Mass Readings – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter
Filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples boldly proclaim the Good News in the face of opposition…inviting us to call upon the Spirit to strengthen us in our moments of difficulty.
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Mass Readings – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter
Filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples boldly proclaim the Good News in the face of opposition…inviting us to call upon the Spirit to strengthen us in our moments of difficulty.
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Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter
“God so loved the world…” These words remind us that Christ comes to us in love, transforming our lives and empowering us to go forth with God’s grace to share this love with those around us.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Photo credit: The Passion of the Christ, 2004.
Mass Readings – The Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist
In the Gospel of Mark the Lord says, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” As we celebrate the Feast of St. Mark today, may our lives offer a living witness to the Good News as we share our faith with those around us.
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Study: Where do you find your faith renewed? What activities build up your relationship with the Lord?
Pray: Is there someone in your life who is searching for God? Pray that the Lord gives you guidance to say and do what is helpful.
Serve: Is there a situation or activity where your time and talent can help others grow closer to the Lord? How can you get involved?
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Easter
The readings this week are filled with power and zeal. The resurrection of Jesus inspires the early Church, and their encounter with the Risen Lord in the breaking of the bread testifies to the enduring grace we receive every time we come to Mass. Take a look:
A pattern emerges: an encounter with the Risen Lord changes our lives in dynamic and life-giving ways. Peter is no longer timid or afraid to stand up for Christ; Christians conduct themselves with faith and hope; the disciples have their minds opened and hearts burning as Jesus is present to them in the breaking of the bread.
It is the depth of this change that bears close inspection. These people are renewed and empowered with a strength and conviction that can inspire us today. They burn with the flame of faith, and through the example and witness of their lives the Gospel message will spread like wildfire.
This is our task today. As we look to the early Church, we acknowledge that NOTHING was easy for them. Their trust in God put them in the path of tremendous obstacles, trials and persecutions. And yet with God’s grace their triumphed…and we can, too.
I’d like to suggest a simple two-step process:
The first question requires us to pause and reflect on the prayers, sacraments, fellowship and other life-giving activities that renew our hearts. The second question challenges us to step out in faith and invite those we know and love to encounter the Risen Lord. May the faith of the early Church inspire us to proclaim the Good News with passion and joy!
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Easter
The power of the resurrection transformed the early Church, showing us today that the Risen Lord continues to change our hearts and lives with the grace of His love. May we respond with an eager and lively faith!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Photo: this little guy was kind enough to provide the special effects for the homily!
Mass Readings – Saturday in the Octave of Easter
When the going gets tough, the tough live their faith! The early Church faced opposition even as it was filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit. We, too, call upon the Lord to face our trials with the same strength that inspired and strengthened the disciples.
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Mass Readings – Friday of the Octave of Easter
In the face of opposition Peter and John powerfully proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Their lives, transformed by the resurrection, inspires us to live with a bold and vibrant faith.
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Mass Readings – Thursday of the Octave of Easter
The appearance of the Risen Lord to the disciples offers some insights about a central teaching of our faith: the resurrection of our bodies and life everlasting. May we use the gift of our own bodies as an offering in this life…in preparation for the body we shall receive one day in Heaven.
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Mass Readings – Wednesday of the Octave of Easter
Peter & John share their faith in Christ to bring healing to a beggar…who receives far more than a few coins. May we not only ask the Lord for what we truly need, but may we also open our hearts to the Lord so that we become His instruments – bringing the Good News to the world.
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Mass Readings – Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
Mary Magdalene is transformed from sorrow to joy in the light of the Risen Lord. She is sent forth by Jesus to proclaim a message of hope to the disciples, reminding us that we are also called to share the Good News of the resurrection through the witness of our lives.
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