Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 21st Week of the Year
Three people were given gifts, but their responses were different – reminding us that while we all receive different blessings in this life, the Lord asks that we use them to the best of our ability.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – 22nd of December in Advent
Mary’s Magnificat proclaims God’s goodness. Her praise of God’s grace is understood against the backdrop of the challenges and sorrows she will face – and we can look at her example to hold on to the Lord’s blessings as we face the struggles of our lives.
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Madonna of the Magnificat, Sandro Botticelli; 1481, tempera, 118cm x 119cm, Uffizi, Florence, Italy.
Fr. Andrew’s Cathedral School Mass Homily
This time of year we often think of making a “wish list” for Christmas, but this Holy Season provides a wonderful opportunity to make a “blessing list” to remind us of the many ways that God has done good things for us!
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!
Fr. Andrew’s 32nd Sunday of the Year Homily Podcast
It’s all about blessings. God lavishes graces and blessings upon us…let’s take time to acknowledge them! And then out of gratitude…let’s consider how we might be a blessing to others! Consider today how we might share our time, talent, and treasure to bless the life of another…drawing us closer to the Lord and one another.
Study: Reflect on a moment when you gave generously of your time, resources, or money. What was the cost, and what did you discover?
Pray: Take time to thank the Lord for the blessings lavished upon you. Cultivate gratitude in your heart and express it in your life.
Serve: Who has the Lord placed in your life to serve? How can your life be a blessing of generous giving to another?
32nd Sunday of the Year Readings
The theme of generous giving runs through these four readings this week:
Let’s look at how this theme surfaces throughout these readings.
Earthly blessings. The psalm reminds us that God is the source of all that we have, and it begs a simple point: Are we grateful? I know firsthand how easy it is to take even the simplest blessings for granted. All it takes is to lose something that is part of our routine (health, work, friendship) to rediscover the gift that was right in front of our eyes.
Spiritual Salvation. Jesus Christ offers his life once-for-all that through his death and resurrection we might have eternal life. The Father gave his only Son that we might be saved. This profound act of divine generosity speaks of a love that is vast and all encompassing. God does this for us!
Profound human generosity. These two women gave from their need, not their want. It was not surplus food or money…it was their livelihood. It is crucial to note that no gift is too big or small in God’s eyes; what’s crucial is the relationship between the offering and the person – is it given as a token or as something of value?
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Do we take time to acknowledge the blessings we have? No really…do we pause in the course of our day – in a moment of prayer – and thank the Lord for the gifts we have been given? Let me be clear: without gratitude generosity means nothing, for without thankfulness we have no appreciation and respect for the gift that is given.
And equally crucial point follows: Do we give generously? Do we share what we have in a manner that shows our prayer and reflection? All gifts, great or small, are precious in the Lord’s eyes when they are offered in a spirit of love; all gifts, great or small, lose their significance when they are given without respect for the sacrifices and blessings they represent.
Simply put: we give generously out of gratitude for God’s generous gifts to us! Take a moment this week to pause and reflect on your blessings. Then consider the ways that you can offer your life. Whether it is with time, talent, or treasure – God will take our gifts, generously given, and make them a blessing in the world.
Study: Think about a “cross” that you have had in life. Reflect on how you were able to carry it.
Pray: Bring your “cross” to the Cross of Christ. Ask him for the strength you need.
Serve: Perhaps there is someone in your life who is carrying a heavy cross. How are you being called to help?
Jesus answered his question “Who do you say I am?” with a commentary. The Christ of God came to endure suffering, pain, rejection, and death.
In short, he came to carry a Cross.
I often find that as a priest one of the most gifted times in my ministry is when I have the opportunity to offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. I pray with people, often during painful and agonizing moments, and extend the comfort and grace of Jesus Christ. It is a powerful, moving, and humbling experience.
As I leave, I often am led to gratitude. It is easy for me to get caught in my own challenges and stresses, to be sidetracked by my own frustrations and issues. I find that when I confront the crosses that others carry I begin to count my blessings rather than my problems.
The fact is, we all carry crosses. Some are small, some are large. Some are with us only a short time, others last for years. Yet as we embrace the challenges and difficulties of life we remember that God meets us where we are. Jesus did not avoid his Cross, and he will walk with us as we carry our own.
Furthermore, the Cross is not the end. The death and resurrection of Jesus transform the Cross into a sign of hope. We face our struggles with the promise of God’s redeeming help. The Cross directs us to face our fears and trust that the Lord’s grace is greater than any darkness in this world.
So what crosses do we confront today? What challenges do we face? As we remember the Cross of Christ may we ask the Lord for the help and strength we need today. Mindful of the blessings God has given us, may we embrace our own cross and trust that God will help us along the way.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 