This night we hear the great message of salvation history, fulfilled in the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is our faith! May we live it with conviction and joy!
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Tag Archives: Resurrection
Holy Week
Pastoral Note: This post was originally given on April 12, 2014. I share it once again in the hope that all of us will enter more fully into the gift of this sacred time. Fr. Andrew
Study: Recall a time in your life when you experienced death and new life. Where did you find the strength? Who helped you through this time?
Pray: Spend some time reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus this week. Read Mark 14-16; Matthew 26-28; Luke 22-24; and John 18-21. Take in as many prayer opportunities as possible in your parish.
Serve: Who in your life is dealing with life and death issues right now? How might you be present to them to offer help, comfort, or strength?
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We enter into the heart of the Christian mystery: Holy Week offers us a time to pause, reflect, and pray as the Church ponders on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This mystery, often called the Paschal Mystery, recalls us to the saving work of the Lord. His death frees of from the burdens of sin and death, and his resurrection opens for us the path to eternal life. This mystery is profoundly experienced over the Triduum – the 3 Great Days:
- Holy Thursday – the Mass of the Lord’s Supper
- Good Friday – the Passion of the Christ
- Easter (Vigil/Day) – the Resurrection of the Lord
On Holy Thursday we find ourselves in Jerusalem, eating with the disciples at the Lord’s Supper and feeling awkward as he washes their feet – wondering how we would react if he did that for us. We might identify with Peter or Judas – especially when we consider the times we have willingly betrayed or turned our back on the Lord.
On Good Friday we experience the physical pain, emotional abandonment, and personal humiliation on the path to Calvary (also called Golgotha or Skull Place) and look on with horror at the cruel death of Jesus. We might also consider the times we have helped others – as Simon did when he was forced to carry the Cross of Christ. And then we stand in profound sorrow with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, helpless as the innocent suffer injustice.
On Easter we wait in vigil and rise early in the morning with Mary Magdalen, only to find to our wonder and joy that the tomb is empty: Christ is alive! Our world, like that of the apostles, is changed forever as we experience new hope and life.
A word to the wise – we get out of Holy Week what we put into it. Here are some simple ways for an incredible experience.
- Make church services a top priority – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter (Vigil or Day).
- Take time to read and reflect on the scriptures (see at the top under “Pray”).
- Make Holy Thursday an opportunity to offer a special act of service or kindness to another.
- Make Good Friday fasting extra special with a gift to a particular charity that helps the poor.
- Make Easter a time of gratitude – take a quiet moment to count our blessings and thank the Lord.
- Find some time throughout this week to tell the people in our lives how much we love them.
May this be a time for all of us to grow closer to the Lord and one another.
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Walking with the Lord in Holy Week (March 9-12, 2015 – Our Lady of the Valley – Green Valley, AZ) This parish mission takes the listener on a journey with Christ – from his entry into Jerusalem, through the Last Supper, his Passion, and his Resurrection.
- #1 Palm Sunday (32 Minutes)
- #2 Holy Thursday (33 Minutes)
- #3 Good Friday (33 Minutes)
- #4 Easter (33 Minutes)
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Walking with Mary on the Way of the Cross: Jesus dies. Catholic Inspiration
This sixth and final installment of the Lent Retreat focuses on the reality of death in the last three Stations: Jesus dies, Jesus is taken down from the Cross and Jesus is laid in the tomb. As the Lord triumphed over death through his resurrection, we recognize that death is our doorway that leads to eternal life with Christ.
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Daily Mass: The resurrection of Jesus changes everything. Catholic Inspiration
St. Paul speaks of the crucial aspect of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the life of the faith. Indeed, the resurrection of the Lord opens the door between this life and the next.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 24th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: The profound witness of St. Martha. Catholic Inspiration
Martha gives witness to the words of Jesus that He is “the resurrection and the life.” May her example inspire our faith!
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3rd Sunday of Easter: The power of the Risen Lord.
Study: Where do you find your faith renewed? What activities build up your relationship with the Lord?
Pray: Is there someone in your life who is searching for God? Pray that the Lord gives you guidance to say and do what is helpful.
Serve: Is there a situation or activity where your time and talent can help others grow closer to the Lord? How can you get involved?
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Easter
The readings this week are filled with power and zeal. The resurrection of Jesus inspires the early Church, and their encounter with the Risen Lord in the breaking of the bread testifies to the enduring grace we receive every time we come to Mass. Take a look:
- 1st Reading – Peter boldly proclaims the Good News to the crowd
- Psalm – “Lord, you will show us the path of life.”
- 2nd Reading – the resurrection renews us to live by God’s grace
- Gospel – Jesus explains the Scriptures and is made known in the breaking of the bread
A pattern emerges: an encounter with the Risen Lord changes our lives in dynamic and life-giving ways. Peter is no longer timid or afraid to stand up for Christ; Christians conduct themselves with faith and hope; the disciples have their minds opened and hearts burning as Jesus is present to them in the breaking of the bread.
It is the depth of this change that bears close inspection. These people are renewed and empowered with a strength and conviction that can inspire us today. They burn with the flame of faith, and through the example and witness of their lives the Gospel message will spread like wildfire.
This is our task today. As we look to the early Church, we acknowledge that NOTHING was easy for them. Their trust in God put them in the path of tremendous obstacles, trials and persecutions. And yet with God’s grace their triumphed…and we can, too.
I’d like to suggest a simple two-step process:
- Where do we encounter the Lord in our lives today?
- How can we invite others to experience what gives us life?
The first question requires us to pause and reflect on the prayers, sacraments, fellowship and other life-giving activities that renew our hearts. The second question challenges us to step out in faith and invite those we know and love to encounter the Risen Lord. May the faith of the early Church inspire us to proclaim the Good News with passion and joy!
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Note: This post was first published on April 24, 2017.
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2nd Sunday of Easter: The Church proclaims the resurrection!
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:
- Accept the resurrection of Jesus Christ
- Bring the Lord’s power into your heart
- 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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Note: This post was first published on April 17, 2017.
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Easter Day
Once we recognize and affirm the resurrection of the Lord, everything changes: Faith, Hope and Love ignite as our hearts are transformed with God’s saving power. May the joy of this day inspire us to live our lives for Risen Savior!
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Easter Vigil
The Light of Christ shines in the darkness and dispels the power of sin and death. This holy night celebrates our redemption with the power of God’s boundless love. Rejoice! The Lord is risen! He is risen, indeed!
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5th Sunday of Lent: The power and compassion of Christ. Catholic Inspiration
The miracle of Lazarus reveals the power of Jesus Christ and the hope we have in the Lord. May these matters of life and death inspire us to respond to the needs of our world with conviction and compassion.
Mass Readings – 5th Sunday of Lent
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- 4th Sunday of Advent: Our faith gives strength to our lives
- Daily Mass: Let the Lord enter!
- Daily Mass: We receive the Good News in our hearts
- Daily Mass: We strive for God's justice and peace
- Daily Mass: The family tree of Jesus as told by Matthew
- Daily Mass: Christ invites us to do the Father's will
- Daily Mass: Teach me your ways, O Lord
- Study, Pray, Serve: 4th Sunday of Advent
- 3rd Sunday of Advent: Christ fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah
- Daily Mass: Lord make us turn to you
Three Great Things 