Jesus uses the examples of seeds and yeast to demonstrate how God works in our world by starting small and growing strong over time.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 17th Week of the Year
Tag Archives: kingdom of God
Daily Mass: The Kingdom of Heaven grows from a tiny seed. Catholic Inspiration
Daily Mass: We start small to grow big. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God starts small but over time grows larger and is transformed. The same is true for our spiritual journey, reminding us to take the small steps we need to do today to become the disciples the Lord calls us to be.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 30th Week of the Year
***************
Share this:
21st Sunday of the Year: God calls all the nations
Study: Consider a time when you were personally invited to participate in an event. How did it feel? How did you respond?
Pray: Is there a difficult situation or decision confronting you right now? Ask the Lord for guidance and wisdom.
Serve: Are there people in your life who are struggling to respond to a circumstance in life? How can you help them?
Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year
Here are some key points that surface in the readings this week:
- 1st Reading – The Lord comes “to gather nations of every language.”
- Psalm – “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.”
- 2nd Reading – Consider difficulties and trials as “discipline” in the faith.
- Gospel – People will come from east/west, north/south to recline in the Kingdom of God.
A crucial theme emerges from the first reading, psalm and Gospel around the global call to all nations to draw near to the kingdom of God. Language, race, color, and creed are not obstacles but rather variations of the diversity of God’s creation. Simply put, all people are called to draw near to the Lord. The invitation is open to everyone.
Of course, not everyone will listen and respond. Some will reject the message, others will get caught up in distractions, while still others will pursue things that are contrary to a life in Christ. Thus it is crucial to note that while all are invited, each person has the freedom to choose his or her own unique path in life.
The second reading to the Hebrews helps us to see the challenges of life as a form of discipline – where we face obstacles and grow stronger in God’s grace – which helps us grow as disciples. Here the focus is not that life will be easy, but rather that in our trials we draw closer to Jesus Christ and become more completely sons and daughters of God.
How is the Lord calling you today, and what will be your response? Where are the challenges in your life…and how will you respond? We recognize that God’s invitation and daily difficulties come to all of us. Today we reflect on how we respond to the Lord in a faithful, vibrant way.
***************
***************
Note: This post was first published on August 15, 2019.
Share this:
14th Sunday of the Year: God provides the strength for our service. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus empowers 72 disciples to go in pairs and continue his mission of preaching, healing and driving out evil. Facing opposition and hostility they return rejoicing at the power of God at work in their lives. May we be inspired to follow their example!
Mass Readings – 14th Sunday of the Year
***************
Share this:
Daily Mass: Two aspects of the Kingdom of God. Catholic Inspiration
After casting out a demon, Jesus responds to criticism with a teaching that illustrates the power and unity that flow from the Kingdom of God. It’s a good reminder for us today, for when we are united in Christ then we have the strength we need to face the evil in our lives.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 3rd Week of Lent
***************
Share this:
Daily Mass: Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God. Catholic Inspiration
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
***************
Share this:
Daily Mass: The Kingdom of God is among you. Catholic Inspiration
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
***************
Share this:
11th Sunday of the Year: Growth and change in the Kingdom of God
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:
- 1st Reading – The Lord plants a tree in Israel
- Psalm – “Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.”
- 2nd Reading – We aspire to please God, whether at home or far away
- Gospel – Jesus offers the parable of the mustard seed
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:
- We have daily opportunities to grow. Every day provides new ways for us to develop the gifts and talents God has given.
- We are works in progress. While we might lament that we are not where we want to be, we can face the challenges before us with the grace of Christ
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!
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Daily Mass: The Kingdom of God is among you. Catholic Inspiration
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.
*************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Photo credit: “Head of Christ” by Richard Hook
Share this:
Daily Mass: Starting small. Catholic Inspiration
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.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Three Great Things 