In this 5th installment of the Lent Retreat, Fr. Andrew talks about the sacrificial offering of Christ on the Cross…inspiring us to recognize the Crosses in our lives and carry them with the hope we have in the Lord’s triumph.
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Tag Archives: Sacrifice
Walking with Mary on the Way of the Cross: Jesus is crucified. Catholic Inspiration
2nd Sunday of Lent: Making sacrifices for what we value
Study: Recall a sacrifice you have made recently. What was it about this sacrifice that revealed your values and priorities?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the grace to serve with your whole heart. Pay attention to anything that is holding you back.
Serve: Is there someone in your life who is struggling with priorities right now? How can you help them?
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Lent
What do you think is worth a personal sacrifice? What would you be willing to give up for someone or something you believe in?
We learn a lot about ourselves by what we are willing to sacrifice. Our values, personal convictions, and priorities all come into focus with the simple phrase:
Can I give that up?
We make sacrifices all the time. Some are simple, others complex; some are demanding while others are the act of a moment. Yet sacrifices reveal the depth of our hearts and our willingness to offer up our lives for something greater, something that we hold precious or valuable.
The thought that Abraham would be willing to offer up his only son – the child of God’s blessing to Sarah in her old age – strikes the modern hearer as barbaric and horrible. It is a crime against nature: that the innocent could suffer such atrocity sounds more like something from Hell, not Heaven.
Yet Jesus Christ, innocent and without sin, will die a brutal death on the Cross…for us. The atrocity that confronts us at Calvary reveals the value God places on our human souls – we are loved completely, entirely, and without thinking of the cost the Lord sacrifices his life to take our place for the evil we have done.
This is the power of the transfiguration in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus, revealed in all his glory with Moses and Elijah, is God’s “beloved Son.” Coming down from the mountain Peter, James, and John have no idea what lies ahead – they can only marvel at the awesome sight of Jesus as he stands in Heaven…the one who is honored for the sacrifice he makes.
Perhaps then, the real question for us pertains to those things to which we still cling. What priorities and values do we place higher than Christ? What is holding us back from embracing the Lord with all our heart? I suggest considering the following thoughts:
- How does my use of TIME reveal my priorities?
- How does my use of MONEY reveal my values?
- How do I show the PEOPLE in my life that I love them?
- How do I live my faith in GOD each and every day?
And if there are things that are keeping me from God & others….
Can I give that up?
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Note: This post was first published on February 24, 2015.
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Daily Mass: Jesus Christ is our great high priest. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus, our great high priest, bridges the gap between Heaven and earth through his divinity and humanity. As the Son of God he has the power to make a sacrifice for the salvation of the world; as the Son of Mary he meets us in our human weakness and struggle. May we turn to our Savior for the strength we need!
Mass Readings – Monday of the 2nd Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: The value is measured by the sacrifice. Catholic Inspiration
The two small coins given by the poor widow are worth more in the sight of heaven because they came with a far greater sacrifice. Point: what kind of sacrifice to we make for our faith in Jesus Christ today?
Mass Readings – Monday of the 34th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: To become like a grain of wheat. Catholic Inspiration
Like the grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies to become a new and fruitful plant, we die to our sins and rise with Christ as a new creation filled with God’s grace through the fruitful offering of our lives.
Mass Readings – Feast of St. Lawrence
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Daily Mass: Making real sacrifices. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus reveals in the “widow’s mite” that our sacrifices are not measured by what we do but by how what we do affects us.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 9th Week of the Year
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Palm Sunday: The Passion of Jesus. Catholic Inspiration
Every year on Palm Sunday we hear the Passion of the Lord. Why? Because we need to be reminded of God’s remedy for our sins, so that we may stand at the foot of the Cross of Christ and repent…so as to receive his great gift of mercy.
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Daily Mass: Christ’s sacrifice for our salvation. Catholic Inspiration
Ezekiel’s great prophecy of hope is made possible through the words of the high priest Caiaphas – who reminds us that “it is better that one man should die instead of the people.” As we enter into Holy Week may we cherish the Lord’s sacrifice for our salvation!
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent
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Solemnity of St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Catholic Inspiration
He never says a word in the Scriptures, but St. Joseph demonstrates by his actions his faith in God and his capacity to sacrifice for others. May his example inspire us today.
Mass Readings – The Solemnity of St. Joseph
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Daily Mass: The death of John the Baptist. Catholic Inspiration
The death of John the Baptist makes it clear that in no uncertain terms there is a price for following the Lord. Our “yes” to God means that we will follow a path where sacrifice will be part of the offering of our lives.
Mass Readings – The Passion of St. John the Baptist
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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
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