Fr. Andrew’s 4th Sunday of Easter Homily Podcast
The readings this weekend help the heart and strengthen the soul, inviting us to unite as God’s family with the Good News of Christ available to all.
Tag Archives: Unity
4th Sunday of the Year – Welcome to the Family
Study: Reflect on a time in life when someone reached out and welcomed you. What key points stand out? Consider any opportunities you have today to do this for another.
Pray: Is there a rift in your life that calls for healing and unity? Ask the Lord for grace and mercy to make it happen.
Serve: What is one thing you can do this week to be “part of the solution” in fostering unity in your life?
Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast
The Scripture readings this week are filled with an uplifting message: we are invited to be part of the Lord’s family of faith. Check out some high points from the readings:
- 1st Reading – Paul & Barnabas are a “light to the Gentiles”
- Psalm – “We are his people, the sheep of his flock”
- 2nd Reading – the great multitude of every “nation, race, people, and tongue”
- Gospel – Jesus knows his sheep and they follow him
Consider some points that follow from these incredible readings:
- The Good News of Christ is preached to all people. There is not limit or boundary; all have access to the Lord.
- The Lord claims us! What’s more, like the Psalmist, we can boldly claim our relationship to the Lord and trust in his love.
- The divisions that often separate us on earth (race, creed, nationality, language) simply do not exist in heaven; we are one family.
- We are known by the Lord – who calls us by name – and we follow Him.
If this unity is thus part of the reality of our Family of Faith, perhaps now is a good time to practice this unity here on earth? Perhaps today we can cross the boundaries and divisions that keep us from one another as we continue to share the Good News in our words and actions?
As disciples we have been given an example of unity; our lives today provide plenty of opportunities to foster it. May the grace of Easter inspire us to be a light to one another, after all – we are members of a vast and diverse family!
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Daily Mass: Christ, the Source of our Unity. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Easter
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles reveals the unity of “one heart and mind” that the early Church practiced in the days following the Lord’s resurrection. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the first followers of Jesus Christ shared their goods in common, worked together, and dedicated their efforts to building up one another. What a great image for us to keep before us in our lives today!
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The Trinity – Communion with God and One Another – Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Holy Trinity Homily Podcast
This homily was given on May 30, 2015 at St. William Church in Foxboro, WI.
The mystery of the Holy Trinity – there is one God, revealed in three Persons – communicates that God comes to us in communion. Indivisibly united, the Trinity teaches us that communion – being united together – is a key element to the practical experience of our lives.
Communion is crucial for all of us: family, friendship, co-workers, neighbors, classmates – even strangers – are all part of the fabric of our lives. Indeed, we can evaluate ourselves in a very real way by taking measure of our communion with one another.
Where our communion is vibrant, we grow; where it is wounded, we heal; and where it is broken, we come to the altar to receive Jesus Christ in Holy Communion to renew the communion of our hearts. May this communion within the Trinity transform and unite us with almighty God and one another.
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Pentecost – Unifying Power – Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Pentecost Homily Podcast
This homily was given at St. William Church in Foxboro, WI on May 23, 2015.
Like a gentle rain that nourishes and renews the earth, the Holy Spirit comes upon the world to bring life. The power of the Holy Spirit showers graces into our hearts with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. This happens in two profound ways:
- As individuals we are uniquely blessed with our gifts and talents
- As community we unite and support each other
A simple diagnostic tool: where do I see unity in my life? Where unity is present, we can build and grow stronger with the Spirit’s power. Where it is absent, we have the opportunity to call upon the Spirit for healing and transformation. Either way, come Holy Spirit!
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The Feast of Pentecost – The Power to Unite
Study: Reflect on a time when you encountered a difficult experience. Where did you find your strength?
Pray: Ask for the Holy Spirit to help you, especially to unite with others in challenging situations.
Serve: How can you help foster unity in your life? What can you do to bring people together?
Pentecost Mass During the Day Readings
It can be somewhat confusing to know what readings to follow – depending on the day and the options available a person can hear a number of different Scripture readings this weekend. Stepping back for a moment, however, we can tease out some major themes that surface on this important feast of the Church:
- Power – to face what comes before us with God’s strength
- Unity – to join together beyond boundaries and divisions
In many respects this feast marks the birthday of the Church. The disciples, having watched the Lord ascend to Heaven, are now “on their own” to carry out the Good News of Christ. The point, of course, is that they are not alone! Filled with the Holy Spirit their hearts are transformed and their lives forever changed. They have become willing instruments empowered by the Spirit to speak and act for the glory of God. They don’t look anything like their former selves – timid, fearful, and self-serving; they now fearlessly engage the world with the conviction that Jesus is Lord.
And as they are strengthened by the Spirit one sign increasingly becomes apparent – the unity of believers as a self evident sign that God’s grace is at work. Several approaches underscore this sense of unity:
- Understanding one another beyond the challenge of language
- Working together as a body does with its many parts
- Becoming spiritually fruitful
- Forgiveness with one another
Language, cooperation, fruitfulness, and forgiveness are all hallmarks of the Spirit’s presence in our lives. All are crucial and take an enormous amount of effort – supported by the POWER of the Holy Spirit!
Is there a place in our lives today that would benefit from unity? Are there relationships and situations that require healing and strength to grow? Do we recognize circumstances (perhaps beyond our control) that cry out for the Lord’s intervention? If so, then we can confidently turn to the Spirit for the grace we need to face what lies before us.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful , grant that by the same Spirit we may be truly wise, and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Pentecost, Eugenio Hansen, OFS; 25 April 2012, stained glass, 2590 x 4115 pixels, Pelotas Cathedral, Brazil.
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2nd Sunday of Easter – One Heart and Mind – Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s 2nd Sunday of Easter Homily Podcast
Working together demands effort, cooperation, collaboration, and dedicated people who are committed to each other. While never easy, the early Church showed the power of unity as they gathered in “one heart and mind” to proclaim the Good News. Three things can help us live this “blue collar cousin” to Christian love:
- Our Part – removing obstacles and building bridges in our relationships
- Their Part – helping and empowering others when they come to us
- God’s Part – the grace of Christ to unite and strengthen us, even when we are weak
This homily was given at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI on April 12, 2015.
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2nd Sunday of Easter – One Heart and Mind
Study: Where do I see signs of unity in my life? How can I build upon them?
Pray: Where do I see signs of disunity in my life? Call upon the Lord for grace and strength.
Serve: How can I help others grow closer together? How can I foster unity?
“The community of believers was of one heart and mind…” (Acts 4:32)
I marvel at the transformation of the disciples. Before the resurrection of Jesus they were filled with fear, paralyzed by their own weakness and doubt; after the resurrection they are changed, as evidenced in even the basic ways they lived and worked together.
One heart and mind!
Unity can be challenging in even the best circumstances: we see things differently, hold our own unique values and principles, as well as personal tastes and interests. Working together is tough, yet it is a common sign of holiness – the practical proof that we are doing our part to build the Lord’s kingdom here on earth.
What supports unity? Jesus Christ! Unity with Christ provides the grace for unity with Christ’s brothers and sisters; this clear sign of faith draws others to the Good News and fosters our community with one another. Take a look at a few of the patterns that emerge in today’s readings:
- 1st Reading – sharing according to need
- Psalm – giving thanks to the Lord
- 2nd Reading – love of God by keeping his commandments
- Gospel – Christ’s peace that overcomes doubt
Another way to say it: Sharing, Gratitude, Love, Peace – which find their source in Jesus and flow through us to the those we meet. I would suggest that the disciples used these building blocks to form the first elements of the Church, working together in unity with the grace of Christ to proclaim the Good News.
This work continues today. We all know firsthand the effects of discord – where lives are broken and fragmented by selfishness, fear, hate, and a hardness of heart – yet we believe in something greater…Christ is triumphant! Our response can mirror the disciples:
- We acknowledge the obstacles in our lives
- We turn to Jesus Christ and call upon his grace
- We allow the Lord to work through us to unite with one another
May we bring these powerful blessings of the resurrection to our world today:
- Sharing the gifts God has given us
- Grateful for the blessings we have received from on high
- Loving others as Christ loves us
- Bringing the Lord’s peace to those before us
One heart and mind!
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Resurrection, Szymon Czechowicz; 1758, oil on canvas, 525 x 392 pixels, Olesko Castle, Ukraine.
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6th Sunday of the Year – Suffering: Part II
Study: Reflect on wounded relationships in your life. What needs to be done to bring them healing?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the grace to bring healing to the relationships in your life, especially where suffering has caused misunderstanding or fear has led to doubt and uncertainty.
Serve: Are there people in your life that are struggling in their relationships? How can you be a bridge that fosters unity and reconciliation?
6th Sunday of the Year Readings
Last week I focused on the personal nature of suffering. When we are in pain, when we hurt, we can easily focus on ourselves. This is not necessarily a bad thing; suffering can help us confront reality and strive for healing and wholeness. In our suffering we are aware of blessings that we may have taken for granted – our sight can become sharper as we realize the gifts that have been lavished upon us.
There is another dimension of suffering, however. Suffering commonly affects relationships; when one person suffers, it is often the case that others suffer as well. Consider the following:
- Physical suffering can keep us from human touch/contact
- Intellectual distress can cause us to lash out in doubt and misunderstanding
- Emotional anguish can prevent us from connecting with others because of fear and anger
- Spiritual suffering can obscure our values and beliefs with God and others
There are countless examples, but the point is clear – the pain and anguish a person suffers can directly affect relationships with God and one another. Suffering can become an obstacle that blocks us from the very persons who can bring healing and relief. Often the greatest wound from suffering is isolation: in our weakness we withdraw from the very people who can help us the most.
The 1st Reading, Responsorial Psalm, and Gospel today reveal both the obstacles of suffering and the bridges that God makes possible through healing grace. In the face of suffering the Lord comes, not just to bring healing to a person, but healing to the relationships among persons. God longs not only to renew our lives but the lives around us as well. Where suffering brings isolation the Lord brings unity – drawing us together in reconciliation and love.
This communal aspect of suffering thus begs two questions for our consideration:
- Is suffering affecting relationships in my life right now?
- How can I invite the Lord to bring healing/reconciliation?
When the Jesus healed the leper in the Gospel today, he did more than give the man back his health – he gave back his relationships as well. The man (formerly cut off from human society) is now restored to his family, his friendships, and his participation in the community. His life has been restored.
As we look to our own encounters with suffering we keep an eye to the ways in which our relationships are harmed/healed. May we call upon the grace of Christ to touch our lives, and bless the lives of those around us.
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The Feast of Pentecost
Study: Where in my life have I experienced God’s grace and strength?
Pray: What particular needs in my life call for the help of the Holy Spirit?
Serve: Where can I use the gifts God has given me to serve another right now?
Pentecost Mass Vigil Readings Pentecost Mass Day Readings
The image St. Paul uses in the 2nd reading this weekend is a body. Composed of different parts which do unique and special functions, the body is united when all the parts come together. So, too, all of us are united into the Body of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Look at these themes from Pentecost Mass Readings of the Day:
- The Spirit gives power to communicate across barriers of race and tongue (1st Reading)
- The Spirit gives life and renews the face of the earth (Psalm response)
- The Spirit gives different gifts to people for different needs (2nd Reading)
- The Spirit is breathed on the disciples by Jesus (Gospel)
In other words, the Holy Spirit unites people, renews life, provides unique gifts, and is granted to the Church by Christ. This is the day that the disciples were empowered to continue the mission of Jesus; filled with the Spirit they will witness the Good News of the Lord through their words and actions.
Their example becomes our model. The same Spirit that changed their lives comes to us. The same Spirit that gave them the grace and strength to go forth gives us the power we need to offer our lives for Christ. God continues to invite us to serve, and the Lord pours forth the Holy Spirit to help us carry out the work of this day.
Are there barriers in our life? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there parts of life in need of renewal? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there gifts we have that need to be used and directed? Come Holy Spirit!
Jesus freely gave the gift of the Spirit to his disciples – may we turn to the Lord with conviction that as we call for the Holy Spirit in our lives we will be given what we need for the work of this day.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: Some spiritual insights about fasting
- Lenten Bootcamp: 1st Night - Evaluating our Spiritual Fitness
- Daily Mass: We take up our crosses and follow Christ
- Ash Wednesday: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned
- Daily Mass: Perseverance is crucial in the spiritual life
- Daily Mass: We embrace our trials with the help of Christ
- Study, Pray, Serve: 1st Sunday of Lent
- 6th Sunday of the Year: Christ calls us to look inward and out
- Daily Mass: The Lord nourishes body and soul
- Daily Mass: The gift of hearing and speech
Three Great Things 