God loves us. Plain and simple. Warts and all. God loves us and meets us where we are, not in polished perfection and immaculate attire, but in a humble manger as a displaced person. God loves us so much that he sent his Son to die and rise that we might have eternal life.
May we all drop to our knees at some point today and say thank you…
Merry Christmas, my friends!
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Have you ever tried to get a gift for “the person who has everything” and been frustrated in the process? Everything we have comes from God…everything! The Lord needs nothing from us, but asks for only one thing: a loving heart that reaches out to others.
Merry Christmas!
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Study: Recall a time when you were particular grateful for the gift of your family. What made the difference?
Pray: Reflect on the needs of your family. Thank the Lord for your blessings and offer your petitions for their needs.
Serve: How can you help someone in your family right now?
Mass Readings – The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Big or small, far-flung or close to home…we all come from a family. Sometimes our families are in better/worse places, depending on emotions, finances, relationships, illness, death, and a multitude of challenges and blessings that life can throw our way.
And while no family is perfect, every family provides opportunities for us to grow. Whether it is getting along, practicing forgiveness, being patient, working together, or dealing with the idiosyncrasies that are part of every human group…there is no place like family for teaching us lessons that are part of our journey to become the best version of ourselves.
The Holy Family faced plenty of blessings and burdens. Here are a few of the blessings:
But, then, there are some real burdens:
Clearly, this family is unlike any other; yet together they faced situations that are similar to many even today. They knew what it was like to be grateful for what they had, and they knew what it was like to face suffering and pain.
But there’s two points I want us to hold close:
What’s true for the Holy Family is true for our families! We have opportunities to work together, cooperating and uniting to strengthen the bonds within our families – and when we face challenges we call upon the Lord to give us the grace and strength we need to put faith into family, hope into our homes, and love into our lives.
May this season give us plenty of opportunities to work together with God’s grace in our families – the place where we have been located by the Lord to practice our “homework for holiness” as we journey through this life.
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Note: This post was first published on December 25, 2014.
Both St. Paul and St. Joseph respond to God’s call, but they do it in very different ways. Their examples reveal that the Lord offers many ways that we can offer our lives, based on our ability and talent. There is nothing to stop us…except ourselves.
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Advent
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Elizabeth was aware of God’s presence through both the baby in her womb and the woman at her door. May we actively seek the Lord’s presence in our lives…so that we are ready when we returns!
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Mary’s response to the Angel Gabriel offers us a powerful example of discipleship as she says “May it be done!” Her words inspire us to accept the Lord’s invitation today as we carry out our tasks in service of Jesus.
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As Zechariah hears the message of hope from the Angel Gabriel, he expresses his doubts. May his example help us to honestly confront our own struggles of faith as we turn toward the Lord.
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St. Joseph responds to the Angel Gabriel with swift and silent action. His response to God’s call inspires us to look for opportunities to put our faith into daily practice.
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The Gospel of Matthew recounts the genealogy of Jesus, showing us the times of blessing and sin within the Lord’s extended family. This list gives us hope, as God continues to work in our own families today.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent
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Study: Consider a time when you received great news. How did it change you?
Pray: Is there some way that you can share your life? Ask God for guidance and strength.
Serve: Do you see an opportunity to make a difference with your life? Act on it!
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Advent
“God is with us!” The name Emmanuel signifies to Joseph that the child of Mary will bring the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation. We are not alone…God is with us.
How do we live that great message? Does it shape our lives? Redefine our words and actions? Fill us with hope, life, peace, and joy? Does it inspire us to love one another, forgive one another, and dedicate our lives to healing the woundedness and division that are present in our world?
God is with us. Rejoice! God is with us. Repent! God is with us. Live each day as the precious and sacred gift that it is – given to us by God.
Joseph took the words of the angel to heart and cooperated with God’s plan of grace. May we live this day, aware of what God has done for us, and ready to make the most of this wondrous gift of life.
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Note: This post was first published on December 12, 2016.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 