Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 29th Week of the Year
Paul’s letter to the Romans outlines a problem and solution for humanity; the psalm and Gospel describe our response. May we offer our lives to the Lord with eager attentiveness.
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Study: Reflect on some people who live their faith through their loving thoughts, words, and actions.
Pray: Is there a person or situation in your life that calls for greater charity? Ask the Lord for the wisdom and guidance to do it.
Serve: Is there someone in your life right now who would benefit from your time, attention, and/or effort? How can you help?
Mass Readings – 30th Sunday of the Year
What is the central and most important part of being a Christian? What should be the focus around which we build our lives?
The answer is explicit: LOVE.
Jesus takes the two commands, love of God and love of neighbor and links them as the heart of the Christian message – from which the teaching of the entire Scriptures finds its soul. Love is the sign of the Church, it is the proof of faith, and it is the reality which reveals to others the depth of our commitment as disciples of Jesus Christ.
But what do these commands mean for us? After all, the question for each of us is “How does the law of Love affect me? How do these commands shape my life?”
I look at this from three different angles:
* By how I THINK.
* By how I SPEAK.
* By how I ACT.
In other words, do my thoughts, words, and actions reveal the law of love in my life? When I look at myself in each of these areas do I measure up with the commands of Jesus?
Imagine that each of these parts of life could be made into a movie. I see myself watching “The Thoughts of Fr. Andrew,” followed by “The Words of Fr. Andrew,” and then “The Actions of Fr. Andrew.” Do I like what I see on the screen?
When we come to the end of our lives, I doubt if many of us will wish we had worked more, or earned more money, or bought more things. In the end I expect most of us will wish we had spent more time loving the people in our lives – through what we thought, said, and did.
This love, which comes from God, is intended for us to share while we are here on earth. Our faith tells us that one day the Lord will call us home. On that day may we find ourselves prepared; having loved one another in this life we will then step into eternal Love in the Kingdom of Heaven.
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Note: This blog was first published on October 20, 2014.
Mass Readings – 29th Sunday of the Year
Jesus avoids a trap while offering us a way to live within the tensions between this world and the next. The solution: seek God first. With Christ as our guide we keep our eyes fixed on Heaven, as we make our way here on earth.
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Mass Readings – Saturday of the 28th Week of the Year
The Lord reminds us of two important facts: first, we will encounter tough times for the sake of the Gospel; second, we will be given the grace we need to face them. May the light of Jesus Christ shine in our hearts during dark moments as we seek to follow the Lord through this life.
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Mass Readings – Friday of the 28th Week of the Year
What are you afraid of? Jesus invites us to cast out fear and trust in God’s providence. May we honestly face our fears and call upon the Lord for the courage and conviction we require.
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Mass Readings – Thursday of the 28th Week of the Year
Following the Lord often challenges us to face obstacles and difficulties that we know are worth fighting for. In the midst of these challenges we call upon Jesus for the grace and strength we need.
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God calls us to work together as living stones – building up our families, schools and churches. May we work together, guided by the hand of Jesus, to accomplish our tasks for the service of one another.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 28th Week of the Year (St. Ignatius of Antioch)
Jesus addresses the Pharisees, exhorting them to clean up – not on the outside but within – to cleanse their souls. While externals can be important, by focusing on what’s on the inside we prepare ourselves for a lasting relationship with the Lord and one another.
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Study: Name a role model who lives a principled life. What is it that they say or do that inspires you?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the strength to make the right choice, especially over a difficult or challenging situation.
Serve: Is there someone in your life who looks to you for guidance and example? How can you help them?
Mass Readings – 29th Sunday of the Year
The first reading, psalm, and gospel readings today touch upon the notions of earthly and heavenly governance. Part of our human condition requires that we recognize our need for others; by working with people we unite in strength, and by serving the Lord we understand our values and priorities in life.
Let’s start first with human governance. In the first reading from Isaiah we hear how God has anointed Cyrus – the pagan king – as the instrument for Israel’s redemption. While the king does not know the Law or the Prophets, he gives the people of Israel a new opportunity by conquering their enemy, Babylon.
This distinction between the pagan King and the people’s faith is a helpful guide for us today. While Christianity has made countless contributions to Western Civilization, we find ourselves living in a culture that has many non-Christian influences. Some are good, some neutral, and others are just plain bad. Yet Isaiah teaches us today to look for what is good and useful, recognizing that God can work through a variety of instruments.
Since we live in this world filled with all these different elements, we are constantly challenged to discern and choose those options which are good, holy, and true. It is not always easy! Indeed, we can find ourselves confronted by issues that push and stretch us in a variety of ways.
So how do we decide? The gospel today offers a gem from the Lord:
“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
And to God what belongs to God.”
Matthew 22:21
We have duties and obligations as members of both heaven and earth. In the world we have our responsibilities – voting and jury duty, abiding civil laws, serving in local organizations, and actively living as good citizens. And as a people of faith, we are bound to follow the teaching and commandments of Jesus Christ.
So what do we do in a conflict? In the end we remember that all creation is the Lord’s. When pushed to extreme, we follow Christ. God made this world, and one day we will be called out of it. May our example show to others our desire to be good citizens – both on earth, and in heaven.
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Note: This blog was originally published on October 13, 2014.
Mass Readings – 28th Sunday of the Year
The Eucharist is a banquet that nourishes, celebrates and unites our lives. Christ himself feeds us with his Body and Blood so that we might grow in grace. Two simple questions follow from this great gift:
For always remember that one day we will stand before the One who is the source of all grace…and what then will we say?
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 