The woman who approaches Jesus meets no barriers or obstacles; instead she encounters the grace and mercy of the Messiah. May we look to the Lord in our need and trust in the power of his love.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 24th Week of the Year
***************
Jesus responds to Peter’s question about forgiveness with a parable that reveals the power of forgiveness as an intense way of life. It’s not easy, but it is the path that we walk to receive God’s merciful grace into our hearts.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 19th Week of the Year
***************
Poor St. Peter! One minute he is named by Jesus as the rock upon which the Church will be built, and the next minute he is chastised by the Lord for falling prey to temptation. Welcome to the spiritual life! Yet this spiritual battle of building up and tearing down is part of our journey of faith, inviting us to always keep our focus on Christ.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 18th Week of the Year
***************
The Lord’s healing of the paralytic in the Gospel today invites us to consider both what needs to be healed in our lives and how we might bring others to Jesus for the healing they require.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 13th Week of the Year
***************
The Lord’s Prayer is a powerful gift that we frequently use in many ways throughout life. Whether alone or with others, this prayer helps us draw close to God and one another. May we use it frequently!
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 11th Week of the Year (St. Aloysius)
***************
The Lord boldly states that we are called to reconcile with one another. That begs a simple question: who do I need to forgive in my life today? Once we recognize the essential aspect of forgiveness in our lives the next step is to call upon Christ for the grace required to make it happen.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 10th Week of the Year
***************
Study: Recall a time when you had to confront your sinfulness. What were the obstacles you faced?
Pray: Consider adding an Examination of Conscience to your daily prayer.
Serve: How can you extend mercy and forgiveness to others right now?
Mass Readings – 10th Sunday of the Year
There are a number of themes that surface in the Scripture readings this week:
Sin is real. While we do not live in a world that wants to call attention to the times when we choose something contrary to the will and commandment of God, we know by experience and observation that it happens everyday. What’s more, we often find ourselves hearing a thousand different excuses for the shortcomings and failures of those around us…offering every possible reason why:
and so it goes…
Yet what we find in the first reading is a clear acknowledgement of the sin of Adam and Eve through the temptation of the serpent. In their weakness our first parents fell from grace and transmitted original sin into the spiritual DNA of humanity. In our moments of humble insight we understand just how wounded we are and how easy it is to slip into behaviors that lead us away from God and one another.
The Lord, however, does not leave us in this plight alone. Rather, the Psalmist reminds us that the Lord extends mercy upon us, and St. Paul teaches that the spirit of faith empowers us to face the trials of this life with the gift of grace.
The source of this grace is found in Jesus Christ, who claims us as his family through our willingness to do the will of the Heavenly Father. In other words, God sends his Son to give us the help we need to return to Him!
Yes there is sin. But we draw near to the one who overcomes the power of sin and restores what was lost. May we call upon God for the grace we need to acknowledge our sins, accept the Lord’s mercy, and live in the light of Jesus Christ!
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Photo Credit: Son of God, 2014.
