Category Archives: Podcast

3rd Sunday of Advent – What Should We Do?

what-should-I-do-now

Study:  Where in your past have you seen ways that you made a positive difference in the lives of others?  How might that pattern be repeated today?

Pray:  Ask the Lord for guidance to see clearly and respond swiftly to the needs before you.

Serve:  What is a little act of kindness that you can do today to help another?

3rd Sunday of Advent Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

We hear in the Gospel this week that the crowds ask John the Baptist a simple question: “What should we do?”  His answers might be summarized in the following ways:

  • Share what you have
  • Be Fair to one another
  • Be Honest in speech and action
  • Be Content with what you have

Pretty simple, right?  Yet this homespun, practical desert wisdom is still apt for our modern world today.  These direct reminders can help guide our decisions in these last two weeks of Advent – inspiring us in our everyday encounters to put them into practice.

But let’s not stop here.  “What should we do?” is a good question for all of us to ask…daily.  As we look around to the needs and circumstances in our lives, we have unique opportunities to make a difference.  What’s more, this question is particularly useful in our daily prayer – guiding us to seek the Lord’s direction as we determine how we can speak and act as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Take a good look at the world around you.  Consider some ways you can make a positive change.  See seek the wisdom of our Faith.  Then work as hard as you can to do something that proclaims the Good News today!


2nd Sunday of Advent – Road Construction – Catholic Inspiration

 

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s 2nd Sunday of Advent Homily Podcast

Making a highway requires removing obstacles and adding quality materials…same is true for the highway in our hearts!

winding-mountain-highway-7196005


Daily Mass: Faith that Leads to Sight & Action. Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast (Friday of the 1st Week of Advent)

Two blind men encounter Jesus…and gain their sight.  May we turn to the Lord for greater sight – that what we see will inspire us to respond with the light of faith.

Candlelight


Daily Mass: Build on Rock. Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast (Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent)

When we listen to the Lord and put his teaching into practice, we are like the wise who build their houses on rock.  May the knowledge we possess be transformed into action so that we can face the storms of life with the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ!

build on rock


School Mass – What’s your Excuse? Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Cathedral School Mass Homily Podcast

Did you ever try to make an excuse for not handing in homework?  This top ten list helps us understand that we sometimes do the same thing with our spiritual life – and maybe inspires us this Advent to complete our “heavenly homework.”

Funny-Dog-Go-On-Tell-Them-I-Ate-Your-Homework-They-Will-Never-Believe-You

 


Daily Mass: A Vision of Hope. Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast (Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent)

The first reading from the prophet Isaiah proclaims a vision of the world – filled with hope – that happens after “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse.”  May this Good News help us to make course corrections in our life today, so that we will be ready for the Lord’s return.


2nd Sunday of Advent – Road Construction

Road Construction

Study:  Reflect on key relationships in your life.  Are there any obstacles that are keeping you from fully connecting with others?

Pray:  Invite the Lord to help you strengthen your spiritual life today.  Ask for guidance and wisdom to see clearly the path before you.

Serve:  How can you help someone in your life right now?  How can your life bring support and encouragement to another in need?

2nd Sunday of Advent Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

Have you ever watched the construction of a new road?  The big kid in me loves watching the earth movers and dump trucks, as graders and front loaders transform the landscape.  The study, planning, design, coordination, and work are immense – and the heavier the traffic the greater the effort to insure that the road will be able to bear the load.

While there are many key issues that surface in the construction of a road, I would like to point out two elements:

  1. What are the obstacles that need to be cleared away?
  2. What materials need to be added for strength?

Obstacles can be unwanted elevation, swamps, trees, or any objects that are in the way.  They sometimes require enormous effort to remove them in order to create a smooth, level surface.  The work here is all about taking something away so that the road will be easy to use.

Often, however, there is a significant amount of material that needs to be added – to improve foundation, provide drainage or perhaps fill in gaps.   Removing the obstacle is not sufficient; material and supplies must be added to make the road strong and durable, so it can be used safely for a long time.

In the Gospel today John the Baptist quotes Isaiah to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus:

“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”  
Luke 3:4-6

This is serious work…for the human heart.  Heavy equipment and intense work are required to transform the landscape of our souls – preparing the highway that allows us to receive Jesus Christ.  And like above we have to ask:  What obstacles need to be removed?  What material needs to be added?

Is there something keeping us from the Lord and one another?  Time to get rid of it!  Does a relationship require attention and support to strengthen it?  Time to get to work!

May the words of John inspire us today, removing obstacles and strengthening our souls, so that the Lord will find us ready and prepared to journey with him today.


1st Sunday of Advent – Be Vigilant Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s 1st Sunday of Advent Homily Podcast

A beginning is always a crucial time – how we start often defines the outcome of a project or task, as well as our attitude as we work.  We are reminded today to be vigilant: constantly prepared; swift to act; and disciplined in our effort.  May the start of our Advent season prepare us for a glorious Christmas!


Daily Mass: Facing the Future. Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily (Tuesday of the 34th Week of the Year)

How do we face the changes of life?  How do we look to the future with hope?  The Answer: with the help of Jesus Christ!


Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe – Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Christ the King Homily Podcast

Christ, our Savior, Lord, and Friend…is also our King.  What’s more, the King has given us some very specific commands – here are three:

  • Love one another
  • Forgive one another
  • Receive the Eucharist

As we follow the King may we carry out his commands!