Fr. Andrew’s presentation on Mercy – 15 Minutes
How do we understand mercy as it applies to our lives? What does it mean and how can we practice mercy – both receiving and giving – in our interactions with the Lord and one another? This short talk offers some practical points and an example from Jesus in the Gospel of John. Given during the “24 Hours with the Lord” at the Cathedral on March 4, 2016.
Midnight Mass Podcast from the Cathedral – 95 Minutes
Fr. Andrew’s Christmas Homily Podcast
Like a bridge that connects two shores, Jesus Christ comes into our world to unite us to God and one another. Fully human like us, he teaches us about God and guides us to heaven. Fully divine, he has the power to overcome sin and death and bring healing and reconciliation to our lives.
Merry Christmas!
Study: Consider your life. Are there any parts that are wounded?
Pray: Invite the infant Jesus into the humble stable of your heart. He is familiar with simple surroundings; nothing you have is too poor, and everything you offer will be warmly received.
Serve: Is there some way you can be a bridge that unites others this Christmas? Some way that you can unite, heal, or help?
The Readings of Christmas:
Midnight Mass Podcast from the Cathedral – 95 Minutes
Fr. Andrew’s Christmas Homily Podcast
The birth of the Lord celebrates a great mystery: God takes on our human form in the person of Jesus. Fully human and fully divine, the Son of God and the Son of Mary – Jesus comes into our world with a mix of what seems like incompatible qualities:
Why are these extremes so great? Why do we see in Jesus both the lowliness of our human limits and the heights of God’s glory? To put it simply, Jesus Christ is the bridge between heaven and earth.
Think about it. Because of sin we have been divided from God and one another. Isolated by fear, temptation, weakness, sin and lies, we often find ourselves cut off from the Lord and at odds with those around us. While the media is filled with examples of this division, we really only have to look into our own hearts to find the struggle that is part of the human condition.
And this is why Christ was born – to restore our relationships and unite us with a strength that is greater than anything we can do on our own. Born like us, he enters our world so that we can know God; as the the Son of his Heavenly Father he will one day destroy the power of sin and death when he carries his Cross to die and rise that we might have eternal life.
Jesus forms the bridge that allows us to span the void caused by our sins. He offers mercy and forgiveness to reconcile our hearts to God, and through this forgiveness our relationships on earth are renewed. We are united; we are connected; we are graced with divine love, peace, and joy.
Where are the gaps in your heart this Christmas? Where do you see the need for Jesus Christ to restore what was broken or wounded? Draw strength from the one who knows exactly what it feels like (he is fully human after all) and yet has the grace to make it whole (which comes from his power as the Son of God.)
And may this Christmas bring healing and hope to your heart! Merry Christmas, my friends!
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The Adoration of the Shepherds, Gerard van Honthorst, 1622, Wallraf-Richartz-Museum, Cologne, Germany.
Study: Where do I see signs of unity in my life? How can I build upon them?
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?
“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:
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:
May we bring these powerful blessings of the resurrection to our world today:
One heart and mind!
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Resurrection, Szymon Czechowicz; 1758, oil on canvas, 525 x 392 pixels, Olesko Castle, Ukraine.
Study: Recall a time when you were confronted with a tough decision. What helped you to make and carry out your choice?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the wisdom and guidance to make daily decisions that are filled with grace.
Serve: Is there someone in your life facing tough decisions right now? How can you help them?
A Christmas Carol
Part IV: Scrooge’s Choice
There comes a point in A Christmas Carol where we begin to understand Ebenezer Scrooge. We’ve seen his past, present, and future – how he’s interacted with people – and we come to crux of the matter: will he make a change? Will he embrace the warnings and lessons of the Ghosts and chart a new course for his life?
Every person has a story. Every person has had moments of joy and sadness, success and failure, blessing and burden. Yet in the course of our lives we have been given the gift of choosing how we will live; the Lord offers us the freedom to accept or reject a life of love. We, too, have been given opportunities to reflect and decide how we will live. What do we choose?
In the Gospel today Mary greets her kinswoman Elizabeth, who also recognizes something wonderful has happened. The baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped from joy – a sign that God was present in a powerful way. Elizabeth understood that God was working in Mary’s life, and she responded to this insight accordingly.
There comes a moment in our lives when we discover something new. Perhaps we have seen a mistake in the past or regret an action that we have done; at these times we encounter a reason to hope and start over. We have a reason to live with joy.
It is this sense of hope which can give us new life. Emerging from doubt or despair, we rediscover that God walks with and among us – helping us in moments of sadness and leading us to peace. Yet God requires that we actively accept this invitation. The promise of hope needs our action, and it relies on our willingness to follow.
Scrooge provides an example for us. With the help of the Spirits of Christmas, he saw a world filled with very different possibilities. He discovered that he need not be unhappy; he could change his life and embrace the joys which were all around him. His willingness to see, judge, and act become an inspiration for us – reminding us that life gives us opportunities to change our ways and follow God’s call.
As Elizabeth recognized God’s presence in Mary, we too are invited to discover the Lord in our midst. May our eyes be open to see God among us, and may we respond with hearts that are open to the abundant love which is our inheritance.
Study: Reflect on a time in life when you experience a profound sense of peace. Where did it come from in your life?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the gift of his peace, and pray for the guidance to cultivate a peaceful heart.
Serve: How can you bring the Lord’s peace to another right now?
2nd Sunday of Easter Readings Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast
Every year we hear this Gospel reading from John on the Sunday after Easter. The Church, in its wisdom, has found that these verses continue to speak to our hearts in a way that moves and teaches us.
In the past I have reflected on Thomas; I can identify with his questions and sarcasm! I can easily understand how someone who can see and touch the risen Christ might still harbor doubts that he has been raised from the dead. In the past I have reflected on his doubt, largely because I could comprehend his words and actions.
Yet this year I am struck by something different. In this short passage Jesus says three different times, “Peace be with you” to his disciples. Why?
Imagine the feelings and emotions of the disciples. They had followed Jesus for three years. They heard the teaching and preaching. They saw the miracles and witnessed the healings. And they stood at a distance (having run for their lives) when the mob came and the soldiers crucified Jesus.
In those last few days before his crucifixion, they had experienced the entire spectrum of human emotion, and until the truth of the resurrection sunk in, they were adrift in their grief and loss.
So what are the first words of Jesus to them? What introduction is used to begin the new era of hope and power marked by the resurrection? Just four little words:
Peace be with you.
How desperately we need to hear these words! Peace – in our hearts, our homes, our country, and our world! The risen Christ fills our hearts not only with faith, hope, and love – but with a peace, a serenity that cannot come from anything else.
With this phrase Jesus calms their fears and soothes their concern. He gently and lovingly meets the disciples where they are, and he urges them (remember Thomas!) to grow in faith.
How do we take these words to heart today? In our desire to cultivate a peaceful heart, it is important to always remember the WHAT and the HOW.
“What” refers to the object of our desire. We seek peace: in the solitude of our heart; in our relationships with others; in the values and purpose of our lives. “What” we seek is the goal that orients the direction of our lives and provides a guide to keep us on track.
“How” refers to the manner we go about it. Do our thoughts, words, and actions consistently reflect our desire for peace? “How” we live is equally crucial, for it demonstrates the unified manner of our lives – nourishing and strengthening us by the constant reinforcement of our (peaceful) behavior.
“Peace be with you” becomes both the goal and practice of each moment: we strive for peace even as we diligently work to cultivate peace in our hearts. Jesus himself gives us the strength for both: he teaches us to value peace, and he sustains us to grow in peace when we are challenged by the discord and stress of life.
As the Lord’s followers, these words are our heritage. Peace begins in us, and as the disciples of the Prince of Peace, we are called to work for and build his Kingdom of Peace here on earth. Fear is left behind as we focus on Christ and dwell – in peace!
Study: Where do you find stillness in your life? Where is a calm spot where you can slow down and listen?
Pray: Consider making a commitment to praying in a peaceful place for a few days. How does your prayer change when you can be still and listen to Christ?
Serve: Can your service help another find peace and stillness? Can you help others in such a way that they have an opportunity to listen to the Lord?
One of the great gifts of summertime is the potential for quiet moments in nature:
* Watching a campfire
* Time in the garden
* The beauty of a sunrise or sunset
* The stillness of the water
* The quiet before (or after) a storm
Moments like these are filled with chances to listen – to our hearts, our bodies, our family and friends, and the world around us. In these quiet moments we slow down to experience the beauty and truth that God showers upon us.
What’s important to note is that these times are not filled with activity, but stillness. It is in these moments when we are quiet that we actually listen and see God at work in our life. These insights happen when we stop and pay attention to the wonder around us.
This is what we find in the Gospel today. Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to his words with complete and utter concentration. When Martha (who was preparing the food and getting the house ready to welcome the Lord) complained that Mary was not helping, Jesus rebukes her – not because the work was unimportant, but because in life there is also a time and place to listen!
The need to listen is crucial, not only in life but in our life of faith. We know that we cannot work around the clock; we need time to rest and renew our hearts. We know that we cannot always be in constant motion (in action or in speech); indeed, there are times when we need to draw strength from the wisdom and beauty of others.
We find these moments in practical ways that are both accessible and powerful:
* Daily prayer (alone or with others)
* Reading the Scriptures
* Mass
* Quiet moments (inside or outside)
* Experiencing nature (see above!)
These are moments when we, like Mary, slow down and allow the Lord to teach and strengthen us. Today we can pause and allow the Lord to love us; right now we have the chance to listen – hearing the faith, hope, and love we share as we sit at the feet of Jesus.
Study: Think of someone you know who has faced a terrible fear. Where did they find their peace and strength?
Pray: Is there something that makes you afraid? Bring it to your prayer and ask God to give you the grace to face it.
Serve: How might you support someone in their fear right now? Is there something you can do to offer comfort, assistance, or aid? Perhaps it simply means being present to others to remind them that they are not alone.
6th Sunday of Easter Readings:
The phrase “do not be afraid” appears twenty-one times in the New Testament and over fifty times in the Old Testament. These words are spoken by angels, prophets, and the Lord. The repetition of this message in the Scriptures is for a simple reason – we often live in fear.
It is truly humbling to step back and reflect on the things in this life that keep us afraid: aging, sickness, loss of ability, finances, relationships, war, terrorism, violence, self esteem………it goes on and on. These fears are part of the world in which we live, and their power is often great in the human heart.
Fear has power because it preys on what we value, filling us with worry while we fret over what will happen if something we cherish is taken away. That is why fear is a universal temptation; all of us have values, and when we fear the loss of something dear to us our anxiety can waste our time and energy.
We see this pattern of fear when people get stuck in a rut of thinking that leads them to wallow in a mental swamp, endlessly churning worry after worry without any positive, constructive, or helpful action. It is a truly useless process.
Yet as people of faith we are told that fear is not the motivation of our lives. There is something greater, something more powerful, that overcomes fear and worry, anxiety and doubt – Jesus Christ. In the Lord we have a hope that is greater than all fear.
Through the death and resurrection of the Lord sin and death have been destroyed. Christ is victorious and we follow the path that he has laid down for us. This does not mean that the journey will be easy; rather it means that we can face the difficulties and struggles of life with the knowledge that we will be given what we need.
In our moments of fear (and trust me, there will be moments) we hear what the Lord provides for us – PEACE. Peace in our hearts gives us the calming strength to face a difficult situation. Peace in our lives allows us to look upon the world and gain a true perspective. Peace in our soul allows us to see our fear and still act in a manner that is worthy of hope.
The Lord gives us peace. When fear threatens to choke our hearts we turn to the one who gives us strength. Only in the peace of Christ can we find the hope that sustains us to understand and overcome our fear, transforming our lives and our hearts.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 