The readings state plainly the hostility and difficulty we often find in lives. Sometimes the battle is outside ourselves, and sometimes it is within. Yet as we fight our battles, we constantly use our most powerful weapon: the grace we receive through our faith in Jesus Christ!
Remember when you had to “show your work” in math class? You had the answer in the back of the book, but you still needed to do demonstrate that you understood the concepts and complete the hard work. Same is true for the life of faith!
The Lord invites Matthew with a simple invitation, “Follow me.” May his example inspire us to listen to the Lord’s call in our lives and respond with joy.
The woman who approaches Jesus meets no barriers or obstacles; instead she encounters the grace and mercy of the Messiah. May we look to the Lord in our need and trust in the power of his love.
The kids at Cathedral School honor veterans, emergency service personnel, firefighters and law enforcement at a Blue Mass that calls upon our Guardian Angels for guidance and help in times of trial.
The Scriptures touch upon a common theme: responding with faith in a time of trial. Isaiah, James, and Peter all face difficult moments, and in their responses we can examine our own lives and consider how we draw upon our faith when life tests us.
Throughout her life Mary had moments of profound sorrow: the death of the Holy Innocents; the flight into Egypt; relocation to Nazareth; the rejection and betrayal of her Son; his horrific death on the Cross. Yet Mary’s faith in God inspires us to recognize that in these painful moments God is near, offering us the strength we need to carry on.
The crucifixion of Jesus reveals the depth of God’s love as Christ endured suffering and anguish which connects with all aspects of human cruelty, evil and sin. Furthermore, in the light of the Cross we can face the crosses of our own lives with hope: for just as Jesus was victorious over his Cross, the Lord will help us carry our own.
Loving other people sounds like a wonderful thing…until we encounter a situation that is hostile, antagonistic, and angry. Yet when we strive to love others in these painful situations we find ourselves drawing near to Jesus, who teaches us to love our enemies and gives us the grace to do so.