Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 30th Week of the Year
Like a mustard seed and some yeast, the Kingdom of God grows and transforms into something entirely new. What’s more, this process happens as we offer our lives…following the example of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
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Study: Name someone who was a good mentor to you, someone you trusted and listened to. What did they say that spoke to your heart?
Pray: What lessons is the Lord putting in your life today? Pray for the grace to hear what God offers.
Serve: Do you know someone who is dealing with a tough situation? How can you help them listen and act with the gift of God’s grace?
Mass Readings – 31st Sunday of the Year
Let’s begin with an overview of the readings,
How do we learn? How do we integrate life long lessons and grow? The process generally works in two steps. First, we listen – absorbing new information and teasing out ideas, concepts, distinctions, and insights. Second, we apply our learning through action as we internalize the information and use it in our daily experiences.
In the first reading the prophet Malachi speaks bluntly: we are called to hear God’s word, take it to heart and apply it to our lives. This is particularly pressing for the priests to whom these words are directed. They are the examples and teachers of the people.
The Psalmist helps us keep our focus. In the midst of the distractions and frenzy that can surface in our lives we turn to the Lord as the source of inner peace. When our soul is longing for calm, serenity and gentleness we turn once again to Jesus Christ.
St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they received the word of God, and this hearing occurred through the gentle and loving example of others. Now it is their turn to pass on the gift of faith through the example of their lives.
Finally, Jesus distinguishes between the teaching and example of the scribes and Pharisees. The people are called to listen closely to what they say, but be very guarded in following their example. The point: the lessons we take to heart must be rooted in the Lord.
So today…what’s the message that God offers you? What do you need to hear? Through prayer, Scriptures, sacraments, fellowship and daily life we continue to encounter life-long lessons in faith. Our invitation is to listen, and then put it into practice.
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Mass Readings – 30th Sunday of the Year
The command to love requires that we understand our hearts and see the needs of those around us. As we draw upon the love of Jesus, may we pour out our lives with the abundance of divine love as we share our hearts with one another.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – The Feast of Saints Simon & Jude, Apostles
We are reminded that our faith is built upon the foundation provided by the Apostles who were called by name by Jesus. As we hear the call of Christ in our lives today, we contribute to their efforts as we proclaim the Good News in the world.
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Mass Readings – Friday of the 29th Week of the Year
Jesus reminds us that just as we pay attention to the signs of the weather, so we also respond to the signs within our heart. St. Paul carries this point further as he recognizes sin and calls upon the Lord for the strength to live in faith.
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Mass Readings – Thursday of the 29th Week of the Year
The Lord comes to light a fire on the earth, and how we respond will determine the effect of this Holy Fire upon our souls.
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Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 29th Week of the Year
The Lord exhorts us to be faithful and prudent with the blessings we have received, for “much will be required for the person entrusted with much.”
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 29th Week of the Year
Paul’s letter to the Romans outlines a problem and solution for humanity; the psalm and Gospel describe our response. May we offer our lives to the Lord with eager attentiveness.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: Reflect on some people who live their faith through their loving thoughts, words, and actions.
Pray: Is there a person or situation in your life that calls for greater charity? Ask the Lord for the wisdom and guidance to do it.
Serve: Is there someone in your life right now who would benefit from your time, attention, and/or effort? How can you help?
Mass Readings – 30th Sunday of the Year
What is the central and most important part of being a Christian? What should be the focus around which we build our lives?
The answer is explicit: LOVE.
Jesus takes the two commands, love of God and love of neighbor and links them as the heart of the Christian message – from which the teaching of the entire Scriptures finds its soul. Love is the sign of the Church, it is the proof of faith, and it is the reality which reveals to others the depth of our commitment as disciples of Jesus Christ.
But what do these commands mean for us? After all, the question for each of us is “How does the law of Love affect me? How do these commands shape my life?”
I look at this from three different angles:
* By how I THINK.
* By how I SPEAK.
* By how I ACT.
In other words, do my thoughts, words, and actions reveal the law of love in my life? When I look at myself in each of these areas do I measure up with the commands of Jesus?
Imagine that each of these parts of life could be made into a movie. I see myself watching “The Thoughts of Fr. Andrew,” followed by “The Words of Fr. Andrew,” and then “The Actions of Fr. Andrew.” Do I like what I see on the screen?
When we come to the end of our lives, I doubt if many of us will wish we had worked more, or earned more money, or bought more things. In the end I expect most of us will wish we had spent more time loving the people in our lives – through what we thought, said, and did.
This love, which comes from God, is intended for us to share while we are here on earth. Our faith tells us that one day the Lord will call us home. On that day may we find ourselves prepared; having loved one another in this life we will then step into eternal Love in the Kingdom of Heaven.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Note: This blog was first published on October 20, 2014.
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Fr. Andrew addresses teenagers about the Eucharist and Adoration at the Youth Rally in New Richmond, WI on October 11, 2017. (28 Minutes)
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 