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.
Tag Archives: Forgiveness
Daily Mass: Prayer and Forgiveness
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.
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Daily Mass: Lord forgive! Catholic Inspiration
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.
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11th Sunday of the Year – Forgiveness. Catholic Inspiration
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.
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11th Sunday of the Year – The Gift of Forgiveness
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:
- Who do I need to forgive? Who has hurt/harmed me and how can I end the cycle of spiritual destruction?
- 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.
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5th Sunday of Lent – Claim the Mercy. Catholic Inspiration
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.
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Daily Mass: On the Way to the Cross. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – Friday of the 4th Week of Lent
With some help from 4th graders at Cathedral School, Fr. Andrew comments on how John’s Gospel builds the tension that will ultimately lead Jesus to his Cross.
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5th Sunday of Lent – Mercy!
Study: Reflect on a time in life when you made a grave mistake or serious sin. How did you face it?
Pray: Is there something that is keeping you from the Lord or another person? Ask the Lord for the grace to reconcile.
Serve: Is there a situation in your life that offers you a chance to extend mercy? Consider ways to make it happen.
5th Sunday of Lent Readings – Year C
Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast
Have you ever been clearly in the wrong? Made a mistake that was self-evident and completely your own fault? Don’t worry…you’re in good company. As much as we don’t like to admit it or claim it, we have all fallen short of the Lord’s commandments. We sin.
There are a couple of easy traps that we need to avoid:
- Assuming that it is no big deal, and downplaying our fault
- Making it an all-consuming mountain, beyond hope of redemption
What we find in the Gospel today is something in between that exemplifies God’s Mercy. The woman caught in adultery (where’s the man?!) is dragged before the Lord and forced to stand out in her shame as the people try to trap Jesus.
His response is profound. “Let the one among you who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her.” One by one the realization of their own sins causes the crowd to dwindle away; they have all fallen short, and they have all been in need of mercy.
Yet the Lord is not done. After all, he is the only one without sin in the group! He alone has the right to carry out judgment. Yet this is what he says:
“Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin.”
Note both points:
- Jesus acknowledges the sin. It is clearly and directly stated.
- Jesus extends mercy. His mercy begins her reconciliation and healing.
In light of this Gospel I suggest the following takeaways:
- What sins do we need to acknowledge, confess, and claim?
- What steps do we need to take to start the process of reconciliation?
- We draw near to Christ…who extends mercy to us!
As we embark on the last weeks of Lent, may we never fear to approach the Lord in our sins. For as we honestly claim our faults we draw forgiveness from the one who came to save and set us free.
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The image is taken from the movie The Passion of the Christ.
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4th Sunday of Lent: Open the Door of Mercy. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast – 4th Sunday of Lent
This Gospel parable is well known and applicable to our lives today. There are times when we can identify with both sons – either in need of mercy or called to give it – and we find a Father who runs out to meet us where we are. May we open wide the doors of our hearts…and encounter Mercy.
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Mercy: We need it, God gives it. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s presentation on Mercy – 15 Minutes
How do we understand mercy as it applies to our lives? What does it mean and how can we practice mercy – both receiving and giving – in our interactions with the Lord and one another? This short talk offers some practical points and an example from Jesus in the Gospel of John. Given during the “24 Hours with the Lord” at the Cathedral on March 4, 2016.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: We approach Christ in need of mercy and forgiveness
- Daily Mass: We live our faith with zeal and conviction
- Daily Mass: Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows
- Daily Mass: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross of Christ
- Study, Pray, Serve: 25th Sunday of the Year
- 24th Sunday of the Year: It's all about forgiveness
- Daily Mass: The Lord offers two practical spiritual insights
- Daily Mass: We work on ourselves first before we point out the faults of others
- Daily Mass: Jesus invites his disciples "to measure up" to his teaching
- Daily Mass: Jesus speaks of blessings and woes
Three Great Things 