
The Good News of the angel Gabriel to Mary inspires us to live this message of grace in our lives today.
Mass Readings – Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.
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The Good News of the angel Gabriel to Mary inspires us to live this message of grace in our lives today.
Mass Readings – Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.
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The angel Gabriel speaks to Zechariah, announcing that his wife Elizabeth will conceive a son who will go forth with the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare a people for the Lord.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 4th Week of Advent
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Mary acknowledges and affirms the Good News that Gabriele proclaims; her example inspires us to embrace our faith in Christ and put it into daily practice…for nothing will be impossible for God!
Mass Readings – Annunciation of the Lord
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Today bishops and priests around the world join Pope Francis in consecrating Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!
The feast of the Archangels reminds us that we are not alone in the spiritual fight. They praise God constantly and assist us in our need. May we call upon the angels when times are tough!
Mass Readings – Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael
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Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael…pray for us!
Study: Recall a time when you had to make an important choice. What helped you?
Pray: Do you have a critical decision to make right now? Ask the Lord for guidance.
Serve: How can you assist someone who is facing a crucial situation? How can you offer support?
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Advent
We often think of angels as something out of a Precious Moments collection: cute, sweet and gentle. Yet the image we see in the Scriptures is often startling and overwhelming…after all, angels are always saying “Be not afraid!” when they show up.
Gabriel greets Mary and reveals the astonishing news of God’s plan for our salvation: Mary will be the mother of God as the Holy Spirit conceives a child in her womb. This is how the savior of humanity will enter into the world, taking on our likeness in all things but sin.
But note this: Mary had to respond. Although she was specifically chosen by God and prepared to become the mother of the messiah, she still had to give her consent. Her freedom to choose was essential in the plan of salvation. Why? Because the Almighty has not created us to be robotic slaves but free souls, souls that seek to grow in wisdom, courage and love.
God initiates the action, but he does not force us to act. Rather, the Lord invites us to respond so that we will grow, becoming more and more the persons we were meant to be.
This Christmas consider what the Lord is inviting you to do. Reflect on how God is working in your life and how you are being prompted to develop your life in new and powerful ways. Say yes to Jesus Christ, and see how the Lord will change your heart to become like his.
Note: This post was first published on December 18, 2017.
The Bible names these three angels as particular instruments in God’s plan of salvation; may their presence inspire our faith as we follow Jesus Christ.
While the story of the angel Gabriel and Mary is well known, its familiarity can blind us to the fact that just as God worked through Mary’s life, God works in ours. The question is, will we use the blessings we have been given for the Lord’s glory? Will we say yes to Jesus Christ today?
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent (Dec. 20th)
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The angel Gabriel tells Mary to “be not afraid” as she hears the news of her role in salvation history. In our moments of doubt and fear may we follow Mary’s example and turn to the Lord with renewed faith, asking for the grace and strength we need to face our challenges with God’s guidance.
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Advent
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The Gospel of Luke recounts today the exchange between Gabriel and Mary. We know the details, and as we hear the specific names and particular locations we recall that God continues to touch our lives through this great account of salvation through our lives today.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Adoration of the Child, Honthorst, 1619-1620, Uffizi, Florence, Italy.
Study: Recall a time when you had to make an important choice. What helped you?
Pray: Do you have a critical decision to make right now? Ask the Lord for guidance.
Serve: How can you assist someone who is facing a crucial situation? How can you offer support?
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Advent
We often think of angels as something out of a Precious Moments collection: cute, sweet and gentle. Yet the image we see in the Scriptures is often startling and overwhelming…after all, angels are always saying “Be not afraid!” when they show up.
Gabriel greets Mary and reveals the astonishing news of God’s plan for our salvation: Mary will be the mother of God as the Holy Spirit conceives a child in her womb. This is how the savior of humanity will enter into the world, taking on our likeness in all things but sin.
But note this: Mary had to respond. Although she was specifically chosen by God and prepared to become the mother of the messiah, she still had to give her consent. Her freedom to choose was essential in the plan of salvation. Why? Because the Almighty has not created us to be robotic slaves but free souls, souls that seek to grow in wisdom, courage and love.
God initiates the action, but he does not force us to act. Rather, the Lord invites us to respond so that we will grow, becoming more and more the persons we were meant to be.
This Christmas consider what the Lord is inviting you to do. Reflect on how God is working in your life and how you are being prompted to develop your life in new and powerful ways. Say yes to Jesus Christ, and see how the Lord will change your heart to become like his.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Annunciation, Bottecelli, 1481, Uffizzi, Florence, Italy.