Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 29th Week of the Year (Sts. John Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues)
The Gospel of Luke challenges us to live up to the faith we have received: “Much will be required to the person entrusted with much.”
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 21st Week of the Year
Three people were given gifts, but their responses were different – reminding us that while we all receive different blessings in this life, the Lord asks that we use them to the best of our ability.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 20th Week of the Year
Stuff. It’s all around us, and how we use it says a lot about our faith and values. May we call upon the Lord for the wisdom and guidance to use our possessions wisely and well.
Mass Readings – 18th Sunday of the Year
An antidote that guards against greed contains Gratitude, Contentment, Stewardship, Generosity, and Prayer. May we take a daily dose and live our lives with the grace of our faith in Christ.
Study: Are there situations in life where you find greed present? Ask yourself what is the source of this excessive hunger for more.
Pray: Call upon the Lord for the grace to use your resources wisely.
Serve: How can you be generous with your life today?
Mass Readings – 18th Sunday of the Year
The Lord cautions us to “guard against all greed” in the Gospel today, yet another reminder of the timeless power of our faith to speak to the human heart. Let’s take a moment to break down some common aspects of greed:
Greed disregards the needs of others as the individual focuses entirely on self. Seeking more and more, it pushes other things aside in a quest to acquire. And while we often associate greed with money, the Lord’s warning against all forms of greed is apt…we can be greedy about so many things!
So what’s the cure? How do we combat greed in our lives? Here are some key ingredients:
By weaving these elements into our lives we cultivate a perspective that sees all resources as gifts from God that are to be used wisely and well. We have been richly blessed by the Lord! May we live and share our lives in such a way that Christ’s love shines through all that we do.
Fr. Andrew’s 32nd Sunday of the Year Homily Podcast
It’s all about blessings. God lavishes graces and blessings upon us…let’s take time to acknowledge them! And then out of gratitude…let’s consider how we might be a blessing to others! Consider today how we might share our time, talent, and treasure to bless the life of another…drawing us closer to the Lord and one another.
Study: Reflect on a moment when you gave generously of your time, resources, or money. What was the cost, and what did you discover?
Pray: Take time to thank the Lord for the blessings lavished upon you. Cultivate gratitude in your heart and express it in your life.
Serve: Who has the Lord placed in your life to serve? How can your life be a blessing of generous giving to another?
32nd Sunday of the Year Readings
The theme of generous giving runs through these four readings this week:
Let’s look at how this theme surfaces throughout these readings.
Earthly blessings. The psalm reminds us that God is the source of all that we have, and it begs a simple point: Are we grateful? I know firsthand how easy it is to take even the simplest blessings for granted. All it takes is to lose something that is part of our routine (health, work, friendship) to rediscover the gift that was right in front of our eyes.
Spiritual Salvation. Jesus Christ offers his life once-for-all that through his death and resurrection we might have eternal life. The Father gave his only Son that we might be saved. This profound act of divine generosity speaks of a love that is vast and all encompassing. God does this for us!
Profound human generosity. These two women gave from their need, not their want. It was not surplus food or money…it was their livelihood. It is crucial to note that no gift is too big or small in God’s eyes; what’s crucial is the relationship between the offering and the person – is it given as a token or as something of value?
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Do we take time to acknowledge the blessings we have? No really…do we pause in the course of our day – in a moment of prayer – and thank the Lord for the gifts we have been given? Let me be clear: without gratitude generosity means nothing, for without thankfulness we have no appreciation and respect for the gift that is given.
And equally crucial point follows: Do we give generously? Do we share what we have in a manner that shows our prayer and reflection? All gifts, great or small, are precious in the Lord’s eyes when they are offered in a spirit of love; all gifts, great or small, lose their significance when they are given without respect for the sacrifices and blessings they represent.
Simply put: we give generously out of gratitude for God’s generous gifts to us! Take a moment this week to pause and reflect on your blessings. Then consider the ways that you can offer your life. Whether it is with time, talent, or treasure – God will take our gifts, generously given, and make them a blessing in the world.
Study: How can I share the time, talents, and treasure that God has given me?
Pray: Where do I hear the Lord’s voice calling me today?
Serve: Who has the Lord put in my life? Who can I help today?
What does it mean to be a good servant? The Gospel parable offers a simple illustration for our reflection today. Each of us has work to do; our vocation (whatever it is) leads us to particular tasks and duties. Let’s break it down:
* What does it mean to be a good person?
* How am I called to live in the world?
* How does my faith direct me to live?
* Who are the people I care for in my life?
* What tasks are set before me to do?
The fact is, we all have a part to play in this life. We all have people to serve, work to do, and examples to offer to those around us. These tasks may vary with our age, gender, education, and resources – but they are all part of God’s call to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The point of the parable is that we should not think that the work we do has special merit. Just because the Lord blesses us with unique resources or gifts does not entitle us to privilege. We are called to do our work, mindful that it is our part in God’s plan.
This means that we do our work with care, attention, and purpose. We do this not because we seek special treatment, but because the Lord invites us to share our talents for the greater good of all. It is not enough to go through the motions; we offer the best of our lives that we might make a difference!
As servants of Jesus Christ we are commanded to follow the Lord throughout this life until we are called home. And when we stand before the Lord we will discover both what we did with our lives and what we failed to do. In all this we live that we might be good servants – willing to carry out the task at hand.
We turn to our faith in our moments of need. We pray that God will assist us in our times of trial, that we will offer the best we have in our service. We look to the Lord for guidance and strength. We trust that the Christ will never leave us.
It is this faith that sustains us when doubt and fear surface in our hearts. It is this faith that supports us when we feel alone. And it is this faith that becomes the bedrock for our service – that we might be good servants, following the Master’s call.
Study: Do I use my resources justly and prudently? Am I a good steward of what I have received?
Pray: Ask the Lord for guidance to use the things of this world wisely.
Serve: Is someone in need that you can help right now? Is there a way you can make a difference in the life of another today?
The readings this week all have some bearing on the relationship between the Church and society. This includes elements of social justice, politics, and wealth. Here is a quick overview:
First – condemns those who cheat the poor
Psalm – God cares for the poor and lowly
Second – pray for civic leaders
Gospel – the unjust steward; the use of wealth
In the first reading the prophet Amos preaches against those who would take advantage of the poor. Buying and selling are their concerns, even if it causes pain and suffering. Amos reminds the people that God will judge!
The psalm shows both the glory of the Lord and his care for the poor. God knows the needs of the oppressed, and the Lord will raise them up on the day of vindication.
The second reading exhorts the people to pray for all leaders, regardless of their beliefs. Christians are commanded to pray for the good of the world, that peace and tranquility may exist here on earth. We also pray that the world will come to know the Lord (and that begins with our hearts!).
Finally, in the Gospel we have two elements. First we hear about an unjust steward, who has cheated and betrayed his master. When told he will be dismissed, he takes matters into his own hands in order to insure that other people will welcome him.
Second, there follows a string of sayings on the right use of wealth. These sayings point out that faith, integrity, and common sense will quickly be apparent, especially for those who practice good stewardship in their lives.
The fact is, we cannot cut ourselves off from the world; indeed, we profess that much of life is filled with blessings and gifts that are precious, holy, and wonderful. HOW WE USE THIS WORLD is the challenge!
We are commanded to protect the poor and vulnerable. We are called to pray for our leaders and work for a world of justice and peace. We are challenged to be good stewards of all that we receive, mindful that the Lord gave it to us, and one day the Lord will take it back.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 