The Lord points out that the spiritual battle happens on the inside – in our hearts – and within this precious real estate we have the opportunity each day to do our part to keep it clean.
Mass Readings – 22nd Sunday of the Year
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Category Archives: Ordinary Time
Daily Mass: What you do with what you have. Catholic Inspiration
The parable today reveals a crucial insight: We will be measured by what we do with what we have. Comparing ourselves with others is often a waste of time; what’s crucial is using what we have been given to the best of our ability.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 21st Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: The wisdom revealed in our preparation. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus offers a parable to the disciples about being alert and prepared, reminding us that preparation is a part of our daily life…and reveals our wisdom when we put it into practice.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 21st Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Be prepared for the Lord. Catholic Inspiration
The Lord urges his disciples to be awake and prepared. Every day we have opportunities to stay “spiritually fit” as we call upon God’s grace for the demands we encounter.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 21st Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: The death of John the Baptist. Catholic Inspiration
John’s death vividly reveals the potential price tag for our faith. Yet we can find new strength to face the injustices of life through our conviction that we are made for more…in this life and in the life to come.
Mass Readings – The death of John the Baptist
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Daily Mass: God’s love flows through us. Catholic Inspiration
On this feast of St. Augustine (the patron of my Diocese) we pause to reflect on God’s love for us. God is love, and this love is meant to find a home in our hearts and then flow out into the lives of those we meet.
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22nd Sunday of the Year: The spiritual battle is within our hearts.
Study: Reflect on a time when you struggled with something in the privacy of your heart. What helped you?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the grace and healing you need to fight the challenges within you.
Serve: Perhaps you know someone who is facing a difficult time alone. How might you reach out?
Mass Readings – 22nd Sunday of the Year
Listen to the Lord’s words to the people in this Sunday’s Gospel:
He summoned the crowd again and said to them,
“Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.
“From within people, from their hearts,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile.” Mark 7: 14-15,21-23
We see the effects of sin on the outside in the words and actions that are evident through observation and experience. Yet the Lord reminds us that the origin of our sin begins within the human heart, and it is there that the battle rages.
We can cloak our lives, guarding our speech and hiding our actions, yet eventually the pattern of our soul emerges through our interactions with one another. Only God clearly sees our hearts, and it is to the Lord that we turn to:
- Recognize the role of sin in our hearts
- Call upon God for the grace we need to be made whole
- Live our lives in freedom from sin, guided by the Holy Spirit
- Renew our strength through Sacraments, Scripture, Fellowship, and Prayer
Because our hearts are hidden from view, it is crucial that we take time for reflection and prayer to review the state of our souls. Some powerful tools to help us:
- A good Examination of Conscience
- A visit to the Confessional
- Frequent attendance at Mass and reception of Holy Communion
- Personal Prayer
- Someone to whom we are accountable for our thoughts, words, and actions
May we pause to look honestly at our hearts, and call upon Jesus Christ for the grace we need to fight the battle within!
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Note: this post was first published on August 25, 2018.
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21st Sunday of the Year: Facing hard times with faith. Catholic Inspiration
The passage from John’s Gospel marks a low point in the active ministry of Jesus. The people have seen healing miracles and the multiplication of the fishes and loaves, but when they hear the Lord’s teaching about the Eucharist they turn away. It is in this rock-bottom moment that Peter reminds us that we face hard times with the power of our faith in Christ.
Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year
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Daily Mass: Service that leads to greatness. Catholic Inspiration
Do you want to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven? Then follow the path of service. Our example is Jesus, and the Lord will walk with us every step of the way.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 20th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Acknowledging Jesus as Lord. Catholic Inspiration
Nathaniel is brought to the Lord by Philip and testifies that Jesus is the Son of God. We, too, can acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, and in doing so we have the opportunity to put our faith into practice.
Mass Readings – St. Bartholomew, Apostle
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- 12th Sunday of the Year: We face our fears with face in Christ
- Daily Mass: Do not worry!
- Daily Mass: What is the treasure of our hearts?
- Daily Mass: The Lord's Prayer
- Daily Mass: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving
- Daily Mass: The daunting task to love our enemies
- Daily Mass: A teaching that restricts retaliation
- Study, Pray, Serve: 12th Sunday of the Year
- 11th Sunday of the Year: Our sacrifices reveal our love for Jesus Christ
- Daily Mass: The Lord offers practical advice about our speech
Three Great Things 