Midnight Mass Podcast from the Cathedral – 95 Minutes
Fr. Andrew’s Christmas Homily Podcast
Like a bridge that connects two shores, Jesus Christ comes into our world to unite us to God and one another. Fully human like us, he teaches us about God and guides us to heaven. Fully divine, he has the power to overcome sin and death and bring healing and reconciliation to our lives.
Merry Christmas!
Study: Consider your life. Are there any parts that are wounded?
Pray: Invite the infant Jesus into the humble stable of your heart. He is familiar with simple surroundings; nothing you have is too poor, and everything you offer will be warmly received.
Serve: Is there some way you can be a bridge that unites others this Christmas? Some way that you can unite, heal, or help?
The Readings of Christmas:
Midnight Mass Podcast from the Cathedral – 95 Minutes
Fr. Andrew’s Christmas Homily Podcast
The birth of the Lord celebrates a great mystery: God takes on our human form in the person of Jesus. Fully human and fully divine, the Son of God and the Son of Mary – Jesus comes into our world with a mix of what seems like incompatible qualities:
Why are these extremes so great? Why do we see in Jesus both the lowliness of our human limits and the heights of God’s glory? To put it simply, Jesus Christ is the bridge between heaven and earth.
Think about it. Because of sin we have been divided from God and one another. Isolated by fear, temptation, weakness, sin and lies, we often find ourselves cut off from the Lord and at odds with those around us. While the media is filled with examples of this division, we really only have to look into our own hearts to find the struggle that is part of the human condition.
And this is why Christ was born – to restore our relationships and unite us with a strength that is greater than anything we can do on our own. Born like us, he enters our world so that we can know God; as the the Son of his Heavenly Father he will one day destroy the power of sin and death when he carries his Cross to die and rise that we might have eternal life.
Jesus forms the bridge that allows us to span the void caused by our sins. He offers mercy and forgiveness to reconcile our hearts to God, and through this forgiveness our relationships on earth are renewed. We are united; we are connected; we are graced with divine love, peace, and joy.
Where are the gaps in your heart this Christmas? Where do you see the need for Jesus Christ to restore what was broken or wounded? Draw strength from the one who knows exactly what it feels like (he is fully human after all) and yet has the grace to make it whole (which comes from his power as the Son of God.)
And may this Christmas bring healing and hope to your heart! Merry Christmas, my friends!
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The Adoration of the Shepherds, Gerard van Honthorst, 1622, Wallraf-Richartz-Museum, Cologne, Germany.
Study: Where do you find joy in your life? How can you foster joy in your heart?
Pray: Is there something in your heart that is suffering? Ask the Lord to touch and bless your concerns.
Serve: How can you bring joy to others? How can you share Christ’s love with someone in need?
The encounter between two pregnant women – Mary & Elizabeth – reveals the Good News of Jesus Christ even while he was still in the womb. Elizabeth carries her son John, a child blessed to her and her husband Zechariah in their old age. The infant “leaped for joy” in the womb of his mother Elizabeth when Mary (and Jesus) drew near.
I like the phrase “leaped for joy” on many levels:
Friends, Christmas is just around the corner…are we ready? I’m not talking about shopping, travel plans, or food preparation – I’m talking about our hearts. Are we ready to welcome Jesus Christ into our hearts…with JOY?
It is easy to get caught up in the distractions and stresses of life. Life carries its own challenges, and if we are struggling with added pressure, worry, anxiety and fear it can seem overwhelming. Sometimes we can empathize with Ebenezer Scrooge!
Yet the Gospel message transforms the listener. Christ comes into our world to bridge the gap caused by sin. We have the promise of new life! Thus, in the remaining days to Christmas, I suggest the following:
When Christmas comes will be able to welcome the Christ child with joy? May this last week of Advent give us the time and opportunity we need to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord.
Fr. Andrew’s Podcast – Catholic Inspiration is 1 Year Old!
I want to say a joyful THANK YOU for all who have downloaded and shared my podcasts this past year! Here are a few quick facts:
What started initially as just a simple record of homilies has now grown to an average of 2-4 podcasts/week. I am touched by the response I have received from people across the country, and I am honored to share my ministry here at Cathedral with you. There is no charge for “Catholic Inspiration” and no requests for donations – this is an extension of my pastoral work here in the Diocese of Superior.
My one request: if you find these podcasts helpful – please share them with your loved ones! Practically, that means:
My only wish is for more people to draw near to Jesus Christ and one another through Study, Prayer, and Service. May Year Two – which is blessed to coincide with the Year of Mercy – be filled with graces for us all!
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast (Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent)
The first reading from the prophet Isaiah proclaims a vision of the world – filled with hope – that happens after “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse.” May this Good News help us to make course corrections in our life today, so that we will be ready for the Lord’s return.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily (Tuesday of the 34th Week of the Year)
How do we face the changes of life? How do we look to the future with hope? The Answer: with the help of Jesus Christ!
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast (Thursday of the 33rd Week of the Year)
Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. He sees the tribulation that will come, and he opens his arms to embrace the sadness…that he might touch it and bless it. May we turn to the Lord in our moments of sorrow and allow his grace to guide us. Sorrow is not the end, and with God’s help we will face our tears with hope.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – Tuesday of the 30th Week of the Year
The images of a mustard seed and yeast remind us that little things can bring about big changes. The spiritual virtue of Hope empowers us to face our lives with the grace of Christ, who will work through us in little ways to make a difference in the world.
Study: Where have you seen signs of God’s grace at work in your life? How did it change you?
Pray: Are there people or circumstances in your life that are wounded or hurting? Pray for healing power!
Serve: Do you see someone in need? How can you help them?
30th Sunday of the Year Readings
The readings this week reveal a common theme of divine power:
Throughout these scriptures the Lord comes with dynamic energy: liberating, saving, healing and redeeming. This is Good News! In the midst of the challenges and struggles of human life we find Jesus coming to us – meeting us where we are – with the transformative power of his grace.
With this power in mind, I would suggest two points for consideration this week:
Let’s start with receiving. Where in my life am I wounded, hurting, or helpless? Do I identify with Bartimaeus, calling upon the Lord for pity? If so, our prayer (in private and at Mass) can be directed to heaven…asking for the grace we need to keep going.
Giving means we allow the Lord’s power to work through us. Giving requires that we see the needs of those around us, determine a proper response, and act in a manner worthy of Christ. We become the Lord’s hands and feet in service to others; our words speak encouragement and hope.
God continues to work with power in our world today, giving us all the opportunity to open our hearts to the endless grace of Christ. May we draw near to the Lord with confidence and allow his strength to work through us as we touch the hearts of those we meet.
Fr. Andrew’s 29th Sunday of the Year Homily Podcast
Jesus Christ shows us that suffering is a pathway, not a destination. Through suffering we experience a purification – whereby we grow and discover new insights through the process of challenge, pain, and difficulty. God permits suffering that we might be changed…for the good. For remember: the suffering of Good Friday will be transformed into the joy of Easter Day.
We are thus consoled and challenged by these words. Consoled, in that we take hope that the triumph of Christ on the Cross will one day be our triumph. He understands our suffering (he’s already been through his own) and we can cling to his mercy and grace.
Challenged, in that we are invited to drink from the cup of suffering. Like Christ, we pray that the cup will pass by, but like Christ we will accept what God sets before us – opening our hearts to God and allow this process to transform us.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 