The Letter to the Hebrews stresses the power of faith in the life of a Christian. Faith strengthens both the head and the heart, and as we foster our faith we are empowered with the grace we need to face the challenges before us.
Mass Readings – 19th Sunday of the Year
***************
The Lord teaches a key concept – the Paschal Mystery of death to new life – through the example of a grain of wheat. What needs to “die” in us today so that God’s grace can raise up something new and blessed in our hearts?
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 18th Sunday of the Year (St. Lawrence)
***************
Jesus speaks bluntly in the Gospel of Matthew, making it crystal clear that his disciple must take up his cross and follow the Lord in order to enter into eternal life.
Are you ready?
Mass Readings – Friday of the 18th Week of the Year
***************
When Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” he is inviting them into a spiritual self-discovery that leads to personal change. The moment we claim Jesus as Lord we recognize our relationship to the Messiah and declare our allegiance to follow where he leads.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 18th Week of the Year (St. Dominic)
***************
Photo Credit: Son of God, 2014.
The Lord’s interaction and subsequent care for the Canaanite woman offers us an insight into how we reach out to others…even when they are not part of our “group.”
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 18th Week of the Year
***************
The transfiguration of the Lord reveals the glory and power of Jesus to three of his disciples. The revelation is given to prepare them for the struggles to come, reminding us that God often gives us special graces to meet new challenges.
Mass Readings – Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
***************
Study: Recall a time when your faith was tested. How did you respond?
Pray: Are you or a loved one going through a difficult time right now? Pray for the wisdom and strength that comes from faith.
Serve: How can you help someone grow in their faith today? How can you help another grow closer to Jesus Christ?
Mass Readings – 19th Sunday of the Year
The readings focus on different aspects of faith this week:
When we stop and think about it, we are blessed in many, many ways: life, education, family, friendship, health, opportunity, and…faith. What a gift it is to know God and to be given the sacraments and teaching of the Church to help us encounter the Lord!
But sometimes we can take our gifts for granted. We start to assume that these blessings will always be there, that life will always be smooth and steady, or that if we do the right things then nothing bad will ever happen to us.
Today we are reminded that the gift of faith requires constant vigilance. We live each day, each moment, with the conviction that we are pilgrims passing through this world…with our eyes set on the Kingdom of Heaven. We foster our relationship with the Lord through daily prayer, frequent reception of the Sacraments, hearing the Word of God, and fellowship with one another.
May we foster our faith and be ready today…for the Lord will come, at an hour we do not expect.
***************
***************
Note: This post was first published on August 1, 2016.
The Lord offers a direct warning about the sin of greed in the Gospel today. While we are often quick to perceive greed in others, the reality is that this temptation touches us all in great and small ways. Fr. Andrew’s homily offers three antidotes to help us shake off the lure of this deadly sin.
Mass Readings – 18th Sunday of the Year
***************
The death of John the Baptist assaults our senses for its cruelty, pettiness and injustice. As John precedes the Lord in life, so also he precedes him in death…reminding us that the offering of our lives will include profound sacrifice.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 17th Week of the Year
***************
What do we do to strengthen and nourish our faith in Jesus Christ? The Lord’s response in his native place reminds us that being a disciple is a daily decision that demands our determined discipline.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 17th Week of the Year
***************
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 