Mass Readings – 24th Sunday of the Year
A man had two sons…and they both messed up. Yet not only does the Father stay connected to his kids, he helps them understand the nature of forgiveness, mercy, and love. Our Heavenly Father does the same for us, helping us to experience grace when we need it the most.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Friday of the 23rd Week of the Year (St. Peter Claver)
Jesus reminds his disciples that before we can point out the faults of others we have to see our own, taking the time to remove the chunk of wood in our own eye before we point out the splinter in another.
Study: Recall a time when you experienced a moment of profound forgiveness. How did it change you?
Pray: Are you holding on to anger and resentment? Pray for God’s mercy to soften your heart.
Serve: Is there someone you know in need of mercy? Is there some way you can help others, especially when they are caught up in shame, embarrassment, or the awkwardness of their weaknesses and sins?
Mass Readings – 24th Sunday of the Year
We hear in the Gospel of Luke the familiar parable of the The Prodigal Son. It’s worth a moment to touch on a few key points from this passage:
What a powerful parable! In this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy it seems appropriate to dwell on the divine mercy of God and recall our need to return to the Lord in our moments of weakness and sin.
Like both brothers in the parable, we all sin and fall short of God’s grace; yet like the brothers, we also have a Father who loves and welcomes us whenever we seek to turn back. Both brothers could speak to their Father – in either humility or anger – and the Father responds to both with tenderness.
Today I would like to suggest two key points for our reflection in the light of this passage:
God longs to welcome us back, and when we can humbly embrace our mistakes and sins we discover a grace beyond anything imaginable. May we have the courage to examine our hearts and return to the Lord – the source of all mercy.
*************************
If you find these posts helpful for your spiritual life:
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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!
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 