Christmas Season: One mightier than I is coming. Catholic Inspiration

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Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – Christmas Season (Jan 6th)

John the Baptist proclaims that “one mightier than I is coming” into the world.  As we encounter the mystery of God we have the opportunity to let go of our need to control and receive the blessing of heavenly grace.


Christmas Season: Let us love in deed and in truth. Catholic Inspiration

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Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – Christmas Season (St. John Neumann)

The first reading invites us to love one another in deed and in truth, putting our faith into practice as we recognize the needs of those around us and respond with the compassion of Jesus Christ.


Christmas Season: What are you looking for? Catholic Inspiration

blessing a child

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – Christmas Season (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton)

“What are you looking for?” Jesus asks the two disciples, and his question continues to speak to our hearts today.  As we draw near to the Lord we have the opportunity to seek our hearts’ desire from the one who knows us best.


Christmas Season: Behold the Lamb of God. Catholic Inspiration

Lamb

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – Christmas Weekday (Jan. 3)

John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is the one who takes away our sins.  As we renew our faith each day, may we seek Jesus above all else and commit our lives to his saving grace.


The Epiphany of the Lord

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Study:  Recall a moment when you were guided to make a good decision.  Who helped you?

Pray: Is there a tough decision in your life?  Pray for God’s light to shine upon you.

Serve:  How can you help another find the Lord’s light for their lives?

Mass Readings – The Epiphany of the Lord

There are several wonderful points for reflection in this well known gospel reading:

  • The Magi who come from the East
  • A star that guides them
  • The perplexity of King Herod and all Jerusalem
  • The fulfillment of the prophecy of Micah (“And you Bethlehem…”)
  • The plot of King Herod
  • The gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh
  • The warning of the Magi in a dream not to return to Herod

The word epiphany means “to shine upon” and it is the illumination of this story – by starlight, prophecy, gifts, and foreign wisdom – that help us see how God works in our world.

The birth of Christ brings light by which people begin to see the Lord.  We are no longer in darkness!  What’s more, this light is available to all peoples…for the prophecy of Micah in the Jewish tradition and the study of the stars guide the Magi to Jesus.

This light continues to shine in our world today.  God’s grace casts out darkness and brings light to guide us as we seek to follow the Lord through the cares and worries of daily life.  May we seek out the Lord’s light for our lives, and help others to be directed in faith to find Jesus Christ.


The Octave of Christmas: Mary, the Mother of God. Catholic Inspiration

Mosaic of BVM

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – The Octave of Christmas: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

Our knowledge of Mary flows from our knowledge of her Son, and her example teaches us how to be living witnesses in the face of adversity as we continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.

Happy New Year!


The Octave of Christmas: And the Word became flesh. Catholic Inspiration

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Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

The Prologue of the Gospel of John proclaims Jesus Christ – God’s Word – who became flesh that we might see and know him.  As we draw near to our Savior, we rejoice over God’s love and offer our lives as living witnesses of the Lord.


The Octave of Christmas: The Holy Family. Catholic Inspiration

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Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – The Holy Family

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph helps us see how God works through each of our families.  We face our struggles, make sacrifices, support each other, and receive blessings with gratitude…and through it all we grow in grace.


The Octave of Christmas: Simeon’s Canticle. Catholic Inspiration

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Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

As Simeon held the Christ Child in his arms praising God, he recalls the fulfillment of the Lord’s promises and points to the redemption of humanity.  May we look back and see how God has touched our lives and embrace each day as a new opportunity to the serve the Lord with full hearts!

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Simeon’s Song of Praise, Aert de Gelder, 1700-1710.


The Octave of Christmas: The Holy Innocents. Catholic Inspiration

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Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – The Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Surrounded by the glory of Christmas, we have a chilling reminder of the reason why the Lord came into our world.  Fueled by rage, jealousy, and hate, King Herod attempts to kill the Christ Child by having every baby boy under two killed in the region around Bethlehem.  The senseless violence strikes a chord in our hearts to protect life, inspiring us to proclaim the Prince of Peace in our world today.

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Photo Credit: La Stampa