The lives of the Saints repeatedly demonstrate a central point in the Scriptures today: our strength does not come from us but from the Lord. May we call upon Christ for the guidance and help we require as we put our faith into practice.
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of the Year
***************
When questioned by the priests and Levites as his popularity with the crowds increased, John the Baptist humbly admitted that he was not the Christ; rather, he claimed his role as one who points out the Lord to others…thus giving us an example for our own lives today.
Mass Reading – Christmas Season, January 2nd
***************
St. Basil the Great & St. Gregory Nazianzen, pray for us!
Both the Book of Sirach and the Gospel of Luke emphasize the virtue of humility in our actions with God and one another as we confront it’s opposing vice, pride.
Mass Readings – 22nd Sunday of the Year
***************
Here are some of the key themes that surface in the readings for the 22nd Sunday of the Year.
1st Reading – Sirach 3:17-18,20,28-29
Psalm – 68:4-7,10-11
2nd Reading – Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24a
Gospel – Luke 14:1,7-14
Mass Readings – 22nd Sunday of the Year
***************
Today offers two options for the Gospel reading – the baptism of Jesus in Mark or the genealogy of Christ in Luke – and reveals to us the humble, simple and open manner in which the Lord meets us in our human weakness.
Mass Readings – Christmas weekday
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Photo Credit: Son of God, 2014
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 30th Week of the Year
As the Lord observes people positioning themselves for places of honor at a banquet, he uses the opportunity to teach about pride and humility, inviting us to avoid making comparisons and seeking a simple approach.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – 14th Sunday of the Year
The Lord tells us that he is “meek and humble of heart” and when we draw near to him we will find rest for our souls. May his grace touch our hearts and help us to become more like him every day.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
***************
Photo credit: Jesus of Nazareth, 1977.
Study: When have you experienced tenderness in your life? How did it affect you?
Pray: Is there someone you know who is in pain right now? Pray for the gentleness of Jesus to touch them.
Serve: Is there someone you can help? Perhaps you are uniquely suited to ease their burden and bring them comfort.
Mass Readings – 14th Sunday of the Year
Here’s a quick recap of the readings:
When you think of all the ways that God could choose to be revealed to humanity, perhaps nothing seems at first more shocking than the tender humility that the Messiah reveals. God does not overwhelm our senses with awesome power; rather, God gets under our radar and lovingly touches our hearts without force or pretense.
Jesus Christ comes into our world:
No wonder the Psalmist could offer praises to God! The Lord is approachable, gentle, accessible and understanding. Jesus Christ meets us in our most wounded and vulnerable places, for through his Cross he has experienced the full range of human pain…and redeemed it.
So come to the Lord. Embrace the one who meets us where we are and longs to heal our pain. May we let go of our worries and fears; may we let the Lord take us by the hand and lead us into newness of life.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: Name someone in your life who lives with sincere humility. What behaviors stand out?
Pray: Humility comes from knowing ourselves – warts and all. Ask the Lord for the insight to truly see the blessings & burdens, successes and sins, that lie in our hearts.
Serve: Is there a thankless or difficult task that you can do for another? Can it be done with a loving sincerity?
In June of 1994 I came to Rome. I had lived in the Holy Land since January and I was making my visit to my Italian roots as the last part of my journey. I stayed at the Benedictine monastery and school – St. Anselmo – which was governed by a monk from St. John’s, Abbot Jerome Theisen.
Abbot Jerome was a remarkable man. A brilliant scholar with a pastoral heart, his duty as Abbot Primate was to visit Benedictine monasteries around the world – working to improve and strengthen monastic life across the globe. Yet for all the travel and prominence of his work, Abbot Jerome was a gentle and humble man.
Shortly after he had arrived in Rome, the Abbot Primate began a regular routine of gardening each day. He firmly believed in the Benedictine phrase, “Ora et Labora” (Prayer and Work) and set an example for the other monks by taking a certain amount of physical exercise each day.
On one particular morning, Abbot Jerome was out in the monastic gardens at work among the roses. He was wearing a plain and well worn habit, devoid of any finery or ostentation. He looked like a simple monk – and somewhat grubby at that!
While he was in the middle of his weeding a monk from another religious order came calling. Seeing the elderly “brother” on his knees in the dirt he said, “Brother, is the Abbot Primate here today?”
Abbot Jerome replied, “Yes, he is here.”
The monk said, “I wish to speak with him.”
Abbot Jerome stood up and responded, “Very well. What would you like to discuss?”
The monk, affronted by the impertinence of a dirty, sweaty “brother” (for what priest would be gardening…?) said, “Brother, I am an Abbot, and I demand to see the Abbot Primate AT ONCE!”
Abbot Jerome dusted his hands off his black habit, and extended his right hand in greeting. He gently said, “Certainly. I am Abbot Jerome. How can I help you?”
The embarrassed monk stuttered an apology, and after a few moments excused himself.
************
I have often thought of Abbot Jerome’s example. Regardless of wealth, learning, or status, may we have the perspective to see ourselves, called by God to a meek and humble heart!
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 