Mark’s Gospel offers an exhortation from Christ to be watchful and alert, always ready to respond to the Lord’s call.
Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Advent
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1st Sunday of Advent: Be watchful and alert! Catholic Inspiration
Daily Mass: Vigilance is crucial in the spiritual life. Catholic Inspiration
We bring the Liturgical Year to a close with a poignant reminder to remain vigilant at all times as we follow Jesus Christ through this life.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 34th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: The new heaven and earth. Catholic Inspiration
The first reading from the Book of Revelation sums up the end time with judgment and the fullness of God’s glory.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 34th Week of the Year
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Thanksgiving Day
Gratitude is a precious spiritual medicine which helps us truthfully and positively engage the gift of our lives, drawing us closer to the Lord and one another. Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Optional Mass Readings – Thanksgiving Day (USA)
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Daily Mass: Great and wonderful are your works, O Lord! Catholic Inspiration
The angels in the first reading and all creation in the Psalm response proclaim the power and grandeur of God.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 34th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: The Lord comes to judge the earth. Catholic Inspiration
The Psalm response reminds us that the Lord will come again to judge the world, and we are both challenged and consoled with this promise.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 34th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: The value is measured by the sacrifice. Catholic Inspiration
The two small coins given by the poor widow are worth more in the sight of heaven because they came with a far greater sacrifice. Point: what kind of sacrifice to we make for our faith in Jesus Christ today?
Mass Readings – Monday of the 34th Week of the Year
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1st Sunday of Advent: Getting ready
Study: Consider an experience where you were able to be still, pause and reflect. How can you make that pattern happen this Advent?
Pray: Carve out a few minutes this season for quiet prayer. Reflect on your life and invite the Lord to dwell in your heart.
Serve: There are many opportunities this time of year to help others. Look around for an activity that speaks to your soul.
Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Advent
Advent is one of those seasons that has the power to surprise us. Just like the relationship between Lent and Easter, Advent offers us a time to prepare our hearts for the great feast of Christmas. In this short season we discover the themes of Preparation, Waiting, Expectation, Repentance, and Stillness.
The thing is…if we aren’t ready for Advent then the whirlwind rush of December can sweep us up into the frenzy of the commercial side of the holiday. Many people are so busy – concerts, parties, family events, purchasing gifts and partaking of the “forced fun” of consumerism’s attempt at a Hallmark Christmas…
Whew! Instead, we can take a deep breath, pray, and reflect on where the Lord is leading us at this moment in our lives. Consider the readings this Sunday:
- 1st Reading – Isaiah acknowledges that the people are far from God
- Psalm – “Lord make us turn to you; show us your face and we shall be saved.”
- 2nd Reading – St. Paul encourages the people of Corinth to be faithful to the end.
- Gospel – The Lord exhorts us to be watchful and alert.
So in these short days of preparation here are a few questions to ponder:
- Where I can find a little stillness and quiet in my life?
- How is the Lord calling me to pray?
- Is there anything or anyone that requires special attention?
- Where is the Lord leading me right now?
- What do I need to do as I prepare for Christmas?
- How can I help someone in this quiet season of Advent?
You get the idea. Step back, pause, and consider in the busy pace that many of us call normal how the Lord is directing your heart. Advent has a beauty and power; our task is to enter into this season and allow God to speak to our souls.
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Note: This post was first published on November 27, 2017.
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe. Catholic Inspiration
On this feast of our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, we follow Him as our shepherd in this life…so that we will be ready to be judged by Him in the next.
Mass Readings – The Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe
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Daily Mass: Blessed be the Lord, my rock! Catholic Inspiration
The Psalm response reminds us that our strength and conviction comes from the Lord, and upon this mighty rock we anchor our hope.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 33rd Week of the Year
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