We all know the story of Mary and Martha, but sometimes we forget that the Lord gently chides Martha because she is “anxious and worried about many things.” When we fall into useless worry, our best prescription is to focus on Christ for the strength and wisdom we need.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 27th Week of the Year
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Study: Reflect on a moment when you put your entire heart into a project. What did you experience?
Pray: Ask God for grace to remove obstacles that are you keeping you from the Lord and others.
Serve: How can you help others follow Jesus Christ? How can your life strengthen them to focus on the Lord?
Mass Readings – 28th Sunday of the Year
I have a deep respect for people who show their dedication and conviction to a task. When I see others put their heart and soul into something:
I see a passion and joy emerge. They work hard, often long and grueling hours, yet they love it and they glow with an inner light. Their dedication gives them meaning, purpose, and a zest for life.
This sense of dedication comes into focus in the Gospel reading today. The encounter with Jesus and the rich young man reveals both an enthusiasm and a hesitancy to follow God. The man wants to do what is right, he wants to be holy, but he is not yet ready to offer his entire life.
Where do we see ourselves in the Gospel today? What might be keeping us back from dedicating our lives to the Lord? Some obvious obstacles:
But what happens if we pause, reflect, and dedicate our lives to Jesus Christ? What happens the minute we reorganize our lives around the Lord, allowing his grace to flow through all our thoughts, words, and actions? Simply put, we become fully alive – we find in Christ both our strength and peace. Our lives take on a whole new level of meaning and purpose as we engage one another with renewed sense of faith, hope, and love.
The invitation today is simple: Put Jesus Christ first in your life. Let him be your Lord. Allow him to touch every aspect of your life, and watch as his light shines through your heart!
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Catholic Inspiration Archives
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Note: this post was first published on October 6, 2015.
Fr. Andrew offered this one hour presentation on Angels and Demons at the Cathedral of Christ the King on October 4, 2018.
For a copy of the handout, click here: Angels & Demons
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The Lord’s answer to the question of divorce reminds us that this issue has been with humanity from the dawn of time. Our response through healing, community and engagement helps those who struggle with divorce to find new strength and direction.
Mass Readings – 27th Sunday of the Year
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The disciples return to Jesus with joy as they acknowledge his power at work in their ministry. This power continues today whenever we open our hearts to the grace of Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 26th Week of the Year
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Not everyone listened to the words of Jesus, and like the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum we have the opportunity to take the message of Christ to heart…or experience the natural consequences that result.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 26th Week of the Year
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The Lord sent out disciples in pairs, recognizing that we work best when we work together. Sometimes we give support, and sometimes we receive it, but through it all we grow in strength and wisdom when we unite our lives to Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 26th Week of the Year (St. Francis of Assisi)
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Whatever we do for one another, we do it for the Lord. The Cathedral school kids learn that both our good and bad actions toward others are treated as if they were done to Jesus. May we take this insight to heart as we offer our lives!
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Our Guardian Angels are present to help us face the challenges of this life. May we listen to their guidance and ask for their help in time of need.
Mass Readings – Guardian Angels
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Study: Reflect on the strongest marriages you know. What are the qualities and behaviors that you see in these couples?
Pray: Who do you know is struggling with divorce? Ask the Lord to give them guidance and strength.
Serve: Are there couples you can support in their marriage? Are there people wounded by divorce in your life? How can you help them today?
Mass Readings – 27th Sunday of the Year
In our current culture you would be hard pressed to find anyone who hasn’t been touched by the reality of divorce in either family or friendship. Divorce is part of the landscape of our lives, and we find ourselves confronted by a real challenge:
The sacrament of Marriage proclaims a fundamental reality that has both earthly and heavenly dimensions. On earth we recognize the union of a man and woman as part God’s plan which fosters intimacy, love, and the possibility of new life. Sexual expression within marriage becomes a blessed event, whereby the two become one.
This sense of unity that is present in marriage echoes the complete unity we have with the Lord. Jesus Christ is the bridge that joins us to the Father; God the Son took on our human form so that we could be reunited with the Father. Sin no longer divides us.
Yet division is part of our human experience, and nowhere is this more evident than in the reality of divorce. Life is messy, awkward, and challenging – and we all know that there are times when situations melt down and relationships unravel. We regret it, we lament it, we wish it could have been different…and we recognize that there is real pain and loss – but we have to find a way to deal with it.
So how do we foster marriage and at the same time help those who experience divorce? While there are several essential elements, I suggest a few key points:
But perhaps most importantly of all – we reach out to one another: walking with those who are single, supporting those who are married, and helping those who are divorced. We need each other, and when we are united we are vastly stronger than when we are isolated.
Take time this week to consider the people in your life. How can you help them follow Christ? How can your life bless others in their vocation as they strive to live it? How can you be a healing agent who strengthens marriage and helps those wounded by divorce? We need each other, and we call upon the Lord for grace as we remember the words of the Psalm Response:
May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
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Note: This post was first published on September 29, 2015.
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