Fr. Andrew and Dan Tracy discuss the crucial role of “domestic Church” (our family and close friends) as it impacts the “local Church” (where we receive our sacraments and practice our faith.)
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Tag Archives: Church
Pentecost
Study: Where in my life have I experienced God’s grace and strength?
Pray: What particular needs in my life call for the help of the Holy Spirit?
Serve: Where can I use the gifts God has given me to serve another right now?
Mass Readings – Vigil of Pentecost
The image St. Paul uses in the 2nd reading this weekend is a body. Composed of different parts which do unique and special functions, the body is united when all the parts come together. So, too, all of us are united into the Body of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Look at these themes from Pentecost Mass Readings of the Day:
- The Spirit gives power to communicate across barriers of race and tongue (1st Reading)
- The Spirit gives life and renews the face of the earth (Psalm response)
- The Spirit gives different gifts to people for different needs (2nd Reading)
- The Spirit is breathed on the disciples by Jesus (Gospel)
In other words, the Holy Spirit unites people, renews life, provides unique gifts, and is granted to the Church by Christ. This is the day that the disciples were empowered to continue the mission of Jesus; filled with the Spirit they will witness the Good News of the Lord through their words and actions.
Their example becomes our model. The same Spirit that changed their lives comes to us. The same Spirit that gave them the grace and strength to go forth gives us the power we need to offer our lives for Christ. God continues to invite us to serve, and the Lord pours forth the Holy Spirit to help us carry out the work of this day.
Are there barriers in our life? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there parts of life in need of renewal? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there gifts we have that need to be used and directed? Come Holy Spirit!
Jesus freely gave the gift of the Spirit to his disciples – may we turn to the Lord with conviction that as we call for the Holy Spirit in our lives we will be given what we need for the work of this day.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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Note: This post was first published on May 29, 2017.
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Daily Mass: Making big decisions with God’s guidance. Catholic Inspiration
As the Apostles wrestle with a crucial about who can join the Church, we see in their decision making process a path for us to follow today.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 5th Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: Seeking the signs of the Holy Spirit. Catholic Inspiration
St. Peter’s vision from God enlightens him to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit among the Gentiles (that’s non-Jewish people.) May our awareness of the Spirit guide us to see the Lord at work among us all in these changing times!
Mass Readings – Monday of the 4th Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: A prayer for bold and fervent faith. Catholic Inspiration
After the release of Peter and John, the community prays for a bold faith to speak and act in the name of Jesus.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 2nd Week of Easter
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2nd Sunday of Easter: The Church proclaims the resurrection!
Study: Consider a time when you experienced joy in the presence of others. What caused it?
Pray: Draw near to the Risen Lord and ask for His grace in your heart to face whatever is before you today.
Serve: How can your life strengthen your family and friendships right now?
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Easter
The readings today give us a snapshot of some key points that surfaced shortly after the Lord’s resurrection:
- 1st Reading – Thankful praise and sharing in community life
- Psalm – “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, His love is everlasting.”
- 2nd Reading – Christ’s resurrection lets us rejoice in the midst of trials
- Gospel – Doubting Thomas
What do we see? Praise, gratitude, thankfulness, sharing, community life, overcoming doubt, facing trials, and rejoicing! In other words, this is what happens to a group of people who have been transformed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
And I want to live like this.
Frankly, I want all of us to live like this. Filled with God’s grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit, engaging life at full throttle, dealing with difficulty through the power of faith….is there any other way to live?
So…in the light of these concepts that emerged from the fledgling Church…what’s keeping us from this? Has the resurrection of the Lord “sunk in” and touched our hearts? Do we understand what it means to say “The Lord is risen! He is risen, indeed!” as followers of Jesus Christ?
Do we get it?
We all have obstacles, challenges, and the reality of temptation and sin in our lives. That was true for the Early Church as well. But note this: they changed. In the light of the Risen Lord their lives were forever altered: praising God, facing hardship, working together, filled with joy.
This is our invitation today, and it works in three simple steps:
- Accept the resurrection of Jesus Christ
- Bring the Lord’s power into your heart
- Change whatever is not worthy of Heaven and live in his Light
There is no better way to journey through this life!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Note: This post was first published on April 17, 2017.
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Daily Mass: Solomon’s prayer. Catholic Inspiration
Solomon’s prayer over the newly built Temple shows us the power of a place to draw our hearts to God. May these words inspire us – at church or at home – to call upon the Lord in the places where we dwell.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 5th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Walking with Jesus. Catholic Inspiration
The followers of Jesus reveal a microcosm of the Church, inviting us (however wounded or sinful) to walk with the Lord today.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 24th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: St. Peter’s confession of faith in Jesus. Catholic Inspiration
On this feast of the Chair of St. Peter, we hear how Peter acknowledges that Jesus is the Christ. The Lord affirms that Peter is the rock upon which the Church will be built, and while Satan will try to destroy it, the gates of the netherworld will not prevail.
Mass Readings – Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Apostle
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Daily Mass: Coming to Church to pray. Catholic Inspiration
In the Gospel today the Lord cleanses the temple and then teaches the people. Every time we enter into a church and stand before the Blessed Sacrament in the tablernacle, we encounter the same Risen Lord – body and blood, soul and divinity.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 33rd Week of the Year
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- The Baptism of the Lord
- Daily Mass: The Lord takes delight in his people
- Daily Mass: An earnest prayer for healing
- Daily Mass: Our love for God directs us to love one another
- Daily Mass: Love drives out fear
- Daily Mass: God is love
- Daily Mass: We belong to God
- Study, Pray, Serve: The Baptism of the Lord
- Epiphany: What will we offer to the Lord?
- Daily Mass: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God
Three Great Things 