The Scriptures today reveal the awesome power of God – the source of all life and grace – and helps us understand that our relationship with the Lord requires us to receive with humble respect from the Almighty as we share the gifts we have been given with grateful hearts.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 20th Week of the Year
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Study: Recall a time when you were confronted with a tough decision. Who or what helped you to face your situation?
Pray: Are you facing a difficult time? Ask the Lord for wisdom and courage.
Serve: Is there someone in your life who is struggling with a challenge? How can you help them?
Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year
The crowds had listened to Jesus. They had seen the healings and witnessed the miracle of the fishes and loaves. They had been nourished body and soul by the Lord’s presence, and after hearing the “Bread of Life” discourse they began to doubt and walk away…
“This saying is hard, who can accept it?” – John 6:60
There are moments in life when we are called to confront a difficult situation. We are challenged to understand and carry out a task that may be unpleasant or unwelcome. We have a choice: we can walk away and allow events to run on their own, or we can engage the situation knowing that every step will be hard. What do we do?
Joshua expresses the nature of a tough decision in his words to the Israelites in the first reading:
“If it does not please you to serve the Lord, then decide today whom you will serve.” – Joshua 24:15
Let’s face it. There are times in life when we struggle to make and carry out the right choice. Perhaps we don’t know what to do; perhaps we know but we struggle to do it. Sometimes it can seem like the weight of the world rests on our shoulders as we muddle through hard sayings and tough decisions.
What are you confronting today? What challenges are set before you? May we ask God for two key gifts: Wisdom and Courage. We ask for wisdom to know what to do, and we pray for courage to carry it out!
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Note: This post was originally published on August 18, 2015.
Jesus states that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood to have eternal life. May our reception of the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion nourish our souls as the Lord renews us with his grace.
Mass Readings – 20th Sunday of the Year
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Jesus rebukes the disciples for preventing the children to draw near. It’s a powerful reminder for us: how do we help our children come to the Lord? How do we help them grow in faith, hope and love?
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 19th Week of the Year
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The exchange about marriage and divorce in the Gospel of Matthew reminds us that these topics have been challenging and messy from the beginning of time. May we call upon the Lord today for the strength to support the marriages around us and help those who face the pain of divorce with the compassion of Christ.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 19th Week of the Year
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Jesus responds to Peter’s question about forgiveness with a parable that reveals the power of forgiveness as an intense way of life. It’s not easy, but it is the path that we walk to receive God’s merciful grace into our hearts.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 19th Week of the Year
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Mary’s Magnificat of praise inspires us to live our faith with joy and power as we face all the circumstances of life.
Mass Readings – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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