St. Paul reminds the Romans that in both living and dying we are the Lord’s. We, too, owe everything we have to God…and how we face life, death and eternal life will reveal to others our desire to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 31st Week of the Year
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The Psalm Response inspires us to help one another with a kind and gracious heart. As we determine what we can do today, may we also decide how to do it in a manner worthy of Jesus.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 31st Week of the Year
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St. Paul inspires the Romans to use the God-given gifts they have received for one another. What’s your gift? How will you use what the Lord has lavished upon you?
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 31st Week of the Year
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Study: What comes to mind when you think of Heaven? Have you or someone you know ever had a near-death experience? How does thinking of Heaven shape how you live your life?
Pray: Is there something that is keeping you away from God? Take time to pray and consider receiving the Sacrament of Confession.
Serve: Are there any tasks that you have neglected that would cause hardship to others if you died suddenly? What steps can you take to make sure that you are ready when the Lord calls you home?
Mass Readings – 32nd Sunday of the Year
Both the 1st Reading and the Gospel point to the resurrection of the dead. In the Second Book of Maccabees we hear how those who are tortured for their faith find hope in the resurrection to eternal life, and in the Gospel of Luke Jesus teaches the Sadducees that the dead will rise.
To talk about heaven is not some sort of “pie in the sky” thinking. We look to this world – where we experience birth, life and death – as a pilgrim progress. We are travelers passing through, confident that there is more to the journey when death comes our way.
This understanding of the resurrection of the dead is thus both a consolation and a challenge. As a consolation we have hope! We seek to love and know the Lord in this life so that we are prepared to be with him forever in heaven. Life on earth leads to the eternal; we find that our longings in this world point toward a fulfillment that comes in the next chapter of our story.
Yet the challenge is also real. Will we be prepared at the hour of our death? Will we look upon the face of Jesus with love, or will shame, fear, sin and vice drive us away? For in the end all will be fully known: either we will run to the Lord to seek his mercy for our sins, or we will run away because we see our sins as insurmountable obstacles.
The Church Fathers used the image of Holy Fire as a fitting example. When we are called from this life we will stand before the burning fire of God’s love. The elect will draw near to this fire for warmth (and very possibly) a cleansing that burns away all impurities. The damned will simply burn up…unable to receive the mercy and grace. Why? Because they did not acknowledge their sins and accept God’s mercy and forgiveness during their journey on earth.
As we head toward the end of the Liturgical Year and the Extraordinary Year of Mercy, I invite all of us to ponder life, death and resurrection – seeking the Lord’s saving grace in this life so that we are prepared to meet Jesus Christ in the eternal life to come.
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Note: This post was first published on October 31, 2016.
The Last Judgment, Michelangelo, 1536-1541, Sistine Chapel, Rome. Photo credit: Dennis Jarvis.
In the Gospel of Luke we see how Jesus initiates the encounter with Zaccheus (who looks ridiculous climbing a tree because he is so short) and invites this past sinner to become forever changed. Zaccheus swiftly accepts this invitation, inspiring us to accept God’s invitation in our lives as well!
Mass Readings – 31st Sunday of the Year
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On this Feast of All Souls we remember our beloved dead, and we hold on to the words of hope that are proclaimed through the Scripture readings. May we pray for those who have gone before us: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them! May they rest in peace!
Mass Readings – The commemoration of All Souls
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Do you want to be a saint? Saints are not passive persons parked on a cloud with a harp; saints are redeemed sinners who have hearts filled with the love of Christ who share that love with joy in Heaven. This is what God calls us to…this is what we are made for! Do you want to be a saint?
Mass Readings – Solemnity of All Saints
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St. Paul reminds the people of Rome that our spiritual battles are fought with the Lord by our side, and nothing can overcome God’s strength. May the Lord’s grace encourage us to face the challenges before us this day!
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 30th Week of the Year
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The Psalm response reminds us that our hope is not founded in our strength, our wealth or our abilities…it is founded upon the mercy of God. May this mercy give us the wisdom to turn to the Lord for our needs this day!
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 30th Week of the Year
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Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God starts small but over time grows larger and is transformed. The same is true for our spiritual journey, reminding us to take the small steps we need to do today to become the disciples the Lord calls us to be.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 30th Week of the Year
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 