On this feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary we hear in the Gospel of Matthew the genealogy of Jesus as the context for the birth of the Lord. The reading demonstrates how we are part of the larger story of salvation history; God works in and through countless lives to weave together our journey from this life to the next.
Mass Readings – the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Holy Mary, Mother of God…pray for us!
St. Paul continues the message we heard yesterday, highlighting keys points about Jesus.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 4th Week of Easter
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St. Paul preaches to the people, showing how Jesus is the fulfillment of salvation history.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 4th Week of Easter
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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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As the Church celebrates the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we recognize that all of us – in great and small ways – have a part to play in salvation history. Following Mary’s example, will we say yes to the Lord today?
Mass Readings – The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Paul’s preaching about Salvation History reminds us how crucial it is to know the history of faith so that we can share it with our own generation. For if we don’t know our story, how can we pass it on?
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 4th Week of Easter
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The Lord speaks to the people about John the Baptist as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He is Elijah, who points out the Lamb of God, and from this foundation of faith we take our part in God’s great story of salvation history.
Mass Readings – Thursday of 2nd Advent (St. Lucy)
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Mass Readings – Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent
Paul testifies at Antioch that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation, descendant of David and heralded by the prophets…the Lord of all creation. And he taught us to serve one another – giving us the example of the foot washing – that we might understand that God’s love is comprehensive and accessible to all.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: How did you learn your Christian faith? When did it become something you claimed for your own?
Pray: This is a good time to count our blessings and draw near to the Lord in gratitude for the gift of life.
Serve: Perhaps there is someone to whom you might want to say, “I love you.” Perhaps this is a good time right now…
Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast (7 minutes, given at Cathedral on April 4, 2015)
This holy night finds the Church celebrating the profound mystery of Christ’s saving work. The Easter Vigil recalls the great moments of salvation history, rejoices with those who enter into full communion with the sacramental life of the Church, and is nourished by Eucharist. Here are the four key components:
The Liturgy of Light (or Lucernarium) begins the Easter Vigil. In the darkness the image of light is used to proclaim our hope in Christ. Several things happen:
The Liturgy of the Word recounts the epic story of salvation history through several Old Testament Scriptures:
We then move from the Old t0 the New Testament:
The Liturgy of Initiation then follows where those who have been preparing to enter the Church now receive their sacraments.
Finally, the Liturgy of the Eucharist allows the entire community to draw near to the altar to receive Jesus Christ in the sacrament of his Body and Blood. The newly baptized receive Holy Communion for the first time in the company of their fellow Catholics. Like every Mass:
The great promise of faith, founded upon God’s saving work through time in the history of salvation, is proclaimed on this holy night. May Christians around the world renew their faith in Jesus Christ – sharing his love and light with one another.
Christ our Light!
