Jesus describes the evil that can come from our hearts, reminding us that the battle is often within. As we strive to follow the Lord we turn from these sins and look to the Cross of Christ.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 5th Week of the Year
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Just as Jesus sends the Twelve Apostles with his authority, so also the Lord sends us – empowered with his grace – to continue his mission in the world. We do it together; we trust in God; we are attentive to each opportunity; we let Christ work through us!
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 4th Week of the Year
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Study: Recall a time when you made a serious mistake. What steps did you take to make it right? Do you have any unfinished work that needs to be done?
Pray: Saying “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you” can be very difficult; don’t try it alone! Ask the Lord for the grace and strength.
Serve: How can you help another on the path to repentance? How might you encourage people to seek healing and forgiveness?
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of the Year
Remember back in elementary school when we all learned long division? Perhaps you remember some of those really long problems that took a whole sheet of paper to write? I recall the excitement when I found the answers at the end of the book, only to have my hopes crushed when the dreaded words “show your work” were part of the instructions…
To demonstrate the exercise our 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Tempesta, would put a problem on the chalk board and demonstrate line by line, showing the work and how the process repeats until you made your way through the entire problem. At the end you would have the answer, with all the work to prove it.
I remember asking Mrs. Tempesta what would happen if you made a mistake early on in the process. She smiled and repeated the problem along side the original – with one tiny mistake. The wrong answer at the end of the work glared at our class; when we asked what do you do if your answer doesn’t match the solution in the book, she replied, “You have to start at the beginning, find your mistake, and rework a new solution.”
Welcome to repentance.
We all make mistakes: we say things we can’t take back; do things we regret; allow things to happen that we’d give anything to erase. And while we can’t change the past our faith tells us that we have a process that can bring healing and restore relationships. Like long division, we find our mistakes, REPENT, and rework a solution that follows a new path of behavior.
The words “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you” are some of the most powerful in any language. The first reading and the Gospel today are especially adamant that we take them to heart – repenting of our sins and choosing a Godly path that brings healing to our lives. Remember: God never gives up on us! The process looks like this:
Perhaps it’s been awhile since we stepped into a confessional. Perhaps it’s been awhile since we have honestly looked into our hearts. Today we can take a moment to look inside, see what doesn’t belong, and make the move to repent of our sins and turn to the Lord. May we see in the example of Jonah and Jesus today that we have hope; God keeps calling – inviting us to turn away from sin and embrace the Good News.
And if you are looking for some help in checking out your heart, try these options for an Examination of Conscience.
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Note: This post was originally published on January 19, 2015.
In the Gospel today we learn about the priestly lineage of John the Baptist. John’s ministry – calling people to repentance and showing them the “Lamb of God” – fulfills the priestly role and sets the stage for the coming of the Messiah.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent
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The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in John the Baptist to “prepare the way of the Lord” for the coming of Jesus. Advent offers us the opportunity to make our own preparations as we repent, reconcile and look for the holy.
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Advent
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Study: Consider an experience where you were able to be still, pause and reflect. How can you make that pattern happen this Advent?
Pray: Carve out a few minutes this season for quiet prayer. Reflect on your life and invite the Lord to dwell in your heart.
Serve: There are many opportunities this time of year to help others. Look around for an activity that speaks to your soul.
Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Advent
Advent is one of those seasons that has the power to surprise us. Just like the relationship between Lent and Easter, Advent offers us a time to prepare our hearts for the great feast of Christmas. In this short season we discover the themes of Preparation, Waiting, Expectation, Repentance, and Stillness.
The thing is…if we aren’t ready for Advent then the whirlwind rush of December can sweep us up into the frenzy of the commercial side of the holiday. Many people are so busy – concerts, parties, family events, purchasing gifts and partaking of the “forced fun” of consumerism’s attempt at a Hallmark Christmas…
Whew! Instead, we can take a deep breath, pray, and reflect on where the Lord is leading us at this moment in our lives. Consider the readings this Sunday:
So in these short days of preparation here are a few questions to ponder:
You get the idea. Step back, pause, and consider in the busy pace that many of us call normal how the Lord is directing your heart. Advent has a beauty and power; our task is to enter into this season and allow God to speak to our souls.
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Mass Readings – 27th Sunday of the Year
The Lord offers a parable to illustrate what happens when we persistently turn away from God. Perhaps there have been times in our lives when we know what to do, but we haven’t done it; today offers us a fresh opportunity to draw near to Christ and – with his help – respond to the unique situations of our lives with in manner worthy of Jesus.
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Mass Readings – Friday of the 26th Week of the Year
It will not go well for the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum; Jesus preached in their midst and they have not responded. It’s a good reminder for us who have been raised with the Gospel…are we merely “cultural” Christians, or has the Good News touched our hearts and changed our lives?
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Mass Readings – 26th Sunday of the Year
Ezekiel and Jesus point out the power of our actions in the spiritual life, and Paul reminds us that our actions are shaped when we take on the attitude of Jesus Christ. It’s practical advice that illustrates our ongoing need to focus on the Lord as we put our faith into practice.
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Mass Readings – 23rd Sunday of the Year
One of the hardest things about the Christian faith is the giving and receiving of a tough message, the kind of message that hits our hearts and requires us to grow as children of God. Whether it’s something that needs to be said or something that needs to be heard, may we call upon the Lord for the courage we need to let the message of Jesus Christ speak to our souls.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 