THE ROAD LEADS TO THE TABLE: CAN THE EUCHARIST SET YOU FREE?

The Dirt Road with Jansen, Roads Series, Mile Marker 03

Can the Eucharist actually help us get set free? And what does set free even mean?

In this episode, we walk the road to Emmaus. It is the third day. Two disciples are walking seven miles out of Jerusalem, heavy with everything that has happened, when a stranger falls into step beside them. It is Jesus. And they do not recognize Him.

He walks with them. He opens the Scriptures to them until their hearts burn. But their eyes are not opened on the road. They are opened at the table, the moment He takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them.

That is the power of the Eucharist. And it is why learning to receive may be one of the most important steps toward freedom.

IN THIS EPISODE

• What "set free" really means, and the yoke of slavery Paul warns us about (Galatians 5:1)

• Why there is a real, invisible enemy, and the grace Jesus gives us to fight

• Stepping into the Emmaus story as the fourth person on the road

• Why their eyes were opened at the table, not on the road

• Why receiving forgiveness can be so hard, and the confession that changed it for me

• How opened eyes help us find the open door behind a struggle, not just name it.

SCRIPTURE

Galatians 5:1

Ephesians 6:12

Luke 24:1 to 35

RECOMMENDED READING

The Lamb's Supper by Scott Hahn. This book opened my eyes to what is happening at Mass. I cannot recommend it strongly enough.

FREE COMPANION GUIDE

Want to go deeper? Download the free guide for this episode, with questions for the road, a simple practice for your next Mass, and a prayer for opened eyes, at thedirtroadwithjansen.com

DISCIPLESHIP DELIVERANCE

I call my approach Discipleship Deliverance. It is not about getting set free in one moment and hoping it lasts. It is a long walk of discipleship that grows deeper roots and longer freedom. You can walk it in a self-paced course or a live online class. Learn more at DiscipleshipDeliverance.com

OUR SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by Expect Great Things. Meaningful Catholic gifts that inspire faith and encourage the heart: journals, tote bags, spiritual bouquet cards, saints, artwork, printables, apparel, and more.

https://linktr.ee/expectgreatthings

Keep walking. You are not walking this one alone.

I'll see you on the dirt road.

Jansen

ALL ROADS ALLOW U-TURNS

The Dirt Road with Jansen, Roads Series, Episode 2

How do you let go of your past? Especially when the past has darkness in it. Or hurt. Or pain you would rather not look at.

In this episode, I take you down another road. The road to Damascus. In Acts chapter 9, a brilliant, educated man named Saul is hunting down the followers of Jesus, with letters in his hand that give him permission to do it. Then a light stops him cold, and Jesus asks him one question. "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

That question was an invitation. And Paul said yes.

Here is what I love about Paul. He never tries to erase his past. He brings it up again and again in his letters. Not to relive it. To point to the mercy that met him in it.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why the word persecute carries two ideas, and what that shows us about the heart

• What a demon is really doing when it clocks in for work in the morning (1 Timothy 4:1)

• Why every question from Jesus is an invitation, not a command

• How Paul saw Ananias coming while he was still blind

• Why letting go of your past is about receiving mercy, not working harder

• How to receive grace on purpose at Mass and in confession

SCRIPTURE

Acts 9:1 to 19

1 Timothy 4:1

1 Timothy 1:13 and 14

FREE COMPANION GUIDE

Want to go deeper? Download the free guide for this episode, with questions to take with you this week, at thedirtroadwithjansen.com

DISCIPLESHIP DELIVERANCE

I call my approach Discipleship Deliverance. Heavy on the discipleship part. It is not about naming a demon and casting it out. It is about learning to see your story the way the Holy Spirit sees it. Learn more at DiscipleshipDeliverance.com

OUR SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by Expect Great Things. Gifts that actually mean something. Canvas totes with saints and wall hangings that are perfect for baptisms and confirmations.

https://linktr.ee/expectgreatthings

Keep walking. You are not walking this one alone.

I'll see you on the dirt road.

Jansen

Every road starts somewhere, and this one starts on gravel, dust on your boots, the sun still low, and no idea yet what's waiting around the bend.

In this first episode, Jansen opens the door to why he named this show The Dirt Road, and what it means to walk a faith that isn't polished, isn't performed, and isn't finished. This isn't a show about deliverance as a stage moment. It's about the long, ordinary, footstep-by-footstep obedience of actually staying on the road with Jesus, including naming the quiet resistance that keeps so many of us circling instead of moving forward.

Pull up a chair. This is the first mile.