Both Isaiah and St. Peter initially express doubt and fear in the presence of God’s invitation. Yet like them we are called to move beyond our self-imposed obstacles and accept the Lord’s prompting in our lives…even when it’s hard.
Mass Readings – 5th Sunday of the Year
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The Lord invites Matthew with a simple invitation, “Follow me.” May his example inspire us to listen to the Lord’s call in our lives and respond with joy.
Mass Readings – St. Matthew, Apostle
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The parable in the Gospel of Matthew shows a variety of responses to an invitation. The same is true for our response to the Lord’s invitation to live our faith. What will we do today?
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 20th Week of the Year
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Like a coach who calls a play that leads to action on the field, God calls us to a life of faith by what we think, speak and do. May we hear the Lord’s call in our lives today and respond with full hearts!
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of the Year
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Mass Readings – Saturday of the 26th Week of the Year (Our Lady of the Rosary)
The 72 disciples return to Jesus, rejoicing at how their lives – empowered by Christ – have made a difference. Their “yes” to the Lord inspires us to do the same, offering our lives so that Christ can work through us in the world today.
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Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Friday of the 26th Week of the Year (St. Jerome)
In the Book of Job we hear of God’s power and might; Luke’s Gospel shows Jesus chastising the towns that refused to accept his message. Our response today: to call upon the Lord to guide us with wisdom and strength!
Fr. Andrew’s 5th Sunday of the Year Homily Podcast
God keeps calling, inviting us to respond. What’s holding us back? What grace do we need to pray for so that we can offer our hearts to the Lord and one another? Here I am Lord! I come to do your will.
Study: Recall a moment where you felt that God was prompting you to action. What motivated you to act? What held you back?
Pray: What grace do you need to carry out your current tasks? Storm heaven for the strength you require.
Serve: How can you make an ordinary action extraordinary? How can you do a little thing with great love?
5th Sunday of the Year Readings
Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast
The readings incorporate the theme of being sent on mission:
In all these cases some common points surface:
These are beautiful thoughts as we sit on the doorstep of Lent! Friends, God continues to call us – providing grace – that we might respond and offer our lives for service in the world. So let’s turn these points around from our perspective:
May our words follow the example of Isaiah in the first reading today: Here am I, Lord…send me!
Fr. Andrew’s Holy Day Homily Podcast
Mary’s title “Mother of God” began when she said “yes” to the Angel Gabriel. Chosen by the Father, she bore her Son who would be the bridge between Heaven and Earth…to save and set us free. Thus, Mary was the instrument by which the Son of God came into the world.
Which is another way of saying that God works through people. God chooses the unlikely to do amazing things…with the Lord’s help.
Mary offers us an example about how we can cooperate with God’s grace. When we say “yes” to the Lord new possibilities arise. As we embark on this New Year may we be open to the Lord’s call in our lives and allow Christ to work through us to proclaim Good News in the world.
A blessed 2016 to you all!
Study: Reflect on an experience in life when you have been called to do something. Who called you? What did it feel like?
Pray: Ask the Lord for guidance to discern how to follow Jesus Christ today.
Serve: Are there people in your life who are experiencing a calling? How can you help them discover their path?
2nd Sunday of the Year Readings
Have you ever had moments in life when you wish the answers were written in the sky with letters that were clear and easy to read? Where there is no doubt what to do; no hesitation that a certain choice is the best; no worry that something has been missed? The question surfaces frequently: How do we know the Lord’s call for our lives?
In the Scriptures today we have two examples where people are being called by God:
While each story presents a perspective that is unique, both have some points that are worth noting:
The same three steps continue today. God keeps inviting! The Lord’s grace ceaselessly pours out upon the earth, inviting and empowering us to draw closer to God and one another. Everything we have comes from the Lord, who takes the initiative to reach out to us in love.
Our response – both in word and deed – completes this initiative. Accepting the Lord’s call we grow in wisdom and strength, developing our God-given gifts for service in the world. As we continue to say yes to the Lord’s guidance we become more and more alive, become a conduit through which Christ’s mission touches the hearts and lives of others.
So how and where does the Lord speak today? Where do we look for the call? A few starting thoughts…
May we say yes to the Lord’s call in our lives, responding with full and open hearts, serving one another with the strength of Jesus Christ!
