Monthly Archives: April 2016

Daily Mass: Christ cures and feeds us! Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast – Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter

Daily Mass Readings

Some 1st graders from Cathedral School share their thoughts on the Gospel reading today!

pod 16.04.08


Daily Mass: Life and Death. Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter

Daily Mass Readings

Empowered by the Holy Spirit and filled with the love of the Risen Christ, the disciples continue to proclaim the Good News in the face of open hostility.  May we take their example to heart as we draw near to the Lord for the grace we need to confront the challenges and obstacles of daily life.

Mark-Twain-Life-and-Death-Quotes


Daily Mass: A Love that casts out Fear. Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter

Daily Mass Readings

The Apostles continue to preach the message of Christ in the context of persecution.  They are freed from fear!  How is this possible?  Where do they get their strength?  The Gospel answer: the Love of Christ poured out through his Death and Resurrection has transformed them.  May the Lord’s love cast out our fears as well.

head of Christ - Richard Hook

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Head of Christ, Richard Hook.


Daily Mass: Christ, the Source of our Unity. Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Easter

Daily Mass Readings

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles reveals the unity of “one heart and mind” that the early Church practiced in the days following the Lord’s resurrection.  Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the first followers of Jesus Christ shared their goods in common, worked together, and dedicated their efforts to building up one another.  What a great image for us to keep before us in our lives today!

Unity_Treated


3rd Sunday of Easter – Strong Faith in Hard Times

Yes-LordYou-know-that-I-love-you.

Study:  Reflect on an experience where your faith got you through a difficult time.  What (or who) in particular helped you?

Pray:  Offer up the needs of loved ones who are experiencing tough times right now.  Pray for them!

Serve:  Is there a way that you can offer fellowship or support for someone struggling?  How can you lighten their load?

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

3rd Sunday of Easter Readings

The power of Easter shines through the Scripture readings this week:

  • 1st Reading – The Disciples face persecution for their witness
  • Psalm – “I will praise you Lord, for you have rescued me.”
  • 2nd Reading – John’s vision of Heaven, where angels worship Christ
  • Gospel – Jesus asks Peter “Do you love me?” three times

The disciples, freed from fear, now boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.  In fact, they wear their hardships like badges of honor – “rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.” (Acts 5:41)

A key point emerges: being a Christian does not mean that life will be easy.  On the contrary!  Striving to live in a manner worthy of Christ means that we will stand out and at times face hostility because we seek to live a Godly life.  At times we will encounter obstacles, setbacks, personal failures, and perhaps even ridicule – yet even in our weaknesses and failures we draw on the strength of the Lord for grace, mercy, and life.

This strength is highlighted in the encounter between Jesus and Peter, which takes place on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after the resurrection.  Peter has to face the Lord (the one he betrayed three times) and confront his own personal failure as he meets his friend and Savior.  Coming to Jesus (who knows his heart) Peter admits his inadequacy even as he affirms his love for the Lord.

These readings give us hope!  In tough times or smooth sailing, we turn (and return) to Christ for the wisdom and guidance we need.  And if we fail, we fall facing Jesus, who will lift us back up with a grace and strength to help us in our adversity – asking only that we renew our love for the one who died and rose for our salvation.


2nd Sunday of Easter – Living Gospels. Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

The Scriptures this week reveal two key aspects of the Disciples’ lives:

  • an encounter with Jesus Christ
  • a powerful proclamation of the Good News

Simply put, they have become Living Gospels – receiving the Risen Lord so that they might boldly share their faith with others.  In just the same way, may we receive Christ – in Sacrament, Scripture, Fellowship and Prayer – so that we can give the love of Christ to those we meet.

living gospels


Daily Mass: Strengthened by Christ in tough times. Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast – Friday of the Octave of Easter

Daily Mass Readings

This is now the third day in a row where we perceive the same pattern: An encounter with Christ in the Gospel and the response of the disciples in the first reading.  Today’s response highlights persecution – those moments when our faith comes at a cost – and we witness the change in Peter who acts very differently in the light of Easter joy.

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