{"id":9564,"date":"2020-05-19T16:24:51","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T21:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/?p=9564"},"modified":"2026-02-26T13:39:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T19:39:03","slug":"jessica-mesman-church-as-muse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/2020\/05\/19\/jessica-mesman-church-as-muse\/","title":{"rendered":"Jessica Mesman: Church as muse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid alignfull column1-desktop-grid__span-5 column1-desktop-grid__row-1 column2-desktop-grid__span-7 column2-desktop-grid__start-6 column2-desktop-grid__row-1 column1-tablet-grid__span-3 column1-tablet-grid__row-1 column2-tablet-grid__span-5 column2-tablet-grid__start-4 column2-tablet-grid__row-1 column1-mobile-grid__span-4 column1-mobile-grid__row-1 column2-mobile-grid__span-4 column2-mobile-grid__row-2\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid-column wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid__padding-none\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>If I want to feel faith and emboldened in my faith that happens through art. My most profound spiritual experiences have probably happened through reading books.&#8221; <\/p><p>-Jessica Mesman<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid-column wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid__padding-none\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"604\" height=\"403\" src=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2009-in-the-Old-West-End-Jessica-Griffith-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2009-in-the-Old-West-End-Jessica-Griffith-1.jpg 604w, https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2009-in-the-Old-West-End-Jessica-Griffith-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2009-in-the-Old-West-End-Jessica-Griffith-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Season 1. Episode 3 of Messy Jesus Business The Podcast, hosted by Sister Julia Walsh<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>LISTEN HERE:<\/p>\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.blubrry.com\/?media_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.blubrry.com%2Fmessyjesusbusiness%2Fcontent.blubrry.com%2Fmessyjesusbusiness%2FMJB_Ep_3_Jessica_Mesman-Church_as_Muse.mp3&amp;podcast_link=https%3A%2F%2Fcustomwordpresssites.com%2Fmjb%2F2020%2F05%2F19%2Fjessica-mesman-church-as-muse%2F#mode-Light&border-000000&progress-000000\" scrolling=\"no\" width=\"100%\" height=\"165\" frameborder=\"0\" id=\"blubrryplayer-1\" class=\"blubrryplayer\" title=\"Blubrry Podcast Player\"><\/iframe><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/messyjesusbusiness\/content.blubrry.com\/messyjesusbusiness\/MJB_Ep_3_Jessica_Mesman-Church_as_Muse.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/?powerpress_pinw=9564-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/messyjesusbusiness\/content.blubrry.com\/messyjesusbusiness\/MJB_Ep_3_Jessica_Mesman-Church_as_Muse.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"MJB_Ep_3_Jessica_Mesman-Church_as_Muse.mp3\">Download<\/a><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_subscribe_links\">Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_spotify\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Spotify\" rel=\"nofollow\">Spotify<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_amazon\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Amazon Music\" rel=\"nofollow\">Amazon Music<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_pandora\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Pandora\" rel=\"nofollow\">Pandora<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_iheart\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on iHeartRadio\" rel=\"nofollow\">iHeartRadio<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_jiosaavn\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on JioSaavn\" rel=\"nofollow\">JioSaavn<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_podchaser\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Podchaser\" rel=\"nofollow\">Podchaser<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_gaana\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Gaana\" rel=\"nofollow\">Gaana<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_pcindex\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Podcast Index\" rel=\"nofollow\">Podcast Index<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/subscribebyemail.com\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_email\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe by Email\" rel=\"nofollow\">Email<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_deezer\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Deezer\" rel=\"nofollow\">Deezer<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_anghami\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Anghami\" rel=\"nofollow\">Anghami<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_rss\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe via RSS\" rel=\"nofollow\">RSS<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/catholic-podcast\/subscribe-to-podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_more\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"More\" rel=\"nofollow\">More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IN THIS EPISODE:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In episode three, Sister Julia speaks with guest Jessica Mesman about arts and discipleship. Their conversation explores&nbsp;how art and literature feed faith, writing as a spiritual practice, and how complicated and messy it can be to remain in relationship with the Church.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ABOUT THE GUEST:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jessica Mesman is a writer, editor, and speaker on religion and the arts. She is the author of four books of spiritual writing, including the award-winning memoir Love and Salt. She is cradle Catholic who now worships in many different communities. More information about Jessica and links to her work are found at&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.jessicamesman.com\/\">JessicaMesman.com<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SHOW NOTES<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Sick Pilgrim Blog<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/store.loyolapress.com\/love-and-salt\">Love and Salt by Amy Andrews and Jessica Mesman<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Authors referenced in the show<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/books?keywords=graham+green\">Graham Green<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/books?keywords=Flannery+oconoor\">Flannery O&#8217;Connor<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Catholic-Thing-Rosemary-Haughton\/dp\/0872431169\">Rosemary Haughton<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MESSY JESUS BUSINESS is produced, hosted and edited by Sister Julia Walsh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Email us at messyjesusbusiness@gmail.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"If I want to feel faith and emboldened in my faith that happens through art. My most profound spiritual experiences have probably happened through reading books.\"  -Jessica Mesman","protected":false},"author":4071079,"featured_media":12437,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[698755390],"tags":[177,7104,2416,698755374,789,698755376,401,7816,698755407,557,13078,562,1473,34941365,698755406,1494,241748,349],"series":[698756626],"class_list":["post-9564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-podcast","tag-art","tag-catholic","tag-church","tag-community","tag-creativity","tag-discipleship","tag-faith","tag-god","tag-jessica-mesman","tag-literature","tag-mystery","tag-questions","tag-reading","tag-relationship-2","tag-spiritual-writing","tag-spirituality","tag-struggle","tag-writing","series-messy-jesus-business"],"acf":[],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/jessica-messman-sq-600x600-1.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/messy-jesus-business","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"4A5IR70hAy\"><a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/2020\/05\/19\/jessica-mesman-church-as-muse\/\">Jessica Mesman: Church as muse<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/2020\/05\/19\/jessica-mesman-church-as-muse\/embed\/#?secret=4A5IR70hAy\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"&#8220;Jessica Mesman: Church as muse&#8221; &#8212; Messy Jesus Business\" data-secret=\"4A5IR70hAy\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! 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