The response of John the Baptist offers us an insight into how we approach the Lord for our daily needs.
Mass Readings – January 2, 2019
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Tag Archives: Mass
The Epiphany of the Lord: The Light that blesses our Sight
Study: Reflect on a time when you clearly experienced God’s presence in your life. How were you guided?
Pray: Is there a challenging task confronting you today? Ask the Lord for the Light to find your way.
Serve: How can you be a Light for others? How can your life help others to see clearly?
The Epiphany of the Lord Readings
The Magi were guided by a star to Jerusalem. They were led by its light, and along the way inquired among the people where they might find the king and were thus directed to Bethlehem. I am struck by the two complementary components that were necessary for their journey: Light & Sight.
- Light: the star that blazed in the sky for all to see
- Sight: the effort of the Magi to use the Light to find their way.
Without light, sight is impossible. Without sight, the light is wasted. Many people saw the light of the star, but the Magi acted on it – seeking through a long journey to find the King of Kings.
God’s light continues to shine in our world today. Do we open our eyes and see with the gift of faith the wonders that the Lord sets before us? Make no mistake: we believe that Christ is present in the Eucharist, the Scriptures, and our fellowship “where two or three are gathered” in his name.
We are invited to follow the example of the Magi and seek the Lord in our lives – using our senses and resources to respond to the blessings we have have received. May we use our Sight to follow the Light!
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Note: This post was first published on December 29, 2015.
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Mary, Mother of God. Catholic Inspiration
She is the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. May the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary strengthen our desire to offer our hearts in loving service to her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – Mary, the Mother of God
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A Holy Family Resolution. Catholic Inspiration
The Holy Family faced the blessings and burdens of life with Christ in their lives. Jesus is present in our hearts, our homes…and our families. May we do all that we can to build up the relationships we have within our families, in preparation for when God unites us with our family in Heaven.
Mass Readings – Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
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Daily Mass: Seeing the face of Jesus. Catholic Inspiration
As Simeon sees the Christ Child he recognizes the Messiah and gives praise to God. As the Kingdom of Heaven continues to unfold here on earth, we have daily opportunities to seek out the face of Jesus in our lives and respond with joy and gratitude.
Mass Readings – 5th Day in the Octave of Christmas
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Daily Mass: The Holy Innocents, martyrs. Catholic Inspiration
The horrific massacre of the baby boys in Bethlehem echoes the heart wrenching evil witnessed throughout human history. Yet in the face of senseless violence and tragic evil, we hold fast to the hope that God’s justice and mercy will prevail through the power of the savior, Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – The Holy Innocents, martyrs
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Daily Mass: St. John the Apostle and Evangelist
Just as St. John announced the Word of God through his Gospel and Letters, we have a daily opportunity to testify to the Lord whenever we open our hearts to Christ and proclaim the Good News of Jesus.
Mass Readings – St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
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Daily Mass: St. Stephen, the first martyr. Catholic Inspiration
St. Stephen’s death serves as a sharp contrast from the glory Christ’s birth. Yet this contrast helps us engage in the spiritual battle that is part of our earthly life as we face our struggles with the grace of Jesus.
Mass Readings – Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr
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The Holy Family
Study: Recall a time when you were particular grateful for the gift of your family. What made the difference?
Pray: Reflect on the needs of your family. Thank the Lord for your blessings and offer your petitions for their needs.
Serve: How can you help someone in your family right now?
Mass Readings – The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Big or small, far-flung or close to home…we all come from a family. Sometimes our families are in better/worse places, depending on emotions, finances, relationships, illness, death, and a multitude of challenges and blessings that life can throw our way.
And while no family is perfect, every family provides opportunities for us to grow. Whether it is getting along, practicing forgiveness, being patient, working together, or dealing with the idiosyncrasies that are part of every human group…there is no place like family for teaching us lessons that are part of our journey to become the best version of ourselves.
The Holy Family faced plenty of blessings and burdens. Here are a few of the blessings:
- Encounters with the angel Gabriel
- Choirs of angels singing and rejoicing
- Visits from distant Magi and nearby shepherds
- The brilliant light of the Star as a sign from God
But, then, there are some real burdens:
- Explaining Mary’s pregnancy (before marriage to Joseph)
- Fleeing for their lives from King Herod’s soldiers
- Refugees in Egypt – far from family
- And one day…Mary will stand before the Cross of Jesus
Clearly, this family is unlike any other; yet together they faced situations that are similar to many even today. They knew what it was like to be grateful for what they had, and they knew what it was like to face suffering and pain.
But there’s two points I want us to hold close:
- They did it together
- God was with them
What’s true for the Holy Family is true for our families! We have opportunities to work together, cooperating and uniting to strengthen the bonds within our families – and when we face challenges we call upon the Lord to give us the grace and strength we need to put faith into family, hope into our homes, and love into our lives.
May this season give us plenty of opportunities to work together with God’s grace in our families – the place where we have been located by the Lord to practice our “homework for holiness” as we journey through this life.
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Note: This post was first published on December 25, 2014.
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Christmas
The Messiah is born! King of kings and Lord of lords, the ruler of the universe comes to us as a defenseless and vulnerable infant. Why? To get past all our defenses and touch our hearts with a gentleness that shakes the foundations of the world. Merry Christmas!
Mass Reading Options
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Honthorst, Adoration of the Child, 1619-1620, Uffizi, Florence.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- All Saints: We learn from the saints how to shine with the light of Christ
- Daily Mass: Jesus teaches about humility
- Daily Mass: We serve the Lord in a variety of wonderful ways
- Daily Mass: Jesus sets his sights on Jerusalem
- Daily Mass: Christ calls us by name
- Daily Mass: Jesus offers two parables about the Kingdom of God
- Daily Mass: Jesus heals on the sabbath
- Study, Pray, Serve: All Saints
- 30th Sunday of the Year: When filled with God's love, we can love one another
- Daily Mass: The Lord urges us to repent
