Solomon’s prayer over the newly built Temple shows us the power of a place to draw our hearts to God. May these words inspire us – at church or at home – to call upon the Lord in the places where we dwell.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 5th Week of the Year
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Study: Reflect on a time when you had to make a decision that had profound consequences. What helped you decide wisely?
Pray: Do you have a major decision in life right now? Bring your concerns before the Lord for wisdom and guidance.
Serve: How can you empower another to make good and holy choices today?
Mass Readings – 6th Sunday of the Year
Let’s start with a quick recap of the readings:
The first reading from the Book of Sirach makes it clear that we have the freedom to make choices in our lives for good or evil, life or death. This concept of Free Will – that we are so free that we can reject even God himself – comes with sobering consequences: Those who choose life will find it, and those who choose destruction will find it…
The Psalm response encourages us to choose the Lord. As we seek to know the Lord through Prayer, Scripture, Fellowship and Sacraments we conform our hearts to Christ. Following the Lord means that we seek instruction, learn God’s commands, and then apply our faith in all aspects of our lives.
The second reading reveals the mystery of God’s wisdom, hidden through the ages and revealed in Christ, which is granted to us through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is through the Spirit – requested by Jesus and given by the Father – that our minds and hearts receive the Good News and act on it with conviction and power.
Finally, in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus sets a new standard of living. Using four precepts of the Law of Moses, the Lord demands that we go farther than what was formerly prescribed:
The Lord makes it clear that he is doing something new, building upon the precedent of the Law and moving far beyond it. Jesus calls his disciples to a deeper level of commitment, moving beyond the moral code to a morality that is written upon our hearts. We find ourselves more aware of the destructive power of sin, turning away from its snare and embracing a life in Christ.
And thus we find ourselves back at the first reading. We have a choice. No matter what has gone before we can make a break from the past and choose life! Today we seek Jesus and ask for the grace we need to choose Him with all our heart.
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Note: This post was first published on February 12, 2017.
The Lord’s exhortation to be salt and light is an affirmation of human dignity and an invitation to share our lives with one another. As we reflect on what we do and how we do it, may we call upon Christ for the strength we need.
Mass Readings – 5th Sunday of the Year
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Solomon’s prayer request to God shows shows his love for the Lord and his desire to serve the people. May we take his example to heart in our daily prayer, asking the Lord for what we need to be better disciples today.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 4th Week of the Year
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We find in today’s gospel passage the stark evil surrounding the death of John the Baptist. All the elements in this passage are evil, driven by pride, hatred and jealousy. Our response? The Cross of Christ.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 4th Week of the Year
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As the Lord sent out the Apostles to continue his ministry, he gave them instructions that inspire us today as we serve the Lord.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 4th Week of the Year
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The Psalm Response cuts right to the heart of a deep and urgent need in our souls: to call upon the Lord for the forgiveness and mercy we need as we acknowledge our sins.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 4th Week of the the Year
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