Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 20th Week of the Year
The Gospel today offers a parable about workers who work different amounts of time yet all receive the same wage. It’s not fair…it’s mercy!
Tag Archives: Mercy
Daily Mass: Forgiveness as a way of life. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 19th Week of the Year
“How often must I forgive?” Peter’s question to Jesus leads to the discussion and parable that reveal how forgiveness is a way of life for every Christian.
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Daily Mass: God’s Mercy & Love. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 16th Week of the Year
God calls us into a relationship of mercy and love, inviting us to follow his example with one another.
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Daily Mass: Desire mercy, not sacrifice. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Friday of the 15th Week of the Year
Rules are meant to guide us, and we turn to the Lord for wisdom to use and interpret the rules we have by the light of Jesus Christ.
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15th Sunday of the Year – Putting Love into Practice. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – 15th Sunday of the Year
Like the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke, we are called to be neighbor to all who cross our path – sharing the Love that Christ offers us with one another.
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15th Sunday of the Year – Be a Good Samaritan
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Study: Recall a time when you were treated kindly…and you didn’t deserve it. How did this kindness affect you?
Pray: Is there someone in your life who is difficult to love? Ask the Lord for grace and strength.
Serve: Is there a “neighbor” in your life that you are feeling called to help? How can you reach out?
Mass Readings – 15th Sunday of the Year
The story of the Good Samaritan takes many of us back to our elementary school days of religious education. It’s worth taking a moment to examine the structure of the context within which the parable is located in chapter ten of Luke’s Gospel:
- v. 25 – The lawyer’s question
- v. 26 – Jesus’ counter-question
- v. 27 – The lawyer’s response
- v. 28 – Jesus’ imperative & command
- v. 29 – The lawyer’s 2nd question
- v. 30-36 – The Good Samaritan parable
- v. 37a – The lawyer’s response
- v. 38b – Jesus’ imperative & command
The first half of this passage pertains to the notion of eternal life and what we must do – loving God and one another. This is a recap of the two Great Commandments, and we all generally nod our heads in agreement at the lawyer’s answer.
The second half, however, pushes the question “Who is my neighbor?” as Jesus uses the parable to point out that all people – regardless of race, color, religion – are our neighbor. Remember: the Samaritan is not Jewish, yet fulfills the command of loving the neighbor!
The takeaway for us today happens on many levels:
- Our words and actions define us – especially when we are in challenging situations.
- Who are the people in my life that are difficult to love?
- How might I take steps to love these “neighbors” God sets before me?
While there are many ways to demonstrate our love for the Lord, a clear example occurs when we act in kind and merciful ways toward one another. May see clearly our neighbors and respond to their needs with the love of Jesus Christ.
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Daily Mass: Christ Calls Sinners. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Friday of the 13th Week of the Year
Jesus ate with sinners – meeting people where there were and inviting them to grow in God’s grace. With humble hearts we recall that the Lord does the same for us!
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Daily Mass: Lord forgive! Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 11th Week of the Year
How do we break the cycle where evil begets evil? Answer: God’s grace through forgiveness! May we acknowledge our sins, turn to the Lord, and open our hearts to the power of Christ’s love…and then share that love with one another.
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11th Sunday of the Year – Forgiveness. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – 11th Sunday of the Year
Forgiveness is often difficult, yet it is one of the defining features of the Christian Life. We start by forgiving those closest to us, seeking to say “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you,” and then calling upon the Lord for the help and strength we need.
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11th Sunday of the Year – The Gift of Forgiveness
Study: Consider a moment when you experienced forgiveness. How did it affect you?
Pray: Is there someone you are struggling to forgive right now? Ask the Lord for help and guidance.
Serve: How can you help encourage forgiveness in the lives of those around you? How can you be an example of forgiveness?
11th Sunday of the Year Readings
What a gift we have with the forgiveness of God! We make mistakes, we mess up, we willingly sin and hurt others….and yet, when we return to Jesus Christ with a repentant heart, we find a loving Lord who longs to make us whole. Here’s a quick summary of this week’s readings:
- 1st Reading – David repents of his terrible sin against Uriah
- Psalm – “Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.”
- 2nd Reading – St. Paul reminds us that we are justified by faith in Christ
- Gospel – Jesus forgives the weeping woman
The power of forgiveness touches us on many levels, allowing us to let go of past wounds and open the doors of our hearts to God’s healing divine mercy. What’s more, forgiveness takes strength:
- Strength to rise above petty issues and concerns
- Strength to take the higher moral road that leads to life
- Strength to move from victim to survivor
- Strength to destroy the control of old injuries and engage life with joy
- Strength to break the shackles of hate and embrace peace
- Strength to turn away from sin and turn toward Christ
Make no mistake, forgiveness is not easy! Yet, forgiveness is the key that opens our souls to receive the Lord, and the Good News is that Jesus gives us this strength to seek forgiveness whenever we ask! As we reflect on these readings, give consideration to two different aspects of forgiveness:
- Who do I need to forgive? Who has hurt/harmed me and how can I end the cycle of spiritual destruction?
- Who do I need to ask for forgiveness? Who have I hurt/harmed and how can I reach out and seek to make things right?
Both of these aspects require God’s freely given grace. May we commit our hearts to become people of forgiveness, allowing the strength of Christ to touch and bless our lives.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: We embrace our trials with the help of Christ
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Three Great Things 