Mass Readings – 19th Sunday of the Year
Fear is a part of life, yet our response determines the impact it will have upon us. Peter’s experience of fear reminds us that we have an opportunity today to call upon the Lord for the courage we need to face our fears with the power of faith.
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Study: Recall a moment in life when you were doubtful or afraid. How did you face it?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the strength and wisdom to face doubts and fears.
Serve: Is there someone in your life who is struggling with doubts or fears? How might you help them?
Mass Readings – 19th Sunday of the Year
This Gospel story (Matthew 14:22-33) follows immediately after the feeding of the 5000. Here’s a quick recap:
* Jesus hears of the death of John the Baptist
* Jesus seeks solitude in a deserted place
* The crowds find Jesus; he ministers to them
* Jesus feeds the hungry with fishes & bread
After the people have eaten, the Lord makes the disciples get into a boat while he dismisses the crowd. The following events occur:
1. The disciples are in the boat on the water
2. Jesus goes up the mountain to pray alone
3. The wind and the waves are getting strong
4. Late at night Jesus comes on the water
5. Seeing Jesus, the disciples are terrified
6. Jesus, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”
7. Peter to Jesus “Command me to come to you.”
8. Peter goes to Jesus, is frightened and sinks
9. Jesus rescues Peter “Why did you doubt?”
10. The disciples: “Truly you are the Son of God!”
Note that Matthew’s Gospel differs from Mark’s account (6:45-52) in three ways:
1. The dialogue between Jesus and Peter
2. Peter walking (sort of) on the water
3. Confession of faith – Jesus the Son of God
The story speaks of Peter’s desire to follow Jesus, even as it clearly shows his human weakness. Peter tries, fails, and calls upon Jesus to save him in his need. As a result, the disciples recognize the Son of God in their midst.
The early Church took this passage to heart. Like the boat tossed on the waters, early Christians knew all too well the dangers of faith – risking their lives to follow Jesus. Like Peter, they had their moments of weakness; like Peter, they called upon the Lord in their need.
We can see ourselves in this situation as well. There are times when we desperately want a strong and steadfast faith; we seek the Lord and desire to follow His path for our lives. Yet we are also aware of our limitations, failures, and fears. May we, like Peter, call upon Jesus in our need; may we trust in the Lord’s strength and love to save us.
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Mass Readings – Friday of the 4th Week of Easter
How often do we let worry and anxiety bring trouble to our hearts? Yet the words of Jesus in the Gospel today remind us (once again!) that the Lord’s grace is greater than the stresses of our lives.
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Mass Readings – Saturday of the 7th Week of the Year
As Jesus welcomes and blesses the children in the Gospel of Mark, we are reminded to foster a world where our children are safe and protected as we recall that we, too, seek the Lord with the tender trust of a child.
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Study: Consider a time when you had to trust another person. What helped or hindered you to trust?
Pray: Is there a major decision in your life? As the Lord for guidance and direction.
Serve: Do you know someone who is searching for God? How can you help point them to Jesus?
Mass Readings – Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
This great feast of Mary flows from the heart of the Christmas story. Jesus, like us in all things except sin, had a mother who reflected on the great events that had happened in her life. She witnessed how God was at work, and she took time to ponder…even as she held baby Jesus in her arms.
Mary’s trust in the Lord inspires us to turn to God in our need and live the gift of our faith. Like Mary, we can reflect upon the Lord’s goodness in our own lives and express with gratitude what God has done for us.
What’s more, as Mary brought forth Jesus into the world we, too, can continue Christ’s saving work as we proclaim the Good News today. Our words and actions can point others to Jesus Christ, directing those in our lives to trust in the Lord’s mercy and love.
May Mary’s example strengthen our faith and empower us to live it with joy. As we reflect on what God has done in our lives, may we express with gratitude the graces we have received as we put them into practice.
Study: Reflect on a truly difficult time in your life. Where did you find the strength to continue?
Pray: Is there a challenging situation in your life right now? Ask the Lord for grace and wisdom.
Serve: How can you help someone in a tight spot today? How can you help them carry their cross?
Mass Readings – 23rd Sunday of the Year
There is a sobering element in the readings this week that focuses on the cost of discipleship. We commonly speak of “carrying the Cross” as a way of understanding how our sacrifices and burdens become transformed when we participate in the Cross of Christ.
The first reading from the book of Wisdom reminds us that our mortal natures cannot fathom the breadth and depth of God’s plan. We rely on the Lord, and we trust that through the power of the Holy Spirit God reveals the path of our lives – and provides us with the strength for the journey.
The psalm response “In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge” helps us understand that when times get tough we turn to Jesus. He is the source of our strength, and with his grace we find a safe place from which we can prepare our hearts for the demands of the day.
Paul’s letter to Philemon touches upon our human weakness. Paul, imprisoned for his faith, is sending back a runaway slave (Onesimus) to his master – urging Philemon to accept his former servant with kindness as a brother in the Lord. Paul, Onesimus, and Philemon must all trust in the Lord for the strength to do what is right, even when it is difficult.
Finally, the Gospel speaks bluntly about the cost of discipleship. The price might be our family, our relationships, our possessions…yet through it all the Lord affirms that his grace empowers us to carry our Cross. For indeed, we all have crosses, and we can face them with hope – knowing that the Lord, who carried his Cross, will help us with our own.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 18th Week of the Year
The Canaanite woman in the Gospel is not Jewish, does not know the Law, the Prophets, or the great story of salvation history. What she knows is that Jesus can heal, and on that simple premise she reveals a faith that will not be denied…giving us an example to follow.
