The Lord teaches about the Kingdom of God using parables that explain that it is a process that starts out small. May these words give us strength to take the next step in our spiritual journey!
Mass Readings – Friday of the 3rd Week of the Year
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Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God is among us. Our task is not to go chasing around looking for the Lord, but rather to live as his disciples as we apply our faith to every aspect of our lives.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 32nd Week of the Year
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Study: Recall a time of profound change and growth in your life. What helped you become better?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the grace to face difficult challenges and embrace them.
Serve: Who in your life is confronting change right now? How can you help them?
Mass Readings – 11th Sunday of the Year
First, let’s take a quick summary of the key themes in the readings this week:
Now that June is in full swing the color green is flourishing across the upper Midwest. Summer delights the eye with growth and life, and from my view along the shore of Lake Superior this is most evident in the beauty of trees.
I have walked Wisconsin forests my entire life, and I find a peace and serenity among the grandeur and power of trees. They anchor the soil, provide habitat for wildlife, shade for the weary, and a renewable resource for humanity’s handiwork.
Yet for the majesty of trees, they all start small – from a pine cone or an acorn, a “helicopter” seed or a shoot – massive trees have humble, tender beginnings.
Just like our faith.
We know from our own experience that all good things take time and effort to develop; growth and change occur through new encounters. The process reminds us of two key points:
In the first point we recognize opportunity and growth; in the second point we face obstacles with hope that these challenges will teach us new insights. Growth and change are part of life. What’s more, this change almost always begins from a small and humble beginning.
Where in your life do you have opportunities to grow? Where do you see challenges that will require new ways of thought and action? Take time to seek the Lord – to start small like a little seed – and grow in these moments into a new creation, guided and empowered to become more fully alive.
Now matter where we are in the journey of faith, may we open our hearts to God’s grace as we grow in faith, hope, and love as disciples of Jesus Christ!
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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 – Tuesday of the 30th Week of the Year
Like a mustard seed and some yeast, the Kingdom of God grows and transforms into something entirely new. What’s more, this process happens as we offer our lives…following the example of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
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Mass Readings – Thursday of the 26th Week of the Year
Jesus sends out 72 disciples – in pairs, trusting on God’s providence and facing tough struggles – so that they can proclaim the Kingdom of God. Nehemiah and Ezra remind the people of Israel not to forget the Lord. The Church needs both: we come to know God so that we might invite others to know the Lord as well.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Friday of the 24th Week of the Year
Names remind us that we are unique persons, made and redeemed by God. The names of the three women in the Gospel today reveal that the Lord continues to call disciples who will go out and proclaim the Good News.
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