We recognize that being disciples of Jesus Christ does not take away experiences of suffering and loss; rather, we understand that God will give us what we need to make our way through even the darkest moments of life – turning our grief into joy.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 6th Week of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Why do we pray every week at Mass? Why is it so important? Fr. Andrew shares some key points with the children at Cathedral School.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Jesus promises the disciples that he will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to come upon them after he leaves. The Spirit will shine in the world revealing sin, righteousness and condemnation. May the Spirit help us today to see clearly as we follow the Lord.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 6th Week of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: Reflect on a moment of profound change in your life. What lessons did you learn?
Pray: Ask the Lord for guidance to proclaim the Good News in your current situation.
Serve: Do you know someone who is experiencing great change right now? How can you help them?
Mass Readings – The Feast of the Ascension of the Lord
About this time of year students experience transition. The academic year is coming to a close, classes are wrapping up, papers are written and exams taken. It is a time where one can clearly see change: teachers and classmates conclude their studies and look to new opportunities and experiences in the summer.
For some it might be work; others might attend summer school; still others might experience a move to a new location. Change takes many forms, but through it all some key points emerge:
The Feast of the Ascension is one such moment of profound change in the early Church. Rejoicing with one another over the Resurrection, the apostles were flying high – the Lord is risen! In this moment of enthusiasm and hope, the Lord (truly in the role of Teacher) shares with them a new lesson – it’s time to change and grow.
Now they are the ones who must teach; they are the ones chosen to proclaim the Good News; through their efforts the Holy Spirit will empower them to heal and drive out demons. Simply put, the Ascension of Jesus clears the way for the disciples to apply the Lord’s teaching in their own lives as they continue Christ’s mission in the world.
We are part of that mission. We received our faith from those who came before us, and today we have an opportunity to proclaim the Good News to those in our lives. Here are some thoughts:
The Good News takes many forms, and in our moments of transition we are given new opportunities to act. May the Ascension of our Lord inspire us to look for change in our own lives and seek ways where we can live joyful lives as disciples of Jesus Christ!
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
***************
Note: This blog was originally published on May 12, 2015.
The commandment to love one another as Christ loves us will stretch us and invite us to offer our entire lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. May our “Yes!” open our hearts to God’s love in our lives as we share this love with those we meet today.
Mass Readings – 6th Sunday of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
There is a cost to following the Lord: sometimes we must endure the hardship of hate in this world and contend with forces that would seek to destroy the goodness in our lives. Yet we do not stand alone; Jesus Christ gives us the strength we need to face this hardship with the power of his grace.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 5th Week of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
“Love one another as I love you” is an awe-inspiring commandment. We cannot do this alone; rather, Jesus chooses us and appoints us to follow his example and bear the fruit of unconditional love in our hearts. As our friend, he gives us the grace and strength we need to walk in the light of his love.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 5th Week of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to cultivate a fruitful harvest in our hearts. This not only means fostering the Fruits of the Spirit in our lives, but it also requires our willingness to be pruned of the spiritual vices and behaviors that keep us from God and one another.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 5th Week of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
The memorial of St. Joseph the Worker offers an opportunity to see how our work – great or small – can bring glory to God. What’s your work today? Look for the Lord in your labors and make your work an offering worthy of God.
Mass Readings – Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: When in my life have I been most authentically and genuinely loving toward others? What helped me to live this way?
Pray: Who is difficult to love in my life right now? Pray that the love of Christ comes into our hearts to transform us into God’s love.
Serve: Who am I called to love today? How can I act toward another that brings Christ’s love into their lives?
Mass Readings – 6th Sunday of Easter
The second reading from 1 John 4:7-10 and the Gospel from John 15:9-17 are as blunt and direct as the Bible delivers. In the first and last analysis, everything we proclaim as Christians is measured and evaluated in the light of a single concept:
LOVE
And on first glance it sounds wonderful! Love evokes many wholesome and beautiful concepts that speak to our hearts; love lifts our spirits and draws us closer together – drawing strength and peace from both God and the people around us.
Yet love is also challenging. Love makes demands upon us to stretch beyond our normal comfort zones – thinking and acting in ways that are modeled on Jesus Christ. Consider…
While we strive for these practical applications of love on our good days, Lord knows we need to keep working at love – especially when we are in a bad place. Two keys thoughts can help us:
The first point is simple: we cannot fulfill God’s command to love unless we are closely connected to the Son of God. We hear that “God is love” in the 2nd reading, and we know that our lives draw grace and strength when we unite our hearts to the Lord. Staying close to Jesus helps us to evaluate and fulfill this key commandment.
The second point is immensely practical. Sometimes we don’t feel particularly loving! When that happens we can move ourselves to a better place by acting in a Godly fashion…the feelings will follow eventually. While our emotions are crucial sources of “inside information” to the state of our hearts, we guide our lives by Jesus (and not a momentary feeling) who loves us unconditionally. Thus, when we act in a loving way – love actually grows in our hearts!
“This I command you: love one another.”
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
***************
Christ and the Rich Young Ruler, Heinrich Hofmann; 1 June 1889, 480 x 599 pixels, Riverside Church, New York, NY.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 