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Sunday, March 26, 2023
Fifth Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: In today’s Gospel, we see so clearly the fully human nature of Jesus even in the midst of him revealing his divine nature in raising Lazarus from the dead. On hearing that his friend Lazarus had died, Jesus “wept,” and he became “perturbed and deeply troubled.” We see his love for Martha and Mary, and the freedom he gives them to love him fully in return, and to expect things of him. Each of them confronts Jesus, exasperated: Had you come earlier, our brother would not have died! Yet in the same breath, they express their faith that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. As we continue our Lenten journey, we can rest assured that Jesus is never far from us and that he understands our human longings, struggles and pain. Like Martha and Mary, we can place our faith in Jesus here, now and for eternity. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: The raising of Lazarus foreshadows Christ’s death and resurrection and reminds us of God’s enduring power over death. That can, at times, seem a small comfort as we confront our own mortality or mourn the loss of those dear to us. Yet, just as Jesus showed his love for Lazarus, Martha and Mary, we, too, can extend our love and support for others in their grief. We can show our love through our simple presence, a thoughtful card or an offer to pray for the deceased person and their family. In these ways, we can strengthen our own faith and that of others. As we hear in today’s Gospel, “Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.” ACTION: As we grow closer to Holy Week, now is a good time to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation. Has it been a while? The U.S. Bishops provide a helpful guide on their website: usccb.org. |
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Sunday, March 19, 2023
Fourth Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Five days, five minutes of sunshine: That’s how the city where I live greeted 2023. As the month wore on, the gloom seemed unrelenting with only momentary breaks in the clouds. When the sun did return, people posted photos on social media with a combination of joy and relief. That experience hints at the effect Jesus had on St. Paul and the early Christians. As he writes, “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” Today, just as then, Jesus brings light and healing to the darkness within us and within our world. Unlike the elusive sun, we can see the light of Jesus every day – in the people we love, the kindness of strangers, moments of prayer, unexpected joys. In turn, St. Paul encourages us to “live as children of light” by being the face of Jesus to others. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Even in the midst of Lent as a penitential season, the Sunday readings offer us much hope. Consider today’s familiar story of Jesus healing the blind man. He doesn’t just tell the man to open his eyes. Instead, Jesus smears clay on the man’s eyes and has him wash in the Pool of Siloam; only then does the blind man see. He was transformed through Christ. Through our baptism we, too, have been transformed and “enlightened,” becoming sons and daughters of light (CCC 1216). As we continue to observe Lent, perhaps we’re working on areas in our life where we have been spiritually blind – or at least not seeing 20/20. Through our baptism and the sacraments, we can be healed and transformed by Jesus, the “light of the world.” In turn we can share that light with others, as we continue to grow in the virtues of “goodness and righteousness and truth” of which St. Paul speaks. PRAY: Psalm 23 is a favorite of many and for good reason. Read or listen to it this week as encouragement on your Lenten journey: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. |
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Sunday, March 12, 2023
Third Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Even St. Teresa of Calcutta experienced a period of “spiritual dryness.” We pray, we go to Mass faithfully, we serve others – yet at times God’s presence may seem elusive. Like the Israelites, we may ask, “Is the Lord in our midst or not?” As we enter the third Sunday of Lent, today’s readings assure us that God remains with us even during those times we may feel spiritually parched. In Exodus, water flows from a rock to satisfy the people. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman, a sinner and an outcast, recognizes Jesus as Messiah, and it changes her life. Even when we don’t “feel” God’s presence, we can rest assured that Jesus stands beside us. He is our redemption and our Hope, and “Hope does not disappoint.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: In today’s Gospel, Jesus breaks with custom by talking to a woman – a Samaritan woman, no less. He “sees” her – knowing she has been married five times before and is living with a man not her husband. Yet he chooses to reveal to her his identity as the Messiah and offers her “living water.” But it doesn’t end there. The woman at the well goes forth and shares her experience with others. Many more came to believe in the Messiah based on her testimony. What an unlikely disciple! We may feel that we, too, are unlikely disciples: We are sinners, we’ve made mistakes, perhaps we feel we are unworthy to “represent” Jesus to others. But nothing is further from the truth. Jesus invites us not only to partake of the living water but to share it with others so that all may believe. ACTION: Put a note on your mirror or bedside: “Hope does not disappoint.” Each morning, remind yourself that Jesus is the source of our hope, and try to think of ways to share this hope with others. |
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Sunday, March 5, 2023
Second Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: As we enter the second week of Lent, today’s readings encourage us to place our trust in God when we are dealing with hardship or uncertainty. Last week, we heard about how Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations in the desert, trusting in the Father. This week, we follow Peter, James and John up the mountain, where Jesus “was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” Jesus had told his followers he would suffer and die. The Transfiguration gave them a foretaste of Christ's glorious coming (CCC 554-56) As we continue on our Lenten journeys, we, too, can place our trust in the Lord. Though we may experience hardships and perhaps even doubts, the Transfiguration reminds us that Jesus has gone before us and prepared a place for us. As Pope Francis reminds us, “by his Transfiguration [Jesus] invites us to gaze at him. And looking at Jesus purifies our eyes and prepares them for eternal life, for the vision of heaven” (Homily, March 2014). GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: We Catholics like to pray out loud. Whether we’re singing the “Holy, Holy” with gusto or quietly reciting the rosary, most of us can say with confidence, “we have a prayer for that.” And, of course, prayer is one of the three pillars of Lent (along with fasting and almsgiving). Today’s account of the Transfiguration instructs us pretty clearly to listen. As Jesus is transfigured, the disciples hear a voice from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” As we enter the second week of Lent, many of us have chosen something to “give up” or done something more proactive. Either way, today’s readings remind us to enter this penitential season with open hearts – and open ears. We can listen to Jesus by studying Scripture, being especially attentive to the Sunday homily, or quietly soaking in his presence through eucharistic adoration. PRAY: Try driving with the radio off this week. Use the time to pray and “listen” to Jesus. |
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Sunday, February 26, 2023
First Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Superbowl Sunday was two weeks ago, and many of us were more likely interested in the commercials than the actual game. After all, companies pay a ton of money to have their products paraded in front of us, and – in theory at least – take the time to make these particular ads memorable and funny. If we can be convinced that we will be better people, or our social outings greater and filled with more laughter, we will buy what they are selling. It’s the modern version of the words of the serpent in today’s first reading: if you eat this, “you will be like gods”! Today’s readings are a reminder that we are all sinners and burdened by being vulnerable to false promises – but also that we are relieved of this burden through one man: Jesus Christ. If we tend to forget that the most important part of our salvation story is that it is full of more grace and forgiveness than we can comprehend, this first Sunday of Lent is a good time to prayerfully ponder this. If God seems far away or distant, let us recall that he loved us so much that he breathed our very life into us, and then gave his only begotten Son to us that we might have life eternally. All he asks in return is for us to accept this gift and follow in his footsteps. Lent is the time to be mindful of grace-filled opportunities that draw us closer to God. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Let’s think about these 40 days. In addition to allowing us to grow in understanding of God, this time is also an opportunity to grow in our understanding of how we can be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world and help to build the kingdom right here and now. How can we keep God at the center of our lives and resist worldly temptations to push him aside? Perhaps today’s psalm can help us here: Ask for God’s mercy, acknowledge our offenses, seek a “clean heart,” renew a “steadfast spirit” within us, and ask God to grant us a “willing spirit” to give him praise. And remember Christ’s words from the Gospel: Depend on “every word that comes forth from the mouth of God,” which is love and mercy. PRAY: Pray today’s psalm: “Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.” |
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February 22, 2023
Ash Wednesday MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR LENT 2023 Lenten Penance and the Synodal Journey Dear brothers and sisters! The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all recount the episode of the Transfiguration of Jesus. There we see the Lord’s response to the failure of his disciples to understand him. Shortly before, there had been a real clash between the Master and Simon Peter, who, after professing his faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, rejected his prediction of the passion and the cross. Jesus had firmly rebuked him: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a scandal to me, because you do not think according to God, but according to men!” (Mt 16:23). Following this, “six days later, Jesus took with him Peter, James and John his brother and led them away to a high mountain” (Mt 17:1). The Gospel of the Transfiguration is proclaimed every year on the Second Sunday of Lent. During this liturgical season, the Lord takes us with him to a place apart. While our ordinary commitments compel us to remain in our usual places and our often repetitive and sometimes boring routines, during Lent we are invited to ascend “a high mountain” in the company of Jesus and to live a particular experience of spiritual discipline – ascesis – as God’s holy people. Lenten penance is a commitment, sustained by grace, to overcoming our lack of faith and our resistance to following Jesus on the way of the cross. This is precisely what Peter and the other disciples needed to do. To deepen our knowledge of the Master, to fully understand and embrace the mystery of his salvation, accomplished in total self-giving inspired by love, we must allow ourselves to be taken aside by him and to detach ourselves from mediocrity and vanity. We need to set out on the journey, an uphill path that, like a mountain trek, requires effort, sacrifice and concentration. These requisites are also important for the synodal journey to which, as a Church, we are committed to making. We can benefit greatly from reflecting on the relationship between Lenten penance and the synodal experience. In his “retreat” on Mount Tabor, Jesus takes with him three disciples, chosen to be witnesses of a unique event. He wants that experience of grace to be shared, not solitary, just as our whole life of faith is an experience that is shared. For it is in togetherness that we follow Jesus. Together too, as a pilgrim Church in time, we experience the liturgical year and Lent within it, walking alongside those whom the Lord has placed among us as fellow travellers. Like the ascent of Jesus and the disciples to Mount Tabor, we can say that our Lenten journey is “synodal”, since we make it together along the same path, as disciples of the one Master. For we know that Jesus is himself the Way, and therefore, both in the liturgical journey and in the journey of the Synod, the Church does nothing other than enter ever more deeply and fully into the mystery of Christ the Savior. More>>> |
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Sunday, February 19, 2023
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Today is the last Sunday in Ordinary Time before Lent begins. I realize in saying it that way, however, it sounds like a warning (“the bookstore will be closing in five minutes, please bring your purchases to the register!”) rather than an acknowledgement of the celebration that it is. So let me put it another way: Today is the 7th – of 33 – Sundays in Ordinary Time this year, which means, we’ve only just begun. We are in some of the earliest days of the Church’s “ordered” (ordinary/numbered) approach to helping us mature and grow in faith. We do this by living with and in the life of Christ over the course of a year. At each step we celebrate the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Christ, but we also set aside different seasons to focus on those specific elements. And so it makes sense that as we approach Lent, we hear more about what exactly God asks of us. Lent will be a season of preparation for Christ’s passion; have we prepared our hearts accordingly to receive him? Today’s readings remind us of what sets us back: hatred for others; desire for revenge; grudges; worldly wisdom; all things which are destructive of God’s temple – our souls, as Saint Paul says. Having a heart full of these things means there is no room for love, which means there is no room for Christ. Let us pray for God’s help in ridding ourselves of all that is destructive, and for the strength to grow a heart only for him. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: I’d argue that in some ways, Lent actually starts before Ash Wednesday since it requires forethought and planning. We have to prepare for a season of preparation! We have to figure out what to fast from or add to our spiritual lives, and how we might specifically direct our almsgiving. But how ready are we to respond in a meaningful way to the fact that Christ died for love of us? His death transformed our death into the promise of eternal life. Today’s Gospel offers practical actions, things which all Christians should strive for daily, but especially observe during Lent if a spiritual reset is needed. Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek. Hand over your cloak. Go the extra mile: “Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” Love your enemies and pray for your persecutors. Lent is a call to act out of love, especially in tough situations. Take these next couple of days to prepare for Ash Wednesday and the weeks that follow. REFLECT: Spend some time taking stock of your spiritual life. Are you holding contempt for someone, or seeking revenge for something? Where might you be falling short in striving to imitate Christ? Bring these thoughts to God in prayer. |
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Sunday, February 12, 2023
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Just the other day some of my friends agreed on a new way to approach the new year: Select one word, a kind of mantra for 2023. Ironically, even though I am indecisive to a fault, I had no trouble deciding on mine: “Choose.” I often get stuck, whether it’s deciding which online clothing purchases to return, what to order on the menu … and don’t get me started on major life decisions. Today’s reading from Sirach reminds us of the choice that matters most: If we choose to keep the commandments, they will save us. “Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him.” We are well into 2023, but it bears reminding that each day we have an opportunity to choose anew: To follow God’s law, fulfilled in the words and example of Jesus. He will show us the way. “If you trust in God, you too shall live.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: We’ve probably all heard the term “quiet quitting” by now. It’s a workplace phenomenon where employees do the bare minimum rather than going above and beyond. I thought of that phrase when reading Matthew’s Gospel today. How many of us Christians have “quietly quit,” doing the minimum required – going to Mass on Sunday, being faithful to our spouse, not resorting to violence when we get angry with someone. Jesus challenges us to go above and beyond the Ten Commandments. You shall not kill, but you should not stay angry either. You shall not commit adultery, but you shall also love your spouse with your whole heart. Today’s readings challenge us to rediscover God’s law and challenge ourselves to go “above and beyond” in our daily lives. PRAY: Pray today’s psalm (119): “Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!” How might you specifically follow the law of the Lord just a little bit better, or above and beyond, today? Each day? |
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Sunday, February 5, 2023
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: It’s amazing how one interaction can brighten an otherwise gloomy day. I love a nice sunrise on a wintry morning or a crackling fire on an autumn night. But whatever the weather, nothing quite lights up my day like a shared laugh with a friend, a snippet of real conversation with my teen son, or a hot cup of coffee delivered by my husband. In today’s reading, Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount, telling the disciples: “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” We, too, can be light for others – through good deeds large and small, ordinary and extraordinary. As we go about our days, we can ask the Lord to show us how to serve others. We will have days when we don’t feel up to the task but, like St. Paul, we can ask the Holy Spirit to light the way./ GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used images that resonate with us as much as they did with his followers 2,000 years ago: salt and light. Salt serves many purposes, preserving our food and giving it flavor, for example. And of course we cannot live without light. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples: “You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world.” Like the disciples we, too, can be salt and light for others by giving witness to our faith. What that involves will be different for each of us. For ideas, we can turn to today’s reading from Isaiah, which calls us to share our bread, shelter the oppressed and clothe the naked. In doing so, our light “shall break forth like the dawn.” ACTION: We all know people we’d call “the salt of the earth.” Who are those people in your life? Make a list of the characteristics they exhibit or actions they take that you can learn from and try to imitate. Ask God for the grace to see and do likewise for his glory. |
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Sunday, January 29, 2023
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: I have a competitive streak. Whether it’s guessing Wordle in one try, grabbing the last Doorbuster deal at Kohl’s or snagging Boardwalk early in a game of Monopoly, I like to win. For this reason, the readings today especially challenge me. In a world that values success, wealth and “winning,” today’s readings turn things upside down when it comes to status and justice. In Zephaniah, God chooses the “humble and lowly.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus lays out a road map to lasting happiness that bears little resemblance to what the world tells us, and even what our own instincts may tell us, about being “happy.” I’ll still buy Boardwalk at the first opportunity, but Jesus’ words invite me to focus on seeking righteousness, and to be merciful and “clean of heart.” They encourage me to seek the happiness that only Christ can give. Through prayer and reflection on these words, we can ask the Lord to transform our hearts and lives to align with what it truly means to be blessed. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Pope Francis has referred to the Eight Beatitudes as a kind of Christian “identity card.” (General Audience, Jan. 2020) And he had a suggestion for those of us, like me, who love to listen to the Sermon on the Mount but may not be sure where to start when it comes to living it. His suggestion is simple: “There are eight Beatitudes, and it would be nice to learn them by heart and to repeat them in order to keep this law that Jesus gives us in our mind and in our hearts.” Perhaps we can place each Beatitude on a sticky note by the mirror, incorporate them into our morning prayers, teach them to our children or discuss them with friends. Practice makes perfect, yes? As Pope Francis reminds us, “the Beatitudes always bring you to joy; they are the paths to reach joy.” STUDY: Memorize the Eight Beatitudes. Learn about each one by reading the writings of Pope Francis or another theologian such as Bishop Robert Barron. Ask God to help you incorporate them into your daily life. |
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Sunday, January 22, 2023
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Since the Fall, the world has been riddled with strife and divisiveness. From the disobedience in the Garden, to Cain and Abel, to conflicts and wars throughout the centuries, it’s clear that we humans are prone to picking sides and fighting over them. We hear about this even within the early Church from St. Paul in today’s second reading. There were rivalries, and Christians were saying things such as, “I belong to Paul” or “I belong to Cephas.” But Paul wisely asks: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” Clearly not. There is only one source of Truth – Jesus Christ – and Paul never hesitated to refuse credit for himself, and to instead glorify the Lord in his word and deed. This is the model set for us – to refuse to set ourselves or God-made-in-our-own-image over and against the Triune God who created us. Christ came to unite us with himself and to one another, in reconciliation with the Father. His words are now our words: Repent and believe in the Gospel. Pray for the grace to come together as the body of Christ so that we can be his hands and feet in the world and carry out the work he began. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: In Jesus Christ the kingdom of God enters into human history, fulfilling God’s promise of salvation for his people. Christ inaugurated the kingdom on earth, and as members of his Church we are responsible for continuing to build it – here and now. As Christ called his first disciples and made them “fishers of men,” so he calls us, that we might go forth “proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.” PRAY: The Lord has commissioned us to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Where we cannot go physically or in person, we can go in prayer. Bring before the Lord all who yet need to hear his voice and repent and believe. Pray for those who are persecuted for their belief in Jesus Christ. |
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Sunday, January 15, 2023
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a dove close up. The dove is a powerful symbol for Jews and Christians alike, representing love and a deep sense of peace. The dove has special significance for Christians, as a sign of the Holy Spirit. In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist testifies, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him … He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” The Baptist further testifies that Jesus is the Son of God. The catechism (701) reminds us that John the Baptist not only paved the way for Jesus, but for all of us who followed: “The Spirit comes down and remains in the purified hearts of the baptized.” Through our baptism, we can follow in the footsteps of John the Baptist by telling others about Jesus. The Holy Spirit will give us what we need in order to become messengers of love and peace to those we encounter. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: During his 1988 campaign, President George H.W. Bush used the phrase “a thousand points of light” to describe volunteers “spread like stars throughout the nation, doing good.” This phrase came to mind as I listened to the reading from Isaiah, in which the Lord vows to make Israel “a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” John the Baptist baptizes with water to prepare the people for Jesus’ coming. As we settle into the dark days of winter, today’s readings challenge us to become points of light to others, leading them to Christ. How we do that will differ for each of us – praying for others, visiting an elderly relative, writing that letter we’ve been putting off. We may not be prophets like Isaiah and John the Baptist, but we have the gift of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to inspire us. PRAY: Today’s psalm reminds me of the popular hymn, “Here I am, Lord.” While I love the melody, the psalmist offers a simple spoken version that we can pray to point ourselves in the direction of Jesus each day: “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.” |
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Sunday, January 8, 2023
The Epiphany of the Lord Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: It’s easy to stay inside and cozy up on the couch these winter months. Having just gotten through the winter solstice, many of us crave light and warmth. The language of Isaiah may resonate with us even more deeply this time of year: “See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory.” In today’s Gospel, in the dark of night, the Magi follow a bright star to pay homage to Jesus, whom they recognize as the newborn king of the Jews. On the Epiphany, which means “manifestation,” we celebrate this moment when Christ’s light shone forth to the world. As Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote in Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives: “The key point is this: The wise men from the east are a new beginning. They represent the journeying of humanity toward Christ.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Like the Wise Men who traveled a long distance to pay homage to the Christ Child, each of us journeys every day toward a fuller life in Christ. Just as the Magi followed the light to discover Christ, so does the light of Christ serve as our constant beacon, reorienting us toward God and his holy path. After worshiping the Christ Child at Christmas, let us move forward and pay homage to the Savior through our words and actions. Although Epiphany signifies the official “end” of the Christmas season, it is fitting that it falls at the beginning of a new calendar year because it allows us to reexamine, among our traditional “New Year’s resolutions,” how we live our lives in the light of Christ. “The wise men from the east are a new beginning,’ the pope said. May their journey and experience inspire us to “begin anew” however we must, and offer Jesus our gifts of love and devotion, considering how his light may shine through us to others. PRAY: “Dear Jesus, as you led the Wise Men to you by the light of a star, please draw us ever closer to you by the light of faith. Help us to desire you as ardently as they did. Give us the grace to overcome all the obstacles that keep us far from you. May we, like them, have something to give you when we appear before you. Amen.” |
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Sunday, January 1, 2023
SOLEMNITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Today’s readings remind us of the central role Mary plays in the story of Jesus and the story of our salvation. We may be tempted to place her on a pedestal – as well we should – she is the Mother of God! At the same time, today’s Gospel reminds us she is not divine herself, but human – and she bore the incarnate flesh of the Son of God in his divine and human nature. She went through the sleepless nights and the uncertainties of parenting in all its stages. She learned early on what it takes many of us a lifetime to learn – often in fits and starts – absolute trust in God. As we celebrate this solemnity, we can bring our uncertainties, fears, and struggles to Mary our mother, asking for the grace to follow her faithful example. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Of course there’s nothing wrong with New Year’s resolutions, and I always admire people who have thought about them in advance. Me? I’m often tongue-tied on January 1 when someone asks me what my resolutions are (hmm … maybe I should think about kicking that procrastination habit in 2023?) This is why Mary’s reaction to the visit of the shepherds strikes me so profoundly. The shepherds pay homage to Jesus and spread the word that God’s Son has been born. Mary, Luke writes, “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” As we move into a new year, so rich with possibility, we might follow Mary’s example and reflect before jumping headlong into this or that goal or New Year’s resolution. Instead, perhaps we can take the day – or a week or a month – to prayerfully reflect on how we can best put our faith in Jesus into action. How can we witness to our faith in our daily lives? What changes might help us do that? We can ask God to help us draw up a list of ways that we can be more faithful to him. PRAY: Pray the Hail Mary, reflecting on each line with gratitude. If you have more time, give yourself a “mini-retreat” by reading or reflecting on a book or devotional about Mary. |
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Sunday, December 25, 2022
NATIVITY OF THE LORD Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: The day we have been awaiting has arrived: Christ is born! All of our Christmas preparations – wrapping gifts and preparing holiday meals to be shared among family and friends – are meant to glorify and reflect God’s own work for and in us. That is, God’s greatest gift of himself, clothed in mortal flesh, who would one day offer himself as the bread of life: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Jesus came to the world in the form of the most helpless of us all, a newborn infant, so that through him we would be reconciled to the Father, for “to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God.” We celebrate the Incarnation of the Lord, for Christ is our salvation! It is through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit that we are adopted into God’s family and receive the fullness of his grace. The fullness of God’s truth is revealed in Jesus Christ. “The Lord has made his salvation known”; “he has spoken to us through the Son.” Let us give thanks and rejoice this day! GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: The Good News of Jesus Christ is not meant to be kept to ourselves. Today’s Gospel reading reminds us that John the Baptist testified to the light of Christ before Christ had yet publicly appeared. Sharing the Good News is not optional! Even the earth proclaims the Good News in Isaiah, “announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, ‘Your God is King!’” Indeed, Christ the King – God in human flesh – has arrived. Just as John was sent before the Lord to proclaim his coming, so are we charged: Sent out to the world to go and announce the Gospel of the Lord, “so that all might believe.” WITNESS: How might you go out and proclaim the coming of the Lord? Don’t forget: sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ isn’t limited just to speaking to others. It includes living as Christ did – feeding the hungry, caring for the sick and the poor, defending the helpless – because we are Christ’s body in the world. |
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Sunday, December 18, 2022
Fourth Sunday of Advent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: In our family’s department-store Nativity set, Joseph blends into the background: Mary and the infant Jesus steal the scene, she in her blue robes and looking over the sweet, tiny and vulnerable Son of God. Even the Magi stand out more than humble Joseph. Yet today’s Gospel focuses on Jesus’ earthly father, whom many of us Catholics grew to know a little better during the Year of St. Joseph in 2021. Imagine Joseph’s shock at learning Mary was pregnant! Rather than quietly divorcing her, he accepts the angel’s words at face value: “For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Joseph takes Mary into his home and embraces her and the child Jesus she bears. As we celebrate this fourth Sunday of Advent, we can all do well to follow Joseph and Mary’s example by saying “yes” to God, even though it may turn our lives upside down. We can dust off our Nativity scenes and ask the Lord to help us prepare our hearts and homes for Jesus. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: I remember our first trip to the pediatrician with our newborn. Our job as parents, he said in so many words, was to raise him so that he’d be ready to leave us at 18. As our youngest approaches that milestone, I’m having a hard time letting go. In his apostolic letter Patris Corde, Pope Francis holds up St. Joseph as an example of what it means to be a father (and I think this applies to mothers, too): “Every child is the bearer of a unique mystery that can only be brought to light with the help of a father who respects that child’s freedom. A father who realizes that he is most a father and educator at the point when he becomes ‘useless,’ when he sees that his child has become independent and can walk the paths of life unaccompanied. When he becomes like Joseph, who always knew that his child was not his own but had merely been entrusted to his care.” Joseph and Mary loved Jesus in this way, accepting that Jesus did not “belong” to them but to all of us. Whether or not we are parents, we can learn from their example, entrusting our lives and those of our loved ones to God. As St. Paul reminds us, we “belong to Jesus Christ.” ACTION: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” As you light the Advent candles or say evening prayers this week, reflect on the ways Jesus has made his presence known to you today and give thanks. |
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Sunday, December 11, 2022
Third Sunday of Advent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Today many of us light a rose Advent candle as we celebrate Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice,” and today’s readings hint at the joy of Christ’s coming. Who among us can’t relate to the concrete examples from the prophet Isaiah that give us many reasons for hope and joy as we anticipate Christ’s birth. Those of us who have experienced fear or doubt find reassurance: “Be strong, fear not!” During the holidays when many will grieve those who have died this past year, we hear that “sorrow and mourning will flee.” In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist points us to the source of our joy in the person of Jesus Christ. As we continue to prepare for his coming, we can take comfort knowing that God is with us now and for eternity. As we hear in today's Psalm, "The Lord God keeps faith forever.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: I am not a patient person. Waiting in the slow grocery line raises my heart rate, and I have to use cruise control in 35 mph zones (it works!). Despite my impatience, I’ve grown to love planting a vegetable garden in the spring and never cease to be amazed at the rich harvest of tomatoes in July or August. As St. James reminds us, we can learn from the farmer who patiently waits for the rains. “You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.” Whether we have patient personalities or not, we can rest assured that the Lord is with us for the long game. Just as the rains help our tomatoes to come in – a miracle that still surprises me each summer – our faithfulness, prayer, and good works can nurture our hearts and our souls. They also remind us of the true joy of the season: Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has taken on our humanity for our salvation. “Lord, come and save us.” ACTION: Need something to brighten your living area during the deep of winter? You can find amaryllis “bulbs in a box” online. They bloom inside and can be moved outside when spring comes, serving as a visible reminder that patience pays off. This can also be a nice gift for a friend or perhaps an elderly relative who does not have access to a garden. |
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Sunday, December 4, 2022
Second Sunday of Advent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Harmony. It can seem so elusive in these times when our newsfeeds bombard us with reminders of what’s wrong with our world: War, political conflicts, hunger, injustice, violence. We may also experience discord in our homes or within our hearts. Perhaps that is why the beautiful imagery in Isaiah’s prophecy, where Isaiah envisions a world transformed by the coming of the Messiah, strikes a chord as we prepare for Christ’s coming: We picture the wolf lying beside the lamb, and the calf with the lion. All will be right with the world. As we reflect on the areas in our lives that lack harmony, we are reminded to focus on Jesus and the Father, the source of all good. Through prayer and reflection on our Advent readings, we can “prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: I have a “smart” alarm clock. To shut it off, I just have to say, “Alexa, turn off my alarm.” Easy, right? Well, too easy, it turns out, because lately I’ve slept right through the one-sided conversation. But it’s hard to miss John’s wake-up call: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Perhaps, though, we’ve become complacent; we’ve heard it so often that we skip right past it. That can happen during Advent, this season of preparation and, yes, repentance. I love our family traditions – candy every day, in the morning!; our well-worn Nativity set; lighting the Advent candles; Christmas concerts and gatherings. None of those are bad, of course, but in the blur of the season we must be challenged by John the Baptist’s words to prepare not only our homes but our hearts for Christ’s coming. During this season, we can examine our lives to separate the wheat from the chaff, focusing on those things that bring us closer to the Lord and one another. As St. Paul encourages the Romans, “Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.” PRAY: St. Paul’s words above give us pretty clear instruction for how to live out our faith by welcoming others as Christ has welcomed us. Reflect on these words during daily Advent reflection this week: When have we welcomed others in our lives – and truly loved them? How can we do that for someone in the coming days? |
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Sunday, November 27, 2022
First Sunday of Advent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Don’t get me wrong. I love vacations and weekends away. But the night and day before? It’s always a whirlwind of laundry, packing, and shopping for groceries and essential car snacks. I knew we were going away. I could have gotten my act together earlier. Next trip, I tell myself. Then the cycle repeats itself. Advent can be that way. This year’s going to be the year! No rushing around, no crazy last-minute shopping, no stress: I’m going to study the daily readings, read that Advent devotional, settle into the season of waiting. Today’s readings speak not only to procrastinators like me but also to the planners: Wherever we are on that continuum, Advent gives us an opportunity to ready our souls for Jesus’ coming. It’s less about what we do when than about preparing our hearts. Through prayer, study and the liturgies of this season, we can ask God to help us clean house within and prepare for Jesus’ coming. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Today is not only the first Sunday of Advent, but the first day of the liturgical year. Today’s readings encourage us to prepare for Christ’s coming. I love St. Paul’s imagery: “Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us … put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Just as we make resolutions for the new calendar year, Advent affords us an opportunity to start anew. However, the gift of our faith reminds us that we are not alone in this! We can seek the help of the Holy Spirit through prayer and turn to the accountability partners who sit in the pews next to us at Sunday Mass. We, in turn, can be a light to others through our words, attitudes, and actions. As we light our houses and light our Christmas trees this year, we can remember to put on the armor of light ourselves as we begin this holy season. ACTION: Even with the best of intentions, the holiday season can become busy. As you go about errands or prepare your home, make an effort to listen to Advent hymns or reflections. |
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Sunday, November 20, 2022
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Did you watch Queen Elizabeth’s funeral procession? The Imperial State Crown that sat atop her coffin is “made of gold and set with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and 4 rubies,” according to the Historic Royal Palaces website. It had been made for her father, King George VI, for his 1937 coronation. It is hard to reconcile this bejeweled crown with the crown of thorns worn by Jesus at his crucifixion. Yet we recognize the crucified Christ as the king of kings, the firstborn of creation, above “thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.” As we conclude the liturgical year, we are reminded that the cross, not the crown, is the primary symbol of Christ’s power. By embracing the cross – through service, sacrifice and recognizing Jesus as the king of our lives – we can help bring about his kingdom. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: It can be easy to distance ourselves from the two condemned criminals crucified alongside Jesus, much the way we might write off the prisoners in our midst today. Yet Luke’s telling reveals their humanity and our shared human nature. One reacts as any of us might, telling Jesus to “save himself.” The other speaks words of faith, recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, our true king of the universe. As we prepare to enter Advent, let us ask God for the grace to recognize Jesus as our king. Soon we will be swept up in the Christmas countdown. By placing Christ, the newborn king, at the center of our lives, we can in turn help ourselves and those close to us slow down and experience Advent in such a way so as to fully prepare for his coming. PRAY: This week, make the words of the second criminal your prayer: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." |
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Sunday, November 13, 2022
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes events leading up to the end times: wars, earthquakes, famines, plagues, persecution, and even death. It’s no wonder some Christians believe the Second Coming could be any day now. After all, our world has seen more than its share of these signs. However, as Jesus tells the disciples, we don’t know when the end times will come. We do know, however, that Jesus remains at our side through the thick and thin of these “in between times.” Just as Jesus tells the disciples he will give them “wisdom in speaking” to refute their enemies, he will give us the strength we need to persevere in faith. As St. Paul reminds us, we can do that by imitating the early Christians, working quietly to build up the kingdom of God each day. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: When facing a difficult decision or situation, it can be easy to fall into the trap of “catastrophizing” – that is, thinking of our biggest fear coming true, or of the worst that can happen. Today’s readings include a laundry list: a blazing fire, toil and drudgery, wars and insurrections, earthquakes, famines, persecution, and death. Yet Jesus tells the disciples, “not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Rather than focus on our fears – not only about the end times but in our day-to-day lives – Jesus challenges us to trust in God’s love for us. It doesn’t mean we should resign ourselves to the difficulties we or others face. However, by placing faith over fear we can seek to help others here on earth, confident that Jesus will lead us home when our time comes. ACT: Many people today suffer due to natural disasters, authoritarian leadership, and human violence. Pray for these victims, of course, but also – in your creativity – seek out ways to use your time, talent, and/or treasure to alleviate their situation if possible. |
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Sunday, November 6, 2022
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: My colleague grew up playing a lot of basketball, and she has pointed out the obvious: Despite the fact that the hoop is much larger than the ball, and there is a very large backboard behind it, it can be very easy to miss a shot. Depending on where you are on the floor, you have to set your sights on, and aim the ball toward, a very specific place in space or on the glass. The king in the first reading and the Sadducees in the Gospel are shooting airballs. Each one of them is, literally, not seeing the right goal. In answering the Sadducees’ questions, Jesus challenges their assumptions – not about marriage, but about life after death: “Those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead … can no longer die … they are the children of God … and he is not God of the dead, but of the living.” Something even greater, beyond human understanding, awaits. The seven brothers who experienced horrible deaths rather than violate God’s law knew that. We, too, hold onto hope that we will be among the living whom Jesus describes. In the meantime, we can place our trust in Jesus and focus on living according to the example he set for us. We may not know exactly what life after death will look and feel like, but we can trust the psalmist's words: “Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: I like to run races of various distances, and one of my favorite things is seeing the fun posters people hold up (“This is a lot of work for a free banana”) and hearing shouts of encouragement. Even more powerful, of course, is the encouragement of friends and family members as we face challenges or difficulties. So it’s heartening to hear from St. Paul that we can count on Jesus and the Father as a source of “everlasting encouragement and good hope.” Again we are reminded that we cannot – and should not have to – do it alone. Instead, we can join Paul in asking God to “encourage [our] hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.” In turn, we can encourage others in their faith and daily lives, seeking to reflect God’s love to those we encounter. ACTION: One positive thing about social media is the way it allows us to lift one another up through a simple “Like” or comment. In the same way that we “connect” with others on social media, our kind, encouraging words and Christian example in our comments can connect others to Jesus and his Church. |
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Sunday, October 30, 2022
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: When will wisdom kick in? Even so many years later, I still struggle with some of the same questions that kept me up at night when I was 21. Fortunately, God is patient with late bloomers. The Book of Wisdom reassures us that, first, God loves us, no matter where we are on the continuum of “having it all together.” Second, the Lord won’t judge us on our worst days, but wants us to grow in wisdom and holiness. The Wisdom writer knows it’s not an overnight process; it is often marked by one step forward, two steps back: “You rebuke offenders little by little, warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O Lord!” Like Zacchaeus in today’s Gospel, if we seek out Jesus and ask for his help, he will show us the way. Thanks be to a God who comes “to seek and to save what was lost.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: At Mass recently, the priest encouraged parishioners to turn to the person next to them and ask them for whom they would like us to pray. I’ve been at Masses where we introduce ourselves, but this “Hi, how are you, please pray for X” was new to me. As Mass continued, I prayed for Matt, the son of the woman in front of me. She prayed for my friend Jim, whose sore knee had sidelined him during his walk along the Camino de Santiago. How encouraging it must have been for the early Christians to know that St. Paul held them in prayer, “that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith.” Just as Jesus seeks us out, we, in turn, can accompany others who may be lost or hurting or who just happen to be in the next pew. Through our prayers, we can build up one another, our parish, and the wider Church. PRAY: When a friend shares a struggle or challenge, don’t be shy about offering your prayers. Make a list of people to pray for and set it by your bedside so you don’t forget. |
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Sunday, October 23, 2022
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: I love baseball. Have you ever seen a batter strike out three times straight, only to hit a game-winning home run or base hit on his fourth at-bat? It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, the victory is all the sweeter! I do not believe God actually influences the outcome of baseball games (well, maybe a little; I’m a Cubs fan after all). But I do believe ours is a God who stands by us even in the worst of slumps. Like St. Paul, the key is to keep the faith even when life throws us curveballs, as it inevitably will. If we approach the Lord with the perseverance of Paul and the humility of the tax collector, he will give us the strength we need to finish the race. We can make an effort to approach each day with gratitude, knowing the Lord is always at our side. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Have you heard of Blessed Solanus Casey? He became a Capuchin Franciscan priest, but because of his academic difficulties his ministry was limited. Ordained a “simplex priest,” he could say Mass but not preach or hear confessions. And so he was assigned to become a porter, or “doorkeeper.” Rather than complain, Father Solanus embraced this ministry. “He was always ready and willing to listen to anyone any time of the day or night,” according to the biography read at his beatification in 2017. Because of his humility and holiness, people from all walks of life were drawn to him, often waiting hours to greet him at the door of St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit. Hearing today’s reading about the prideful Pharisee and the humble tax collector brought his story to mind. Through this parable, Jesus challenges us to approach God and others with humility, understanding that all we are and all we do come from God. We don’t have to be the “first,” the “best,” or the “brightest” – but simply need to ask God to help us grow in love and faith. ACT: Read about Blessed Solanus and recite the “Canonization Prayer,” which asks God: “May your will be done in my life today.” |
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Sunday, October 16, 2022
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: We’re all familiar with the refrain to pray without ceasing. It starts with Moses, who keeps his hands raised with the staff of God while war waged against Israel. It carries over to the Apostles, and St. Paul gives Timothy the exhortation to “be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient.” Jesus affirms in the parable of the persistent widow how important it is “to pray always without becoming weary.” As Christians, we understand the importance of prayer, but to pray always and constantly? Especially in today’s world filled with distractions, this seems like an impossible task. Even Moses grew weary! But persistence is the name of the game in prayer. When prayer becomes difficult and no longer flows, we, like Moses receiving support to keep his hands steady until the battle was won, can receive support from the Holy Spirit. We simply must push forward and ask for help because Christ assures us God will “secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Prayer does not only consist of mental or vocal pleas to God; rather, it includes praise and thanksgiving and petition, all of which can be offered through simply living. We can consecrate our daily actions and offer them up to God as a living prayer: dropping the kids off at school with a special blessing in Christ’s name to conquer the day; biting our tongue and inviting the Holy Spirit into a situation when dealing with a difficult person; or sitting at the dinner table filled with thanksgiving for our food and family. Prayer then isn’t something we simply do, it is something we live. PRAY: Choose an action that will serve as a trigger to encourage you to pray. Do you hear sirens as you’re heading to work? Say a “Hail Mary” for those who may be in harm’s way. Are you scrolling through social media and find a friend sharing their struggle? Offer a quick prayer for their need. Train yourself to pray – something as simple as, “Lord Jesus have mercy on (N.)” or “Lord look graciously upon their need” – and you’ll find yourself praying without even thinking about it. |
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Sunday, October 9, 2022
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Back in 2018, a Christmastime video about gratitude went viral. A young Dad wakes up covered in wrapping paper to discover his similarly adorned wife and kids. He runs through the house, “unwrapping” the electricity, running water, his shoes ... and a car! Today’s Gospel reminded me of this, and of all the times the Lord has provided: whether it is something ordinary like food in the fridge or something extraordinary like the birth of our sons. But how often do I acknowledge that all these gifts come from God? I am guessing all 10 of the lepers in today’s Gospel felt much gratitude and joy after they were healed. But only one, a foreigner no less, returned to Jesus to give thanks to God. Likewise, today’s readings remind us to return to God with gratitude for all the blessings in our lives – both extraordinary and ordinary. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Hearing the account in Kings today, I picture Naaman plunging into the Jordan – not just once but seven times! What if he’d stopped after one, or two, or four? We hear in the Gospel of 10 other lepers, all of whom raised their voices shouting “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” In both cases, those seeking healing showed faith in God, persevering against all odds. This perseverance also is evident in the second reading, where Saint Paul bears great suffering for the sake of the Gospel and the salvation of others. These readings challenge us to persevere in our faith – through prayer and our witness to others we encounter. God will not always answer our prayers the way we want or expect – at least not the first time. We need to jump back in like Naaman, trusting that God will give us what we need. PRAY: We quickly turn to God when things go wrong. Next time something good happens, turn to God with the same urgency and say a prayer of thanks. |
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Sunday, October 2, 2022
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: The prophet Habakkuk lived seven centuries before Christ, yet his words could well be ours today: “I cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not intervene.” Do we sometimes feel as though strife in our communities, and even within our own families, is more than we can handle? Like the prophet, we may ask, “How long, O Lord? I cry for help but you do not listen.” Indeed, we may feel our prayers are not being answered. Perhaps it is simply that they are not “answered” in the manner and timeframe in which we wish they would be. Although “God’s time” and his plan for our lives may seem mysterious or discouraging, it is by continuing to bring our concerns to God in prayer that we can actually help our faith grow and mature. We see countless examples of people who remain faithful in spite of hardship, misfortune and loss. Let us take time today, as the disciples did, to pray and ask Jesus to “increase our faith.” In simply turning to the Lord, we exhibit faith that, like a tiny mustard seed, has great power and can be a source of strength to ourselves and those around us. It is in faith in Christ that we find hope. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: I find today’s Gospel reading so reassuring. Even just a tiny speck of faith can move mountains. Or, in this case, uproot a mulberry tree and plant it in the sea! Working for a Catholic magazine, I’m privileged to write about people with a deep and abiding faith, one they freely share with others through their example and by sharing their stories. I bet we can all point to a friend or family member who exhibits the kind of faith so strong that it rubs off on others they encounter. Jesus reminds us that even a little faith can have a huge impact – not only on our lives but on others. We can share it by offering to pray for those facing a challenge, talking to God when we feel overwhelmed, and opening our hearts to the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and in the faces of the people we encounter each day. PRAYER: Even the prophet Habakkuk and the disciples experienced "off" days where faith eluded them. But the psalmist reminds us to keep showing up in prayer: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Especially in moments of despair, bring your concerns to God in prayer. |
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Sunday, September 25, 2022
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Don’t let the purple garments and fine linen throw you. We who are fortunate enough to not have to think about our daily needs being met don’t have to be dressed in fancy clothing. But it would not hurt to reflect for a moment on the unsettling parable of Lazarus and the rich man. Why? As Amos reminds us in the first reading, complacency isn’t an option. Perhaps one of the simplest elements of this teaching of Jesus is the fact that the name Lazarus comes from the Hebrew name Eleazar, which means “God is my helper,” or “God will help.” Lazarus had no one on earth to help him and so he trusted in God completely. Although this may not be easy for us to do, it is what God asks of us. This coming week, seek to know the Lord better through studying his word and seeking him in prayer more often. Allow him to walk beside you. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Who is “Lazarus” today? He could be the homeless person who smells of cigarettes and hasn’t bathed in a while, or the mentally ill woman who shouts at us as we walk by. Today’s readings challenge us to move out of complacency and judgment and, instead, see the poor as human beings deserving of dignity and care. Unlike the rich man in today’s parable, we still have time to reorder our priorities and find ways to close the “chasm” between rich and poor. As Pope Francis said during the Mass for the World Day of the Poor in 2021, indifference is not an option. The Church “asks us not to turn aside, not to be afraid to take a close look at the suffering of those most vulnerable.” Then, act. Today’s psalm tells us all we need to know: “Blessed he who keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry.” ACT: If you encounter someone in need on the street, consider giving away socks, a gift card to an area restaurant, or simply offer a nod and a smile. Then perhaps seek volunteer opportunities near you. |
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Sunday, September 18, 2022
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Our body language says a lot. Crossed arms can signal anger or defensiveness, while arms outstretched imply openness. It’s unlikely Timothy researched nonverbal cues, but his encouragement to pray while “lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument” is good advice. I think this posture can carry into other areas of our life, including our relationship with money and/or possessions. If we cling to these, we risk closing ourselves off to life’s true riches: our faith and our relationships, for example. As we learn in today’s Gospel, we cannot serve both God and mammon. In our culture, it’s easy to get caught up in accumulating more possessions or holding tight to what we have. Jesus challenges us to place our trust in God rather than the ups and downs of the stock market or our bank account. Let us, instead, approach Jesus in prayer, arms wide open. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: I rarely miss a planned morning workout. I carefully lay out my clothes, go to bed early, and set my alarm. It helps to meet up with a friend for that added layer of accountability. These are all “small things,” but they indicate my investment in the activity and help me build trust in myself and within my friendships. I wonder if we can’t do the same when it comes to staying spiritually fit. For me, being “trustworthy in very small matters” is a bit like my workout routine. We don’t need grand gestures to keep our relationship with Jesus strong: setting aside time in the morning to focus on prayer; going to Mass even when we don’t feel like it; talking with a friend about ways to grow spiritually. In his letter, Timothy reminds his followers that prayer and devotion are “good and pleasing to God our savior.” Should we become discouraged, we can find comfort in knowing that God wills everyone to be saved. Through prayer and seemingly small changes in our routine, we can challenge ourselves and encourage each other to make our relationship with Jesus our first priority. ACT: Think about your daily routine. What small change can you make to enhance your relationship with God? It may be as simple as saying a good-morning prayer or beginning a list of people and things for which you are grateful. |
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Sunday, September 11, 2022
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: I think I lose more things than the average person. Car keys. That magic security card that gets me into my office. My son’s birth certificate (the night before the driver’s test). And my wedding ring, more often than I care to admit. I can’t rest until I find them. Oh, the elation when the missing item turns up! So this is one parable I think I “get.” Of course, these items pale in comparison to our value as human beings – sons and daughters of God. Even – or perhaps especially – us sinners. As Jesus tells us, “There will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” What good news for all of us! Rather than wallow in our failures or close ourselves off to God, we are challenged to follow Paul's example and turn to God for our strength – we can turn to him knowing we are loved, valued, and cherished. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: I confess I sometimes feel unworthy to become very active in my parish. I’ve made more mistakes than I can count; so, no, I’ll pass on volunteering to be a lector or a catechist. That’s a job for the “good Catholics.” As we see time and again in Scripture, ours is a Church of sinners. As was the case with Paul, “once a blasphemer and a persecutor and arrogant,” the Lord has mercy upon us, and his grace is abundant. Just as he considered Paul trustworthy to lead the Church, he trusts us; we need only trust ourselves. Gaining our strength from God, we can share our gifts through ministry and service. What’s more, we can actively reach out to those on the fringes of our parish or those who have left the Church feeling as though they don’t belong. Jesus reminds us that all are welcome at his table. ENGAGE: At Sunday Mass, make a point of welcoming newcomers and strangers with a smile or greeting. Consider getting involved in a parish ministry. |
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Sunday, September 4, 2022
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Often, before writing these reflections, I take a minute to pray. I decided to add a minute of mindfulness using my new Apple Watch, which conveniently provides a meditation prompt. Today’s happened to be: “Bring to mind a close relationship that can be challenging, and think about what it can teach you.” Like those paper messages in fortune cookies, even this auto-generated prompt carried a grain of truth. Our thoughts may turn to our spouse, a prickly co-worker, or a moody teen. However, given today’s readings, it struck me that this description can also fit our relationship with Jesus. Yes, we know that Jesus loves us, shepherds us, forgives us … but he also challenges us! He reminds us today that being a disciple requires that we go all in, prepared to place our relationship with Jesus above all else. Easier said than done. But we can start, one minute at a time, with our prayers, priorities, and actions. We can also follow the example of saints such as Paul, imprisoned for preaching the Gospel, and the saints among us who teach us by example. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: I bet we all know people we would consider saints, or at least well on their way: A compassionate friend, a priest or lay minister at our parish, a generous neighbor, that person who has not let suffering and loss shake their faith. Then there are the saints we Catholics celebrate each day: Francis, who threw off the cloak of privilege to live for Christ; Mother Teresa, who served others day in and day out even as she faced a spiritual drought; Paul, the one-time persecutor who built up the early Church and whose letters continue to inspire Christians. Each of them took Jesus’ words at face value and laid down their lives for him. Learning how to be a disciple of Christ from studying the lives of the saints can be an ongoing pursuit throughout our lives. But perhaps we can also learn from a “living saint,” if the opportunity presents itself, and ask, in so many words, “what’s your secret?” It may be praying first thing in the morning, or something practical that we had not considered, such as managing their time in such a way that allows them to volunteer regularly or to be a continuous presence in the life of someone who needs them. If other priorities have gotten in the way of our relationship with Jesus, perhaps we can challenge ourselves to develop new habits. Even an incremental change – such as spending less time or money on nonessentials or reading an inspirational book – can help us reignite our faith and free up our time to focus on someone or something other than ourselves. STUDY: Take time to read about the lives of a few saints. What habits did they create to lead holy lives? What vices did they give up for Christ's sake to truly become his disciple? |
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Sunday, August 28, 2022
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Pope St. John XXIII, one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, had a wonderful sense of humor. In stories recalled by Fr. Greg Friedman, OFM, Good Pope John would say, “God knew from all eternity I was going to be pope. Couldn’t God have made me more handsome?” He also had a deep devotion to St. Joseph. In his writings, he talks about the humble and overlooked role that Joseph played in the life of Christ. He promoted an increased devotion to the humble, loyal saint who stayed quietly in the background and provided a home for Christ and his mother. St. Joseph is a model for the humility that our readings speak of today. Being humble doesn’t mean being embarrassed or ashamed of the talents and abilities we have. It means acknowledging that these are gifts from God. God does not give us these gifts so we can place ourselves above others, as Jesus observed people doing at the home of the Pharisee. They are to be used to glorify God. By being humble, we “will be loved more than a giver of gifts … and find favor with God.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: I always remember what I was told in a volunteer training when preparing to serve hospice patients and their families: sit at eye level or lower when meeting with the patient or their family members. Being “at the same level” not only “lifted up” the patient but also brought the volunteer “down” to their level. This not only made listening easier and showed respect for the dignity of the patient; it also helped the volunteer see things from the patient’s perspective. Jesus tells us in the Gospel today that being his disciples is not about elevating ourselves, but about lowering ourselves. He calls us to invite, welcome, and accept those who are least able to repay us. When we forget about ourselves and our place in the world and instead lift up others, he tells us we “will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” ACT: One of the greatest acts of humility is to acknowledge when we are wrong, apologize, and ask forgiveness. Is there someone you can reconcile with by admitting you were wrong? Allowing God to forgive you in the sacrament of reconciliation will help you grow in humility. |
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Sunday, August 21, 2022
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: We all have things that come easily to us and things that seem hard. I can bake a delicious pie, but I cannot flip a fried egg. I can resurrect your dead iPhone, but I can’t keep a houseplant alive. The list goes on for each of us. Fortunately, neither our natural talents nor foibles will get us into or keep us out of heaven. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate,” Jesus tells us. When I first read that passage, I said to myself, “What’s the narrow gate?” But I think the key word here might be strive, a verb meaning “to devote serious effort or energy.” Getting to heaven, then, requires more than knowing who Jesus is or even going to Mass each week. It takes energy, effort, and persistence. It means establishing a relationship with Jesus – through prayer and following his commandment to love one another – such that he will “know where [we] are from” when we knock on the door. In doing so, we can hope to be among the people who recline at the table of the Lord in the kingdom of God. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: When Jesus was asked how many people will be saved and spoke of the narrow gate, he went on to say, “Many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” Where do we find the strength we will need to pass through this gate that will lead to eternal life? By following Christ with all our being and not taking the easier, mainstream path when it conflicts with our Christian values. By recognizing that our salvation is a gift from our Savior, who willingly took on our human form and died for us. By understanding that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross requires a response from us. God invites; we must respond. Jesus is our strength, and he is the only way to get through that narrow gate. Let us strive to do so, and in turn help the others whom God has put in our lives, accompanying them on this journey. PRAY: Make a list of the people in your life who have helped you grow closer to Jesus. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for each of them. |
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Sunday, August 14, 2022
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: My mom loved her Nintendo 64. We especially enjoyed “Paperboy,” a video game where a paperboy riding a bicycle attempts to deliver newspapers along Easy Street, Middle Road, or Hard Way. He has to avoid obstacles that pop up along the way – barking dogs, mailboxes, skateboarders, trash cans, you name it! Sometimes life can seem that way. We can’t predict which obstacles will pop up, but the author of the Letter to the Hebrews encourages us to persevere, “keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.” Whether we’re riding along “Easy Street” or “Hard Way,” we can look to Jesus to help us overcome the hardships that may come our way because we are his followers. As Jesus tells the disciples, following him will not always be easy and may even result in conflicts within our families. When that happens, we can look to the example of Jesus and the great “cloud of witnesses” to whom the Letter to the Hebrews refers, knowing that peace and reconciliation await us at the finish line. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: I used to have great fun watching my boys at our neighborhood swim meets. Even as my then-7-year-old zig-zagged into the lane lines during the backstroke, I would yell “Go! Go! Go! You’ve got this.” (And, please, someone catch his head at the finish!) He couldn’t hear a word I said. I wonder if it’s a bit like this when it comes to the “cloud of witnesses” – the saints, known and unknown, who encourage us in our faith. We can’t see them or hear them, but we know they are there. In turn, we can become cheerleaders for others running the race alongside us: offering encouragement, prayers, and reminding one another of the joy that awaits us. Spoken or silent, our prayers can help us and others persevere in our faith and place our trust in Jesus when times are tough. STUDY: The catechism chapter 3, The Characteristics of Faith (153-165), references this passage from Hebrews on being surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. Read especially #165. |
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Sunday, August 7, 2022
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: I remember the first time I moved: A suitcase or two fit in the back of my dad’s lime-green Delta 88 as my parents dropped me off at college. Four years later, it took that plus a large black chest. The next move required a U-Haul; then came marriage, a family, and a moving van. I may not store my treasure in barns like the man in last week’s readings, but at times it feels that way. It’s natural to accumulate more “stuff” as we grow older. But in today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we won’t take any of it with us when we make the move to our final destination. Rather than focus on our possessions, he encourages us to be vigilant, remain faithful, and live in service to others. In doing so, we will store up “an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Few things throw me into a panic like unexpected company. I have taken to at least cleaning the kitchen counter and bathrooms before going on a trip so the house will look presentable should something befall me and others have to come in with food or aid! We truly do not know the day or the hour, and the Gospel today encourages us to apply a little of that spring cleaning to our souls. Each day presents a new opportunity to prepare for the day we meet Jesus. If we’ve been out of touch, we can get reacquainted through prayer. If we feel weighed down by things we’ve done or said, we can bring them to the Lord through the sacrament of reconciliation. We can witness to our belief in God’s promise of eternal life by putting people above possessions and supporting one another as we seek to live as Jesus taught us. ACTION: Today’s psalm response is: “Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.” Count your blessings and write a few of them down, giving thanks to God for each of them. |
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Sunday, July 31, 2022
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Is it me, or does every popular waiting-room magazine feature an article on “how to declutter” in six easy steps? I always read those first, then add them to the unsightly pile of magazines on the end table. The constant, if futile, quest to declutter comes from a deeper place than a desire for a clean house. It feels so liberating to let go of those things that we no longer need. Today’s readings challenge us to look not just outward, but inward, at what distracts us from what really matters. Paul exhorts us to “seek what is above,” letting go of earthly concerns or habits that get in the way of our relationship with God. By putting on a “new self” through prayer, the sacrament of reconciliation and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, we will become “rich in what matters to God.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Personal-finance writers often divide people into two camps: Savers or spenders. I’m definitely a saver! I dutifully contribute to my 401K, stash unexpected windfalls into my savings account, and carefully budget. On the rare occasions when I go out to dinner, I struggle with choosing what to order: It’s a high-stakes decision! Fiscal responsibility is a good thing, but today’s parable challenges me to be just as diligent about investing in my relationship with God, my family, and the people I encounter. We are blessed with so many opportunities to “seek what is above”: It may mean spending the first 30 minutes of the day in prayer, reading books or articles that help us grow spiritually, or joining a parish Bible study. Or even taking a friend to dinner and picking up the tab! In doing so, we are investing in this life – and the next. ACTION: Take a look around your house and donate items in good condition to a charity in your community. And then ask the organization if they need any help with a summer yard cleanup or simple tasks around the facility – these are easy ways to involve the whole family in serving others. |
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Sunday, July 24, 2022
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: I miss my friend, Carol, a second mother to many of us navigating young adulthood in one of my adopted hometowns. Carol offered wisdom and perspective – and binders full of recipes for any occasion. So, even after moving away, I knew that I could “Dial A Cook” at a moment’s notice and Carol would drop everything and patiently dictate a recipe. Today’s Gospel fills me with gratitude for Carol, who through her love and generosity hints at God’s love and generosity toward us. Carol is with God now, so I still talk to her from time to time. Today’s Gospel reminds us that, likewise, we can bring anything to our loving God in prayer, and the Father will listen and respond. We may think we can power through our days, and our lives, on our own, but Jesus reminds us to persist in prayer: “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Remember the time before smartphones? When you needed a cup of flour or an egg, that meant knocking on a neighbor’s door. Now we most often text ahead, making the request a bit less awkward. Well, despite the proliferation of Catholic and spiritual apps, praying still requires “putting ourselves out there” before God. While God knows all and sees all, it us up to us to bring our deepest needs and desires to him. Our smartphones can help us here: We can set a reminder to pray each morning and each evening. We can model our persistence in prayer to our children and others by praying with and for them, especially at times when they are struggling with something or facing a difficult choice or situation. If an earthly Mother or Father knows how to give good gifts to their children, after all, “how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" PRAY: Recite the Lord’s Prayer, understanding that God knows our needs and will give us each our daily bread. |
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Sunday, July 17, 2022
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Are you a Martha or a Mary? For me, it depends on the day, but on first glance I’d say I relate more to Martha. When I plug in the vacuum and start handing out cleaning supplies, one of my sons invariably asks: “Is company coming over?” Even once they arrive, I’m often so busy with host duties that I don’t really relax enough to truly connect with our guests! All of that said, I’m not sure Jesus is criticizing Martha or just talking about housework; rather, he addresses her as a friend. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.” Mary, who sits at the feet of Jesus, shows us what matters most: our relationship with Jesus. It doesn’t mean we won’t get caught up in the busyness of entertaining or life in general. When that happens, however, Jesus’ words can gently call us back to what matters: the way we live our life for Christ each day and prioritizing our relationship with him. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: It’s wedding season! I was recently talking to a friend whose daughter got married a few weeks ago. She and her daughter had spent months planning the wedding, of course, but the actual day went by “too fast,” she said, her voice tinged with regret. Sometimes it seems life can be like that. We can get so caught up in the day-to-day that we forget to take a breath and savor each moment with friends and family. In today’s readings, Mary shows us how to truly be present to Jesus by listening to his voice in prayer and reading his words in Scripture. Martha teaches us how to open our homes and our hearts through hospitality. We can learn from both of their examples, drawing strength from prayer and extending the peace of Jesus to others through hospitality and our everyday interactions. SERVE: How can we show hospitality to those outside of our homes? Offer to make food for a funeral luncheon in your parish or prepare and serve food for those less fortunate at a shelter or soup kitchen. |
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Sunday, July 10, 2022
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: My faorite line in “The Wizard of Oz,” in the climactic scene when Dorothy realizes “there’s no place like home,” comes from Glinda: “You’ve always had the power to go back to Kansas,” she tells Dorothy. In the first reading today, Moses tells the Israelites something similar about wisdom and power. He tells them the secret to peace and prosperity isn’t “mysterious” or “remote.” He says “it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts.” In the Gospel, when the scholar asks Jesus about the secret to eternal life, he answers his own question by reciting the two great commandments: love God with all your heart, being, strength, and mind, and your neighbor as yourself. “You have answered correctly,” Jesus tells him. At our baptism, the Holy Spirit placed the wisdom and power to have the fullness of life in our hearts. The key is to “carry it out,” as Moses advises the Israelites. Jesus echoes this message: We must “do this” – love God and our neighbor – to enjoy the life God wants for us today and eternal life with him in the future. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: One of the most heartbreaking things about being a parent is seeing children set limits for who’s in and who’s out. My daughter was in Kindergarten when she came home in tears, excluded from playing with her friends because she didn’t color a picture exactly as directed by another classmate. Our loving Father also sees our pain when we are excluded from being loved, and so when the scholar asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus refuses to set boundaries for who to include and who to exclude. In using the parable about the Samaritan, Jesus tells us that we are to treat everyone as neighbor, even our enemies. The Samaritans were enemies of the Jews, and those listening to Jesus would have been shocked that a Samaritan was the compassionate hero. This parable challenges us to consider the boundaries we set for who we consider neighbors – those worthy of our compassion and help, and perhaps those we consider “other,” or whom we feel we can ignore or reject. And to recognize how the boundaries we set prevent us from sharing the Good News of God’s mercy to those he seeks to heal. PRAY: Ask the Holy Spirit for the wisdom to discern who you may be excluding as a neighbor. Pray these words from Dorothy Day: “Dear God, please enlarge our hearts to love each other, to love our neighbor, to love our enemy as well as our friend.” |
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Sunday, July 3, 2022
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: So what comes to mind when you imagine your dream road trip? A well-planned route with scenic stops, nice hotels, good restaurants and quirky sights along the way? Jesus may be my copilot, but given his words in today’s Gospel I’m not sure I’d want him to be my travel agent! As he sends the 72 ahead of him, he gives them no illusions about the mission that lies ahead: “Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals.” Settle for the first house that welcomes you, regardless of the amenities. Eat and drink whatever they offer. Give those you encounter a greeting of peace and remind them the kingdom of God is at hand. As always, Jesus gives these travelers all they will need to share the Good News with others. They return rejoicing! The early disciples refute my “travel agent” doubts, as they show us by example to place our trust in God and take nothing for the journey except our faith and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In doing so, we can rest assured that our “names are written in heaven.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: I’m a planner. When we went to Disney World, my sons split off from me after I unveiled an app that would show us exactly which ride or attraction to hit based on crowd numbers, time of day and other variables. I loved that app! So had I been one of the 72 we read about today appointed by Jesus to spread the Gospel in pairs, hopefully my companion would not have abandoned me because of my insistence on planning. Ultimately, our journey of faith – as we share it with others and walk toward the kingdom ourselves – is not something we can choreograph. The more we plan and the more baggage we carry, the less likely we are to hear God’s voice cutting through the noise. By stripping away the nonessentials, we can place our trust in the Lord, who will show us the right path. When we place our lives in the service of the Lord, the harvest will be abundant. PRAY: Many U.S. dioceses will be welcoming newly ordained priests this month. Pray for them as they begin their ministry, and pray for more vocations. |
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Sunday, June 26, 2022
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Members of our family joke that saying goodbye after a family gathering needs to begin about an hour before we plan to leave. Goodbyes mean hugs for every family member, and there are many of us! We are aware of how precious our loved ones are to us, and so Jesus’ response to the person who asks if he can first say farewell to his family may seem perplexing to us. But in this reading, Luke presents Jesus as “resolutely” headed to Jerusalem because “the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled.” Jesus is ready to complete the mission he came for and anyone who wants to follow him can’t be distracted by indecision. His matter-of-fact answers are directed at newcomers who seem to hesitate when he invites them to follow him. He wants his disciples to know that being a disciple will have an impact on personal comfort, and that everything one does – for family, loved ones, or whomever – must flow from this discipleship first. It is not about ignoring other responsibilities, but carrying them out in light of who we are and whom we follow. Jesus calls us to make our relationship with him our highest priority. Doing so will bring life to all the relationships we value as we grow to live and love like him. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: How do we commit to answering God’s call without hesitation? Like the first Apostles, the prosperous farmer Elisha in today’s first reading willingly responded to the call from Elijah. But he didn’t just leave everything and go: He first burned his plow as fuel in order to cook the oxen and leave it for his people to eat. In following the Lord, his first act was to ensure that those for whom he was responsible were not left without. Answering God’s call is not often easy. But like Elisha and the Apostles, we are called to listen and respond to the ways God calls us and to trust in his Spirit to guide us. As Paul tells the Galatians, we are to “live by the Spirit.” By trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit and turning to him for strength and guidance, we can be Christ’s presence wherever he leads us – and doing whatever it entails. INVITE: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern who needs the gift of your presence in their life right now. Schedule time with this person, just listening, affirming their gifts, and assuring them of your belief in them and God’s love for them. |
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SUNDAY, June 19, 2022
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Today begins the National Eucharistic Revival, a grassroots effort launched by the U.S. bishops to reignite “devotion and belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.” What better day to begin than on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, when we as Catholics reflect on the source and summit of our faith. “For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself …” (catechism, 1324) Our readings today remind us that the Eucharist is more than a powerful symbol; as Catholics, we believe we receive Christ himself – body, blood, soul, and divinity – in the form of the consecrated bread and wine. As Pope Francis said in a homily on this solemnity in 2019: “If we receive it into our hearts, this bread will release in us the power of love. We will feel blessed and loved, and we will want to bless and love in turn.” That is what the early disciples did, whether feeding the 5,000 or nurturing the early Church. The Eucharistic Revival gives each of us an opportunity to give thanks for the gift of the Eucharist and share it with others. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: On today’s solemnity, also known as the feast of Corpus Christi, some parishes have a eucharistic procession. This is when a consecrated host – that is, the real and substantial presence of Jesus Christ, body, blood, soul and divinity – is placed within a monstrance, which is then lifted and carried by a priest who leads the faithful in procession beginning at one holy place and ending at another. Some parishes or religious communities may extend hours for eucharistic adoration. Both of these are excellent opportunities to spend time with Jesus and reflect on Christ’s gift of himself in the Eucharist. What should be our response to this gift? As Pope Francis has said, it is a call “to go out and bring Jesus to others.” Just as Jesus challenged the disciples when they didn’t think they had enough bread and fish to serve the 5,000, we may feel we “don’t have enough” to give. Nourished by the Eucharist, however, and by our devotion to the real presence of God in that Eucharist, we have all we need to go out and witness to the love of Jesus. Go forth and announce the Gospel of the Lord. ACTION: Spend time in eucharistic adoration this week, even for a few minutes. Share what the experience was like with others or invite a friend to join you. |
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SUNDAY, June 12, 2022
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: St. Paul gives us four words to live by: “Hope does not disappoint.” Today, as we celebrate the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we are reminded of the source of our hope: God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, described by Pope Francis as “a communion of love.” As St. Paul writes, “the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” This doesn’t mean our lives won’t be without difficulties, but St. Paul is assuring us that we do not face them alone. As Jesus tells the disciples in today’s Gospel, “when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” As we move into our week and whatever the near future holds, we can rest assured the Holy Spirit will guide us and strengthen us. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: It’s graduation season! When my oldest son received his college diploma last weekend, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead for him. As is the case for many students, his path to a degree was not straight (nor was it paved with straight A’s). Yet here he was, receiving his degree and planning to start a job in a field he loves just two days later. The worries I felt during his high school and early college days dissipated, replaced with a sense of gratitude – and hope. This experience and others like it remind me to bring my worries and concerns to prayer, knowing that Jesus walks beside me and those I love. We can witness to our faith by offering to pray for others facing uncertainties and challenges, and by sharing how we have experienced “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” PRAY: Pray the Sign of the Cross, reflecting on the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. How have we experienced that love and how can we share it? |
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SUNDAY, June 5, 2022
Pentecost Sunday Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: “Peace be with you.” On hearing those four simple words, the fear that had paralyzed the disciples gives way to rejoicing. We, too, can feel paralyzed at times – by fear, yes – but also indecision, conflict, negativity, and perhaps even headlines that remind us how fractured our world has become. Yet here is Jesus, wishing us peace and giving us the gift of Pentecost: our Advocate, the Holy Spirit. As Jesus breathes on the disciples, he confers upon them a Spirit of peace that will allow them to push past their fears and build up the Church. “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” We, too, can turn to the Holy Spirit in times of trouble to help us move forward in faith, sharing peace and reconciliation with those we encounter. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Sometimes after a tiring or stressful day, I head up to my room, kick my feet up, and mindlessly scan social media or whatever other distractions might pop up on my smartphone. A friend read somewhere that doing so amounts to effectively putting your time in the shredder! Today’s readings challenge me and all of us to dig deeper. Why not, instead, find a quiet place to pray, asking the Holy Spirit for a refresh as we move into the next part of our day, which is indeed the first minute of the rest of our lives. There’s nothing wrong with downtime! But in the Holy Spirit, we can find a source of inspiration, energy, and creativity. As St. Paul writes to the Corinthians, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” Just as Jesus sent out the disciples, he sends us out to share our gifts to build up the Church. PRAY: We thank you, God, for the ways your Holy Spirit helps us see your love through the people and world around us. We thank you for the gifts of the Spirit within us and for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit, open our hearts as we listen to your word. We ask this in Christ’s name. |
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SUNDAY, May 29, 2022
The Ascension of the Lord Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: “Praise Jesus.” Those two words pack a powerful punch. We often say they them with relief on hearing news of a better-than-expected prognosis, celebrating a milestone, seeing a beautiful sunset, or other moments when we feel God’s presence. Jesus’ ascension to the Father was clearly one of those moments. After Jesus was taken up into heaven, the Apostles “returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.” We might wonder how they could do that, after watching Jesus depart. I think the answer is found in Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. The Apostles had what Paul desired for the people of Ephesus, and for all people: “a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of [Christ]”; enlightened hearts that know “the hope that belongs to his call” for all who believe. The Lord has brought us salvation: “Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Apostles took Jesus’ words to heart, and we must too. In a homily in 2013, Pope Francis said: “The Ascension does not point to Jesus’ absence, but tells us that he is alive in our midst in a new way. He is no longer in a specific place in the world as he was before the Ascension. He is now in the lordship of God, present in every space and time, close to each one of us.” As the two men clothed in white reminded the apostles, Jesus will return. And we know that he is not distant, but that he is fully present to us in a new way. His presence is felt through the workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the sacraments. GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT: Remember confirmation? A refresher on the gifts of the Spirit can serve as inspiration when we have a big decision to make or need guidance in our everyday lives: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. |
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SUNDAY, May 22, 2022
Sixth Sunday of Easter Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Jn 14:23-29 In the reading from John’s Gospel today, Jesus eases into the message he has for his disciples – a message he knows they don’t want to hear: He has to leave them. But Jesus tells his disciples that if they love him and keep his commandments, he and the Father will “make their dwelling” within them. He then assures them that they will not be alone: The Advocate will come to not only remind them of all he taught them, but also teach them everything they need to know in the future. Finally, he offers them peace, the peace that comes only through the Spirit and draws them closer to God. Though Jesus knows they are broken-hearted that he is leaving, he tells them to rejoice if they love him, for he is returning to his Father. Jesus’ words to the first disciples ring true for every disciple throughout the ages. He does not leave anyone who loves him alone. He sends his Spirit to dwell in us, to teach and remind us of his love and how to love one another. The Spirit guides us, encourages us, and sustains us – always. We are never alone. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: The first Christians, guided by the Holy Spirit, shared this message with the Gentile communities to whom they were ministering: “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities.” This is a profound moment in the Church as it shows first, the power of the Holy Spirit working in and with the Apostles; and second, the importance of faith (not ritual circumcision, or other human laws) for salvation. The Gospel is intended for all, without exception, and the Holy Spirit is our help and our Advocate in our own lives of faith, and in our sharing of that faith with others. Let us seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit in all we do, that we might be a blessing, not a burden, for everyone seeking the glory of God’s light. STUDY: The Acts of the Apostles is an amazing account of how Jesus’ followers grew from a small group of frightened people into the courageous and zealous missionaries who founded his Church. Read the catechism from 687-747 to learn more about the Holy Spirit and pray for the grace to let him work in and through you for the salvation of all who seek him. |
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SUNDAY, May 15, 2022
Fifth Sunday of Easter Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: I’m an expressive one when it comes to sharing my opinions: I absolutely LOVE these new shoes! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this lemon meringue pie! All good. My friends and family are mildly pleased that I am content with my wardrobe and my diet. But in today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us the great commandment, combining the two commandments – to love God and to love neighbor – into one: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” But what does it really mean to love? Saint Paul says it is to be patient, kind, and to rejoice with the truth; it is not being jealous, pompous, rude, or quick-tempered. (1 Cor 13: 4-6) Saint Thomas Aquinas says that “to love is to will the good of another.” The love we show is the very essence of what it means to be Christian. “This (italics added) is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: In today’s reading from Acts, Paul, and Barnabas return from their travels to various Christian communities. They have shared the Good News, making disciples in each place and building up the Church. Yet when they return, they do not gloat or boast of their accomplishments. Rather, they “reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” Sometimes in our strivings – to be better friends or parents, better Christians, better at sharing our faith – we can become discouraged when we fall short. Paul, arguably the best evangelist ever, reminds us that God works through us, not the other way around. We are to persevere, placing our trust in God. Through him we are able to love as he does, and help others come to know that same love. ACTIONS: Spring is upon us! Plant something and watch it grow. Just as the sun and water nurture a garden, God nurtures and helps us grow through the Holy Spirit and the people around us. How can we in turn share that love with others? |
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SUNDAY, May 8, 2022
Fourth Sunday of Easter Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: The divisiveness we see in our nation and our world is not new – it is rooted in our original sin. In the Old Testament, the Assyrians invaded the northern kingdom of Israel, forcing many of its citizens into exile and captivity. In the modern world, Russia invades Ukraine and millions of refugees flee. It seems as if this 2200-year-old adage is true: “Nothing is new under the sun!” (Eccl 1:9) Except for Jesus. Of him God says [spoiler for next week!], “Behold I make all things new.” (Rev 21:5) As we hear in today’s first reading, conflict between Jews and Gentiles forced Paul and Barnabas to leave Antioch. In contrast, John in Revelation envisions a world where “every nation, race, people, and tongue” stand before the Lord. For us as for them, Jesus is the path to the unity we desire. That’s not to gloss over real differences and even worse, the horror of war. However, it can be a reminder that no matter what else we do, we need to turn to the Lord first in prayer, asking him to guide us in our response; asking the Holy Spirit to help us see people of all nations, and indeed our very own neighbors, as our brothers and sisters. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Judging by the volume wars during our family television sessions, it seems that people have varying levels of ability to hear certain accents and types of voices. I wonder if this capacity to hear properly, or with the necessary level of attention, can sometimes apply to our ability to hear, really hear, the words of Jesus. Perhaps we’re too busy, or other preoccupations crowd out his voice. Today’s Gospel reminds us to tune back in. “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me,” Jesus says. In the first reading, Luke describes the Gentiles who lived in Antioch and were “delighted” in hearing the Good News of salvation and who “glorified the word of the Lord,” spreading it “through the whole region.” Today and every day, we can emulate the early Christians by opening our ears (or eyes!) to the word of God through the Scriptures, and in turn sharing that light of salvation to all who need it. PRAY: Pray Pope Francis’ prayer for peace, found on the USCCB website: www.usccb.org/prayers/pope-francis-prayer-peace. Lord God of peace, hear our prayer! |
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SUNDAY, May 1, 2022
Third Sunday of Easter Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: The accounts of Jesus’ appearances to the disciples after his resurrection often puzzle me, and today’s reading is no exception. There stands Jesus, within sight, yet the Apostles “did not realize that it was Jesus.” Hello?! I know we’re in the midst of a daylight saving time debate, but I’m fairly sure “dawn” meant the sun was up. Yet as soon as Jesus speaks and they follow his instructions, they realize he is their Lord. Simon Peter wastes no time; he dives into the sea and makes for the shore. Peter and the disciples show us that while it is important to recognize Jesus, it’s what we do next that matters. As we learn in Acts, they boldly say his name despite the Sanhedrin’s warning, and most will go on to be martyred for the Church. Thanks to them, we recognize Jesus – in the Eucharist, in Scripture, and in Tradition, and on the crucifixes in our homes and churches. Peter challenges us to “dive in,” moving from faith to action. The specifics will differ for each of us, but we can study the lives of the Apostles and the saints to find inspiration. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Is it a Catholic thing or the fact that I’m a closet introvert? I sometimes struggle with talking about Jesus. Which is why today’s reading from Acts challenges me. The Sanhedrin had warned the Apostles not to even speak Jesus’ name. Yet they don’t cower in fear or simply go back to the relatively quiet lives they led before they met Jesus. They rejoice to be found worthy “to suffer dishonor for the sake of [Jesus’] name.” Their commitment challenges us to be bold – not only with our words but with our actions as well. In the same way that teaching another person math or spelling helps us learn, witnessing to our faith by sharing it with others helps us deepen our faith and answer God’s call to be his disciple, striving to build his kingdom on earth. STUDY: This week, look up the feast days and read about the saint of the day. What can we learn from their example? |
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SUNDAY, April 24, 2022
Second Sunday of Easter - Sunday of Divine Mercy Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: In today’s Gospel, Thomas gets singled out as the one who doubts that Jesus had risen from the dead. But the other Gospels reveal that the other disciples doubted too. I understand why they had trouble believing that Jesus was alive. To think that God loves us enough that he chose to become human to die for our sins is incomprehensible. To accept that he loves us this deeply is almost unbearable. It seems doubtful anyone can love us that much. It seems doubtful that we deserve to be loved that much. It is much easier to doubt than to believe. But Thomas was the first to publicly proclaim the man Jesus as also God: My Lord and my God! he says. The risen Jesus had come into the room, although the doors were locked, and called them back into belief. Through Christ, God shows the disciples – and us – the extent of his love and mercy. We are worth it, even when we doubt, even when we fail. His death and resurrection are testament to that. He will walk through whatever walls exist to tell us. No doubt about it. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: The reading from the Acts of the Apostles today describes the reaction to the apostles’ joyful and confident proclamation that Jesus was Lord and God after receiving the Holy Spirit. The crowds drew near just to have Peter’s shadow fall upon those who were sick. God’s mercy has no bounds. How can we be like the first disciples? In what ways do our lives reflect God’s mercy on us? Where can our own “shadows fall” so that God’s goodness and grace can bring healing and comfort to others? Let us begin our days by giving “thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting,” and trust that the Holy Spirit will both remind us of our blessings and continued need for mercy, and guide us to encounters with others who need the same. PRAY: During this Easter season, read a passage from the Acts of the Apostles each day and immerse yourself in the history of the early Church. End your time of reflection by praying the Apostles’ Creed, the statement of beliefs of Christians in the first centuries after Jesus’ death and resurrection. |
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SUNDAY, April 17, 2022
Easter Sunday The Resurrection of the Lord Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE GROW: Happy Easter! When I think about Easter when I was a child, I admit that many of my memories are centered more around its symbolic trappings: Fannie Mae Easter eggs and peppermint ice cream, my grandma’s table set just so, and unseasonably cold Easter egg hunts. While I may not have yet fully understood the theology of the Resurrection, being at Mass with my family and taking part in the celebratory activities engendered in me the disposition of which the psalmist speaks: This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Today’s readings invite us to see both the secular and the sacred with new eyes. The fact that Jesus took on our humanity, died and rose again give us a glimpse of the joy that awaits. The simple pleasures we experience at Easter and throughout the year hint at what the Lord has in mind for all of us. In the meantime, we can turn to Jesus for encouragement, with the knowledge that God is present in the ordinary and extraordinary people and events in our daily lives. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: After Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb, Simon Peter and “the other disciple” (John) don’t walk – but run to the tomb. I’m struck by the detailed account that follows. Peter “saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.” The words that follow seem contradictory: “Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.” Their understanding would grow in the hours and days that followed. These early witnesses would then share the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection, often at the cost of their own lives, building up the Church that endures today. Like the disciples, we, too, are commissioned to witness to our faith in the risen Jesus, sharing this life-changing reality with others through our words and actions. PRAY: As this Easter season begins, we celebrate Christ’s triumph over death, yet mourn that death still comes so violently for so many around the world. Make an extra effort – an extraordinary effort – this week to pray for peace in the world. |
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FRIDAY, April 15, 2022
GOOD FRIDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION GOOD FRIDAY
When Jesus was crucified, Pilate had a sign made, written in three different languages stating that Jesus was the King of the Jews, and he would not remove it, even after the chief priests went to him and asked him to remove it. He said, “What I have written, I have written.” Even Pilate recognized Jesus was no ordinary man. He didn’t want anything to do with his death, and he wanted everyone to know that the Jewish people were the ones who were guilty of killing him. Thankfully, the gospel account of Jesus’s death on the cross today is not as detailed as the readings we had on Palm Sunday. It is still very difficult to read them, but it is also very difficult just to think about Mary’s suffering as she stood beneath the cross, watching her son die. The pain must have felt like a knife cutting into her heart, just like Simeon had predicted the day Mary and Joseph presented baby Jesus in the temple. How could she have stood the pain, standing by helplessly, while her son suffered such a horrible death, watching his life slowly slipping away and there was nothing she could do? There was nothing Jesus could do to ease her pain while she watched him die, but give her to John. He gave his mother to John, to love her, and take care of her for him, after he was gone. They needed each other. They would need each other to get through the days ahead of them. Mary needed John, but John also needed Mary. We need Mary too, in our own moments of weakness. When we suffer over our own families. When life gets to be too much. Too difficult. Too hard to handle by ourselves. We are not always as strong as her. We are weaker than Mary. When our own faith falters and we are not so sure about our own lives anymore, we should try to remember what Jesus said in the last moments of his life on earth, to “Behold, your mother”. Mary is our mother now. She guides us back to her son. Everything we need to know about life, is found in the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. |
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THURSDAY, April 14, 2022
HOLY THURSDAY HOLY THURSDAY
The scriptures for mass today are filled with a lot of theology, but the heart of the matter is found in the gospel of John, when it says that Jesus “loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.” Saint John wrote these words many years later, because he never forgot how much Jesus loved them, and Saint John’s love for Jesus never dimmed throughout the years either. Jesus’ disciples formed a warm cocoon of friendship around the supper table that night. It must have been a beautiful evening, something Jesus wanted them to continue to do long after he was gone. They were to not just share communion with one another (“do this in memory of me”), but also to get personally involved in each other’s lives, love each other, and take care of one another after he was gone. His disciples sat and watched him do something quite unexpected after supper though. Jesus began washing their feet. From the sound of it, no one else questioned what he was doing and why he was doing this, except for Peter, of course. Peter asked him “Master are you going to wash my feet?” When Jesus answered that he didn’t understand what he was doing right now, but that he would later (in typical Peter fashion) Saint Peter told Jesus “you will never wash my feet”. Oh really? The Lord answered Peter by saying, “unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” And of course that did the trick. Peter was all for it then! He said “master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” There is something to be learned here from Peter’s behavior. To wash another person’s feet is a very intimate act. Many people are not comfortable with this degree of intimacy with another person, or do not feel “good enough” to have others show them this much love. Saint Peter may have been out of his comfort zone to accept such a powerful expression of Christ’s love for him, and his initial response was to refuse Christ’s love. How often have we done the same to someone who offered to do something helpful or kind for us? Can you think of a time when someone offered you something small, that you refused even though you might have enjoyed it? A small gift, an offer to buy you lunch, water your plants when you are on vacation, or feed your pets, pick up something for you at the store when you are sick, or let you come stay with them when you are traveling?... |
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SUNDAY, April 10, 2022
Palm Sunday of The Lord's Passion Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Palm Sunday can seem like a study in contrasts. We hear the jubilant account of Jesus riding triumphantly into Jerusalem. Then we listen to the Passion narrative, reminded that Jesus’ kingship bears little resemblance to royalty as we perceive it. He will suffer and he will die. As Paul describes it, “He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him.” Jesus tries to explain this to the disciples, who don’t fully grasp the events about to take place, instead quarreling over who would be the greatest. Yet even in this chaos of misunderstanding, Jesus continues to teach them, promising that those who stand by him in his trials will join him in the kingdom of heaven. There are certainly times when we fail to fully perceive and understand all that the Lord is teaching us, or why we are undergoing certain trials and difficulties. As we enter into Holy Week, we can ask Jesus to help us understand the meaning of the cross in our own lives, using this time to reflect on the meaning of his sacrifice for each of us. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: As we listen to the Passion narrative, we hear Peter betray Jesus, the soldiers jeer at him, and a passer-by being told to carry Christ’s cross. Only Luke’s account describes the two criminals, one of whom demanded that Jesus “save yourself and us.” The second criminal rebukes him, asking Jesus to “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” After Jesus dies, the centurion glorifies God, a good man takes him down from the cross, the women prepare his body for burial. As we enter Holy Week, we will have time to reflect on Jesus’ last days, but also on the individuals in the crowd the day he died. How did they react? How would we have reacted? What can we learn from the women who stayed beside Jesus, the criminal who looked beyond his own pain and sin to see Jesus as Messiah, and even Peter in his initial betrayal? During the week ahead, we can also make an effort to attend each liturgy of the Triduum, using this time to deepen our faith as we prepare for Easter. PRAYER: Take time to read the Passion narrative at home. Invite Jesus into your heart. If you’ve fallen a little behind on your Lenten commitments, Holy Week is a great time to hit refresh. |
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SUNDAY, April 3, 2022
Fifth Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: During Lent, we hear familiar stories: the event of Jesus’ transfiguration, the prodigal son, and today the woman caught in adultery. Each reveals an aspect of God’s perfect love for us and a glimpse of how we can reflect that love toward others. In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees once again are testing Jesus, saying the law demands that the woman caught in adultery be stoned. Jesus responds, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” What a perfect response to the Pharisees, and to each one of us when we focus on the faults of another. Jesus’ words teach and challenge us to look more closely at the ways we judge others – by appearance, a social media post, political party, for example – and ask ourselves whether we are truly doing so out of love. Closer to home, we may be quick to point out our spouse or children’s perceived faults, without acknowledging our own. Jesus invites us to look at others – and ourselves – with the eyes of mercy. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Every time we go out to dinner, my son makes fun of me for agonizing over the menu: “You always regret what you pick!” Indeed, regret can be a powerful emotion. Fortunately, the dinner dilemma requires only that I mooch off of my son’s entrée. However, deeper regrets can bog us down and prevent us from moving forward in faith. Today’s readings challenge us not to wallow in past mistakes, preconceptions, or bad habits. As we hear in Isaiah, “The things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new!” We hear this idea again from St. Paul, who writes of “forgetting what lies behind” and straining forward toward “the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.” In the Gospel, Jesus doesn’t dwell on the past sins of the adulterous woman other than to say, “Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” Fortunately, our Church offers an antidote to regret and sin in the sacrament of reconciliation. Whether it’s been a month or a decade, what better time than Lent to return to this sacrament and experience God’s mercy and forgiveness? ACT: Take advantage of the additional opportunities many churches offer for the sacrament of reconciliation during Lent. Rusty? Check out this excellent guide for adults and children: thelightison.org/guide-to-confession. |
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SUNDAY, March 27, 2022
Fourth Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Today we celebrate Laetare (which means “rejoice”) Sunday. As we mark the midpoint of Lent, we allow ourselves to look ahead with joyful anticipation of Jesus’ resurrection, even as we continue our practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Amidst these penitential practices of Lent, this day offers a reminder that we have reason for hope. The parable of the prodigal son shows us what hope looks like. When the father caught sight of his wayward son, he did not see the young man who made bad choices, wasted his inheritance, and disobeyed him. He looked at him with eyes of unconditional love, rejoicing that “he was lost and has been found.” That’s how Jesus viewed the sinners and tax collectors, and how the Father views us, his wayward sons and daughters, when we return to him in contrition and love. So as we continue our Lenten practices, let’s take time to give thanks for the goodness and mercy of God today, knowing that the Lord awaits us with open arms when we acknowledge our sinfulness and rely upon him for all that is good. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Is it me, or are some of the parables hard to figure out? The parable of the prodigal son is one we’ve heard over and over again, and resonates across ages and generations. Some of us may relate to the prodigal son and others to the dutiful brother. The parents and grandparents among us may have been in the father’s shoes at some point. What better time than Lent to reflect on what the story means to us at this point in our lives: Are we awaiting the return of a disaffected loved one? Are we in need of repenting for our own actions? The answer will be different for each of us, but we can rejoice in the fact that we are loved unconditionally by God wherever we are on our Lenten and life journeys. Our challenge is to open our hearts to that love; as we do so, we can’t help but be transformed and in turn share that love with others through friendship, service, and generosity. As St. Paul writes, “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: The old things have passed away.” ACT: On Laetare Sunday, priests may wear rose-colored vestments as a symbol of joy. Carry this sense of joy into your day by placing roses at the table, bringing flowers to a friend, or calling someone with whom you’ve fallen out of touch. |
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SUNDAY, March 20, 2022
Third Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Several years ago, my family gave me a blueberry bush for Mother’s Day. It has yet to produce a single berry. However, I can’t bring myself to remove it, and today’s Gospel encourages me to be patient (a Google search reveals that it can take several years for a blueberry bush to produce a harvest!). The parable of the fig tree shows us how patient God is with us. Like the fig tree, we may not bear fruit or feel as if we’re growing spiritually, even as we enter the second half of Lent. Yet Jesus teaches us that if we nurture our faith through prayer and repentance of our sins, we can always grow and blossom. Like the gardener, we need to be patient with ourselves as God is patient with us. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: It strikes me that in the parable of the fig tree, the gardener offered to cultivate the ground around it. Just as a tree needs light and water and a little individual TLC, it needs good soil. I think for us Catholics, that can be where our parish community and the broader Church come in. Through small actions such as greeting newcomers at Sunday Mass or volunteering in a parish ministry, we can become the fertile soil that nourishes not only our own faith, but that of the entire community. The 2021-23 Synod on Synodality invites us to share our faith and also to listen without judgment to the experiences of others. In doing so, we as a Church can grow stronger. As Pope Francis said in his opening prayer, “May this Synod be a true season of the Spirit! For we need the Spirit, the ever new breath of God, who sets us free from every form of self-absorption, revives what is moribund, loosens shackles and spreads joy.” STUDY: Learn about the Synod on Synodality: www.usccb.org/synod. Check your parish bulletin to see how you can get involved. |
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SUNDAY, March 13, 2022
Second Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: In today’s Gospel from Luke, Jesus is transfigured before the disciples: They see a glorious vision of him wearing dazzling white, with a “face changed in appearance,” and conversing with Moses and Elijah about the “exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.” This is in marked contrast to what Luke had recounted just prior to these verses: Jesus’ prediction of his suffering and death, and the assertion that his disciples must take up their crosses daily in order to follow him. So it is no surprise that Peter, likely somewhat stunned after being a part of both moments, “did not know what he was saying.” Then a cloud passes over and, while they are frightened, they hear God’s voice affirm what they have just seen: “This my chosen Son; listen to him.” We all experience these extremes – days where all seems lost; others where we feel as though we’ve had glimpses of heaven. Today’s Gospel encourages us to look to Jesus, who has experienced the frailty of humanity and the glory of divinity. Through his suffering, death, and resurrection, we are redeemed, and ultimately – as the disciples glimpsed today – “he will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Life can bring unexpected joys and disappointments. One day we celebrate a birth; another we grieve the loss of a loved one. We fall in love; we experience broken relationships. Many of us may find ourselves in flux much of the time: Will this pandemic ever end? Will the cancer recur? What’s next now that the kids are grown? Today’s readings give me great hope in the knowledge that God is with us through all the twists and turns and ups and downs of our lives. Just as God fulfilled his promises to Abraham, God has given us a Savior in Jesus Christ and promises that we will someday share in his glory. To that end, we can strive to ensure that no darkness in our world prevents us from becoming a source of light to others. Jesus and the saints walk before us. We pray, then, for the grace to listen to God’s chosen Son, and to “stand firm in the Lord.” PRAY: Lent is a good time to try a new form of prayer. Do you often pray silently? Try the rosary or spoken prayer. Do you normally pray out loud.? Try centering prayer or another form of quiet or silent prayer, such as Lectio Divina. |
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SUNDAY, March 6, 2022
First Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: If you are anything like me, you may still be deciding what to give up or do for Lent even though we’re already five days in. I know … “Stop procrastinating!” Today’s readings can help us enter more deeply into this season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. They are a reminder that Lent isn’t primarily about us, as if it were a self-improvement project, but about taking the opportunity to go deeper into our relationship with God. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are ways of reducing distractions in our life and focusing on God’s mercy, his sacrifice for us, and his generosity and love. I am one who likes to control things and make plans, so the readings challenge me to look beyond myself, beginning with prayer, and ask the Lord to help me grow in faith. Paul writes, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Jesus exemplifies this dependence on God, allowing himself to be led to the desert by the Spirit. Each time the devil tempts him, he responds and in turn shows us how to respond: by turning to God and God’s words, the source of our strength. As we choose how to observe the next 35 days, we are reminded to ask God to help us find those things that help draw us closer to him. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: What comes to mind when you picture a desert? I imagine sand, heat, thirst. It’s more challenging to examine the landscape of my personal desert – barren places of prayer or too much focus on the details of everyday life. Lent, however, presents a rich opportunity to pause and reprioritize our lives based on Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel: “You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving can help us do that, reminding us of our dependence on God and helping us shift our focus from ourselves to God and others. How we observe and experience Lent will differ for each of us. Whatever our personal desert looks like, we can rest assured that God will help us find our way back to him. ACCOMPANIMENT: Find an accountability partner for Lent who can help you stay the course these next 40 days. Perhaps you can pray together each day, or simply send a text sharing how God is working in and through you in this penitential season. |
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March 2, 2022
A S H W E D N E S D A Y The Holy Father Pope Francis has declared March 2, Ash Wednesday as a Day of Prayer for fasting and peace as he urged the faithful to pray for peace in Ukraine.
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR LENT 2022 “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all” (Gal 6:9-10) Dear Brothers and Sisters, Lent is a favourable time for personal and community renewal, as it leads us to the paschal mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For our Lenten journey in 2022, we will do well to reflect on Saint Paul’s exhortation to the Galatians: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity (kairós), let us do good to all” (Gal 6:9-10). 1. Sowing and reaping In these words, the Apostle evokes the image of sowing and reaping, so dear to Jesus (cf. Mt 13). Saint Paul speaks to us of a kairós: an opportune time for sowing goodness in view of a future harvest. What is this “opportune time” for us? Lent is certainly such an opportune time, but so is our entire existence, of which Lent is in some way an image. [1] All too often in our lives, greed, pride and the desire to possess, accumulate and consume have the upper hand, as we see from the story of the foolish man in the Gospel parable, who thought his life was safe and secure because of the abundant grain and goods he had stored in his barns (cf. Lk 12:16-21). Lent invites us to conversion, to a change in mindset, so that life’s truth and beauty may be found not so much in possessing as in giving, not so much in accumulating as in sowing and sharing goodness. The first to sow is God himself, who with great generosity “continues to sow abundant seeds of goodness in our human family” (Fratelli Tutti, 54). During Lent we are called to respond to God’s gift by accepting his word, which is “living and active” (Heb 4:12). Regular listening to the word of God makes us open and docile to his working (cf. Jas 1:21) and bears fruit in our lives. This brings us great joy, yet even more, it summons us to become God’s co-workers (cf. 1 Cor 3:9). By making good use of the present time (cf. Eph 5:16), we too can sow seeds of goodness. This call to sow goodness should not be seen as a burden but a grace, whereby the Creator wishes us to be actively united with his own bountiful goodness. More >>> |
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SUNDAY, February 27, 2022
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Parenthood can be humbling. When our children are young, we celebrate even the tiniest accomplishments: “You put on your socks!” or “Wow, good job putting your dish in the dishwasher!” And rightly so. Then come the teen years, and some of us can err on the side of criticism. “Why did you put off that project until the last minute?” “Turn off the electronics by 10 p.m. or else …” “What, another energy drink?” (We say, looking up from our own phone with a cup of tea in hand …) The same can be said of our spiritual lives. We want our children to pray and participate in the sacraments, but we may rush through Grace before meals, skip opportunities for confession, or treat holy Mass as an afterthought. Today’s Gospel reminds us why our admonitions won’t work if we don’t walk our talk: The blind can’t lead the blind. None of us is perfect, and neither are our children or the other people in our lives. But as our second reading reminds us, Jesus has won for us victory over sin. When we ask Jesus to help us remove the “wooden beam” for our own eyes, we can see his will for us more clearly and lift up those around us. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: We don’t have to be perfect to encourage one another in our faith. Like the “good tree” Jesus describes in the parable and the tree that bears “good fruit” in Sirach, however, we need to nourish our faith before we can share it with others. It can start with something as simple as adding prayer to our morning routine. We can bring our flaws, our doubts, our bad habits to Jesus and ask him to free us from whatever might be holding us back. As we accompany others, whether it is those with whom we live, work, or worship, we can turn to Jesus to help us be a force for good. We will stumble. But as St. Paul reminds us, “Be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” PRAY: Have you prayed The Examen? This Ignatian practice, often at the end of the day, encourages reflection – on God’s presence in our day and the areas where we may have fallen short. We can ask the Lord for forgiveness and the grace to do better tomorrow. |
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SUNDAY, February 20, 2022
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Have you heard about the Civilize It! initiative? The U.S. bishops launched a campaign to encourage civil dialogue during the contentious 2020 election. Unfortunately, the divisiveness in our nation and even within the Church has shown no signs of subsiding, leading the bishops to reboot the campaign last fall. The bishops encourage every Catholic to pledge to be a force for charity, clarity, and creativity in our divided world. Today’s Gospel shows us how to do that, starting with the Golden Rule. What strikes me – and challenges me – are the specific examples that remain relevant 2,000 years later: Love your enemies and do good for them; stop judging; stop condemning; give. Building on last Sunday’s account of the beatitudes, Luke provides us a prescription for how to live a moral and happy life, one that reflects those who “bear the image of the heavenly one.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: I am thankful to have people in my life who bring out the best in others, and certainly bring out the best in me. I would guess we can each point to others who have guided and encouraged us: A teacher, a dear friend, a favorite aunt, a neighbor or coach. Today’s readings encourage us to be that person for others, even when it’s hard. Nobody said being a witness to Christ would be a cake walk! Fortunately, we can turn to prayer and the Scriptures for encouragement. For me, it may begin with small steps, such as listening to those with whom I disagree, not getting drawn into social media debates, and being more generous with my time. As we reflect on today’s readings, perhaps we can each choose one change we would like to make or challenge as we move into the week and ask God to help us put it into practice. ACT: Praise God each day this coming week. And then challenge yourself to offer a compliment to one person every day as well. Praising God and others puts us in right relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters. |
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SUNDAY, February 13, 2022
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Luke’s account of the Beatitudes pulls no punches. Blessed are you … who are poor, hungry, weeping, when people hate you. These admonitions bear little resemblance to the pursuit of happiness as most of us know it: Striving for wealth (or at least stability), enjoying a good meal, sharing a laugh with friends, and being well-liked. These are things of this world, and Jesus tells us that pursuing them alone will not make us truly happy. I don’t think that means we need to wear sackcloth and ashes, or refuse to enjoy the great gifts with which God has endowed his Creation. However, Jesus’ words remind us that we won’t find lasting happiness even in the finest meal or the most lavish vacation, but rather in placing our lives in God’s hands. For the desire for happiness “is of divine origin: God has placed it in the human heart in order to draw us to the One who alone can fulfill it.” (CCC 1718) GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: It’s a little ironic that I am writing a reflection entitled “GROW and GO.” Few plants have survived my black thumb. That’s why I love the image of the tree in the reading from Jeremiah. One who trusts in the Lord “is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream; it fears not the heat when it comes; its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit.” These words from Jeremiah are a prophecy of hope, and hope allows us to accompany one another through the hills and valleys (and occasional dead plants) of our lives. We can become a source of hope to others by praying for and with one another and encouraging them on their own journeys of faith. In doing so, we help one another tap into the ultimate source of hope – the God who loves us. STUDY: Read the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount and reflect on how Jesus’ teachings draw us ever more to himself and highlight our baptismal vocation: holiness. What one thing can you bring to prayer and the sacrament of reconciliation this week to purify your heart? |
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SUNDAY, February 6, 2022
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: We put off all kinds of things for all kinds of reasons. I’ll take that trip with my family once my schedule clears up. Someday I’ll read that book collecting dust on my shelf. I’ll volunteer at church once I get my own act together. Today’s readings remind us that God will take us as we are: We need only say “yes.” In each of the readings, the protagonists – Isaiah, Paul, and Peter – initially resist God’s call, fearing their sinfulness disqualifies them. We may feel that way, too. However, in each case, God forgives their sins and gives them the grace to say, like Isaiah, “Here I am. Send me!” Their assent can be a challenge to those of us who hold back from becoming more involved in our parish or sharing our faith with others, fearing we aren’t good enough or aren’t an expert in theology. Jesus reminds us that it is ultimately not about us, but him. We don’t have to be perfect, just willing to push past our fears and trust him to make disciples of us. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: In today’s readings, we hear descriptions of Isaiah’s lips touched by a burning ember, Paul being transformed from persecutor to preacher, and the fishermen dropping their nets to follow Jesus. In each case, that turning point led to a life of witness. We may not have such a dramatic story to share, but most of us can look back and see turning points: That influential teacher, the aunt who saw the best in us, a priest, sister, or retreat leader who spoke to our hearts. Today’s readings can encourage us to be that person for others – the one who shows them the love of Christ and what a difference it can make. Buoyed by God’s grace, we can share the Good News with others and accompany one another as we seek to follow Jesus in our day-to-day lives. ACT: Carve out time to do something spiritual you’ve been putting off – whether it’s a retreat, morning prayer, or perhaps volunteering in a parish ministry or other organization. |
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SUNDAY, January 30, 2022
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Wait, what? One moment the people of Nazareth embrace Jesus, but as soon as he challenges them the crowd turns on a dime, and moves toward throwing him off a cliff. The Son of God, also the son of a carpenter, goes from hometown hero to persona non grata just like that, prefiguring his death on the cross and giving credence to his admonition that “no prophet is accepted in his own native place.” From the earliest moments of his public ministry as recorded in Luke, Jesus’ love for us is prominent. He never faltered. He never wavered. He moved forward to continue his mission of fulfilling God’s will for him, and be a sacrifice once and for all for our sins. Perhaps we have had a similar experience of being the “hero” for someone, only to somehow end up the goat. It is not easy to remain steadfast in our daily mission to love as Jesus loved. Today’s readings assure us that God will give us the grace to do so. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: It can be challenging to square Paul’s eulogy of love with the reality of day-to-day living with a spouse, family members, and friends. Love is patient … except when I’m late getting out to the car for church again. Love is kind … except between crabby siblings who want to watch different shows on Netflix. It is not quick-tempered … unless you thoughtlessly back into my car in the driveway. It occurs to me that perhaps Paul’s words aren’t entirely about us, but about the perfect love of God. It’s pretty amazing to think that God loves us in all the ways Paul describes. As we open our hearts to God’s love and deepen our relationship with Jesus through prayer, we may find that love spilling over into our daily interactions. For when we are kind, we love; when we are patient, we love; when we are not quick-tempered, we love. PRAY: Although our love for one another is imperfect, we must strive to love as Jesus loved each day, and there is no better place to start than prayer. Ask a friend or family member this week if they have any concerns you can include in your prayers. Or request a Mass for someone who is going through a tough time or who has recently died. |
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SUNDAY, January 23, 2022
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Do you ever find yourself feeling like you are at the cusp of something remarkable? Like you are witnessing an incredible, historic, athletic, or aeronautical feat? I wonder if that’s what it was like for the followers of Jesus when he began his public ministry: “News of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus reads the words of the prophet Isaiah that are effectively a “job description” of his mission: glad tidings to the poor, liberty of captives, sight to the blind, freedom for the oppressed. What Isaiah prophesied, Jesus claims to fulfill. He thus inaugurates his public ministry with a claim that is straightforward, bold, true, and of great consequence. Today, by virtue of our baptism, we are part of the body of Christ and share in that mission. Whatever our backgrounds, abilities, or talents, we each have something to contribute to building up one another and the Church. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, we, too, can be bold in our own proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: We’ve heard the phrase “Don’t sell yourself short.” Social media aside, many of us tend to focus on our shortcomings: We may wish we could run faster, be better at our jobs, have a cleaner home, in general, “get it together!” Truth is, we’re all works in progress. That’s what I love about Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians. He reminds us that each one of us – whatever our strengths or weaknesses – is part of the body of Christ. God loves us with our imperfections, not in spite of them. As such, each of us has indispensable value and much to contribute to the mission of the Church. As we move into the week ahead, today’s readings invite us to place ourselves at the service of the Church and one another. Beyond that, we can invite others to join us by recognizing that God values the talents – and foibles – that each of us brings to his service. PRAY: Yesterday on the liturgical calendar was the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. As members of the body of Christ, let us join our voices with the universal Church and pray a Pro-Life Rosary each night this week. The USCCB Prayers and Devotions page is a good resource. |
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SUNDAY, January 16, 2022
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: It was several years ago now, but the scene is still vivid in my mind. My son stood confidently in front of the altar as the music rose in a crescendo and his bride stepped into sight. The love and joy he felt trickled down his cheek as she walked down the aisle. He broke into a smile as she joined him, and proudly took her hand to promise to become one with her forever. Isaiah writes: “As a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you.” Isaiah was talking about the nation of Israel, but God loves and rejoices in each of his children and wants us to know the joy of being loved by him. He generously shares his gifts with us, “different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit,” St. Paul explains to the Corinthians. All spiritual gifts come from God, and all are important and necessary: “To each individual, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” God’s gifts are distributed uniquely to each person to use in our own unique way to “announce his salvation, day after day,” and invite others to discover the joy of his great love. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: You are a masterpiece! This message was conveyed at the camp our diocese held each year to help teens recognize that they are God’s beloved sons and daughters, called and gifted by the Holy Spirit to be missionary disciples. Discerning what our gifts are and how to use them can be challenging. The Gospel about the wedding at Cana offers an interesting guide. Mary tells the waiters, “Do whatever he tells you.” By reserving time for listening and not speaking during prayer, we can hear what Jesus is “telling” us. Jesus then says to the waiters, “Fill the jars with water.” We can “fill our jars” with the knowledge of how to live as disciples by reflecting on Scripture. Finally, Jesus tells the waiters, “Draw some out.” We can “draw” on his love for strength and courage when we need it, but more importantly, we are called to “draw some out” to share with others. In sharing the “good wine,” the Good News of Jesus Christ, others will begin to believe in him, too. PRAYER: As the new year gets under way, devote time to discerning the unique spiritual gifts, or charisms, you have been given. Make time for silent prayer and reflecting on Scripture each day. |
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SUNDAY, January 9, 2022
The Baptism of the Lord Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: For cradle Catholics, baptism may be the most important step on the Christian journey that none of us actually remembers. Which is too bad! After all, the Catechism of the Catholic Church instructs us that baptism is “the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit.” (#1213) Yes, baptism cleanses us of original sin, but it’s much more than that! We need only look to Jesus to see that. Though without sin, Jesus’ baptism is a turning point in his life all the same. The Holy Spirit descends upon him and a voice from heaven cries out, “You are my beloved Son.” So begins the public ministry, in which Jesus would carry out his Father’s saving mission. Through our baptism, at any age, we, too, become God’s beloved sons and daughters. Through word and sacrament, Jesus invites us to share in his mission by turning our lives over to our Father as we embrace our Christian journey. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Baptism is often referred to as “the doorway to the Church” because through this sacrament, our sins are forgiven and we are united to Christ and his Church. It is the door which gives access to all the other sacraments. (Cf., CCC 1213) At the conclusion, the celebrant asks God to continue to pour out his blessing upon those being baptized, and send his peace to all who are gathered. As baptized Christians, we are now adopted children of God; we are disciples who are empowered, through the wisdom and strength of the Holy Spirit, to share the Good News and help build the kingdom of God on earth. Sound intimidating? It shouldn’t. Each day that we “put on Christ” and do his work, God is re-creating us and making us into something far better than we could ever be on our own. Embrace this faith you have been given and go out and share your gifts and talents with others, confident in the Spirit that guides you. SERVE: Think of something you have been told you are very good at by friends or coworkers – something for which you have been “anointed,” in a sense. In what way can you do something specific to lead others with care in this area, or perhaps do a very particular good yourself? |
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SUNDAY, January 2, 2022
The Epiphany of the Lord Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: My husband is a bird watcher by day and a stargazer by night. I confess it drives me a little bonkers on our evening dog walks. I tend to want to keep moving; between him and our dog (who seems to want to sniff every mailbox), it’s the pedestrian equivalent of stop-and-go traffic. Hearing about the journey of the Magi, however, reminds me to pause and look, too. Just as they saw the star rising and followed it to Jesus, we, too, can seek God in our surroundings, our relationships, and the beauty of creation – the next step is to follow where God leads us. As Pope Benedict XVI wrote, the Magi represent “the journeying of humanity toward Christ.” (Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives) We may falter from the path from time to time, but Isaiah’s prophesy reminds us of our destination: “You shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: The Epiphany is early this year, falling right on the heels of New Year’s Day. If we haven’t made our New Year’s resolutions yet, now is a good time to do so. In addition to typical resolutions such as reducing clutter or getting fit, we can set some spiritual goals as well. The definition of epiphany (lower case) is “a moment in which you suddenly see or understand something in a new or very clear way.” As we reflect on today’s readings, let us ask the Holy Spirit to provide us an epiphany – into how we can grow closer to Jesus during this year ahead. Just as their encounter with the infant Jesus caused the Magi to be transformed from outsiders to faithful believers, and to take a different route home, our encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist is meant to transform all of us, and set us on a new path to light and life. RESOLVE: New Year’s resolutions are great! Why not add a couple of spiritual resolutions to the list – perhaps to pray the rosary more often, spend time in eucharistic adoration, or go on that retreat you have been meaning to attend. Ask the Holy Spirit for inspiration and see where it leads. |
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2021
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Some of my fondest childhood memories are of my dad leading my three sisters and me in song as we made the hour-long drive to visit my grandparents every other weekend. Granted, On Top of Spaghetti and Hey, Good Looking don’t qualify as “singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,” as Paul advised the Colossians, but I do think they reveal that my dad took to heart Paul’s advice about family and faith. Paul writes that in putting on holiness, kindness, gentleness, and forgiving one another, we “put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.” Whatever we do, in word or deed, we ought to do in the name of the Lord Jesus. Fathers, mothers, and children are to love one another, seeking and choosing the good for one another, and helping each other along life’s journey – whether for an hour in the car, a three-day hike, or a lifetime in every situation. On this feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we honor their perfect holiness and love, and pray that God may continue to perfect us in holiness and love within our own families, that we may bear good fruit for the Kingdom. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO:Three Days? Mary and Joseph couldn’t find Jesus for three days! Any parent who has had a child missing for a few seconds understands the anxiety Mary and Joseph experienced in three long days of searching for Jesus. In the end, though, all is well – they find him, and the peace of Christ casts out their fears. It is a remarkable scene: Jesus’ parents are astonished to see him teaching in the temple, and Jesus is curious as to why they were looking for him – did they not know where he would be? This event marks a sort of milestone in their lives together, as Jesus has hinted at his future public ministry, and his parents have experienced that first bit of soul-piercing that Mary will later fully undergo. For each of them, love is what directed their actions. Joseph and Mary put aside everything to search for their son; Jesus put aside everything to serve his Father; and they joined together in humble obedience to God’s will for them. The Holy Family models a way of living for us to imitate, and to witness to others in that imitation. SERVE/STUDY: Perhaps you have some down time in this coming week between Christmas and New Year’s. As a family, choose an activity that allows you to think outside yourselves and serve others. Donate to the food pantry or visit an elderly relative who is homebound. Or make a plan to read the Scripture for each day of the upcoming week; have each person choose a favorite verse to memorize each day. You may be surprised how often these verses enter your mind throughout the week. |
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2021
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD CHRISTMAS Written by CHRISTOPHER WELLS - VATICAN NEWS
Pope at Audience:
Christmas an invitation to adore Son of God At the Wednesday General Audience ahead of Christmas, Pope Francis reflects on the birth of Jesus, and says the event is a reminder that we are loved first by God without any merit of our own. With the Christmas season fast approaching, Pope Francis on Wednesday took the opportunity of the weekly General Audience to reflect on the birth of Jesus – an event that “history cannot dispense with.” Recalling the familiar figures of Mary and Joseph in the stable at Bethlehem, the humble shepherds, and the rich and powerful Magi from the East, the Pope explained, “The message of the Gospel is clear: the birth of Jesus is a universal event that concerns all of humanity.” The Nativity scene in the Paul VI HallHumble searchingThe Pope noted the humility of the shepherds, but also the religious seeking of the pagan wise men, who undertook a long and difficult journey to find and adore the new-born king of the Jews, in whom they recognised the Son of God made man. He emphasised that it is only through humility that we can come to God and recognise the true meaning of life, the reason “why life is truly worth living.” “Dear brothers and sisters, I would like to invite every man and woman to the stable of Bethlehem to adore the Son of God made man.” Everyone is called to seek God, the Pope insisted, and with and through God’s grace, everyone is able to find Him. The Holy Father invited every man and woman throughout the whole world to come “to the stable of Bethlehem to adore the Son of God made man.” Pope appeals for joint political action for refugees and migrants Church accompanying religious seekersIn the first place, he said, “I would like to put the poor” – the hungry, the thirsty, the exiles, the naked, the ill, the prisoners, with whom Jesus wanted to be mystically identified." Then, like the Second Vatican Council, the Pope expressed his desire to “accompany” religious seekers, even those who fight against religion. With the Council, he assured them that “the recognition of God is in no way hostile to man’s dignity, since this dignity is rooted and perfected in God.” Foundation of joyFinally, the Pope returned to the message of the Angel at Bethlehem: “Peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased.” He noted, with the Apostle John, that love consists “in this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us” and that “we love because He first loved us.” This, the Pope said, is the reason for our joy, knowing that we are loved without any merit, that we are always loved first by God, with a love so concrete that He took on flesh and came to live in our midst.” Jesus is the name and the face of this divine love, and Jesus, the Pope said, “is the foundation of our joy.” VATICAN NEWS |
Christmas Mass during the Night in St. Peter's Basilica
Pope Francis
December 24, 2021 @ 7:30 pm
Pope Francis
December 24, 2021 @ 7:30 pm
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR C Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: “You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel;” We do not have to go see the most recent superhero movie, or binge-watch a streaming TV series that celebrates the underdog to feel the elation that comes with overcoming evil. We need only to look at our own lives, and God’s plan of salvation for us, to understand what it truly means to be triumphant. From tiny little Bethlehem – a town of no consequence – would arise the Savior of the world. He would be the One who came to do God’s will, and thus consecrated us to God through the offering of his own body as sacrifice, once for all. This is the One Mary carried in her womb and whom Elizabeth’s unborn child – we know to be John the Baptist – recognized. He is the child-most-vulnerable who would become King of the Universe, “stand[ing] firm and shepherd[ing] his flock by the strength of the Lord.” This is the God we serve: the One who became like us so that we may one day be like him. We shall soon celebrate the anniversary of his birth, while also waiting in joyful hope for his coming again. In this time of preparation, then, we pray for the grace to know the Lord more fully and to appreciate with gratitude the Savior he truly is. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, now is the time many of us will begin to gather – as families, friends, and faith communities. What an ideal opportunity to renew our relationships with one another and with Jesus, asking the Holy Spirit to help us recognize the presence of God in our lives and in others. Micah’s prophesy from today’s first reading endures: “His greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.” Let’s do our part to share the peace and joy of Christ with those we encounter, witnessing to his saving grace in our lives, and offering others an opportunity to be a part of the greatest story, ever – of God’s saving action. INVITE/PRAY: Invite visiting family members to your parish or faith community for a concert, worship or other Advent activity. If that’s not possible, pray the O Antiphons together at home. |
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR C Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Although spontaneous outbursts of joy are not part of our liturgy, today’s readings alert us that we have much reason to rejoice. Even in times of anxiety, we can rely on the words of St. Paul, who writes that we can rest assured that “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard [our] hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” As we prepare for his coming during this Advent season, we don’t need to leap out of our pews and make a show of our praise (but go for it, if that’s your style!). However, in our hearts and in our prayer, we can follow the psalmist’s lead and “cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.” We can praise God in many ways, through fervent prayer, simple acts of kindness and, as John the Baptist did so well, sharing the Good News. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: “What should we do?” The crowds asked John the Baptist a deceptively simple question many of us wrestle with today. How do we prepare for Christ’s coming? How should we spend the next hour, the day, the next year, the next five? John the Baptist answers without reservation: Share what you have. Don’t be greedy. Do not falsely accuse others. In other words, get it together! The Lord is coming. Advent is a wonderful time to do just that, and St. Paul reminds us that we don’t have to know all the answers. “The Lord is near,” he writes, “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” Last week, the readings encouraged us to discern what is truly valuable in our lives as Christians. Today’s readings encourage us to ask the Lord: “What should we do?” Just as John the Baptist showed the people how to prepare for Christ’s coming, the Lord shows us how to live out and share our faith through the Scriptures and in the silence of prayer. ACTIONS: Remember the last time you felt unadulterated joy? For me it was when my son smacked a game-winning goal at a hockey game. As we move through Advent, we can reawaken a sense of childlike joy as we prepare to celebrate Christ among us. As you light the Advent candle, take time to share with one another something that gave you joy within the past week. |
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2021
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR C Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Today we have blogs and life coaches, Facebook groups and self-help books, all of which can help us become better human beings. These resources come to mind as I read St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians – I think St. Paul would be the ultimate life coach! All of his letters to the early Church offer wisdom, encouragement, and instruction, and the words we heard today are particularly significant as we prepare for Jesus’ coming this Advent: “the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Unlike some of our modern-day resources, Paul’s words go beyond simply helpful advice; they are rooted in faith and prayer, and in the truth of the Paschal Mystery. These words assure us that we are not alone on our journey, that what God has promised in the person of his Son will come to fruition: Christ will come again! And so, as John the Baptist did, we who are disciples are meant to witness to his coming, announcing the Good News and preparing for his – second – coming. Repent. Believe. “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” How do we do this? Engage with Scripture – read it and really hear what the Word of God is saying to you. Pray for insight, that the grace of God might transform you to go forth and announce the Gospel. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Even pre-Google, I spent more time than perhaps I should have hunting down the perfect gifts, especially for my young boys. I’d scour the ads, then get up early on black Friday and hit the stores in search of deals and hard-to-find items. Perhaps that’s why these words from St. Paul stopped me in my tracks: “And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value [italics added], so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” During Advent, these words can both assure and challenge us – to grow in love, knowledge, and a sense of what really matters during our time on earth. For me the challenge will be to spend less time shopping this season and more time focusing on deepening my relationship with God, who is preparing to turn the darkness into light. This doesn’t mean we can’t take delight in finding that perfect gift; but we ought also to increase our recognition that all gifts come from God, including our ability to have access to and means to purchase material gifts. We can find joy in God’s presence (and presents?) among us. ACTIONS: Re-read today’s Gospel, and then consider how Saint Paul followed in John the Baptist’s footsteps in his Letter to the Philippians. Think of ways you, like John and Paul, can encourage one another, and be a voice crying out in the desert. Participate in the sacrament of reconciliation and pray that God may cleanse your heart to welcome him at Christmas, and when he comes again. |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2021
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR C Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: As the days grow shorter and darker, I am especially ready for Advent wreaths and nativity sets; sparkling lights and singing angels. More than ever, I eagerly anticipate the joyful celebration of Christ’s birth. But today’s readings for the first Sunday of Advent point us to the end of time, when Jesus returns in glory. Wait a minute, what? I don’t want to think about the dismay and fright that Jesus foretells in the Gospel, I want to think about shepherds and holy nights. We really can’t do one without the other, however, and the underlying message of the readings is one of hope and reassurance: Our God keeps his promises. He is faithful to the covenants he makes. He loves us so much; he offers us new beginnings. Our God became one of us, died to save us, and will give us the strength to be ready to greet him when he comes again. “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand,” Jesus says. Pray that our preparation for Christ’s birth will make us all the more ready for his return GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: We are a society and culture that focuses a lot on the outward signs of preparation, and there is a lot of pressure to make it all perfect. Pinterest boards, social media groups, magazine photos, clothing catalogs: all show perfectly dressed people with perfectly adorable dogs standing in front of exquisitely perfect Christmas trees, on perfectly unblemished snow. But perfection in the exterior is not the Christian goal. Our interior preparation – how we make ourselves ready for Christ now, and at the end of time – is the focus of Advent. It is an opportunity for repentance, and a joyful new beginning in our relationship with God. It is a time to recommit ourselves to the covenant he made with us, and the psalm and the second reading offer assistance in doing so. Make time each day to dive in and explore what Scripture reveals about “conducting yourselves to please God.” PRAY: Pray the psalm from the first Sunday of Advent each morning. Ask God to open your heart to ways you can be more just. He will teach you, guide you and strengthen your heart so that you can stand upright to face whatever challenges come your way. Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and for you I wait all the day. |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Many Americans have a fascination with royalty. We love to follow the royal family in real life and via the bingeworthy Crown series on Netflix. As royal-watchers know, the crown isn’t all it’s cracked up to be! History and experience, too, show that earthly kingdoms include their share of divisiveness, betrayal and, at times, a total disregard for other people. Jesus gives us a different kind of kingdom and kingship to aspire to – one based on truth not fiction, and born of suffering and not succession. Jesus did not seek earthly glory but endured a crown of thorns and death on a cross to establish the kingdom of heaven – a kingdom that perfects us and unites us with the Holy Trinity. So it is fitting that as we end the liturgical year, we honor Jesus as King of the Universe – heaven, earth, and all creation. Jesus established his kingdom by sacrificing himself out of love for us. By our baptism we have a share in this holy identity, and therefore, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we have the authority and power to proclaim Christ’s Kingship to all the world by our words and deeds. In this way we are able to serve the one true king, and participate in building God’s kingdom on earth. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Some people aren’t shy about saying where they stand: I’m especially fascinated by bumper stickers. We don’t like to talk about politics or religion, but somehow it’s OK to proclaim our most deeply held beliefs as we tool down the highway. As we celebrate Jesus as King of the Universe, it’s a good time to ask ourselves: Is Jesus king of our universe? If so, how do we proclaim it? Bumper stickers can be fun, but sharing our belief in Jesus as our Savior requires human interaction. Introverts like me may find it difficult, but we can witness to our faith in a number of ways: Yes, through conversation, but also through the priorities we choose and the examples we set. As members of the kingdom of God – present on earth but not yet fully realized – our baptismal vocation is to participate in Christ’s priestly, prophetic, and kingly mission. We can ask Jesus to help us find the words and actions that best help us do so. PREPARE: Advent starts next Sunday! Just as we prepare for major holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, we can start roughing out an Advent “menu.” How will we observe as a family this year? What are our goals for the season? What can I accomplish in the week ahead to free up Advent for prayerful preparation? |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2021 Ordinary Time
Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: My husband reads the obituaries regularly, as did my elderly Aunt Loretta. Me, I avoid them. I don’t like to think about death, and the same can be said for some references to the end times, particularly those like we hear in the Book of Daniel: “Some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.” Give me a comforting psalm any day! However, in today’s Gospel, Jesus assures us that we who believe need not fear the Second Coming, for at that time the Son of Man shall “gather his elect.” Yes, “heaven and earth will pass away,” but the words of Jesus never shall. It is true, we don’t know the time or the hour of his return and so we prepare for it by remaining focused on Jesus’ words and turning our lives over to him in and through the sacramental life of the Church. Strive to live well on earth, following the path to eternal life that our loving and merciful Savior has paved for us. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: It’s easy to become complacent in that striving. I notice that tendency in everyday life – taking my spouse for granted, not being mindful of how what I say and do serves as an example (either good or bad!) for another. It’s like moving through the day with blinders on. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is teaching his disciples about his return in glory, and how those who follow him will be able to sense its approach. “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.” In other words, “pay attention; be observant” – the opposite of complacency. To counter this within ourselves, we can ask God to open our eyes to the signs of his love all around us – our spouses and dear friends, our families, and all the gifts we have been given. Just as importantly, we can accompany one another as we seek to grow in holiness and prepare for the day we meet Jesus, living as an example in word and deed. As the Book of Daniel so eloquently tells us, “The wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” PRAY: Read the obituaries! Many of them contain inspiring examples of lives well lived. Take a moment in this month of November to pray for all who have died. Make a conscious effort to be a specific example to another of Christ’s love in the world that they, too, might be better prepared for Christ’s return. |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2021 Ordinary Time
Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
When it comes to money, I’m a worrier. Just ask my husband how I reacted when he had the audacity to pay for shipping! I shop carefully, armed with coupons. I’ve always been a saver, making sure to contribute to retirement, life insurance, and the “what-if-the-roof-comes-down” fund. Being fiscally responsible is a good thing, but the quest for financial security as the ultimate good is a fool’s errand. God is the true provider of all that we need, and what we have finds its fulfillment in service to him. The widows in today’s readings knew that too well. In the first reading, a mother and son are down to their last bites of food, facing starvation and death. Yet she gives her last morsels to the prophet Elijah. In the Gospel, the widow gives generously, not of her surplus, but of her entire livelihood. Both women exhibit utter and complete trust in God, and a generosity that knows no bounds. As we study today’s Scripture, they teach the worriers among us that God will and does provide, and that the more we give away, the greater our reward in this life and the next. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Do you ever get that knock on the door from a Cub Scout selling popcorn just when you’re about the put dinner on the table or run out to a ballgame? Or perhaps you already have a full calendar and suddenly a neighbor really needs your help with an errand or a household emergency – and there goes a whole afternoon! Today’s readings invite us to set aside whatever “sticks we are gathering” and welcome the “Elijah moments.” They encourage us to give a bit of ourselves away, whether it’s time, money, or attention. In doing so, we give witness to the paradox of the Christian life – that the more we give away the more we are rewarded. We also set a positive example for our children and others, who will see our generosity in action. SERVE: Even the budgeters among us can do this! Look ahead at your budget. In addition to regular expenditures and giving, look at something you can sacrifice – a meal out, a new sweater, a movie night – and decide as a family how you would like to use the extra money and/or time to help others. |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2021 Ordinary Time
Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
“Oh no,” was my first thought when I began reading today’s Gospel – “another scribe trying to trick Jesus.” But this scribe agrees with Jesus: Loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself are the greatest commandments. When the scribe explains that loving God and your neighbor are worth more than all offerings or sacrifices, Jesus recognizes that the scribe took these commandments “to heart,” as Moses had taught. He doesn’t just know the law, he understands it. Because he understands it, Jesus assures him that he is not far from the kingdom of God. So, how can we grow in our understanding of what it means to love God and love our neighbor? We grow in our love of God through the gift of faith and by the graces received in spending time with him. We do this by spending time in Scripture and “taking to heart” his words; by prayerfully reflecting on Jesus’ life and giving thanks for his sacrifice for us; by drawing closer to him through the sacraments; and by asking him to help us grow in our love for God, and for one another. An authentic love for God will show itself in love of neighbor, and the more we truly love one another, the greater our love for God will grow. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Loving our neighbors is essential if we seek to draw them to God’s love. For many of us, that’s much easier said than done. It’s not easy to love someone with whom we disagree or are in competition with. And these days, with so much division in society, it is all too simple to assume the worst rather than the best about others with whom we interact, or see on television. Can we commit to truly seeing others as God sees them – his beloved children, made in his own image? After all, it is through Jesus and in keeping his word that we become more like him, in thought and deed: “Whoever loves me will keep my word … and my father will love him and we will come to him.” Let us pray to see our neighbors as the Lord does; and pray that we ourselves might be the kind of neighbor in whom others may see God’s image! We have the opportunity to be an example of, and a witness to, a love that forgives and is not overcome by fear or division. PRAY As we prepare for the feast of All Souls, make an effort to see others as God sees them by reflecting on the lives of those who have loved you and what their lives have taught you about God’s love. Attend Mass and give thanks for those you hold in your heart. Then pray honestly and sincerely for those with whom you know you have a difference of conviction or opinion, asking God to graciously answer all their needs and to care for them as you yourself would like to be cared for . |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021 Ordinary Time
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
How often do we pray with abandon? Perhaps when turbulence makes us wonder if our plane’s going down, when a friend or loved one faces a difficult diagnosis or life-threatening injury, when we face a setback, a major decision, or a heartbreak. On some days, though, have we been guilty of just going through the motions when we pray? Not so for Bartimaeus. “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me,” he repeatedly implores, ignoring the shushing of the crowd. When Jesus asks him what he wants, the blind man doesn’t beat around the bush. “I want to see.” Recognizing his faith, Jesus heals him. Bartimaeus could not see, yet he had recognized Jesus as the Messiah and persisted in prayer. His example reminds us to be persistent in prayer, holding nothing back from Jesus who desires to make us whole. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT While Bartimaeus faced physical blindness, this did not prevent him from recognizing Jesus as the Son of David, the Messiah. In our modern-day world so filled with distractions, we can become blind to the face of Jesus, or simply take his abundant love for us for granted. As the psalmist reminds us, “The Lord has done great things for us. We are filled with joy.” Looking back on our lives, we can probably see a few miracles – the birth of a child, the stunning beauty of a sunrise over the mountains or the arborvitae in our backyards, the friends who walk alongside us through each chapter of life. Today’s readings encourage us to open our eyes to the face of Jesus in our lives, and in turn to reflect his steadfast love to those we encounter. ACTIONS Read today’s psalm response: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” Reflect on the people and experiences that have brought you closer to God – friends, family, a priest, for example. Write them a note or say a prayer of thanksgiving.' |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
What do we do best? Some of us might be math whizzes, others can send a golf ball exactly where we intend. How do we get there? Practice, natural talent, and a good coach or teacher. Following Jesus, though, is another matter entirely. As today’s readings remind us, we grow as Christians not by building ourselves up but by giving ourselves away. In Isaiah, we hear about the suffering servant who “did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” That suffering servant is Jesus, who admonishes the Apostles as they jostle for position as his right-hand man. Ultimately, the greatest among them will be “a slave of all,” Jesus reminds them. His words challenge us to put as much energy and prayer into finding ways to better serve others as we do other areas of our lives. We can look to Jesus, Mary, St. Joseph, and all the saints as role models. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I bet most of us can think of a friend who seems like a natural “giver.” He shovels the neighbor’s walk without being asked. She sends flowers or a meal during a difficult time. Serving others can take so many forms, from a simple hug or phone call to volunteering at a soup kitchen. In today’s readings, Jesus invites us to bear witness to his sacrifice through humble service. It may not come naturally for all of us all the time, but that’s where God’s grace and the Holy Spirit come in. We can ask for the strength, creativity, flexibility – whatever we may lack – to recognize the needs around us and respond. Before we know it, our generosity will overflow and encourage others as they, too, seek to grow in Christian service. ACTION Watching the news or even scrolling your social-media feed can be overwhelming at times. Instead of tuning out, find a small way to help – through prayer, a donation to a Catholic organization, or a phone call or card to a friend going through a difficult time. |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
In the Old Testament, wealth was considered a sign of God’s favor. So imagine the rich young man’s surprise when he approached Jesus, only to find out that he would need to sell what he had and then give to the poor in order to follow Jesus. His face fell and he walked away. His demeanor highlights the fundamental error of equating what we have, and what we do, with salvation – of relying on earthly things, rather than God, for our deepest comfort and security. In contrast, the Book of Wisdom speaks of the richness and worth of divine wisdom over that of any precious gem or gold. We understand that divine wisdom to be manifested in the person of Jesus Christ. Therefore, true wisdom means having faith in Jesus Christ rather than in our own efforts and whatever we might have earned in our lifetime. Otherwise, we are like a camel trying to squeeze through the eye of a needle. Jesus truly offers us the only way. I like to think that the young man came around eventually. After all, as Jesus says, “all things are possible for God.” As we reflect, we can ask Jesus what we need to “let go of” to turn our sights, our minds, and our lives over to God, knowing that following his will is the surest path to the Kingdom. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Just a few days ago, we celebrated the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The behavior of the rich young man in today’s Gospel – daring, enthusiastic, confident – brings the young Francis to mind. Born into wealth, he relished his carefree lifestyle and sought to become a knight. His dreams of glory, however, quickly became a nightmare as his comrades fell and he was imprisoned in a dank cell for a year. After his release, he fell seriously ill, and God spoke to him. He cast aside the trappings of wealth, choosing instead to seek God’s will in all things. His example invites us to pray about our priorities: What things or attitudes get in the way of our relationship with God and one another? What is the Lord asking of us and how can we respond? How can we give witness to our belief that all things are possible with God? ACTION Perhaps try a “consumption fast” for the next couple of weeks, purchasing only what you need – food and other necessities. Use time and energy spent shopping to deepen your relationship with God and others through practices such as Eucharistic adoration, confession, visiting an elderly relative, or writing/calling an old friend. |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Social media certainly has its downsides, but it’s a wonderful way to keep up with friends and family. Lately, I’ve noticed a number of wedding day snapshots – with couples finally able to celebrate their “big day” as pandemic restrictions have eased. Today’s readings bring these beautiful images to mind. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples about marriage: “God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” While the readings focus on the relationship between man and woman, we are reminded that God created all of us – no matter our state in life – to love one another as he loves us. The capacity to love is in our DNA. Jesus invites us to be companions on life’s journey, reflecting to others Christ’s love for the Church. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Each year in October, our diocese invites married couples to a “Wedding Anniversary Mass.” Friends and family are invited to join them as they celebrate milestone anniversaries – whether it be 5 years or 50. Just as we celebrate newlyweds, it’s nice to recognize these couples – and the love that has endured well after the honeymoon ended. Just as they witnessed their love for one another on their wedding day, they have continued to do so through the ensuing years by their example. Despite the inevitable hardships, they cling to one another; through disagreements and quarrels, they find a way back to each other – and I suspect they laugh together too. By sharing their stories we, too, can witness to others a love that endures through thick and thin. In doing so, we help build up our families, our communities, and our Church. ACTION You may have heard of The Moth, a popular storytelling platform. Each of us has a story to tell, and recording family “love stories” can be a fun way to witness to our children and grandchildren what good relationships look like. Take some time to interview your parents or others in your extended family about how they met, how they’ve overcome the challenges they have faced as a couple, and how they have kept God at the center. |
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Today’s graphic Gospel passage always sounds a bit jarring: “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” Upon first reading that passage, our response might be, “What?” But upon further reflection, it strikes me that Jesus is challenging us to attend to what causes us to sin: the vices we have acquired, the temptations we do not ignore, the sinful thoughts and behaviors we entertain or in which we engage. It is also important to identify where we might be culpable in leading others astray. In all of this, Jesus is asking us to be honest with ourselves and to take the necessary steps to “cut” out of our lives the things that lead us away from the Lord, rather than allowing us to move toward him. Lest we get discouraged, we need only remember that we are not alone: We belong to Christ whose word is truth, whose precepts “give joy to the heart,” and who tells us “whoever is not against us is for us.” Like Moses in the first reading, we can ask that the Spirit descend upon us and give us strength. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Amazing feats we see on TV or read in the news can’t help but capture our imagination. Our rich Catholic faith can be a little like that: just take a look at the lives of the saints. That’s why I find the other passage in today’s Gospel so encouraging. Jesus reminds us that even the smallest things we do matter –actions to help others grow in their faith: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.” As the Lord’s spirit moves us to be a prophet to others – that is, to perform deeds in his name (mighty or not-so-mighty) – we have the ability to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ in very real and concrete ways. As St. Teresa of Ávila said: “Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul.” ACTIONS: Prepare for the sacrament of reconciliation by asking Jesus to help you identify what causes you to sin or drives a wedge between you and others or between you and God. Then participate in this beautiful sacrament and pray for the grace to make changes. |
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I have a competitive nature. As an older runner, I strive to place high in my age group (maybe even pick off runners older than I one at a time as we near the finish of a race – of course, I can neither confirm nor deny that). Oh, to be first! There is nothing inherently wrong with healthy competition. However, constantly striving to be the “best” or the “first” in other areas of life – career, parenting, even holiness – can quickly lead to frustration and burnout. As the disciples jostled for “first place,” Jesus gently but directly corrected them: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Like the Apostles, we tend to focus on our achievements as a measure of our worth, forgetting why we are here: to serve others. We can ask Jesus to help us gain the “wisdom from above” and the characteristics so beautifully described by Saint James: pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Reading today’s Gospel from Mark, I am struck by the image of Jesus embracing a child: “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.” Most of us picture our own children, grandchildren, godchildren, nieces, or nephews. Of course we would embrace them! However, Scripture scholars point out that for Jesus, the child symbolized the anawim, a Hebrew word for the poor, the lowly, the vulnerable, the oppressed. Picture, then, not just children but those we might be less eager to immediately embrace, not just children: ragged men on the corner, immigrants at the border, the neighbor’s son with schizophrenia, prisoners or ex-convicts. Jesus challenges us not to avert our eyes but to “embrace” them – whether that means offering a cup of coffee, becoming a pen pal, stopping to chat, or finding another way to accompany them. Scholars tell us that the anawim share a total dependence upon God, something we all have in common regardless of our life’s circumstances. ACTIONS Seek “wisdom from above” at the beginning of each day. In the evening, reflect on the ways God has held you in his loving embrace through the kindness of others, moments in nature, simple pleasures. Say thank you. |
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I think it can be easy to romanticize faith: the post-retreat high, the inspirational homily, even the motivational wall art that pops up on Pinterest. But keeping the faith can be hard sometimes. And living it out? Even harder. Today’s readings both challenge and encourage us, as they so often do. The Letter of James pulls no punches: Faith without works is “dead.” And in today’s Gospel, right after Peter says, “You are the Christ,” Jesus tempers that Good News, telling him that even the Son of Man must suffer greatly. We who follow Jesus must also be willing to take up our cross. This is a daily challenge to choose life over death; to choose the transformative power of Jesus over sin that creeps into our lives; to make the choice to put others’ needs before our own. None of this is easy. But as the prophet Isaiah reminds us, we don’t have to do it alone; indeed, the Lord God is our help. We can choose well. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I’m inspired when the young people in our parish assist with the Sunday liturgy and do service projects in the community. As a working parent (and back when I was a “stay-at-home” mom), I tell myself, maybe someday when things slow down, I’ll do more. But honestly, I think the teens in the youth group – between work, school, and sports – are busier than I am. As we listen to today’s readings, wherever we may be in life and faith, what stands out? Is it James’ entreaty to pair faith with works? Or Jesus’ words that “whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it”? Or the prophet Isaiah’s rock-solid faith? Today’s readings give us many ways to witness to our faith in Jesus – through prayer, service, generosity, perseverance, works, and words. We can ask the Holy Spirit to show us which of these gifts we can share with others this week. ACTIONS Brainstorm new ways to witness to your faith. It could be as simple as picking up extra food for the pantry in the back of church or changing up “Grace” at dinner to add prayers for others. |
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Our oldest son is deaf. I vividly remember watching him notice sounds for the first time in the days after his cochlear implant was activated: the “caw” of a crow, a doorbell, the low rumble of the furnace kicking in. Our job as parents was to provide a running commentary to help him understand the meaning of each sound that so many of us take for granted: “See the birds? That is a crow!” “Your dad is home.” “The heat is coming on.” I’m reminded of those early days when I read Mark’s account of Jesus restoring hearing to the deaf man. While most of us can hear, so often we take the sounds all around us for granted or relegate them to background noise – including the Scripture we hear at Mass each week. As Bishop Robert Barron writes, “This deaf man stands for all of us who do not hear the word of God, who have grown oblivious to it.” As we listen to today’s readings, we can ask Jesus to open our ears and our hearts to the word of God. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Mark spares no detail in describing Jesus’ encounter with the deaf man who had a speech impediment. Jesus places a finger in his ear and spits, touching his tongue, then utters the word “Ephphatha! (“Be opened”) Immediately, the man can hear and speak clearly. When listening to this reading, I often focus on the man’s hearing. But Jesus also cured the man’s speech impediment, which I think indicates we’re not supposed to just hear God’s word, we are to speak to it, and speak of it. Once we allow Jesus to open our ears and hearts to the Good News, sharing it will begin to come naturally. There may still be times when our Catholic tongues feel tied, but “Be strong, fear not!” Jesus will give us the words. ACTIONS: Next time you take a drive, listen to the day’s Scripture readings. Ask Jesus to open your ears and hearts to his words and show you how best to share them with others. And most teachers would agree: The more senses we engage, the more we take in. If you have trouble following the readings at Mass, open your missalette and read along silently. |
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
As I began reading the Gospel for today, I initially thought, “Here we go - those hypocritical Pharisees are at it again! They are always questioning Jesus, always judging others, and always looking for ways to make themselves look ‘holier’ than everyone else.” Uh oh; then I realized that I was feeling pretty smug as I judged the Pharisees! Sadly, it can be easy for me to fall into a “Pharisee attitude,” thinking I “walk blamelessly and do justice” when really I am just deluding myself. While Jesus uses this encounter to point out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, he also calls the crowd to a greater understanding of the source of evil in their lives, “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts.” Maybe I need to hear these words, too, and examine my own thoughts and actions before judging others. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT St. James provides an answer to combating the evil we discover in our hearts: “Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.” The Word, Jesus, came to us and has given us the way to free ourselves from the evil within. Our relationship with him is the key. We know we are to “be doers of the word and not hearers only.” We have the Holy Spirit to help us stay close to him and access his saving power that transforms our hearts to reflect his goodness and truth. It requires us to humbly assess and own the things we need to change; and to turn to him for guidance so that we may have nothing within us – no evil thoughts, greed, malice, envy or arrogance (etc.) – to defile us. Only then are we most free in Christ – truly free to “care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” PRAY The Daily Examen, created by St. Ignatius of Loyola, is an ideal way for growing closer to Jesus and seeking his guidance. Suggested for the day’s end, this prayerful reflection helps you recognize God’s presence in the day’s events, assess your thoughts and behavior, ask for his help in growing in goodness, and discern his plans for you. |
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Have you ever felt nervous in standing up for something, or in taking a position on an issue? Even when the stakes are not particularly high, like a classroom debate over an author’s meaning in her text or requesting that customer service fix a take-out order gone awry, it can be nerve-wracking for many of us to have this kind of engagement. It is especially difficult when we sense conflict. Why is that? Why do we care so much what others think of us? What about when the stakes are literally life or death? In today’s first reading, Joshua is imploring the people to decide which god they will serve, and he boldly proclaims: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” In the Gospel, some of Jesus’ disciples reject his teachings and drift back to “their former way of life.” Jesus asks the Twelve whether they, too, “want to leave.” Simon Peter responds with the rhetorical question, “Master, to whom [else] shall we go?” Like Joshua, he is bold in his own pronouncement: “You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” Today’s readings encourage and exhort us to go “all in” when it comes to discipleship. The implication is clear: it matters not what others think of us, or what attraction they might hold for us to acquiesce to them. God alone is the source of life, and the truth. He offers us a way – it’s that simple. We simply must decide to serve him. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT At times this commitment, this life of discipleship, is more difficult than other times. Faith is a personal and communal relationship with our Triune God, and just like our human relationships it requires attentiveness, and “[living] in love as Christ loved us.” Just as a spouse or roommate can annoy us – being messy, hearing the same joke over and over, and don’t get me started on who gets to control the remote! – we may get upset with God because our expectations are not met. But God is God, not “who we think God ought to be.” Therefore, today’s readings are an encouragement to remain steadfast when things are difficult, with St. Paul comparing the love of Jesus for the Church (all of us!) with the mutual love between a husband and wife. No one said it would be easy. Just as a good marriage requires communication, give-and-take, and large doses of forgiveness, so does our relationship with the Lord require prayer, confession, repentance, and thanksgiving. ACTION Place Joshua’s words on your refrigerator this week: “Decide today whom you will serve … As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Brainstorm about how each member of your household can do that. |
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2021 Ordinary Time
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
There are very few things in this world that are perfectly united, though many attempts have been made, think peanut butter and chocolate, Batman and Robin. But there is one example, and that is the Blessed Virgin Mary is perfectly united with Jesus’ life and redemptive work. Though fully human, she is completely without sin – she is, as we pray in echoing God’s angel, “full of grace.” Thus she shares, as we do, in Christ’s heavenly destiny but with an immediacy that we do not have. Upon her death she was instantly assumed into heavenly glory, body and soul, as the first of all the faithful who will eventually join with Christ in eternity upon death and purification. In celebrating this great Solemnity, the Church celebrates what lies ahead for those of us who imitate Mary’s total trust in God. She had complete faith in God and his promises, and is a living example of the power and generosity of our God. We can follow her lead, engaging in a life of witness (proclaiming God’s greatness) and gratitude (have a rejoicing spirit) for the sake of the world. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Sometimes, when hearing or talking about Mary’s fiat, I first see it as a “yes” in modern, human terms. “Yes, I’ll serve on that committee.” “Yes, I’ll organize that party.” “Yes, I’ll stay late to finish that project.” It doesn’t take long for our little “yesses” to turn into an adamant “Nooooooooo,” also known as burnout. Thankfully, Mary’s yes was far more than just an acquiescence to a small request – it was the commitment of her entire self to the choice God had placed before her. And she was rewarded with a special seat in heaven near her Son. In today’s Gospel, Elizabeth immediately recognizes the true meaning of Mary’s fiat: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” What can we learn from Mary’s example? We can learn trust. We don’t need to sign up for every volunteer opportunity (though volunteering is a great and worthwhile thing to do), but we can say “yes” to what God is asking of us according to the gifts and graces he has given us. Through daily prayer and seeking the intercession of Mary and Jesus, we can grow closer to the Lord and prepare ourselves for the day we meet Jesus and Mary face to face. PRAY: A lot of misunderstanding surrounds Catholic devotion to Mary. We do not worship Mary – that is reserved for God alone. Yet we do revere her and honor her unique and important role in God’s saving plan. Pray the Magnificat or the Rosary, paying close attention to their scriptural foundation and what was happening in the “stories” within those Scriptures. |
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2021 Ordinary Time
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
We have apps that monitor our sleep and calories, and remind us to get our steps in. Short on time? We order takeout or subscribe to a meal service. Yet, despite these modern conveniences, I would guess that most of us don’t sleep enough or consistently eat well. And we pay the price, whether in the short or long term. Enter Elijah, who had reached his limit physically and mentally. Yet after an angel provided him food and drink, Elijah found the strength to walk 40 days and 40 nights. Impressive! But that’s God for us! And in the provision of his Son, we have food and drink – bread from heaven – that not only sustains us for our journey on earth but offers the possibility of eternal life. This is our belief; this is what Jesus says to us. And that alone can give us strength, and hope, even when we’re having an “Elijah” moment. For at each and every holy Mass, Jesus invites us to the table, offering us food that not only sustains but also transforms us. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord, indeed! GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Just as a good night’s sleep and proper nutrition help us function our best, the Word of God and the Eucharist, and our communal life of faith, provide the spiritual nourishment we need as we strive to be imitators of God in our daily lives, as Saint Paul says. As we partake of Christ in the Eucharist, perhaps we can say a prayer of thanksgiving and ask Jesus to help us grow in the ways of love that Paul outlined: kindness, compassion, and forgiveness toward the people we encounter. It could mean letting go of a grudge, becoming more conscious of the needs of others, listening respectfully to someone with whom we disagree, or perhaps forgiving ourselves. The Holy Spirit will guide us. REFLECT: Think about the ways the Mass transforms you. It may be something subtle – the spirit of consolation and the feeling that things are right in your world – or you may have been particularly moved by the readings, homily, music, or silent prayer. Tell someone about it! |
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 2021 Ordinary Time
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
In our house, we know we’ve got a situation when we run out of bread. It’s the staff of life, yes, but also the stuff that makes toast, goes with soup or salad, and smells so good when we bake it ourselves. So perhaps some of us can relate to the Israelites in the first reading as they “grumbled against Moses and Aaron,” before the Lord promised to “rain down bread from heaven for [them].” On a deeper level, perhaps we also truly understand the importance of what Jesus tells his disciples in today’s Gospel: that the bread from heaven which the Father gives will not only satisfy their physical hunger, but give life to the world. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” Just as the disciples heartily responded “give us this bread always,” today’s readings encourage us to long not only for all good gifts from the Father, but specifically for that one, unique gift of the Son whose nourishment to us in the Eucharist transforms us and “gives life to the world.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Like many Catholics, I attended Mass online for much of 2020 and the first half of 2021. Initially, it seemed like enough, and I was immensely grateful for the opportunity to hear the Word of God, see the Lord in the Eucharist, and to receive him spiritually. However, as we began to return to church this past spring, I truly felt the enormity of what I had been missing: receiving the Eucharist, and doing so within a community. As we hear Christ’s words in the bread of life discourse over the next few Sundays, the magnitude of God’s gracious gift should become ever more apparent. When we receive the Eucharist at Mass, we partake in the body and blood of Jesus, sharing in the divine banquet that leads us to everlasting life, and drawing closer to Jesus and to one another in the process. Nourished by his presence within us, we can then go out and share the bread of life with others. What that looks like will differ for each of us, but ultimately it is all for the purpose of accomplishing the works of God: believing in the One he sent and giving witness to that belief in all we say and do. ACTION: Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians admonishes his listeners to “put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” As we begin each day this week, we can pray for the grace to “put on a new self” and let go of those things that get in the way of our own holiness. |
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SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2021 Ordinary Time
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I once saw Tony Melendez, a musician born without arms, play his guitar for the pope – with his feet – and I knew I had witnessed something exceptional, something extraordinary. We may be feeling the same way about some of the Olympic performances taking place right now. But however amazed Tony Melendez or an Olympic medal performance might make us feel, it is hard to imagine what it must have been like to experience Jesus taking a few barley loaves and fish, blessing them, and somehow feeding more than 5,000 people. How Great Thou Art, indeed! Participating in this miracle was life-changing for those who realized what Jesus had done. They were convinced, on the spot, that Jesus was a prophet, and were ready to carry him away as a king. But Jesus did not come to be an earthly king, he came to give his life for us, that we might have life with him in abundance. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT One boy gives up his lunch and Jesus feeds thousands – and there were twelve wicker baskets with fragments left over! Think of how God can multiply our gifts. Perhaps there are times we fail to share what we have, thinking it is too small to make a difference; thinking that what we bring to feed others can’t possibly be worth anything. Sure, what usually happens with us isn’t on a scale like today’s Gospel passage, and our offering may not be “Olympic” in nature. But in sharing our gifts as Jesus calls us to – to love our neighbor and to do “small things with great love” as St. Teresa of Calcutta is purported to have said – there is no such thing as a gift or talent too small. Ask the Holy Spirit for fortitude as you strive to share your gifts. ACTION: Perhaps it’s time to contact someone who has been on your mind lately. A seemingly small gesture of concern may be just the support they need right now. With the help of the Holy Spirit, perhaps you may be a source of affirmation for them, providing a catalyst that helps them discern their path more clearly. |
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SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2021 Ordinary Time
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Portrayals of Jesus as a shepherd who cares for sheep often depict him carrying a sheep on his shoulders or holding a lamb in his arms. Those images are a source of great comfort, as is today’s psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” But they don’t quite capture just what hard work being a shepherd involves: tending to the flock in all kinds of weather, when the pastures are anything but verdant; waking in the wee hours to care for ewes and newborn lambs; watching some thrive and others die; not to mention being the poster child for the oft-quoted “smell of sheep.” The crowd in today’s Gospel lacked such a shepherd to tend and care for them, and thus “[Jesus’] heart was moved with pity for them.” There are times when circumstances and events can trick us into thinking that an earthly power or perfectly-principled worldview will save us. That is when we need the Lord as our shepherd the most. Only he can save us; only he has saved us. So, in those times when we may feel lost, we can bring it all to Jesus in prayer. He is the Shepherd who knows what we need. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I don’t know about you, but I rarely miss a meal. When I do, I get cranky. And I don’t like crowds of any kind outside of Wrigley Field. So imagine how exhausted Jesus and the disciples must have felt when, because crowds followed them day and night, they had “no opportunity even to eat.” Even when they tried to get away and rest awhile, a vast crowd appeared. Rather than turn away, however, Jesus began to teach them – for they were hurting and in need of his care. Today’s Gospel encourages us to be shepherds to one another, keeping others close. Pope Francis said it well during Holy Week 2013: “Following Jesus means learning to come out of ourselves … to be the first to take a step toward our brothers and our sisters, especially those who are the most distant, those who are forgotten, those who are most in need of understanding, comfort and help.” As we ourselves have been led by the Shepherd, we reach out to others who are in need of care. ACCOMPANY: Find ways, large or small, to “tend the flock” of your family, parish, workplace or community: Write a note to a person who is grieving, invite a quiet co-worker to lunch, provide a listening ear to children or aging parents, introduce yourself to a newcomer at your parish. |
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SUNDAY, JULY 11, 2021 Ordinary Time
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I don’t know about you, but even for the quickest of errands I don’t like to leave my house without my smartphone. Nor would I go on a road trip without my trusty mini-Diet Coke and a snack or two. So I’m struck by what Jesus tells the Apostles when he sends them on their mission to share the Good News: “He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick – no food, no sack, no money in their belts.” While it may be hard for us to imagine striking out with only the sandals on our feet, to me this reading is more about what the Apostles did have than what they went without: They had a companion (Jesus sent them two by two) and the spiritual blessings Saint Paul refers to, including a relationship with Jesus and absolute trust in him. Today’s readings remind us to set aside distractions and spend time deepening our relationship with Jesus through prayer, reading the Scriptures, and participating in the sacramental life of the Church. In doing so, we, too, can join in the mission of the early disciples by giving our lives to Jesus and sharing his message with others. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I find the phrase “the new evangelization” somewhat ironic. After all, evangelization is not new, it goes back to the earliest days of the Church, which wouldn’t exist had it not been for the disciples. The “new” part reminds us that we today also share in this mission. The U.S. Catholic bishops describe it succinctly: “The New Evangelization calls each of us to deepen our faith, believe in the Gospel message and go forth to proclaim the Gospel.” This call is both simple, and challenging, but we don’t have to be perfect. After all, just as God called Amos, a humble shepherd, and Jesus called the Twelve, a motley group of fishermen, he calls us. Like them, our first “task” isn’t a task at all – it is placing God and our relationship with Jesus at the center of our lives. Only then can we effectively share the Gospel with others, inviting our brothers and sisters to a life in Christ – to become part of God’s adopted family. WITNESS: At the end of Sunday Mass, we often hear the words: “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” As we are sent forth, let us ask God to show us how we can share the Gospel with others during the week ahead. Then pay attention to where the Spirit leads us in answering our prayer. |
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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 Ordinary Time
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I’m struck by phrases in today’s first and second readings: The prophet Ezekiel is told that those to whom he will be sent are “hard of face and obstinate of heart”; and Saint Paul aptly describes a “thorn in the flesh” as having been given to him. He even refers to this thorn as “an angel of Satan.” These are descriptive images! So, I wondered, What do these images look like in practice? The Gospel gives us a clear example: those who grew up with Jesus refuse to see him as a prophet. At one time in my life, I might have said to myself: “Wow, I can’t believe people of his own time would reject Jesus!” However, as I grow older, I’m conscious not only of more physical aches and pains, but the “thorn in the flesh” of patterns I’m not particularly proud of – cynicism, pessimism, even hard-heartedness and a closed mind. The “they” in today’s readings hits closer to home and strikes me more as “we” than it used to. And yet, as Saint Paul reminds us, we can bring our imperfections to God and pray for grace to give us strength in our weakness, hearts open to God’s love, and ears ready to hear the Gospel and be transformed by Jesus. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT When Jesus returned to his hometown, he was not exactly greeted like a “hometown hero.” His contemporaries could see him only as a carpenter, and not the Messiah: “So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” We know that Jesus went on to perform the mightiest of deeds – dying and rising from the dead. And yet, even today, he would be “amazed at our lack of faith.” Today’s Gospel and the other readings encourage us to do a check-up of our spiritual health and pray for the grace to continue to grow in faith. We can also pray for others who may be questioning or have lost their faith, inviting them to consider coming to church with us or simply offering to pray with and for them. REFELCT: For a more intentional look at whatever thorns might be in your side, and what weaknesses those contribute to, consider doing a retreat. Attend an in-person retreat at a local retreat house, or look into online options for a guided retreat at home. |
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SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021 Ordinary Time
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.” It’s likely we’ve heard and seen Jesus’ reassuring words or even shared them with others. When I read the story of Jairus and his daughter, I thought of a man with whom I spoke recently. As his lungs failed him during a bout with coronavirus, doctors advised him to say good-bye to his wife and daughters before they placed him on a ventilator. “I was expecting to wake up in heaven,” he said, recalling the moment not as one of fear or panic, but of deep peace. In today’s Gospel passage, Jairus had that kind of “fearless faith” as well, placing his daughter’s life wholly in Jesus’ hands even as others in the crowd ridiculed him. When we pray or ask for God’s healing, we can’t know the outcome. But we can pray for the gifts of faith and courage, placing our lives in God’s loving hands. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT When I was a child, my aunt would always encourage us to make the sign of the cross when we passed an ambulance or accident scene. In her concern for the strangers at the side of the road, my aunt was giving us a lesson in compassion, which stands in marked contrast to the crowds who ridiculed Jairus as he desperately sought help for his daughter. The Church has a rich tradition of intercessory prayer, encouraging us to pray for the needs of others. Today’s readings remind me that we can share our faith by praying for others who are sick, dying, grieving, or struggling in some way. Likewise, we can ask others to pray for us, trusting that God will hear our prayers. PRAY: Do you ever offer to pray for someone and then completely forget? Try writing each person’s name on a Post-it and placing it on your bedside table. Other ideas: Pray the Rosary while driving or exercising, devoting a decade to each person; include prayers for others when you say Grace before meals; as soon as you offer to pray for someone, drop everything and do it! |
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SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2021 Ordinary Time
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
A number of editorials, blog posts, and other commentaries of late have declared “languishing” as the “mood,” or dominant emotion, of 2021. This is not depression, but rather a series of emotions that wear away at our sense of purpose and belonging. Those who languish experience apathy and a lack of motivation, all while participating in the daily activities of life. Yes, I said to myself, that’s it exactly! After the craziness of these last 15 months … I think these writers are on to something! Therefore, I am particularly moved by God’s providence and grace in providing an antidote to the emptiness of languishing in today’s Scriptures. In the second reading, Paul writes with such urgency that “the love of Christ impels us” to live not for ourselves, but for the sake of Christ who died for all. The word “impel” differs from “compel,” because it implies a strong moral force from within. And in the Gospel, we see that for Christians, that inner force springs from faith, a faith that can endure both the violent squalls of life and the sense of being adrift that we can’t always put our finger on. Like Paul, our faith impels us to refocus our lives on our love of Christ and others. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT It occurs to me that we Catholics have myriad opportunities to avail ourselves of those graces, and to strengthen our faith. Languishing can be replaced with flourishing, and a recapturing of the knowledge of who we belong to: the Lord. Praying for others during Mass, reading and discussing a spiritual book with a friend, volunteering at a soup kitchen or shelter, offering to help drive refugees or senior citizens to medical appointments, or participating in a young (or older) adult parish activity – these are all actions that empty us of apathy and fill us with gratitude. The pandemic has been tragic, and terrifying, and life-altering. But God remains steadfast. We will face our share of storms, but we can rest assured that Jesus is our anchor as we move forward in faith. PRAY: Feeling blah? Re-read Paul’s letter (2 Cor 5:14-17) and ask God to help you remember that you are God’s beloved – with dignity, value, and purpose. Trust that “whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” |
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SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 Ordinary Time
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Many years ago, I met someone whose attentive hospitality cast a seed in me that took root and enabled me to grow as a disciple of Jesus. At the meetings I attended with her, Sister Bridget would immediately greet everyone with a smile, outstretched hand, and, “Hello, I’m Sister Bridget; what’s your name?” You couldn’t help but feel at ease with her warm greeting, but it didn’t end there. Throughout the encounter, she remained just as positive and as completely present as she had in the beginning. Just like the parable of the man scattering seed in today’s Gospel, Sister Bridget didn’t know how the seed of God’s word would grow as she sowed it in her unique, joyful way. To her, maybe her graciousness was the smallest gesture. But the Lord allowed it to sprout and grow, yielding fruit and a bountiful harvest. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Today’s Gospel verse within the Alleluia proclaims, “The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower. All who come to him will live forever.” By our baptism, we are called to continue the work of Christ, sowing the word of God in our world. This may seem an intimidating expectation for all of us who doubt that we have the expertise to “sow” God’s word. But in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the crowds that the kingdom of God is like the smallest of seeds, that once sown, becomes the largest of plants. If we believe in Christ and “aspire to please him,” God can use our smallest gestures to sow his word in the world. We may not see how our small acts of kindness accomplish this. But if we scatter these “seeds” out of love for God, we can trust they will take root, grow abundantly, and call others to “come to him [and] live forever.” INVITE: What “seeds” of welcome can you scatter among those you encounter? Make your “random acts of kindness” regular, intentional acts that express God’s love. As St. Thérèse of Lisieux said: “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love." |
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SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021 Ordinary Time
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
It takes only a few moments of holding one’s breath to realize how desperately we need oxygen to survive. If only we were always as cognizant and mindful of the importance of the Eucharist for the same reason! I, for one, confess to approaching the altar with fervent belief in the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ, but also at times doing so while distracted or not fully appreciative of the gift being given to me. But today’s solemnity is a powerful reminder not to take the Eucharist for granted. It is the Church’s formal and official homage to Jesus Christ who, “with his own blood” obtained for us eternal redemption. St. Thomas Aquinas offers this description of how wonderful, precious, and important the Eucharist is with the following words: “The only-begotten Son of God, wishing to enable us to share in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that by becoming man he might make us gods.” (Opusc. 57, 1-4) Like the disciples on the night of the Last Supper, we, too, receive the body and blood of Jesus under the appearance of bread and wine. He dwells within us, intercedes for us, and through grace he transforms us. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Spending time with our Lord at Eucharistic adoration is a profound opportunity to open our hearts to him. Just as we know that we cannot love others well if we don’t love ourselves, likewise we cannot share the love of Christ with others well if we don’t take time to allow Christ to enter our hearts and our lives. By taking the time to talk to Jesus and listen, we can, in turn, witness to his love to others. We can use this time to pray for a specific person, seek help with a personal dilemma, or ask the Lord to show us where we need repentance and conversion in our own lives so as to be more like him. The more we are conformed to Christ, the better we can bring Christ to the world. STUDY: Draw closer to the Lord through meditation on the meaning of the Eucharist by reading these “basic questions and answers” about the Real Presence: www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/the-real-presence-faqs. |
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SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
The first thing that came to mind when hearing the readings for this feast was the song, How Can I Keep from Singing? Moses’ words attest to the wonders of God and his continual care and “championing” for us. This all-powerful God chose us to be his own; he created us in love and desires for us to be with him forever. He loves us enough to have become one of us – to live and breathe and suffer as one of us! While on earth as Jesus Christ, he showed us, in healing and forgiving, the depth of his merciful and unconditional love. Through the Son we are made adopted children of God, co-heirs with Christ to the promises of the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit is sent to remain with us – always – demonstrating the steadfastness and faithfulness of God to his people and drawing others to the Father’s love. And we, members of the Body of Christ, are commissioned to go “and make disciples of all nations,” that all may be given the pathway to the Kingdom. With all this Good News, how can we keep from singing? GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT “When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.” These words jumped out at me from today’s Gospel. After all the Apostles had witnessed, even after their encounters with Jesus following his resurrection, they doubted. That is, until Jesus reassured them that “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Then, look out! Once empowered by the Spirit, the disciples no longer doubt. In readings from the Acts of the Apostles throughout the Easter season, we have heard how the Apostles are transformed into bold and relentless preachers and leaders, healers and miracle workers, by their belief in the power of the Holy Spirit. And they can’t suppress the joy they know in believing the Good News. We were made for this joy, and for sharing it as the earliest disciples did. Given all that God has done for us, how can we not? STUDY: Read Scripture verses or hymns that rejoice in God’s love and bring you joy. (Phil 4:4-9 is a good start). Pray the Act of Faith to reaffirm your belief in the Trinity. Be a joyful Christian! |
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SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021
Pentecost Sunday Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
“Come, Holy Spirit!” On Pentecost Sunday, which we celebrate 50 days after Easter, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. The readings use the language of the senses to describe the powerful presence of the Spirit: A breath, a mighty wind, tongues of fire, a cacophony of languages somehow understood by all. Jesus sends the Spirit upon each of us as well. And while we may not experience the Holy Spirit with our physical senses, I bet each one of us has sensed the Spirit’s presence at different times in life: a homily that deeply resonated, a sense of awe at God’s creation, a “moral compass” that guided us toward what is right, or when we found the words to console a friend in crisis or vice versa. Just as the Spirit transformed the disciples and emboldened them to build up the Church by carrying on Jesus’ mission, we, too, can ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and strengthen us to be a force for love and unity in our families, parishes, and communities. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT In today’s Gospel, Jesus sends his disciples out to continue his ministry, assuring them of the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide them. We, too, have been given the gifts of the Holy Spirit and commissioned to use them to build up the Church. Well before we learned about concepts such as “emotional intelligence” or skills tests, Saint Paul assured the Corinthians that there are many different gifts and ministries, but the same Spirit. Our gifts may even change as we move from one chapter of life to another. For example, high school and college students may help lead retreats or participate in service projects, young adults may build a parish website or lead a Bible study, those who are homebound may offer to pray for others in their parish. For followers of Christ, the only option not on the table is becoming complacent. As we move from the Easter season to “Ordinary Time,” let’s invite the Holy Spirit to show us how to be “extra-ordinary” in our discipleship in the coming days and weeks. Then follow through. PRAY: Do you sometimes get the Monday blahs? Try starting the day with the Prayer to the Holy Spirit, asking for guidance (and some pep in our step!) as we begin the week: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. |
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SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: “Why are you standing there looking at the sky?” the Apostles are asked. Well, hello! The risen Jesus, who had once again walked among the Apostles, “was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.” Of course the disciples would look up, to gaze once more upon the Son of God whom they loved. Today’s feast reminds us, however, that to look for Jesus is not to stand around looking up, but to engage with others in the world in which he remains present. Even as he sits “at the right hand of God,” Jesus dwells among and within us. For God is not some distant figure, but One who desires to walk alongside us in the person of his Son, Jesus, and give us the gift of the Holy Spirit as our help and advocate. Even in times when we experience doubt, complacency, or simply feel distant from God, Jesus is at our side. Once we open our hearts to his presence, we cannot help but share the Good News of God’s love in our families, workplaces, and everyday encounters with others. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT So much information comes to us every day, in all forms of media, there are now even shortcuts to the shortcuts for grasping the content. My personal favorite is the abbreviation, “TL; DR” which means, “too long, didn’t read.” Some might claim that we are dumbing down our culture with this type of shorthand notation, or we could argue that clear, concise, and straightforward is simply best. And that is what Jesus gives us today in his one commandment: “Love one another as I love you.” He offers commentary for the commandment and gives reasons for why he is telling it to us, but the crux of it cannot be missed: love one another. It is a commandment both simple, yet complex; easy, yet at times exponentially difficult to live. So Jesus provides the key to fulfilling it by saying, “remain in my love” [emphasis mine]. Faithfulness to a sacramental life and participation in communal living give us the grace to remain in that love – which in turn transforms and enables us to share that love with others. PRAY: To honor the celebration of Mother’s Day, pray the Rosary today for the intentions of our mothers, for those who have been motherly influences to us, and for those who long to be mothers. |
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SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021
Sixth Sunday of Easter Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I have 20/15 vision. I can see things in the distance as well as close up. But that doesn’t mean I can see everything perfectly. Because of a difference in how each eye focuses, I can’t find those hidden images in “magic eye” posters, and forget trying to watch a 3D movie! Seeing all things perfectly is not something many of us could claim, including Peter. And yet, with God’s help, he understands a vision God gave to him: “In truth,” Peter says, “I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation, whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” Through God’s mercy and Jesus’ redemptive cross, the kingdom of God has been prepared for all peoples. God’s saving power has been revealed. With faith, and the help of the Holy Spirit in living out the commandments, we can fix our eyes on Christ – the revelation of God’s love who came into the world that we might have life through him. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT So much information comes to us every day, in all forms of media, there are now even shortcuts to the shortcuts for grasping the content. My personal favorite is the abbreviation, “TL; DR” which means, “too long, didn’t read.” Some might claim that we are dumbing down our culture with this type of shorthand notation, or we could argue that clear, concise, and straightforward is simply best. And that is what Jesus gives us today in his one commandment: “Love one another as I love you.” He offers commentary for the commandment and gives reasons for why he is telling it to us, but the crux of it cannot be missed: love one another. It is a commandment both simple, yet complex; easy, yet at times exponentially difficult to live. So Jesus provides the key to fulfilling it by saying, “remain in my love” [emphasis mine]. Faithfulness to a sacramental life and participation in communal living give us the grace to remain in that love – which in turn transforms and enables us to share that love with others. PRAY: To honor the celebration of Mother’s Day, pray the Rosary today for the intentions of our mothers, for those who have been motherly influences to us, and for those who long to be mothers. |
EASTER SUNDAY
Acts 10:34a, 37-43 | Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8 | Jn 20:1-9
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I have happy memories when I think about all the Easter celebrations I experienced as a child. Easter baskets with nicer-than-usual chocolate; indoor Easter egg hunts – check under the lampshade! – and wearing the best of our Sunday best to Mass. I wouldn’t trade these memories for anything, but writing this reflection reminds me that our modern-day celebrations and traditions don’t come close to truly capturing the gamut of emotions the disciples must have felt on that first day of the week. From the fear, despair and confusion they initially experienced, to the joy that would have enveloped them when they realized what the empty tomb meant: Jesus had risen! The beloved disciple entered the empty tomb of Christ in today’s Gospel, “and he saw and believed.” As Christians, I think we sometimes take this foundation of our faith for granted. And so I pray for a renewed sense of awe at the stunning reality: to “see and believe” that God so loved us that he gave his only Son, who died and rose so that we, too, might live forever in God’s love.
GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT
Some days I wake up with particular joy or anticipation: “Today we are going on vacation!” Or, “Today my son graduates from college.” It is a wonderful feeling, and one that helps me jump – OK, roll a little faster – out of bed. If we take to heart the psalmist’s message today, we see that this is how God intends for us to awaken every day: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” God is the author of our life, and on this Easter Sunday, we celebrate the gift of eternal life in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In today’s first reading, Peter relates how the disciples were commissioned to share the Good News of Christ’s resurrection. His words remind us that the story of Easter cannot and should not be contained. Instead, we are called to witness that “everyone who believes in [Jesus] will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” That is good news worth sharing, whether on our social media feed, or with our loved ones and those we encounter each day.
WITNESS: Happy Easter! Perhaps visit the graveside of a loved one, and take the opportunity to talk about life after death. Say a special prayer of thanks at your Easter meal. And remember to smile in the direction of new faces at Mass today!
APRIL 3, 2021
HOLY SATURDAY
HOLY SATURDAY
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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion By Vatican News staff reporter
Pope at Audience: The Cross of Christ, a beacon of hope
In his Catechesis during the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis looks ahead to the Easter Triduum and the celebration of the saving mystery of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.
On the eve of the Easter Triduum, Pope Francis, during his Wednesday General Audience focused on these central days of the Liturgical year, celebrating the mystery of the Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection. A new commandment of loveLooking ahead to Holy Thursday and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Pope recalled Christ’s washing the disciples’ feet, His new commandment of love, and His institution of the Eucharist as the abiding memorial of the sacrifice of His body and blood for the salvation of all. Adoration of the CrossTurning his attention to Good Friday, Pope Francis said, in the intensity of the rite of Liturgical action, we will be presented with the Crucifix to adore. By adoring the Cross, we will relive the journey of the innocent Lamb sacrificed for our salvation.” On that day, he continued, “We will carry in our minds and hearts the sufferings of the sick, the poor, the rejected of this world; we will remember the "sacrificed lambs", innocent victims of wars, dictatorships, daily violence, abortions.” “Before the image of the crucified God,” the Pope underlined, “we will bring in prayer the many, the too many who are crucified in our time, who can only receive from Him the comfort and the meaning of their suffering.” “Ever since Jesus took upon himself the wounds of humanity and death itself,” said Pope Francis, “God's love has irrigated these deserts of ours, he has enlightened our darkness.” Speaking off the cuff, the Pope asked, Why is the world in darkness? He answered by saying that we live in a world beset by wars, a world where children are starving and lack education. Many people take drugs in order to feel a little better. It's a catastrophe, it's a desert,” he said. There are small islands, the Pope explained; these are the people of God “who keep in their hearts the desire to be better. But let's face it: in this Calvary of death, it is Jesus who suffers in his disciples.” Pope Francis went to say that by Christ’s wounds we have been healed, and by his death we have all been regenerated. Thanks to him, abandoned on the cross, “no-one will ever again be alone in the darkness of death,” he said. More>>> |
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HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021
Thursday of the Lord's Supper By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ
Cardinal Re at Mass of Lord's Supper: 'Eucharist is the life and center of the Church'
Cardinal Re reflects on Our Lord’s gift of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and His sacrifice of Himself for humanity, during his homily at the Mass "In Coena Domini" ("of the Lord's Supper") at the beginning of the Easter Triduum. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presided over the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday in St. Peter’s Basilica. The liturgy, known as In Coena Domini or Mass "of the Lord's Supper," commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist. During the homily, the dean of the College of Cardinals recalled the Lord’s great discourse to His disciples on the day before He made an offering of Himself to the Father for our salvation. "He loved them to the end"Cardinal Re highlighted that this Eucharist Celebration, charged with an extraordinary intensity of thought, makes us relive that evening when Christ, surrounded by His Apostles in the Cenacle, instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood, and entrusted them with the commandment of fraternal love. Holy Thursday, therefore, “reminds us of how much we have been loved,” the Cardinal explained. The Son of God gave us Himself – His Body and His Blood – the totality of His Person for our redemption. In so doing, “He loved them to the end,” Cardinal Re noted, quoting the Gospel. Jesus loved them to the point of dying an ignominious death on the Cross on Good Friday in a sign of love in the extreme – “the highest and unsurpassable degree of His capacity to love.” Precious gift of the EucharistCardinal Re went on to underline that the gift of the Sacrament of the Eucharist can only be explained because “Christ loved us and wanted to be near every one of us forever, even to the end of the world.” This precious gift, he noted, “is the gift through which Christ walks with us as light, as strength, as nourishment, as help in all the days of our history.” Moreover, the Second Vatican Council says that the liturgy “is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time, it is the font from which all her power flows"; and describes "the Eucharistic sacrifice" as “the fount and apex of the whole Christian life.” More>>> |
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SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
From early childhood, I remember Palm Sunday – there was a kind of excitement about receiving the fresh palms, followed by the somber reading of the Passion. The contrast strikes me: While the palms, in ancient times, symbolized goodness and victory, hope and triumph, the account of Jesus’ suffering and death reminds us of the price he paid for our redemption. Jesus knew that we can’t have one without the other. It is the paradox of the cross: Jesus gave his life so that we might live. For many, the past year has been like one long Good Friday, filled with discouragement, suffering, and loss. As we reflect on Jesus’ passion, the palms we carry home remain a sign of hope; we know now how the story will end. As we place our palms in a special place, let us say a prayer of thanks to Jesus and ask for the grace to renew our faith and trust in God as we enter Holy Week. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT There is a richness in the liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil that are both humbling and uplifting. This time period, known as the Sacred Triduum (Latin for “three days”) is the official end of Lent, and the summit of the liturgical year. As a society, we give far more attention to the buildup and celebration of Christmas – which is not to deny its importance, of course! – and so sometimes the Triduum is not as familiar to people in both its meaning and importance. Yet, it is during these days that we most intentionally remember and celebrate the gift of our redemption; we liturgically embrace the paschal mystery of Christ: dying he destroyed our death, and rising he restored our life. We have faced a difficult year together, and we rely on each other for prayer. As we continue through this Holy Week, perhaps we can accompany each other by attending the services with one another, or at least setting aside complementary prayer time on our own. PRAY: A local Eagle Scout built a beautiful outdoor Stations of the Cross at a college campus near us. Visit your parish or outdoor stations and reflect on each one. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has excellent resources for praying the stations: www.usccb.org. |
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SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2021
Fifth Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Recent news warned of a shortage of seeds this spring, as home gardeners carry on a hobby borne of the coronavirus pandemic. Even those of us not exactly known for our green thumbs jumped in, seeing home gardens as a way not only to stock our pantries, but to sow hope during a time of isolation and, for too many, mourning. In today’s readings, we are reminded of an even larger hope – one that transcends optimism and feeling, and is centered in the theological virtue of Hope. God holds us close even on the most challenging of days. We see this in Jeremiah’s prophecy of a new covenant, where all shall know God and our sins will be washed away. And today’s Gospel reminds us that Jesus, like the grain of wheat, dies so that we may have new life. As we plant our seeds this spring, we will undoubtedly remember the people and things we have lost. Yet, as shoots break through with the warmth of spring, we can be reminded of Jesus, the source of all hope, and his promise that “I will draw everyone to myself.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT As we approach Holy Week, the Gospel prepares us by reminding us that Jesus, like a grain of wheat, must die so that we may have new life: “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.” I don’t think that John is telling us to wallow in sadness or live joyless lives. Instead, perhaps he is encouraging us to “lose” those things that are not life-giving and instead focus on what draws us closer to Jesus – such as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Perhaps as we continue our Lenten journey, we can identify the obstacles that get between us and Jesus, or that divide our families and communities. By letting those go, we free ourselves to be more like Christ, and to share the Good News of God’s great love for us with others. ACTION: Buy a packet of seeds (if you can find one). Plant seeds in memory of loved ones who may have died this past year, or in remembrance of any type of loss you or your loved ones may have suffered. Offer prayers of thanksgiving for Jesus, the source of our hope. |
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SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 2021
Fourth Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: We all have mementoes that we treasure – a handmade Mother’s Day card, a delicate glass sculpture inherited from a relative, perhaps a fine piece of woodwork or beautifully woven quilt. We treasure them because they remind us of someone we love. Now, think about that we are God’s “handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance”! Our God, rich in mercy, rich in love, treasures us so much that he created each of us in his image and gives each of us grace – a pure, free gift. As we look in the mirror, we may be tempted to see only our imperfections. But Paul reminds us that if we look at ourselves the way God does and accept the gift of his love and grace, and cooperate with it working in us, we can live in Christ in the here and now, by extending love and mercy to others, and in eternity, in God’s loving embrace. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Reading the news and social media, the phrase in today’s Gospel that “people preferred darkness to light” seems as true now as it was in John’s time. Sinfulness and evil still cause great harm in our societies. The good news is that it is also as true for us as it was then that God sent his only Son, “not … to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” Clearly, the world is a work in progress. We are a work in progress. Yet today’s readings remind us that we can choose light over darkness by accepting the gift of faith and grace that our patient and merciful God bestows on us. It doesn’t mean that we should turn off the news or avoid necessary conflict, but instead do our part to bring light to the situations we encounter. We know the kingdom of God won’t be built in a day, or even a millennium, but we take a step toward building the Kingdom when we allow God’s light to enter our hearts and then share that light with others through our witness, words, and prayer. GIVE: Choose light! Respond to a troubling event in your community or state by seeking a concrete way to help – donate to a local Catholic Charities or relief organization, or call your parish and see if you can organize a donation drive or put a message in the bulletin asking for help from generous parishioners. |
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SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2021
Third Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
We have rules in our house. Every family does. “No back talk. Do your chores. Bedtime. Curfews. Respect one another. Be kind.” Rules bring order out of chaos, forge a shared identity, and set standards to which everyone is held. Not surprisingly, life in God’s family has rules, too. Hence the Ten Commandments, which we hear today. They begin with these words: “I, the Lord, am your God.” If we miss that line, we miss the point of the rules – of the law. God’s law is about God’s love. Through his laws, God taught the Israelites a new way to live based on God’s values: humility, justice, love, sacrifice, simplicity, kindness, and mercy – values they rarely saw when enslaved in Egypt. This Lent, we give thanks to God for the law of love and we pray to grow in this love, and be strengthened in virtue. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Today’s Gospel reminds me of the time my older son once helped his younger brother understand the rules of a game we were playing. He did so by showing his own cards, which meant he would lose that round. While not done under the same circumstances, or with the same anger with which Jesus cleansed the temple, my older son did what he did for the same reason and with the same effect: love. When Jesus cleansed the temple, he did so out of love: love for God the Father, and love for those being exploited by the marketers. We have an opportunity this Lent to witness to this same love of Christ by putting the needs of others first. Sure, our kids demand our time, energy, and resources. Our spouses and parents sometimes do, too. To follow Christ means to choose to sacrifice for others with love, not simply because it has to be done. Christ infused the world with love through his sacrifice. We have the opportunity to be Christ today when we make our sacrifices out of love. ACTIONS: Read the Ten Commandments this week and imagine God giving you all the wisdom you could ever want in those rules. Think about the chaos those rules have protected you from in your life. Imagine telling your loved ones how to find happiness by following the way God guarantees will lead to joy. (Read John 3:16) |
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021
Second Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Oh, the gloom! The view out my window on a typical Michigan winter day can be described as “grayscale monochrome,” a technical term for black-and-white photographs. Fortunately, the sun peeks out on occasion, providing a lovely sunrise or sunset that can lift my mood and remind me that spring will come. If such an ordinary thing can provide hope, imagine what the Transfiguration provided for the disciples who witnessed it? “His clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.” And even though they were so terrified, the voice of God came from a cloud, conveying comfort and truth: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” The disciples did not know what lay ahead, but this vision of Jesus and the Father’s presence in their midst would give them hope and foretell Jesus’ glorious resurrection. As we continue on our Lenten journey, we can turn to God, who will one day transfigure us in the same way Christ was, to strengthen us through the gray days ahead. And St. Paul’s powerful words that “God is for us” add solace and encouragement. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT As Catholics, we are likely very familiar with the four Gospels, but I have to say I can’t get enough of Paul’s letters. Like a good coach, Paul encourages us to dig deep and trust God. In today’s reading, he reminds the Romans that God loves us so much that he did not spare his own Son. I’m struck by his assurance that Jesus not only died and was raised for us, but “indeed intercedes for us.” Lent is an ideal time to turn to Jesus in prayer, asking that he give us the grace to grow in faith and turn away from sin. At the same time, we can offer intercessory prayer for others, just as we do at every Mass. Perhaps as we continue our Lenten journey, we can make an extra effort to pray for the needs of other people: Those we know personally, such as friends and family members; and those whom we do not know, such as government leaders or Christians experiencing persecution in other countries. PRAY: I find that I often make prayer all about me! Yet, as the Church teaches, “in intercession, those who pray look ‘not only to their own interests, but also to the interests of others,’ even to the point of praying for those who do them harm.” (CCC 2635) One way to practice intercessory prayer is to make a list and pray for the people and intentions on it once a day. For those of us who regularly pray the rosary, another practice might be to dedicate each decade to an individual in need of prayer. |
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021
First Sunday of Lent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Even amid the forced slowdown of a pandemic, distractions abound: Netflix bingeing, online shopping, even positive pursuits like home organizing and personal fitness. I confess I indulge in all of these (except for home organizing). Lent challenges me to let go of the unnecessary distractions and dare to make friends with solitude, which can be a daunting proposition because it means keeping company with my own thoughts. Jesus, our human and divine Savior, faced the desert and was tempted by Satan. But he also emerged from the desert, and announced himself and the Gospel to the people of Galilee. He goes on to accept his death on a cross for the sake of our salvation, the fulfillment of the covenant between God and his people. As we enter Lent, as we enter our desert, we pray for the fortitude to forego temptation, opening our hearts to God’s will for us, and ready to proclaim it to the world. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT What are you doing for Lent this year? I ask our kids that every Ash Wednesday around the dinner table, and one or more of us often scramble for a plan. “Umm … candy! I’ll give up candy except Snickers.” “No Netflix!” Or we take the “do good” route: “I’ll pray more.” “I’ll help with chores.” “I’ll volunteer or donate to charity.” All good things. Whatever “the plan,” however, today’s Gospel challenges me to be quiet and listen. While a plan gives us accountability and can lead to growth, sometimes less truly can be more. This year, I’d like to spend less time planning and more time listening for God’s voice in the silence, which I find personally challenging. For others, the desert may look quite different. However we decide to approach Lent, let us pray that these 40 days bring us closer to God and our lives more in line with his will for us. PRAY: “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” The verse before today’s Gospel caught my attention. What can I pare away from my daily life to make room for the word of God? For those of us whose minds tend to wander when praying silently, perhaps listening to the daily readings can be a good way to start or end the day. |
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FEBRUARY 17, 2021
ASH WEDNESDAY Message of the Holy Father Francis for Lent 2021,
February 12, 2021 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem” (Mt 20:18). Lent: a Time for Renewing Faith, Hope and Love. Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Jesus revealed to his disciples the deepest meaning of his mission when he told them of his passion, death and resurrection, in fulfilment of the Father’s will. He then called the disciples to share in this mission for the salvation of the world. In our Lenten journey towards Easter, let us remember the One who “humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). During this season of conversion, let us renew our faith, draw from the “living water” of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God, who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. At the Easter vigil, we will renew our baptismal promises and experience rebirth as new men and women by the working of the Holy Spirit. This Lenten journey, like the entire pilgrimage of the Christian life, is even now illumined by the light of the resurrection, which inspires the thoughts, attitudes and decisions of the followers of Christ. Fasting, prayer and almsgiving, as preached by Jesus (cf. Mt 6:1-18), enable and express our conversion. The path of poverty and self-denial (fasting), concern and loving care for the poor (almsgiving), and childlike dialogue with the Father (prayer) make it possible for us to live lives of sincere faith, living hope and effective charity. 1. Faith calls us to accept the truth and testify to it before God and all our brothers and sisters. In this Lenten season, accepting and living the truth revealed in Christ means, first of all, opening our hearts to God’s word, which the Church passes on from generation to generation. This truth is not an abstract concept reserved for a chosen intelligent few. Instead, it is a message that all of us can receive and understand thanks to the wisdom of a heart open to the grandeur of God, who loves us even before we are aware of it. Christ himself is this truth. By taking on our humanity, even to its very limits, he has made himself the way – demanding, yet open to all – that leads to the fullness of life. Fasting, experienced as a form of self-denial, helps those who undertake it in simplicity of heart to rediscover God’s gift and to recognize that, created in his image and likeness, we find our fulfilment in him. In embracing the experience of poverty, those who fast make themselves poor with the poor and accumulate the treasure of a love both received and shared. In this way, fasting helps us to love God and our neighbour, inasmuch as love, as Saint Thomas Aquinas teaches, is a movement outwards that focuses our attention on others and considers them as one with ourselves (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 93). Lent is a time for believing, for welcoming God into our lives and allowing him to “make his dwelling” among us (cf. Jn 14:23). Fasting involves being freed from all that weighs us down – like consumerism or an excess of information, whether true or false – in order to open the doors of our hearts to the One who comes to us, poor in all things, yet “full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14): the Son of God our Saviour. More >>> |
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2021
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
While leprosy as found in Biblical times is now rare and very treatable, it is not hard to imagine the tragic consequences it had on those who were affected. They suffered physically, but also socially and emotionally: Levitical priests declared lepers unclean, banishing them from the religious community. Jesus, as he did so often, would upend these conventions in his encounter with the leper in today’s Gospel. “Moved with pity,” Jesus healed him, telling him to return to the local priest for readmittance to the community. Jesus’ model of compassion for the man is meant for us to embody. Modern culture continues to stigmatize people perceived as different – those suffering from depression and other mental illnesses, the homeless, perhaps those who struggle with cognitive disabilities – shunning them in different ways from full participation in community. To imitate Christ, as Paul alludes, is to have compassion for the needs of others – to “be moved with pity.” Let us pray for the grace to put on the mind and heart of Christ, and dignify the presence of all our brothers and sisters in our community. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I admit I was taken aback by today’s Old Testament reading: Not only were lepers banished from the religious community, but they had to announce themselves by crying out “Unclean, unclean!” Jesus changed all that. He healed the leper, encouraging him to return to the priest for readmittance. I am struck by how the leper approached Jesus. He did not demand a cure, but asked, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Although it is unlikely that any of us in the developed world will experience leprosy, we ourselves or people we know may carry inner struggles that have led to separation from the Church or a sense of isolation. In our humanity, we do not have the power to heal these maladies on our own. Instead, let us come to Jesus as the leper does, asking him, if he wills it, to heal us and our wounded world. Let us pray with confidence, knowing that Jesus in his compassion can and will make us clean and whole. REFLECT: Who are today’s lepers? What are the inner struggles or wounds that may keep us from fully participating in our parish community or have left us estranged from members of our own family? Bring these before Jesus in your own words. Call a family member you have fallen out of touch with. Invite a person who has left the Church to lunch and listen with compassion. |
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2021
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I remember taking my oldest son on a tour of a technical theater program at a state university. He had been considering an IT field – he’s everyone’s go-to whenever a technical issue arises. The theater professor said, “Enroll in our program only if you can’t do anything else.” The implication was clear: Choose this field if you love it so much you can’t imagine pursuing a different career. My son tried a more practical direction, but ultimately came back to theater, where he thrived! I thought of this story when listening to Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians: He preached the Gospel because he had to – excuse the double negative, but he could not “not” share the Good News with everyone he met! Once he encountered Jesus, he willingly devoted his life to sharing the story of love and salvation to all those who he encountered – the weak and the powerful, rich and poor, saints and sinners. Let us pray that God helps us recapture the wonder the crowds must have felt in Jesus’ presence – wonder that compels us to share the Good News, too. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Wherever you happen to live, imagine “the whole town gathered at the door.” Even in the smallest of villages, that would be a big deal! So it was with Jesus, where crowds seemed to follow him wherever he went, wanting to catch a glimpse of this carpenter’s son who cured the sick and drove out demons. When the disciples found him off by himself, praying, and told him “everyone is looking for you,” Jesus tells them they need to move on to nearby villages. I sense an urgency in Mark’s account of Jesus’ movements, showing Jesus as compelled to reach as many people as possible during his public ministry. As I hear this, I think how easy it is for us Catholics to remain in our comfort zones – whether a favorite pew, the same core group of “parish friends,” or even sticking with one ministry or one Mass time. But, as Jesus shows us, preaching the Good News – witnessing to the power of God in our lives – means we cannot stand idly by. We must share this news. WITNESS: What if we tried to emulate Jesus, albeit in a small way, by reaching beyond our “circles” to greet someone new at our parish, volunteer for the first time or in a different way, or – yes – sit in a different spot! In doing so, we can challenge ourselves to “stretch” a bit and welcome others into our world. |
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
When was the last time you were “astonished” and “amazed”? Parents might point to the birth of their child. Space enthusiasts might recall Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon. Perhaps we felt that sense of amazement the first time we saw the Grand Canyon or another natural wonder. For the people of Capernaum, Jesus had that effect. He taught with authority. He commanded an unclean spirit. In our modern society with the constant bombardment of news and social media, it can be easy to become numb to the wonder that surrounds us. Perhaps we think we’ve seen it all. Even Jesus and the words that turned ordinary people into extraordinary disciples of the early Church can be something we take for granted or only think about for 20 minutes on Sunday. Our Gospel challenges us to quiet the noise, and Paul encourages us to seek “adherence to the Lord without distraction.” Let us pray that the Lord rekindles our faith, so that we may hear his words again as if for the first time and engage ourselves anew in living according to his teachings. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT It is very hard to keep exciting news to ourselves. We have an innate desire to share important information and extraordinary events with those whom we love. It could be the call to parents to announce an engagement. Or perhaps telling a friend that you have landed a job or been accepted to college. While these milestones are significant, they pale in comparison to what Jesus has done for us. Through him, we have experienced God’s love, mercy, and redemption, not to mention the direction and means to attain a good life: on earth and with him forever in heaven. Why not share that Good News as well? We don’t have to stand on a street corner to be effective. We can simply let our faith lives enter our conversations, just as our work and other interests do. It could be as simple as, “our priest said something Sunday that really stuck with me,” or “I just finished a remarkable book about Dorothy Day.” As we begin to talk about our faith and listen to others share their insights, we not only grow closer to one another, but can grow in faith together. WITNESS: Today’s psalm struck a chord: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Next Sunday, make a conscious effort to listen to the readings and music with an open heart (and ears). If something strikes you, consider sharing that with others – be it around the dinner table, on a walk with friends, or during a video call. |
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2021
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
On first hearing, Jonah’s warning to the city of Nineveh seems a bit extreme for my modern ears: Get your act together in 40 days or your city will be destroyed! Yet, rather than panic or rail against him, the people believed and turned away from evil. We hear a similar theme in Mark’s Gospel: “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Listening to the readings today, I hear these words not as a threat but as an invitation to get our lives back on track. We may not don sackcloth like the people of Nineveh, but we may need to fast from the distractions and skewed priorities that prevent us from loving God and one another. With the psalmist, we pray, “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I never understood why the middle-school track coach had my son, the shortest kid on the team, run hurdles. I’d shut my eyes and cringe a bit when he’d approach each one, occasionally catching his toe but fearlessly pressing forward. Sometimes the Christian life can feel that way – while I’ve never tried hurdles, I’m known to trip on the slightest crack in a sidewalk. Likewise, I often trip up on the path to becoming a better person – blurting out unkind words, spending more time online shopping than praying … well, I won’t make you cringe by oversharing my “sin list.” In today’s readings, the Lord invites us to repent – to turn away from bad habits and choices. By turning to the Lord, we can overcome the obstacles that hold us back from living our Gospel values and sharing them with others through the witness of our lives. INVITE: Through the sacrament of reconciliation, the Church offers us a standing invitation to experience God’s unconditional love and mercy. Whether you go regularly or it’s been awhile, consider participating in the sacrament and inviting others to do the same. |
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Have you ever seen The Good Place? While clearly not theologically accurate, it is a thought-provoking Netflix comedy that focuses on four good but flawed characters who meet in the afterlife. I can relate to the character of Chidi, who strives to live a moral life but is crippled by indecisiveness. Do I buy the brown shoes or the black ones? Should I order the salad or the salmon? And I still can’t decide on a career! So I’m amazed at John and the disciples in today’s Gospel. John immediately recognizes Jesus as the Lamb of God. Hearing this, do the disciples ask for a second opinion or draw up a pros and cons list? Nope. They follow him. They recognize the Messiah and act. Their response of faith challenges me to think less and do more, to worry less and pray more. We may not see Jesus in his human form walking by, but we can see his image in others, and hear him through the Scriptures and at Mass. Let us pray for the grace to respond wholeheartedly. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Everyone loves an invitation, though perhaps we’ve forgotten what those are like during these months of pandemic. Today’s readings remind me that, pandemic notwithstanding, we all have a standing invitation from God; it’s up to us to respond. When Samuel heard God’s voice in the night, he listened. In today’s responsorial psalm, we hear, “Here I am Lord; I come to do your will.” And the Gospel tells us how the disciples dropped everything to follow Jesus. Through prayer, we, too can listen for God’s voice and respond. And, just as Eli realized God was calling Samuel and John encouraged the disciples, we can accompany others. By sharing our experience and inviting others to share the way Jesus has spoken to them, we can encourage one another as we seek to turn our lives over to God. STUDY: Many of us slow down a bit during these wintry months after the holidays. Why not use our “down time” to listen to God’s word, not only by attending Mass in-person or online, but through popular apps like iMissal and Word on Fire. Invite friends to do the same and then hold each other accountable by initiating an online group to discuss each week's readings. |
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021 First Week in Ordinary Time
The Baptism of the Lord Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Those of us who are parents or godparents remember fondly the day of our child or godchild’s baptism. I remember feeling the warmth from the congregation and from extended family and friends as they joined us in welcoming our beloved infant into Christ’s Church. The smell of the chrism from the anointing of his head with oil, and the sound of the flowing waters served as visceral reminders of our precious child’s birth into new, divine life with Jesus. Today, as we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we give thanks to Jesus, who at his baptism immersed himself into the enormous weight of humanity’s sinfulness [while of course remaining sinless himself]. Marking the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus’ baptism is the foundation for our own, inviting us to become God’s own sons and daughters “in whom he is well pleased.” Just as the Spirit descended upon Jesus and anointed him, the Spirit descends on us at our baptism, empowering us to follow Jesus’ example and build up the kingdom of God. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Water and oil are two of the symbols of baptism, a third is the white garment [sometimes a bib placed over a small child] worn by the one being baptized. I know of a pastoral associate who embroiders the name and date of baptism on the white garments of every child or infant baptized at her large parish. As we read in the catechism, “The white garment symbolizes that the person baptized has ‘put on Christ,’ has risen with Christ.” (1243) Gratitude is the proper disposition to thinking about our baptism, and the ones who brought us to it. How might our lives be different, and richer, if each morning, as we dress for the day, we pray in gratitude for the ability, and what it means, to, “put on Christ” in our daily lives? ACT: Express gratitude. Are your parents and godparents still alive? If so, call them or send a card thanking them for their presence at your baptism, and assure them of your prayers. If they are not alive, perhaps think of one or two people who have been there for you in your life as instruments of God’s grace. And then extend your gratitude to them. |
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2021
The Epiphany of the Lord Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
The Christmas tree has become a fire hazard, shedding needles everywhere. The kids have cast aside their new toys. Perhaps we’ve overspent this holiday season and are vaguely anxious about the bills. The bookmark in our Advent devotional is stuck at Dec. 9, and we’ve already blown a couple New Year’s resolutions. And yet, the words of prophet Isaiah shake us out of our doldrums: “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you … Raise your eyes and look about.” Freed from the busyness of the holiday season, we get a kind of do-over. Even on the grayest of winter days, Christ’s light breaks through in this new year and presents new opportunities to open ourselves to the activity of the Holy Spirit acting in our lives. Let us pray for the grace to recognize it. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I love the feast of the Epiphany because I went into labor with my oldest son that night; he came into the world on a rainy, blustery Monday morning in 1998. I remember the joy my healthy baby boy brought to me and my husband, his grandmas, aunts, uncles and cousins. Imagine the joy the Wise Men must have felt when they followed that star and saw baby Jesus for the first time! They praised the Christ Child with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. God still dwells among us today, and the Light of Christ beckons us all to follow it. As we bless our homes this Epiphany and pray, “May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love,” let us witness to God’s presence in our homes and in our hearts by offering Christ our very own gifts – of our lives and our abiding faith in him. PRAY The Blessing of the Home and Household: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling place among us. It is Christ who enlightens our hearts and homes with his love. May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love.” |
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Remember when COVID-19 first either forced us together or apart last spring? For most people, this meant a radical change in our family’s usual circumstances. Perhaps we’ve had too much togetherness? Or we’ve been kept apart? Whatever our experience, the Feast of the Holy Family in the midst of the Christmas season is a poignant reminder that families are the bedrock of our faith; a domestic Church; the primary transmitter of the faith. Jesus, God’s promise fulfilled for us, both fully human and fully divine, was born into a human family. We are to imitate the Holy Family through sacrificial love for one another. Sirach speaks of the honor and respect that children and parents must have for one another. And while we are not divine, we can celebrate the Divine presence in our midst, as Simeon did in today’s Gospel, when he said: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I like to joke that at times, lately, it seems that our family is “apart together.” My husband takes the family-room sectional, my teen sons hunker down in their rooms, and I grab the swivel chair in the living room. And so we instituted “Forced Family Fun” Sundays, albeit with mixed success. Yet, these activities make a difference. They remind us how to be family. Today, as we honor the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, let us take a moment to remember that all families are called to be holy. Families are meant to be refuges of unity and peacefulness in an imperfect, sometimes harsh world. As members of a family, we are called to be patient and kind with one another. Let us pray for the grace to emulate the Holy Family. Like us, they certainly faced their challenges and disappointments, and yet they listened to God’s voice in their lives and followed his will. Pray to Mary and St. Joseph for their intercession, and trust in the presence of God in your family. STUDY: Extra-credit opportunity! The Church gives us several options for the readings for the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Quiet your mind and heart and read them all. See what insights the Holy Spirit may have in store for you and your family. |
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020
Fourth Sunday of Advent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: During Advent, we await the One who is perfect grace, light, and joy. The Christ Child’s arrival during a time when darkness has been increasing each day, and our anticipation of that arrival, emphasize his salvific role. For if even the smallest light is a glimmer of hope in the night, how much more is Christ’s perfect and all-consuming light a life-saving flare in the darkness of sin and death. As we hear the angel Gabriel say of Christ, in his visitation to Mary: “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High … and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Emmanuel, God with us, is the reason for our hope, and the reason for our joy. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I don’t know about you, but despite my best intentions, I have been known to get a little swallowed up in the commercialism of Christmas. But this last week of Advent feels like a chance to reorder my mind and heart. One way to do this is by focusing on the “O Antiphons,” prayed during the Church’s evening prayer from December 17-23. Each antiphon begins with the word “O,” and is followed by a title for the Messiah, found in Scripture, and a petition for him to come and save his people. Although this may sound overly complicated, you most likely know of these without realizing it: they have been transposed into the verses of the hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Today’s first reading speaks of David, who thought he could build a place for God to dwell, but he can't. Instead, for us, whom God created and fashioned in his own image, God created a dwelling for his Son, so that he might enter into our human history as one of us; and in doing so, dwell among us and within us forever. Come, Lord Jesus. INVITE: When lighting the final candle on your Advent wreath, invite your family to help you make the prayer interactive. Focus on the lesser-known verses of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, such as the one below – it is an ancient prayer still very relevant today. O King of the Nations O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of humankind; O bid our sad divisions cease, And be for us our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. |
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020
Third Sunday of Advent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
The prophet’s words in the Book of Isaiah are bursting with hope: “The Lord ... has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord.” As we enter the third week of Advent, these words may resonate more deeply for many of us as we look back on 2020. We know that for many of the world’s people, struggle can be an everyday reality; however, after this year marked by pandemic, mourning, racial injustice, and mounting unemployment, the prophet’s hope-filled words may hit home more acutely. Regardless of what 2020 has been like for us, Advent is a reminder that we have reason for hope: in Emmanuel, God with us. Let us prepare our hearts and our minds for Christ’s coming through prayer, confident that the Lord will fulfill the promises of the prophet. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Light! Here in the Midwest in December we don’t see nearly enough of it. Every year I consider purchasing a “happy lamp” and vow to “up” my Vitamin D intake. Perhaps that’s why I was taken by the line in today’s Gospel describing John the Baptist: “He came … to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.” As predicted by John the Baptist and the prophet, Christ came to dwell among us, and remains within us through the Eucharist and the working of the Holy Spirit. We, like John the Baptist, can “testify to the light” by sharing Christ’s presence through our witness to others. WITNESS Last week we focused on making God’s kindness visible through our words and actions toward the people with whom we live and interact regularly; this week, let our witness focus on testifying to the light in our digital presence and encounters. Make your words be those that foster hope and promise rather than incite division. |
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2020
Second Sunday of Advent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
For kids, the weeks before Christmas seem to drag on forever; for many adults, they zip by way too fast (“Second week of Advent, already? Oh my!”). Fortunately for us, God is outside of time – he does not experience the temporal moments as we do. “With the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day,” Peter writes. “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard ‘delay,’ but he is patient with you.” Just as we have the Advent season to prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, God gives us ample time to repent of our sins and grow in “holiness and devotion” as we prepare for his Second Coming. During this rich liturgical season of Advent, let us help prepare the way of the Lord through our words and actions. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Preparation. Preparedness. We use these words in Advent to mark our patient waiting for Jesus to come into our world. But while we are waiting, it is fitting to remember Peter’s question in the second reading: “What sort of persons ought you to be?” That is not simply an Advent question. And the answer is relevant to all days and times of life: Conduct yourselves with “holiness and devotion.” Right living and loving God and neighbor never go out of style. They are the answer to everything. Make wise choices. And, like John the Baptist, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” And perhaps one day, we can be transformed into the people God created us to be. WITNESS Today’s psalmist prays: “Lord, let us see your kindness.” This Advent, be conscientious about your everyday interactions with the people around you, making God’s kindness visible and known to them. |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020
First Sunday of Advent Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Sometimes I grow nostalgic for the laid-back Advents of my childhood: making a list for Santa, digging into the perforated cardboard Advent calendar for chocolate for breakfast, and lighting the Advent wreath (fire!) each Sunday. We all know, however, that the season can quickly become usurped by things to do – shopping, family, cleaning, etc. Today’s readings remind us that this is not what Advent is about. The tone in our Scriptures which begin the Advent season is not subtle. Isaiah asks God to return, to “rend the heavens and come down” – to save and deliver his people. The psalm is equally adamant: “Lord, make us turn to you.” We, as a Church, are waiting for the fullness of the Kingdom on earth, and we must prepare. GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I’m a cradle Catholic, but for me, Advent was always about waiting to celebrate the birth of Christ. I love pulling out the Nativity scene and lighting the candles each week leading to the celebration of Christ’s birth. Only in recent years have I grown in awareness of the dual meaning of Advent – that we Christians also are waiting for Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. I admit, it’s always seemed to me something far into the future and perhaps not applicable to my lifetime here on earth. However, as Jesus reminds us in the Gospel, “You do not know when the Lord of the house is coming.” And while this is true, it not something to fear, but something to prepare for and look forward to! We wait in joyful hope, asking for the grace to remain faithful to our baptism and to live in a way that makes Christ’s presence known to others. STUDY Remember the pre-pandemic holidays? Chances are, you’ve got some extra time on your hands this season. Why not use it to take a deeper dive into Advent this year, by participating in an online Bible study or reading and praying with the Scriptures each day of Advent. |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2020
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Ez 34:11-12, 15-17 | 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28 | Mt 25:31-46
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE Today, we acknowledge and celebrate Christ the King. It’s hard to put this royal image together with today’s Gospel passage, where Jesus is not asking to be treated like a king, but rather instructing us to perform merciful deeds for the least of his brothers and sisters. Yet it is the perfect follow-on to the previous three Sundays’ Scriptures, where Jesus tells us what it means to live a life of holiness, preparation, and faithful investment in the Kingdom. Now we see what awaits those of us who turn over our lives to him, seeing the face of Jesus in the least among us – the poor, the imprisoned, the thirsty, the stranger. “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT I confess that judgment day readings scare me a little. Some days I behave more like a “goat” than a “sheep.” Side note: After a deep dive into the Internet (did you know that sheep have 54 chromosomes and goats have 60?), I’ve concluded that Jesus isn’t talking about farm animals here. He’s talking about us humans and the choices we make or don’t make through sins of omission. The list seems endless if I focus on all the things I could be doing to help others each and every day. Yet, rather than getting caught up in fear or guilt, today’s readings encourage me, and remind me, that Jesus has told us what we need to do to be counted as “sheep” on the last day. ACTIONS: • Choose one corporal work of mercy today and act on it. What does it look like to “visit the sick”? Donate blood; make food for someone who isn’t feeling well; check in on an elderly neighbor. • Do you know some “sheep” – people who radiate faith and kindness to others? Just as you might network with a professional in your field, invite that person out for coffee. Ask them about their faith and how it inspires them in their daily lives. |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2020
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Prv 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31 | 1 Thes 5: 1-6 | Mt 25:14-30
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I’m bemused by the servant in today’s Gospel who basically buries the single talent that was entrusted to him. (A talent was an ancient measuring unit of weight for silver and gold.) Meanwhile, the other two wisely invested the talents entrusted to them, and doubled their money. Building on last week’s Gospel which showed those who were prepared to meet the bridegroom were invited into the wedding feast, this parable challenges us to realize that the invitation to the feast is the beginning, not the end. We are not to rest comfortably with what we have been given – the gift of faith – but to invest in the Kingdom, and to build on that gift of faith. For example, we may have a palpable experience of God’s presence at a retreat or through Eucharistic adoration. However, if that goes no further than being buried as a memory or feel-good experience, we are no better than the wicked, lazy servant. Faith is a gift intended to be put into practice and shared. When we invest in it through the sacraments, serving others, and reading the Scriptures, our faith will continue to grow. PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT So, I’m a bit of a hoarder. I cling to mementoes of days past, whether it’s my son’s first plastic Playskool vacuum (sold at a garage sale by my husband, but that’s another story), a book given to me by a friend, or a treasured letter. I admit I relate to the servant who buried his money for fear he’d lose it. Sometimes I think I cling to memories – relationships and experiences that are important to me – and fail to invest in what makes those memories valuable. A similar dynamic can happen with our faith and our friendship with Jesus. We can go through the motions without giving it much thought. Today’s Gospel challenges us to seek opportunities to grow in our faith and “make new memories” with Jesus – to invest in building the kingdom of God, whether that’s inviting a friend to Mass, returning to the Eucharist ourselves, or spending more time with Scripture. By putting our faith into action in this way, we cannot only grow in our faith, but invite others to come along with us on the journey. ENCOUNTER Find a Eucharistic adoration chapel near you and spend some time with Christ. Thank Jesus for the blessings in your life. Bring him your needs. Ask Jesus to give you his grace that you might grow in union with him. |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2020
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Wis 6:12-16 | 1 Thes 4:13-18 or 4:13-14 | Mt 25:1-13
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Google is a mixed blessing for me. One time, it helped me figure out I had a medical emergency and needed to get to the ER pronto! But a glance at my search history reveals that 99 out of 100 times that I’m searching for wisdom of some sort, I’m searching for things like “meatless Monday recipes,” “best long-run shoes,” or “living room paint colors” (plus 12 variations on each theme). This recognition came to mind when I listened to the words of our first reading. “She [Wisdom] is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.” Hearing this reminds me to spend less time Googling and more time searching for what really matters – God’s love, goodness, and wisdom. The Gospel story of the virgins keeping vigil for the bridegroom expands on this, for it is the wise who are most prepared to sustain their watch. PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Like many people, I have a bookshelf full of self-help books – guides to parenting, figuring out the color of my parachute, various diets, the magic of “tidying up.” Today’s readings have me wondering whether these well-meaning efforts to become “the best version of myself,” or plumb the meaning of life, miss the point. After all, as today’s readings remind us, the source of all wisdom is right before us, in the person of Jesus. We don’t have to have all the answers, we just need to know where to look, and to have the patience and wherewithal to be prepared to receive it. By studying the Scripture and opening our eyes to the presence of God in others and even in the challenges we face, we can grow closer to Jesus and be ready to meet the bridegroom when he comes. REFLECT Read and pray today’s responsorial psalm. (Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. |
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020
SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Rv 7:2-4, 9-14 | 1 Jn 3:1-3 | Mt 5:1-12A
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
In journalism school, a professor admonished future reporters: “Show, don’t tell.” In other words, don’t start a story with a generality such as: “It was a nice day.” Instead, be specific: “The sun shone through the clouds and the air had a hint of the first snow.” This Sunday, we hear Jesus not only tell us, but show us through the poetic language of the beatitudes what holiness looks like. As if that weren’t enough, we celebrate All Saints’ Day, honoring those holy men and women (known and unknown) in heaven whose lives exemplified the beatitudes. Jesus and the saints remind us that we cannot do it alone; we need God’s help to live “blessed” lives. With God’s grace, we, too, can aspire to holiness and sainthood. GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT In his apostolic letter on the call to holiness, Pope Francis reminds us that the beatitudes are not simply platitudes. “Let us allow his words to unsettle us, to challenge us and to demand a real change in the way we live,” he writes. “Otherwise, holiness will remain no more than an empty word.” (Gaudete et Exsultate 66) He points out that we cannot do it alone, but only with the help of the Holy Spirit, who can free us from those stumbling blocks that may hold us back. Strengthened through prayer and the Eucharist, the road to holiness begins by putting one step in front of another – whether that means reordering our priorities, being more patient with our children, friends, or spouse — or aspiring to be what Pope Francis calls the saints next door: “Those who, living in our midst, reflect God’s presence.” (GE 7) REFLECT Read the section on the beatitudes in Chapter 3 of Gaudete et Exsultate, Pope Francis’ 2018 apostolic letter on the call to holiness. Ask the Holy Spirit to help us become the saints “next door” to those we encounter in our daily lives. |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Ex 22:20-26 | 1 Thes 1:5C-10 | Mt 22:34-40
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
In today’s Gospel, Jesus has just silenced one group of religious leaders, the Sadducees (which seems to be quite a feat, if we look at their behavior in the Scripture!) and is now speaking to another group of religious leaders, the Pharisees. Jesus says that the greatest commandment in all the law is actually two: love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul; and love your neighbor as yourself. These two groups of religious leaders like to test him a lot, and while I might want to tell people like them to take a hike, Jesus never does. He always speaks the truth to them, in love, even if he is frustrated with their behavior. GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Sometimes it’s hard to see how three particular readings fit together on a Sunday, but I was struck by how well these do. The first reading, listing ways that we should not behave, can easily be summed up as: love your neighbor as yourself. We all are, or have been, some form of what the Lord mentions: an outsider (alien), vulnerable (widow/orphan), in financial need (loan recipient), or requiring some other assistance (needing a cloak). How do we want others to treat us in those times? Then we should behave the same. It seems like the Thessalonians understood this, for Paul praises them for being a model for other believers. They have a reputation for being truly loving; of turning to God from idols, and serving him. We can be discouraged by our human failings, as all of us living in lockdown/quarantine these recent months know. It may not take much to set us off. But this is where God’s grace can help us to speak truth in love, and be a model for those around us. ACTIONS Reflect on any obstacles to truly loving God with full heart, mind, and soul. Then think creatively about how to love God, and in turn others. • How I can love God with my whole heart? After spending time in prayer, write down how you see God in your family and friends. And then go tell them! • How I can love God with my whole mind? Use “online time” to engage with a faith-related website such as Bishop Barron’s wordonfire.org, or follow Pope Francis on Twitter. • How I can love God with my soul? Pray the litany of humility. |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2020
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Is 45:1, 4-6 | 1 Thes 1:1-5B | Mt 22:15-21
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I took up distance running some years ago, thanks largely to a group of friends who encouraged me along the way. We’d share the peaks and valleys of our lives as we tackled rolling hills. Those long runs come to mind when I hear Paul give thanks to the Thessalonians for having “endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul here speaks of hope in Jesus – a hope that has the risen Christ as its foundation, and is central to the Christian life. When I think of what lies at the end of a long run, such as water and blissful rest, and how grateful I am for these simple pleasures, I cannot help but rejoice in the hope that St. Paul refers to today. Our catechism makes it clear: “We firmly believe, and hence we hope that, just as Christ is truly risen from the dead and lives forever, so after death the righteous will live forever with the risen Christ and he will raise them up on the last day.” (989) GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT During a particularly challenging time, I confided in a close friend over the phone. She didn’t just offer to pray for me, she actually prayed with me on that phone call. I don’t recall her exact words, but she called on Jesus to help me trust that God would see me through. So often, it can be hard to find the words to encourage others in their faith. When that happens, why not bring Jesus into the conversation? It may seem awkward at first, but offering to pray with another person in real time can be a powerful witness and encouragement. As Christians, we don’t rely on “hoping” that everything will work out in the end; instead, we know that our hope is in Christ Jesus. As the catechism says: “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness.” (1817) It doesn’t get much more direct than that. Reflect on what “hope” looks like for us as Christians. And then tell a friend about it. DID YOU KNOW? The source of our second reading today, the First Letter from Paul to the Thessalonians, contains the earliest mention within Christian literature of the three theological virtues: “faith, hope and love.” Reread today’s passage, and then read 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8. In prayer, we can ask God to help us grow in all three virtues and show us ways to share them with others. |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Is 25:6-10A | Phil 4:12-14, 19-20 | Mt 22:1-14 OR 22:1-10
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I would guess we’ve all experienced lean times along with better times. Ramen noodles and boxed mac and cheese in college, fine dining with “rich food and choice wines” once we got real jobs, then back to pizza and beer when balancing school tuition, car payments, and kids’ growing feet. Paul has seen it all and much worse; after all, he is writing from a prison cell! Yet, rather than focus on his own troubles, he expresses gratitude for the support of the Philippians and assures them that God will provide. Paul is not writing about food, fine wine, or financial security, but the “glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” No matter our circumstances, we, too, can trust that God will give us what we need. GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Imagine Paul, stuck in a prison cell – hungry, thirsty, and probably in pain. And yet he seeks to bolster the Philippian Church, assuring them, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me,” and thanking them: “Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.” What a powerful faith, and a witness to gratitude of God’s gifts – including the gift of people who love us. I’ve been fortunate to have met people who, facing a chronic disease, the loss of a loved one, or physical challenges, still seem to be looking out for everyone else. Nearly to a person, they say they draw on their faith – and I’ve had the rare opportunity to hear their stories as an editor for a Catholic magazine. They inspire me to keep talking to God every day, so when that next challenge comes – and it will – I, too, can turn to my faith for strength. And it doesn’t stop there. By our example, we can accompany those around us as they carry their burdens, assuring them that they don’t face their trials alone. PRAY St. Paul says: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” Keep a gratitude journal and write down the ways God has provided for you. Thank God, and then reach out and thank the people who have supported you when things got tough. |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Is 5:1-7 | Phil 4:6-9 | Mt 21:33-43
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Have you ever had that feeling that all is right with the world? Perhaps it’s the cool breeze on a crisp fall day, holding a newborn baby for the first time, or watching your friends or family enjoying each other’s company around the dinner table. These are grace-filled moments that bring to mind St. Paul’s words today which speak of “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.” It can be all too easy to lose sight of them amid the stresses of daily life and a news feed dominated by negativity and catastrophic events. Paul, never one to shy away from taking a stand, is not asking us to bury our heads in the sand, however. His Letter to the Philippians encourages us to “have no anxiety at all,” and turn our thoughts to “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious.” In doing so, we can not only counter the negativity, but persevere in faith as we confront the challenges of 2020. GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Paul goes on to say, in that same reading: “Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.” I think Paul just offered us the secret to a happy life! Allow this passage to speak to you today. Allow God’s peace to permeate your heart and calm the unrest that can so easily creep in these days. And then pray that you can be the true, honorable, and gracious presence in another’s life. Send this passage to a friend who may be hurting in some way, and invite him/her to think of a time recently when they felt the presence of God, the peace of God, in their life. And then offer to accompany them in their struggles – walk beside them and encourage them to “think about these things” that are excellent or worthy of praise. PRAY Focus on the encouragement of St. Paul’s words today and pray Psalms 100, 136, and 148. Pray these sacred hymns of praise and thanksgiving, and then suggest that you pray them together with your friend. |
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Ez 18:25-28 | Phil 2:1-11 or 2:1-5 | Mt 21:28-32
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
I’ve always had a bit of a recalcitrant streak. Ask me to do something, and I’ll happily oblige. Order me to do something, and I’ll set my jaw. So, I can relate to the first son’s knee-jerk reply when told (not asked) to work in the vineyard. “I will not.” Yet, despite this initial reaction, the first son obeyed his father’s command. He “changed his mind and went.” I didn’t see it at first, but this parable is not about a clash of wills but obedience – not blind obedience, but choosing to turn over our lives to the will of the Father. The longer version of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians illustrates this beautifully, challenging us to imitate Jesus: “He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” As human beings, we have the freedom to choose to place God’s will and the needs of others before our own. It doesn’t mean being a doormat, but rather having a healthy humility and willingness to “change our minds (and hearts)” to better conform to the example of Jesus. As the catechism reminds us in this gem about obedience: “The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just.” (1733) GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Have you ever kicked a bad habit, such as eating too many sweets, falling down the social media rabbit hole, or failure to floss? I’ve occasionally pulled it off (well, for a few days anyway), but I find it’s much tougher to change habits of my mind and heart. In today’s Gospel, the first son changes his mind, and his heart. This is what Jesus asks of us as well: a change of heart and mind toward love and obedience, wherever it is needed in our lives. For starters, it could mean taking a few moments to pray for guidance each morning before jumping full-speed ahead into our personal agenda. We can ask God to show us how to align our lives more closely with his will for us – through prayer, reading the Scriptures, and reflecting on areas in our lives that need an overhaul. Our “yes” to working in the vineyard begins by attending to what God has shown us, and leads us to even greater freedom in Christ. PRAY Need a spiritual jump-start? Pray the Daily Examen, an ancient practice from St. Ignatius Loyola of peacefully reflecting on the events of the day in order to detect the presence of God’s Spirit and discern his will for you. |
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2020
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Is 55:6-9 | Phil 1:20C-24; 27A | Mt 20:1-16A
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Today’s parable about the workers in the vineyard reminds me of a popular paraphrase of a famous Theodore Roosevelt quote, “Envy is the thief of joy.” No matter how much or how little we have, we can find someone who appears better off or happier, or appears to have received more than they deserve. Take, for example, the vineyard workers in today’s Gospel. Those who arrived first for work were upset and envious, because the last to arrive were the first to be paid – and they were paid the same wages as those who had been first to arrive. Envy robbed the all-day workers of joy: joy in a job well-done and being paid the just wage due to them; joy in celebrating the generosity of the landowner, and of living in the kingdom of heaven begun here on earth, content with and grateful for everything God has provided for each one of us. Although envy may indeed be the thief of joy, joy can be ours when we appreciate what we have and quit comparing ourselves to others. It also frees us to share our gifts and truly walk with others through the ups and downs of our lives as we work together in God’s vineyard. GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Today’s parable has me thinking: When I feel envious of another’s good fortune (sparkling clean house, teenaged boys who smile for photos), perhaps one way to counter that would be to talk through those feelings with God: “Help me be content with what I have. Thank you for the ways you have blessed my friends and me, and for the people in my life who hold me up in good times and bad.” Just as the landowner was generous with the laborers, and God is immensely generous with us, let us make an effort this week to be generous in sharing the gifts in our lives with others. When we radiate gratitude and joy in our daily lives as Jesus’ disciples, and let the Holy Spirit work through us in leading others to him, our witness to others will bear much fruit. ACTION Make a list of the gifts in our lives: Health, family, sparkly new earrings, a shiny lawn mower, you name it. Next, choose a “gift” you can share with others, and be specific: “I will make a card for Grandma today.” “I will donate (fill in the blank) to the food and clothing pantry on Monday.” “I will volunteer to be a greeter at Mass every other Sunday.” |
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2020
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE Ez 33:7-9 | Rom 13:8-10 | Mt 18:15-20
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Pop quiz: What’s the Seventh Commandment? Can you recite the other nine? At first glance, Paul’s Letter to the Romans seems like an easy out. The commandments, he writes, “are summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Easy-peasy, right? Well, in this case the devil is not in the details, but in the totality. Most days, loving one’s neighbor as yourself is harder than following the letter of the law. It means putting others first in a culture where rugged individualism is rewarded. In an everyday way, it means letting the person with four items and 23 coupons go in front of us at the grocery store, listening with an open mind to those with whom we disagree, or driving our parent to the doctor’s office on a day we had hoped to attend our daughter’s basketball game. When those situations come up, we know we don’t have to go it alone. After all, God loved us first. As we move into the week ahead, we can ask God in prayer to open our hearts and minds to the needs of others, and help us love better by serving them, even when it’s hard. GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT Who doesn’t love a romantic comedy? (Well, I can name four men of varying ages in my household.) Paul might have been one of them. His Letter to the Romans is more head than heart, grounded in rock-solid logic: “Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.” The line reminds me of one of the most famous tenets of the Hippocratic Oath: “First, do no harm.” Surely, on some days, “doing no evil” or “doing no harm” may feel like enough. But as Christians, we can do so much more. I’m reminded of a generous couple who would pray together each morning asking God to show them how they could best help others. They understood the message of today’s Gospel, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Knowing that Jesus was at their side, they prepared to face whatever the day brought them. Is there someone this week you can accompany on their faith journey, or invite to join you in Christian service? PRAY By starting the day with a simple prayer like this: “God, show me how I can serve others today,” or “God, open my heart to the needs around me,” we may be pleasantly surprised at the opportunities to grow in love that we encounter. |
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE Jer 20:7-9 | Rom 12:1-2 | Mt 16:21-27
ROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: I missed baseball this past spring and early summer. Perhaps it’s because I am a Cubs fan, but I’m amazed at how humbling the game can be. It’s not uncommon to see yesterday’s MVP strike out with the bases loaded or an ace relief pitcher blow a save. I wonder if that’s how Peter felt when Jesus rebuked him. In last week’s Gospel, Peter recognizes Jesus as the Son of the Living God. Jesus blesses him and tells him, “Upon this rock I will build my Church.” However, today, after Jesus tells the disciples that he must suffer and die, Peter argues with him. Jesus knocks Peter down a few notches when he calls the would-be rock “an obstacle.” But the winning line here is: “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Imagine how incomprehensible it was to Peter that Jesus would suffer, die, and rise on the third day. Like Peter, we will have days when we “get it right” and feel in sync with Jesus, and days when we feel like we’re chasing the ball in the sun, and yesterday’s peace and certainty seem out of reach. In both instances, Jesus reminds us that God really does know best. Whether we’re at the top of our game or struggling, it’s reassuring to know that God is our rock – and has a plan. GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE GO: Sometimes my prayers get pretty specific. Please make the chemo obliterate my friend’s cancer. Help my husband find a job. Show my son which career path he should choose and help him succeed. When I’m not making God an oncologist, recruiter, or career counselor, I am known to ask him to be a divine meteorologist (Please no rain tomorrow, thank you!). There is nothing wrong with asking for what we desire, or need. But today’s Gospel alerts us of the temptation to tell God how to be God. For Peter, it was saying, “Surely you need not suffer and die.” Jesus reminds Peter, and us, that we don’t know how best to accomplish our salvation. God does. And so, in our prayers and our approach to life, we can ask for God’s healing and help, but we also need to trust in God’s plan and understand that his answers may not be what we have in mind. PRAY/REFLECT: It’s OK to bring God our to-do list! I’m reminded, however, of a spiritual director who suggested I try to talk less and listen more. It may mean carving out some quiet time each time we pray. Another way to give ourselves over to God’s wisdom is by simply reciting the Our Father and paying close attention to the words: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” |
Grow+Go Introduction
This week, we are introducing Grow+Go, content designed to help parishioners understand what it means to be an evangelizing disciple of Christ. Using the Sunday Scriptures as the basis for reflection, Grow+Go offers insight into how we can all more fully GROW as disciples and then GO evangelize, fulfilling Christ's Great Commission to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) The concept behind the weekly series is to make discipleship and evangelization simple, concrete and relatable. Look for Grow+Go in our weekly bulletin and on our parish website.
This week, we are introducing Grow+Go, content designed to help parishioners understand what it means to be an evangelizing disciple of Christ. Using the Sunday Scriptures as the basis for reflection, Grow+Go offers insight into how we can all more fully GROW as disciples and then GO evangelize, fulfilling Christ's Great Commission to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) The concept behind the weekly series is to make discipleship and evangelization simple, concrete and relatable. Look for Grow+Go in our weekly bulletin and on our parish website.
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