What does it mean to live in God’s grace? These two presentations were given at a parish retreat at St. Pius X Catholic Church on April 18, 2019.
Part I – Key Components of Grace (55 Minutes)
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Part II – Our Relationships in a Life of Grace (53 Minutes)
Handouts that were given to participants for both presentations
Living a Life of Grace (I & II)
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Jesus returns home with his disciples, but the people – limited by their thinking – cannot see him by the light of his ministry. The Lord’s rejection reminds us that we, too, have a community of our own…and we can either build it up or tear it down.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 4th Week of the Year (St. John Bosco)
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After the praise of Anna in the Temple, Mary and Joseph return home to Nazareth where Jesus will grow in strength and wisdom. It’s a good reminder about the power of a family to foster faith, encourage goodness and build lasting bonds of love. May we dedicate ourselves to building up our own families each and every day.
Mass Readings – The 6th Day in the Octave of Christmas
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Mass Readings – Friday of the 7th Week of the Year
The book of Sirach speaks about the great gift of friendship. As we build up our friendships on earth, may we also foster our life with Jesus Christ – the best friend of all.
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Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 6th Week of the Year
As Jesus heals the blind man in the Gospel today, he shows how healing is often an intimate process that leads back to our relationships at home. May we set before the Lord whatever is wounded in our lives, trust in his process of healing, and renew the relationships within our families and friendships.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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.
Study: Think about a best friend or cherished family member. What qualities do you find particularly precious?
Pray: Is there a relationship in your life in need of healing? Ask the Lord for grace, wisdom, and guidance to make it happen.
Serve: Is there a relationship in your life that needs to be renewed? What can you do to strengthen the connection?
Mass Readings – 17th Sunday of the Year
A thumbnail sketch of the readings this week looks something like this:
In all of these readings we see the power of relationships at work touching hearts and changing lives. We are not meant to walk through this life (or the next) alone; rather, God calls us into communion and invites us to deepen the connections we have with the Lord and one another. Looking at it this way, the readings point out that a relationship with God makes many things possible:
Our relationship with the Lord is made possible through Jesus. For remember, God makes it possible for us to draw near, and God invites us to enter into this very unequal relationship to raise us up as the Lord’s sons & daughters. We’ve been “allowed in” to this intimate and tender connection with Christ.
And thus we are called to strengthen our relationships in two distinct ways – with the Lord and with the people in our lives. That means we are called to consider how we might spend a little quality time building and strengthening our connections. With the Lord that means Prayer, Sacraments, Service, and a Call to Holiness. With other people it means forgiveness, charity, “wasting time” with loved ones in wholesome recreation, and seeking to bring out the best in one another.
And if something is wounded or broken…if a relationship is in need of healing – then ask the Lord for the grace to make it happen! Remember: the Lord calls us into relationships. May we take the gift of today to strengthen these connections in our lives.
