David’s lament for Saul and Jonathan reveals the complex nature of our grief. Saul’s mix of good and bad qualities illustrate how we can mourn the loss of people that we meet in the messiness of life. In our own complicated moments of grief may we turn to the Lord and trust that Christ will untangle the knots.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 2nd Week of the Year
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Hannah, filled with grief at being childless, pours out her prayer to the Lord.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 1st Week of the Year
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The sorrow of Hannah resonates with all couples who long to parent children but are unable to conceive. This example of our human frailty underscores how our faith can strengthen us in times of trial.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 1st Week of the Year
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The sorrow of Mary as she stood faithfully before the Cross of Christ helps us to engage our grief. When we acknowledge our sorrows, we call upon the saving strength of Jesus to pass through our pain into healing joy.
Mass Readings – Our Lady of Sorrows
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Our Lady of Sorrows…pray for us!
As Jesus looks upon the city of Jerusalem, he weeps for the destruction that will come. May the Lord’s sorrow for our sins move us to repent of the evil in our hearts.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 33rd Week of the Year
Mass Readings – Our Lady of Sorrows
Following immediately after yesterday’s Feast of the Holy Cross, the readings today focus on Mary as she endured the “sword of sorrow” as she stood at the Cross of her son. Her sorrow reaches out through time and space to all people who have been overwhelmed by grief. May her example help us to face our moments of pain with a sure and steadfast faith in Jesus Christ.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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The Descent from the Cross, Rogier van der Weyden, 1435, Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid.
Note: This is one of the most moving paintings I have ever stood before.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Our Lady of Sorrows
Mary’s example of faith in the midst of sorrow inspires us to face our grief and loss in this life with God’s grace.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent
With help from some 4th graders from Mrs. Peterson’s class at Cathedral School, Fr. Andrew looks at how God can take bad things and bring about great goodness.
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If you are looking for more material to help you this Lent, you might consider this list of presentations I have offered over the last couple of years. Feel free to check it out and share if you find it helpful:
Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
Three Great Things 