Mass Readings – 15th Sunday of the Year
Like the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke, we are called to be neighbor to all who cross our path – sharing the Love that Christ offers us with one another.
Tag Archives: Support
Daily Mass: Help Wanted! Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast (Thursday of the 2nd Week of Advent)
God offers to help us in the first reading today. Will we accept it? Will we open the door of our hearts and allow God’s grace inside? Help Wanted!
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Good Friday – The Cross of Christ – Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Good Friday Homily Podcast (10 minutes)
This homily was given on April 3, 2015 at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI.
The Cross of Christ – ugly, filthy with the blood of countless victims, jagged, and splintered – becomes the sign of the depth and breadth of agony Jesus endured. As he embraces his suffering, the Cross becomes a bridge whereby he unites with all humanity, meeting us in our most profound moments of weakness and sin, and gives us hope through his triumph over death.
We must understand the Cross in the light of Easter joy:
- For if we only focus on the Cross then we have no hope; life becomes dark and filled with despair.
- And if we only focus on Easter joy then we have no respect for the gift of the Lord’s Passion; we do not appreciate the price that was paid for our salvation.
We look to the Cross and allow Christ’s Passion to touch our lives. We unite with Jesus and give grateful thanks that he has redeemed us in every aspect of our lives.
Come to the Cross and unite your heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ.
Be redeemed by Love Himself, who gave his life to save and set us free.
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Good Friday – Sacrifice & Support
Study: Where have I made sacrifices in my life? What do these sacrifices reveal about my values and priorities?
Pray: Reflect on those who are suffering right now. Draw near to them in your prayer, asking the Lord to give them strength.
Serve: Who is carrying a cross in your life today? How can you help them?
Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast (10 minutes)
For what would you give your life? For who?
Perhaps this is too extreme as a starting point. Perhaps the first question should be where in my life have I made consistent sacrifices? Where in my life have I given up something because I believed in something more important?
Sacrifices reveal the depth and character of our heart. They show our values, principles, and convictions in straightforward and direct ways. Our sacrifices quickly point out the hidden parts of our soul – either to be confirmed/denied by the words we speak – and proclaim to others our inner self.
In general sacrifice means giving our lives – sometimes in simple service, minor inconveniences, labors of love, seasons of selflessness, or in extreme cases: offering our lives. We make sacrifices all the time.
So did Christ.
As we read the Passion of the Lord today we discover the love Christ has for every human soul; the Lord willingly hung upon the Cross for our sins – sacrificing his innocent life for the pains and hurts we have inflicted upon one another. His sacrifice reveals his love for us (even on our worst days) as something so precious that it is worth all the pain and humiliation that the devil could provide.
Where do we see ourselves in the Passion? What crosses have we been given to carry – participating in some small way with the Cross of Christ? Or are we like Simon of Cyrene or Veronica – assisting with others in their own journey to Calvary? Are we making sacrifices or offering support for others in their need? We read the Passion every year on Good Friday to remind ourselves not only of what the Lord has done for us, but also that we, too, have a part to play. Our crosses participate in the Cross of Christ; our support for one another shares in the comfort which others offered to Jesus.
May this Good Friday drive us to our knees – thanking the Lord for what he did for us, and inspiring us to walk willingly with others in their need.
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The crucifixion, Pieter Lastman; 1616, Museum het Rembrandthuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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Catholic Inspiration – Walking with the Lord in Holy Week – All Talks
Below are all the recorded homilies and presentations offered at the Parish Mission for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, AZ from March 7-12, 2015. Special thanks to the wonderful people at OLV for their hospitality – what a joy to be among you!
Sunday Homily Podcast – 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year B) – Saturday, March 7, 2015.
Monday Homily Podcast – Monday of the 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year I) – March 9, 2015.
Holy Week Presentation Podcast #1 – Palm Sunday – March 9, 2015.
Tuesday Homily Podcast – Tuesday of the 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year I) – March 10, 2015.
Holy Week Presentation Podcast #2 – Holy Thursday – March 10, 2015.
Holy Week Presentation Podcast #3 – Good Friday – March 11, 2015.
Thursday Homily Podcast – Thursday of the 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year I) – March 12, 2015.
Holy Week Presentation Podcast #4 – Easter – March 12, 2015.
In addition, I wish to thank the parishioners at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Solon Springs, WI who welcomed me to preach a concentrated version of this Mission on Saturday, February 28, 2015 – thank you for your kindness…these presentations grew out of our day together!
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Walking with the Lord in Holy Week – Good Friday – Catholic Inspiration
This is the 3rd of four presentations given at a Parish Mission on March 9-12, 2015 for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona.
Fr. Andrew’s Presentation Podcast #3 – Good Friday (33 minutes)
Carrying his Cross for the salvation of the world, the Lord reveals two key insights for Christians:
- Sacrifice
- Support
SACRIFICE – giving up something for the sake of something more important – becomes self evident as the Lord offers his life as a perfect offering. Innocent and without sin, he takes our place and helps us to recognize our own sacrifices as a participation in his Cross.
SUPPORT appears when we look at two familiar figures in the Stations of the Cross – Simon of Cyrene and Veronica. We read about Simon in the Scriptures, and Veronica has been a part of the tradition of this devotional prayer for centuries; both of them show that even the smallest of actions proclaims the value of human life in our relationships with one another. Running toward suffering and sacrifice, we can (like a Firefighter) be agents in great and small ways for compassion, mercy, and tenderness.
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5th Sunday of Easter – Living Stones
Study: Reflect on a challenging time in your life. How did you give and/or receive strength from others?
Pray: For what particular strength do you need to ask the Lord? Come to the “Living Stone” who is Jesus and seek the strength you need!
Serve: Where can you cooperate with others right now? How can your strength help others ?
5th Sunday of Easter Readings Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast
Imagine a piece of construction brick or stone. At a distance the pieces look the same, with similarities in color, texture, shape, and size. Yet on closer examination we perceive that every piece of brick or stone is different; when seen clearly each stone is unique.
We use stones all the time in our building and construction. We use them in walls, fireplaces, foundations, and paving. Stones possess an inherent toughness – they are the bones of the earth – which makes them useful and vital in life.
In the second reading we hear how the Scriptures use the image of a stone in our life of faith. Peter writes that all people should come to Jesus, a living stone, so that we might be built into a spiritual house. Following the example of Jesus, we become “living stones” that all might see God’s kingdom here on earth.
Stones remind us of two important points. First, stones are strong, and we are called to live our faith with the same durability and toughness. Life is not easy, and there are times when we recognize our weakness and failures. Yet through our relationship with Christ we gain strength and power that we do not have by ourselves. Through Christ our talents and gifts become strong resources to be used by God.
Second, in construction stones are used in cooperation with others, and this same cooperation is part of our human experience. Take a stone or brick out of a wall and it becomes weaker; take a person out of a community and a change is felt. Simply put, just as a stone adds strength to those around it, so to our lives make a profound difference on those around us.
As living stones we offer our God-given strengths and abilities to build up God’s people here on earth. Sharing our lives, we become a powerful tool through which Jesus Christ continues to be revealed to all people through time.
Stones teach us about strength and cooperation. These insights are part of every human experience and are used throughout our lives. As God’s living stones we discover that our faith gives us power when we work together with those around us. May that power help us to build God’s kingdom, leading others to Christ.
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Presentation of the Lord – He understands, because He’s been through it
Study: Recall a moment when someone really understood you. You felt safe, relaxed, and at peace knowing that you were loved completely and sincerely.
Pray: Take a moment to open your heart to Jesus. You might want to read/pray the readings today (especially the 2nd reading from Hebrews) and gaze at the Cross.
Serve: Is there someone in your life you can reach out to? Is there someone with whom you might be able to be present without judgment or bias – but simply meet them where they are in kindness, respect, and love?
Presentation of the Lord Readings
During my study as a seminarian I served as a chaplain at a hospital. I had the opportunity to work with a rich diversity of people from a variety of skills and backgrounds. Through this time I learned much about my strengths and weaknesses as a minister.
One day I was assigned to visit a man who had a heart attack. He was unhappy, sullen, and angry at me (and everyone else who came in). He kept claiming that he was “as healthy as an ox” and had “never been sick a day,” but we could all see that his life was in a fragile state.
In my visit I tried to speak about some of the topics that the doctors and nurses had been urging: physical exercise, diet, use of alcohol, stress, and other related issues. He refused to speak. He shouted, insulted, complained, and denied the fact that he even needed to be in the hospital!
I (being very inexperienced at the time) thought I could wear him down by simply being more stubborn – sitting there and listening until he just ran out of air. Suddenly, a middle-aged man walked in the room and asked me if he could visit with the patient alone for a few minutes.
I stepped outside, visited a few patients, and after about an hour I saw the man come out of the room with a big smile. He went over to the nurse on duty and informed her that the patient was willing to listen to any medical advice and act on it!
When I asked him what happened, he said, “You see, I was once like him – in the hospital bed, denying everything, angry at everyone, and blaming every person – except the only one who could make a change…ME! I showed him my scars, told him about the procedures, the medications, and the fact that I feel better now then I ever have.”
He then looked at me and continued, “I guess he just needed to hear it from someone who knows what it’s like. Someone who understands because he’s been through it.”
We see a similar connection in the book of Hebrews today. Jesus became like us – he suffered, died, and rose from the dead that sin and death might no longer have power. He knows what it’s like to face the challenges and burdens of life, and because he understands, he is able to help us, guide us, and strengthen us in our moments of need.
Perhaps now is the time to recognize that the Lord knows us. He knows what it’s like to face the challenges of life, and we can rejoice that the Master of the Universe comprehends our hearts – better then we do! Maybe today is our chance to stop and turn to the Lord and allow him to love us. Perhaps all we really have to do is stop “doing” for a moment and “be” present to Jesus.
It’s good to have a friend who knows exactly what we are going through and helps us on the way!
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Baptism of the Lord
Study: When have I experienced a life-changing moment? How has this helped me to become a better person?
Pray: Ask God for guidance to face new challenges with courage and strength.
Serve: How can I help someone in the midst of great change? How can I support them?
There are moments in life which transform us forever. During these times we experience profound and lasting change, and from these moments we find that we are a different person with new insights and awareness.
Sometimes this process of change can take a protracted period of time – weeks or even months may pass while we are in a period of transition and renewal. Sometimes, however, the transformation takes a single moment; an event or encounter can completely alter the course of our lives.
The baptism of Jesus was just such a life changing experience. This event is the first step in the adult life of Christ. Here is a simplified review:
* Jesus (as an adult) is baptized by John
– the Father and Holy Spirit are present!
* Jesus goes immediately to the desert
– he spends 40 days in solitude
* Jesus is tempted by Satan
– he confronts 3 tests of faith
* Jesus begins his ministry
– he preaches, heals, and picks disciples
John’s baptism initiates a series of events that lead to the transformation of the adult Jesus. Outside of the birth narratives in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, nothing is really known about the Lord until this moment. Indeed, it is from this point on that Jesus must confront the revelation of his mission on earth.
Some scholars argue that after his baptism Jesus became fully aware of his ministry and ultimate sacrifice on the Cross. It was at this point that he began to understand the fullness of his Father’s plan. This is why he went to the wilderness immediately after his baptism – he needed to think things out! This is why the devil came to him there – in hope that Jesus could be tempted NOT to fulfill his mission.
It was his baptism – a public event – that allowed the Lord (and other people as well) to see the plan of salvation. In a single moment history changed as Jesus begins his earthly ministry.
Our own transformations can be equally vivid. May we see in the Lord’s baptism a sign that we too can change, growing closer to God, aware of how our lives can bring life and hope to others.
Three Great Things 