10th Sunday of the Year Readings
Just as Jesus restored to life the Widow’s Son in the Gospel of Luke, God can also touch our lives with power and grace. Two thoughts emerge:
Study: Reflect on an experience when your got a second chance. How did it feel? What did you do with the gift?
Pray: Is there a difficult or painful situation in your life right now? Ask the Lord to touch and bless it with new life.
Serve: If you could do one thing to improve your relationships with others right now, what would it be?
10th Sunday of the Year Readings
A common pattern emerges from the readings this week: someone in need is brought back to life. Take a look…
Obviously, the 1st reading and the Gospel show this restoration – they were dead, and now they are brought back to life! Can you imagine the joy, the awe and wonder, of such an event? The mystery of life and death lies at the heart of human existence, and in these readings we confront miracles that give new opportunities for these two widows’ sons…for their lives are forever altered by the second chance they have been given.
The psalmist expresses this sentiment by praising God with a grateful heart. There’s nothing like a brush with death to wake us up to the gift of life! While I don’t wish anyone to come to harm, sometimes we can get caught in a routine where we start taking our gifts for granted, assuming that things will always remain the same. We can become complacent, and over time this can fossilize our faith and lead to laziness, lethargy, and a lapse.
Which brings us to St. Paul. The one who formerly was persecuting the Church now recounts in this passage of Galatians how he proclaimed the Gospel in the early years of his conversion. Preaching in Arabia, then Damascus, he would then travel to Jerusalem to share with the apostles his efforts. Simply put, his “rescue” results in a renewal of faith that will set the world on fire! He will take his second chance and fearlessly proclaim the Good News, offering his life for Jesus Christ.
In the light of these readings I suggest two key points today. First, is there a part of our lives that is lifeless? Perhaps we have a relationship, situation, or habit that is causing death and destruction? This might be the opportunity to invite the Lord in to touch and bless it with new life.
Second, have we been taking a gift for granted? Have we become complacent about our opportunities, relationships, and circumstances? How might we live the gift of our lives at full power for the Lord and one another?
In many ways, all of us have been given a “second chance” with every new day we walk the earth. There are no promises, and each day is a gift that comes from God. How we live this daily gift says a lot about our conviction and character. May we cast out anything that deadens and embrace all that fosters faith and life!
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast – Tuesday of the 7th Week of Easter
The heartfelt tone in the words of farewell spoken by Paul and Jesus speak to a common human experience: saying goodbye. Change is often difficult, and one of our toughest moments comes when we know that people are passing through our lives. While the pain is real, our faith reminds us that our final home is heaven…where our reunion in God’s presence will have no end.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
What gives people strength to carry on when the going gets tough? To hang in there when it is painful, difficult, or oppressive? The struggles of the early Church were sustained by their faith in Christ, who promised eternal life to all who believe in him.
Study: Reflect on an experience where your faith got you through a difficult time. What (or who) in particular helped you?
Pray: Offer up the needs of loved ones who are experiencing tough times right now. Pray for them!
Serve: Is there a way that you can offer fellowship or support for someone struggling? How can you lighten their load?
Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast
The power of Easter shines through the Scripture readings this week:
The disciples, freed from fear, now boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. In fact, they wear their hardships like badges of honor – “rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.” (Acts 5:41)
A key point emerges: being a Christian does not mean that life will be easy. On the contrary! Striving to live in a manner worthy of Christ means that we will stand out and at times face hostility because we seek to live a Godly life. At times we will encounter obstacles, setbacks, personal failures, and perhaps even ridicule – yet even in our weaknesses and failures we draw on the strength of the Lord for grace, mercy, and life.
This strength is highlighted in the encounter between Jesus and Peter, which takes place on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after the resurrection. Peter has to face the Lord (the one he betrayed three times) and confront his own personal failure as he meets his friend and Savior. Coming to Jesus (who knows his heart) Peter admits his inadequacy even as he affirms his love for the Lord.
These readings give us hope! In tough times or smooth sailing, we turn (and return) to Christ for the wisdom and guidance we need. And if we fail, we fall facing Jesus, who will lift us back up with a grace and strength to help us in our adversity – asking only that we renew our love for the one who died and rose for our salvation.
Study: Where in my life have I discovered God’s strength and grace? How have others helped me?
Pray: Where do I need God’s strength right now? Call upon the Lord with boldness to face the challenges of life.
Serve: How can I be an instrument of God’s strength to another? How can I help someone today?
Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast (7 minutes, given at Cathedral on April 4, 2015)
I can only imagine the surge of excitement that went through the disciples as the word was shared. Beyond the agony of the Cross and the sorrow of the Tomb on that first day of the week the message was proclaimed: He’s Alive!
And everything changes. This group of disciples – bound by fear and selfishness – are transformed with a new strength and conviction. Their encounter with the Risen Lord will empower them to face the obstacles of this world with joy and hope. They have seen the risen Christ…what is there to fear? They have embraced the one who has conquered sin and death – there is NOTHING that can shake their confidence in the light of Easter morning.
This same strength comes to us. Like the first disciples, we can turn to Jesus and allow his saving grace to renew us with a strength far beyond our own. We can claim a hope that sustains us in the midst of our challenges and struggles. The Easter sunrise brings light to the darkest corners of our hearts.
What in our lives needs to be touched by Jesus Christ? We are invited to boldly come forward, receive his resurrection strength, and face whatever this world presents with confidence: the victory of Christ enlivens us to travel through life with the conviction that the grace he gave his disciples continues in our hearts today.
May this Easter season be a time of transformation and renewal; a time where we embrace the gift of our lives with a new freedom and conviction. In the light of this Easter, may we follow the one who leads us from sin and death to the abundance of life…in this world, and the world to come.
Happy Easter!
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Walking with the Lord in Holy Week (March 9-12, 2015 – Our Lady of the Valley – Green Valley, AZ) This parish mission takes the listener on a journey with Christ – from his entry into Jerusalem, through the Last Supper, his Passion, and his Resurrection.
Fr. Andrew’s Palm Sunday Podcast
We read the Passion of Christ ever year, not as some sad, distant, impersonal story that happen long ago, but as OUR STORY – a reminder that Christ endured his Cross for US, for our our sins and transgressions. As we enter into this sacred season, may we draw near to the one who saves and sets us free.
And if you would like to have a mini-retreat this week, I invite you to listen to any of these podcasts from my Mission last year in Arizona.
Walking with the Lord in Holy Week (March 9-12, 2015 – Our Lady of the Valley – Green Valley, AZ) This parish mission takes the listener on a journey with Christ – from his entry into Jerusalem, through the Last Supper, his Passion, and his Resurrection.
Have a blessed Holy Week.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent
With help from some 4th graders from Mrs. Peterson’s class at Cathedral School, Fr. Andrew looks at how God can take bad things and bring about great goodness.
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If you are looking for more material to help you this Lent, you might consider this list of presentations I have offered over the last couple of years. Feel free to check it out and share if you find it helpful:
Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent
The parable of Lazarus and the rich man bring the urgent need for repentance to light. The season of Lent repeatedly reminds us to turn away from our sins as we find our hope in the grace and mercy of God.
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If you are looking for more material to help you this Lent, you might consider this list of presentations I have offered over the last couple of years. Feel free to check it out and share if you find it helpful:
Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
Fr. Andrew’s Holy Family Homily Podcast
The Holy Family had its mix of blessings and burdens – just like every family. Yet through their struggles God was with them, guiding and guarded them in Faith, Hope, and Love…and the Lord will do the same for our families as well.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 