Athens was a cosmopolitan, sophisticated, intellectual powerhouse in the ancient world. Paul’s failure here reminds us that sometimes our best efforts do not guarantee success.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter
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Saints Bede, Gregory VII and Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi, pray for us!
David’s leadership, effort and strength is affirmed by the people who acknowledge him as king.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 3rd Week of the Year
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St. Francis de Sales, pray for us!
Study: Consider a moment when you were held accountable to a task. What did it feel like?
Pray: Is there something that needs to be attended to in your life? Ask the Lord for guidance to carry it out.
Serve: How can offer support to someone who is working through a challenging task right now?
Mass Readings – 33rd Sunday of the Year
On this last weekend of Ordinary Time we have some interesting readings to consider.
Our faith assures us that the world will one day come to an end. This is not meant to scare us, but rather to guide us with the knowledge that our lives have meaning and purpose as we prepare in this life for the life to come. Furthermore, when we die we understand that there will be an accounting of how we lived the precious and holy gift of life.
It’s this notion of being accountable that I suggest as a reflection today. The Book of Proverbs extols the virtues of a hard working and compassionate wife, reminding the reader that “charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting.” What lives on are the virtues, prayers, gifts of the Spirit and graces which God pours into our hearts which we share with one another.
And while we know that there will be a Day of Reckoning, we do not know the hour; this insights reminds us to follow St. Paul’s advice to be “sober and alert” each and every day – ready and eager for the Lord’s return.
What’s more, when that day comes, we will be judged with the awareness of our own unique situation. Like the three servants in the Gospel, we have all been given different talents, opportunities, resources and skills. It is neither a comparison nor a contest; rather, we will each be judged by how we worked and waited with what God put into our lives.
The invitation today: Are we prepared for the Lord’s return? Have we attended to our duties and tasks, or do we have unfinished business? Are there situations that require our attention and care? Sooner or later, the Lord will come…may he find us ready and waiting.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Note: This post was first published on November 13, 2017.
St. Paul uses the image of an athlete to remind us that discipline, effort and commitment are also crucial elements of our spiritual life.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 23rd Week of the Year
St. Paul reveals by his example and teaching that all of us are called to give our best effort in whatever labor we do. Our task is to see how the daily work we complete on earth helps build the Kingdom of Heaven…then do it!
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 21st Week of the Year
The Second Letter to Timothy inspires us to take the gift of faith and stir it into flame, realizing that this task requires daily attention and effort.
Mass Readings – 27th Sunday of the Year
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Mass Readings – Saturday of the 21st Week of the Year
Three servants were given different amounts of money by their master to invest; two worked hard, one was lazy. The parable reminds us that while we are all given different resources and abilities in this life the Lord still calls us all to use what we’ve been given with wisdom and hard work.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Fr. Andrew’s 15th Sunday of the Year Homily Podcast
Both Amos and the Apostles are chosen by God and empowered to do amazing things. The tasks set before them are difficult and challenging – obstacles that will test them. The Letter to Ephesians reminds us, however, that God chooses us as well! Here are three points to help us face the struggles of life:
May the words of the Scriptures and the examples of the saints inspire us to engage the obstacles of life with God’s grace!
Three Great Things 