This is the sixth part of a six-week series about how we gently and lovingly share our faith with others. In this presentation, Fr. Andrew pulls together a pattern of life that empowers us to become real and approachable witnesses for Christ. In particular:
Cultivate our Spiritual life and grow closer to the Lord
Cultivate our relationships and grow closer to one another
Listen with a prayerful heart to the people in our lives
Discover the people, opportunities and resources that foster faith
Respond with conviction when others “open the door” in conversation
This is the second part of a six-week series about how we gently and lovingly share our faith with others. In this presentation Fr. Andrew speaks about how we cultivate a vibrant and personal spiritual life.
Are you looking for New Year’s Resolution to grow in your faith? This presentation was given by Fr. Andrew on August 22, 2023 to the leadership of his cluster of parishes regarding how a person (and a parish) share their faith with others in an open and non-threatening way. Using Acts 8:26-40, we discern a four point outline:
Work on our own spiritual life with the Lord.
Deepen and foster our personal relationships with others.
Be ready to give witness when people have “opened the door.”
Show them the next step.
Fr. Andrew then offers some ways this process affects parish life.
People are always watching. If they see our consistent, faithful witness AND we are sincerely present in a loving and honest way, there often comes a time when people will comment about our faith. It is at that moment that we can respond, showing how our faith helps us face the challenges of life, and offering an invitation for them to take a step that leads to knowing more about God.
Here are some of the main themes in the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent.
1st Reading – Exodus 3:1-8a,13-15
Moses encounters the Lord who speaks from the burning bush.
God announces the plan to save the people of Israel from their bondage in Egypt and will be called “I AM” when the people ask Moses what is God’s name.
Psalm – 103:1-4,6-8,11
“The Lord is kind and merciful.”
God is merciful and gracious, healing, redeeming and pardoning our sins.
2nd Reading – 1st Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12
St. Paul recounts part of the mistakes of the people of Israel as they fled Egypt.
We are encouraged to learn from this and seek what is good as we follow Jesus Christ.
Gospel – Luke 13:1-9
Jesus speaks to the people, encouraging them to repent.
The Lord then offers a parable about cultivating a fruitful life, and he includes a warning if we neglect our growth.
Note: These are the readings for “Year C” in the Lectionary for Mass. On the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent, parishes may use the “Year A” readings at Masses that includes members of the RCIA process.
Jesus teaches the disciples that we will know a tree by its fruit, and this insight can be applied to the state of our spiritual lives and our relationships with one another.
Jesus teaches us about a spiritual principle that shows how God’s grace grows in our hearts. May we take stock of what we are feeding our souls, mindful that whatever we encourage (good or bad) will grow.
The Gospel reveals that growth and knowledge often take time to develop. This process of maturity reminds us that our own spiritual life requires a steady discipline of commitment over the entire course of our lives.
This Advent Reflection was livestreamed on the Cathedral Facebook Page on November 29, 2020. May all of us use the gift of this holy season to prepare our hearts to welcome Christ!
(Note: there is a slight distortion in the sound quality on the podcast; I apologize for any inconvenience.)
Three Great Things 