Jesus responds to a stressed-out Martha and teaches us that those who pause to listen to him have chosen the better part.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 27th Week of the Year
***************
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
Tag Archives: Listening
Daily Mass: Listening to Jesus. Catholic Inspiration
The image of Martha’s sister, Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to his words inspires us to draw near to the Lord in silence and let His grace fill our hearts.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 27th Week of the Year
Share this:
23rd Sunday of the Year: Tough messages to deliver, and tough ones to receive. Catholic Inspiration
As disciples of Jesus Christ, there are tough messages that sometimes we are called to deliver, and sometimes we are called to receive. Through honesty, humility and love we open our hearts to encounter the transforming power of the Lord’s grace in these difficult moments.
Mass Readings – 23rd Sunday of the Year
***************
Share this:
Daily Mass: Hearing the voice of God. Catholic Inspiration
As Elijah waits for the Lord he encounters many powerful and turbulent forces, but he recognizes God’s presence in a whispering sound. May his experience remind us to cultivate a listening heart as we seek the Lord in our lives.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 10th Week of the Year
***************
Share this:
Daily Mass: Practical advice from the Letter of James. Catholic Inspiration
The Letter of James offers some rich insight into speech, anger and action. May we take a moment to reflect on these areas of our lives as we discern how our faith can guide us.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 6th Week of the Year
***************
Share this:
16th Sunday of the Year: How the Lord meets us
Study: Consider a profound moment when you felt God’s presence. What made this possible?
Pray: Are you feeling drawn toward a certain activity or task? Ask the Lord for guidance.
Serve: What types of service do you find most rewarding? How does helping others lead you to Christ?
Mass Readings – 16th Sunday of the Year
Here’s a quick overview of the readings this week:
- 1st Reading – Abraham recognizes the Lord in the three visitors
- Psalm – “who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord”
- 2nd Reading – Through suffering we participate in the life of Christ
- Gospel – Martha & Mary
One way to reflect on these verses is to see how the Lord meets us in the pattern of daily life. Consider:
- Hospitality – serving others
- Justice – standing up for what is right, true, and good
- Suffering – caring for those in need, and bearing our own pain as well
- Listening – pausing from our labors to hear the Lord in our lives
We understand that our relationship with God touches multiple aspects of our lives, such as prayer, sacraments, relationships, work, and recreation. The invitation today encourages us to see with our hearts how the Lord is present to us in the current moment.
Does it mean that we serve with a joyful heart? That we swiftly respond to injustice? That we compassionately care for others? That we stop and “smell the roses” in moments of rest & renewal, beauty & blessing? In all these ways we are led back to the Lord, recognizing the gifts God gives us with a grateful heart.
How is God present in your life right now? May our response bring us closer to Christ and one another.
***************
***************
Note: This post was first published on July 11, 2016.
Share this:
Daily Mass: Speaking boldly and listening attentively. Catholic Inspiration
The disciple Apollos was boldly speaking about Jesus when he encountered other disciples who took him aside and fostered his faith. Throughout our lives we are called to speak and listen as we grow closer to the Lord.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter
***************
Share this:
Daily Mass: What are we listening to? Catholic Inspiration
Not everyone listened to the words of Jesus, and like the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum we have the opportunity to take the message of Christ to heart…or experience the natural consequences that result.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 26th Week of the Year
***************
Share this:
Daily Mass: Do we hear and understand the Word of God? Catholic Inspiration
Hearing a message is not enough; we are called to listen and then respond with understanding. The difference is great and the Lord points out the distinction in the Gospel parable today.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 16th Week of the Year
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
31st Sunday of the Year: Lessons in listening.
Study: Name someone who was a good mentor to you, someone you trusted and listened to. What did they say that spoke to your heart?
Pray: What lessons is the Lord putting in your life today? Pray for the grace to hear what God offers.
Serve: Do you know someone who is dealing with a tough situation? How can you help them listen and act with the gift of God’s grace?
Mass Readings – 31st Sunday of the Year
Let’s begin with an overview of the readings,
- 1st Reading – Listen to God, or suffer a curse!
- Psalm – “In you, Lord, I have found my peace.”
- 2nd Reading – The word of God we hear is at work within our hearts.
- Gospel – Listen to those in authority, but watch out for what they do.
How do we learn? How do we integrate life long lessons and grow? The process generally works in two steps. First, we listen – absorbing new information and teasing out ideas, concepts, distinctions, and insights. Second, we apply our learning through action as we internalize the information and use it in our daily experiences.
In the first reading the prophet Malachi speaks bluntly: we are called to hear God’s word, take it to heart and apply it to our lives. This is particularly pressing for the priests to whom these words are directed. They are the examples and teachers of the people.
The Psalmist helps us keep our focus. In the midst of the distractions and frenzy that can surface in our lives we turn to the Lord as the source of inner peace. When our soul is longing for calm, serenity and gentleness we turn once again to Jesus Christ.
St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they received the word of God, and this hearing occurred through the gentle and loving example of others. Now it is their turn to pass on the gift of faith through the example of their lives.
Finally, Jesus distinguishes between the teaching and example of the scribes and Pharisees. The people are called to listen closely to what they say, but be very guarded in following their example. The point: the lessons we take to heart must be rooted in the Lord.
So today…what’s the message that God offers you? What do you need to hear? Through prayer, Scriptures, sacraments, fellowship and daily life we continue to encounter life-long lessons in faith. Our invitation is to listen, and then put it into practice.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Three Great Things 