Mass Readings – Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent
As Queen Esther calls upon the Lord, she is carrying out the teaching that Jesus offers to his disciples: ask, seek and knock…trusting that the Lord (who knows us better than we know ourselves) will respond with what we need to face the challenges of life.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Wednesday of 1st Lent
God calls every generation to repentance as we observe in the book of Jonah and the Gospel of Luke today. Rather than chase after miracles, wonders and signs, may we respond to this ongoing call to conversion of heart – turning away from sin and turning toward the Lord.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 1st Week of Lent (Sts. Perpetua & Felicity)
As Jesus teaches the disciples the Lord’s Prayer he also reveals the power of forgiveness to transform and heal our lives. This commandment – at times difficult to carry out – is crucial for us to receive the Lord’s forgiveness as we forgive one another.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Lent
Temptation is a part of life, and the fall of Adam & Eve remind us that we encounter temptations each day as a result of sin. We have hope, however, for the triumph of Jesus over the temptations of Satan inspires us to return to the Lord when we fail and seek the grace we need to flourish.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Jesus calls the tax collector Levi, with the simple invitation “follow me.” His life is transformed, and we know him today as St. Matthew; may our lives be transformed as well…every time we say yes to Christ and invite others to meet the Lord.
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Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Friday after Ash Wednesday
Both Isaiah and Jesus speak about fasting. May this powerful discipline help us to draw near to the Lord and one another.
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Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Thursday after Ash Wednesday
The Lord invites us to follow Him and take up our Cross as we crucify selfishness and sin. As we repent and embrace the Good News, may we draw strength from the one who offers us the wisdom and direction to find our way.
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Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
As we embark on this season of Lent we hear the words as we receive our ashes: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” May we turn away from sin and look to Christ for the grace we need each day.
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Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: When in life have you been profoundly tempted? What patterns do you notice in your life?
Pray: The temptations we face provide a special place in our prayers; bring them to the Lord!
Serve: How can you support others who are tempted so that they can face them with grace?
Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Lent
We enter into the great season of Lent with classic readings about temptation, sin and God’s grace:
First, let me be perfectly clear: Temptation is a part of the landscape of human life. From the time of our first parents at the dawn of creation, humanity has experienced temptation. We can wish all we want, but the fact remains that we are constantly facing great and small temptations throughout the course of our lives.
What’s more, we have all experienced times when temptation has led us to sin. Being tempted is one thing; falling into sin is another. For once sin is a part of our lives, our souls are wounded in a way that requires God’s grace to cleanse and heal.
This awareness of temptation and sin can easily lead us to a state of despair. We can fall into the trap that says “Well, you messed up. What’s the point now? You might as well just give up.” Admittedly, the devil would like nothing better than to let us think that there is no hope…that we are lost and without strength to find our way out of the messes of life.
Yet we start our Lent with hope. Yes, we acknowledge that temptation and sin are real, but we take comfort that this is why Jesus Christ came – to break the bondage of sin, restore our relationships with God and one another, and lead us into eternal life. The Lord knew about temptation first hand, yet not only did he triumph over Satan’s testing, but he freed us through his death and resurrection.
In our moments of temptation and sin may we run to the Cross of Christ! As we encounter our own trials may we trust that the Lord stands ready to offer us help and strength – both to face what comes before us this day, and to heal us in our moments of need.
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Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 