From the very beginning, the Lord’s earthly ministry included prayer, preaching, teaching, healing and driving out demons. May His example inspire us to actively seek ways we can continue this work in our lives today.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 1st Week of the Year
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The desire of Jesus to make clean the leper in the Gospel of Luke reveals the Lord’s desire to cleanse each one of us: body, mind, heart and soul.
Mass Readings – Friday after Epiphany
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The thankfulness of a cleansed leper reveals the power of gratitude to renew and heal our hearts.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 32nd Week of the Year
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Through his death and resurrection, Jesus touches all aspects of human life with a grace that brings hope and healing. May we see God at work in every moment of our day as we place our trust in the Lord.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 25th Week of the Year
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The Book of Sirach, the Psalmist and the Lord all proclaim the same message: God forgives us and demands that we forgive one another.
Mass Readings – 24th Sunday of the Year
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Study: Recall a time when you received forgiveness. What did it feel like?
Pray: Is there someone you need to forgive? Ask the Lord for the courage and strength to do it.
Serve: Is there someone you need to ask for forgiveness? Be the first to foster healing in the relationship.
Mass Readings – 24th Sunday of the Year
Let’s take a quick look at a sketch of the readings:
On one hand the teaching is simple: if you want to be forgiven by God, start forgiving one another. It’s sound logic and makes complete sense…until you have something hard to forgive. Perhaps we have felt slighted or neglected, been hurt or experienced disappointment. Maybe we just don’t understand, or maybe we are choosing to interpret a situation in its worst possible light.
Forgiveness is the practical dimension of Christian love. After all, it’s easy to love people when we are comfortable, rested, calm and free of all distractions. The real test of our love happens when we can forgive one another in the light of Jesus Christ.
The Lord offers us the teaching of forgiveness with clarity and conviction. There is no middle ground. We forgive one another if we expect God to forgive us of our own sins. We forgive, knowing that we all stand in need of God’s forgiveness, so that by unlocking the gates of our hearts through forgiveness we can stand before the Lord ready to receive the grace of his mercy.
Two thoughts then emerge today:
May the Lord inspire us to be people of forgiveness as we practice his teaching and follow his example.
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Note: This post was first published on September 11, 2017.
Jesus offers practical advice for dealing with broken relationships in a way that is empowering and crucial for our personal growth.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 19th Week of the Year
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Two beautiful examples showing how the Lord brings healing and hope to our lives.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 14th Week of the Year
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Jesus responds in different ways to the people as he heals the paralytic, inviting us to draw near to Him for the renewal of body and soul.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 13th Week of the Year
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The exchange between Jesus and the leper in the Gospel of Matthew reveals God’s compassion and desire to heal our souls.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 12th Week of the Year
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