Jesus comments on the lack of faith he witnesses in his native place. This passage gives us a reason to pause and reflect on our faith, pondering how we might grow in our relationship with Christ.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 4th Week of the Year
***************
The Lord heals two people in the Gospel of Mark, inviting us to acknowledge our wounds and turn to Christ with trusting faith.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 4th Week of the Year
***************
Study: Recall a moment where you felt that God was prompting you to action. What motivated you to act? What held you back?
Pray: What grace do you need to carry out your current tasks? Storm heaven for the strength you require.
Serve: How can you make an ordinary action extraordinary? How can you do a little thing with great love?
Mass Readings – 5th Sunday of the Year
The readings incorporate the theme of being sent on mission:
In all these cases some common points surface:
These are beautiful thoughts as we sit on the doorstep of Lent! Friends, God continues to call us – providing grace – that we might respond and offer our lives for service in the world. So let’s turn these points around from our perspective:
May our words follow the example of Isaiah in the first reading today: Here am I, Lord…send me!
***************
***************
Note: This post was first published on February 2, 2016.
Like Jeremiah and Jesus, we experience times in life that are filled with tension and difficulty. Yet following the example of St. Paul, we face these challenging moments with God’s grace as we embrace and live the love of Christ each and every day.
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of the Year
***************
Mary and Joseph faithfully carry out their duty as parents as they present their son in the Temple, and they encounter two people – Simeon and Anna – who foretell the mighty deeds that will be done through this tiny child.
Mass Readings – The Presentation of the Lord
***************
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
***************
Jesus reminds us that not only does light reveal all hidden things, but that we are called to shine with the light of Christ in our daily lives.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 3rd Week of the Year
***************
The Lord’s parable (and explanation) remind us that Christ is not only the sower but the seed as well. God takes initiative and meets us in our hearts; how will we respond?
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 3rd Week of the Year
***************
The Lord teaches us that as our actions conform to God’s will we are drawn ever closer into Christ’s family. In other words, our relationships are strengthened the more we align our lives to Jesus Christ through our words and actions.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 3rd Week of the Year
***************
Study: Recall a time when you had to speak up in a difficult situation. How did you face it? What gave you strength to do it?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the grace to respond to challenging circumstances with love. Call upon the Holy Spirit for the gifts you need.
Serve: How can you support someone who is faced with a tough task right now? How can you help them?
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of the Year
Let’s start with a quick recap of the readings this week:
The first reading, psalm, and Gospel all refer to moments that challenge us. The prophets encountered it, the Psalmist sings about it, and the Lord himself met resistance and opposition to the message he proclaimed. But note this: in spite of the difficulty they did it.
Sometimes saying what needs to be said is unpleasant and unwelcome. We might want to avoid it or wish someone else could do it, but there are times in life when it’s up to us to deliver a tough message. We know what needs to be said…and that it’s up to us to speak.
The key is how we say it. How does our intention, our desire, and our tone convey a tough message? The answer is found in the second reading: Love. The love of Christ guides and directs every aspect of our lives – including those times when we are called to speak about a difficult topic.
This notion of “what” and “how” shows up repeatedly in the spiritual life:
Our faith calls us to confront the reality of life, particularly when things are tough. We need not fear engaging a difficult situation; rather, we draw on the love of Christ to guide us – both in what we say and how we say it – trusting that the Lord will provide us with the grace we need.
Let’s face it: Life is tough! But when the going gets tough, the tough get going…guided by God’s love.
****************
***************
Note: This post was first published on January 26, 2016.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 