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and the National Catholic Reporter

June 8, 2026

Episode #75, John Dear in conversation with Joyce Rupp

On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear speaks with the beloved spiritual writer Joyce Rupp. An international retreat leader and conference speaker, Joyce is the author of three dozen bestselling books on compassion, grief, aging in midlife and in the later years, prayers and poems for every occasion, reflections on nature, and a memoir. Among her bestsellers are Boundless Compassion; Return to the Root; Jesus Guide of My Life; Constant Hope; Dear Heart Come Home; Praying Our Goodbyes; Inviting God In; and Walk in a Relaxed Manner. Orbis Books also published Joyce Rupp: Essential Writings. She is a member of the Servite community (Servants of Mary), was a volunteer for Hospice for fifteen years, and lives in West Des Moines, Iowa.

“Elderhood is really all about surrender,” she tells me as we discuss her new book, The Years of Ripening. “But I like the word ‘acceptance’ better.

I find the aging process quite exciting: so many opportunities for spiritual growth! We’re surrendering our physical limitations, our relationships, our ego challenges, and ourselves into the mystery of faith.

“Jesus becomes vulnerable in the gospels,” she continues. “As we become older, we become more vulnerable…. We have to start with self-compassion. Without that, we will not be compassionate to others. Acceptance and being with the process of surrender and letting go lead us to being at home in the heart of God. We can’t give in to discouragement,” she concludes. “It doesn’t get us anywhere!” Listen in and be inspired! God bless everyone!

Next week…

The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast welcomes Mel Duncan! For more information, visit here.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, all major platforms,
and the National Catholic Reporter

June 1, 2026

Episode #74, John Dear in conversation with John Dominic Crossan and Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, Part 2 of 2

On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear continues Part 2 of his conversation with scripture scholar John Dominic Crossan along with Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, about their new book, Jesus and Justice: Organizing for God’s Reign on Earth Then and Now.

Co-author Michael Okinczyc-Cruz is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership in Chicago where he is a community organizer. He is also a professor at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University of Chicago.

“One cannot look at our current political moment and not think about Jesus,” Dom Crossan says. “Jesus’ teaching had to do with the lived realities of the oppressed people of his time. Jesus did faith-based community organizing and his nonviolent movement has ongoing relevance for today,” he says.

Their new book, Jesus and Justice, reflects on Jesus as a grassroots movement organizer of nonviolent resistance, and combines Dom’s scholarship with Michael’s organizing work on the streets of Chicago. “In Chicago,” he says,

“you could encounter Border Patrol and ICE agents roaming the streets, arresting people based on the color of their skin. Conditions were so horrific in detention, one local judge described it as a concentration camp. We organized thousands of people to protest these conditions, and our grassroots movement has made some progress. The distinctive nature of our work is nonviolence in all our actions and our words. This is how we follow Jesus.”

“This path of nonviolence is the only path to an approximation of God’s reign,” Dom concludes. “What’s happening in our country is a revelation of who we are. We have a savage culture. We need people of good faith to be engaged, organize nonviolently and take risks and action to pursue and live out God’s reign in our hearts and here on earth.” Listen in and be inspired! God bless you all!

Next week…

The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast welcomes Joyce Rupp! For more information, visit here.

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