Mass Readings – Thursday of the 19th Week of the Year
Jesus teaches about forgiveness through a parable, reminding us that as we have been forgiven by God for our sins we are directed to forgive one another as well.
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Tag Archives: Forgiveness
Daily Mass: Faith in the midst of cruelty. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 17th Week of the Year
The death of John the Baptist is an outrage, a stark example of human cruelty that assaults our sensibilities. While we acknowledge the presence of violence and hatred in our world we continue to see in the Cross of Christ God’s response: a love that embraces our sins.
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16th Sunday of the Year: Pulling Weeds. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – 16th Sunday of the Year
Every gardener encounters weeds, and the Lord uses this image in the Gospel of Matthew to remind us that in the garden of our hearts we have a daily opportunity to pull out what does not belong.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Note: I couldn’t stop with just one picture! These are taken from my dad’s garden in Cumberland, WI.
Daily Mass: St. Mary Magdalene
Mass Readings – The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
The Gospel of John recounts how Mary Magdalene was the first to meet the Risen Lord. Her conversion and witness inspire us: no matter what our past has been, God’s grace can touch our hearts and change our lives!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Photo credit: The Passion of the Christ, 2004.
Daily Mass: God desires mercy. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Friday of the 15th Week of the Year
Speaking with the pharisees, Jesus offers an insight into God’s compassion and mercy when he says, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Today we have the opportunity to offer to Christ the gift of mercy as we lovingly respond to the weaknesses of those around us, as we claim the Lord’s mercy for ourselves.
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Daily Mass: Consequences and Judgement. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 15th Week of the Year
Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of Matthew that there are consequences for our actions that will take place in the final judgment. With this awareness in mind, we have the opportunity today to repent of our sins and turn to the Lord for his mercy and forgiveness.
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16th Sunday of the Year: Pulling weeds
Study: Consider your life right now. What is flourishing in your heart, and what needs to be pulled out?
Pray: Ask the Lord for wisdom to know how to grow in grace.
Serve: How might you be an example for another person? How might your work to root out sin inspire someone else to grow closer to the Lord?
Mass Readings – 16th Sunday of the Year
Several powerful themes surface in the readings this week.
- 1st Reading – The Lord is the source of justice
- Psalm – “Lord, you are good and forgiving.”
- 2nd Reading – The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness
- Gospel – Jesus offers several parables; two of them are about weeds and seeds
A common pattern emerges from these themes as we discover that in the midst of injustice, sin, weakness and evil the Lord comes with justice, forgiveness, strength and power. Simply put, God gives us grace to confront the weeds in our lives.
So that begs the question: Where are the weeds in our hearts today? What struggle are we facing that requires the Lord’s mercy and love? Perhaps we might step back and pause this week to reflect on the state of our soul, so that we can honestly assess what is growing and what needs to go.
Jesus Christ knows our hearts and loves us unconditionally. As we look at the garden of our hearts may we trust that the one who knows us completely will help us root out what does not belong and help us grow as Sons and Daughters of God.
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