Speaking at Mass to the kids at Cathedral School, Fr. Andrew speaks about the Passover, Judas and the blood of Jesus…the Lamb of God.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of Holy Week
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Daily Mass: A tale of two betrayals. Catholic Inspiration
In the heart of the Last Supper we see two clear examples of human weakness. Both Judas and Peter will betray Jesus, and their examples offer us two different responses to sin. Which option will we choose?
Mass Readings – Tuesday of Holy Week
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Easter: God restores us to life!
Study: Where in my life have I discovered God’s strength and grace? How have others helped me?
Pray: Where do I need God’s strength right now? Call upon the Lord with boldness to face the challenges of life.
Serve: How can I be an instrument of God’s strength to another? How can I help someone today?
I can only imagine the surge of excitement that went through the disciples as the word was shared. Beyond the agony of the Cross and the sorrow of the Tomb on that first day of the week the message was proclaimed: He’s Alive!
And everything changes. This group of disciples – bound by fear and selfishness – are transformed with a new strength and conviction. Their encounter with the Risen Lord will empower them to face the obstacles of this world with joy and hope. They have seen the risen Christ…what is there to fear? They have embraced the one who has conquered sin and death – there is NOTHING that can shake their confidence in the light of Easter morning.
This same strength comes to us. Like the first disciples, we can turn to Jesus and allow his saving grace to renew us with a strength far beyond our own. We can claim a hope that sustains us in the midst of our challenges and struggles. The Easter sunrise brings light to the darkest corners of our hearts.
What in our lives needs to be touched by Jesus Christ? We are invited to boldly come forward, receive his resurrection strength, and face whatever this world presents with confidence: the victory of Christ enlivens us to travel through life with the conviction that the grace he gave his disciples continues in our hearts today.
May this Easter season be a time of transformation and renewal; a time where we embrace the gift of our lives with a new freedom and conviction. In the light of this Easter, may we follow the one who leads us from sin and death to the abundance of life…in this world, and the world to come.
Happy Easter!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Note: This post was originally published on March 29, 2015.
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Palm Sunday: Christ dies that we may live. Catholic Inspiration
We read the Passion of Jesus Christ so that we remember each year the Lord’s sacrifice for our eternal salvation. May the Precious Blood of the Savior wash us clean and renew our hearts for this life…and the life to come.
Mass Readings – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
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Daily Mass: One man should die instead of the people. Catholic Inspiration
Caiaphas the high priest prophesied when he said that “it is better for you that one man should die for the people.” The death of Christ on the Cross takes our place for the sins that we commit which warrant death. May we accept his saving sacrifice and offer our hearts to the Lord.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent
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Daily Mass: The good works of Jesus. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus points to the good works of His Heavenly Father as an indication of His identity as the Son of God. What’s more, we know of His greatest work: His death on the Cross that frees us from sin and opens the door to eternal life.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 5th Week of Lent
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Daily Mass: He is Christ the Lord. Catholic Inspiration
As Jesus claims his divinity in the Gospel of John we are challenged to consider how our lives conform to Christ. He is our Lord and His example guides and directs our lives in all things.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent
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Daily Mass: The fire of faith that strengthens our hearts. Catholic Inspiration
Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego faced the fiery furnace with their faith in God. Their example reveals the strength and conviction that come when God’s word dwells in our hearts and directs our lives. May this holy fire of faith burn in our hearts!
Mass Readings: Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent
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Daily Mass: When the Son of Man is lifted up. Catholic Inspiration
United in love with his heavenly Father, Jesus teaches the people that they will know who he is when he has been lifted up. As we gaze upon Christ on the Cross may we recognize our hope as we turn from our sins and accept his forgiveness.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 5th Week of Lent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Palm Sunday: Behold the Cross of Christ
Study: What sacrifices do I currently face in my life? Do I recognize the presence of Christ as I carry my Cross?
Pray: Reflect on the Passion of the Lord. Recall the sacrifice of Jesus and take a moment to express gratitude for his love.
Serve: How might you help others face their sacrifices? Are there people you can comfort or assist as they carry their crosses?
Mass Readings – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
On the road to Jerusalem the Lord was dropping hints to his disciples:
“See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.” Matthew 20:18-19
He knew it was coming…and he went through with it.
For us.
And just so we’re clear: not because we’ve been good and deserve it. Because we’ve sinned and cannot continue without his saving grace. The sacrifice of Christ on the Cross reveals God’s love for humanity: the fundamental value which the Lord places on ALL human life and demonstrates how love is the greatest of all commandments – for sacrifices reveal quickly and bluntly what we value, respect, cherish, and love.
And Christ sacrificed his pure and sinless life…for our sins. The more we reflect on the Passion of the Lord, the more we understand the depth of God’s love that knows no limit or boundary – a priceless gift that flows from the heart of Heaven.
Which means that as his disciples the example of Christ becomes our model. Where do we see our sacrifices today? How do we – through a sincere and genuine desire to love others – participate in the great sacrifice of Jesus? What are the Crosses in our lives, and how might we carry them with the help of one who understands the weight of the Cross?
His Cross becomes a gateway that leads to abundant life; may the crosses we carry today be received as our path that the Lord sets before us:
- To grow in Grace
- To face our Fears
- To live in Love
Have a blessed Holy Week.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Note: This post was originally published on March 22, 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 