As the Lord faces hostility, he shows the disciples a way that transcends animosity and violence. May his example inspire us to fight fire with faith!
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 26th Week of the Year
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St. Vincent de Paul, pray for us!
Continuing from the call of the Twelve and the explanation of their mission, Jesus now prepares his followers for the difficulties that are part of the path of discipleship.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 14th Week of the Year
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Jeremiah affirms that God is his mighty champion, a source of protection in times of trial. May we echo his sentiment as we proclaim the psalm response, “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice!”
Mass Readings – Friday of the 5th Week of Lent
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The First Letter of Peter reminds us that in times of difficulty our faith in Christ can flourish. May we face the challenges of today with trust that the Lord supports us with his grace.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 8th 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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Study: Reflect on a moment when you were in a critical need. What pulled you through?
Pray: Ask the Lord for grace regarding a difficult situation.
Serve: How can you be a helping hand to another?
Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Lent
Let’s take a look at these readings that help us kick off Lent:
Have you ever been in trouble? Serious trouble? End of your rope? Lost? Confused? Abandoned? Scared? Feeling like you cannot breathe because the air has gone out of your chest? Feeling utterly alone?
You’re in good company. People of faith for over 3000 years have called upon the Lord in their darkest moments – seeking guidance and strength.
And God provides. We don’t have to look very hard to find examples of pain and suffering, hardship and loss, struggle, catastrophe and sin. We also know that there are no promises that life will be easy and free from pain. What we know is simple: God walks with us and sustains us in our moments of need.
Of course this is only a half truth – God walks with us always! God never leaves us, but for some very human reason we seem to call out loud and strong when we recognize our need for the Lord. Isn’t it odd that we “get it” when we are in need…that many of us who dedicate our lives to Christ see much more clearly when the truth is self-evident?
Perhaps not. Perhaps what this first week of Lent shows us is that our need for God (always present in our lives) is most easily observed when we cannot hide from our need. For when we are in trouble, we are confronted with the clear and obvious reality that it is only with the Lord’s grace that we can be guided and sustained. In the times of our testing we discover both our limitations and the Lord’s love.
What are you facing in your life right now? What requires your own personal admission and acceptance of Christ’s mercy? Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble!
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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 getting the most out of Lent
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Note: this post was first published on February 9, 2016.
The readings state plainly the hostility and difficulty we often find in lives. Sometimes the battle is outside ourselves, and sometimes it is within. Yet as we fight our battles, we constantly use our most powerful weapon: the grace we receive through our faith in Jesus Christ!
Mass Readings – 25th Sunday of the Year
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The accident at the oil refinery in Superior last week was a stark reminder how we rely on and support one another in times of danger. Where do we find the strength to work together? United in our faith in Jesus Christ we are nourished with God’s grace so that we can offer our lives for one another.
Mass Readings – 5th Sunday of Easter
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Saturday in the Octave of Easter
When the going gets tough, the tough live their faith! The early Church faced opposition even as it was filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit. We, too, call upon the Lord to face our trials with the same strength that inspired and strengthened the disciples.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent
God’s promise to Abraham is transformed and renewed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we look to our challenges and trials today, may we build upon the foundation of faith that we have received and offer our lives in service to the Lord.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Three Great Things 