Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Christmas Weekday (Jan. 3)
John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is the one who takes away our sins. As we renew our faith each day, may we seek Jesus above all else and commit our lives to his saving grace.
Study: Recall a moment when you were guided to make a good decision. Who helped you?
Pray: Is there a tough decision in your life? Pray for God’s light to shine upon you.
Serve: How can you help another find the Lord’s light for their lives?
Mass Readings – The Epiphany of the Lord
There are several wonderful points for reflection in this well known gospel reading:
The word epiphany means “to shine upon” and it is the illumination of this story – by starlight, prophecy, gifts, and foreign wisdom – that help us see how God works in our world.
The birth of Christ brings light by which people begin to see the Lord. We are no longer in darkness! What’s more, this light is available to all peoples…for the prophecy of Micah in the Jewish tradition and the study of the stars guide the Magi to Jesus.
This light continues to shine in our world today. God’s grace casts out darkness and brings light to guide us as we seek to follow the Lord through the cares and worries of daily life. May we seek out the Lord’s light for our lives, and help others to be directed in faith to find Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – The Octave of Christmas: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Our knowledge of Mary flows from our knowledge of her Son, and her example teaches us how to be living witnesses in the face of adversity as we continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.
Happy New Year!
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – The Holy Family
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph helps us see how God works through each of our families. We face our struggles, make sacrifices, support each other, and receive blessings with gratitude…and through it all we grow in grace.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
As Simeon held the Christ Child in his arms praising God, he recalls the fulfillment of the Lord’s promises and points to the redemption of humanity. May we look back and see how God has touched our lives and embrace each day as a new opportunity to the serve the Lord with full hearts!
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Simeon’s Song of Praise, Aert de Gelder, 1700-1710.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – The Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Surrounded by the glory of Christmas, we have a chilling reminder of the reason why the Lord came into our world. Fueled by rage, jealousy, and hate, King Herod attempts to kill the Christ Child by having every baby boy under two killed in the region around Bethlehem. The senseless violence strikes a chord in our hearts to protect life, inspiring us to proclaim the Prince of Peace in our world today.
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Photo Credit: La Stampa
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – St. John, Apostle & Evangelist
John’s testimony about Jesus as the Word of God provides us with an opportunity to reflect in this Octave of Christmas:
Study: Consider a time when you had to trust another person. What helped or hindered you to trust?
Pray: Is there a major decision in your life? As the Lord for guidance and direction.
Serve: Do you know someone who is searching for God? How can you help point them to Jesus?
Mass Readings – Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
This great feast of Mary flows from the heart of the Christmas story. Jesus, like us in all things except sin, had a mother who reflected on the great events that had happened in her life. She witnessed how God was at work, and she took time to ponder…even as she held baby Jesus in her arms.
Mary’s trust in the Lord inspires us to turn to God in our need and live the gift of our faith. Like Mary, we can reflect upon the Lord’s goodness in our own lives and express with gratitude what God has done for us.
What’s more, as Mary brought forth Jesus into the world we, too, can continue Christ’s saving work as we proclaim the Good News today. Our words and actions can point others to Jesus Christ, directing those in our lives to trust in the Lord’s mercy and love.
May Mary’s example strengthen our faith and empower us to live it with joy. As we reflect on what God has done in our lives, may we express with gratitude the graces we have received as we put them into practice.
Mass Readings for Christmas
The Christmas story touches our hearts and gets past our defenses. Why? Because babies evoke a loving response! God’s love story with humanity helps us see how the Lord – in taking on our human form – helps us to draw near through the gentleness of an infant. May the Christ child take us by the hand and lead us this Christmas to embrace our faith and give glory to God through the gift of our lives.
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This painting held my attention at the Uffizi for several minutes, and I consider it one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Enjoy!
Adoration of the Child, Honthorst, 1619-1620, Uffizi, Florence, Italy.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 4th Week of Advent
Zechariah’s canticle of praise reveals both the work of John the Baptist and the glory of the Lord. God continues to work in our world; may this Christmas renew our faith as we do our part to share the Good News with one another.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
