God calls us to work together as living stones – building up our families, schools and churches. May we work together, guided by the hand of Jesus, to accomplish our tasks for the service of one another.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 28th Week of the Year (St. Ignatius of Antioch)
Jesus addresses the Pharisees, exhorting them to clean up – not on the outside but within – to cleanse their souls. While externals can be important, by focusing on what’s on the inside we prepare ourselves for a lasting relationship with the Lord and one another.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: Name a role model who lives a principled life. What is it that they say or do that inspires you?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the strength to make the right choice, especially over a difficult or challenging situation.
Serve: Is there someone in your life who looks to you for guidance and example? How can you help them?
Mass Readings – 29th Sunday of the Year
The first reading, psalm, and gospel readings today touch upon the notions of earthly and heavenly governance. Part of our human condition requires that we recognize our need for others; by working with people we unite in strength, and by serving the Lord we understand our values and priorities in life.
Let’s start first with human governance. In the first reading from Isaiah we hear how God has anointed Cyrus – the pagan king – as the instrument for Israel’s redemption. While the king does not know the Law or the Prophets, he gives the people of Israel a new opportunity by conquering their enemy, Babylon.
This distinction between the pagan King and the people’s faith is a helpful guide for us today. While Christianity has made countless contributions to Western Civilization, we find ourselves living in a culture that has many non-Christian influences. Some are good, some neutral, and others are just plain bad. Yet Isaiah teaches us today to look for what is good and useful, recognizing that God can work through a variety of instruments.
Since we live in this world filled with all these different elements, we are constantly challenged to discern and choose those options which are good, holy, and true. It is not always easy! Indeed, we can find ourselves confronted by issues that push and stretch us in a variety of ways.
So how do we decide? The gospel today offers a gem from the Lord:
“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
And to God what belongs to God.”
Matthew 22:21
We have duties and obligations as members of both heaven and earth. In the world we have our responsibilities – voting and jury duty, abiding civil laws, serving in local organizations, and actively living as good citizens. And as a people of faith, we are bound to follow the teaching and commandments of Jesus Christ.
So what do we do in a conflict? In the end we remember that all creation is the Lord’s. When pushed to extreme, we follow Christ. God made this world, and one day we will be called out of it. May our example show to others our desire to be good citizens – both on earth, and in heaven.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Note: This blog was originally published on October 13, 2014.
Mass Readings – 28th Sunday of the Year
The Eucharist is a banquet that nourishes, celebrates and unites our lives. Christ himself feeds us with his Body and Blood so that we might grow in grace. Two simple questions follow from this great gift:
For always remember that one day we will stand before the One who is the source of all grace…and what then will we say?
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 27th Week of the Year
Jesus offers a two step process to be blessed. First, we must hear the Word of God. Second, we have to act on it! Here’s the question: do you want to be blessed?
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Friday of the 27th Week of the Year
After driving out demons, Jesus takes the opportunity to teach about his authority and his power over the forces of darkness.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 27th Week of the Year
The Lord invites us to persistently ask for what we need, trusting that God’s goodness will reach out to bless us in ways beyond our imagination.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 27th Week of the Year
Luke’s Gospel offers a condensed version of Lord’s Prayer from what we commonly pray in the Gospel of Matthew. Because of it’s brevity, we can clearly see the emphasis on the holiness of God the Father, the Kingdom, trust in God, forgiveness and protection from evil. May we keep praying everyday!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 27th Week of the Year
Mary, Jonah and the people of Nineveh all showed a remarkable sense of focus in the readings today. They were able to zero in on something crucial, and with God’s grace they were able to carry it out.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: How do I respond to the Lord’s call to the Eucharist?
Pray: Take time each day to listen to the Scripture readings for daily or weekly Mass – it is a powerful way to prepare for the Eucharist.
Serve: Is there someone who you can bring to Mass? Perhaps the fellowship or hospitality may help another to grow in faith.
Mass Readings – 28th Sunday of the Year
Two themes surface in the readings today that require further reflection:
1. God prepares a banquet for us
2. God invites us to come to the feast
The imagery of the banquet feast is found in the readings from Isaiah, the Psalms, the Matthew’s gospel. There are several points of interest here:
* God does the cooking! (Not us!)
* The food is the finest quality (rich & choice)
* The banquet is an important event (you better show up)
The fact is, when God throws a feast it is lavish in every detail. The event is on a grand scale with the best food and drink. What’s more, the Lord is the host of the meal! God prepares a banquet in every respect – as Chef, Host, Servant, Substance, and Lord.
The “feast” has more than just one meaning. This banquet is first of all the great gathering at the end of time when we join the Lord in heaven. This “heavenly banquet” is the final celebration when all the saints unite in the glory of the risen Jesus; what a meal that will be!
Furthermore, since the resurrection of Jesus, Christians have gathered together for the Lord’s supper, where Christ himself feeds us with his Body and Blood. Here on Earth we are “saints in the making” who strive to follow the Lord through the struggles of life. This Eucharist is the feast that gives us the strength we need to face each day with faith, hope, and love.
Both of these banquets – one on heaven, the other on Earth – are presented by the Lord. We receive Christ’s body and blood so that we might follow the Lord through this world to the world that has no end.
Now the second point is this: Do we come and attend? If Christ has prepared a banquet for us in heaven and on earth, then do we respond to the Lord’s call by receiving his heavenly food on earth, and living on this earth as citizens of heaven?
Today the Lord calls us to the great banquet that will happen at the end of time. This feast is the final goal of our journey of faith. For this journey we need strength, and the Lord provides each week for the spiritual food we need to continue on our way.
May we come and receive with open hearts!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Note: This blog was originally published on October 6, 2014.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
