What does it mean to live in God’s grace? These two presentations were given at a parish retreat at St. Pius X Catholic Church on April 18, 2019.
Part I – Key Components of Grace (55 Minutes)
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Part II – Our Relationships in a Life of Grace (53 Minutes)
Handouts that were given to participants for both presentations
Living a Life of Grace (I & II)
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Poor St. Peter! One minute he is named by Jesus as the rock upon which the Church will be built, and the next minute he is chastised by the Lord for falling prey to temptation. Welcome to the spiritual life! Yet this spiritual battle of building up and tearing down is part of our journey of faith, inviting us to always keep our focus on Christ.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 18th Week of the Year
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – 22nd Sunday of the Year
Both Jeremiah and Jesus acknowledge that they must experience suffering, and learning from them we recognize that suffering is part of our world. When we face suffering with the gift of faith, we grow strong in virtue as we strive to do the right thing, for the right reason, at the right time, in the right way.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year
Entrusting the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to Peter, Jesus establishes the Church upon a rock that hell itself cannot prevail against. Christ is the key; through prayer, sacraments and virtue we grow in grace through this life so that we can enter into the Lord’s Kingdom in the next.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – 20th Sunday of the Year
The woman in the Gospel of Matthew is tenancious! She trusts that Jesus can offer help for her daughter, and she will not be denied. Her example inspires us to foster a fierce faith – one that receives the gift of God and strengthens it through prayer, Sacraments, and a conviction to offer one’s life in love.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
This presentation was given at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Solon Springs on March 6, 2017. It is the first part of a presentation on discipleship, focusing on repentance and ongoing conversion. (45 Minutes)
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: How do you recognize a humble person? What qualities do you look for in others?
Pray: Do you struggle with pride (the opposite of humility) in some aspect of your life? Ask the Lord to soften your heart.
Serve: Is there a way you can help someone without calling attention to yourself? How might you do a random act of kindness today, without any desire for personal acknowledgement?
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of the Year
Let’s take a quick overview of the readings this week:
Throughout these readings the notion of humility surfaces, and this virtue often serves as a foundation for our life of faith. Here are some reasons why…
First, humility sets us in right relation with God. About the time we get caught up in ourselves, something happens that derails our plans and reminds us that we are not the center of the universe. When we see our lives in a larger context (the country, the world, the solar system…you get the idea) we suddenly discover that we are in fact very, very small. As the creator of all we look to the Lord with a deeper understanding and consideration that our lives – a bit of dust for a blink of an eye – are nothing compared to the glory and grandeur of God.
Second, humility sets us in right relation with others. Every person we meet is created in the image and likeness of God, and our lives are sustained by the Father’s will alone. The same grace that forgives us our sins also extends to our sisters and brothers…and if the Lord lavishes mercy upon all in their moment of need, then perhaps we might want to cut them a little slack in their shortcomings as well. Simply put, we can be kind, patient and forgiving with others as God has been with us.
Third, humility helps us honestly assess our human hearts. Seeing ourselves in proper relationship with the Lord and one another, we can embrace our lives (with their blessings & burdens) and live our faith in a genuine and engaging way. We see our sins with greater clarity, comprehend God’s mercy more fully, and live with gratitude the gifts we’ve been given with joy as we bring aid and assistance to one another. In other words, humility helps us to be authentic: we know ourselves better so we can share our lives more fully with one another.
Through humility we place God first as we sincerely and honestly reach out to those around us. A humble person is open, honest, easy to get along with and helpful in a moment of need. May our faith in Christ teach us humility, and help us to humbly respond to those the Lord sets before us today.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 30th Week of the Year
The Lord makes an observation at a banquet to help his disciples cultivate humility in their lives.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – Friday of the 1st Week of Lent
Jesus makes it clear that any offering we give to God must include forgiveness between one another. As Ezekiel reminds the people of Israel, we are called to turn away from the path that leads to evil and walk in virtue, justice and life – with the Lord and one another.
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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 a Powerful Lent
Study: What are some virtues that you would like to cultivate in your life? What are some vices that need to be weeded out?
Pray: Everyday provides a new opportunity for personal growth. Ask the Lord for the strength and wisdom to grow in holiness.
Serve: Name one little thing you can do for another; now make it happen.
Since returning to the Cathedral as rector five years ago, one thing I miss is gardening. Time is precious, and my current work does not readily lend itself to the effort it takes to keep a garden. Yet all things being equal, there is no place I would rather be than rooting around in the dirt – picking weeds, pruning, staking, watering, hoeing, and “looking at” the plants.
Gardening is a metaphor that teaches us about ministry and life. Spending time in the garden forces us to slow down and attend to a cycle that is not our own. We pay closer attention to the wonder and beauty of nature, and we can be surprised and amazed by what we see.
Plants truly are hopeful optimists in a world of pessimism. Every year my flowers and vegetables produce thousands of seeds, each seed capable of new and beautiful life. Yet for all these seeds only a few survive. Some are taken as produce, some by the weather, and some by the rabbits!
Nature knows that life is difficult. There are so many obstacles and challenges in the world that it is essential to cast hundreds and thousands of seeds, just so that a few might be able to continue the cycle of life. The power of nature is that even a few seeds can change the landscape, bringing nourishment and beauty to the earth.
Jesus knew this. He spoke to hundreds and thousands of the hope and life that are possible in His Father’s Kingdom. He cured countless people and preached tirelessly to any who would hear. Like the garden plants, he cast LOTS of seed.
Yet many people did not act on his message. Many mocked him, plotted against him, or simply walked away. Some got excited for a time, but then they got bored, discouraged, or caught up in other interests. Simply put, much of the seed cast by Jesus was lost or destroyed.
Yet in his parable to the crowds Jesus shows his tremendous hope. It only takes a few seeds for an incredible harvest! A 30x, 60x, or 100x harvest was amazing in the ancient world (and it is not too shabby today!). For those who heed the word of God, they, too, will yield a crop that will defy worldly doubt.
I’m willing to bet that all of us continue to carry the Lord’s seed in our lives. The invitation today is that it will take root and flourish in our hearts. We are given the chance to garden our souls, fostering a faith that is worthy of the Lord’s harvest.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 