After the disciples fail, Jesus drives out a demon from a little child. He later explains to them about the crucial role of prayer in the life of faith.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 7th Week of the Year
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Monthly Archives: February 2023
Daily Mass: Prayer strengthens our faith for the challenges of life. Catholic Inspiration
Study, Pray, Serve: 1st Sunday of Lent
Here are some of the powerful themes that surface in the 1st Sunday of Lent.
1st Reading – Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7
- God breathes life into the man who is formed from the clay.
- In the garden in Eden, God plants many trees, including the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
- The serpent tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, and she and Adam eat it.
Psalm – 51:3-6,12-13,17
- “Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.”
- Acknowledging our sins, we call upon the Lord for mercy and ask for a clean heart and a steadfast spirit.
2nd Reading – Romans 5:12-19
- Through the transgression of one man (Adam) condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act (Jesus) acquittal and life came to all.
- Through the disobedience of the one man (Adam) the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one (Jesus), the many will be made righteous.
Gospel – Matthew 4:1-11
- Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert, where he fasts for forty days and nights and is then tempted by the devil.
- The first temptation: command stones to become bread. Jesus rejects this, citing Deuteronomy 8:3.
- The second temptation: jump off the parapet of the temple. Jesus rejects this, citing Deuteronomy 6:16.
- The third temptation: worship Satan and receive the kingdoms of the world. Jesus rejects this, citing Deuteronomy 6:13.
Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Lent
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7th Sunday of the Year: Love your enemies. Catholic Inspiration
It’s (in my pastoral opinion) the toughest teaching of Jesus, and it challenges us to call down help from Heaven to carry it out. May we honestly consider who is difficult to love in our lives today and strive with the Lord’s help to love…even our enemies.
Mass Readings – 7th Sunday of the Year
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Daily Mass: The faith to see God’s presence in our world. Catholic Inspiration
The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that “faith is the realization of what is hoped for, and evidence of things not seen.” May our faith be strengthened by God’s grace, so that we might persevere in times of struggle and strife.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 6th Week of the Year
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Note: ASH WEDNESDAY is next week! How do you want to your faith in Christ to grow? Take this time now to reflect on the practical things you want to do to make this your best Lent ever.
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Daily Mass: The tower of Babel. Catholic Inspiration
As the people began to reject the Lord’s injunction to spread out over the earth, their desire to congregate together and build a tower to the heavens reveals their pride. May we take the lesson to heart and humbly acknowledge this nasty sin whenever it surfaces in our souls.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 6th Week of the Year
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Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order, pray for us!
Note: ASH WEDNESDAY is next week, and in preparation for Lent perhaps we might want to do a thorough Examination of Conscience.
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Daily Mass: God blesses Noah and makes a covenant. Catholic Inspiration
God blesses Noah and makes a covenant. May we see God’s blessings abound in our own lives as we turn to the Lord.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 6th Week of the Year
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Note: ASH WEDNESDAY is next week. Take this time to consider the blessings in life right now and determine how we might live them in the holy season of Lent.
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Daily Mass: Noah leaves the ark. Catholic Inspiration
As dry land reappears, Noah leaves the ark and makes an offering to God.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 6th Week of the Year
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Note: ASH WEDNESDAY is one week away; take some time over these next few days to consider how you want to enter into this powerful spiritual season.
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Daily Mass: Noah builds the ark. Catholic Inspiration
As God prepares to flood the earth and rid it of all wickedness, Noah finds favor with the Lord and enters the ark with his family and the animals.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 6th Week of the Year
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St. Cyril and St. Methodius, pray for us!
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Daily Mass: The destructive power of sin. Catholic Inspiration
Cain’s murder of his brother, Abel, reveals the destructive power of sin in our world.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 6th Week of the Year
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Study, Pray, Serve: 7th Sunday of the Year
Here are some of the themes that surface in the readings for the 7th Sunday of the Year.
1st Reading – Leviticus 19:1-2,17-18
- The Lord commands Moses to tell the people, “Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.”
- The Lord continues, saying not to bear hatred for a brother or sister, a fellow citizen or any of one’s own people; rather, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Psalm – 103: 1-4,8,10,12-13
- “The Lord is kind and merciful.”
- The Lord pardons all our iniquities and heals our ills.
2nd Reading – 1st Corinthians 3:16-23
- Each of us is a temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in us.
- We do not boast in human beings; instead, our focus is on Christ.
Gospel – Matthew 5:38-48
- Jesus continues to speak forcefully about exceeding the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.
- The Lord speaks about violence and hating one’s enemies, but then he takes the command to “love your neighbor” and extends it to love of one’s enemies.
Mass Readings – 7th Sunday of the Year
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- 4th Sunday of Advent: Our faith gives strength to our lives
- Daily Mass: Let the Lord enter!
- Daily Mass: We receive the Good News in our hearts
- Daily Mass: We strive for God's justice and peace
- Daily Mass: The family tree of Jesus as told by Matthew
- Daily Mass: Christ invites us to do the Father's will
- Daily Mass: Teach me your ways, O Lord
- Study, Pray, Serve: 4th Sunday of Advent
- 3rd Sunday of Advent: Christ fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah
- Daily Mass: Lord make us turn to you
Three Great Things 