Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast – Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary, chosen by God to be the mother of the Messiah, inspires us to follow her example and say “May it be done” to what the Lord asks of us today.
3rd Sunday of Advent – What Should We Do?
Study: Where in your past have you seen ways that you made a positive difference in the lives of others? How might that pattern be repeated today?
Pray: Ask the Lord for guidance to see clearly and respond swiftly to the needs before you.
Serve: What is a little act of kindness that you can do today to help another?
We hear in the Gospel this week that the crowds ask John the Baptist a simple question: “What should we do?” His answers might be summarized in the following ways:
- Share what you have
- Be Fair to one another
- Be Honest in speech and action
- Be Content with what you have
Pretty simple, right? Yet this homespun, practical desert wisdom is still apt for our modern world today. These direct reminders can help guide our decisions in these last two weeks of Advent – inspiring us in our everyday encounters to put them into practice.
But let’s not stop here. “What should we do?” is a good question for all of us to ask…daily. As we look around to the needs and circumstances in our lives, we have unique opportunities to make a difference. What’s more, this question is particularly useful in our daily prayer – guiding us to seek the Lord’s direction as we determine how we can speak and act as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Take a good look at the world around you. Consider some ways you can make a positive change. See seek the wisdom of our Faith. Then work as hard as you can to do something that proclaims the Good News today!
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2nd Sunday of Advent – Road Construction – Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s 2nd Sunday of Advent Homily Podcast
Making a highway requires removing obstacles and adding quality materials…same is true for the highway in our hearts!
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Daily Mass: Faith that Leads to Sight & Action. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast (Friday of the 1st Week of Advent)
Two blind men encounter Jesus…and gain their sight. May we turn to the Lord for greater sight – that what we see will inspire us to respond with the light of faith.
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Daily Mass: Build on Rock. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast (Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent)
When we listen to the Lord and put his teaching into practice, we are like the wise who build their houses on rock. May the knowledge we possess be transformed into action so that we can face the storms of life with the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ!
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School Mass – What’s your Excuse? Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Cathedral School Mass Homily Podcast
Did you ever try to make an excuse for not handing in homework? This top ten list helps us understand that we sometimes do the same thing with our spiritual life – and maybe inspires us this Advent to complete our “heavenly homework.”
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Daily Mass: A Vision of Hope. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast (Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent)
The first reading from the prophet Isaiah proclaims a vision of the world – filled with hope – that happens after “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse.” May this Good News help us to make course corrections in our life today, so that we will be ready for the Lord’s return.
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2nd Sunday of Advent – Road Construction
Study: Reflect on key relationships in your life. Are there any obstacles that are keeping you from fully connecting with others?
Pray: Invite the Lord to help you strengthen your spiritual life today. Ask for guidance and wisdom to see clearly the path before you.
Serve: How can you help someone in your life right now? How can your life bring support and encouragement to another in need?
Have you ever watched the construction of a new road? The big kid in me loves watching the earth movers and dump trucks, as graders and front loaders transform the landscape. The study, planning, design, coordination, and work are immense – and the heavier the traffic the greater the effort to insure that the road will be able to bear the load.
While there are many key issues that surface in the construction of a road, I would like to point out two elements:
- What are the obstacles that need to be cleared away?
- What materials need to be added for strength?
Obstacles can be unwanted elevation, swamps, trees, or any objects that are in the way. They sometimes require enormous effort to remove them in order to create a smooth, level surface. The work here is all about taking something away so that the road will be easy to use.
Often, however, there is a significant amount of material that needs to be added – to improve foundation, provide drainage or perhaps fill in gaps. Removing the obstacle is not sufficient; material and supplies must be added to make the road strong and durable, so it can be used safely for a long time.
In the Gospel today John the Baptist quotes Isaiah to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Luke 3:4-6
This is serious work…for the human heart. Heavy equipment and intense work are required to transform the landscape of our souls – preparing the highway that allows us to receive Jesus Christ. And like above we have to ask: What obstacles need to be removed? What material needs to be added?
Is there something keeping us from the Lord and one another? Time to get rid of it! Does a relationship require attention and support to strengthen it? Time to get to work!
May the words of John inspire us today, removing obstacles and strengthening our souls, so that the Lord will find us ready and prepared to journey with him today.
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1st Sunday of Advent – Be Vigilant Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s 1st Sunday of Advent Homily Podcast
A beginning is always a crucial time – how we start often defines the outcome of a project or task, as well as our attitude as we work. We are reminded today to be vigilant: constantly prepared; swift to act; and disciplined in our effort. May the start of our Advent season prepare us for a glorious Christmas!
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Daily Mass: Thanksgiving Day. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Thanksgiving Day Mass Homily Podcast
What are you thankful for today? When you count your blessings what comes to mind? Gratitude is a powerful antidote for many spiritual sicknesses. Take a moment today and consider the ways your life has been graced by God!
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: The Lord sends the Twelve on their way
- Daily Mass: We are invited into the family of Jesus
- Daily Mass: The call of St. Matthew
- Study, Pray, Serve: 26th Sunday of the Year
- 25th Sunday of the Year: It's not too late to turn to the Lord!
- Daily Mass: An insight into our temptations
- Daily Mass: What will we offer to the Lord today?
- Daily Mass: We approach Christ in need of mercy and forgiveness
- Daily Mass: We live our faith with zeal and conviction
- Daily Mass: Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows
