Come, Holy Spirit! is a six week series of presentations on the Holy Spirit. This fifth talk discusses the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and shows how they cooperate with other virtues to form us for holiness as Sons and Daughters of God. This fifth presentation was given by Fr. Andrew at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI on March 23, 2023.
The season of Advent urges us to prepare not only for the Lord’s birth, but also for his return in glory. May these coming weeks help us to meet the Lord on Christmas day and make us ready for the hour when we are called from this life to the next.
The Lord offers us (once again!) practical spiritual wisdom to guide our interactions with one another. But to use this wisdom we have to ask ourselves one question: What’s growing in our hearts?
Both Isaiah and Matthew’s Gospel reference the power of fasting in the life of faith, inviting us to consider how we may incorporate this powerful spiritual practice into our lives today.
The parable of the sower is one of the few that Jesus explains. As we listen today, may we cultivate good soil in our hearts to receive the Lord’s words and tend a fruitful harvest.
What’s growing in the spiritual garden of our hearts? The Letter of James urges us to welcome the Word of God that was planted in us and become doers, not just hearers.
Here are some of the key themes in the readings for the 22nd Sunday of the Year.
1st Reading – Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8
The Commandments of the Lord are sacred; take care not to add or subtract from them.
These commandments are to be carefully observed.
Psalm – 15:2-5
“The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.”
These stanzas exhort the people to live in a virtuous and upright manner.
2nd Reading – James 1:17-18,21b-22,27
God’s “word of truth” is planted in our hearts and must be welcomed and strengthened.
We are reminded to “be doers of the word and not hearers only” as we care for those less fortunate.
Gospel – Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23
Jesus responds to comments from the Pharisees and scribes about specific traditions.
The Lord offers a practical insight about what makes us unclean: “Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”
As we continue to hear the “Bread of Life” discourse from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John, we reflect on how our spiritual health is renewed by the frequent and worthy reception of Holy Communion. We are what we eat!
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Three Great Things 