As the Lord explains the parable of the weeds and the wheat to the disciples, we are are reminded in a vivid way that our lives are accountable to the God.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 17th Week of the Year
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Tag Archives: Jesus Christ
18th Sunday of the Year: Beware of greed
Study: Are there situations in life where you find greed present? Ask yourself what is the source of this excessive hunger for more.
Pray: Call upon the Lord for the grace to use your resources wisely.
Serve: How can you be generous with your life today?
Mass Readings – 18th Sunday of the Year
The Lord cautions us to “guard against all greed” in the Gospel today, yet another reminder of the timeless power of our faith to speak to the human heart. Let’s take a moment to break down some common aspects of greed:
- Self-centered, focusing on “what I want”
- Excessive, always wanting more
- Applies to a wide variety of human wants – money, fame, power, food, etc.
Greed disregards the needs of others as the individual focuses entirely on self. Seeking more and more, it pushes other things aside in a quest to acquire. And while we often associate greed with money, the Lord’s warning against all forms of greed is apt…we can be greedy about so many things!
So what’s the cure? How do we combat greed in our lives? Here are some key ingredients:
- Gratitude – being thankful for what we have
- Contentment – seeing the blessings in our lives
- Stewardship – using wisely the resources in our care
- Generosity – sharing the gifts of life with those in need
- Prayer – fostering our relationship with God, the source of all gifts
By weaving these elements into our lives we cultivate a perspective that sees all resources as gifts from God that are to be used wisely and well. We have been richly blessed by the Lord! May we live and share our lives in such a way that Christ’s love shines through all that we do.
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Note: This post was first published on July 25, 2016.
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17th Sunday of the Year: Drawing close to the Lord and one another. Catholic Inspiration
Our relationships with the Lord and one another form the foundation for all our interactions and accomplishments. In good times and bad, we build up these connections, recognizing the crucial need to keep them vibrant and strong.
Mass Readings – 17th Sunday of the Year
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Daily Mass: The weeds and the wheat. Catholic Inspiration
The Lord’s parable of the weeds and the wheat makes it clear that at the end of time there will be an accountability of good and evil. May we be inspired to be counted among the wheat!
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 16th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Jesus explains the parable of the sower. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus explains the parable of the sower to his disciples and unlocks for us the insights we need to confront our challenges and engage our faith.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 16th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Can you drink from the cup? Catholic Inspiration
As James and John were striving for places of honor while the other Apostles were indignant, Jesus uses the situation to teach that the call of his disciples comes from offering oneself for service…even to the point of suffering out of love for others.
Mass Readings – Feast of James, Apostle
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Daily Mass: Christ is the sower and the seed for our hearts. Catholic Inspiration
The parable of the sower and the seed reminds us that there are many obstacles that seek to prevent us from following the Lord. May we cultivate our hearts so that Christ may raise up a rich harvest.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 16th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Jesus claims us as part of his family. Catholic Inspiration
The Lord teaches that those who do the will of his Heavenly Father are part of his family. May we claim this relationship as we put into practice our faith in Jesus Christ!
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 16th Week of the Year
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17th Sunday of the Year: The beauty and power of relationships
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Study: Think about a best friend or cherished family member. What qualities do you find particularly precious?
Pray: Is there a relationship in your life in need of healing? Ask the Lord for grace, wisdom, and guidance to make it happen.
Serve: Is there a relationship in your life that needs to be renewed? What can you do to strengthen the connection?
Mass Readings – 17th Sunday of the Year
A thumbnail sketch of the readings this week looks something like this:
- 1st Reading – Abraham haggles with God over the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah
- Psalm – “Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.”
- 2nd Reading – We were buried in baptism and risen with Christ through his Cross
- Gospel – The Lord’s prayer, a friend & neighbor, and a father & son
In all of these readings we see the power of relationships at work touching hearts and changing lives. We are not meant to walk through this life (or the next) alone; rather, God calls us into communion and invites us to deepen the connections we have with the Lord and one another. Looking at it this way, the readings point out that a relationship with God makes many things possible:
- Abraham pleads and negotiates with God to try to save the people.
- The Psalmist proclaims the Lord’s help in time of trial.
- Our baptism connects us to Christ’s saving death & resurrection.
- We can call God “father” and request, give, and seek for what we need.
Our relationship with the Lord is made possible through Jesus. For remember, God makes it possible for us to draw near, and God invites us to enter into this very unequal relationship to raise us up as the Lord’s sons & daughters. We’ve been “allowed in” to this intimate and tender connection with Christ.
And thus we are called to strengthen our relationships in two distinct ways – with the Lord and with the people in our lives. That means we are called to consider how we might spend a little quality time building and strengthening our connections. With the Lord that means Prayer, Sacraments, Service, and a Call to Holiness. With other people it means forgiveness, charity, “wasting time” with loved ones in wholesome recreation, and seeking to bring out the best in one another.
And if something is wounded or broken…if a relationship is in need of healing – then ask the Lord for the grace to make it happen! Remember: the Lord calls us into relationships. May we take the gift of today to strengthen these connections in our lives.
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Note: This post was first published on July 18, 2019.
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16th Sunday of the Year: Focus on the one important thing. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus reminds Martha that only one thing is important, and her sister Mary has found it as she drew near to the Lord. May Christ be the center and priority of our lives as well!
Mass Readings – 16th Sunday of the Year
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- 4th Sunday of Easter - Following Christ is a matter of life and death
- Daily Mass: The Feast of St. Mark
- Daily Mass: The conversion of St. Paul
- Daily Mass: A practical guide to sharing the Good News
- Daily Mass: The Church thrives in the face of persecution
- Daily Mass: The martyrdom of St. Stephen
- Daily Mass: God gives us strength and peace
- Study, Pray, Serve: 4th Sunday of Easter
- 3rd Sunday of Easter: Christ meets us where we are and leads us
- Daily Mass: Our service of others reveals our love for Jesus
Three Great Things 