The Lord drives out demons from two people in the Gospel, inviting us to discern how we recognize and respond as we focus our lives on Christ.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 13th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: The doubt (and faith) of St. Thomas. Catholic Inspiration
St. Thomas is known for his doubts about the resurrection of Jesus. However, once he saw the Risen Lord he boldly proclaimed “My God and my Lord!” This very real portrait of Thomas inspires us in the midst of our doubts to draw near to Christ and proclaim the Good News in our daily lives.
Mass Readings – St. Thomas, apostle
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14th Sunday of the Year: Dealing with tough messages
Study: Reflect on a time when someone told you a truth that you did not want to hear. What caused you to want to resist?
Pray: Are there any tough decisions or actions facing you right now? Ask the Lord for guidance, courage, and strength.
Serve: Is there someone in your life who needs to hear an important message? How can you help them receive it?
Mass Readings – 14th Sunday of the Year
Have you ever been angry because someone told you what you needed to hear when you didn’t want to hear it? Who wants to be told they’re wrong, that something needs to change, that they have work to do? In our best moments we can accept constructive criticism with a tentative openness, but if we are vulnerable, defensive, doubtful, or in any sort of tough spot – we often will dig our heels in and resist.
Perhaps it’s just plain human nature – our free will comes with a liberty to choose any number of possibilities. Sometimes, however, we simply do not choose what is best…
This is the situation which confronts Ezekiel and Jesus in the Scriptures today. Sent to proclaim a message, they both encounter resistance. Ezekiel is told by God that the people will not want to hear him; Jesus is rejected by the community that knows his extended family. While both will fulfill their mission, the response of those addressed remains one of resistance.
Sound familiar? Consider the times in life when you’ve resisted a message. What was the issue? Ego? A relationship? Personal pride? Control? Sometimes the best thing we can do is discover what are the obstacles that keep us from the goodness of God.
Here’s a simple test: when was the last time you turned away from something important? What held you back? What was the road block that kept you from joy? Remember, the Lord longs to fill us with love; our job is to be open and receptive to what needs to be heard.
Maybe today we haul the obstacle out of the way…so God’s grace can transform and renew our hearts.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Note: This blog post was originally published on June 30, 2015.
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13th Sunday of the Year: The healing power of Jesus Christ. Catholic Inspiration
Often in life we experience the need for healing, both in our lives and in the lives of those around us. As we grow in faith we acknowledge the Lord’s power to bring this healing to our hearts…and as his disciples we become agents for the healing grace of Christ to work through us in the world.
Mass Readings – 13th Sunday of the Year
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Daily Mass: Lord, only say the word… Catholic Inspiration
The faith of the Roman centurion reveals his complete trust in the authority and power of Jesus. His example inspires us to turn to the Lord with open hearts and allow God’s grace to work in and through our lives.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 12th Week of the Year
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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St. Peter & St. Paul…pray for us! Catholic Inspiration
These two heavy hitter saints were far from perfect, and yet God worked in and through them to accomplish marvelous deeds. Their example serves as our inspiration: God patiently works with us! As we look to Sts. Peter & Paul may we embrace the gifts of life and faith as we follow Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul (Mass of the Day)
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Daily Mass: Building our lives on rock. Catholic Inspiration
More practical advice from Jesus: his words are good, but when they are turned into actions we create a foundation for our lives that no storm can destroy.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 12th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: By their fruits you will know them. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus offers practical insight into how we deal with others. By looking at the fruitfulness of one’s life we can get a good sense of what is going on down deep in the heart.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 12th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Living the Golden Rule. Catholic Inspiration
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you” is the modern translation of the Golden Rule. Jesus gives us this rule to help us relate to one another from a common framework of understanding and respect; now we have to act on it!
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 12th Week of the Year
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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13th Sunday of the Year: Life, Death and the Gift of Faith
Study: Consider people you know who are suffering right now. What is the nature of their struggle?
Pray: Keep a list of those who are sick nearby when you pray. Remember them often.
Serve: How can your faith help someone today who suffers? How can you be an instrument of healing and comfort?
Mass Readings – 13th Sunday of the Year
Consider for a moment someone you love who is seriously sick. Perhaps it’s a disease, an upcoming surgery, and undiagnosed circumstance, or the relentless experience of pain...we all know loved ones who suffer – and we would do anything to help.
Now imagine that you have heard about a miracle worker who cures the sick and resuscitates the dead. I know that if I discovered that Jesus of Nazareth was even remotely in the area I would rent a bus and bundle in everyone I could fit just for the chance that he would lay hands on them.
This is the situation we encounter in the Gospel today. People are crushing in on Christ; they have heard of his power and they are are desperate for healing. The double miracles in the reading point out a number of key concepts:
- Our longing for healing
- The desperation of those who suffer
- The depth and breadth of emotions around illness
- How we all have experience with sickness and death
- God’s profound gift of healing & life
Simply put, an encounter with Jesus Christ is a healing encounter. In the face of sickness and disease, the Lord draws near – bringing grace and power – to restore life to those who suffer.
As his disciples, we are part of this healing mission.
- Who is suffering in our lives right now?
- How can we help through prayer or service?
- How do we promote comprehensive healing – in Body, Mind, Heart, and Soul?
Jesus comes to bring life; may our lives – guided in faith – be directed toward healing the wounds we witness.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Note: This blog post was originally published on June 23, 2015.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows
- Daily Mass: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross of Christ
- Study, Pray, Serve: 25th Sunday of the Year
- 24th Sunday of the Year: It's all about forgiveness
- Daily Mass: The Lord offers two practical spiritual insights
- Daily Mass: We work on ourselves first before we point out the faults of others
- Daily Mass: Jesus invites his disciples "to measure up" to his teaching
- Daily Mass: Jesus speaks of blessings and woes
- Daily Mass: Even in the messiness of our lives, God is with us
- Daily Mass: Our faith in Christ seeks goodness and life
Three Great Things 