The feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael reminds us that God sends us help and encouragement. May the power of the angels strengthen us on earth until the day when we join them in heaven.
The Lord invites Matthew with a simple invitation, “Follow me.” May his example inspire us to listen to the Lord’s call in our lives and respond with joy.
Throughout her life Mary had moments of profound sorrow: the death of the Holy Innocents; the flight into Egypt; relocation to Nazareth; the rejection and betrayal of her Son; his horrific death on the Cross. Yet Mary’s faith in God inspires us to recognize that in these painful moments God is near, offering us the strength we need to carry on.
The crucifixion of Jesus reveals the depth of God’s love as Christ endured suffering and anguish which connects with all aspects of human cruelty, evil and sin. Furthermore, in the light of the Cross we can face the crosses of our own lives with hope: for just as Jesus was victorious over his Cross, the Lord will help us carry our own.
On this feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we read in Luke’s Gospel of the birth of Jesus…mindful that if Mary had not been born then God’s plan for our salvation would not have taken place.
John’s death vividly reveals the potential price tag for our faith. Yet we can find new strength to face the injustices of life through our conviction that we are made for more…in this life and in the life to come.
On this feast of St. Augustine (the patron of my Diocese) we pause to reflect on God’s love for us. God is love, and this love is meant to find a home in our hearts and then flow out into the lives of those we meet.
Nathaniel is brought to the Lord by Philip and testifies that Jesus is the Son of God. We, too, can acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, and in doing so we have the opportunity to put our faith into practice.