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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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:
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:
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.
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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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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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.
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.
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?
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.
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:
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.
Fr. Andrew’s 21st Sunday of the Year Homily Podcast
Life is difficult. In the midst of our struggle to make good choices and carry out challenging tasks, we call upon God for the help we need. As we encounter Jesus Christ in Holy Communion to be strengthened for the burdens of life, we pray for Wisdom to choose wisely and Courage to carry it out.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 