Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – St. John, Apostle & Evangelist
John’s testimony about Jesus as the Word of God provides us with an opportunity to reflect in this Octave of Christmas:
Study: Consider a time when you had to trust another person. What helped or hindered you to trust?
Pray: Is there a major decision in your life? As the Lord for guidance and direction.
Serve: Do you know someone who is searching for God? How can you help point them to Jesus?
Mass Readings – Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
This great feast of Mary flows from the heart of the Christmas story. Jesus, like us in all things except sin, had a mother who reflected on the great events that had happened in her life. She witnessed how God was at work, and she took time to ponder…even as she held baby Jesus in her arms.
Mary’s trust in the Lord inspires us to turn to God in our need and live the gift of our faith. Like Mary, we can reflect upon the Lord’s goodness in our own lives and express with gratitude what God has done for us.
What’s more, as Mary brought forth Jesus into the world we, too, can continue Christ’s saving work as we proclaim the Good News today. Our words and actions can point others to Jesus Christ, directing those in our lives to trust in the Lord’s mercy and love.
May Mary’s example strengthen our faith and empower us to live it with joy. As we reflect on what God has done in our lives, may we express with gratitude the graces we have received as we put them into practice.
Mass Readings for Christmas
The Christmas story touches our hearts and gets past our defenses. Why? Because babies evoke a loving response! God’s love story with humanity helps us see how the Lord – in taking on our human form – helps us to draw near through the gentleness of an infant. May the Christ child take us by the hand and lead us this Christmas to embrace our faith and give glory to God through the gift of our lives.
***************
This painting held my attention at the Uffizi for several minutes, and I consider it one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Enjoy!
Adoration of the Child, Honthorst, 1619-1620, Uffizi, Florence, Italy.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 4th Week of Advent
Zechariah’s canticle of praise reveals both the work of John the Baptist and the glory of the Lord. God continues to work in our world; may this Christmas renew our faith as we do our part to share the Good News with one another.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Friday of the 4th Week of Advent
John’s birth and his naming foreshadow the glory of Jesus. God’s great work of salvation leads us to rejoice as we witness how the Lord involves many (including us!) in the mission of Jesus Christ.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 4th Week of Advent
Mary’s proclaims God’s greatness, and her example inspires us to place the Lord first in all that we say and do.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 4th Week of Advent
The exchange between Elizabeth and Mary follows up the events we heard at Mass yesterday. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes Jesus as her own child (John the Baptist) leaps for joy in her womb. May this Christmas offer us the opportunity to draw near to the Lord and be filled with the same Spirit!
***************
Photo Credit: The Nativity Story, Newline, 2006.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 4th Week of Advent
The interchange between Gabriel and Mary offers us rich insights regarding how we embrace our faith.
***************
Annunciation, Bottecelli, 1481, Uffizi, Florence, Italy.
Study: Recall a powerful Christmas memory. What made it special?
Pray: Who could use a prayer this Christmas? Offer it from your heart.
Serve: Does someone in your life need a little Christmas cheer? Make it happen!
Mass Readings – Christmas (4 Options)
The beauty and power of Christmas flows from a central point: that God sent his Son into our world because we needed a savior. Jesus takes on our human form and – like us in all things but sin – he redeems our fallen nature. While his mission will be fulfilled through his death, resurrection and ascension, his birth offers us hope; God comes to us, establishing a bridge over sin and death and providing us with a way that leads to Heaven.
To reach us the Lord sets aside grandeur and majesty, coming into our world in humility and poverty, vulnerable and in need of the care of others. Mary and Joseph, the angels and shepherds reveal that many played a part in the birth of the Christ child.
We do, too. As Jesus teaches us, we also have the opportunity to encounter the Lord and one another in simple and approachable ways, setting aside our obstacles and being open to love and service.
How is the Lord leading you this Christmas? How does the example of Jesus inspire you to reach out in love to others? Is God speaking to your heart?
The Lord’s birth shows us that with a gentle and humble spirit we can approach one another in grace. May this holy season foster our faith, strengthen our hope, and enrich our love.
Merry Christmas!
***************
Adoration of the Magi, Fabriano, 1423, Uffizi, Florence, Italy.
Fr. Andrew’s Monday Conversation Podcast (24 Minutes)
Christmas offers a rich opportunity for story telling amid the backdrop of the Great Story of the birth of Jesus. Fr. Andrew discusses some of the comments and insights he has received from his Facebook page, inviting us to consider how film can help us all enter into this holy season.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 