As Simeon sees the Christ Child he recognizes the Messiah and gives praise to God. As the Kingdom of Heaven continues to unfold here on earth, we have daily opportunities to seek out the face of Jesus in our lives and respond with joy and gratitude.
Mass Readings – 5th Day in the Octave of Christmas
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Mass Readings – Saturday of the 30th Week of the Year
As the Lord observes people positioning themselves for places of honor at a banquet, he uses the opportunity to teach about pride and humility, inviting us to avoid making comparisons and seeking a simple approach.
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Mass Readings – Friday of the 9th Week of the Year
The first reading and psalm response show people praising God with grateful hearts. What are you thankful for today? How can you express in word or action fitting praise for what God has done in your life?
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Study: Consider a time when you experienced joy in the presence of others. What caused it?
Pray: Draw near to the Risen Lord and ask for His grace in your heart to face whatever is before you today.
Serve: How can your life strengthen your family and friendships right now?
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Easter
The readings today give us a snapshot of some key points that surfaced shortly after the Lord’s resurrection:
What do we see? Praise, gratitude, thankfulness, sharing, community life, overcoming doubt, facing trials, and rejoicing! In other words, this is what happens to a group of people who have been transformed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
And I want to live like this.
Frankly, I want all of us to live like this. Filled with God’s grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit, engaging life at full throttle, dealing with difficulty through the power of faith….is there any other way to live?
So…in the light of these concepts that emerged from the fledgling Church…what’s keeping us from this? Has the resurrection of the Lord “sunk in” and touched our hearts? Do we understand what it means to say “The Lord is risen! He is risen, indeed!” as followers of Jesus Christ?
Do we get it?
We all have obstacles, challenges, and the reality of temptation and sin in our lives. That was true for the Early Church as well. But note this: they changed. In the light of the Risen Lord their lives were forever altered: praising God, facing hardship, working together, filled with joy.
This is our invitation today, and it works in three simple steps:
There is no better way to journey through this life!
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Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Readings for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The encounter between Mary and Elizabeth is one of great joy, and Mary’s Magnificat proclaims God’s goodness. May our voices echo this song of praise today by what we say and do for the Lord.
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The Nativity Story. 2006. New Line Cinema.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast (5th Day in the Octave of Christmas)
Simeon, filled with the Holy Spirit, held the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
May our eyes be open, to see God’s hand touching and blessing our lives today!
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Simeon’s Song of Praise, Aert de Gelder; circa 1700-1710, Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis, The Hague, Netherlands.
