Mass Readings – Friday of the 15th Week of the Year
Speaking with the pharisees, Jesus offers an insight into God’s compassion and mercy when he says, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Today we have the opportunity to offer to Christ the gift of mercy as we lovingly respond to the weaknesses of those around us, as we claim the Lord’s mercy for ourselves.
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Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 15th Week of the Year
Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of Matthew that there are consequences for our actions that will take place in the final judgment. With this awareness in mind, we have the opportunity today to repent of our sins and turn to the Lord for his mercy and forgiveness.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: Consider your life right now. What is flourishing in your heart, and what needs to be pulled out?
Pray: Ask the Lord for wisdom to know how to grow in grace.
Serve: How might you be an example for another person? How might your work to root out sin inspire someone else to grow closer to the Lord?
Mass Readings – 16th Sunday of the Year
Several powerful themes surface in the readings this week.
A common pattern emerges from these themes as we discover that in the midst of injustice, sin, weakness and evil the Lord comes with justice, forgiveness, strength and power. Simply put, God gives us grace to confront the weeds in our lives.
So that begs the question: Where are the weeds in our hearts today? What struggle are we facing that requires the Lord’s mercy and love? Perhaps we might step back and pause this week to reflect on the state of our soul, so that we can honestly assess what is growing and what needs to go.
Jesus Christ knows our hearts and loves us unconditionally. As we look at the garden of our hearts may we trust that the one who knows us completely will help us root out what does not belong and help us grow as Sons and Daughters of God.
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Mass Readings – Thursday of the 13th Week of the Year
“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” As Jesus says these words to the paralytic we find that the mercy of Christ is greater than all our sins…and we are inspired to draw near to the one who loves us completely.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Photo Credit: Jesus of Nazareth, 1977.
Mass Readings – The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
The feast of the Sacred Heart of the Jesus celebrates the love of God for the whole world. Without limit or boundary, the Lord’s love for us is unconditional and offers us the opportunity to both receive and share this love with one another.
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Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 11th Week of the Year
“Love your enemies” may be one of the toughest teachings of Jesus. Sometimes to seek the best in those who are opposed to us is possible only through the grace of God. If that’s the case, then today is a good day to pray for that grace!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: Consider a time when you had to confront evil. How did your faith in Christ give you strength?
Pray: Is there a difficult situation in your life right now? Ask the Lord for wisdom and guidance.
Serve: Do you know someone who is struggling right now? How can you offer support?
Mass Readings – 12th Sunday of the Year
The readings this Sunday all come with an edge to them, signifying that there’s a lot at stake in a life of faith. Take a look:
These readings address the reality of sin and evil in our world. We know this reality through our experience, and whether through our own actions or the actions of others we recognize that the human heart has the capacity for sin.
Yet we also recognize that God’s grace is greater than the darkness. This is why Christ came into the world! Through the Lord’s cross and resurrection we have hope to call upon Heaven for the strength, courage and wisdom we need to face the challenges of life.
Have we sinned? Then we seek reconciliation and forgiveness. Have we been wounded by wickedness and evil? Then we call upon the Lord’s grace.
The triumph of Jesus Christ inspires us to follow the example of Jeremiah and Paul – acknowledging the Lord in this world so that we can be with Him in the next!
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Mass Readings – Saturday of the 10th Week of the Year
St. Paul reminds us that we live for the Lord, offering our lives as His ambassadors and sharing the love that we have received through a life of grace.
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Mass Readings – Thursday of the 10th Week of the Year
The Lord invites us to a higher standard as we reconcile our hearts with one another. May we examine our lives today and remove any obstacle that keeps our relationships from growing in God’s grace.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 9th Week of the Year
Today is my 20th anniversary as a priest! As I reflect on the Gospel reading today, I pray that each of us will live our Christian vocation to love the Lord and one another with all our heart!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 