The Letter to the Hebrews describes our life as a great race before a cloud of witnesses. Life is difficult, yet with God’s grace and the help of people, angels and saints we can face our struggles with the conviction that we will cross the finish line into Heaven.
Mass Readings – 20th Sunday of the Year
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The Letter to the Hebrews stresses the power of faith in the life of a Christian. Faith strengthens both the head and the heart, and as we foster our faith we are empowered with the grace we need to face the challenges before us.
Mass Readings – 19th Sunday of the Year
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Study: Recall a time when your faith was tested. How did you respond?
Pray: Are you or a loved one going through a difficult time right now? Pray for the wisdom and strength that comes from faith.
Serve: How can you help someone grow in their faith today? How can you help another grow closer to Jesus Christ?
Mass Readings – 19th Sunday of the Year
The readings focus on different aspects of faith this week:
When we stop and think about it, we are blessed in many, many ways: life, education, family, friendship, health, opportunity, and…faith. What a gift it is to know God and to be given the sacraments and teaching of the Church to help us encounter the Lord!
But sometimes we can take our gifts for granted. We start to assume that these blessings will always be there, that life will always be smooth and steady, or that if we do the right things then nothing bad will ever happen to us.
Today we are reminded that the gift of faith requires constant vigilance. We live each day, each moment, with the conviction that we are pilgrims passing through this world…with our eyes set on the Kingdom of Heaven. We foster our relationship with the Lord through daily prayer, frequent reception of the Sacraments, hearing the Word of God, and fellowship with one another.
May we foster our faith and be ready today…for the Lord will come, at an hour we do not expect.
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Note: This post was first published on August 1, 2016.
What do we do to strengthen and nourish our faith in Jesus Christ? The Lord’s response in his native place reminds us that being a disciple is a daily decision that demands our determined discipline.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 17th Week of the Year
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Like a hidden treasure or a pearl of great price, our faith is a precious gift that offers the most valuable return of all…eternal life in heaven. (I suggest that we all work for that…)
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 17th Week of the Year
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Throughout our lives there are many spiritual lessons to be learned. Whether it’s repentance or rejoicing, suffering or celebration, fasting or feasting. God calls us to discern what we need today…and then ask the Lord for the grace to respond.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 13th Week of the Year
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St. Thomas reminds us that as disciples we can be honest with our human doubts even as we embrace our faith in Christ. As we bring our struggles to the Lord, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus…calling for the grace we need each day.
Mass Readings – St. Thomas, Apostle
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Catholic Inspiration Archives
