Mass Readings – 6th Sunday of Easter
With proper diet and exercise our bodies grow stronger. Over time what seemed difficult becomes easy through discipline and hard work. The same is true for our spiritual lives: we grow stronger as we draw near to Christ and grow in his love…thus allowing us to love in difficult and challenging times as we carry out the Lord’s command to love as he loves us.
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Mass Readings – Saturday of the 5th Week of Easter
Chosen by God does not mean that life will be easy; on the contrary, it will be hard! We know from experience that there are times when we pay the price for doing the right thing, and as we follow Jesus Christ we know that we will meet opposition and difficulty…yet with the Lord’s grace we will be given what we need to keep going.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Friday of the 5th Week of Easter
Jesus teaches us by his example how to love, and then he commands us to do it – even when it’s hard, inconvenient and uncomfortable. May we call upon his grace for the strength we need to love one another as he loves us!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 5th Week of Easter
Jesus speaks about how love connects us to the Father and flows through us to one another. This connection reminds us that the love we share draws strength from our relationship to Christ.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 5th Week of Easter
We draw our life from the Lord, just as fruitful branches draw life from the vine. May our words and actions today proclaim Christ dwelling within us!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 5th Week of Easter
We hunger for peace: in our hearts, our homes, our community and in the world. Where do we find it? Jesus Christ!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: Recall the people in life have loved us unconditionally. How did their love help you change and grow?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the grace to recognize the people in our midst we are called to love.
Serve: Love takes many forms. What can I do today for another person out of love?
For the last few months the eyes of the world have directed to the words and actions of Pope Francis. It has been a time of extensive media coverage on the Church and its message of hope to a new generation.
During this time many people have experienced the rich treasure of Roman Catholicism. The history, symbolism, and global significance have helped provide a deeper understanding of the internal structure of the Church.
Many people have responded to the Pope’s teaching and example. It is an exciting time to participate in the Church, and I personally am renewed and energized in my desire to grow in my vocation to the priesthood – even in the midst of transition and change.
Change is a part of life. Through our experiences and encounters we develop and discover new perspectives and resources within our lives. Change happens when we open our hearts to those around us and put into action our new insights.
In the Gospel Jesus states that to love him means to keep his commandments. There are two:
1. Love God
2. Love one another.
It is important to note that these commands are not just about being busy. To love means to be in relationship with others; love invites us to grow in our awareness and understanding for one another. This knowledge leads to greater respect and value for all life.
In the Gospel love is a verb. It must be acted upon, practiced, and carried out in all parts of life. To love means to work at a relationship – and thus be open to spend the time and effort necessary.
Yet when we open our hearts to love we are changed. As we experience love, as we work at it, we discover that our hearts get stretched. We become challenged to grow, to make room so that we can love more deeply, more completely.
Jesus promises that we will have help. As we open our lives to the power of love, the Spirit will come to help us and guide us. Transformed by love, we trust that God will continue to direct us, until the cycle of love and change brings us one day to the Kingdom of Heaven.
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This post was first published on May 20, 2014.
Mass Readings – 5th Sunday of Easter
We are called to be a “living stone” in the hands of the Lord. Purchased by the blood of Christ, our lives are precious – worthy not only of redemption but as an offering through which God can transform and create something dynamic and new. May we offer our lives today and recognize in our sisters and brothers the beauty of their souls.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 4th Week of Easter
Paul & Barnabas faced tremendous challenges, even as they spread the Gospel in amazing ways. It’s a good reminder that we, too, will face adversity as we live our faith in the world today.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Friday of the 4th Week of Easter
How often do we let worry and anxiety bring trouble to our hearts? Yet the words of Jesus in the Gospel today remind us (once again!) that the Lord’s grace is greater than the stresses of our lives.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 