Tag Archives: Forgiveness

Daily Mass: Weeds and Wheat. Catholic Inspiration

wheat and tares

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – Saturday of the 16th Week of the Year

The parable of the weeds and the wheat speaks to both the reality of sin and final judgment.  We know that sin is part of our lives, and we have the opportunity to seek the Lord’s forgiveness now…because one day we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.


Daily Mass: Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – The Feast of Mary Magdalene

She is the first person Jesus appears to after his resurrection.  Mary Magdalene, a “sinner” who found in Christ forgiveness and compassion, becomes our model today.  May we, in our own weakness and sin, see Christ and respond with love to his call.

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Appearance of Jesus Christ to Maria Magdalena, Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov, 1835, Location currently unknown.


Daily Mass: God’s Mercy & Love. Catholic Inspiration

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Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 16th Week of the Year

God calls us into a relationship of mercy and love, inviting us to follow his example with one another.


Daily Mass: Repent! Catholic Inspiration

 

Confessional

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 15th Week of the Year

Jesus admonishes the people in the cities where he performed some of his greatest miracles…because they did not repent of their sins and turn to God.  May we take this passage to heart as we seek the Lord’s forgiveness.


15th Sunday of the Year – Putting Love into Practice. Catholic Inspiration

Here-I-Am-Man

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – 15th Sunday of the Year

Like the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke, we are called to be neighbor to all who cross our path – sharing the Love that Christ offers us with one another.


Daily Mass: Prayer and Forgiveness

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Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – Thursday of the 11th Week of the Year

Jesus teaches us that forgiveness is a key component in our prayer to Our Father in Heaven.  May we put both into daily practice.


Daily Mass: Lord forgive! Catholic Inspiration

Cross of Christ

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 11th Week of the Year

How do we break the cycle where evil begets evil?  Answer: God’s grace through forgiveness!  May we acknowledge our sins, turn to the Lord, and open our hearts to the power of Christ’s love…and then share that love with one another.

 


11th Sunday of the Year – Forgiveness. Catholic Inspiration

11i-forgive-you-image

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – 11th Sunday of the Year

Forgiveness is often difficult, yet it is one of the defining features of the Christian Life.  We start by forgiving those closest to us, seeking to say “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you,” and then calling upon the Lord for the help and strength we need.

Three Great Things


11th Sunday of the Year – The Gift of Forgiveness

Forgiveness1

Study:  Consider a moment when you experienced forgiveness.  How did it affect you?

Pray:  Is there someone you are struggling to forgive right now?  Ask the Lord for help and guidance.

Serve:  How can you help encourage forgiveness in the lives of those around you?  How can you be an example of forgiveness?

11th Sunday of the Year Readings

What a gift we have with the forgiveness of God!  We make mistakes, we mess up, we willingly sin and hurt others….and yet, when we return to Jesus Christ with a repentant heart, we find a loving Lord who longs to make us whole.  Here’s a quick summary of this week’s readings:

  • 1st Reading – David repents of his terrible sin against Uriah
  • Psalm – “Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.”
  • 2nd Reading – St. Paul reminds us that we  are justified by faith in Christ
  • Gospel – Jesus forgives the weeping woman

The power of forgiveness touches us on many levels, allowing us to let go of past wounds and open the doors of our hearts to God’s healing divine mercy.  What’s more, forgiveness takes strength:

  • Strength to rise above petty issues and concerns
  • Strength to take the higher moral road that leads to life
  • Strength to move from victim to survivor
  • Strength to destroy the control of old injuries and engage life with joy
  • Strength to break the shackles of hate and embrace peace
  • Strength to turn away from sin and turn toward Christ

Make no mistake, forgiveness is not easy!  Yet, forgiveness is the key that opens our souls to receive the Lord, and the Good News is that Jesus gives us this strength to seek forgiveness whenever we ask!  As we reflect on these readings, give consideration to two different aspects of forgiveness:

  1. Who do I need to forgive?  Who has hurt/harmed me and how can I end the cycle of spiritual destruction?
  2. Who do I need to ask for forgiveness?  Who have I hurt/harmed and how can I reach out and seek to make things right?

Both of these aspects require God’s freely given grace.   May we commit our hearts to become people of forgiveness, allowing the strength of Christ to touch and bless our lives.


5th Sunday of Lent – Claim the Mercy. Catholic Inspiration

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s 5th Sunday of Lent Homily Podcast

We all sin, and sometimes our disastrous mistakes become public humiliations.  Yet like the woman in the Gospel today we encounter the Lord who simultaneously acknowledges the sin and blesses us with forgiving grace.  Through an honest appraisal of our hearts and an open acceptance of God’s love we can be renewed to live with power and joy.  Simply put, may we name the sin and claim the mercy.

Mercy