One of the best ways to face a test in school is to start with a prayer, asking the Lord for peace in our hearts. One of the best ways to face a test in life? Do the same!
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Tag Archives: Peace
2nd Sunday of Easter: United in mind and heart
The unity of the disciples through gratitude, love and peace offers us an example of how we draw together today with the people God puts in our lives. This is is not easy work…but it is worth it!
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Easter
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2nd Sunday of Easter: One in heart and mind
Study: Where have I experienced profound moments of unity with others?
Pray: Where do I see signs of disunity in my life? Call upon the Lord for grace and strength.
Serve: How can I help others grow closer together? How can I foster unity?
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Easter
“The community of believers was of one heart and mind…” (Acts 4:32)
I marvel at the transformation of the disciples. Before the resurrection of Jesus they were filled with fear, paralyzed by their own weakness and doubt; after the resurrection they are changed, as evidenced in even the basic ways they lived and worked together.
One heart and mind!
Unity can be challenging in even the best circumstances: we see things differently, hold our own unique values and principles, as well as personal tastes and interests. Working together is tough, yet it is a common sign of holiness – the practical proof that we are doing our part to build the Lord’s kingdom here on earth.
What supports unity? Jesus Christ! Unity with Christ provides the grace for unity with Christ’s brothers and sisters; this clear sign of faith draws others to the Good News and fosters our community with one another. Take a look at a few of the patterns that emerge in today’s readings:
- 1st Reading – sharing according to need
- Psalm – giving thanks to the Lord
- 2nd Reading – love of God by keeping his commandments
- Gospel – Christ’s peace that overcomes doubt
Another way to say it: Sharing, Gratitude, Love, Peace – which find their source in Jesus and flow through us to the those we meet. I would suggest that the disciples used these building blocks to form the first elements of the Church, working together in unity with the grace of Christ to proclaim the Good News.
This work continues today. We all know firsthand the effects of discord – where lives are broken and fragmented by selfishness, fear, hate, and a hardness of heart – yet we believe in something greater…Christ is triumphant! Our response can mirror the disciples:
- We acknowledge the obstacles in our lives
- We turn to Jesus Christ and call upon his grace
- We allow the Lord to work through us to unite with one another
May we bring these powerful blessings of the resurrection to our world today:
- Sharing the gifts God has given us
- Grateful for the blessings we have received from on high
- Loving others as Christ loves us
- Bringing the Lord’s peace to those before us
One heart and mind!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Note: This post was first published on April 12, 2015.
Daily Mass: Finding calm in the storms of life. Catholic Inspiration
Terrified by a violent storm, the disciples call out to Jesus who immediately calms it. Storms are a part of life, and whether physical, emotional, psychological, relational or spiritual we find in the Lord a peaceful strength to face them with confidence and conviction.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 3rd Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Rest in Jesus Christ. Catholic Inspiration
We all experience moments of feeling burdened, exhausted and worn out. What’s the answer? Jesus Christ! May we draw near to the one who knows us best and draw strength to face the tasks at hand.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Advent
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Daily Mass: The example of Christ. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit, and Isaiah’s prophecy reveals uplifting qualities about the Savior…qualities that offer us an example as we live our lives for the Lord.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent
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24th Sunday of the Year: Forgiveness
Study: Recall a time when you received forgiveness. What did it feel like?
Pray: Is there someone you need to forgive? Ask the Lord for the courage and strength to do it.
Serve: Is there someone you need to ask for forgiveness? Be the first to foster healing in the relationship.
Mass Readings – 24th Sunday of the Year
Let’s take a quick look at a sketch of the readings:
- 1st Reading – Forgive your neighbor, so that the Lord will forgive you
- Psalm – “The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.”
- 2nd Reading – We live and die for the Lord
- Gospel – We forgive others, just as our Father forgives us
On one hand the teaching is simple: if you want to be forgiven by God, start forgiving one another. It’s sound logic and makes complete sense…until you have something hard to forgive. Perhaps we have felt slighted or neglected, been hurt or experienced disappointment. Maybe we just don’t understand, or maybe we are choosing to interpret a situation in its worst possible light.
Forgiveness is the practical dimension of Christian love. After all, it’s easy to love people when we are comfortable, rested, calm and free of all distractions. The real test of our love happens when we can forgive one another in the light of Jesus Christ.
The Lord offers us the teaching of forgiveness with clarity and conviction. There is no middle ground. We forgive one another if we expect God to forgive us of our own sins. We forgive, knowing that we all stand in need of God’s forgiveness, so that by unlocking the gates of our hearts through forgiveness we can stand before the Lord ready to receive the grace of his mercy.
Two thoughts then emerge today:
- Who do I need to forgive?
- To whom do I need to apologize and ask for forgiveness?
May the Lord inspire us to be people of forgiveness as we practice his teaching and follow his example.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
