Podcast – Three Great Things

Jesus speaks to Nicodemus, revealing God’s love for the world through the Cross of Christ. Mass Readings – The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (#638) We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world!

Let’s explore some of the themes in the Mass Readings for the 25th Sunday of the Year. 1st Reading – Isaiah 55:6-9 Psalm – 145:2-3,8-9,17-18 2nd Reading – Philippians 1:20c-24,27a Gospel – Matthew 20:1-16a Mass Readings – 25th Sunday of the Year (#133)

Jesus offers a parable that makes it clear that forgiveness is non-negotiable for a disciple of Christ. Mass Readings – 24th Sunday of the Year (#130)

Jesus offers two rich spiritual insights that have tremendous potential to guide our lives. Mass Readings – Saturday of the 23rd Week of the Year (#442) Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

Jesus offers practical spiritual advice that urges us to examine with a humble heart our own faults first before we call out the sins of others. Mass Readings – Friday of the 23rd Week of the Year (#441)

Jesus exhorts his disciples to love, forgive, give, bless, pray, and stop judging and condemning one another…for the measure with which we measure will be measured back to us! Mass Readings – Thursday of the 23rd Week of the Year (#440)

Jesus speaks of blessings and woes, reminding us that in the ups and downs of life we cultivate gratitude so that we can keep ourselves grounded regarding our need for God. Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 23rd Week of the Year (#439) St. Peter Claver, pray for us!

In the midst of the messy reality that flows through our family, friendships, and relationships in the course of our lives, God is with us – weaving and guiding grace into the fabric of our lives. Mass Readings – The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (#636) Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

The Lord teaches us that to seek goodness and life guides us how to live our lives with vibrant faith in the midst of the many options and choices that we face each day. Mass Readings – Monday of the 23rd Week of the Year (#437)

Here are some of the themes that we find in the Mass readings for the 24th Sunday of the Year. 1st Reading – Sirach 27:30-28:9 Psalm – 103:1-4,9-12 2nd Reading – Romans 14:7-9 Gospel – Matthew 18:21-35 Mass Readings – 24th Sunday of the Year (#130)

The Lord offers profound, practical wisdom to engage in moments of conflict, daring to have hard conversations so that we can overcome division and foster healing and reconciliation. Mass Readings – 23rd Sunday of the Year (#127)

We profess with all our hearts that Jesus Christ is Lord…and we configure our lives accordingly. Mass Readings – Saturday of the 22nd Week of the Year (#436) St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!

Psalm 37 inspires us to turn to the Lord for salvation, joy, and hope! Mass Readings – Friday of the 22nd Week of the Year (#435)

Jesus invites Peter and the first disciples to join him and become fishers-of-men. Mass Readings – Thursday of the 22nd Week of the Year (#434) St. Gregory the Great, pray for us!

The crowds draw near to Jesus as he teaches, preaches, drives out demons, and cure the sick. Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 22nd Week of the Year (#433)

Jesus reveals his power and authority when recognized by a demon, inviting us to call upon the Lord when we confront evil in our lives. Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 22nd Week of the Year (#432)

The Lord returns to Nazareth and the people – trapped in the childhood past of Jesus – are unable to recognize the God at work in their midst. Mass Readings – Monday of the 22nd Week of the Year (#431)

Here are some of the main themes in the Mass Readings for the 23rd Sunday of the Year. 1st Reading – Ezekiel 33:7-9 Psalm – 95:1-2,6-9 2nd Reading – Romans 13:8-10 Gospel – Matthew 18:15-20 Mass Readings – 23rd Sunday of the Year (#127)

Jesus speaks to Peter and calls out Satan’s temptation, inspiring us to engage in our own personal spiritual warfare, knowing that when we seek to follow Christ we will be tempted to stray. In those moments, we call upon our faith in Christ! Mass Readings – 22nd Sunday of the Year (#124)

The cruel death of John the Baptist reveals the reality of evil in our world, inspiring us to engage our faith in the face of darkness. Mass Readings – The Passion of St. John the Baptist (#430/634) St. John the Baptist, pray for us!

Christ offers a parable that invites us to be prepared to bring our best effort each day, facing the challenges and emergencies that are part of the adventures of daily life. Mass Readings – Friday of the 21st Week of the Year (#429) St. Augustine, pray for us!

Each day is a special gift, and when we remain awake, alert, and vigilant we recognize this gift from God and live it to the best of our ability. Mass Readings – Thursday of the 21st Week of the Year (#428) St. Monica, pray for us!

Paul’s message to the Thessalonians exhorts us to take a close look at what we are doing with the gift of lives each and every day. We’ve got work to do! Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 21st Week of the Year (#427)

Our spiritual life grows from the inside out, reminding us to pay careful attention to what we put into our hearts, minds, and souls. Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 21st Week of the Year (#426) St. Louis & St. Joseph Calasanz, pray for us!

Psalm 145 reminds us that God’s majestic kingdom is proclaimed through our words and actions as we follow Jesus Christ with all our hearts. Mass Readings – Feast of St. Bartholomew (#629) St. Bartholomew, pray for us!

Here are some of the central themes in the Mass readings for the 22nd Sunday of the Year. 1st Reading – Jeremiah 20:7-9 Psalm – 63:2-6,8-9 2nd Reading – Romans 12:1-2 Gospel – Matthew 16:21-27 Mass Readings – 22nd Sunday of the Year (#124)

Peter professes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God…inviting us to make the same life-changing profession from our hearts. Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year (#121)

Jesus teaches his disciples that the path to greatness occurs through humble service, recognizing that it is the Lord who is at the center of our lives. Mass Readings – Saturday of the 20th Week of the Year (#424) Holy Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us!

Jesus cites Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 to summarize the two greatest commandments: to love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Mass Readings – Friday of the 20th Week of the Year (#423) St. Pius X, pray for us!

Jesus offers a challenging parable that exhorts us to respond to God’s invitation, mindful that our choices will result in eternal consequences. Mass Readings – Thursday of the 20th Week of the Year (#422) St. Bernard, pray for us!

Jesus offers a parable that promises us hope that there is still time to turn to the Lord and offer our lives in his service. Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 20th Week of the Year (#421) St. John Eudes, pray for us!

Jesus offers a sobering teaching about the obstacle that riches can become, keeping us from the path that leads to eternal life. Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 20th Week of the Year (#420)

Jesus meets a young man who is eager to gain eternal life, but walks away sad because he is hampered by his many possessions. Mass Readings – Monday of the 20th Week of the Year (#419)

Let’s explore some of the themes in the Mass readings for the 21st Sunday of the Year. 1st Reading – Isaiah 22:19-23 Psalm – 138:1-3,6,8 2nd Reading – Romans 11:33-36 Gospel – Matthew 16:13-20 Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year (#121)

A Canaanite woman persists and does not quit in her desire to ask Jesus to heal her daughter. Mass Readings – 20th Sunday of the Year (#118)

Mary’s Magnificat inspires us to proclaim God’s glory in all aspects of our lives. Mass Readings – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (#622) Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us!

The Pharisees attempt to test Jesus with the painful question of divorce. Mass Readings – Friday of the 19th Week of the Year (#417) St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!

Jesus responds to Peter’s question about forgiveness with a powerful parable and a crucial command. Mass Readings – Thursday of the 19th Week of the Year (#416) St. Pontian & St. Hippolytus, pray for us!

Jesus offers rich spiritual insight into different dynamics of our human relationships, helping us to heal when there is a problem and grow together in God’s grace. Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 19th Week of the Year (#415) St. Jane Frances de Chantal, pray for us!

Jesus teaches the disciples about how a person becomes great in the kingdom of heaven. Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 19th Week of the Year (#414) St. Clare, pray for us!

Jesus offers a parable about a grain of wheat to illustrate the journey of death to new life that we find in the Paschal Mystery of Christ. Mass Readings – Monday of the 19th Week of the Year (#618) St. Lawrence, pray for us!

Jesus offers a sobering reflection on the reality of final judgment, inviting us to reflect on our lives now and adjust accordingly. Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 17th Week of the Year (#402)

Jesus offers a couple of parables that reveal the power of starting small in our spiritual practice and continuing with discipline and consistency. Mass Readings – Monday of the 17th Week of the Year (#401)

Let’s examine some of the themes in the readings for Mass on this 18th Sunday of the Year. 1st Reading – Isaiah 55:1-3 Psalm – 145:8-9,15-18 2nd Reading – Romans 8:35,37-39 Gospel – Matthew 14:13-21 Mass Readings: 18th Sunday of the Year (#112)

Jesus shows how the Kingdom of Heaven is a treasure beyond measure or price, and we embrace this treasure when we place the Lord at the center of our lives. Mass Readings – 17th Sunday of the Year (#109)

Jesus responds to a request from the mother of the sons of Zebedee, turning a moment of weakness into a spiritual insight that leads to service. Mass Readings – Feast of St. James, Apostle (#605) St. James, pray for us!

Jeremiah offers us a powerful image about the strength and protection we have from God. Mass Readings – Friday of the 16th Week of the Year (#399) St. Sharbel Makhluf, pray for us!

Psalm 36 invites us to draw our strength from the Lord, the fountain of our lives. Mass Readings – Thursday of the 16th Week of the Year (#398) St. Bridget, pray for us!

Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the Risen Lord inspires us to turn to Christ and trust in him. Mass Readings – Feast of St. Mary Magdalene (#603) St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us!

Christ welcomes us into his family when we do the will of our heavenly Father. Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 16th Week of the Year (#396) St. Lawrence of Brindisi, pray for us!