The Lord offers a blunt teaching about money, reminding us that God is our first and greatest priority…whereas money is a tool that is meant to be put to good and practical use.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 31st Week of the Year (St. Leo the Great)
***************
Today the universal Church celebrates the dedication of the Lateran Basilica – the cathedral of the city of Rome – reminding us that every church around the world offers us a direct encounter of the living God when we draw near to the altar to pray.
Mass Readings – The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
***************
Recognizing our sins and asking for forgiveness challenges us to honestly acknowledge our faults and humbly ask for help. While this is not easy, this process puts us in right relationship with the Lord and one another…allowing us to grow in maturity, wisdom and love.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 31st Week of the Year
***************
The Gospel makes it clear that all other blessings, even the most precious relationship, take second place to our relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the source of all our blessings and the Lord our souls.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 31st Sunday of the Year
***************
Photo Credit: Son of God, 2015.
The reading from Philippians offers a powerful teaching about Jesus, who emptied and humbled himself for the salvation of our souls. As the Lord’s disciples we acknowledge that our journey to heaven will lead us along a similar path as we share our lives with one another.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 31st Week of the Year
***************
Study: Reflect on a moment when you gave generously of your time, resources, or money. What was the cost, and what did you discover?
Pray: Take time to thank the Lord for the blessings lavished upon you. Cultivate gratitude in your heart and express it in your life.
Serve: Who has the Lord placed in your life to serve? How can your life be a blessing of generous giving to another?
Mass Readings – 32nd Sunday of the Year
The theme of generous giving runs through these four readings this week:
Let’s look at how this theme surfaces throughout these readings.
Earthly blessings. The psalm reminds us that God is the source of all that we have, and it begs a simple point: Are we grateful? I know firsthand how easy it is to take even the simplest blessings for granted. All it takes is to lose something that is part of our routine (health, work, friendship) to rediscover the gift that was right in front of our eyes.
Spiritual Salvation. Jesus Christ offers his life once-for-all that through his death and resurrection we might have eternal life. The Father gave his only Son that we might be saved. This profound act of divine generosity speaks of a love that is vast and all encompassing. God does this for us!
Profound human generosity. These two women gave from their need, not their want. It was not surplus food or money…it was their livelihood. It is crucial to note that no gift is too big or small in God’s eyes; what’s crucial is the relationship between the offering and the person – is it given as a token or as something of value?
**********
Do we take time to acknowledge the blessings we have? No really…do we pause in the course of our day – in a moment of prayer – and thank the Lord for the gifts we have been given? Let me be clear: without gratitude generosity means nothing, for without thankfulness we have no appreciation and respect for the gift that is given.
And equally crucial point follows: Do we give generously? Do we share what we have in a manner that shows our prayer and reflection? All gifts, great or small, are precious in the Lord’s eyes when they are offered in a spirit of love; all gifts, great or small, lose their significance when they are given without respect for the sacrifices and blessings they represent.
Simply put: we give generously out of gratitude for God’s generous gifts to us! Take a moment this week to pause and reflect on your blessings. Then consider the ways that you can offer your life. Whether it is with time, talent, or treasure – God will take our gifts, generously given, and make them a blessing in the world.
***************
***************
Note: This post was first published on November 2, 2015.
The commandment to love God and neighbor is well known, and it can act as a mission statement that guides every single element of our lives…and helping us to grow as Sons and Daughters of God.
Mass Readings – 31st Sunday of the Year
***************
Sometimes we can get caught up in social status, cherishing feelings of importance and respect. In the Gospel today Jesus reminds us that true greatness lies in how we offer our lives, directing us away from external accolades and turning us toward the beauty of a life of humble service.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 30th Week of the Year
***************
Yesterday’s celebration of All Saints inspires us today to pray for All Souls. We remember our faithful departed and commend them to the loving mercy of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. On this sober feast we recall that one day we will all make the journey from this life to the next, and we ask God for the grace to carry on.
Mass Readings – The Commemoration of All Souls
***************
The victory of the Saints stands as a reminder for us. For just as Christ sustained the Saints in their trials, so God will also walk with us. They inspire us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we encounter the obstacles of life…so that one day we will join their ranks in Heaven.
Mass Readings – The Solemnity of All Saints
***************
The Last Judgment, Michelangelo, 1536-1541, Sistine Chapel, Rome.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 