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.
Mass Readings – The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
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.)
Link to the Facebook Live Presentation
St. Paul uses the image of an athlete to remind us that discipline, effort and commitment are also crucial elements of our spiritual life.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 23rd Week of the Year
St. Paul reveals by his example and teaching that all of us are called to give our best effort in whatever labor we do. Our task is to see how the daily work we complete on earth helps build the Kingdom of Heaven…then do it!
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 21st Week of the Year
Life is a precious gift, created and redeemed by God, and how we offer this treasure reveals the depth and content of our hearts.
***************
As we bring the year 2019 to a close, perhaps it makes sense to take a brief walk back through the last twelve months and reflect on how our lives have changed. Where did we experience moments of growth? Where did we experience God’s grace? May we look back and count our blessings as we prepare for a New Year.
Happy New Year!
***************
Jesus offers three key insights that profoundly impact our spiritual lives in practical ways. The hard part? Putting them into practice every day.
Mass Readings – Wed. of the 19th Week of the Year (St. Maximillian Kolbe)
***************
A 2018 Nielsen report shows that Americans now spend over 11 hours a day looking at a screen. Eleven hours! Fr. Andrew’s parishioners are familiar with his annual “Summer Challenge,” and he offers some thoughts here about what we can to ditch the screen time and embrace hundreds of alternative activities that are good for body, mind, heart, and soul.
***************
Jesus offers a rebuke in the Gospel today with the insight that almsgiving is powerful way we can foster our spiritual life.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 28th Week of the Year
***************
Study: Reflect on a time when you struggled with something in the privacy of your heart. What helped you?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the grace and healing you need to fight the challenges within you.
Serve: Perhaps you know someone who is facing a difficult time alone. How might you reach out?
Mass Readings – 22nd Sunday of the Year
Listen to the Lord’s words to the people in this Sunday’s Gospel:
He summoned the crowd again and said to them,
“Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.
“From within people, from their hearts,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile.” Mark 7: 14-15,21-23
We see the effects of sin on the outside in the words and actions that are evident through observation and experience. Yet the Lord reminds us that the origin of our sin begins within the human heart, and it is there that the battle rages.
We can cloak our lives, guarding our speech and hiding our actions, yet eventually the pattern of our soul emerges through our interactions with one another. Only God clearly sees our hearts, and it is to the Lord that we turn to:
Because our hearts are hidden from view, it is crucial that we take time for reflection and prayer to review the state of our souls. Some powerful tools to help us:
May we pause to look honestly at our hearts, and call upon Jesus Christ for the grace we need to fight the battle within!
***************
***************
Note: this post was first published on August 25, 2018.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 