Monthly Archives: April 2018

Daily Mass: Flesh and Blood. Catholic Inspiration

The Lord teaches the people that those who eat His flesh and drink His blood have eternal life.  May our frequent reception of Holy Communion strengthen us with God’s grace in the messiness of life and inspire us to live for Jesus Christ.

Mass Readings – Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts


Daily Mass: Receive the Bread of Life. Catholic Inspiration

Jesus teaches the crowds that he is the “Bread of Life” that came down from Heaven.  Whoever eats this bread will never hunger again.  May we draw near to the one who feeds us so that strengthened by the Lord we can share His life with one another.

Mass Readings – Thursday of the 3rd Week of the Year

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts


School Mass: Peace I leave with you. Catholic Inspiration

One of the best ways to face a test in school is to start with a prayer, asking the Lord for peace in our hearts.  One of the best ways to face a test in life?  Do the same!

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts


Daily Mass: Receive Christ, the Bread of Life. Catholic Inspiration

Jesus states that he is “the Bread of Life” and when we draw near to Him we will never hunger nor thirst again.  We need this spiritual nourishment to grow and thrive in this life…and in preparation for the next.

Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts


4th Sunday of Easter: The Shepherd and the Stone

Study:  How have I responded to rejection in my life?  What has given me strength?

Pray:  What challenges do I need to set before the Lord today?

Serve:  Who is struggling with rejection in my life?  How can I help and support another?

Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Easter

At first glance these readings seem to be a jumble: what do stones have to do with shepherds?  How are they connected to the person of Jesus Christ?

A quick overview might look like this:

  • 1st Reading – Jesus was rejected, yet his triumph saves us (a rejected rock becomes the cornerstone)
  • Psalm Response – this is the text that Peter used to describe Jesus in the 1st Reading
  • 2nd Reading – the world does not know Jesus, but his disciples do – and they are being transformed
  • Gospel – Jesus claims that he is the Good Shepherd who knows the sheep and he is willing to lay down his life for them

What we discover points to Jesus as the Lord who has encountered rejection and triumphs through his saving sacrifice.  The power he has comes from the Father, who sent his Son to save us, even when we didn’t understand.  What’s more, God keeps reaching out to us – breaking through our ignorance, weakness and sin – to build a bridge that leads us to new life.

God comes to us, in our need, to save and set us free.

The invitation today is one of acceptance.  Will we embrace the Good News of Christ?  Will we respond to the faith, hope, and love of the Gospel and allow our lives to be touched by God’s blessing?  Is there anything blocking me from reaching out to the Lord?

In the light of Easter glory I would like to suggest some possibilities for spiritual growth:

  • Experience the power of the Sacrament of Confession
  • Dig deep into the Gospel readings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
  • Crank up our prayer lives with a personal devotion, spiritual reading, or time of reflection
  • Strengthen our relationships with the support of Christian fellowship and prayer
  • Commit some time and effort to serve another in need

Thus, the path which the Lord walked becomes our own.  Our spiritual compass – pointed toward Jesus Christ, inspires us to stay the course even when we are mistreated and misunderstood.  Like the shepherd and the stone, we can face rejection with the promise of hope – for we draw strength from the one who triumphed in his struggles to bring triumph to our lives.

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts


3rd Sunday of the Year: The power of the resurrection. Catholic Inspiration

One of the hallmarks of the Early Church was the transformation that took place in the hearts of the disciples.  Standing before the Risen Lord, they were freed from the fear of sin and death as they opened their hearts to the power of repentance.  Their example inspires us to call upon God for the grace we need every day to walk in the light His love.

Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Easter

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts


Daily Mass: Responding to the needs around us. Catholic Inspiration

As the early Church began to grow new ministries were called for as needs were discerned.  This is how the Church continues to thrive today: we recognize the need, call forth the people and are guided by key principles to direct our effort.  Now get to work!

Mass Readings – Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts


Daily Mass: God feeds us, body and soul. Catholic Inspiration

Anyone who loves cooking knows the wonderful smell of fresh baked bread.  Our bodies require daily nourishment to thrive, and we rely on spiritual food for our relationship with the Lord.  Jesus offers both in John’s account today of the miracle of the fish and loaves.

Mass Readings – Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts


Daily Mass: Focused on the things of Heaven. Catholic Inspiration

The Apostles speak boldly about the Risen Lord in the face of opposition, and their example inspires us to call upon the Holy Spirit for strength and wisdom as we journey through this life…with our eyes focused on Heaven.

Mass Readings – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts


Daily Mass: Light and Darkness. Catholic Inspiration

While today’s passage from the Gospel of John remains one of the most well known and beloved of all Scripture, the verses that follow indicate the choice that we all have to make.  Do we seek Christ, the Light of the world, or do we prefer darkness…because our deeds are evil?  May we face our temptations and resolutely follow the Lord, whose light shines in our world and helps us find our way.

Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter (St. Stanislaus)

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts