Jesus uses a number of illustrations to underscore a practical point: we live each moment to the fullest as we follow the Lord. Only with our eyes fixed on Jesus can we face the uncertainties of life with calm conviction.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 32nd Week of the Year
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Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God is among us. Our task is not to go chasing around looking for the Lord, but rather to live as his disciples as we apply our faith to every aspect of our lives.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 32nd Week of the Year
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The healing of the ten lepers reveals the power of God’s grace. The gratitude of the Samaritan shows a response that can teach us all a great deal about how we drawn near to the Lord with a grateful heart.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 32nd Week of the Year
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To say “I serve the Lord” has tremendous implications for our understanding and action. Recognizing Jesus as our Lord, we configure every aspect of our lives to him as our daily actions and interactions are infused with his grace.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 32nd Week of the Year
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Study: Recall a couple of times in your life – when you were prepared and when you were caught off guard. How did if feel? What was the outcome?
Pray: Do you have unfinished business in your life? Take your challenges to prayer and ask the Lord for wisdom and courage.
Serve: Is there a broken or wounded relationship in your life? Perhaps you might make the first move to bring healing and reconciliation to the situation.
Mass Readings – 33rd Sunday of the Year
The first reading and the Gospel today are direct and to the point: there will be hardship and distress. Tribulation is part of the journey. Get ready!
And yet we can sometimes get caught in the (mistaken) sentiment that because we follow Jesus Christ everything is suppose to be sunshine and daisies. On the contrary – our faith puts struggle front and center, reminding us that we are called to be ready and prepared for the unexpected. Because just in case you were hoping for some secret sign from the Bible when the world will end, Jesus offers one of my all-time favorite lines of Sacred Scripture:
“But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32)
No one knows the hour….this is a very big deal. Remember these points:
So how do we live? The answer is simple – TODAY we speak and act so that if the Lord called us right now we would be ready. TODAY we say:
We live our lives one day at a time – we can’t go back and we can’t go forward – it is only in the present moment that we can do and say. Thus, if we stay shackled to the past we can’t live today, and if we keep putting off what is needed we are wasting the moment we have. TODAY is our opportunity to address any unfinished business, to right wrongs and tell the people in our lives how we feel about them. In other words, today we squeeze out every opportunity we have to love the Lord and one another…
…for of that day or hour, no one knows.
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Note: This post was first published on November 9, 2015.
Two widows offer examples of giving generously in the Scriptures today. Three words – gratitude, sacrifice and expectation – can offer insight into how we can be generous as we follow the example of Jesus.
Mass Readings – 32nd Sunday of the Year
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The Lord offers a blunt teaching about money, reminding us that God is our first and greatest priority…whereas money is a tool that is meant to be put to good and practical use.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 31st Week of the Year (St. Leo the Great)
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