The spiritual discipline of fasting offers a powerful tool to help us recognize the needs of others. Both Isaiah and Jesus offer key insights into this practice, guiding us to see how fasting in our bodies can bring renewal to our souls.
Mass Readings – Friday after Ash Wednesday
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Mass Readings – Friday of the 21st Week of the Year
The wise women in the Gospel today remind us that we are called to be prepared to live our faith for the long haul. Saying yes to the Lord is a crucial step, but it is reaffirmed moment-by-moment as we keep true every day to the teaching and example of Jesus.
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This presentation was given at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Solon Springs on March 6, 2017. It is the first part of a presentation on discipleship, focusing on repentance and ongoing conversion. (45 Minutes)
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Mass Readings – Friday after Ash Wednesday
Both Isaiah and Jesus speak about fasting. May this powerful discipline help us to draw near to the Lord and one another.
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Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 4th Week of the Year
In the Book of Hebrews we are reminded to treat our trials as discipline, something that Jesus encountered when he preached at Nazareth. As we live our faith today may we consider our struggles and difficulties as “homework for holiness” through which God strengthens our faith and renews us in grace.
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Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year
God’s invitation rings out loud and clear – in good and bad times – to remind us to draw near to the Lord and one another.
Study: Consider a time when you were personally invited to participate in an event. How did it feel? How did you respond?
Pray: Is there a difficult situation or decision confronting you right now? Ask the Lord for guidance and wisdom.
Serve: Are there people in your life who are struggling to respond to a circumstance in life? How can you help them?
Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year
Here are some key points that surface in the readings this week:
A crucial theme emerges from the first reading, psalm and Gospel around the global call to all nations to draw near to the kingdom of God. Language, race, color, and creed are not obstacles but rather variations of the diversity of God’s creation. Simply put, all people are called to draw near to the Lord. The invitation is open to everyone.
Of course, not everyone will listen and respond. Some will reject the message, others will get caught up in distractions, while still others will pursue things that are contrary to a life in Christ. Thus it is crucial to note that while all are invited, each person has the freedom to choose his or her own unique path in life.
The second reading to the Hebrews helps us to see the challenges of life as a form of discipline – where we face obstacles and grow stronger in God’s grace – which helps us grow as disciples. Here the focus is not that life will be easy, but rather that in our trials we draw closer to Jesus Christ and become more completely sons and daughters of God.
How is the Lord calling you today, and what will be your response? Where are the challenges in your life…and how will you respond? We recognize that God’s invitation and daily difficulties come to all of us. Today we reflect on how we respond to the Lord in a faithful, vibrant way.
