Living one’s life for the Lord does not mean it will be easy; rather, we face the struggles before us with God’s grace to carry out what must be done. A blessed life, then, is not about wealth, health, or earthly glory…it’s about being in right relationship with Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – 6th Sunday of the Year
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The Book of Wisdom beautiful describes a life where God is preferred above all else. For when we place the Lord first in our lives, then the rest of our lives becomes focused, balanced and fulfilled.
Mass Readings – 28th Sunday of the Year
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The Psalm response invites us to accept God’s guidance as we carry out the Lord’s commands. It’s not enough to know our faith; the real test is when we put it into practice each and every day.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 25th Week of the Year
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Jesus offers a parable to the disciples about being alert and prepared, reminding us that preparation is a part of our daily life…and reveals our wisdom when we put it into practice.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 21st Week of the Year
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The Holy Spirit transforms the Lord’s disciples, empowering them in the face of adversity and uniting them in love. The same Spirit continues to work in our lives today, inviting us to call out for the help and guidance we need as we journey through this life.
Mass Readings – Extended Vigil
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Study: Recall a time when you experienced a moment of clarity and understanding – when it all came together.
Pray: Ask the Lord for direction and insight regarding any particular decisions or needs.
Serve: How can you help someone clarify their focus and gain direction?
Mass Readings – The Epiphany of the Lord
I was sitting in a Calculus class, and my blood was beginning to boil. For over an hour I had been trying to understand a concept without any success. The professor had patiently explained it twice (using two different examples), two friends tried (telling me how EASY it was – like that helped…), and I had read the “helpful hints” section of the textbook (which I still do not understand to this day).
I looked down on the page of equations, a seemingly meaningless series of numbers, letters, and signs, and put my head in my hands and took a deep breath. I then turned to look out the window and daydreamed for a couple of minutes. (I think the professor was just glad I was quiet…!) Then I looked back at the textbook.
It made sense.
I could not believe it. I finally understood in a span of three heartbeats what three different people had been trying to tell me for over an hour. The light bulb went on, and I said “OH!!!” just a little louder then I realized.
The professor, a gentle man with a deep faith, came over to me with a big smile. He said, “Do you get it?” When I told him how it came together he said, “Good for you, Andrew! You just had an epiphany.”
There are times in life when an event or experience comes upon us in a rush. We are caught up in the moment, held in awe by our new awareness. We discover a new insight, understanding, or perspective which shapes and changes how we see the world.
In the Scriptures today we follow the journey of the wise men, guided by a star to the baby Jesus. As the star rose they pursued its course, searching for understanding and wisdom. When they found the child their response reveals the magnitude of their convictions. They knelt in homage, giving the very best gifts they had to offer.
As we journey on in our lives God places before us opportunities and events where the Lord is especially present. In these great and precious moments our eyes are opened – if only briefly – to the grace and blessings around us. We can ask the Lord for this gift of understanding – a gift which recognizes and responds to God’s presence in our midst.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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The blog was originally published on January 1, 2015.
Study: Recall a time when you recognized God as the center of your life; a time when you hung on to faith – perhaps because other things were struggling.
Pray: Call upon the Lord to rule and guide your heart.
Serve: What is the King’s command for you today? How is the Lord directing you to help and serve another?
Mass Readings – The Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe
This weekend brings the Church liturgical year to a close. Next week begins Advent, and we will start a new liturgical year with the cycle of “B” readings in the Lectionary for Mass.
Why do we end the year with the notion of Christ the King? Why do we place this feast here? What’s the point?
The feast has several levels of meaning. By calling Christ our King we are making a statement that Jesus is the Lord of our lives. It means that we place Christ first, and that we serve the Lord Jesus with the allegiance of our hearts, minds, and bodies. We belong to Christ, who rules us.
In addition, to claim Christ as our King means that we are members of his kingdom. Through our baptism we are called to the community of faith, the Church, and we possess an inheritance that is ultimately not of this world. We are citizens who have a responsibility to work together – for this world and the world to come.
Furthermore, the King will come at the end of time to call His faithful people home to heaven. We believe that the world will end on a future, unknown day (and once again, let me stress it is an UNKNOWN date…). This feast reminds us that in the end we belong to one home or the other, one Lord or another.
Finally, to say that Christ is our King reminds us that all our power, strength, hope, and direction come from Him. The skills and talents we possess are from the King (who made us). The forgiveness we cherish is from the King (who died for us). The life of the Holy Spirit which sustains us was sent by the King (who asked the Father on our behalf).
Therefore, to claim Christ as our King is to make a statement about who we are. As followers of this King we offer our lives in service to the one who is our Lord. We make this King our first priority in all things, and we look upon Jesus Christ as both the beginning and end of our existence.
This is a good time for us to search and prepare our hearts. As this Church year comes to an end we begin to make ourselves ready for the Lord who comes to us, that he might find us alert and watchful for his arrival. May we renew our allegiance to Christ our King so that he will rule us with mercy, grace, and love.
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