The end of today’s passage from the Gospel of Luke offers a powerful reminder: we are called to live the blessing of our lives to the fullest extent. What’s more, we will be judged, not in comparison to others, but in comparison to the gifts that God has placed within us.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 29th Week of the Year
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The Lord exhorts the disciples to be ready and prepared. Each day is a precious gift, calling us to be present to the people in our lives as we strive to take care of any unfinished business. That way, when the Master calls, we will be quick to respond.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 29th Week of the Year
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Study: Where have you seen signs of God’s grace at work in your life? How did it change you?
Pray: Are there people or circumstances in your life that are wounded or hurting? Pray for healing power!
Serve: Do you see someone in need? How can you help them?
Mass Readings – 30th Sunday of the Year
The readings this week reveal a common theme of divine power:
Throughout these scriptures the Lord comes with dynamic energy: liberating, saving, healing and redeeming. This is Good News! In the midst of the challenges and struggles of human life we find Jesus coming to us – meeting us where we are – with the transformative power of his grace.
With this power in mind, I would suggest two points for consideration this week:
Let’s start with receiving. Where in my life am I wounded, hurting, or helpless? Do I identify with Bartimaeus, calling upon the Lord for pity? If so, our prayer (in private and at Mass) can be directed to heaven…asking for the grace we need to keep going.
Giving means we allow the Lord’s power to work through us. Giving requires that we see the needs of those around us, determine a proper response, and act in a manner worthy of Christ. We become the Lord’s hands and feet in service to others; our words speak encouragement and hope.
God continues to work with power in our world today, giving us all the opportunity to open our hearts to the endless grace of Christ. May we draw near to the Lord with confidence and allow his strength to work through us as we touch the hearts of those we meet.
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Note: This post was first published on October 20, 2015.
Jesus offers some key insights regarding what it means to be his witness in the world. What we do matters, and even in our darkest moments we can call upon the Holy Spirit for what we need.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 28th Week of the Year
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We have been chosen by God to offer our lives for service in the world. Our actions will be unique to our own particular qualities, gifts, talents and opportunities…but when we do so the Lord will take our offering and bless it with power.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 28th Week of the Year (Brebeuf, Jogues and Companions)
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As Jesus sends out the seventy-two disciples, he charges them with specific tasks of preaching, healing and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Like those first disciples, we participate in the ministry of Christ every time we use our gifts and talents for the glory of God.
Mass readings – Thursday of the 28th Week of the Year (St. Luke)
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Paul speaks of the “Fruits of the Spirit” in his letter to the Galatians. These nine virtues flourish in our hearts when we are in right relationship with God and one another, and they become powerful signs to guide our actions each and every day.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 28th Week of the Year (St. Ignatius of Antioch)
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Jesus offers a rebuke in the Gospel today with the insight that almsgiving is powerful way we can foster our spiritual life.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 28th Week of the Year
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Study: Consider an experience of suffering in your life. What lessons did you learn? How did you change and grow?
Pray: Many people carry heavy crosses every day…pray for them that they find the strength and grace they need.
Serve: Many people carry heavy crosses every day…how can you help them?
Mass Readings – 29th Sunday of the Year
The readings today weave together around some common themes:
Let’s start with Jesus. The Lord’s mission included not only teaching and healing, but was most clearly articulated in his death and resurrection for the life of the world. Christ died for our sins – taking our place by his suffering on the Cross for the evil we have done. His resurrection blazes a trail for us that leads to Heaven.
It is crucial to note that suffering is the path, not the goal. God the Father did not choose Jesus to suffer out of a desire for pain, but to bridge the gap between the human and divine. The Lord is the High Priest whose suffering draws near to a wounded and broken humanity. Like us in all things but sin, Jesus embraces us as he stretched out his hands on the Cross.
The victory of the Resurrection reveals suffering as the doorway, a path that when taken purges and cleanses, through which Christ has passed to break the bonds of sin and death. Suffering does not end in suffering; it leads to a freedom in Christ that is filled with grace, mercy, and peace.
This message has elements of consolation and challenge for us today. The consolation? We look to Christ for our redemption – turning to the Lord whose saving death and resurrection give us eternal life.
The challenge? We are called to face our suffering, recognizing in the crosses of our lives the path of redemption that God sets before us. In other words, we drink from the cup of Christ’s suffering – but we do it with conviction, faith, and hope.
The suffering we face today is part of our transformation as disciples. We engage the challenges of this life, not because we welcome pain, but because we see God’s hand at work in our struggles to purify our hearts and desires. Through this process we offer our lives, following the example of Jesus Christ to bring life to those in our midst.
Drink from the cup. Consider the sufferings of today as an offering to the Lord – given out of love that our lives might be transformed into the image and likeness of Christ!
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La crucifixion, Philippe de Champaigne; 1644-1646, 800 x 600 pixels.
Note: This post was first published on October 13, 2015.
The Book of Wisdom beautiful describes a life where God is preferred above all else. For when we place the Lord first in our lives, then the rest of our lives becomes focused, balanced and fulfilled.
Mass Readings – 28th Sunday of the Year
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 