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A homily for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C 8/17/2025
What do you want to be? What does the Lord want of you? Enjoy this week's homily.
Read Online“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Luke 12:51–53Jesus introduces this passage by saying, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” The “fire” of which He speaks is His purifying fire of mercy that He poured forth from the Cross as He offered His life for the salvation of the world. His mercy is given to free us from our sins and to cleanse our souls so that God Himself can come to dwell within us. This is why we exist. God wants to dwell within us, and He wants us to be in perfect union with Him.One of the glorious effects of uniting yourself to God is that this union also brings about a spiritual bond with others who are united to God. We are made for communion with God, but also for communion with each other. God especially invites family members to share in this unity. Though there are many levels of friendship and unity we can have with each other, the deepest bonds come from two souls each being united to God. For example, two people may both like the same sports team or have the same interests, resulting in a bond or form of friendship. This is good. But when each of those friends also is deeply united to God, the unity comes from God and not from something more superficial.The challenging Gospel passage above reveals to us what happens when one or more members of a household fail to open themselves to the cleansing fire of God's love and, therefore, fail to live in union with God. The result is disunity, at least on the deepest and truest level. God is not the cause of disunity; sin is. When one person is united to God and another is immersed in a life of sin, true spiritual unity is not possible. Of course the two might still share some common interests and might even superficially get along each day, but there will never be an experience of authentic spiritual friendship and communion if God is absent from one or both hearts.When Jesus says that He has come to establish division within a household, He is simply pointing out that there will indeed be a division within a household when all are not united to God. Additionally, Jesus is warning us that if someone within our household tries to draw us into a life of sin with them, that person's invitation must be rejected. And when that happens, that rejection is often experienced as a rejection of the person and results in even greater disunity. The bottom line is that it is not possible to be authentically united in sin or any form of lie. Reflect, today, upon the deepest spiritual desire you have. If you are honest with yourself, you will discover that this deepest desire in your heart is the desire for love. We are made to give and receive love. First, this desire is fulfilled by opening ourselves to the love of God. When that happens, we will be able to share God's love with others and receive God's love from them. Nothing in life could be more fulfilling than this. Most merciful Lord, You came to unite all people in Your love, but when Your love is rejected we live in disunity. Please come to me and dwell more fully within me so that Your presence in my life will not only bring about a spiritual communion with You, but also with those who share this same love. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via UnsplashSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
What does it mean to be ready? Enjoy this week's homily.
A homily for the 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C 8/10/2025
Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have the servants recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.” Luke 12:35–37Vigilance, hard work, determination, attentiveness, fidelity—these are some of the qualities that Jesus is speaking about. To “gird your loins” means that you are immediately prepared for some challenging task. You are ready for the hard work ahead and are committed to it. To “light your lamps” implies that you are not in the dark but that your mind is enlightened in such a way that you are able to see that which is the will of God.As we go through life, it is easy to become complacent in the things of faith. It is easy to become lazy, disinterested, distracted, and unfocused. This parable goes on to speak of a thief who tries to break into a house in the middle of the night. This is Jesus' way of saying that the evil one, with his lies and attacks, is constant, vicious, forceful, and unpredictable. For that reason, we must never grow tired of being vigilant in the spiritual life and must always be attentive to the light of God's voice.How attentive are you to the mission of Christ on a daily basis? This is an essential question to answer honestly. Most people will find that they become distracted from the mission God has given to them. We experience countless things every day that compete for our attention. Many of those competing voices might not appear to be sinful. For example, perhaps a certain hobby has become the dominant focus of your free time. Or perhaps responsibilities at work have spilled over into your family time. Or perhaps some painful or even enjoyable experience has had your full attention for some time. Though it is obvious that sinful distractions in life are evil, it might not always be as obvious that there are many other neutral distractions that are a real problem. The problems they can produce are a lack of attentiveness to the will of God and a lack of readiness to engage the will of God the moment He calls.Imagine, for example, that a very important person calls you to ask for a favor. Most likely you would drop all you were doing and respond immediately. But, sadly, when the King of the Universe attempts to speak to us and inspire us to some mission, we can be too distracted to even listen, let alone respond with immediacy and zeal. This is a problem. If, however, a person is continually attentive to the voice of God and responds to His interior promptings as soon as they are received, then Jesus says that this person is truly blessed and that He will “have the servants recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.” In other words, the result of being vigilant in our attentiveness to the inspirations of God is that God Himself will reward us with His service. He will invite us to the table of spiritual rest, peace, joy, and fulfillment. He will serve us His mercy, which will be more than we could ever imagine. Reflect, today, upon the call from God to always be attentive to His voice the instant He speaks. Reflect upon how aware you are of His constant presence in your life and His ongoing communication. Know that if you can form a habit of always listening, then you will never miss out on the grace-filled mission given to you by our Lord. Always listen to Him, seek out His still and gentle voice, and be ready to respond to Him every time He calls. My ever-speaking Lord, You have so much to say and so much to reveal. Please enlighten my mind and strengthen my resolve to always listen to you and respond with all my heart. Your will is perfect and will lead me to a life of the deepest joy and fulfillment. May I believe this with all my heart and act accordingly. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe Stock Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
In a time marked by grief and farewells, Fr. Michael reflects on the true measure of a life well lived. Drawing from recent funerals and the Gospel parable of the rich man, this homily challenges us to place our finances in God's hands and to remember that love, not wealth, is what endures. Greed divides, but sacrificial love unites. What will your legacy be?
We cannot find the infinite in the finite. Enjoy this week's homily.
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. -Year C - Sunday, 10 August 2025 (EPISODE: 542) Readings for Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.- Year C FIRST READING: Wisdom 18:6-9 Psalm 33:1+12, 18-19, 20-22. “Happy the people the Lord has chosen to be his own” SECOND READING: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 or 11:1-2, 8-12 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matt 24:42a+44). Alleluia, alleluia! Be watchful and ready. You know not when the Son of Man is coming. GOSPEL: Luke 12:32-48 or 12:35-40 +++ Image Credit-https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/8xWkiviR3vzOunHErlm2?ru=Paul-Evangelion Stay alert. Be ready. Be about the work of the master that you've been given. +++++ References: Homily Fr Paul W. Kelly **ACTION 2000 – PRAYING SCRIPTURE IN A CONTEMPORARY WAY. YEAR C. BY MARK LINK S.J; PrepareTheWord.com. PrepareTheWord.com, ©2012, TrueQuest Communications). ++++++++ You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by visting here: https://surfersparadiseparish.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=85b9ddd594b242276d423bfe9&id=002282d9e0 Details relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog: "Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL) Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA) "The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers. Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney Australia). Sung "Mass in Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org. "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - In memory of William John Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. “Quiet Time.” Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020. “Today I Arise” - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly. Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer. Editing equipment: -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software). NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software) Sound Processing: iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.) Text transcription as per recorded podcast version is transcribed by TurboScribe.ai {excellent and accurate transcription from voice to text} [Production - KER - 2025] May God bless and keep you.
Homily for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year C - Aug 3, 2025 Readings for the Mass: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080325.cfm
Homily for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C).God has given us many good things, but not to use solely for our own pleasure, but to use for the good of others. In other words, material wealth is only a means to an end, and we can't lose sight of the end, which isn't to be found in this world that is passing away, but in the world to come. This is why St. Paul says in our second reading from his letter to the Colossians that we must “think of what is above, not of what is on earth” (Col 3:2). And then he says something that sounds curious: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3).
Read OnlineSomeone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Luke 12:13–14Many things in life are not fair. Children are keenly aware of this any time they sense they have been cheated by a sibling. They complain to their parents, just as the person in the crowd quoted above complained to Jesus about his brother. We want justice and can become quite upset when we feel that we have been dealt an injustice.The passage above is interesting because Jesus gently but clearly refuses to be the arbiter of justice for this man. It may indeed be the case that he was cheated out of his inheritance by his brother. But it's interesting that Jesus not only refuses to resolve the dispute, He then goes on to teach about greed, suggesting that the cheated man was acting out of greed.If you were cheated out of your inheritance by a sibling, how would you react? If a sibling were to do this, it would clearly be a sin and an injustice. But the question at hand is your reaction to being cheated. Being cheated by another might result in one of two responses. The most common response is to immediately seek justice, to fight back. But this is not always what God will inspire us to do. Instead, when we experience injustice, we are given an opportunity to love on a very deep level. And this must be our response. This is why Jesus said we must love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. In the big picture of eternity, earthly injustices are always an opportunity for grace. This is evident by simply looking at the gravest injustice of the suffering and death of the Son of God. Jesus did not complain about being so cruelly treated. He did not call on the angels of Heaven to destroy the Pharisees and Romans who attacked Him. Instead, Jesus used the injustice inflicted upon Him as a foundation for His gift of salvation.As we journey through this life, we need to decide whether we are going to live for this life or for eternity. We cannot have both. However, by choosing to live for eternity, we also enhance our lives here on earth in ways that nothing in this world can match. For example, say you experienced the unfortunate situation of extreme poverty. Say you were cheated out of your home and possessions and were left with nothing. Would this make you miserable? It might, but it doesn't have to. Instead, such an unfortunate circumstance has the potential for you to live day-by-day, trusting in God's providential care and to offer mercy in the face of injustice. And that is good. It is good for your eternal soul. It is good because it will motivate you to trust God on a very deep level and to become a beacon of God's mercy. By contrast, if you had everything you could ever want in this world, it would be seriously tempting to rely less upon God and more upon the things you possess in this world. But the things of this world cannot save your eternal soul. In fact, they are a serious hindrance to your ability to trust in God alone. So, truth be told, poverty and injustice actually open the door to an opportunity for much more grace in our lives than material wealth does. But so often we still long to have more and more of the things of this world. Reflect, today, upon the spiritual and eternal blessings that come from relying solely upon God and not upon material wealth. This is a hard lesson for most people to learn. If this is your struggle, then try to take on the eternal perspective. Try to look beyond the temporary stability and pleasures that come from accumulating earthly wealth, so that you will see the eternal riches that come from seeking God alone. Everything in this world will one day pass away. In the light of that fact, recommit yourself to the embrace of God's riches by loving others through every injustice you encounter in life.Most merciful Lord, You endured the greatest injustice ever known. But in the face of that injustice, You offered mercy and the gift of salvation, transforming that injustice into the greatest act of love ever offered. Help me to imitate Your merciful heart and to see injustice, poverty, and every difficulty I encounter as an opportunity to turn more fully to You. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Église Saint-Martin de Castelnau-d'Estrétefonds, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
The readings invite us to learn discernment, to ask ourselves what is my relationship with material goods. How do I balance this relationship and learn how to be 'rich in what matters to God' as I journey in this life.Please find the readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080325.cfm
In this tender homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the death of a beloved parishioner and invites us to rediscover the realism and intimacy of prayer. Drawing from the tradition of wakes, the symbolism of the Easter candle, and the gospel's call to “knock and it will be opened,” he guides us to pray as Jesus taught: not with an agenda, but with open hearts ready to rest in the Father. A moving meditation on death, purgatory, and the transforming power of heartfelt prayer.
Jesus gives his masterclass on prayer. Enjoy this week's homily.
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. -Year C - Sunday, 3 August 2025 (EPISODE: 541) Readings for Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.- Year C FIRST READING: Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14+17 (diff). “In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge” SECOND READING: Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matt 5:3). Alleluia, alleluia! Happy the poor in Spirit; The Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. GOSPEL: Luke 12:13-21 +++++++++++++ References: Fr Paul W. Kelly **SHARING THE WORD THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR. GUSTAVO GUTIERREZ. Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/sjoqDJ8kniw9KjrdwMBY/first-century-palestine-the-parable-of-the-rich-man-who-stores-all-his-grain-in-barns-only-to-die-th?ru=Paul-Evangelion +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by visting here: https://surfersparadiseparish.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=85b9ddd594b242276d423bfe9&id=002282d9e0 Details relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog: "Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL) Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA) "The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers. Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney Australia). Sung "Mass in Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org. "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - In memory of William John Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. “Quiet Time.” Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020. “Today I Arise” - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly. Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer. Editing equipment: -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software). NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software) Sound Processing: iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.) Text transcription as per recorded podcast version is transcribed by TurboScribe.ai {excellent and accurate transcription from voice to text} [Production - KER - 2025] May God bless and keep you.
A homily for the 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C 7/27/2025
We have learned how to talk to God but few of us are in tune with how He speaks to us. We are His sheep, and we can hear the voice of the good shepherd!17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Homily for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year C - July 27, 2025 Readings for the Mass: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072725.cfm
Homily for 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C on Prayer
Read OnlineJesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1In today's Gospel we are given three teachings on prayer. First, Jesus teaches His disciples what has come to be called “The Lord's Prayer.” Second, He teaches about the importance of persistence in prayer. Third, He teaches about the fruit that comes from correct and persistent prayer.The Church Father Tertullian said that The Lord's Prayer “is truly the summary of the whole Gospel.” Saint Augustine said, “Run through all the words of the holy prayers [in Scripture], and I do not think that you will find anything in them that is not contained and included in the Lord's Prayer.” Saint Thomas Aquinas said, “The Lord's Prayer is the most perfect of prayers.... In it we ask, not only for all the things we can rightly desire, but also in the sequence that they should be desired” (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church #2761–2763).It's amazing to consider what these great teachers of the faith have said about this short prayer. Perhaps because of our familiarity with this prayer we can easily gloss over the depth of its meaning. We can fail to use it as a foundation and model for all of our prayer. One way to correct this tendency is to use The Lord's Prayer for an extended period of time by prayerfully pondering every word slowly and meditatively. Doing so will help open us up to these perfect “instructions” on how we should pray.Immediately after Jesus taught this short prayer, He taught a lesson about persistence in prayer. He taught that we must not simply say a few prayers and leave it at that, giving up if they do not appear to be answered. Instead, we must continuously beg God for His grace until it is bestowed in its fullness.What will we receive from persistent prayer? This is an important point. We ought not go to God with our own wants and desires. We ought not beg Him for things that do not fall within His perfect will. Instead, when our prayer is modeled on the Lord's Prayer, and when it is persistent and grounded in faith, then our prayer will be for what the Father bestows upon us, that is His will alone. We must pray that His Kingdom will come. We must trust that He will provide for our needs. We must seek His forgiveness for our sins, and we must pray that He will protect us from the evil one.Reflect, today, upon that perfect prayer, The Lord's Prayer. Spend time studying it, thinking about each petition, the order in which Jesus laid it out, its simplicity and its clarity. Acknowledge that because we pray The Lord's Prayer so often, we can sometimes miss its true meaning and beauty. Our Lord gave us this prayer for a reason. Make sure that you do all you can to discover its meaning and practice its teaching. Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
Grace in WickednessThe readings are quite pragmatic in describing evil and wickedness are powerfully present in the world. Thankfully we have God's grace protecting those who draw upon it through prayer. Come and pray the Our Father for God's grace.https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072725.cfm
Readings for Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.- Year C FIRST READING: Genesis 18:20-32 Psalm 138:1-2a, 2b-3, 6-7a, 7b-8. “Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me” SECOND READING: Colossians 2:12-14 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Rom 8:15bc). Alleluia, alleluia! You have received the Spirit which makes us God's children. And in that Spirit we call God our Father. GOSPEL: Luke 11:1-13 Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/uNLh50S2X5VrsVEYYipQ/jesus-alone-at-prayer-to-his-heavenly-father?ru=Paul-Evangelion References: Fr Paul W. Kelly ** (this paragraph adapted from _) THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF LUKE. (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY. +++++++++++++++++++++ Memorial Acclamation 1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Psalm 138:1-2a, 2b-3, 6-7a, 7b-8. “Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me” GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Rom 8:15bc). ). Alleluia, alleluia! You have received the Spirit which makes us God's children. And in that Spirit we call God our Father. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PREFACE: Ordinary 2 Eucharistic Prayer 4 (theme variation: theme 3 ) (post version: v1-long) ++++ {1. Thanks for joining us for this time of prayer and reflection} 3. Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life. ++++++++ Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by visting here: https://surfersparadiseparish.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=85b9ddd594b242276d423bfe9&id=002282d9e0 Details relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog: "Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL) Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA) "The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers. Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney Australia). Sung "Mass in Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org. "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - In memory of William John Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. “Quiet Time.” Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020. “Today I Arise” - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly. Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer. Editing equipment: -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software). NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Master's Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software) Sound Processing: iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.) Text transcription as per the recorded podcast version is transcribed by TurboScribe.ai {excellent and accurate transcription from voice to text} [Production KER 2025] May God bless and keep you.
Our relationship with God is not a transactional relationship. Enjoy this week's homily.
Homily for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year C - July 20, 2025 Readings for the Mass: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072025.cfm
Read OnlineJesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Luke 10:38–39It's interesting that it was Martha who welcomed Jesus, but it was Mary who sat at His feet listening to Him. As the story goes on, we discover that Martha took her responsibility of hospitality seriously; she was very busy preparing a meal. But it appears that Mary needed a different form of hospitality from our Lord Himself. As Martha prepared to feed Jesus so as to care for His physical hunger, Mary sought to be fed by our Lord so as to feed her spiritual hunger. And interestingly, it was the generosity of Martha who was diligent in preparing the meal that made it possible for her sister to receive the spiritual food she longed for.When we read this story, we can easily become critical of Martha because she complained to Jesus about her sister. It is easy to see Martha's frustration in her words, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” And though Martha may have been a little impatient, Jesus' response to her was gentle and corrective. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” What was that “better part?” It was Mary's prayerful attentiveness to Jesus. She was hungry for His teaching, and Jesus offered it to her in a very personal and loving way. And though this image of Mary before Jesus is a beautiful image to ponder and to use as a model of our own prayer, there is also something important to be said about Martha's role in making Mary's prayer possible.Because Martha was diligent in taking care of the duties of hospitality, Mary felt the freedom to sit at Jesus' feet. Perhaps the ideal response from Martha would have been to notice that Mary was being spiritually fed by our Lord and to rejoice in that fact, giving her the continued freedom to sit at Jesus' feet. If Martha would have realized this, then she would have continued working in the background so that her sister could continue listening to Jesus. But even though Martha did interrupt this sacred moment for her sister, the fact remains that her initial diligence in taking care of preparing the meal did give Mary some time alone with Jesus.In a similar way, we will all be given various opportunities in life to take care of the daily mundane tasks that are needed within a family or community. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that unless everyone does their equal part, then things are not fair. But being “fair” should not be our focus. True charity, especially within the family, means that, first and foremost, we look for opportunities to better the lives of those around us. For example, spending extra time cleaning a home so that others can enjoy it more adds much to family life. Or spending hours preparing a nice meal for family or friends may afford everyone the opportunity of time well spent together. These are only a couple of the countless ways that our diligence and generosity toward others is fruitful, especially within family life.Reflect, today, upon these two women and the unique calling they each were given at the time of Jesus' visit to their house. One was called to be fed by our Lord as she sat at His feet. The other was called to work hard so as to make it easier for her sister to receive that spiritual nourishment. Know that both of these callings are important. For that reason, if God calls you to be more like Martha at times, rejoice in that fact and work hard at serving in many ways.If God calls you to be more like Mary at times, then rejoice in those moments and sit prayerfully at the feet of our Lord, being fed by His holy Words. My gentle Lord, when You came to the home of Martha and Mary, You fed Mary with Your Word and fed Martha by your gentle correction. I thank You for these two women and the roles they both play in teaching me how to love and to serve. May I always be diligent in my service to others, and may I always embrace every moment that You invite me to sit at Your feet in prayer. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Johannes Vermeer, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
A Walk in The Word : A Journey through the Sunday Mass Readings with Hector Molina
Join Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina as he explores the Mass Readings for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.Mass Readings:Dt 30;10-14Psalm 69Luke 10;25-37"A Walk in The Word" podcast is a weekly bible study and reflection on the Sunday Mass readings led by International Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina.PODCAST HOMEPAGE: https://awalkintheword.buzzsprout.comYOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/c/hectormolinacatholicevangelistSupport: Are you enjoying these videos? Become a Patron and partner with me in spreading the Good News! www.patreon.com/hectormolina/You can also show your support for the podcast by visiting: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hectormolina#15thsundayinordinarytime #fifteenthsundayinordinarytime #thegoodsamaritan #parableofthegoodsamaritan #sundaymassreadings #catholiclectionary #catholic #sundaygospel #sundaygospelreflection #catholicbiblestudy #awalkintheword#catholicpodcast #bibleinayear #wordonfire #sundayhomily #hectormolina
A Walk in The Word : A Journey through the Sunday Mass Readings with Hector Molina
Join Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina as he explores the Mass Readings for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.Mass Readings:Gen 18;1-10Psalm 19;1-5Luke 10;38-42"A Walk in The Word" podcast is a weekly bible study and reflection on the Sunday Mass readings led by International Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina.PODCAST HOMEPAGE: https://awalkintheword.buzzsprout.comYOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/c/hectormolinacatholicevangelistSupport: Are you enjoying these videos? Become a Patron and partner with me in spreading the Good News! www.patreon.com/hectormolina/You can also show your support for the podcast by visiting: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hectormolina#16thsundayinordinarytime #xixteenthsundayinordinarytime #marthaandmary #sundaymassreadings #catholiclectionary #catholic #sundaygospel #sundaygospelreflection #catholicbiblestudy #awalkintheword#catholicpodcast #bibleinayear #wordonfire #sundayhomily #hectormolina
Who is my neighbor? Enjoy this week's homily.
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. -Year C - Sunday, 20 July 2025 (EPISODE: 539) Readings for Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.- Year C FIRST READING: Genesis 18:1-10a Psalm 15:2-3a, 3b-4, 5. “The just will live in the presence of the Lord” SECOND READING: Colossians 1:24-28 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Luke 8:15). Alleluia, alleluia! Happy are they who have kept the word with a generous heart. And yield a harvest through perseverance. GOSPEL: Luke 10:38-42 Image Credit: Paul Evangelion (2025) ++++ References: Homily Fr. Paul W. Kelly Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks "Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL) Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA) "The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers. Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney Australia). Sung "Mass in Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org. "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - In memory of William John Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. “Quiet Time.” Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020. “Today I Arise” - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly. Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer. Editing equipment: -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software). NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software) Sound Processing: iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.) Text transcription as per the recorded podcast version is transcribed by TurboScribe.ai {excellent and accurate transcription from voice to text} [Production - KER - 2025] May God bless and keep you.
A homily for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C 7/13/2025
Homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year C - July 13, 2025 Readings for the Mass: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071325.cfm
We know God commands us to love our neighbor. So one of the oldest, time-honored excuses is to say, “that person isn't really my neighbor.” It's a wonderful way to rationalize our selfishness. So the question becomes, who is my neighbor?Homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C).
Read Online“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27A scribe asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asked the scribe what the Law of Moses taught. The above line was the scribe's response. He was essentially quoting Deuteronomy 6:4, which was a common prayer prayed by the Jews and seen as a summary of the entire Law of Moses as found in the Ten Commandments.Notice that this summary of the Law does not present a negative prohibition such as “Thou shalt not…” Instead, it is a positive command stating, “Thou shalt love…” Love is the fulfillment of the Law of the Old Testament, as well as the fulfillment of the New Law of Christ. When we love God with our whole being, that love overflows upon all of God's creatures, including our neighbor.In this Gospel, the scribe goes on to ask Jesus who His neighbor is. Jesus responds by telling the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In that parable, there was a man beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite passed by and ignored the man. But a Samaritan passed by and took care of the man, bringing him to an inn and vowing to pay for his recovery. The story concludes by the Samaritan being identified as the one who acted as a neighbor to the victim.Traditionally, the victim of the robbers in this story has been seen as Adam. Adam represents fallen humanity. The Samaritan represents Jesus who cared for fallen humanity, healed us of sin and provided for our every need. Therefore, according to this parable, Jesus has acted as a neighbor to us, and we must love Him as we love ourselves. But Jesus also says, “Go and do likewise.” This is a commission to fallen humanity, now healed of sin, to go forth to others, acting as Jesus Himself, bringing the healing grace they have been given and bestowing it upon others generously.Sometimes we can see love as a feeling or emotion. Though love is often accompanied by certain emotions and feelings, love is much more. It is an action. In this parable, if the Samaritan simply looked upon the victim and felt sorry for him, had compassion for him but then moved on, he would not have shown love. The love of charity is an action and requires much of us. If we are to fulfill this first and greatest commandment of love of God and neighbor, then we cannot wait until we feel like loving to act. Instead, we must act now and not hesitate. This is love.Reflect, today, upon the true nature of love. Love, in its most elevated form, is the choice to do what is best for others—to help free them from sin and to be an instrument of God's providence in their lives. It's a participation in the very love that God has shown us in Christ Jesus by giving His life for our salvation. We are all called to devote ourselves to this same form of selfless and sacrificial love. Doing so is a requirement for the glorious sharing in eternal life.My loving Lord, You have given everything to fallen humanity. You have freed us from sin and provided for all of our needs. You have acted as a true neighbor in every way. Please give me the grace I need to imitate You and to participate in the love You have for others. May I truly act and never hesitate to bestow on others the charitable love to which I am called. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: African depiction of "The Good Samaritan" by Tim Kubacki, license CC BY 2.0Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
[Luke 10:1-12, 17-20, 14th Sunday in the Ordinary Time Year C]
A homily for the 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C 7/6/2025
Fifteenth Sunday, Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, July 13, 2025 (EPISODE- 538) Readings for Sunday, July 13, 2025 - Fifteenth Sunday, Ordinary Time. Year C FIRST READING: Deut 30:10-14 Ps 18:8-11 - "The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart." SECOND READING: Col 1:15-20 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 10:25-37). Alleluia, alleluia! Your words, Lord, are spirit and life. You have the words of everlasting life. GOSPEL: Luke 10:25-37 Image Credit: https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/8KFrTYO4Zp8IlhnawO6I/the-good-samaritan?ru=Paul-Evangelion +++++ References: Fr Paul W. Kelly **William Barclay - THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE SERIES. REVISED EDITION. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE. THE WESTMINSTER PRESS. PHILADELPHIA. 1975 Image Credit: https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/8KFrTYO4Zp8IlhnawO6I/the-good-samaritan?ru=Paul-Evangelion ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by visting here: https://surfersparadiseparish.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=85b9ddd594b242276d423bfe9&id=002282d9e0 Details relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog: "Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL) Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA) "The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers. Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney Australia). Sung "Mass in Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org. "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - In memory of William John Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. “Quiet Time.” Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020. “Today I Arise” - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly. Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer. Editing equipment: -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software). NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software) Sound Processing: iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.) Text transcription as per recorded podcast version is transcribed by TurboScribe.ai {excellent and accurate transcription from voice to text} [Production - KER - 2025] May God bless and keep you. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A Walk in The Word : A Journey through the Sunday Mass Readings with Hector Molina
Join Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina as he explores the Mass Readings for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.Mass Readings:Isaiah 66;10-14cPsalm 66Luke 10;1-12, 17-20"A Walk in The Word" podcast is a weekly bible study and reflection on the Sunday Mass readings led by International Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina.PODCAST HOMEPAGE: https://awalkintheword.buzzsprout.comYOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/c/hectormolinacatholicevangelistSupport: Are you enjoying these videos? Become a Patron and partner with me in spreading the Good News! www.patreon.com/hectormolina/You can also show your support for the podcast by visiting: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hectormolina#14thsundayinordinarytime #fourteenthsundayinordinarytime #70disciples #sundaymassreadings #catholiclectionary #catholic #sundaygospel #sundaygospelreflection #catholicbiblestudy #awalkintheword#catholicpodcast #bibleinayear #wordonfire #sundayhomily #hectormolina
The word of the day is - metanoia homily given at Saint Casimir's Parish, Cleveland, Ohio
Homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year C - July 6, 2025 Readings for the Mass: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070625.cfm
Read OnlineAt that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. Luke 10:1Jesus had many followers who were deeply devoted to Him, abandoning everything to serve Him and to cooperate in the fulfillment of His mission. Oftentimes we give most of our attention to the Twelve Apostles when we speak of Jesus' first followers. But in today's Gospel, Jesus sent seventy-two disciples to go forth to all the towns that He would soon visit. Think about that for a moment. Seventy-two is quite a few people. These would not have been casual followers of Jesus. Rather, they clearly were people who were all in and fully committed to Christ. To them, Jesus entrusted the mission of preaching and gave them authority over demons.Try to imagine organizing and sending forth seventy-two different people. Jesus would have come to know these disciples personally, witnessed their faith firsthand, taught them at length, and recognized that they were ready to fulfill His sacred mission. We should also presume that there were many others who were His faithful followers but were not yet ready to be entrusted with divine authority and sent on a mission. Thus, the movement that Jesus started was truly transforming for many people during those first years of His public ministry.The same is true for us today. Jesus is not finished sending missionaries on mission. He continues to gather a vast army of servants whom He calls close to Himself, with whom He establishes a very personal relationship, teaches, forms, bestows with special graces and charisms, and then sends forth to continue His apostolic work. Are you among those who are ready to be sent forth by our Lord?One way to test your readiness for the mission of Christ is to consider the command that Jesus gave to these seventy-two. He said in part, “Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way.” In other words, our Lord was telling them that His mission required sacrifice, courage, trust in divine providence, and single-minded determination. His mission is not for the casual follower. It's for those who are serious about their faith and do not hesitate to do all they need to do to get ready to fulfill Jesus' divine command.Reflect, today, upon whether you are ready to fulfill the apostolic mission Jesus wants to entrust to you. Are you willing to sacrifice everything for this mission? Are you courageous enough to do whatever He calls you to do? Do you trust that God will provide for you so that you can accomplish the task He has given to you? And are you single-minded and fully determined? Do not hesitate. Place yourself at the service of our Lord and await His glorious calling in your life.My glorious Lord, You have called countless people to Yourself, formed them by Your grace, bestowed Your gifts upon them and sent them forth to touch many minds and hearts. Please use me, dear Lord, to accomplish the task that You wish to entrust to me. Form me, use me and send me forth as You have done with countless others before me. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
Rely on the LordThis 14th Sunday calls our attention to the need for complete dependence on God, which leads to a positive transformation in our lives. The dependence expresses itself through the attitudes of hope, faith and loving generosity described in the readings. Our names are written in heaven. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070625.cfm
Homily Fourteenth Sunday of the Year C - Sunday, July 6, 2025 First reading Isaiah 66:10-14. Responsorial Psalm 65:1-7,16,20. “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.” Second reading. Galatians 6:14-18. Gospel. Luke 10:1-12,17-20. +++++ References: THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF LUKE. (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY.Fr Paul W. Kelly Sharing the Word through the Liturgical Year: (1997). Gustavo Gutierrez Fr paul w kelly Also, Prologue: (scripture scholar William Barclay, as cited above): “The first disciples are sent out on their first missionary assignment as raw recruits, with little to help them, but the lessons they learn here will be greatly needed later. Whatever we seek to achieve in Jesus' name, we are indeed doing it in the name of Jesus... not in our names or by our powers of talents....// We receive the assistance we need. Jesus reminds us that the crucial factor is not that we are personally powerful or that we are successful. What really matters is that we are doing the will of God, in Jesus' name, and it is this which is the reason for our ultimate salvation.” [Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1901120383 - walking on old cobblestone street - Photo Contributor: Matej Kastelic] ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PREFACE: Ordinary 7 Eucharistic Prayer 2 (theme variation: theme 4 ) (post version: v2-short) ++++ {15. Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer.} 4. Go in peace. ++++++++ Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by visiting here: https://surfersparadiseparish.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=85b9ddd594b242276d423bfe9&id=002282d9e0 Details relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog: "Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL) Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA) "The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers. Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney, Australia). Sung "Mass in Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org. "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - In memory of William John Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. “Quiet Time.” Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020. “Today I Arise” - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly. Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer. Editing equipment: -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software). NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Master's Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software) Sound Processing: iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.) TurboScribe.ai transcribes text as per the recorded podcast version {excellent and accurate transcription from voice to text} - {this is not a paid advertorial- pwk} [Production - KER - 2025] May God bless and keep you.
A homily for the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C
Read OnlineJesus told his disciples a parable, “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:39–40Are you “fully trained?” What does it mean to be fully trained? Jesus makes it clear that those who are fully trained will be like their teacher. Of course, we must become like our Lord, who is the one and only Teacher. So are you like Him in every way?Being fully trained as a Christian is different than being fully trained in an occupation. For example, a doctor is fully trained when all the necessary lessons are learned and the practical aspects of medicine are put into practice. That is why that person becomes a doctor, just like the doctors who were their teachers. But the Christian life is not something we master by learning many teachings of the faith so that, by our expertise, we can then put them into practice using our natural talents. For a Christian to be fully trained, it is necessary that the Divine Physician fully possess them, live within them, and act through them. Thus, Christian training is the practice of allowing God to become one with you so that it is God Who acts in and through you.This form of “training” first takes on the goal of freeing us from spiritual blindness. We must see Christ and come to know Him. Again, this is not a matter of simply learning various truths about God in an intellectual way. It's a matter of coming to know the Truth Himself. We must see and know the Person Who is Christ Jesus. This is true sight. Blindness, however, can always set in again when we take the eyes of our soul off the Savior.Seeing Christ, however, is not enough. Seeing must be followed by doing. That is why our Lord goes on to say in today's Gospel that “every tree is known by its own fruit” and that a “good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good.” Seeing Christ Himself, within your soul, will produce that “store of goodness,” and this will make you more “fully trained.” Only then can you produce good fruit, for it will be Christ Himself producing the good fruit in and through you.So back to our original question: “Are you fully trained?” Do you daily keep your eyes on a Person, Jesus Himself? And if so, do You allow Him to act in your life and, through you, in the lives of others? If you cannot answer these questions with a confident “Yes,” then you might have more blindness in the spiritual life than you realize. Reflect, today, upon your mission to become a fully trained soldier of Christ. God wants to use you, to live within you, and to act through you. He wants you to be like Him in every way. This is only possible when you admit the blindness with which you struggle, turn your eyes to Him, and allow Him to become one with you. Start by turning to Him as He dwells within you. Search for Him, seek Him, and love Him. If you keep your eyes upon Him, He will carefully take care of the rest, leading you to a fully trained and fruitful life. My divine Teacher, I turn to You, the Lord of all, and seek to fix my gaze upon You. As I see You, please remove my blindness and confusion. In place of these, give me wisdom so that I will always allow You to live in me and act through me, bearing an abundance of good fruit. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Jesus tells the Parable of the Barren Tree by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
Read Online“But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35–36It is certainly difficult to be “kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” But doing so is exactly what our Lord commanded us to do. And His command is not a command in the sense of being a burden. On the contrary, it's a command that frees us from the ingratitude and wickedness we encounter.Oftentimes, when we encounter ingratitude from another, or any other form of wickedness, we tend to react in kind. Our fallen human nature lures us into cruelty when faced with cruelty. We criticize, condemn, attack and get angry. But Jesus is very clear that this is not how the “Most High” acts toward the wicked. And it is not how He acts toward us. In the end, the wicked who fail to repent will endure the consequences of their rejection of God's mercy. But until that final judgment, hope of conversion must always be present. And for that reason, we must never give up on another, no matter how difficult. Kindness shown to everyone, in every circumstance, goes to the heart of the mission we have received as children of God.Think about the person in your life who seems unworthy of your kindness and generosity. Why are they undeserving? Are they truly undeserving? The truth, according to our Lord's teaching, is that these are not questions we should even ask ourselves. Instead, we must fully commit ourselves to loving everyone who appears to be our enemy, and do good to them and to everyone whom we encounter. Though this is difficult, it won't be if we understand the goodness that God has shown to us.God has shone us perfect goodness, not because He expected anything back, but simply because He has willed to love us. If we want to be children of God the Most High, then we must reciprocate the love given to us. That's the nature of God's love. It cannot be contained. It cannot be selfishly received without also allowing it to pour forth from our lives. When we understand this, we will understand the reason Jesus instructed us to be “kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” It is simply because this is how God has treated us. Reflect, today, upon the unlimited love God has for you. It is beyond what you could ever comprehend. Reflect, also, upon the great benefit there is in opening yourself to God's perfect love, kindness, generosity and mercy. The benefit is that you are able to be filled with that which you receive. And as you receive this love of God, it necessarily overflows into the lives of everyone you encounter, the good and the wicked. Everyone must always be offered this love. Do not hesitate, for God does not hesitate with you. Most merciful Lord, You bestow Your abundant goodness upon all people, the good and bad alike. You never cease offering Your love and mercy. May I always be counted among those who fully open themselves to Your grace, and may I always offer this same depth of love to all. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Matthias Grünewald, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
What Do You Worship? - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) by Fr. Josh Waltz
Read Online“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.” Luke 6:24–26Luke 6:20–49 offers us a shortened version of the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew's Gospel. Luke's version of this sermon takes place on a plain, “a stretch of level ground.” The teachings in the two Gospels are very similar, despite their difference in length. Luke's teaching on the Beatitudes adds the “woe to you's” quoted above, which are not found in Matthew's version.The early Church Father Saint Bede comments that Saint Luke's version of the “woes” are meant for those who are “uninstructed hearers” because they “must first be brought by terrors to good works.” He goes on to say that the first part of the Beatitudes, the “blessings,” are meant for the “perfect” because they “need but be invited by rewards” rather than fear of punishment. The fact that Saint Luke includes a teaching for both the sinner and the saint should lead us to the conclusion that we can benefit from both approaches in our spiritual lives.When your spiritual life is strong and you are consistently avoiding serious sin, it might be more helpful to reflect regularly upon the blessings found in the Beatitudes. This will have the effect of drawing you into greater perfection as the desire for the reward of holiness becomes the object of your hope.When your spiritual life is weaker and you are regularly struggling with more serious sin, it might be more helpful to reflect upon the woes of the Beatitudes. This will have the effect of deterring you from the cycle of sin you struggle with, on account of the fear of the consequences of those sins.In the end, the Beatitudes and their subsequent woes are meant to point us interiorly to the desires of our hearts. We must become more and more aware of what occupies our thinking and desires. Ultimately, wealth or poverty, hunger or satisfaction, worldly praise or persecution do not matter. What matters is that our hearts are detached from the desires identified in this sermon so that we more fully desire only God and His holy will, regardless of the circumstances of life we find ourselves in.Reflect, today, upon your own spiritual and moral life and first consider whether you are blessed to be living a life that more imitates the saints or whether you more often reflect the serious struggles of the sinner. From there, try to choose which form of teaching you need the most. Do you need to ponder the rewards of seeking even greater beatitude in life so as to grow deeper in holiness? Or do you need Jesus' clear condemnations to help you break free from the cycle of sin with which you are struggling? Humbly identify that which is most helpful to you right now in your spiritual life and allow this full sermon of Jesus to help you on your journey to the Kingdom of Heaven.Lord of holiness, I do desire to follow You and become truly holy. Please free me from my sin so that I am able to avoid the consequences of those sins. Please help me to also desire the heights of holiness so that I will receive the great rewards that You promised to the saints in Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Boston at English Wikipedia & John Stephen Dwyer, CC BY-SA 3.0
Read Online After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. Luke 5:4–6 Jesus had just cured Simon Peter's mother-in-law as one of His first miracles. As a result of this and other miracles, Peter's entire hometown of Capernaum, as well as many of the surrounding towns, were quickly coming to faith in Jesus. Today's Gospel takes place during this initial excitement over our Lord. In it, Jesus personally invites Peter to become an Apostle, promising to make him a fisher of men.There is much symbolism in this passage worth pondering. First, notice that Jesus uses something very familiar to Peter to invite Him to become one of the Twelve Apostles. He used his trade of fishing. This is similar to the way God used a star to draw the Magi, who were astrologers, to Bethlehem.Another symbolic action Jesus uses is that of putting out “into deep water.” It was not enough to simply go a short distance from shore. Instead, the deep water was to symbolize the fact that the Gospel was to go forth to the ends of the earth, just as the fishermen were to fish in the depths of the sea. Finally, the fact that they “caught a great number of fish” symbolizes the superabundance that would come forth through Peter's apostolic ministry. And the fact that the “nets were tearing” points to the fullness that everyone will experience when they embark upon the mission of Christ.Though the symbolic aspects of this Gospel passage are worth much prayerful pondering, there is another line within the Gospel that might speak to you just as powerfully. Peter had been fishing all night and had caught nothing. The fact that he relates this to Jesus suggests that he was tired and perhaps even discouraged. Any fisherman could relate to this. But the important lesson Peter teaches us is that he does not give in to that discouragement. And the reason he doesn't give in to discouragement is because it was Jesus Who commanded him to lower the nets.In our own lives, we can all get discouraged at times. But the real test of our fidelity to God is whether or not we continue to listen to His commands of love and respond generously, dispelling any temptations to discouragement when things do not seem to be going our way. If we can do this, it is especially in these moments that God often uses us in powerful ways. Reflect, today, upon the voice of God in your life. What is it that you sense Him calling you to do? What is that “deep water” to which He is calling you? As you ponder this, reflect especially upon the words of Peter, “Master…at your command I will lower the nets.” Say “Yes” to the command of our Lord. Do so even if it is difficult, and especially if you do not feel like doing what He asks of you. If you do, you will find that in this act of fidelity, God will bring forth an abundance of good fruit. My miraculous Lord, You gave a command of love to Saint Peter, and he obeyed You with generosity. As a result, You brought forth an abundant catch. Please give me the strength of will to obey all that You speak to me, so that You will bring forth an abundance of good fruit in my life also. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Image via Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0