As the disciples become indignant over the request from the mother of James and John, the Lord uses the opportunity as a teachable moment…showing how his disciples are called to serve one another.
Mass Readings – Feast of St. James, Apostle
***************
St. James the Apostle, pray for us!
As Jesus sums up his teaching, he reminds the disciples that greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is measured by the depth and application of our love. May we joyfully serve one another today!
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 20th Week of the Year
***************
St. Pius X…pray for us!
Paul reminds us that we are servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God…called to be trustworthy as we offer our lives in this life for the day we stand before the Lord in the next.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 22nd Week of the Year
Study: Consider a time when you were invited to take on an opportunity. What helped you accept it? What caused you to resist?
Pray: Ask the Lord to guide your life. Surrender your heart to Jesus Christ and make him the Lord of your life.
Serve: Is there someone in need of your guidance? Perhaps as a coach, mentor, teacher, or friend? How can you help them?
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of the Year
Here’s a quick overview of the readings this week:
In all of these readings we see the pattern emerge about serving the Lord. Isaiah describes it; the Psalmist proclaims it; Paul refers to it; John the Baptist shows it.
Throughout salvation history God has called men and women to offer their lives in a variety of different ways. Perhaps in a holy way of life or through heroic sacrifice; or maybe through service, works of charity, or prayerful stillness.
It’s crucial to note, however, that the Lord continues to call disciples today. Our lives – redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ – are precious, holy, and sacred. We have been given the gift to choose how we will live, and thus become a gift to the world.
Every day we reaffirm the gift of our lives. Perhaps you are searching for the Lord’s call in your life today…take time to discern how you can offer your life. Perhaps you have chosen your vocation…then live it with passion! And while we can’t change the past, we can learn from it, and apply the insights into making the present moment a blessed offering to God.
***************
***************
Note: This post was first published on January 9, 2017.
We are servants and stewards of Christ, our King. This means that our faith is not some hazy, vague experience; rather, it is dynamic and life-giving as we conform our lives to the commands of the one who claims our obedience.
Mass Readings – Christ the King of the Universe
***************
To say “I serve the Lord” has tremendous implications for our understanding and action. Recognizing Jesus as our Lord, we configure every aspect of our lives to him as our daily actions and interactions are infused with his grace.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 32nd Week of the Year
***************
The prophet Isaiah and Jesus both speak of the servant who suffers for others. Once we recognize the value of life we begin to embrace our suffering with the grace of Christ…whose death and resurrection reveal the depth of love God has for us all.
Mass Readings – 29th Sunday of the Year
***************
The Lord teaches the disciples that those who wish to be great must be the servant of all. This insight helps us to understand the Lord’s example on the Cross: as Jesus offers his life, so we are called to share the gift of our lives with one another.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 8th Week of the Year
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 32nd Week of the Year
What does it mean to follow Jesus Christ? As his disciples we draw near to the one who has given us everything: life, redemption, eternal life and communion with God and one another. What’s more, we follow the Lord’s example – serving one another – as the primary mode by which share God’s gifts.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: Recall a time when you rejected something you knew was right. Did you finally swallow your pride and admit it or did you maintain your original rejection?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the wisdom and guidance to choose what is good, holy, and true.
Serve: Who in your life is facing a difficult or challenging decision right now? How can you help them?
Mass Readings – 27th Sunday of the Year
In the ancient world there were three plants that were very important:
* wheat — for making bread
* olives — for making oil
* grapes — for making wine
These three foods were central to the diet of the people in the Gospel story. Bread was the staple; it was unleavened and similar to our “pita bread” today. Oil was used for cooking, bathing, cleaning, perfume, and household applications. Wine was the principle alternative to water – and when added to water, the alcohol in the wine insured a certain level of safety.
Vineyards were a common part of people’s experience. Even today the Mediterranean region is filled with vineyards, some small, others massive. Thus, when the Scriptures refer to vineyards, the image was familiar and easily understood.
Keeping a vineyard is hard work! The vines need constant attention: pruning, weeding, watering, and keeping them tied up off the ground. Patient care is required as workers routinely check the health of the plant so as to prevent any disease.
In the Gospel today we hear how a landowner leased his vineyard out to tenants who worked for him. At harvest time he sent his servants to gather his portion of grapes, only to have them rejected and injured. Finally he sent his son who was killed by the tenants.
One way to understand this story is to see the tenants as the people of Israel. They rejected the servants (the Prophets) sent by the landowner (God), and killed the only son (Jesus). Simply put, their work in the vineyard did not yield good fruit; their actions resulted in rejection and death.
But what happens when we place ourselves in the story? What happens when we see ourselves as the servants in the vineyard?
Every day God sends messengers into our hearts. We know how we should live and offer our lives through many sources: our conscience; friends & family; the Scriptures; the teaching of the Church.
Let’s face it. We work in a different vineyard, the garden of life. We labor as tenants on the Earth, bearing fruit that will one day be harvested by the Owner. May our work in the vineyard be worthy when he calls, and may our reception of his servants show our respect and our love.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
***************
This post was originally published on September 30, 2014
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 