As we bring the year 2019 to a close, perhaps it makes sense to take a brief walk back through the last twelve months and reflect on how our lives have changed. Where did we experience moments of growth? Where did we experience God’s grace? May we look back and count our blessings as we prepare for a New Year.
Happy New Year!
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Study: Reflect on a time when you clearly experienced God’s presence in your life. How were you guided?
Pray: Is there a challenging task confronting you today? Ask the Lord for the Light to find your way.
Serve: How can you be a Light for others? How can your life help others to see clearly?
Mass Readings- The Epiphany of the Lord
The Magi were guided by a star to Jerusalem. They were led by its light, and along the way inquired among the people where they might find the king and were thus directed to Bethlehem. I am struck by the two complementary components that were necessary for their journey: Light & Sight.
Without light, sight is impossible. Without sight, the light is wasted. Many people saw the light of the star, but the Magi acted on it – seeking through a long journey to find the King of Kings.
God’s light continues to shine in our world today. Do we open our eyes and see with the gift of faith the wonders that the Lord sets before us? Make no mistake: we believe that Christ is present in the Eucharist, the Scriptures, and our fellowship “where two or three are gathered” in his name.
We are invited to follow the example of the Magi and seek the Lord in our lives – using our senses and resources to respond to the blessings we have have received. May we use our Sight to follow the Light!
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Note: This post was first published on December 29, 2015.
The blessings and burdens of the Holy Family inspire us to face our joys and sorrows with the grace of Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
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There is a grim aspect to the Gospel reading today. Innocent baby boys, slaughtered to satisfy Herod’s need to protect his ego, recall for us the reality that cruelty, hatred, evil and sin are part of our human condition. May this terrifying event inspire us to respect all life as a precious and sacred gift from God.
Mass Readings – The Holy Innocents
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On this feast of St. John – the Apostle and Evangelist – we look to John’s example and consider how we are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in our lives today.
Mass Readings – St. John, Apostle & Evangelist
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Stephen is the first person to give his life as a witness to his faith in Jesus Christ. He spoke with a wisdom and spirit that none could refute, and he offers us an example about how we show our love for the Lord every day.
Mass Readings – St. Stephen, the first martyr
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God loves us. Plain and simple. Warts and all. God loves us and meets us where we are, not in polished perfection and immaculate attire, but in a humble manger as a displaced person. God loves us so much that he sent his Son to die and rise that we might have eternal life.
May we all drop to our knees at some point today and say thank you…
Merry Christmas, my friends!
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Have you ever tried to get a gift for “the person who has everything” and been frustrated in the process? Everything we have comes from God…everything! The Lord needs nothing from us, but asks for only one thing: a loving heart that reaches out to others.
Merry Christmas!
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Study: Recall a time when you were particular grateful for the gift of your family. What made the difference?
Pray: Reflect on the needs of your family. Thank the Lord for your blessings and offer your petitions for their needs.
Serve: How can you help someone in your family right now?
Mass Readings – The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Big or small, far-flung or close to home…we all come from a family. Sometimes our families are in better/worse places, depending on emotions, finances, relationships, illness, death, and a multitude of challenges and blessings that life can throw our way.
And while no family is perfect, every family provides opportunities for us to grow. Whether it is getting along, practicing forgiveness, being patient, working together, or dealing with the idiosyncrasies that are part of every human group…there is no place like family for teaching us lessons that are part of our journey to become the best version of ourselves.
The Holy Family faced plenty of blessings and burdens. Here are a few of the blessings:
But, then, there are some real burdens:
Clearly, this family is unlike any other; yet together they faced situations that are similar to many even today. They knew what it was like to be grateful for what they had, and they knew what it was like to face suffering and pain.
But there’s two points I want us to hold close:
What’s true for the Holy Family is true for our families! We have opportunities to work together, cooperating and uniting to strengthen the bonds within our families – and when we face challenges we call upon the Lord to give us the grace and strength we need to put faith into family, hope into our homes, and love into our lives.
May this season give us plenty of opportunities to work together with God’s grace in our families – the place where we have been located by the Lord to practice our “homework for holiness” as we journey through this life.
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Note: This post was first published on December 25, 2014.
Both St. Paul and St. Joseph respond to God’s call, but they do it in very different ways. Their examples reveal that the Lord offers many ways that we can offer our lives, based on our ability and talent. There is nothing to stop us…except ourselves.
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Advent
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 