Loving God and others – especially when we find ourselves in difficult moments – challenges us to stretch and grow. Welcome to the narrow gate that leads to eternal life.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 12th Week of the Year
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Category Archives: Ordinary Time
Daily Mass: Choose the narrow path of God’s love. Catholic Inspiration
Daily Mass: Let’s pay attention to our own sins first. Catholic Inspiration
The Lord offers some powerful spiritual insights to the disciples, reminding us of the importance to examine carefully the state of our souls.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 12th Week of the Year
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13th Sunday of the Year: We have Good News that brings hope to our hearts
Study: Recall a time when you received really good news. How did it affect your life?
Pray: Reflect on the blessings of your life – perhaps even make a list – and take a moment in your prayer to thank the Lord.
Serve: It’s easy to take our blessings for granted; look for a way to help someone in your life recognize the gifts they have been given.
Mass Readings – 13th Sunday of the Year
There is a lot of Good News in the readings this week:
- 1st Reading – Elisha offers hope to an aging couple
- Psalm – “For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.”
- 2nd Reading – Paul reminds us that we have died and risen with Christ
- Gospel – Christ invites us to put Him first in our lives
As much as the world might try at times to make us think that bad news sells, deep in our hearts we long to hear Good News – words that inspire, give us hope, and energize our lives.
Good News reminds us that the Lord has a plan for our lives and invites us to trust as we make Jesus Christ the center of what we say and do. Good News is not “pie-in-the-sky” that says just hang on long enough as you’ll get your reward; rather, we keep going because every day (good or bad) has unique lessons that can draw us closer to God and one another. Good News proclaims that not only is there something fantastic at the end of the journey, but that the Lord himself will accompany us every step of the way.
Where do you see Good News in your life right now? Where have you recognized Jesus Christ at work in your life? Take a moment to thank the Lord for the blessings you have and help others to see the ways that they have been touched by God’s grace. In other words: proclaim the Good News!
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Note: This post was first published on June 26, 2017.
12th Sunday of the Year: Do not be afraid! Catholic Inspiration
Three times Jesus exhorts the Apostles to not be afraid. This timeless wisdom requires us to cultivate a healthy perspective as we receive the strength of our faith in Christ.
Mass Readings – 12th Sunday of the Year
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Note: Here is the Post from the Smithsonian that I used to reference the events of 1968.
Daily Mass: The Lord’s Prayer. Catholic Inspiration
The Lord’s Prayer sums up with brevity and power some key elements of our faith. May this gift from Christ be a daily, regular reflection that unites us to God and one another.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 11th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: When you fast, pray and give alms. Catholic Inspiration
Fasting, prayer and almsgiving are non-negotiable in the life of a Christian. The Lord gives us some key insights into these powerful spiritual practices, and by using them we refine our hearts and purify our souls.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 11th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Love your enemies. Catholic Inspiration
“Love your enemies” is one of the toughest teachings of Jesus. Yet these words continue to show us a path forward in the face of hatred, violence and persecution…revealing that there is something that can heal our hearts and renew our lives: God’s love.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 11th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: In the face of sin we call upon the Savior. Catholic Inspiration
The actions of Jezebel and Ahab in the Book of Kings reveal the stark reality of sin – in our hearts, families and communities. Our response? The teaching and command of Christ to unite and heal as we bring a radical compassion to those around us.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 11th Week of the Year
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12th Sunday of the Year: God’s grace shines in the darkness
Study: Consider a time when you had to confront evil. How did your faith in Christ give you strength?
Pray: Is there a difficult situation in your life right now? Ask the Lord for wisdom and guidance.
Serve: Do you know someone who is struggling right now? How can you offer support?
Mass Readings – 12th Sunday of the Year
The readings this Sunday all come with an edge to them, signifying that there’s a lot at stake in a life of faith. Take a look:
- 1st Reading – Jeremiah praises the Lord even as he recognizes the evil of others.
- Psalm – “Lord, in your great love answer me.”
- 2nd Reading – Sin and death came through Adam; grace and peace come through Jesus Christ.
- Gospel – The Lord will acknowledge those who acknowledge Him, and he will deny those who deny him.
These readings address the reality of sin and evil in our world. We know this reality through our experience, and whether through our own actions or the actions of others we recognize that the human heart has the capacity for sin.
Yet we also recognize that God’s grace is greater than the darkness. This is why Christ came into the world! Through the Lord’s cross and resurrection we have hope to call upon Heaven for the strength, courage and wisdom we need to face the challenges of life.
Have we sinned? Then we seek reconciliation and forgiveness. Have we been wounded by wickedness and evil? Then we call upon the Lord’s grace.
The triumph of Jesus Christ inspires us to follow the example of Jeremiah and Paul – acknowledging the Lord in this world so that we can be with Him in the next!
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Note: This post was first published on June 19, 2017.
Daily Mass: Say what we mean and mean what we say. Catholic Inspiration
The Lord’s counsel about making oaths reminds us of the crucial relationship between our words and actions.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 10th Week of the Year
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