Clamavi" from More Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications. Donate to the show.

The Didache

August 30, 2017 07:00 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MB

We discuss how an important early church manual on ritual and practice got lost and was found again and what its contents reveal about how the early church handled the Eucharist, charity to the poor, and how long to keep visitors in their homes. Email us your questions! Support the show Music: "Creator of the Stars at Night" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

Ordination

August 23, 2017 14:17 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MB

We discuss all things regarding ordination: how ministers come to be ordained, the rite itself, the meaning behind bishops' clothes, and why deacons, priests, and bishops exist in a religion that is also a priesthood of all believers. Email us your questions! Music: "Ave Verum Corpus" from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

Anglicanism: an Introduction

August 10, 2017 05:00 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MB

After 37 episodes, Father Stephen and Alex finally get around to talking about Anglicanism. How is it different from Roman Catholicism? How is it different from other Protestant traditions? And what about that mad king who wanted a divorce? Music: Canticle (English) from More Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

The Trinity

August 02, 2017 05:00 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MB

Father Stephen and Alex do their level best to explain the Trinity and find a suitable metaphor that isn't heretical. They also explain why the Trinity isn't an optional doctrine for Christians and what it shows us about God. Email the show. Music: Kyrie Eleison and Agnus Dei (Missa Simplex) from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

Confirmation

July 26, 2017 13:50 - 17 minutes - 16 MB

What is the rite of Confirmation and why has there been such a struggle to define it? Why is there a gap between baptism and Confirmation? What's actually happening in the prayer for confirmation? Music: O Filie et Filae by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications.

The Gospel of John

July 19, 2017 15:05 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MB

Father Stephen and Alex talk about the final gospel: its surprising historical veracity, how it fits in with the Synoptic Gospels and why it has a special place in the church year. Email the show Music: "Adoro Te Devote" by Richard Proulx & The Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications.

Ignatius of Antioch

July 12, 2017 07:00 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MB

Fr. Stephen and Alex dive into another Church Father, the famous martyr Ignatius of Antioch, and how his letters give us a valuable window into the world of the earliest churches. Email the show. Music: Jesu Dulcis Memoria by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications,.

The Gospel of Matthew

June 14, 2017 07:00 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MB

Father Stephen breaks down the Gospel of Matthew, its themes, its Jewish audience, and what it has to say about Jesus's identity.

The Gospel of Luke

June 07, 2017 17:34 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MB

We take on the third gospel and its indispensable contributions to the story of Christ: the birth narrative, its Greek context, and the elevated place of women. We also discuss the merits of reading the Bible in sequence. Music: "Born Today" from More Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications Email the show

Vestments

May 31, 2017 07:00 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MB

We break down the pieces of priestly dress and where they come from as well as the age-old question of why the bishop wears such a funny hat. Music: "Salve Regina" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from More Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications. Pictures of priestly dress are here (scroll down to the slideshow)

The Daily Offices

May 24, 2017 05:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MB

In which we explore the Daily Office: its roots and the meaning behind its practice. It's a tale that involves sleepy monks, how the liturgy can be like a garage full of odds and ends, and the difference between the Office and personal devotions. Email us Music: "Agnus Dei" and "Veni Creator Spiritus" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications.

Saint Athanasius

May 17, 2017 05:00 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MB

Father Stephen talks about the life of Saint Athanasius and how he articulated and defended doctrines that the Church holds today. Email the show Music: Creator Alme Siderum by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications.

The Church part 2

May 10, 2017 05:00 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MB

Alex and Stephen revisit the subject of the Church and go deeper into the meaning of some of the words used to describe it: one, holy, catholic, apostolic, and the bride of Christ. Email us! Music: Gloria in Excelsis, Missa de Angelis by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications.

Church Fathers

May 03, 2017 05:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MB

Who were the Church Fathers? Why were they important to the church and why are they important to us today? What is a "Doctor of the Church?" Music: "Memorial Acclamation" and "Agnus Dei" Missa Simplex from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications. Email the show Leave us a review

Easter

April 25, 2017 21:41 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MB

Father Stephen and Alex are back to talk about Easter and the hope of the resurrection. He is risen! Music:"Veni Creator Spiritus" and "O Filie et Filae" from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers.

The Benedict Option with Rod Dreher

March 23, 2017 18:30 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MB

Bestselling Christian author Rod Dreher joins the program to discuss his book The Benedict Option and what modern American Christians can learn from monks and how they live and order their lives. Purchase The Benedict Option Music: Confiteor (Benedictine usage) by Richard Proulx and The Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications.

Midseason Break

March 21, 2017 04:02 - 1 minute - 1.78 MB

Father Stephen is on sabbatical until after Easter. In the interim, we've got some exciting new content to share with you.

Infant Baptism

March 14, 2017 05:00 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MB

Why does the Anglican Church baptize infants? We explain what infant baptism means, and doesn't mean in light of scripture and tradition. Music: "Salve Mater Misericordiae" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications. Email the show at [email protected]

The Gospel of Mark

March 08, 2017 17:57 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MB

Father Stephen explains how to read the Gospel of Mark, including the history, structure, and themes of the book. We also talk over why the Cross is so challenging for people of all backgrounds to accept. Music: "Glory to God" and "Ubi Caritas et Amor" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications.

The Saints

February 28, 2017 06:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MB

Why do we reverence the saints? What is a healthy understanding of how the saints fit into our worship? Music: "Litany of the Saints" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant Copyright GIA Publications. Email the podcast at [email protected]

Salvation

February 21, 2017 07:00 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MB

Fr. Stephen explains the Anglican view of salvation and how we can know that we are saved by knowing Jesus. Music: Litany of the Saints and Alma Redemptoris Mater by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant and More Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

Church Councils

February 14, 2017 06:00 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MB

Father Stephen defines what a church council is meant to do and goes over some of the major issues the great ecumenical church councils dealt with in the first few centuries of the church's life. Music: Phillippians Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from More Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

Scripture & Apocrypha

February 07, 2017 06:58 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MB

Fr. Stephen takes a question from a listener asking about how Anglicans interpret scripture and what's the deal with all those extra-Biblical books? Music: Only Begotten Word of God Eternal by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers, from More Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications.

Epiphany

January 31, 2017 06:00 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MB

The season of Epiphany isn't the most popular one on the church calendar, but it has a lot to say about how the Lord manifests his glory in the world.

Incense

January 25, 2017 06:00 - 10 minutes - 9.66 MB

Why the smells? What does incense symbolize? And what's the name of that thing it swings around in? All this and more on this week's Word & Table. Music: Ubi Caritas et Amor by Richard Proulx and the Catherdral Singers from Sublime Chant.

Bowing

January 17, 2017 06:00 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MB

When you see people bowing in a liturgical service, what does that actually mean? What exactly are they bowing to? What's the difference between bowing in a Christian service and the idolatry warned against in the Bible? Music: Ave Verum Corpus by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications.