One of the best ways to face a test in school is to start with a prayer, asking the Lord for peace in our hearts. One of the best ways to face a test in life? Do the same!
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Category Archives: Easter
Daily Mass: Receive Christ, the Bread of Life. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus states that he is “the Bread of Life” and when we draw near to Him we will never hunger nor thirst again. We need this spiritual nourishment to grow and thrive in this life…and in preparation for the next.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
4th Sunday of Easter: The Shepherd and the Stone
Study: How have I responded to rejection in my life? What has given me strength?
Pray: What challenges do I need to set before the Lord today?
Serve: Who is struggling with rejection in my life? How can I help and support another?
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Easter
At first glance these readings seem to be a jumble: what do stones have to do with shepherds? How are they connected to the person of Jesus Christ?
A quick overview might look like this:
- 1st Reading – Jesus was rejected, yet his triumph saves us (a rejected rock becomes the cornerstone)
- Psalm Response – this is the text that Peter used to describe Jesus in the 1st Reading
- 2nd Reading – the world does not know Jesus, but his disciples do – and they are being transformed
- Gospel – Jesus claims that he is the Good Shepherd who knows the sheep and he is willing to lay down his life for them
What we discover points to Jesus as the Lord who has encountered rejection and triumphs through his saving sacrifice. The power he has comes from the Father, who sent his Son to save us, even when we didn’t understand. What’s more, God keeps reaching out to us – breaking through our ignorance, weakness and sin – to build a bridge that leads us to new life.
God comes to us, in our need, to save and set us free.
The invitation today is one of acceptance. Will we embrace the Good News of Christ? Will we respond to the faith, hope, and love of the Gospel and allow our lives to be touched by God’s blessing? Is there anything blocking me from reaching out to the Lord?
In the light of Easter glory I would like to suggest some possibilities for spiritual growth:
- Experience the power of the Sacrament of Confession
- Dig deep into the Gospel readings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
- Crank up our prayer lives with a personal devotion, spiritual reading, or time of reflection
- Strengthen our relationships with the support of Christian fellowship and prayer
- Commit some time and effort to serve another in need
Thus, the path which the Lord walked becomes our own. Our spiritual compass – pointed toward Jesus Christ, inspires us to stay the course even when we are mistreated and misunderstood. Like the shepherd and the stone, we can face rejection with the promise of hope – for we draw strength from the one who triumphed in his struggles to bring triumph to our lives.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
3rd Sunday of the Year: The power of the resurrection. Catholic Inspiration
One of the hallmarks of the Early Church was the transformation that took place in the hearts of the disciples. Standing before the Risen Lord, they were freed from the fear of sin and death as they opened their hearts to the power of repentance. Their example inspires us to call upon God for the grace we need every day to walk in the light His love.
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Daily Mass: Responding to the needs around us. Catholic Inspiration
As the early Church began to grow new ministries were called for as needs were discerned. This is how the Church continues to thrive today: we recognize the need, call forth the people and are guided by key principles to direct our effort. Now get to work!
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Daily Mass: God feeds us, body and soul. Catholic Inspiration
Anyone who loves cooking knows the wonderful smell of fresh baked bread. Our bodies require daily nourishment to thrive, and we rely on spiritual food for our relationship with the Lord. Jesus offers both in John’s account today of the miracle of the fish and loaves.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter
*************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Daily Mass: Focused on the things of Heaven. Catholic Inspiration
The Apostles speak boldly about the Risen Lord in the face of opposition, and their example inspires us to call upon the Holy Spirit for strength and wisdom as we journey through this life…with our eyes focused on Heaven.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Daily Mass: Light and Darkness. Catholic Inspiration
While today’s passage from the Gospel of John remains one of the most well known and beloved of all Scripture, the verses that follow indicate the choice that we all have to make. Do we seek Christ, the Light of the world, or do we prefer darkness…because our deeds are evil? May we face our temptations and resolutely follow the Lord, whose light shines in our world and helps us find our way.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter (St. Stanislaus)
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Daily Mass: Born from above, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus speaks with Nicodemus about the Holy Spirit. We have received this Spirit in our hearts at Baptism, and the Lord gives us the strength and wisdom to make our way through this life to Heaven. Our task: to let the Spirit work in our lives!
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
3rd Sunday of Easter: Repentance in the light of the resurrection.
Study: Reflect on a time when you willingly took on a hard task with joy. What gave you courage to begin?
Pray: Is there something that needs to change in your life? Pray for the grace to begin again.
Serve: How can you help someone make a change for the good?
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Easter
The season of Easter offers us many opportunities to celebrate and rejoice. After all, the light of the Risen Lord brings hope, courage and strength to all who call upon the name of Jesus. Take a look at a quick overview of these readings:
- 1st Reading – “Repent…and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.”
- Psalm – “Lord, let your face shine on us.”
- 2nd Reading – Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father
- Gospel – Jesus appears to the disciples, explains the Scriptures, and teaches them to proclaim repentance in His name
Why all this talk of repentance? First and foremost, because we need it. The Good News of the resurrection of Jesus Christ brings light to the darkness of death and sin. Easter does not downplay the call to turn away from sin; rather, we have renewed hope that in Christ’s victory on the Cross we are empowered to face our weaknesses with God’s grace.
The light of the resurrection shines in our hearts…and sometimes we need to clean out what’s in there. We might not like it, might try to avoid it, but in the end we stand before the Lord and acknowledge that all that we have is sustained by His love.
Here’s my point: this holy season offers us a chance to draw near to Christ – who knows us better than we know ourselves – and receive his mercy for our sins. All that’s required is our acknowledgement for what we’ve done, make a change to live for the Lord and then receive the forgiveness that flows from the Sacred Heart.
Repentance is a lifetime work. There will be days when we follow the Lord with joy and conviction; then again there will be days when we fail miserably. What matters most is that we continue to seek Jesus with all our heart and strive to live our lives in the light of his resurrection.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: Peter explains how the faith extends to the Gentiles
- Study, Pray, Serve: 5th Sunday of Easter
- 4th Sunday of Easter - Following Christ is a matter of life and death
- Daily Mass: The Feast of St. Mark
- Daily Mass: The conversion of St. Paul
- Daily Mass: A practical guide to sharing the Good News
- Daily Mass: The Church thrives in the face of persecution
- Daily Mass: The martyrdom of St. Stephen
- Daily Mass: God gives us strength and peace
- Study, Pray, Serve: 4th Sunday of Easter
Three Great Things 