Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Lent
Our spiritual thirst helps us understand that there is a need in our hearts that will only be met by Jesus. May we pay attention to the thirst in our souls and respond – not to the temptations or distractions of the world – so that our we can drink deeply from the Water of Life.
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Mass Readings – Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent
The parable of the Prodigal Son is well known and it speaks to some deep forces in our hearts. Like the two sons, we have the chance each day to “come to our senses” to receive mercy and “celebrate and rejoice” when we can share that mercy with one another.
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Mass Readings – Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent
Both the 1st Reading and the Gospel detail stories of rejection: Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers for 20 pieces of silver and Jesus explains how the tenants kill the vineyard owner’s son. Yet in both cases the reality of rejection is transformed and redeemed by God’s grace. May we face our moments of rejection with the power of our faith in Christ, that God will work in our lives to bring about good.
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And to all of you who claim even a wee bit of Irish…Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent
Jesus speaks the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to the pharisees, commenting on issues of Heaven/Hell, life after death, and the fact that we have all the information we need to live our faith. The point: we trust the Lord in this life to be ready to meet Him in the next.
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Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Lent
Who are the greatest among us? Those who serve and act as instruments of the grace and power of Christ. May we all become great!
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Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Lent
One way we can measure our success as disciples: how we help one another. Whether it is the justice described by Isaiah or the example of Jesus in the Gospel, the Lord accepts our service toward one another as if it were done to Him.
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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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Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Lent
The transfiguration of Jesus gives the apostles strength to continue on their journey to Jerusalem, and it gives them an insight into the glory of Jesus. May we recognize moments when God blesses us as we continue on our journey of faith.
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Mass Readings – Saturday of the 1st Week of Lent
“Love your enemies” might be one of the toughest lines in the Bible to carry out. Yet this command – to love as God loves us – is the test of our discipleship. May we call upon the Lord for the grace we need to follow the example of Jesus, loving one another…even our enemies.
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Mass Readings – Friday of the 1st Week of Lent
Jesus invites his disciples to seek God above all else, turning away from sin and making a change deep within our hearts.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 