As the crowds gather around Jesus we see two central elements of his earthly ministry: healing the sick and driving out demons. The Lord’s work reveals what the demons already know; he is the Christ, the Son of God who has the power to save and set us free.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 22nd Week of the Year
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The Lord teaches with authority and power in the Gospel today. Learning is not just for school; rather, we have lessons to learn throughout life. May we look to the challenges of today and engage our faith with confidence.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 22nd Week of the Year
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Study: Recall a moment when you experienced profound healing. Then consider a time when someone was genuinely hospitable to you.
Pray: Ask the Lord to see others with the eyes of Jesus.
Serve: How can you bring healing to another today? How can you reach out and welcome someone?
Mass Readings – 23rd Sunday of the Year
Two big themes bubble up in the Scriptures this week:
Both of these themes are part of the fabric of human life. We all know firsthand experiences of illness, disease, and discomfort. We know the relief that comes from health, especially after a long period of suffering. Jesus spent a substantial portion of his ministry healing others; indeed, every encounter with the Lord brought about some type of transformative renewal.
Hospitality touches another part of our existence. It is so easy to prejudge one another! Looks, clothing, money, power, success….we can quickly get caught up in externals and fail to recognize the shining soul that dwells in the heart. James (as usual) minces no words here – he speaks bluntly, calling us to treat one another as sons & daughters of God.
Where do you see healing in your life? Where do you see hospitality? Perhaps today we can be agents of both, helping others in moments of weakness and need, and reaching out to all with the love of Christ.
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Note: This post was first published on September 1, 2015
The Lord points out that the spiritual battle happens on the inside – in our hearts – and within this precious real estate we have the opportunity each day to do our part to keep it clean.
Mass Readings – 22nd Sunday of the Year
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The parable today reveals a crucial insight: We will be measured by what we do with what we have. Comparing ourselves with others is often a waste of time; what’s crucial is using what we have been given to the best of our ability.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 21st Week of the Year
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Jesus offers a parable to the disciples about being alert and prepared, reminding us that preparation is a part of our daily life…and reveals our wisdom when we put it into practice.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 21st Week of the Year
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The Lord urges his disciples to be awake and prepared. Every day we have opportunities to stay “spiritually fit” as we call upon God’s grace for the demands we encounter.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 21st Week of the Year
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John’s death vividly reveals the potential price tag for our faith. Yet we can find new strength to face the injustices of life through our conviction that we are made for more…in this life and in the life to come.
Mass Readings – The death of John the Baptist
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On this feast of St. Augustine (the patron of my Diocese) we pause to reflect on God’s love for us. God is love, and this love is meant to find a home in our hearts and then flow out into the lives of those we meet.
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Study: Reflect on a time when you struggled with something in the privacy of your heart. What helped you?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the grace and healing you need to fight the challenges within you.
Serve: Perhaps you know someone who is facing a difficult time alone. How might you reach out?
Mass Readings – 22nd Sunday of the Year
Listen to the Lord’s words to the people in this Sunday’s Gospel:
He summoned the crowd again and said to them,
“Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.
“From within people, from their hearts,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile.” Mark 7: 14-15,21-23
We see the effects of sin on the outside in the words and actions that are evident through observation and experience. Yet the Lord reminds us that the origin of our sin begins within the human heart, and it is there that the battle rages.
We can cloak our lives, guarding our speech and hiding our actions, yet eventually the pattern of our soul emerges through our interactions with one another. Only God clearly sees our hearts, and it is to the Lord that we turn to:
Because our hearts are hidden from view, it is crucial that we take time for reflection and prayer to review the state of our souls. Some powerful tools to help us:
May we pause to look honestly at our hearts, and call upon Jesus Christ for the grace we need to fight the battle within!
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Note: this post was first published on August 25, 2018.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 