Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 19th Week of the Year, the Feast of St. Lawrence
Just as a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies – to produce much fruit – so our lives are offered in the world to bring a fruitful, spiritual harvest. May this offering be filled with joy, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 17th Week of the Year
Here’s a question: Would you be willing to die for your faith? Both Jeremiah and John the Baptist are put to the test, and we know that today people are killed for following Christ. May our lives reveal our love for the Lord…in both life and death.
10th Sunday of the Year Readings
Just as Jesus restored to life the Widow’s Son in the Gospel of Luke, God can also touch our lives with power and grace. Two thoughts emerge:
Study: Reflect on an experience when your got a second chance. How did it feel? What did you do with the gift?
Pray: Is there a difficult or painful situation in your life right now? Ask the Lord to touch and bless it with new life.
Serve: If you could do one thing to improve your relationships with others right now, what would it be?
10th Sunday of the Year Readings
A common pattern emerges from the readings this week: someone in need is brought back to life. Take a look…
Obviously, the 1st reading and the Gospel show this restoration – they were dead, and now they are brought back to life! Can you imagine the joy, the awe and wonder, of such an event? The mystery of life and death lies at the heart of human existence, and in these readings we confront miracles that give new opportunities for these two widows’ sons…for their lives are forever altered by the second chance they have been given.
The psalmist expresses this sentiment by praising God with a grateful heart. There’s nothing like a brush with death to wake us up to the gift of life! While I don’t wish anyone to come to harm, sometimes we can get caught in a routine where we start taking our gifts for granted, assuming that things will always remain the same. We can become complacent, and over time this can fossilize our faith and lead to laziness, lethargy, and a lapse.
Which brings us to St. Paul. The one who formerly was persecuting the Church now recounts in this passage of Galatians how he proclaimed the Gospel in the early years of his conversion. Preaching in Arabia, then Damascus, he would then travel to Jerusalem to share with the apostles his efforts. Simply put, his “rescue” results in a renewal of faith that will set the world on fire! He will take his second chance and fearlessly proclaim the Good News, offering his life for Jesus Christ.
In the light of these readings I suggest two key points today. First, is there a part of our lives that is lifeless? Perhaps we have a relationship, situation, or habit that is causing death and destruction? This might be the opportunity to invite the Lord in to touch and bless it with new life.
Second, have we been taking a gift for granted? Have we become complacent about our opportunities, relationships, and circumstances? How might we live the gift of our lives at full power for the Lord and one another?
In many ways, all of us have been given a “second chance” with every new day we walk the earth. There are no promises, and each day is a gift that comes from God. How we live this daily gift says a lot about our conviction and character. May we cast out anything that deadens and embrace all that fosters faith and life!
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter
Empowered by the Holy Spirit and filled with the love of the Risen Christ, the disciples continue to proclaim the Good News in the face of open hostility. May we take their example to heart as we draw near to the Lord for the grace we need to confront the challenges and obstacles of daily life.
Fr. Andrew’s Palm Sunday Podcast
We read the Passion of Christ ever year, not as some sad, distant, impersonal story that happen long ago, but as OUR STORY – a reminder that Christ endured his Cross for US, for our our sins and transgressions. As we enter into this sacred season, may we draw near to the one who saves and sets us free.
And if you would like to have a mini-retreat this week, I invite you to listen to any of these podcasts from my Mission last year in Arizona.
Walking with the Lord in Holy Week (March 9-12, 2015 – Our Lady of the Valley – Green Valley, AZ) This parish mission takes the listener on a journey with Christ – from his entry into Jerusalem, through the Last Supper, his Passion, and his Resurrection.
Have a blessed Holy Week.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – Friday of the 4th Week of Lent
With some help from 4th graders at Cathedral School, Fr. Andrew comments on how John’s Gospel builds the tension that will ultimately lead Jesus to his Cross.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent
With help from some 4th graders from Mrs. Peterson’s class at Cathedral School, Fr. Andrew looks at how God can take bad things and bring about great goodness.
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If you are looking for more material to help you this Lent, you might consider this list of presentations I have offered over the last couple of years. Feel free to check it out and share if you find it helpful:
Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
Thursday of the 29th Week of Ordinary Time Homily Podcast
St. Paul reminds us:
“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
May we acknowledge our sins and embrace the freely given gift of grace!
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This daily Mass homily was given at Cathedral of Christ the King on October 22, 2015.
Study: Consider people you know who are suffering right now. What is the nature of their struggle?
Pray: Keep a list of those who are sick nearby when you pray. Remember them often.
Serve: How can you help someone today who suffers? How can you be an instrument of healing and comfort?
13th Sunday of the Year Readings
Consider for a moment someone you love who is seriously sick. Perhaps it’s a disease, an upcoming surgery, and undiagnosed circumstance, or the relentless experience of pain...we all know loved ones who suffer – and we would do anything to help.
Now imagine that you have heard about a miracle worker who cures the sick and resuscitates the dead. I know that if I discovered that Jesus of Nazareth was even remotely in the area I would rent a bus and bundle in everyone I could fit just for the chance that he would lay hands on them.
This is the situation we encounter in the Gospel today. People are crushing in on Christ; they have heard of his power and they are are desperate for healing. The double miracles in the reading point out a number of key concepts:
Simply put, an encounter with Jesus Christ is a healing encounter. In the face of sickness and disease, the Lord draws near – bringing grace and power – to restore life to those who suffer.
As his disciples, we are part of this healing mission.
Jesus comes to bring life; may our lives – guided in faith – be directed toward healing the wounds we witness.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 