Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 19th Week of the Year
The Lord offers a three-step process to confront division within a relationship. It’s practical and powerful…and crucial for us to put into practice.
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Tag Archives: Sin
Daily Mass: Faith in the midst of cruelty. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 17th Week of the Year
The death of John the Baptist is an outrage, a stark example of human cruelty that assaults our sensibilities. While we acknowledge the presence of violence and hatred in our world we continue to see in the Cross of Christ God’s response: a love that embraces our sins.
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16th Sunday of the Year: Pulling Weeds. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – 16th Sunday of the Year
Every gardener encounters weeds, and the Lord uses this image in the Gospel of Matthew to remind us that in the garden of our hearts we have a daily opportunity to pull out what does not belong.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Note: I couldn’t stop with just one picture! These are taken from my dad’s garden in Cumberland, WI.
Daily Mass: Consequences and Judgement. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 15th Week of the Year
Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of Matthew that there are consequences for our actions that will take place in the final judgment. With this awareness in mind, we have the opportunity today to repent of our sins and turn to the Lord for his mercy and forgiveness.
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Daily Mass: Your sins are forgiven. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 13th Week of the Year
“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” As Jesus says these words to the paralytic we find that the mercy of Christ is greater than all our sins…and we are inspired to draw near to the one who loves us completely.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Photo Credit: Jesus of Nazareth, 1977.
12th Sunday of the Year: God’s grace casts out sin and evil. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – 12th Sunday of the Year
The Scriptures make it clear that the darkness of sin and evil touches the landscape of human life. Yet our faith proclaims that God’s grace is greater than the darkness, which is cast out by the light of Jesus Christ.
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12th Sunday of the Year: God’s grace in the darkness of evil.
Study: Consider a time when you had to confront evil. How did your faith in Christ give you strength?
Pray: Is there a difficult situation in your life right now? Ask the Lord for wisdom and guidance.
Serve: Do you know someone who is struggling right now? How can you offer support?
Mass Readings – 12th Sunday of the Year
The readings this Sunday all come with an edge to them, signifying that there’s a lot at stake in a life of faith. Take a look:
- 1st Reading – Jeremiah praises the Lord even as he recognizes the evil of others.
- Psalm – “Lord, in your great love answer me.”
- 2nd Reading – Sin and death came through Adam; grace and peace come through Jesus Christ.
- Gospel – The Lord will acknowledge those who acknowledge Him, and he will deny those who deny him.
These readings address the reality of sin and evil in our world. We know this reality through our experience, and whether through our own actions or the actions of others we recognize that the human heart has the capacity for sin.
Yet we also recognize that God’s grace is greater than the darkness. This is why Christ came into the world! Through the Lord’s cross and resurrection we have hope to call upon Heaven for the strength, courage and wisdom we need to face the challenges of life.
Have we sinned? Then we seek reconciliation and forgiveness. Have we been wounded by wickedness and evil? Then we call upon the Lord’s grace.
The triumph of Jesus Christ inspires us to follow the example of Jeremiah and Paul – acknowledging the Lord in this world so that we can be with Him in the next!
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