The introduction to the Letter of James invites us to embrace the challenges and trials of life as opportunities to encounter the Lord and draw near to one another.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 6th Week of the Year (#335)
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Tag Archives: Challenges
Daily Mass: We face the trials of life with God’s grace. Catholic Inspiration
Daily Mass: The souls of the just are in the hands of God. Catholic Inspiration
The reading from Wisdom (often heard at funerals) inspires us to encounter even the most difficult times with confidence in God’s guidance and strength. Whatever we have to face today, may we trust in the Lord!
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 32nd Week of the Year
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29th Sunday of the Year: Don’t give up; keep going!
Study: Reflect on the last time you encountered a difficult situation. Where did you find the strength to continue?
Pray: Are you or someone close to you going through tough times right now? Ask God for renewed strength!
Serve: Are there people you know who are struggling right now? What can you do to support them?
Mass Readings – 29th Sunday of the Year
We often tell loved ones to “hang in there” when the going gets tough. God provides us with strength for the journey, and we see examples of this in the readings this week:
- 1st Reading – Aaron and Hur support Moses as he prays during a battle.
- Psalm – “Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
- 2nd Reading – Timothy is encouraged to “remain faithful to what you have learned and believed.”
- Gospel – Jesus offers the parable of the persistent widow who confronts the dishonest judge.
Let’s face it: sometimes life is hard! In these moments we discover strength within us that we never knew before, but we also come to recognize how we need help from the Lord and those around us.
And while no one likes difficulty, it is often through our persistence in the face of obstacles that we grow and mature. Challenges can become opportunities in which we exercise our will to continue. Like athletes who train with weights, the resistance we face helps us become strong.
As you ponder these readings and consider the challenges of life, give some thought to these points:
- Is there something hard in my life that I need to face?
- Are there people in my life who will support me in the midst of challenges?
- Are the people I am called to support in their challenges?
- Do I pray every day for myself and others to face difficulties with God’s grace?
In the midst of tough times God is present with grace, wisdom and strength. May we call upon the Lord as we face our challenges today with persistence.
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Note: This post was first published on October 10, 2016.
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21st Sunday of the Year: Facing hard times with faith. Catholic Inspiration
The passage from John’s Gospel marks a low point in the active ministry of Jesus. The people have seen healing miracles and the multiplication of the fishes and loaves, but when they hear the Lord’s teaching about the Eucharist they turn away. It is in this rock-bottom moment that Peter reminds us that we face hard times with the power of our faith in Christ.
Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year
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5th Sunday of Easter: Christ is the vine that sustains us in times of struggle. Catholic Inspiration
The accident at the oil refinery in Superior last week was a stark reminder how we rely on and support one another in times of danger. Where do we find the strength to work together? United in our faith in Jesus Christ we are nourished with God’s grace so that we can offer our lives for one another.
Mass Readings – 5th Sunday of Easter
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Daily Mass: Freed from fear to live in faith. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 34th Week of the Year (The feast of St. Cecilia)
The Lord reminds us not to be afraid of the uncertainty of life; rather, we embrace our faith and live with God’s grace and power…making the most of each and every day.
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Daily Mass: a Message of Hope. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 13th Week of the Year
Amos proclaims a message of hope to the people of Israel. On this celebration of our nation’s independence, may our faith inspire us to face our challenges with the hope that the Lord will give us what we need.
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33rd Sunday of the Year – No One Knows the Hour – Catholic Inspiration
Life offers difficulties and multiple uncertainties. What’s more, no one knows the hour when we will be called by God out of this world. So how do we live?
Answer: Fully alive in the present moment!
How?
- What’s your “bucket list” of unfinished business? Get ‘er done.
- Perform a daily diagnostic. It’s called an Examination of Conscience.
- Dare to share your heart. Say “I love you” to the people in your life!
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25th Sunday of the Year – Tested in Troubled Times – Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s 25th Sunday of the Year Homily Podcast
All of us face moments of difficult, trial, and temptation. In these moments we are tested, and as we face our challenges we discover meaning and purpose for our lives as we call upon the help of heaven and earth for the help we need.
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25th Sunday of the Year – Troubled Times
Study: Recall a time when you were overwhelmed by difficulty. What got you through it?
Pray: Call upon the Lord for the courage and strength to face your challenges.
Serve: Is there someone you know who is struggling? How can you offer your support?
25th Sunday of the Year Readings
Don’t you wish life would always be easy? Wouldn’t it be great if challenges and obstacles disappeared with a simple thought? What’s more, how about if evil, darkness, fear, and violence would vanish from the face of the earth?
I know: I will now wake up from my pleasant dream. Since the dawn of creation evil and sin have been part of our world, and for this very reason Jesus Christ died and rose. The death and resurrection of the Lord confronts the darkness and shines with the light of faith.
As Christians we can thus recognize two fundamental principles:
- Evil and sin are part of the fabric of life
- Jesus Christ offers us salvation through his victory on the Cross
Simply put, this means that we have hope in the face of difficulty. God continues to give grace and strength, empowering us to face our fears and engage life with the faith to continue in the presence of adversity. We know that life is hard; we know that with the Lord’s help we can carry on.
Where do you find darkness and evil in your life right now? Where do the difficulties and obstacles present themselves? Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge these pitfalls and recognize how they tempt and distract us.
For the minute we understand our struggles, we are equipped with the knowledge to petition the Lord for the help we need. What’s more, as we understand the struggles of those around us, we can reach out with love of Christ to support one another with sincerity and genuine assistance.
May we honestly confront the challenges of life, trusting in the Lord for the grace we need.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: Let the Lord enter!
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- Daily Mass: Teach me your ways, O Lord
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- Our Lady of Guadalupe inspires us to magnify the Lord
Three Great Things 