The reading from the Second Letter to Timothy offers the exhortation to “stir into flame the gift of God” and live with conviction and courage. This gift is our Christian faith; and just as a tiny spark can produce a bonfire, so too, our faith can provide the spiritual spark that ignites our lives for service in the world as we draw near to the Lord and one another.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 9th Week of the Year
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Your life is a gift. Freely given by God, this treasure is meant to be shared and lived with a passionate conviction. May gratitude fill our hearts as we offer our lives to the Lord!
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 9th Week of the Year
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We remember the sacrifice and service of the men and women who have served our country. May this observance help us to count the blessings we have received and live the gift of freedom with conviction and dedication.
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Study: Where in my life have I discovered God’s strength and grace? How have others helped me?
Pray: Where do I need God’s strength right now? Call upon the Lord with boldness to face the challenges of life.
Serve: How can I be an instrument of God’s strength to another? How can I help someone today?
I can only imagine the surge of excitement that went through the disciples as the word was shared. Beyond the agony of the Cross and the sorrow of the Tomb on that first day of the week the message was proclaimed: He’s Alive!
And everything changes. This group of disciples – bound by fear and selfishness – are transformed with a new strength and conviction. Their encounter with the Risen Lord will empower them to face the obstacles of this world with joy and hope. They have seen the risen Christ…what is there to fear? They have embraced the one who has conquered sin and death – there is NOTHING that can shake their confidence in the light of Easter morning.
This same strength comes to us. Like the first disciples, we can turn to Jesus and allow his saving grace to renew us with a strength far beyond our own. We can claim a hope that sustains us in the midst of our challenges and struggles. The Easter sunrise brings light to the darkest corners of our hearts.
What in our lives needs to be touched by Jesus Christ? We are invited to boldly come forward, receive his resurrection strength, and face whatever this world presents with confidence: the victory of Christ enlivens us to travel through life with the conviction that the grace he gave his disciples continues in our hearts today.
May this Easter season be a time of transformation and renewal; a time where we embrace the gift of our lives with a new freedom and conviction. In the light of this Easter, may we follow the one who leads us from sin and death to the abundance of life…in this world, and the world to come.
Happy Easter!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Note: This post was originally published on March 29, 2015.
Jesus calls the Twelve disciples by name and empowers them for ministry. The Lord does the same for us! May we say yes and allow God’s grace to work through our imperfections so that we may serve others with the love of Christ.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 2nd Week of the Year
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Jesus cleanses a leper and restores his health and relationships. We, too, can look into our hearts, see what does not belong, and draw near to the Lord for the healing and restoration we require.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 1st Week of the Year
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The readings are filled with examples of God’s power, offering us hope, life and joy as we embrace the Lord’s grace in our lives. Where do we see Good News in our lives? How can we bring Good News to others? May these final days of Advent inspire us to live our faith!
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Advent
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