Mass Readings – Friday of the 32nd Week of the Year
Life happens. Sometimes we can get caught up in the cycle of our routine, only to find that everything can change in the blink of an eye. Jesus reminds his disciples that the Son of Man will appear when least expected – empowering us to live each day as if it is our last, taking nothing for granted as we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord.
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Mass Readings – Thursday of the 32nd Week of the Year
Jesus exhorts the disciples not to go looking for the Kingdom of God “here or there,” but recognize that in Him the Kingdom is already present. Our task? To live for Christ here on earth so that we are ready to greet him in Heaven.
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Photo credit: “Head of Christ” by Richard Hook
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 32nd Week of the Year
10 lepers were healed by Jesus and delivered from their horrible illness by his divine power. Only one came back to say thanks – a foreigner – and his example inspires us to practice gratitude for the moments of grace we receive throughout our daily lives.
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Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 32nd Week of the Year
What does it mean to follow Jesus Christ? As his disciples we draw near to the one who has given us everything: life, redemption, eternal life and communion with God and one another. What’s more, we follow the Lord’s example – serving one another – as the primary mode by which share God’s gifts.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: Consider a moment when you were held accountable to a task. What did it feel like?
Pray: Is there something that needs to be attended to in your life? Ask the Lord for guidance to carry it out.
Serve: How can offer support to someone who is working through a challenging task right now?
Mass Readings – 33rd Sunday of the Year
On this last weekend of Ordinary Time we have some interesting readings to consider.
Our faith assures us that the world will one day come to an end. This is not meant to scare us, but rather to guide us with the knowledge that our lives have meaning and purpose as we prepare in this life for the life to come. Furthermore, when we die we understand that there will be an accounting of how we lived the precious and holy gift of life.
It’s this notion of being accountable that I suggest as a reflection today. The Book of Proverbs extols the virtues of a hard working and compassionate wife, reminding the reader that “charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting.” What lives on are the virtues, prayers, gifts of the Spirit and graces which God pours into our hearts which we share with one another.
And while we know that there will be a Day of Reckoning, we do not know the hour; this insights reminds us to follow St. Paul’s advice to be “sober and alert” each and every day – ready and eager for the Lord’s return.
What’s more, when that day comes, we will be judged with the awareness of our own unique situation. Like the three servants in the Gospel, we have all been given different talents, opportunities, resources and skills. It is neither a comparison nor a contest; rather, we will each be judged by how we worked and waited with what God put into our lives.
The invitation today: Are we prepared for the Lord’s return? Have we attended to our duties and tasks, or do we have unfinished business? Are there situations that require our attention and care? Sooner or later, the Lord will come…may he find us ready and waiting.
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Mass Readings – 32nd Sunday of the Year
Wisdom – the ability to see the big picture – is a quality that helps us experience life to the fullest. Through prayer, reflection and action we can open our hearts to this gift of the Holy Spirit and offer our lives for one another.
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Mass Readings – Saturday of the 31st Sunday of the Year (St. Martin of Tours)
Trust is an essential ingredient in our relationships, and Jesus reveals two key concepts that help us become more trustworthy with the Lord and one another.
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Mass Readings – Friday of the 31st Week of the Year (St. Leo the Great)
A lazy steward is praised by Jesus. Why? Because he worked hard and made sacrifices, reminding us that sometimes we can be more eager about earthly things than eternal ones. May we hustle and work hard for the praise of God in Heaven.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Ezekiel and the Psalmist show how the temple is a source of living water that brings forth life; Jesus speaks of his own body as a temple, and as his followers we discover that we are built upon Christ as the great foundation. May we work together to continue to proclaim the building up of God’s kingdom here on earth as we serve the Church which Christ founded.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 31st Week of the Year
Paul reminds us in the Letter to the Romans that the commandment to love our neighbor both sums up and fulfills the law. Now all we have to do is live it each and every day.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 