Not So Secular

This podcast is about exploring the sacred in the seemingly secular from the lens of a Catholic Filipino lay missionary. Hosted by Mon Reyes.

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Episodes

Friday Feb 18, 2022

Welcome to the first episode of the year... in February. Mon is back and he's here to talk about the story of Jonah. You might know him as the guy who gets eaten by a whale (it was more of a big fish really) but there is more to his story than we often talk or hear about. This Old Testament story is actually very funny and profound—filled with exaggeration, inversions, and a depth that goes beyond the big fish. It is actually a story about how God loves his enemies.
 
 
GET CONNECTED
Facebook: https://www.fb.com/themonreyes 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizmonreyes  
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rizmonreyes 
 
 
Music by Kayel Marcelo
 
 
GO DEEPER:
Jonah 1-4
Matthew 5:43-45
Matthew 12:38-39
Romans 5:6-8
BibleProject video on Jonah (overview): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLIabZc0O4c 
 
 
NOT SO SECULAR FACEBOOK GROUP:https://www.facebook.com/groups/notsosecular/ 
 
 
BUY FROM FEAST BOOKS:https://feastbooks.ph/?ref=rizmonreyes 

Sunday Dec 19, 2021

Two kings? Weren't there three? Yes, you read that right. In this episode, we will talk about the two kings—not the three who gave the gifts to Joseph and Mary, but the two who are contrasted in the Christmas story. Let's talk about King Herod, and King Jesus.
Mon shares with us a brief background and history on Herod, and he reflects on the importance how the rule of Herod differs from the rule of Jesus. He talks about the difference between taking and receiving, and how that relates to giving. He also points out how parts of Herod's worldview still permeate our culture today. This then leads to the question: Which king do I serve today? Toward the end, he reads to us a passage from the Christmas story in Matthew and leads us into prayer.
This is Mon's last episode for 2021. He will be back on January!
 
 
GET CONNECTED
Facebook: https://www.fb.com/themonreyes 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizmonreyes  
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rizmonreyes 
 
 
Music by Kayel Marcelo
 
 
GO DEEPER:
1 & 2 Maccabees
Matthew 1-2
Matthew 27:35-37
 
 
NOT SO SECULAR FACEBOOK GROUP:https://www.facebook.com/groups/notsosecular/ 
 
 
BUY FROM FEAST BOOKS:https://feastbooks.ph/?ref=rizmonreyes 
 

Friday Dec 10, 2021

How do you perceive yourself now? How could you perceive yourself better? Is self-esteem any different from confidence? Where does human dignity fit into all of this? In this episode, Mon explores the answers to these questions. The hope is that in the process, this gives us insight into how we ought to treat ourselves and one another. Along the way, he also talks about the sacredness of life, rights and justice, being made in the image of God, equality, the porn industry, and misconceptions on the Church's teaching on sex.
 
 
GET CONNECTED
Facebook: https://www.fb.com/themonreyes 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizmonreyes  
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rizmonreyes 
 
 
Music by Kayel Marcelo
 
 
GO DEEPER:
Centesimus Annus https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_01051991_centesimus-annus.html 
Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1700
Genesis 1-3
 
 
NOT SO SECULAR FACEBOOK GROUP:https://www.facebook.com/groups/242395571189902/ 
 
 
BUY FROM FEAST BOOKS:https://feastbooks.ph/?ref=rizmonreyes
 

Friday Nov 26, 2021

A common go-to response of people trying to encourage someone goes along the lines of, "you are enough," and "you just have to believe in yourself." But is that always true, though? Is it always helpful? These are some of the questions that Mon opens in a talk he gave recently which is featured in this episode. He discusses the meaning of the word, repentance. He shares with us the paradoxical invitation given in the Gospel for us to "reach the end of ourselves" and to make a gift of ourselves. Along the way, he also addresses a false understanding of self-love, and gives a short discussion of the Hero's Journey by Joseph Campbell.
 
 
GET CONNECTED
Facebook: https://www.fb.com/themonreyes 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizmonreyes  
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rizmonreyes 
 
 
Music by Kayel Marcelo
 
 
STUDY FURTHER:
Mark 1:1-15
Luke 17:33
2 Corinthians 5:17
Salvifici Doloris & Gaudium Et Spes
 
 
NOT SO SECULAR FACEBOOK GROUP:https://www.facebook.com/groups/242395571189902/ 
 
 
BUY FROM FEAST BOOKS:
DIDACHE 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/didache-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
COMPANION 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/companion-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
SABBATH 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/sabbath-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
BROWSE FOR OTHER BOOKS: https://feastbooks.ph/?ref=rizmonreyes 
* some sets are available for bulk orders.
 
 
Youth Home Taft is the weekly gathering of the Feast for high school and college students in the Taft area.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthhometaft/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youthhometaft/ 

Friday Nov 19, 2021

Onions have layers. People have layers. Join Mon as he shares about his further reflections on a question he was asked when he guested on Radio Veritas 846. The question is fairly simple, "How would you describe the youth today?" The reason why Mon elaborates is because it seems like there is more to that area than we typically draw our attention to. He discusses the layers we put up around us to protect ourselves, and about how part of loving and being loved is learning how to become vulnerable, to allow ourselves to be seen. Along the way, he also talks about dump accounts, social media, generational gaps, and Adam and Eve.
The original interview happened on November 6, 2021.
 
 
GET CONNECTED
Facebook: https://www.fb.com/themonreyes 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizmonreyes 
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rizmonreyes 
 
 
Music by Kayel Marcelo
 
 
NOT SO SECULAR FACEBOOK GROUP:https://www.facebook.com/groups/242395571189902/ 
 
 
BUY FROM FEAST BOOKS:
DIDACHE 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/didache-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
COMPANION 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/companion-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
SABBATH 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/sabbath-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
BROWSE FOR OTHER BOOKS: https://feastbooks.ph/?ref=rizmonreyes 
* some sets are available for bulk orders.
 
 
ORIGINAL INTERVIEW:
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/RadyoVeritasPH/videos/1503993566633202 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KTHKS5MWad9eyHalow549 

Friday Nov 12, 2021

Lean in and listen to the story of Bernz Caasi. He is someone who was raised Catholic, then he decided to covert to Protestantism, then decided to convert back to Catholicism. In this episode, he shares about his experience of that, as well as his insights into the state of most lay people here in the Philippines wherein we are going through what he refers to as "a crisis in catechesis." Through his work in Unboxing Catholicism, he aims to teach and encourage people to defend the faith clearly without being preachy. Join him and Mon in this week's podcast conversation.
 
 
GET CONNECTED
Facebook: https://www.fb.com/themonreyes 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizmonreyes 
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rizmonreyes 
 
 
Music by Kayel Marcelo
 
 
STUDY FURTHER:
A Biblical Defense Of Catholicism, [book] by Dave Armstrong
Crossing The Tiber, [book] by Steve Ray
Rome Sweet Home, [book] by Scott Hahn
Catholic Answers: https://www.youtube.com/user/catholiccom 
Fr. Mitch Pacwa
Mother Angelica
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Evangelii Nuntiandi: https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19751208_evangelii-nuntiandi.html 
Redemptoris Missio: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_07121990_redemptoris-missio.html 
Evangelii Gaudium: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html 
 
 
NOT SO SECULAR FACEBOOK GROUP:https://www.facebook.com/groups/242395571189902/ 
 
 
FEAST CONFERENCE:https://feastconference.com/ 
 
 
BUY FROM FEAST BOOKS:
DIDACHE 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/didache-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
COMPANION 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/companion-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
SABBATH 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/sabbath-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
BROWSE FOR OTHER BOOKS: https://feastbooks.ph/?ref=rizmonreyes 
* some sets are available for bulk orders.
 
 
GUEST INFO:
Bernz Caasi is the man behind Unboxing Catholicism. He is a Catholic revert whose advocacy is to teach and encourage Catholics to defend the faith clearly without being preachy.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/unboxingcatholicism 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernzcaasi/ 
Unboxing Catholicism Starter Guide: https://www.unboxingcatholicism.com/starterguide 
A Catholic And An Atheist Meet, [video] by Rec•Create: https://youtu.be/uIgMVg4ihyo 

Friday Nov 05, 2021

Have you ever tried to read the Bible? Did you ever finish? This text has influenced Christians and non-Christians all over the world, over the centuries. This tells the story of God and his people. A lot of people agree that this is important, however not as many really get to read it. In this episode, Mon shares 3 things to consider to help us read the Bible better. What are those 3 things? It is helpful to know the literary genre (narrative, poetry, and discourse), the culture and history, and the bigger story of this ancient book. Along the way, he talks about the stories of the Roman Centurion, Judges and the need for a king, and Moses declaration of the prophet who is to come. The goal of this discussion is not just to know more about the Bible, but to know more the one to whom it points, Jesus Christ.
 
 
GET CONNECTED
Facebook: https://www.fb.com/themonreyes 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizmonreyes 
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rizmonreyes 
 
 
Music by Kayel Marcelo
 
 
PASSAGES:
Matthew 8:5-13
Judges 19:1, 21:25
Ephesians 5:21-33
Deuteronomy 18:15-19
 
 
RESOURCES:
BibleProject: https://bibleproject.com/ 
The Bible In A Year with Fr Mike Schmitz: https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/bibleinayear/ 
Catholic Answers: https://www.catholic.com/ 
 
 
NOT SO SECULAR FACEBOOK GROUP:https://www.facebook.com/groups/242395571189902/ 
 
 
BUY FROM FEAST BOOKS:
DIDACHE 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/didache-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
COMPANION 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/companion-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
SABBATH 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/sabbath-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
BROWSE FOR OTHER BOOKS: https://feastbooks.ph/?ref=rizmonreyes 
* some sets are available for bulk orders.

Friday Oct 29, 2021

Why do I have to tell God something he already knows? The thing about prayer is that it can be so easy to misunderstand and difficult to actually do on a regular basis. Even the Bible likens prayer to a battle or a wrestling match. In this episode, Mon shares some of his insights and learnings on the subject. Why do we pray? What is prayer? And does God need it? He discusses how prayer is God's invitation to relationship and to partnership. Prayer does change things. It's one way of how God involves us in what he does.
 
 
GET CONNECTED
Facebook: https://www.fb.com/themonreyes 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizmonreyes 
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rizmonreyes 
 
 
Music by Kayel Marcelo
 
PASSAGES / CATECHISM REFERENCES:
Colossians 4:12
CCC 2558
James 5:16
Matthew 6:9-13
 
NOT SO SECULAR FACEBOOK GROUP:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/242395571189902/ 
 
 
BUY FROM FEAST BOOKS:
DIDACHE 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/didache-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
COMPANION 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/companion-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
SABBATH 2022: https://feastbooks.ph/product/sabbath-2022/?ref=rizmonreyes 
BROWSE FOR OTHER BOOKS: https://feastbooks.ph/?ref=rizmonreyes 
* some sets are available for bulk orders.

Friday Oct 22, 2021

Politics! It's not always easy (or fun) to talk about but if it matters to people, then it is worth discussing. This is something that might have been part of your conversations and encounters with people lately  whether online on social media or in person with friends and family. With the upcoming 2022 elections, things are getting even more heated up.
 
Join Mon as he shares some of his insights on viewing politics as a whole here in our current context. He shares about two temptations that we can fall into: indifference and idolatry. He frames this discussion through the scripture story of when Jesus was asked about the Pharisees about paying taxes to Caesar. He further expounds on the implications of us being made in the image of God, how our faith ought to shape our perspective, and how our allegiance might need to be reevalutated.
 
 
GET CONNECTED
Facebook: https://www.fb.com/themonreyes 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizmonreyes 
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rizmonreyes 
 
 
Music by Kayel Marcelo
 
PASSAGES:
Matthew 22:15-22
Genesis 1:26-28
 
RELEVANT MATERIAL:
Way Of The Exile, by BibleProject: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/the-way-of-the-exile/ 
Netflix PH Meme: https://www.facebook.com/netflixph/posts/1290694284615168 
 
RELATED NOT SO SECULAR EPISODES:
#1 – When God Does Something
#4 – Where Does Your Worth Come From?
 
NOT SO SECULAR FACEBOOK GROUP:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/242395571189902/ 

Friday Oct 15, 2021

Joining us in this episode is Jerome Si from Fishcracker Faith. Here, he and Mon talk about how some of our difficult questions can lead to deeper faith instead of further from it. They also discuss one of the sentiments often brought up by some who would identify as agnostic or an atheist: Does our faith really contradict with science? Along the way, they pass by Genesis, Biblical writing styles, scientist priests, good and evil, and objective morality.
 
 
GET CONNECTED
Facebook: https://www.fb.com/themonreyes 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizmonreyes 
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rizmonreyes 
 
 
Music by Kayel Marcelo
 
 
GUEST INFO
Jerome Si a Feast Youth missionary, content creator, and freelance video producer. Catch him on his YouTube Channel called Fishcracker Faith.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoryTellerJeromeSi/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8km_fw3wtwFr3QrNG8--UQ 

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