Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – The Holy Family
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph helps us see how God works through each of our families. We face our struggles, make sacrifices, support each other, and receive blessings with gratitude…and through it all we grow in grace.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
As Simeon held the Christ Child in his arms praising God, he recalls the fulfillment of the Lord’s promises and points to the redemption of humanity. May we look back and see how God has touched our lives and embrace each day as a new opportunity to the serve the Lord with full hearts!
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Simeon’s Song of Praise, Aert de Gelder, 1700-1710.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – The Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Surrounded by the glory of Christmas, we have a chilling reminder of the reason why the Lord came into our world. Fueled by rage, jealousy, and hate, King Herod attempts to kill the Christ Child by having every baby boy under two killed in the region around Bethlehem. The senseless violence strikes a chord in our hearts to protect life, inspiring us to proclaim the Prince of Peace in our world today.
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Photo Credit: La Stampa
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – St. John, Apostle & Evangelist
John’s testimony about Jesus as the Word of God provides us with an opportunity to reflect in this Octave of Christmas:
Study: Consider a time when you had to trust another person. What helped or hindered you to trust?
Pray: Is there a major decision in your life? As the Lord for guidance and direction.
Serve: Do you know someone who is searching for God? How can you help point them to Jesus?
Mass Readings – Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
This great feast of Mary flows from the heart of the Christmas story. Jesus, like us in all things except sin, had a mother who reflected on the great events that had happened in her life. She witnessed how God was at work, and she took time to ponder…even as she held baby Jesus in her arms.
Mary’s trust in the Lord inspires us to turn to God in our need and live the gift of our faith. Like Mary, we can reflect upon the Lord’s goodness in our own lives and express with gratitude what God has done for us.
What’s more, as Mary brought forth Jesus into the world we, too, can continue Christ’s saving work as we proclaim the Good News today. Our words and actions can point others to Jesus Christ, directing those in our lives to trust in the Lord’s mercy and love.
May Mary’s example strengthen our faith and empower us to live it with joy. As we reflect on what God has done in our lives, may we express with gratitude the graces we have received as we put them into practice.
Mass Readings for Christmas
The Christmas story touches our hearts and gets past our defenses. Why? Because babies evoke a loving response! God’s love story with humanity helps us see how the Lord – in taking on our human form – helps us to draw near through the gentleness of an infant. May the Christ child take us by the hand and lead us this Christmas to embrace our faith and give glory to God through the gift of our lives.
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This painting held my attention at the Uffizi for several minutes, and I consider it one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Enjoy!
Adoration of the Child, Honthorst, 1619-1620, Uffizi, Florence, Italy.
Study: Recall a powerful Christmas memory. What made it special?
Pray: Who could use a prayer this Christmas? Offer it from your heart.
Serve: Does someone in your life need a little Christmas cheer? Make it happen!
Mass Readings – Christmas (4 Options)
The beauty and power of Christmas flows from a central point: that God sent his Son into our world because we needed a savior. Jesus takes on our human form and – like us in all things but sin – he redeems our fallen nature. While his mission will be fulfilled through his death, resurrection and ascension, his birth offers us hope; God comes to us, establishing a bridge over sin and death and providing us with a way that leads to Heaven.
To reach us the Lord sets aside grandeur and majesty, coming into our world in humility and poverty, vulnerable and in need of the care of others. Mary and Joseph, the angels and shepherds reveal that many played a part in the birth of the Christ child.
We do, too. As Jesus teaches us, we also have the opportunity to encounter the Lord and one another in simple and approachable ways, setting aside our obstacles and being open to love and service.
How is the Lord leading you this Christmas? How does the example of Jesus inspire you to reach out in love to others? Is God speaking to your heart?
The Lord’s birth shows us that with a gentle and humble spirit we can approach one another in grace. May this holy season foster our faith, strengthen our hope, and enrich our love.
Merry Christmas!
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Adoration of the Magi, Fabriano, 1423, Uffizi, Florence, Italy.
Fr. Andrew’s Monday Conversation Podcast (24 Minutes)
Christmas offers a rich opportunity for story telling amid the backdrop of the Great Story of the birth of Jesus. Fr. Andrew discusses some of the comments and insights he has received from his Facebook page, inviting us to consider how film can help us all enter into this holy season.
Fr. Andrew’s Baptism of the Lord reflection with his nieces and nephews
The baptism of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke today invites us to consider how our own baptism ignites the fire of faith in our lives. Each day we have unique opportunities to share the gift of grace that comes from our own baptism – extending the light and love of Christ in our world.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast – January 7th in the Christmas season
Fr. Andrew’s nieces and nephews help him explore the reading from 1 John in Mass today. God loves us – even when we are far from perfect – and strengthens us to love each other. Sometimes it is difficult (if not downright painful) to love like Jesus…but we call upon the Lord to help us with his grace to love one another.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 