When we are tempted to overthink a situation and make things more complicated than necessary, may the example of Naaman and the people Nazareth wake us up to turn to the Lord for guidance and insight.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 3rd Week of Lent
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Study: When have I experienced a profound moment of love? How did that moment change my life?
Pray: Ask for the grace to embrace and share God’s love with others. Today.
Serve: How might I put my love into action for another? How might I show someone the love I have in my heart?
Pastoral Note: The 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent provide an option for using the “Year A” readings at Mass for the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process, but for those who follow the usual cycle the reflection is offered below.
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Lent (Year B)
Do you ever wonder just how great God’s love really is? How amazing? How awesome? I keep thinking about different analogies that show the reality of divine love when compared to human understanding.
For example: If my entire awareness of God’s love could be viewed, it would be like a drop of water – compared to the Pacific Ocean of God’s love. Or a grain of sand – compared to the Sahara Desert. Or a single blade of grass – compared to the Midwest Prairie.
The fact is, there is no comparison that can truly show the height, depth, power, or magnitude of the love of God. No analogy, no image, no description can do it justice…yet we can use our limited language to give us a hint:
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17)
This is God’s demonstration of love. Look at a Cross; listen to the Stations; read the Passion. The love of God is not words or clever thoughts. The love of God is manifest through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – out of love for us.
The question is – Do we believe it? Do we accept in our hearts that this love is for us? Do we live with the conviction that God values us, cherishes us, treasures us, forgives us, and loves us with this sort of intensity?
If we do believe, then our lives are forever changed. If we receive these words and open our hearts, then God will come and transform us. The Lord’s power is that great; once we say “Yes” to Christ we begin a process that will draw us steadily closer to God and one another.
We have heard these words so often that we can take them for granted. We can overlook their meaning and miss the point. Lent gives us time to search into our hearts and recognize this love for what it is – God’s way of calling us home.
May we be ready to respond!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Note: This post was first published on March 8, 2015.
The Ten Commandments are part of the teaching of the Church and the revelation of God’s power in salvation history. May they guide and direct our hearts as we encounter freedom from the bondage of sin and journey with the Lord Jesus.
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year B)
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The parable of the Prodigal Son reveals two classic ways that we imperfectly follow our Father in Heaven. On one hand we commit sins, and finally wise up and repent; on the other hand we do the right thing but with a hard heart. Thank God for Jesus to guide us!
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 2nd Week of the Year
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The story of Joseph occurs in the last chapters of the Book of Genesis. In today’s first reading we discover how it all begins when the jealousy and hatred of his brothers leads them to sell Joseph into slavery.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent
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This third installment of the Lenten Retreat focuses on two people who serve Jesus along the Way of the Cross: Simon of Cyrene and Veronica. May their example inspire us to discover how we might serve the face of Jesus today.
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The parable of Lazarus and the rich man pokes at our consciences. Do we see the poverty around us and respond with compassion? We know the teaching of Jesus…may we ask the Lord for the grace to put His words into practice.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent
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Jesus teaches his disciples that the journey to Heaven is along the path of service.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Lent
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The prophet Isaiah exhorts the people of Israel to wash themselves clean – seeking God’s goodness and avoiding evil. It’s a message that is just as relevant today.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Lent
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Jesus teaches how the measure of mercy applies to our hearts: “For the measure you measure will be measured out to you.”
Mass Readings – Monday of the 2nd Week of Lent
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
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