As Jesus speaks to the disciples about his suffering and death on the Cross, he must also contend with the pettiness that often accompanies our human nature…teaching how we offer our lives in service of one another.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Lent
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Humility in our daily actions proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ. May our lives reflect this crucial virtue in all that we do.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Lent
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Study: Reflect on a time when you felt a deep emptiness in your soul. Where did you find relief?
Pray: Is there a longing in your heart right now? Ask the Lord to touch your life with his grace.
Serve: Many people are struggling, sometimes lost in destructive distractions; how can you help them?
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Lent
As we enter into the heart of Lent, we encounter two readings that speak of a fundamental human need: to satisfy our thirst. We have all known moments of thirst, accompanied by the profound satisfaction of a cool drink of water. The relief is tangible, and the sensation reveals in a direct way how our bodily needs can be fulfilled.
In the first reading the people are grumbling to Moses in their thirst for water. A miracle is performed by the power of God, and the people once again witness the Lord’s presence in their lives.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is standing by a well and strikes up a conversation with a Samaritan woman. Here, however, there is more than just physical thirst; the Lord speaks to her heart and satisfies a deep longing for spiritual life. In turn, she goes back to the villagers and brings them to Jesus…so that their spiritual thirst might be quenched as well.
Today we reflect on the reality of physical thirst to help us understand the longing in our souls. What’s missing in our lives? Do we have an ache, an emptiness that longs to be fulfilled?
There are many temptations and distractions in the world that promise fulfillment: drugs, alcohol, sex, money, power, fame, beauty…but all of these ultimately leave us empty. They are pleasing for a moment, but we long for something lasting.
Jesus Christ is the answer. The Lord comes to us in our need, knows our sins, and invites us to draw into his grace. Christ speaks to the deepest longings in our hearts and offers the love, joy and peace that reign supreme in the halls of Heaven.
May we draw close to the Lord today in our need, trusting in his compassion and mercy to quench our spiritual thirst!
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Note: This post was first published on March 13, 2017
The Transfiguration of Jesus offered three apostles a sign of hope as they journeyed on to Jerusalem where the Lord would be crucified. This moment of glory strengthened their faith to face the coming test of suffering and hardship, showing us that God gives us what we need to carry on.
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Lent
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It’s the classic test of the depth of our response to the Lord’s command…to be able to love those hostile people who make our lives painful and unbearable. Can we follow the example of Christ and love our enemies?
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 1st Week of the Year
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The prophet Ezekiel, the author of Psalm 130 and Jesus all highlight the crucial need to turn away from sin and direct our hearts to the Lord.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 1st Week of Lent
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All of the readings today reveal the power of a fervent prayer from the heart. Prayer does not “change God’s mind,” but rather it draws our souls into a deeper union with the one who knows what we need.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent
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The Sign of Jonah – a call to repent – is the sign that Jesus gives to the crowds…and He continues to offer this powerful sign to us today.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 1st Week of Lent
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The Lord’s Prayer has strengthened the faith of millions of Christians through the centuries. May these words speak to our hearts today as we draw near to Christ and one another.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 1st Week of Lent
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Study: Consider a time when you experienced the Lord’s presence. How did the experience help you live your life?
Pray: Are you facing a tough time right now? Ask the Lord for courage, strength and wisdom.
Serve: How can you help someone see the “big picture” as they work through their challenges?
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Lent
This week the Gospel of Matthew shows the transfiguration of Jesus. Having brought Peter, James and John up the mountain, the Lord is revealed in his heavenly glory – surrounded by Moses and Elijah – as the Father’s voice booms out: “This is my beloved Son, listen to him!”
For a brief moment the disciples see Jesus as he stands in Heaven. Together with great figures from salvation history, Jesus displays the power and authority he has as the Son of God. It is inspirational, terrifying, awesome and mighty.
It’s also very brief.
The moment fades, and the fear experienced by the disciples passes away as the Lord tells them not to be afraid, but rather to tell no one of the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.
There are times in life when we face tremendous obstacles, challenges that test us to the extreme. In the midst of difficulty we sometimes get a short reprieve – a moment where we can pause, step back, and see the big picture – so that we can keep our perspective and understand why we do what we do.
The transfiguration is one of those short pauses where the three disciples gain an insight into who Jesus is and what he must accomplish. As we engage the struggles of our lives, may we experience moments of God’s presence, empowering us to keep going in the face of adversity.
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Note: This post was first published on March 6, 2017.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 