Christ’s invitation to come to Him in our weariness and labor reveals a compassion that has no limit or boundary. May we remove the obstacles that keep us from His grace!
Mass Readings – 14th Sunday of the Year
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14th Sunday of the Year: Removing the obstacles to God’s grace. Catholic Inspiration
Daily Mass: The Lord speaks of peace to His people. Catholic Inspiration
On this 4th of July the Psalm response can stir our hearts to action: “The Lord speaks of peace to His people.” May the peace of Christ rule our lives as we unite together…in God’s peace.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 13th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: What we learn from doubting Thomas. Catholic Inspiration
In many ways, the doubts of the Apostle Thomas reflect the questions that surface in the hearts of young adults today. Through truth, beauty and goodness we provide opportunities that help them see something bigger than themselves…leading to an encounter with God.
Mass Readings – St. Thomas, Apostle
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Daily Mass: Healing, forgiveness and Christ. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus responds in different ways to the people as he heals the paralytic, inviting us to draw near to Him for the renewal of body and soul.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 13th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Seek what is good; avoid what is evil. Catholic Inspiration
The prophet Amos offers practical spiritual advice that applies to every waking moment of our lives. May we seek what is good in all that we do!
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 13th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Christ calms our fears and strengthens our souls. Catholic Inspiration
As Jesus rebukes the storm, the terror of the disciples changes to amazement. May the Lord strengthen us to face our fears today!
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 13th Week of the Year
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14th Sunday of the Year: Receive the gentle comfort of Jesus.
Study: When have you experienced tenderness in your life? How did it affect you?
Pray: Is there someone you know who is in pain right now? Pray for the gentleness of Jesus to touch them.
Serve: Is there someone you can help? Perhaps you are uniquely suited to ease their burden and bring them comfort.
Mass Readings – 14th Sunday of the Year
Here’s a quick recap of the readings:
- 1st Reading – Zechariah offers a prophecy about Jesus
- Psalm – “I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.”
- 2nd Reading – Paul teaches that the Spirit of Christ dwells in us
- Gospel – Christ offers rest to all who labor and are burdened
When you think of all the ways that God could choose to be revealed to humanity, perhaps nothing seems at first more shocking than the tender humility that the Messiah reveals. God does not overwhelm our senses with awesome power; rather, God gets under our radar and lovingly touches our hearts without force or pretense.
Jesus Christ comes into our world:
- Meek and riding a donkey (not a stallion at the head of an angelic army)
- Bringing comfort and healing (as opposed to a war cry and battle plan)
- Offering his Spirit so that we might be transformed into newness of life
No wonder the Psalmist could offer praises to God! The Lord is approachable, gentle, accessible and understanding. Jesus Christ meets us in our most wounded and vulnerable places, for through his Cross he has experienced the full range of human pain…and redeemed it.
So come to the Lord. Embrace the one who meets us where we are and longs to heal our pain. May we let go of our worries and fears; may we let the Lord take us by the hand and lead us into newness of life.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Note: This post was first published on July 3, 2017.
St. Peter and St. Paul. Catholic Inspiration
Saint Peter and Saint Paul – two of the great heavy-hitters in Heaven – remind us that the Lord continues to call imperfect people every day to offer their lives for the glory of God.
Mass Readings – Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul
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13th Sunday of the Year: We die to sin and rise with Christ. Catholic Inspiration
St. Paul’s letter to the Romans teaches that we die to sin and rise with Christ, and as we place our hope in the Lord we have a strength to confront the darkness and evil that we uncover lurking in our hearts.
Mass Readings – 13th Sunday of the Year
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Daily Mass: An example of faith in God. Catholic Inspiration
The response of the Roman soldier offers us an example of rock solid faith in Jesus.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 12th Week of the Year
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