The readings state plainly the hostility and difficulty we often find in lives. Sometimes the battle is outside ourselves, and sometimes it is within. Yet as we fight our battles, we constantly use our most powerful weapon: the grace we receive through our faith in Jesus Christ!
Mass Readings – 25th Sunday of the Year
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Remember when you had to “show your work” in math class? You had the answer in the back of the book, but you still needed to do demonstrate that you understood the concepts and complete the hard work. Same is true for the life of faith!
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 24th Week of the Year
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The Lord invites Matthew with a simple invitation, “Follow me.” May his example inspire us to listen to the Lord’s call in our lives and respond with joy.
Mass Readings – St. Matthew, Apostle
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The woman who approaches Jesus meets no barriers or obstacles; instead she encounters the grace and mercy of the Messiah. May we look to the Lord in our need and trust in the power of his love.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 24th Week of the Year
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The Lord’s power over life and death in the Gospel of Luke reminds us that Jesus is the Christ and Messiah. May we let his grace transform our hearts.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 24th Week of the Year
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Study: Recall a time when you were overwhelmed by difficulty. What got you through it?
Pray: Call upon the Lord for the courage and strength to face your challenges.
Serve: Is there someone you know who is struggling? How can you offer your support?
Mass Readings – 25th Sunday of the Year
Don’t you wish life would always be easy? Wouldn’t it be great if challenges and obstacles disappeared with a simple thought? What’s more, how about if evil, darkness, fear, and violence would vanish from the face of the earth?
I know: I will now wake up from my pleasant dream. Since the dawn of creation evil and sin have been part of our world, and for this very reason Jesus Christ died and rose. The death and resurrection of the Lord confronts the darkness and shines with the light of faith.
As Christians we can thus recognize two fundamental principles:
Simply put, this means that we have hope in the face of difficulty. God continues to give grace and strength, empowering us to face our fears and engage life with the faith to continue in the presence of adversity. We know that life is hard; we know that with the Lord’s help we can carry on.
Where do you find darkness and evil in your life right now? Where do the difficulties and obstacles present themselves? Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge these pitfalls and recognize how they tempt and distract us.
For the minute we understand our struggles, we are equipped with the knowledge to petition the Lord for the help we need. What’s more, as we understand the struggles of those around us, we can reach out with love of Christ to support one another with sincerity and genuine assistance.
May we honestly confront the challenges of life, trusting in the Lord for the grace we need.
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Note: This post was first published on September 15, 2015.
The Scriptures touch upon a common theme: responding with faith in a time of trial. Isaiah, James, and Peter all face difficult moments, and in their responses we can examine our own lives and consider how we draw upon our faith when life tests us.
Mass Readings – 24th Sunday of the Year
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The crucifixion of Jesus reveals the depth of God’s love as Christ endured suffering and anguish which connects with all aspects of human cruelty, evil and sin. Furthermore, in the light of the Cross we can face the crosses of our own lives with hope: for just as Jesus was victorious over his Cross, the Lord will help us carry our own.
Mass Readings – The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
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Loving other people sounds like a wonderful thing…until we encounter a situation that is hostile, antagonistic, and angry. Yet when we strive to love others in these painful situations we find ourselves drawing near to Jesus, who teaches us to love our enemies and gives us the grace to do so.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 23rd Week of the Year
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Light comes from many sources and is crucial for our gift of sight. Fr. Andrew invites the Cathedral School kids to consider how to let the light of Jesus shine in their hearts and out into the world.
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