In this third of a six-part Lenten series, Carry Your Cross, Fr. Andrew continues a discussion of Matthew 16:13-28 regarding how Satan sets obstacles in the form of deception, temptation, and fear to keep us from carrying our crosses in life.
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Through his interaction with the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus reveals his authority over evil in the world.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 3rd Week of the Year (#317)
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Note: On this day we pray for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.
Driving out an unclean spirit, Jesus reveals both the reality of evil in our world and his triumphant victory over it.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 1st Week of the Year
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The First Letter of John offers a blunt and forceful reflection on sin and the Devil, compelling us to examine our own spiritual situation and acknowledge our need for the Lord’s forgiveness.
Mass Readings – Christmas Weekday (#207)
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St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
Jesus addresses the scribes, revealing his power to cast out Satan and sin. Calling upon the Holy Spirit, we follow Christ in the midst of our spiritual battles and face our challenges with God’s grace.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 3rd Week of the Year
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St. Vincent & St. Marianne Cope, pray for us!
On this Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children, we call upon the Holy Spirit to help us defend their lives and foster their safety and growth.
As Jesus drives out demons from two men, the local people are frightened at this display of God’s power over evil. In those moments when we confront the darkness in our lives, may we turn to the Lord for grace and strength.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 13th Week of the Year
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The temptation of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark reminds us that the darkness of sin must be confronted in our hearts with the triumph of Christ.
Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Lent
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As Peter receives the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, we know that we have hope for our hearts; for although the netherworld will not prevail in this spiritual battle, it will seek to keep us from Christ, who offers strength for our souls.
Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year
The fearful boast of St. Peter to Jesus gives us pause to reflect on the power of our speech – for good or evil – within our lives.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of Holy Week
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Study: When in life have you been profoundly tempted? What patterns do you notice in your life?
Pray: The temptations we face provide a special place in our prayers; bring them to the Lord!
Serve: How can you support others who are tempted so that they can face them with grace?
Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Lent
We enter into the great season of Lent with classic readings about temptation, sin and God’s grace:
First, let me be perfectly clear: Temptation is a part of the landscape of human life. From the time of our first parents at the dawn of creation, humanity has experienced temptation. We can wish all we want, but the fact remains that we are constantly facing great and small temptations throughout the course of our lives.
What’s more, we have all experienced times when temptation has led us to sin. Being tempted is one thing; falling into sin is another. For once sin is a part of our lives, our souls are wounded in a way that requires God’s grace to cleanse and heal.
This awareness of temptation and sin can easily lead us to a state of despair. We can fall into the trap that says “Well, you messed up. What’s the point now? You might as well just give up.” Admittedly, the devil would like nothing better than to let us think that there is no hope…that we are lost and without strength to find our way out of the messes of life.
Yet we start our Lent with hope. Yes, we acknowledge that temptation and sin are real, but we take comfort that this is why Jesus Christ came – to break the bondage of sin, restore our relationships with God and one another, and lead us into eternal life. The Lord knew about temptation first hand, yet not only did he triumph over Satan’s testing, but he freed us through his death and resurrection.
In our moments of temptation and sin may we run to the Cross of Christ! As we encounter our own trials may we trust that the Lord stands ready to offer us help and strength – both to face what comes before us this day, and to heal us in our moments of need.
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Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
Note: This post was first published on February 27, 2017.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 