Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Jesus stands ready to stretch out his hand and heal us. The question is: are we ready to accept His healing in our lives? At the time of Jesus, leprosy like that found in this Sunday’s gospel was a form of ritual uncleanness that prevented someone from being a part of the public worship of the community; it was as if that person was cut off from God Himself. Our sins can often make us feel the same way. When we fail to follow Jesus and choose to follow other gods, it is easy to be filled with shame and feel completely isolated from the Lord.
But Jesus reaches out to us in the midst of our uncleanness. God Himself reaches out to the leper, bringing him back into the community of believers. Jesus desires to do the same thing for us today in our spiritual lives. He is ready and willing to forgive our sins, most especially in the sacrament of Confession, so that we can be free of our guilt and shame and live our lives for Him. All we have to do is receive His gift.
Do I believe that Jesus can and wants to make me clean?
As we prepare to enter into the season of Lent, what sins do I need Jesus to forgive?
This week, what is one way I can imitate Jesus in helping to bring someone back into the Church community?
Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Jesus stands ready to stretch out his hand and heal us. The question is: are we ready to accept His healing in our lives? At the time of Jesus, leprosy like that found in this Sunday’s gospel was a form of ritual uncleanness that prevented someone from being a part of the public worship of the community; it was as if that person was cut off from God Himself. Our sins can often make us feel the same way. When we fail to follow Jesus and choose to follow other gods, it is easy to be filled with shame and feel completely isolated from the Lord.
But Jesus reaches out to us in the midst of our uncleanness. God Himself reaches out to the leper, bringing him back into the community of believers. Jesus desires to do the same thing for us today in our spiritual lives. He is ready and willing to forgive our sins, most especially in the sacrament of Confession, so that we can be free of our guilt and shame and live our lives for Him. All we have to do is receive His gift.
Do I believe that Jesus can and wants to make me clean?
As we prepare to enter into the season of Lent, what sins do I need Jesus to forgive?
This week, what is one way I can imitate Jesus in helping to bring someone back into the Church community?
Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
One of the hardest things to do in our current day is make time and space for silence. There is so much going on around us in work, family, and normal everyday duties that it can seem impossible to really slow down and listen. Yet that is the way God speaks to us. For any relationship to be successful, we must spend time with the other person. God desires to share His very self with us.
As we hear in the Gospel, the words of Jesus are powerful and able to heal us. He is the Word made flesh, the bodily incarnation of God. Instead of a booming voice coming from a fiery mountain like the Israelites heard, we hear the voice of the Son of Man. If we wish to receive His healing, we must first receive His voice. “He is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.” Let us listen to the voice of our Good Shepherd and so enter into the rest that He offers.
What is one activity I can give up this week to make more time for silence?
How can I encourage my family to spend time listening to the voice of God?
When I hear God’s voice, do I follow through and obey?
Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
In the Gospel, Jesus urgently calls us to "Repent, and believe in the gospel" and to "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Notice how there is no hesitation when He invites others into relationship with Him. Jesus sees the broken and immediately goes after them.
Just as Jonah goes out to invite others to hear the word of God, we too are called to follow in the ways of Christ by inviting others into a relationship with Him. We allow our complacency and our fear to stand in the way of sharing the Gospel. Yet, we can mirror the Psalmist in calling out to the Lord, asking Him to give us the boldness to invite others with the same urgency.
Here are five tips you can use to practice making an impactful invitation to a program that provides a space to have meaningful conversations.
Before beginning, take a moment to pause and pray, seeking guidance from God on who to invite. This is an opportunity to partner with the Holy Spirit in the conversations that He’s already having with the people around us.
Like Jesus in the Bible, interactions should be tailored to individuals. There's no one-size-fits-all conversation. Consider the person's past experiences, hesitations, frustrations, and hopes to better understand them. It increases the chance they’ll say yes to your invitation.
We often invite people to something without them knowing it’s an invitation. In your invitation, be specific and direct, avoiding vague suggestions that may go unnoticed. Provide clear details so that the individual can make an informed decision.
It’s key to be simple rather than having a lengthy, complex conversation. Try for a series of clear and concise interactions with the "If I... Would You" framework. For instance, "If I sent you the trailer for Alpha, would you watch it and share your thoughts with me?"
Finally, don't be discouraged by a 'no.' There are various reasons for refusals, and most have nothing to do with you. Accept the ‘no’ with grace and revisit step 2, considering if there is a different way to approach the individual. Maintaining the relationship is essential, it demonstrates that you care more about them than getting a yes from them.
Who is one person that I can think of to invite to Alpha and when is the next time I will see this person?
What practical steps can I take to invite this person? Can I take them out for coffee, invite them over for dinner, give them a phone call?
You can learn more about Alpha at stannparish.org/alpha
Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
This Sunday’s Gospel reading shows us an example of one of the core elements of St. Ann Parish – bringing people to Jesus. John the Baptist saw the Lord coming and pointed Him out. Andrew brought his brother Simon Peter to the Lord. So too, as Christians we are all called to be missionaries to the world – to help people come into a life-saving and life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Yet, all of this has to start with ourselves and our personal encounter with the Lord. At every single Mass, we behold the Lamb of God who was slain for our salvation. We receive His very Body and Blood as our spiritual food and drink. We are changed and commissioned to “Go forth” at the end of every Mass in order to bring what we have received to the world.
As we at St. Ann embark on the Transcend campaign to transform our space of worship, we do so with the hope that it will also transform our hearts – that an environment of elevated beauty will fix our eyes more closely on the Lamb of God, our Lord Jesus Christ who we share with the world.
What is one way Jesus is calling me to bring someone to Him this week?
How is God calling me and my family to support the Transcend campaign, either financially or through prayer?
The Epiphany of our Lord
He stretched out his hands for our gifts. He wanted the pure gold of a heart detached from all earthly goods; the myrrh of a renunciation of all the happiness of this world in exchange for participation in the life and suffering of Jesus; the frankincense of a will that surrenders itself and strains upward to lose itself in the divine will. In return for these gifts, the divine Child gave us himself. ~ St. Edith Stein
The Solemnity of the Epiphany (deriving from the Greek word epiphaneia, meaning “intense manifestation or appearance”) emphasizes the mystery of Christmas revealed in the Nativity Scene. God the Father chose to manifest Himself through a weak, frail infant, born in a dark and insignificant cave. Yet, from this dark cave arose an intense, divine light that attracted a peculiar group of people: the poor, Jewish shepherds and the royal, and wise Magi, who were likely non-Jews.
The Gospel declares God's plan for salvation for all by mentioning the "magi from the east," illustrating that Jesus redeems and reveals Himself to both the Jews (shepherds) and the Gentiles (the Magi). Matthew’s Gospel references Isaiah 60 and Psalm 72 and their inclusion of gifts from Sheba and Arabia being brought to the future King and Messiah. He alludes to the Old Testament prophecies and simultaneously points to the time after the Resurrection in Matthew 28:19 when he tells His disciples to go and “make disciples of all nations.” In the infant Jesus, we see that God desires all people to be with Him, and He desires for us to share Him with all people.
St. Edith Stein tells us that “the kings at the manger represent seekers from all lands and peoples.” What the three kings brought to the One True King was more than just gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They brought their old way of life to trade it in for a new life. Hence, they returned home “by another way” (Mt 2:12). We, too, are called to seek Jesus by His divine light—the good, the true, and the beautiful—just like the Magi. Only once we surrender and allow ourselves to be radically transformed by the intense love of God can we then go out to make disciples of all nations.
How can I share the Gospel with those I encounter in 2024?
What fears do I have that are keeping me from trading my old life for a new life?
What are some of my gifts and talents that I can bring to the Lord to glorify Him?
Feast of the Holy Family
This last Sunday of the calendar year we celebrate the Holy Family: Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.
It might be hard to relate to the sinless Mary and Jesus and the virtuous Joseph. But they are our models of courageous faith lived quietly in a culture that was antagonistic to their faith. And they reveal that our God came to save us not through appearing in human history like an extravagant and self-sufficient superhero, but through a humble human family.
Family is a crucial theme in the majority of the best movies and stories that we love. This is no accident! We have been made in the image and likeness of God who is 3 persons but also one—in his image and likeness we have been made and this is shown powerfully in the home: many persons, but one family. Within our bodies and in the image of the family is this call to Communion.
While Mary and Joseph were by no means rich (their offering of turtledoves was an allowance of poorer Temple gifts), they were wealthy in love, tenderness for one another, and faith in the God who would provide for them.
“If you want peace in the world,” Mother Teressa said, “go home and love your family.”
Can it really be that simple? Indeed, God does not demand extravagant signs and works from us. He acts in the normalcy of life and asks for us to do little things with great love. St. John Paul II asserted that as the family goes, so goes the world.
To love our families well is to live out God’s call to holiness in the ordinariness of our lives. Through each sick child cared for late at night, each dirty diaper, or tough conversation with a spouse or parent, we are putting into action the call to love and honor one another.
How can we strive for holiness in our family this new year?
How can I put my love for my family into a small action today?
How can I ask the Holy Family for their intercession for my life and struggles?
4th Sunday of Advent/Christmas
Into the messiness and discomfort of a stable in Bethlehem, the Lord Jesus is born today. So too, into the messiness and darkness of our lives, Jesus comes today. He is not turned away by our weakness and sinfulness. No, that is precisely where He runs to. All of us have walked in darkness in our lives, whether that is because of sin, addiction, family difficulties, or any number of things.
Today the good news is proclaimed to us: we “have seen a great light.” St. Paul tells us that “the grace of God has appeared, saving all.” Today Christ has come, not as a mighty warrior with an army of angels to do battle, but as a weak and humble child. And not just that, He comes to us in the weak and humble appearance of bread in the Eucharist, to save us and heal our hearts. Do not let your darkness prevent you from welcoming Christ. Rather, let us receive Him and rejoice in the good news: “a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.”
How will you welcome Christ into your darkness this Christmas?
What is holding you back from receiving Him and His mercy?
Who is one person with whom the Lord is calling you to share the life-saving good news of Jesus Christ’s coming?
3rd Sunday of Advent
In our everyday lives, it’s easy to think that what Isaiah challenges the Israelites to do isn’t for us. How often do we “bring glad tidings to the poor,” “heal the brokenhearted,” “proclaim liberty to the captives,” or bring “release to the prisoners?” These seem like daunting tasks that don’t seem to fit with the daily demands of taking classes, getting through the workday, raising a family, or making sure dinner gets on the table. Yet God still can find a way to use all of the moments of our life to draw us closer to Him.
St. Teresa of Calcutta famously wrote “Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely, right where you are — in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools.” How often do we see Jesus in the people in the grocery checkout, the kid in class no one talks to, the person panhandling on your daily commute, or the person sitting in front of us at Mass? As members of the Church, we are the bride of Christ, with gifts of the Holy Spirit, God-given talents, and a faith we are meant to practice each and every day. It’s even built into our church — as we leave the Narthex, we walk through the prophets as we go out and proclaim the goodness of God.
Maybe it feels overwhelming to think about what it means to be Christ’s hands and feet here on earth. Breathe. It is God Himself that will make us holy. He is faithful and generous even in our own weaknesses and shortcomings, and that gives us a reason to rejoice. Stay awake. Stay present. Don’t miss Him in the mundane. He is always working, always seeking our hearts. And Holy is His Name.
Who is one person you can be Christ to this week?
How is God drawing close to you this Advent? Have you seen Him working in your daily life?
Take some time this week to intentionally pause and pray a Hail Mary or Our Father this week as you do a routine chore or task to remember to keep God in each moment of your day.
2nd Sunday of Advent
On this Second Sunday of Advent, let's glean wisdom from John the Baptist's life and teachings. Drawing inspiration from John's simple life in the wilderness, let's eliminate distractions, embrace humility, and deepen our trust in God to “Prepare the way for the Lord.” Here are a few lessons we can learn from him:
Faithful Pursuit of Repentance:
John the Baptist's unwavering commitment, epitomized through baptism for repentance, serves as a practical model for our journey of faithfulness in preparing for Christ's second coming. Drawing from John's dedication involves acknowledging shortcomings, seeking forgiveness, and turning from aspects distancing us from God. Our faithfulness mirrors John's, shaping a repentant life aligned with the imminent return of the Messiah.
Simplicity of Life in the Wilderness:
Embracing John's austere wilderness lifestyle, we're urged to cultivate humility and focus on essential values. His simple life guides us to eliminate distractions hindering spiritual growth, positioning us to be receptive to the transformative Gospel message as we await the second coming of Christ.
Bold Proclamation of the Gospel:
John's ministry propels us to boldly articulate our faith in word and deed. Like John, we're called to proclaim the Gospel, echoing his cry to "Prepare the way for the Lord." Preparation for the second coming involves personal transformation and courageous proclamation, reflecting John's resounding call to repentance.
This Advent Sunday, let the missionary spirit of John the Baptist reignite our zeal to proclaim the Gospel as we eagerly anticipate the Second Coming of Christ.
St. John the Baptist, Pray for Us!
If you haven’t been to confession in a while, we will have an Advent Reconciliation Service on December 19th at 7PM. Come and receive the grace of reconciliation!
Who is that someone who proclaimed Jesus to you and have you thanked them?
Considering John the Baptist's fearless approach, how can we boldly share our faith in simple actions and words this holiday season?
1st Sunday of Advent
We have all most likely experienced the panic of our parents or spouse coming home, only to suddenly realize that the chores we were asked to do have not yet been completed. In a mad dash, we run around the house trying to get it all done before they arrive so that we can present ourselves as tidy, and not disappoint our loved ones. It is easy to then project this human experience on the Lord, especially after Jesus tells His disciples in today’s Gospel “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come” (Mark 13:33). Yet what if God has more for us this Advent than a hurried or fearful preparation of His coming?
Jesus already knows the ways that “all of us have become like unclean people,” and He already knows where our hearts have strayed from His love (Isaiah 64:6). And yet He is not surprised or repulsed by our brokenness, for our Creator is more aware of our own mess than we are. Therefore, we have nothing to fear as we begin to prepare our hearts for His coming. In fact, it is the very joy of the Gospel that the King of the Universe chose to enter into humanity by being born into a simple manger. Similarly, the Lord desires to dwell in the messiness and brokenness of our own lives and hearts.
This Advent, we are free to wait and prepare - not in fear - but in joyful anticipation of Jesus’ coming. We can prepare to receive Him, knowing that it is never too late for the Lord to transform the ordinary. There is no heart, no family, no community too broken for Him to enter into, we only need to give Him permission to do so.
When you read the verse - “Be watchful! Be alert!” - do you feel a hurried fear or joyful preparation?
Which area of your mess does Jesus want you to invite Him into this Advent? (Difficult relationships, insecurities, addictions, temptations, etc.)
How can we make space for the Lord to mold us as His clay this Advent? (Time in silence, reading scripture, decreasing the noise in our lives, etc.)
34th Sunday of Ordinary Time
This last Sunday of the Church’s calendar year (before we begin anew with the Advent season) ends with Jesus celebrated as “Christ the King,” a King who rules over the Cosmos and a King who even death could not contain. And our King is always beckoning us to greater intimacy with his kingly heart, a heart that beats for the poor and downtrodden.
It’s so tempting to think that being “a basically nice person” is all God wants from us in order to be with him in Heaven. But Jesus sets the bar quite high, asserting that, “what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me. And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
It’s important to not only believe the right doctrines and dogmas of the faith and then keep to ourselves—we’re called to put our love into action, serving one another and bearing another’s burdens. As our King has been generous to others, he desires our generosity.
There are local and global peoples we can help, in however small of a way. We can’t fall into the paralysis of thinking we have to solve all the issues of the world. That’s up to God. Our job is to do our small part for the stranger, the hungry, the sick, the lonely, and the imprisoned. Our King shows us great mercy and we must pay that mercy forward.
Jesus never asks us to do anything he didn’t undertake himself. He was a King made low and met us in our sin. What’s more, his commands are not orders directed from a tyrannical power on high compelling us to live in servile fear—He calls us as a good King who wants us to imitate his example, to love one another as as he has first loved us (John 13:34).
These are the marching orders of our King. Will we obey them?
What ministry of the parish could I support? (Project Calcutta, Magi Ministry, etc)
How might the Lord be calling me to “think outside the box” to serve those in our local community?
Is Christ the King the center of my life? Do I struggle to trust him and his goodness?
33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
How often have we, in our fears and insecurities, held back from sharing our gifts, expressing love, and embodying virtue? Moments arise when we choose silence over truth to preserve peace or doubt our potential as instruments of God's love and mercy. Spe Salvi resounds, reminding us that we were created for greatness—for God Himself. Though our hearts may seem too small for such destined greatness, they must be stretched.
Throughout the readings, we find echoes of this call to greatness. Proverbs 31 illustrates the transformative power of small, daily acts through the portrayal of a woman of valor. Matthew 25 reinforces the message of faithful stewardship in small things, aligning with the need for our hearts to stretch. As children of the light, we are beckoned to transcend worldly peace and security, recognizing God's desire to work through us (1 Thes 5).
The call to greatness challenges us to move beyond our doubts. The dullness of our hearts can hinder us from living a life of light, transforming societal standards of apathy and the status quo. Embracing this call means allowing God to use our material and spiritual littleness for great things. As we await the unexpected day of the Lord, let us be children of the light, confidently stretching our hearts in even the smallest matters, for it is in these acts that we may find the potential to transform our broken world.
In what ways have your fears and insecurities hindered you from fully expressing your God-given gifts?
How do the readings align with the idea of faithful stewardship in small things and the stretching of our hearts?
How can your small acts of kindness make a positive impact in the world and show love in everyday situations?
32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
In the same way our physical bodies crave water, our souls long for God. Perhaps we don’t even realize it because it is so easy to district ourselves with anything and everything else. But what if it is God that we seek when we spend hours while scrolling on social media, shopping for things we may not even need, or experiencing loneliness or lack of connection like a physical ache? What do we do to satisfy that longing? Maybe we reach for food, technology, entertainment, or relationships that aren’t healthy to temporarily satisfy our desire, but that desire will always come back. Maybe it is because our souls were not made for this world.
St. Augustine famously noted in his Confessions that “you have made us and drawn us to yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” In this our minds, hearts, and souls can feel that same cry of the Psalmist, crying out in thirst for the goodness of God. What can we do to respond to this innate desire for God?
The Gospel suggests that we keep our eyes focused and wakeful on the promise of Heaven. We may not know the day nor the hour, but we know the Bridegroom is coming because just as our souls long for God, He longs for us in return. We can look to Scripture to see all that the Lord has done and let that promise reassure our restless hearts that what God has done, He will do again and again. We may need to take a break from the noise of our hectic schedules, bright screens, and even our own expectations to sit with the Lord in silence and let Him fill our hearts instead with the very thing we were created for—Himself.
What is one practical way you can spend intentional time with the Lord this week?
Is there a habit you and your family can start building to keep God at the center of your daily life?
What is your heart longing for in your current season?
31st Sunday of Ordinary Time
C.S Lewis reminds us that humility isn't about making ourselves small, but about putting others first.
True humility mirrors the love and compassion that Jesus exemplified. It's about being patient, showing kindness, not seeking attention, and being humble. This reflection echoes the sentiment of Mother Teresa, who once said, "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." It reminds us that acts of love and humility need not be grand; they can be found in the smallest, most selfless deeds.
Humility encourages us to see the strengths in people before their flaws, to see the goodness in all we meet, and to avoid blaming others for our difficulties. It reminds us that even in tough times, God's goodness is present.
Practicing humility in our daily lives involves practical steps. Try including the "Litany of Humility" in your daily prayers. It helps shift your focus away from your own desires and towards the needs of others. Also, take time for self-reflection to recognize moments where pride may have influenced your actions. This reflection helps you identify areas where you can grow.
Remember that humility isn't about thinking less of yourself, but about thinking of yourself less. By practicing humility with a loving and selfless heart, you not only draw nearer to God's presence but also follow the teachings of Jesus, who urged us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
30th Sunday of Ordinary Time
We often face a temptation to overcomplicate the spiritual life. We worry about if what we do is pleasing to God and create stress for ourselves worrying about how well we are following His will. This Sunday’s Gospel teaches us that following Christ is actually pretty simple. In the midst of the many commandments, teachings, and precepts of the Church, Jesus teaches that it all boils down to two things: Love God and love your neighbor. St. Augustine once said, “Love God and do what you will.” In other words, if you are truly loving God with all your heart, you don’t have to stress over the specifics.
Though it’s simple, following Christ is not always easy. But praise be to God, we don’t have to rely on our own strength. The responsorial psalm prays, “I love you, O LORD, my strength.” God is the one who pours everything into us so we can in turn pour it back out to Him and to one another. As we do so, we manifest God’s love to the world through our love for our neighbor.
Am I generous in my love for God and my neighbor or do I hold parts of myself back?
What is one concrete act of love I can make for God this week?
What is one concrete act of love I can make for my neighbor this week?
29th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Jesus tells the Pharisees to give Caesar what is his - what bears his image. What bears God's image is something of infinitely more value - us.
How are we giving the king what is his? The Church gives us precepts and commandments to give us guidance on how to love God as He deserves. Among these precepts, there are four characteristics which also define us as members of St. Ann’s: worship, service, giving, and community.
Our whole life should be oriented toward the Lord in a spirit of worship – acknowledging that He is God and we are not. We “give the LORD glory and honor” by our participation in the Mass, by spending quiet time with Him in prayer, by singing His praises, and through the witness of our lives.
As we worship we are called to imitate our Lord who came not to be served but to serve. We are called to go out and be light for the world by setting aside our own desires in order to bring Christ to the world.
The most practical form of service is giving. We have received all we have from the Lord as a free gift, and are called to use our gifts for the good of others, whether that gift is to an individual, a charitable organization, or to the church.
In all things we remember that we cannot do it alone. We are created to be in community with one another and with God. We worship, serve, and give in the context of a community – the Body of Christ, whose image we bear.
Do I worship the Lord in Mass and prayer with all my heart or do I just go through the motions?
Do I imitate Christ and serve others or am I overfocused on my own comfort?
Do I give freely from the time, talents, and treasure I have been blessed with?
Do I acknowledge I need the help of others and invest in the community around me?
28th Sunday of Ordinary Time
For a long time, the world has misconstrued freedom as the right to choose. However, this world — which advocates for the liberty to do as we please—is witnessing a continuous rise in depression, anxiety, and suicide rates. So, why has it become so easy to celebrate creation while neglecting the source and Creator?
The Lord invites us to partake in the grand wedding feast awaiting us in heaven. He desires to remove "the veil that veils all peoples," the barrier preventing us from surrendering our hearts to Him; the barrier that enslaves us and hinders our freedom. As Saint Paul points out, we understand what it means to go hungry and yearn for more than the worldly things that fail to satisfy us. Yet, the God of abundance invites us to dwell in an abundant feast and fulfill our need for Him.
Furthermore, the Gospel encourages us not only to surrender ourselves but also to extend invitations to others for the abundant wedding feast. We are called to recognize those consumed by the despair of sin and invite them to a "feast of rich food and choice wines," a celebration of freedom where we allow ourselves to be loved by the Bridegroom.
In summary, the world has often misunderstood freedom as mere choice, yet it has led to rising levels of depression, anxiety, and suicide. The Lord invites us to a heavenly feast, aiming to remove the barriers that keep us from Him. Let us take this invitation to heart, not only for ourselves but also by reaching out to those in need, and together, embrace the true freedom found in God's love.
What does preparing for the marriage banquet mean to you?
Will you remove your garments of sorrow (worldly pursuits) and don the garments of joy and salvation (surrender to the Bridegroom)?
What do you need to surrender to the One who desires to set you free?
27th Sunday of Ordinary Time
SABBATH GUIDE
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
ISAIAH 5:1-7 | PS 80 | PHIL 4:6-9 | MATTHEW 21:33-43
"HAVE NO ANXIETY AT ALL, BUT IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, MAKE YOUR REQUESTS KNOWN TO GOD. THEN THE PEACE OF GOD THAT SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS. FINALLY, BROTHERS, WHATEVER IS TRUE, WHATEVER IS HONORABLE, WHATEVER IS JUST, WHATEVER IS PURE, WHATEVER IS LOVELY, WHATEVER IS GRACIOUS, IF THERE IS ANY EXCELLENCE, AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING WORTHY OF PRAISE, THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS."
PHILLIPPIANS 4:6 -8
In today's world, anxiety is everywhere. People are feeling overwhelmed more than ever and, so what are we, as followers of Christ, called to do about this pervasive anxiety that engulfs our society?
As followers of Christ, we are called to respond to the pervasive anxiety engulfing our society with deliberate mindfulness in our consumption habits. Philippians 4:6-9 guides us to seek solace in what is good, true, and beautiful, emphasizing the profound impact that our choices in media and content have on our mental well-being.
Our faith teaches us that ultimate fulfillment comes from being faithful to God, recognizing Him as the source of our purpose and contentment. By choosing to anchor our lives in Christ, making Him the cornerstone of our existence, we discover a deep-seated peace that prevails even amidst the chaos of the world. This peace, described as surpassing all understanding, emerges when we surrender our anxieties to God, allowing His presence to work within us. Thus, our response to the pervasive anxiety is to actively nurture our faith, commit to daily faithfulness to God, and trust that as we do so, the "God of peace will be with us." In this way, we become beacons of tranquility in a world yearning for the peace only found in Christ.
Reflection:
What Media Choices Influence Your Mental Well-being?
In What Areas of Life Can You Surrender to God?
How Can You Strengthen Your Faithfulness to God?
26th Sunday of Ordinary Time
SABBATH GUIDE
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
EZEKIAL 18:25-28 | PS 25 | PHIL 2:1-11 | MATT 21:28-32
"IS MY WAY UNFAIR? IS IT NOT YOUR WAYS THAT ARE UNFAIR?"
EZEKIAL 18:25
How many times do we change our plans in a day?
You are not alone - in fact, this is pretty common.
Whether intentional or not, our days do not always end up the way we planned for them to go. It is easy to blame our situation for these changes. While changing plans for practical reasons like taking care of a sick child or using up food about to spoil is fine, we may make less favorable choices like skipping mass for extra sleep or gossiping instead of dedicating time to prayer.
We are all guilty of making these kinds of swaps in our day - much like the son in the Gospel whom the Father tells to "go out and work in the vineyard", who replies, "Yes, sir, 'but did not go" (Matthew
21:28-30). God calls every one of us throughout our daily life to "go and do my will" as well - this does not always mean He is calling us to go and minister in the streets - perhaps it is simply a call to love our neighbor or be more consistent in our relationship with Him through prayer. Either way, what matters most is how we respond to this call.
No matter where you are today, whether you have said yes or said no in the past, the Lord desires your yes. He wants to see you make choices that help you become more like Him. Re-committing to following Christ each day, we ask that He gives us the strength to follow through on our choices that bring us closer to Him and say goodbye to those creating distance.
Reflection:
How often do you find yourself changing your plans? What are some common reasons you change your plans?
• In what ways do you feel your daily choices impact your relationship with God?
Have you ever made a choice that created distance between you and God? How did you work to repair that relationship?
Have you ever felt like God was calling you to do something specific? If so, what was it?
How did you respond?How can you be a witness to others through your choices and actions?