After casting out a demon, Jesus responds to criticism with a teaching that illustrates the power and unity that flow from the Kingdom of God. It’s a good reminder for us today, for when we are united in Christ then we have the strength we need to face the evil in our lives.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 3rd Week of Lent
***************
Jesus tells his disciples that he has come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. This understanding of fulfillment is one of the reasons why the Church continues to study the Old Testament, for by learning about our spiritual past we can follow the Lord with faith in our future.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent
***************
Peter’s question is followed by a parable that underscores the crucial role of forgiveness in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ. It begs the question: who do we need to forgive today? May the words of the Lord inspire us to forgive one another as God forgives us.
Mass Reading – Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent
***************
Study: Reflect on your life for a moment. When was a time you really (REALLY) messed up? When was a time you were upset that others didn’t “get what they deserve” when it came to punishment?
Pray: What in your life needs God’s forgiveness and mercy right now? Ask for the Lord’s grace.
Serve: How can you reach out to others, to foster reconciliation and a new beginning? How can you help heal a situation in your life?
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Lent
Who doesn’t know the parable of the Prodigal Son? This story told by Jesus has 3 main characters:
Let’s start with the Younger Son. He messes up – no question about that. He presumes his inheritance, wastes it on sinful living, and is reduced to abject poverty through his own fault. Finally, at the end of his rope he comes to his senses and asks for mercy, if only to be a servant in his Father’s house.
The Older Son is dutiful, hard working, and faithful. He does his duty and carries out every command. Yet when he hears how the Father celebrates his younger brother’s return he is angry…it’s not fair!
Finally the Father. Note how the Father goes out to both of his sons. The Father takes the initiative:
Perhaps we might use the next few days to consider this simple question: Which Son am I? Have I made some really bad mistakes, caused harm, and wounded relationships with others? Have I held on to a grudge, nursing old injuries, unwilling to forgive and seek reconciliation? Or perhaps we are a mixture of both – making our share of messes and denying mercy to those in need.
Whatever we discover about ourselves, we will find our Father who comes to meet us where we are and lead us to a deeper level of grace. May we return to the Lord in our need and be filled with the grace of healing reconciliation.
********************
If you are looking for more material to help you this Lent, you might consider this list of presentations I have offered over the last couple of years. Feel free to check it out and share if you find it helpful:
Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
***************
Note: This post was first published on February 29, 2016.
Like the encounter between Moses and God, life changing moments can happen in the blink of an eye, yet leave an impact that redefines us. The same thing happens when we carry out the command of the Lord as we repent of our sins.
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Lent
***************
The prophet Micah offers words of comfort and hope, reminding us that in the midst of our penitential practices in this season of Lent, we trust in the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness of our sins.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent
***************
The parable of the landowner and the tenants offers sobering insights into how we live our faith. Everything we have is a gift on loan from God, and one day the Lord will come and claim it. How will we respond?
Mass Readings – Friday of the 2nd Week of the Year
***************
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus offer insights into how we live. By putting our trust in God and using the ordinary tools of faith, we find the grace we need to journey through this life until we reach Heaven.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent
***************
The Lord offers us a profound insight into the path of discipleship: through suffering and service we conform our lives to Christ as we pour out our lives in love for one another.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Lent
***************
We know very little about St. Joseph: he makes no speeches; indeed, he says nothing at all. Yet this hard working, faithful man carried out the task appointed for him by God…showing us that in the last analysis our actions are crucial as we follow Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – St. Joseph, the Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
***************
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 