Isaiah, Paul and John the Baptist all offered their lives in service for the Lord. As we follow their example, may the words of the Psalmist, “Here am I Lord, I come to do your will” echo in our hearts!
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of the Year
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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.
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Note: This post was first published on January 9, 2017.
Seeing the crowds, the heart of Jesus was moved with pity for their many needs, and he responds by empowering his disciples to go forth in his name. Their example reveals the opportunity we have every day to serve our struggling brothers and sisters around us.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 1st Week of Advent
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The Psalm Response invites us to praise God each day. Through our prayer, service and personal enrichment we acknowledge what the Lord has done for us as we share our lives with one another.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 33rd Week of the Year (St. Cecilia)
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The Psalm Response inspires us to help one another with a kind and gracious heart. As we determine what we can do today, may we also decide how to do it in a manner worthy of Jesus.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 31st Week of the Year
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St. Paul inspires the Romans to use the God-given gifts they have received for one another. What’s your gift? How will you use what the Lord has lavished upon you?
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 31st Week of the Year
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How can we share our faith with those around us? Some simple and practical considerations include service, invitation, technology and word of mouth…and perhaps one of these will speak to our hearts today as we proclaim the Good News to those we meet.
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