Christ’s invitation to come to Him in our weariness and labor reveals a compassion that has no limit or boundary. May we remove the obstacles that keep us from His grace!
Mass Readings – 14th Sunday of the Year
Tag Archives: grace
14th Sunday of the Year: Removing the obstacles to God’s grace. Catholic Inspiration
Daily Mass: Let’s pay attention to our own sins first. Catholic Inspiration
The Lord offers some powerful spiritual insights to the disciples, reminding us of the importance to examine carefully the state of our souls.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 12th Week of the Year
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12th Sunday of the Year: God’s grace shines in the darkness
Study: Consider a time when you had to confront evil. How did your faith in Christ give you strength?
Pray: Is there a difficult situation in your life right now? Ask the Lord for wisdom and guidance.
Serve: Do you know someone who is struggling right now? How can you offer support?
Mass Readings – 12th Sunday of the Year
The readings this Sunday all come with an edge to them, signifying that there’s a lot at stake in a life of faith. Take a look:
- 1st Reading – Jeremiah praises the Lord even as he recognizes the evil of others.
- Psalm – “Lord, in your great love answer me.”
- 2nd Reading – Sin and death came through Adam; grace and peace come through Jesus Christ.
- Gospel – The Lord will acknowledge those who acknowledge Him, and he will deny those who deny him.
These readings address the reality of sin and evil in our world. We know this reality through our experience, and whether through our own actions or the actions of others we recognize that the human heart has the capacity for sin.
Yet we also recognize that God’s grace is greater than the darkness. This is why Christ came into the world! Through the Lord’s cross and resurrection we have hope to call upon Heaven for the strength, courage and wisdom we need to face the challenges of life.
Have we sinned? Then we seek reconciliation and forgiveness. Have we been wounded by wickedness and evil? Then we call upon the Lord’s grace.
The triumph of Jesus Christ inspires us to follow the example of Jeremiah and Paul – acknowledging the Lord in this world so that we can be with Him in the next!
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Note: This post was first published on June 19, 2017.
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Daily Mass: God gives us the strength we need today. Catholic Inspiration
The showdown between Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal illustrates how we rely on the Lord for the strength we need, even against impossible odds.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 10th Week of the Year
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The Holy Trinity offers us a path to move forward in unity. Catholic Inspiration
COVID-19 taught us about the challenges of isolation, loneliness, anxiety and fear; the recent riots have brought to light the undercurrents of anger, hatred and opportunism. Our path forward must consider the need for unity…something that lies at the heart of the Most Holy Trinity.
Mass Readings – The Most Holy Trinity
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Daily Mass: When the going gets tough, get going…with God! Catholic Inspiration
In the Second Letter to Timothy we hear the call to remain steadfast in the face of persecution and hardship.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 9th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Give to God what belongs to God. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus sidesteps a potential trap and offers us a rich spiritual insight as we put God first and center in our lives.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 9th Week of the Year
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Pentecost: Come Holy Spirit! Catholic Inspiration
The Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples, empowering and transforming them with grace. May we call upon the gift of the Spirit in our lives today, embracing the gifts we have received and sharing them in the world.
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Daily Mass: Our union with the Lord gives us strength. Catholic Inspiration
The contrast between the unity that Christ prays for and the uproar around St. Paul reveals our constant need to seek out ways to grow closer together through the love of God.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter
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Pentecost
Study: Where in my life have I experienced God’s grace and strength?
Pray: What particular needs in my life call for the help of the Holy Spirit?
Serve: Where can I use the gifts God has given me to serve another right now?
Mass Readings – Vigil of Pentecost
The image St. Paul uses in the 2nd reading this weekend is a body. Composed of different parts which do unique and special functions, the body is united when all the parts come together. So, too, all of us are united into the Body of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Look at these themes from Pentecost Mass Readings of the Day:
- The Spirit gives power to communicate across barriers of race and tongue (1st Reading)
- The Spirit gives life and renews the face of the earth (Psalm response)
- The Spirit gives different gifts to people for different needs (2nd Reading)
- The Spirit is breathed on the disciples by Jesus (Gospel)
In other words, the Holy Spirit unites people, renews life, provides unique gifts, and is granted to the Church by Christ. This is the day that the disciples were empowered to continue the mission of Jesus; filled with the Spirit they will witness the Good News of the Lord through their words and actions.
Their example becomes our model. The same Spirit that changed their lives comes to us. The same Spirit that gave them the grace and strength to go forth gives us the power we need to offer our lives for Christ. God continues to invite us to serve, and the Lord pours forth the Holy Spirit to help us carry out the work of this day.
Are there barriers in our life? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there parts of life in need of renewal? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there gifts we have that need to be used and directed? Come Holy Spirit!
Jesus freely gave the gift of the Spirit to his disciples – may we turn to the Lord with conviction that as we call for the Holy Spirit in our lives we will be given what we need for the work of this day.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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Note: This post was first published on May 29, 2017.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: The martyrdom of St. Stephen
- Daily Mass: God gives us strength and peace
- Study, Pray, Serve: 4th Sunday of Easter
- 3rd Sunday of Easter: Christ meets us where we are and leads us
- Daily Mass: Our service of others reveals our love for Jesus
- Daily Mass: We are on the right path when we stay close to the Lord
- Daily Mass: We must obey God
- Daily Mass: God so loved the world!
- Daily Mass: Our faith in Christ unites us in heart and mind
- Daily Mass: It is the Holy Spirit, and not our ego, that directs our faith
Three Great Things 