Just as St. John announced the Word of God through his Gospel and Letters, we have a daily opportunity to testify to the Lord whenever we open our hearts to Christ and proclaim the Good News of Jesus.
Mass Readings – St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
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The Lord teaches us today that we are blessed when we hear the Word of God and act on it. Easier said than done, but God will not ask us for the impossible; rather, we are called to continue to respond as disciples each and every day.
Saturday of the 27th Week of the Year
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Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego faced the fiery furnace with their faith in God. Their example reveals the strength and conviction that come when God’s word dwells in our hearts and directs our lives. May this holy fire of faith burn in our hearts!
Mass Readings: Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 27th Week of the Year
Jesus offers a two step process to be blessed. First, we must hear the Word of God. Second, we have to act on it! Here’s the question: do you want to be blessed?
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 25th Week of the Year
Here’s some good news: those who hear the Word of God and act on it are treated as sisters and brothers to Jesus. Now, do you want to be part of the family?
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – St. John, Apostle & Evangelist
John’s testimony about Jesus as the Word of God provides us with an opportunity to reflect in this Octave of Christmas:
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 27th Week of the Year
The Lord invites us (in only 44 words!) to hear God’s word and practice it every day.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Tuesday of 25th Week of the Year (St. Andrew Kim & Companions)
Jesus teaches in the Gospel of Luke that those who hear the word of God and act on it are mother, and brothers and sisters to him. Welcome to the family!
Study: What is your favorite way to read Scripture – a devotional, chapter-a-day, daily Mass readings, or just a bookmark in the Bible?
Pray: Consider using a little bit of Scripture as part of your daily prayer – think of it as a “spiritual multivitamin” for your health!
Serve: How is God’s Spirit directing your life – is there a task or opportunity that you feel prompted to act?
3rd Sunday of the Year Readings
Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast
The readings this week are filled with power as we hear how God’s Word and Spirit touch our hearts.
I suggest two thoughts for your consideration this week. First, God’s Word continues to proclaim Good News in our world today, and we are invited to embrace the Lord’s message – allowing the mercy, love, joy, and peace of the Gospel to soak into our hearts.
My point here is about actively seeking the Lord in our daily life, making God’s Word a part of our regular spiritual diet. By dwelling on the Good News we foster our Christian perspective to engage the challenges of daily life with courage and wisdom. We know that there are plenty of difficulties and obstacles; we feast upon God’s Word for the strength to engage life at full power.
Second, with God’s Word in our hearts we live our faith as part of a larger community – sharing our particular gifts and talents for the good of all. No one person possesses all gifts; rather, we cooperate (like Paul’s example of the parts of a body) and contribute our skills so that all might be blessed.
That means we:
So, three final questions for your reflection:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. (Luke 4:18-19)
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CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters
Study: Do I have an opportunity to read from the Bible every day? Can I make a few minutes free to read a little Scripture and pause to reflect on what God’s Word says to me?
Pray: In my daily prayer, do I take a moment to consider how Sacred Scripture can lead me closer to the Lord and others?
Serve: How might I put what I discover into practice? How can I live out my faith today? Where is the Lord calling me to put my life into action for Christ?
The second reading today reminds us of the power of the Scriptures. In particular, two verses stand out:
“All Scripture is inspired by God
and is useful for teaching,
for refutation, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
so that one who belongs to God
may be competent,
equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
In light of these words there are several points that surface. First, do we realize the richness and depth of the Bible? Do we recognize that this text has guided and directed the Church for two thousand years, offering wisdom and insight for daily life? Let’s face it, sometimes we can take the Scriptures for granted, and thus miss out on the Lord’s revelation for our world.
But if we do acknowledge the importance of God’s Word, do we actually take time each day to listen? This is the second point – knowing the Bible is important is not enough – we need to read it! The Lord invites us and calls us to know Him; through a steady diet of Scripture we open our hearts to the grace of God.
Third, (and this is the hard part) do we let this Word move us? As we listen to the teaching and wisdom of our faith, do we change our lives accordingly? The Scriptures teach us about the Lord, our faith, and our life. Do we put what we receive into practice?
Now let’s be clear. Parts of the Bible require careful interpretation and study. Parts of the Scriptures are written through a particular cultural perspective. Sometimes the message demands skilled and trained responses through the insight and teaching of the Church. Fortunately our Catholic tradition provides vast resources for learning and understanding God’s Word.
I would invite all of us to take a little time each day to reflect on the Scriptures. Start with Luke’s gospel. Read a little every day and think about the message. Ask questions. Pray about what is read. After all, it is the Lord’s good news – given to us for strength and life!
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 