The Letter to the Colossians offers sound advice: Seek what is above! May our pursuit of Jesus in all things constantly keep our eyes fixed on Heaven.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 23rd Week of the Year
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Tag Archives: Christian
Daily Mass: Christ calls us each by name. Catholic Inspiration
As Jesus calls his disciples we remember that the Lord continues to call forth followers in every generation. May we listen to Christ today and continue to foster the faith we have received.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 23rd Week of the Year
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24th Sunday of the Year: The Prodigal Son.
Study: Recall a time when you experienced a moment of profound forgiveness. How did it change you?
Pray: Are you holding on to anger and resentment? Pray for God’s mercy to soften your heart.
Serve: Is there someone you know in need of mercy? Is there some way you can help others, especially when they are caught up in shame, embarrassment, or the awkwardness of their weaknesses and sins?
Mass Readings – 24th Sunday of the Year
We hear in the Gospel of Luke the familiar parable of the The Prodigal Son. It’s worth a moment to touch on a few key points from this passage:
- The younger son asks for his inheritance before his time (what kind of person does this?)
- The younger son completely wastes the entire inheritance; he has no excuse
- The younger son hits “rock bottom” and figures it’s better to be a servant with his dad than starving with the pigs
- The Father’s mercy is overwhelming: ring, robe, sandals, fatted calf, and a party
- The older son is furious – this is not justice!
- The Father is also merciful to his older son as he teaches him about mercy
What a powerful parable! In our daily lives the need for forgiveness is so compelling that it is vital to dwell on the divine mercy of God and recall our need to return to the Lord in our moments of weakness and sin.
Like both brothers in the parable, we all sin and fall short of God’s grace; yet like the brothers, we also have a Father who loves and welcomes us whenever we seek to turn back. Both brothers could speak to their Father – in either humility or anger – and the Father responds to both with tenderness.
Today I would like to suggest two key points for our reflection in the light of this passage:
- How are my sins keeping me from God and others in my life?
- What steps do I need to take to return to the Lord and receive his grace?
God longs to welcome us back, and when we can humbly embrace our mistakes and sins we discover a grace beyond anything imaginable. May we have the courage to examine our hearts and return to the Lord – the source of all mercy.
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Note: This post was first published on September 5, 2016.
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23rd Sunday of the Year: Take up your Cross and follow Christ. Catholic Inspiration
The Lord makes it clear that unless we take up our Cross we cannot be his disciples. Christ – who was victorious over his Cross – will give us the grace we need to face our own.
Mass Readings – 23rd Sunday of the Year
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Daily Mass: Christ reconciles us to God. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus Christ knows our hearts – the good, the bad and the ugly – and he offers mercy through his sacrifice on the Cross that we might have life. Take his hand!
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 22nd Week of the Year
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Calling, Yongsung Kim, Oil on Canvas.
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Daily Mass: Jesus Christ is Lord! Catholic Inspiration
The first reading from the Letter to the Colossians offers us a rich insight about Jesus as the Lord of all creation. Knowledge, however, is not enough; what matters is how we put that knowledge into daily practice.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 22nd Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: What will we do with the gift of God’s grace? Catholic Inspiration
Jesus takes the initiative and Peter responds in today’s account from the Sea of Galilee. Our lives follow the same pattern: how will we respond to the Lord’s invitation?
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 22nd Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: The earthly ministry of Jesus. Catholic Inspiration
The Lord’s work of healing, driving out demons and preaching offer us an insight into how we can continue his mission in our lives today.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 22nd Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: The power and authority of Jesus Christ. Catholic Inspiration
The power and authority of the Lord are revealed as teaches and drives out demons. May we call upon Christ for the strength we need as we place our lives under his command.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 22nd Week of the Year
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23rd Sunday of the Year: Take up your cross.
Study: Reflect on a truly difficult time in your life. Where did you find the strength to continue?
Pray: Is there a challenging situation in your life right now? Ask the Lord for grace and wisdom.
Serve: How can you help someone in a tight spot today? How can you help them carry their cross?
Mass Readings – 23rd Sunday of the Year
There is a sobering element in the readings this week that focuses on the cost of discipleship. We commonly speak of “carrying the Cross” as a way of understanding how our sacrifices and burdens become transformed when we participate in the Cross of Christ.
The first reading from the book of Wisdom reminds us that our mortal natures cannot fathom the breadth and depth of God’s plan. We rely on the Lord, and we trust that through the power of the Holy Spirit God reveals the path of our lives – and provides us with the strength for the journey.
The psalm response “In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge” helps us understand that when times get tough we turn to Jesus. He is the source of our strength, and with his grace we find a safe place from which we can prepare our hearts for the demands of the day.
Paul’s letter to Philemon touches upon our human weakness. Paul, imprisoned for his faith, is sending back a runaway slave (Onesimus) to his master – urging Philemon to accept his former servant with kindness as a brother in the Lord. Paul, Onesimus, and Philemon must all trust in the Lord for the strength to do what is right, even when it is difficult.
Finally, the Gospel speaks bluntly about the cost of discipleship. The price might be our family, our relationships, our possessions…yet through it all the Lord affirms that his grace empowers us to carry our Cross. For indeed, we all have crosses, and we can face them with hope – knowing that the Lord, who carried his Cross, will help us with our own.
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Note: This post was first published on August 29, 2019.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, for God is with us.
- Daily Mass: The example of St. Matthias
- Daily Mass: Paul has limited success in Athens
- Daily Mass: God works through Paul in prison
- Daily Mass: The Gospel is accepted in Philippi
- Study, Pray, Serve: Ascension of the Lord
- 6th Sunday of Easter: When we walk together in faith, we mentor one another
- Daily Mass: St. Paul is guided by the Holy Spirit
- Daily Mass: Our faith in Christ guides our lives
- Daily Mass: The love of Christ guides a crucial discussion in the early Church
Three Great Things 