Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 29th Week of the Year
Paul’s letter to the Romans outlines a problem and solution for humanity; the psalm and Gospel describe our response. May we offer our lives to the Lord with eager attentiveness.
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Mass Readings – Thursday of the 28th Week of the Year
Following the Lord often challenges us to face obstacles and difficulties that we know are worth fighting for. In the midst of these challenges we call upon Jesus for the grace and strength we need.
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Mass Readings – Saturday of the 26th Week of the Year (Our Lady of the Rosary)
The 72 disciples return to Jesus, rejoicing at how their lives – empowered by Christ – have made a difference. Their “yes” to the Lord inspires us to do the same, offering our lives so that Christ can work through us in the world today.
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Mass Readings – Thursday of the 26th Week of the Year
Jesus sends out 72 disciples – in pairs, trusting on God’s providence and facing tough struggles – so that they can proclaim the Kingdom of God. Nehemiah and Ezra remind the people of Israel not to forget the Lord. The Church needs both: we come to know God so that we might invite others to know the Lord as well.
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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.
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This post was originally published on September 30, 2014
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 23rd Sunday of the Year
Jesus calls by name the Twelve Apostles from the disciples who followed him. Chosen by him, they have work to do…reminding us today that the Lord continues to call people to carry on the Lord’s saving work through the mission of the Church.
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Mass Readings – The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Church celebrates the birth of Mary out of gratitude for her cooperation with God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. As we remember the Mother of God today, may we continue to open our hearts – cooperating with God’s plan for our lives as the Lord’s disciples.
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Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 21st Week of the Year
The contrast between the first reading and the Gospel shows two very different examples of behavior. It begs a question: How does our faith help us to live in the routine and everyday challenges we encounter?
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Mass Readings – The Passion of St. John the Baptist
John the Baptist precedes Jesus in his birth, preaching and death. John’s witness to the Lord and the giving of his life inspire us to consider how we offer our lives each day to Christ…until the day when the Lord takes us by the hand at the hour of our own death.
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Study: Recall a time when you were entrusted with power. How did you use it?
Pray: Ask the Lord for guidance over the things and situations in your control right now.
Serve: How can you help someone who is struggling with a decision of leadership? How can you offer solid support?
Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year
Take a look at the keys in your pocket. As you hold them, think about what they do:
Keys allow us access and empower us with authority. Keys give us control over our physical world and they help us to use resources wisely and well. They are also symbols that speak to identity and purpose – just think about what happens when our keys are lost or taken from us….
In the first reading and the Gospel today we discover the power of God’s keys:
These promises to Eliakim and St. Peter are mighty – they will receive the power, authority,and responsibility from God lead and guide. Consider these three points:
Power: they receive the strength and ability to carry out the work entrusted to them. Power gives them resources and skills to accomplish great things. Without power they are weak; with God’s power they can do more than they ever dreamed possible.
Authority: these keys are a sign of leadership and respect. The keys they possess allow them to direct and command others. Those who hold the keys are followed; those who hold the keys stand before us and provide wisdom, insight, and vision.
Responsibility: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” (Luke 12:48b) With great power comes great responsibility, and those who have been given strength and ability are required to use it with wisdom. Indeed, having the keys of Authority are a burden to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and trust.
Again, look at the keys in your pocket. How do we use them? Today we might consider the gifts and talents God has given us: we have an opportunity at this moment to exercise our own power and authority with God’s guidance, knowing that one day the Lord will seek an accounting with what we have done.
May our own keys inspire us to live with conviction and direction – using the resources we have received with the insights offered by our faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord is the source of all keys, may we call upon him to help us use them!
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Note: This post was originally published on August 18, 2014.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 