August 2023

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081223.cfm Lord, Have Pity on My Son Often someone asks me to pray for healing or some favor. I have in my mind that Jesus is all-powerful and can do all things. But I have learned that appealing to his power and authority has nothing to do with faith.Faith and friendship are synonymous when relating […]

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081223.cfm The sacrament of the sick is a powerful encounter with Jesus in areas we suffer the greatest. Surgery carries its complications and difficulties. It can disrupt our lives, such as losing work and the ability to do the simplest things for ourselves. Over time it can cause a lot of frustration, anger, and even

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081023.cfm The Man Whose Heart Is Firm Will Not Fear. Through the centuries and even today, our Catholic faith has been challenged in many ways. Nevertheless, it signifies that we are faithful to Christ and the gospel. The Church experienced this in 257 when Pope Sixtus appointed seven deacons in Rome. His first choice was

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080923.cfm Jesus Refuses No One. Why do some prayers go unanswered? Once again, we are meeting someone in the gospel who can do nothing to help herself. A demon possessed the daughter of a woman in a foreign land. Our Lord knew He would heal this woman’s daughter. His immediate refusal made her go deeper

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080823.cfm What Wind? What Waves.? When Peter began walking on the water, only faith in Jesus kept him from sinking, nothing else. The height of the waves bashing against us and the strength of the wind we battle make no difference to Jesus and us. We can do anything with Him.  Without Jesus, we can’t

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080723.cfm Give Them Something Yourselves? Remember the adage, “God helps those who help themselves?” Unfortunately, that phrase makes it sound like everything depends on us. God has given us natural abilities and talents to live and sustain ourselves. We must invest those talents and abilities in others so God’s kingdom can grow.  But for the

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080623.cfm Let’s Stay Here!  “This is my Beloved Son. Listen to him.” Don’t we listen to people who matter to us? The Father didn’t say, “Follow him.”  He didn’t say, “Love Him.” Probably because before we follow Jesus and love Jesus, we must first “Listen to him.” Yes, it is true – We listen to

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080523.cfm Peer Pressure – Who Do You Want To Be Like? A lot of people influence us over our lives. My cousin, Fr. Dick Horvath, influenced me when I was four or five. He visited our family weekly on his day off. I would sit and listen to him speak, even though I knew little

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080423.cfm How do we know Jesus? When soldiers or sports stars come home in small-town America, they roll out the red carpet. You can hear the band and see the stage where they will introduce their heroes. So why not do the same thing for Jesus or a prophet? Jesus came out of the waters

August 3, 2 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080323.cfm The Negative Becomes a Positive I know someone who recently went to the doctor for pains in his chest and a lack of energy. He discovered that the main artery in the upper chamber of his heart was blocked. The discovery was very negative and soon became positive, saving his life