Mass Readings – Thursday of the 16th Week of the Year
God speaks to the people in great and small ways, reminding us that the Lord continues to touch our hearts and invite us to respond.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Tag Archives: Homily
Daily Mass: The growth of a seed. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 16th Week of the Year
God does the planting, and it’s our job to do what we can to help the seeds grow. What’s the Lord planting in your heart today? What are the obstacles? What can you do to cultivate a harvest worth of the Lord?
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Daily Mass: To drink from the cup of Christ. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – The Feast of St. James, Apostle
Jesus addresses a teachable moment when he explains that glory in Heaven comes from offering one’s life in charity and service. James and John will drink from the cup of of Christ, reminding us that every time we offer our lives for others we follow the example of Christ.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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16th Sunday of the Year: Pulling Weeds. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – 16th Sunday of the Year
Every gardener encounters weeds, and the Lord uses this image in the Gospel of Matthew to remind us that in the garden of our hearts we have a daily opportunity to pull out what does not belong.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Note: I couldn’t stop with just one picture! These are taken from my dad’s garden in Cumberland, WI.
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Daily Mass: St. Mary Magdalene
Mass Readings – The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
The Gospel of John recounts how Mary Magdalene was the first to meet the Risen Lord. Her conversion and witness inspire us: no matter what our past has been, God’s grace can touch our hearts and change our lives!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Photo credit: The Passion of the Christ, 2004.
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Daily Mass: God desires mercy. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Friday of the 15th Week of the Year
Speaking with the pharisees, Jesus offers an insight into God’s compassion and mercy when he says, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Today we have the opportunity to offer to Christ the gift of mercy as we lovingly respond to the weaknesses of those around us, as we claim the Lord’s mercy for ourselves.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Daily Mass: Standing in the presence of God. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 15th Week of the Year
Moses stands before God and receives his commission to go to Egypt. It will be hard, but the Lord will walk with him. As we face our challenges in life, God will give us what we need as well.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Daily Mass: Standing on holy ground. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 15th Week of the Year
Moses, standing on holy ground in the sight of the burning bush, is sent by God on a mission to free the people from their bondage in Egypt. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue God’s saving work in the world today.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Daily Mass: Consequences and Judgement. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 15th Week of the Year
Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of Matthew that there are consequences for our actions that will take place in the final judgment. With this awareness in mind, we have the opportunity today to repent of our sins and turn to the Lord for his mercy and forgiveness.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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16th Sunday of the Year: Pulling weeds
Study: Consider your life right now. What is flourishing in your heart, and what needs to be pulled out?
Pray: Ask the Lord for wisdom to know how to grow in grace.
Serve: How might you be an example for another person? How might your work to root out sin inspire someone else to grow closer to the Lord?
Mass Readings – 16th Sunday of the Year
Several powerful themes surface in the readings this week.
- 1st Reading – The Lord is the source of justice
- Psalm – “Lord, you are good and forgiving.”
- 2nd Reading – The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness
- Gospel – Jesus offers several parables; two of them are about weeds and seeds
A common pattern emerges from these themes as we discover that in the midst of injustice, sin, weakness and evil the Lord comes with justice, forgiveness, strength and power. Simply put, God gives us grace to confront the weeds in our lives.
So that begs the question: Where are the weeds in our hearts today? What struggle are we facing that requires the Lord’s mercy and love? Perhaps we might step back and pause this week to reflect on the state of our soul, so that we can honestly assess what is growing and what needs to go.
Jesus Christ knows our hearts and loves us unconditionally. As we look at the garden of our hearts may we trust that the one who knows us completely will help us root out what does not belong and help us grow as Sons and Daughters of God.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: The lesson of the sign of Jonah
- Study, Pray, Serve: 29th Sunday of the Year
- 28th Sunday of the Year: We respond to God's banquet invitation
- Daily Mass: We are blessed when we hear and observe the Word of God
- Daily Mass: By the finger of God, Christ drives out demons
- Daily Mass: We practice our faith with persistence
- Daily Mass: Lord, teach us to pray!
- Daily Mass: We draw near and listen to the Lord
- Daily Mass: The Good Samaritan reveals who is our neighbor
- Study, Pray, Serve: 28th Sunday of the Year
