Mass Readings – Saturday of the 25th Week of the Year
Jesus announces that he will be handed over, and the disciples are afraid to ask him any questions about it. The fact is, the Lord embraces the Cross to free us from our sins…inspiring us not to be afraid but to draw near Him in faith.
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Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 25th Week of the Year (St. Vincent de Paul)
Jesus gives his Apostles power and authority, and then he invites them to trust in God alone. It’s a good reminder for us to claim the blessings that we’ve been given as we put the Lord first in our lives.
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Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 22nd Week of the Year
With authority and power Jesus teaches and drives out a demon in the Gospel today. As his followers, may we call upon the Lord for the guidance and courage we need to face our challenges with his grace.
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Photo Credit: Son of God, 2014.
Study: Recall a time when you were entrusted with power. How did you use it?
Pray: Ask the Lord for guidance over the things and situations in your control right now.
Serve: How can you help someone who is struggling with a decision of leadership? How can you offer solid support?
Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year
Take a look at the keys in your pocket. As you hold them, think about what they do:
Keys allow us access and empower us with authority. Keys give us control over our physical world and they help us to use resources wisely and well. They are also symbols that speak to identity and purpose – just think about what happens when our keys are lost or taken from us….
In the first reading and the Gospel today we discover the power of God’s keys:
These promises to Eliakim and St. Peter are mighty – they will receive the power, authority,and responsibility from God lead and guide. Consider these three points:
Power: they receive the strength and ability to carry out the work entrusted to them. Power gives them resources and skills to accomplish great things. Without power they are weak; with God’s power they can do more than they ever dreamed possible.
Authority: these keys are a sign of leadership and respect. The keys they possess allow them to direct and command others. Those who hold the keys are followed; those who hold the keys stand before us and provide wisdom, insight, and vision.
Responsibility: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” (Luke 12:48b) With great power comes great responsibility, and those who have been given strength and ability are required to use it with wisdom. Indeed, having the keys of Authority are a burden to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and trust.
Again, look at the keys in your pocket. How do we use them? Today we might consider the gifts and talents God has given us: we have an opportunity at this moment to exercise our own power and authority with God’s guidance, knowing that one day the Lord will seek an accounting with what we have done.
May our own keys inspire us to live with conviction and direction – using the resources we have received with the insights offered by our faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord is the source of all keys, may we call upon him to help us use them!
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Note: This post was originally published on August 18, 2014.
Study: Consider a time when you had an experience of God’s glory and majesty. What did it feel like?
Pray: Are you struggling with a tough decision right now? As the Lord for the power and conviction to carry it out.
Serve: How might you help another experience God’s power today?
Mass Readings – The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
The readings this week all reveal the majesty and power of God. Take a look:
It is a good thing to reflect on the glory and power of God; after all, as Sons and Daughters of God we will all one day stand before the Lord. Having died and rose for the forgiveness of our sins, Jesus Christ will gaze into our eyes with understanding, compassion and….power.
Let’s be clear: He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the one before whom all honor and glory and praise is due. He is the one before whom we will bend our knee and bow our head.
This awesome and mighty image reveals the authority Jesus has in heaven, on earth and under the earth. He came to our world in our need and restored what was lost through temptation and sin by the wood of His Cross.
The glory of God that we hear about is not meant to drive us away from God out of fear, but rather to inspire us that the Lord’s victory is complete. The question for us today is simple: Will we accept the grace of Jesus Christ and allow his glory to transfigure our hearts?
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Mass Readings – Saturday of the 14th Week of the Year
“Do not be afraid” is a statement that should be drilled into the hearts and minds of every disciple. Jesus gives us the example, empowers us with his Spirit, and guides us in the face of opposition and difficulty. May we hang on to his hand and carry out the work he sets before us today!
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Mass Readings – Saturday of the 12th Week of the Year
Matthew’s Gospel offers three healing miracles and reminds us that the Lord continues to heal today.
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Like a power tool, our lives come alive with the power of the Holy Spirit when we:
Come Holy Spirit! Fill our hearts with the fire of your love!
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Study: Where in my life have I experienced God’s grace and strength?
Pray: What particular needs in my life call for the help of the Holy Spirit?
Serve: Where can I use the gifts God has given me to serve another right now?
Mass Readings – Vigil of Pentecost
The image St. Paul uses in the 2nd reading this weekend is a body. Composed of different parts which do unique and special functions, the body is united when all the parts come together. So, too, all of us are united into the Body of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Look at these themes from Pentecost Mass Readings of the Day:
In other words, the Holy Spirit unites people, renews life, provides unique gifts, and is granted to the Church by Christ. This is the day that the disciples were empowered to continue the mission of Jesus; filled with the Spirit they will witness the Good News of the Lord through their words and actions.
Their example becomes our model. The same Spirit that changed their lives comes to us. The same Spirit that gave them the grace and strength to go forth gives us the power we need to offer our lives for Christ. God continues to invite us to serve, and the Lord pours forth the Holy Spirit to help us carry out the work of this day.
Are there barriers in our life? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there parts of life in need of renewal? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there gifts we have that need to be used and directed? Come Holy Spirit!
Jesus freely gave the gift of the Spirit to his disciples – may we turn to the Lord with conviction that as we call for the Holy Spirit in our lives we will be given what we need for the work of this day.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter
The Lord promises us the Holy Spirit, who will guide us in truth. What challenges are you facing today? Call upon the Holy Spirit for the guidance you need!
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 