Tag Archives: Rejoice

Study, Pray, Serve: 3rd Sunday of the Year

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Here are some of the central themes in the readings for the 3rd Sunday of the Year.

1st Reading – Nehemiah 8:2-4a,5-6,8-10

  • After the Babylonian captivity, the people gather together to hear Ezra read God’s holy law in the scriptures.
  • Ezra and Nehemiah instruct the people to make the day holy, rejoicing in the Lord for their strength.

Psalm – 19:8-10,15

  • “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.”
  • The precepts and law of the Lord give wisdom, joy and enlightenment.

2nd Reading – 1st Corinthians 12:12-30

  • Paul uses the example of the body to illustrate how many different parts work together as one.
  • As the Body of Christ we recognize the unique contributions of all people and unite together for the glory of God.

Gospel – Luke 1:1-4; 4:4-21

  • Luke introduces his Gospel as a way to offer an orderly sequence of the events of Jesus.
  • In the synagogue at Nazareth, the Lord reads from the scroll of Isaiah and proclaims that this prophecy is fulfilled.

Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of the Year

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Study, Pray, Serve: 3rd Sunday of Advent

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Let’s explore some of the themes we see in the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent.

1st Reading – Zephaniah 3:14-18a

  • The people shout for joy and exult at the power of God who turns away their enemies.
  • God is in the midst of the people and they are no longer afraid.

Response – Isaiah 12:2-3,4b-6

  • “Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.”
  • We are confident and unafraid for our strength and courage is the Lord.

2nd Reading – Philippians 4:4-7

  • We rejoice in the Lord and have no anxiety; rather we pray with thanksgiving as we make our petitions known to God.
  • The peace of God guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Gospel – Luke 3:10-18

  • John the Baptist gives advice and direction to the people.
  • John’s preaching prepares the people for the coming of Jesus.

Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Advent

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Daily Mass: The Lord takes delight in us. Catholic Inspiration

The psalm response echoes the profound joy that God has for humanity. As recipients of the Lord’s delight, we have the opportunity each day to radiant the warmth and goodness of Christ’s love with those we meet.

Mass Readings – Thursday of the 25th Week of the Year

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


4th Sunday of Advent: We rejoice in the presence of Christ. Catholic Inspiration

Elizabeth recognized the presence of the Messiah, and she rejoiced that God had drawn near.  As Christmas approaches, we rejoice in the many ways that God pours grace into our hearts through the power and mercy of Jesus.

Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Advent

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Daily Mass: God seeks what is lost and rejoices when it is found. Catholic Inspiration

Jesus reveals how God looks at us in our wounded and vulnerable state.  Seeking what is lost and rejoicing when found, the Lord thus teaches us how to relate to one another.

Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Advent

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


3rd Sunday of Advent: God’s power is our Good News. Catholic Inspiration

The readings are filled with examples of God’s power, offering us hope, life and joy as we embrace the Lord’s grace in our lives.  Where do we see Good News in our lives?  How can we bring Good News to others?  May these final days of Advent inspire us to live our faith!

Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Advent

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts


2nd Sunday of Easter: The fledgling Church.

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:

  • 1st Reading – Thankful praise and sharing in community life
  • Psalm – “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, His love is everlasting.”
  • 2nd Reading – Christ’s resurrection lets us rejoice in the midst of trials
  • Gospel – Doubting Thomas

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:

  1. Accept the resurrection of Jesus Christ
  2. Bring the Lord’s power into your heart
  3. Change whatever is not worthy of Heaven and live in his Light

There is no better way to journey through this life!

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts


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