The Lord commands us to proclaim the Good News through our words and actions as we invite others to encounter God through the Church. This 40 minute presentation is the second part of the Parish Mission given at St. Anthony Abbot Catholic Church on March 12, 2018.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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For a copy of the handout that accompanied this presentation, click here: Proclaim the Gospel!
Christ calls us to repent of our sins and turn to Him. This 45 minute presentation outlines some of the ways we embrace repentance as an ongoing part of our conversion of heart as we draw closer to God and one another. Given at a Parish Mission at St. Anthony Abbot Catholic Church on March 11, 2018.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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For a copy of the handout that accompanied this presentation click here: Repentance
Only after the grain of wheat dies can new life begin; this process from death to life shapes both our physical and spiritual lives. What doesn’t belong in our hearts? What needs to “die” so that Jesus Christ can raise up new life within us? The Lord offers the grace…may we walk with Him from death to new life.
Mass Readings – 5th Sunday of Lent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
John’s Gospel offers a glimpse at the division that occurs among the crowd – all who are trying to figure out who Jesus is – as doubt, isolation and discord rise to the surface. Division is part of our human experience; in light of today’s reading we have the opportunity to consider how we work to unite with one another in a spirit of peace.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 4th Week of Lent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
The Gospel of John reveals that people are questioning the identity of Jesus and trying to kill him. Who is he? He is Christ the Lord, the Son of God who comes from the Father to save and set us free.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 4th Week of Lent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Jesus speaks about several different sources that offer testimony on his behalf. It begs a question: Do our lives offer a similar witness? Does what we say and do give testimony that Christ is the Lord of our hearts?
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
The Gospel of John reveals the relationship between Jesus and his heavenly Father, establishing Christ as the Just Judge before whom we will all stand. Our opportunity is to take each day as a precious gift, reconciling our hearts and seeking to follow the Lord with all our heart.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
The Last Judgment, Michelangelo, 1536-1541, Sistine Chapel, Rome, Italy.
Jesus heals a lame man at the Pool of Bethesda, providing us with an opportunity today to reflect on how the Lord calls us to be agents of healing for those in our midst.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 4th Week of Lent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: When in my life have I had to let go of something, someone, so that growth could happen?
Pray: Am I struggling right now to let go? Ask God for help – wisdom and strength – to do it.
Serve: Is there someone in my life that needs help letting go of a past mistake or hurt? How can I help them?
Pastoral Note: The 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent provide an option for using the “Year A” readings at Mass for the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process, but for those who follow the usual cycle the reflection is offered below.
Mass Readings – 5th Sunday of Lent
The Gospel of John today offers an image that contains the central idea of the Christian faith:
Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
John 12:24
Picture a grain of wheat in your hand. It is a tiny, lifeless thing; alone it can be crushed for flour. Yet if that grain is allowed to fall to the ground two things will happen.
First, the grain will die to itself. That is, it will cease to be a GRAIN of wheat. Its hull will be broken down and disintegrate, the kernel will lose its appearance, and it will no longer be able to be used for flour!
Second, the grain will become something new. The grain will be transformed into a new and living creation, full of life and possibilities. It will not resemble the grain – it will be vastly larger, living, able to grow, and full of new potential.
Simply put, as the grain of wheat “died” to its old self, a new life was able to burst forth. The old passed away, making new hope and opportunity available. This is the Paschal Mystery – a journey from death to life.
Like the grain of wheat, Jesus will also make this journey; from Good Friday to Easter Sunday, his life will be a process of transformation, change, and new life. Through his death, he will not only be raised to life, but he will become the instrument by which God saves us as well.
What does this mystery mean for us? If this journey from death to life is our own, how do we live it out? How do we experience the Paschal Mystery in our lives? Here are four ideas for reflection:
1. Death – we no longer need to be afraid!
2. Life – we let go of our selfishness – to grow!
3. Sin – we “die” to our faults; God’s grace fills us.
4. We become like Christ – if he did it, so can we!
The Paschal Mystery makes sense, because we encounter the process of death to life in so many everyday experiences. It is not an easy journey, but when we open our hearts to this mystery, we allow God’s transforming grace to work within us, remaking us into a new creation, alive in Christ!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Note: This post was originally published on March 15, 2015.
The love of Jesus is a light that shines in the darkness of our world. As we draw near to Christ we open our hearts and allow his love to fill and flow through our lives.
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Lent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 