Both the prophecy of Isaiah and the proclamation of Jesus reveal how the Lord fulfills the great plan of God’s salvation.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent
Category Archives: Advent
Daily Mass: Christ fulfills God’s plan of salvation. Catholic Inspiration
2nd Sunday of Advent: Am I prepared?
Study: Reflect on an experience where you were able to act in a strong and powerful way. How did you prepare for this work?
Pray: Do you see an obstacle in your life that is keeping you from the Lord or another person? Pray for the grace to prepare the way.
Serve: How can you assist someone who is working on a difficult task right now?
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Advent
This week we hear about John the Baptist who embodies the great call of Isaiah the prophet to “prepare the way of the Lord.” John heralds the coming of the Messiah, urging us to change our ways and prepare our hearts. Here’s a quick recap:
- 1st Reading – Isaiah comforts the people as God prepares the way.
- Psalm – “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.”
- 2nd Reading – We patiently await the Lord’s coming.
- Gospel – John the Baptist preaches repentance and prepares the people for Jesus.
The stirring quality of these readings prompts us to respond decisively. God calls us to action! God comes with power! The urgency underscored in these readings today emphasizes that eternal life is at stake; what we do here on earth leads to repercussions in Heaven.
Yet we also know that careful planning frequently precedes bold action. As we follow Christ we take the time that Advent offers to reflect on how the Lord is speaking to our lives. We pause in this season because there are critical times in life that demand stillness, silence, reflection and thoughtful attention. Simply put, we slow down with the Lord so that we are ready to speed up when life switches gears.
What is God doing in our lives today? What needs preparation? How is the Lord working in and through our hearts?
Take this week and perform a simple internal spiritual inventory. Consider this one question – If God called you home tonight, would you be ready? If the answer is yes, then we live our faith with eagerness and zeal. If the answer is no, then we take time to prepare the way for the Lord.
Note: This post was first published on December 4, 2017.
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Monday Conversation: Advent Reflection. Catholic Inspiration
This Advent Reflection was livestreamed on the Cathedral Facebook Page on November 29, 2020. May all of us use the gift of this holy season to prepare our hearts to welcome Christ!
(Note: there is a slight distortion in the sound quality on the podcast; I apologize for any inconvenience.)
Link to the Facebook Live Presentation
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1st Sunday of Advent: Be watchful and alert! Catholic Inspiration
Mark’s Gospel offers an exhortation from Christ to be watchful and alert, always ready to respond to the Lord’s call.
Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Advent
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1st Sunday of Advent: Getting ready
Study: Consider an experience where you were able to be still, pause and reflect. How can you make that pattern happen this Advent?
Pray: Carve out a few minutes this season for quiet prayer. Reflect on your life and invite the Lord to dwell in your heart.
Serve: There are many opportunities this time of year to help others. Look around for an activity that speaks to your soul.
Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Advent
Advent is one of those seasons that has the power to surprise us. Just like the relationship between Lent and Easter, Advent offers us a time to prepare our hearts for the great feast of Christmas. In this short season we discover the themes of Preparation, Waiting, Expectation, Repentance, and Stillness.
The thing is…if we aren’t ready for Advent then the whirlwind rush of December can sweep us up into the frenzy of the commercial side of the holiday. Many people are so busy – concerts, parties, family events, purchasing gifts and partaking of the “forced fun” of consumerism’s attempt at a Hallmark Christmas…
Whew! Instead, we can take a deep breath, pray, and reflect on where the Lord is leading us at this moment in our lives. Consider the readings this Sunday:
- 1st Reading – Isaiah acknowledges that the people are far from God
- Psalm – “Lord make us turn to you; show us your face and we shall be saved.”
- 2nd Reading – St. Paul encourages the people of Corinth to be faithful to the end.
- Gospel – The Lord exhorts us to be watchful and alert.
So in these short days of preparation here are a few questions to ponder:
- Where I can find a little stillness and quiet in my life?
- How is the Lord calling me to pray?
- Is there anything or anyone that requires special attention?
- Where is the Lord leading me right now?
- What do I need to do as I prepare for Christmas?
- How can I help someone in this quiet season of Advent?
You get the idea. Step back, pause, and consider in the busy pace that many of us call normal how the Lord is directing your heart. Advent has a beauty and power; our task is to enter into this season and allow God to speak to our souls.
Note: This post was first published on November 27, 2017.
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4th Sunday of Advent: Our response to the Lord’s call. Catholic Inspiration
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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Daily Mass: Recognizing the Lord in our lives. Catholic Inspiration
Elizabeth was aware of God’s presence through both the baby in her womb and the woman at her door. May we actively seek the Lord’s presence in our lives…so that we are ready when we returns!
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Daily Mass: Mary teaches us how to respond to the Lord. Catholic Inspiration
Mary’s response to the Angel Gabriel offers us a powerful example of discipleship as she says “May it be done!” Her words inspire us to accept the Lord’s invitation today as we carry out our tasks in service of Jesus.
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Daily Mass: Confronting our doubts and embracing our faith. Catholic Inspiration
As Zechariah hears the message of hope from the Angel Gabriel, he expresses his doubts. May his example help us to honestly confront our own struggles of faith as we turn toward the Lord.
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Daily Mass: The quiet action of St. Joseph. Catholic Inspiration
St. Joseph responds to the Angel Gabriel with swift and silent action. His response to God’s call inspires us to look for opportunities to put our faith into daily practice.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Study, Pray, Serve: 5th Sunday of Lent
- "Carry Your Cross" Parish Mission: 3rd Night - Offering our lives for the Lord
- 4th Sunday of Lent: We call upon the Lord to see clearly in our lives
- "Carry Your Cross" Parish Mission: 2nd Night - Our response to Satan's obstacles
- Daily Mass: O God, be merciful to me a sinner
- "Carry Your Cross" Parish Mission: 1st Night - We confess that Jesus is Lord
- Daily Mass: The command to love
- Lenten Bootcamp: 4th Night - What we learn from our time, money, and the people in our lives
- Daily Mass: The Lord drives out demons
- Daily Mass: Jesus fulfills salvation history
Three Great Things 