Food for the Journey Classics

Today’s Responsorial Psalm reminds us that those who Fear the Lord are blessed.

That doesn’t mean fear like trembling fear. It means that you reverence God above all.

You fear Him in the sense that you do not want to disobey Him. You desire to follow Him. You put Him first in your life.

If we really know the Lord, if we really see Him as our creator, as our redeemer, as our sanctifier, and we’re going to follow Him more closely.

Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings.

Ephesians 5:21-33

Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

Luke 13:18-21

Sr. Ann’s Books

Pray and Never Lose Heart

Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times

More of the Holy Spirit

Captured By Mercy

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariaradio.substack.com

In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath. The Pharisees are outraged, for He has broken the law. Their motivations are wrong. They aren’t trying to enforce the Law for God’s sake. They are doing it for their own glorification.

We can make the same mistake. We can do all kinds of good things for the wrong reasons. . We should do good things because we’re Christ’s disciples – not because we want to receive credit or glory.

Ask yourself – are your motives pure? Do you do things for the Glory of God?

Sr Ann reflects on today’s readings:

Ephesians 4:32–5:8

Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6

Luke 13:10-17

Sr. Ann’s Books

Pray and Never Lose Heart

Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times

More of the Holy Spirit

Captured By Mercy

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariaradio.substack.com

In this Sunday’s opening prayer, we ask God to “Make us love what you command so that we may merit what you promise.”

God promises us everything.

Read through the Gospels and take note of all the promises God makes to us.

As yourself - if this is what God promises, how do I open my heart so to receive it? How do I live so as to be able to embrace the good that God wants to give me?

God desires to give an abundance of love to us. We want our whole being, our hearts to be receptive to that love.

Sr. Ann reflects on the Sunday readings:

Exodus 22:20-26

Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51

1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10

Matthew 22:34-40

Sr. Ann’s Books

Pray and Never Lose Heart

Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times

More of the Holy Spirit

Captured By Mercy

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariaradio.substack.com

In today’s First Reading, St. Paul implores us to “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” in order to be “filled with all the fullness of God.”

Brothers and sisters, that’s what our life is supposed to be like – allowing our lives to expand in faith and hope and love for him. That’s our ultimate goal. That is the path to Heaven.

Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings:

Ephesians 3:14-21

Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19

Luke 12:49-53

Sr. Ann’s Books

Pray and Never Lose Heart

Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times

More of the Holy Spirit

Captured By Mercy

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariaradio.substack.com

In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues the parable of the servants who awaited their Master. Stay Awake! Be ready! We do not know the hour of the Lord’s return. Are we attentive? Are we alert? Are we awake? Have we decided to live our lives for the Lord now, or do we think get around to it later after we have some fun?

If you’re living like this, give it up. Turn back. And then you will know the fullness of life.

Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings:

Ephesians 3:2-12

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

Luke 12:39-48

Sr. Ann’s Books

Pray and Never Lose Heart

Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times

More of the Holy Spirit

Captured By Mercy

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariaradio.substack.com

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us to gird our loins, light our lamps, and be like servants who are awaiting the return of their master. How do we live our lives? What do we value? Do we value the things that matter to God?

Do we live justly? Do we show others mercy? Do we care for the poor and sick? Do we put our dependence on the Lord, and not on ourselves?

Am I rich in what matters to God?

Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings:

Ephesians 2:12-22

Psalm 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14

Luke 12:35-38

Sr. Ann’s Books

Pray and Never Lose Heart

Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times

More of the Holy Spirit

Captured By Mercy

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariaradio.substack.com

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us of a foolish rich man who, after a bountiful harvest, planned to build large barns to store all his worldly possessions. That night, his life was taken from him – for he had stored up his treasure in himself. You do not become rich by possessions.

What do we do with the graces and gifts God has given us? How often do we squander them? One day we will render an account.

What did you do for the poor and the sick and the homeless? Take a look at what you have.

Use it wisely and give away whatever you can.

Sr Ann reflects on today’s readings

Ephesians 2:1-10

Psalm 100:1b-2, 3, 4ab, 4c-5

Luke 12:13-21

Sr. Ann’s Books

Pray and Never Lose Heart

Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times

More of the Holy Spirit

Captured By Mercy

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariaradio.substack.com

In this Sunday’s Gospel, the Pharisees attempt to trick Jesus, asking if it is lawful to pay the taxes to Caesar. Jesus answers that they should “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Oftentimes we don’t give to God what is God’s.

In effect, we cheat God out of what belongs to Him.

Why would you seek to get away with something from God?

The first means of evangelization is the witness of an authentically Christian life given over to God.

By following the Lord, by obeying Him, we become a true witness. That is our greatest tool to bring others to Christ.

Sr Ann reflects on the Sunday readings:

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b

Matthew 22:15-21

Sr. Ann’s Books

Pray and Never Lose Heart

Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times

More of the Holy Spirit

Captured By Mercy

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariaradio.substack.com

In today’s First Reading, St. Paul writes that we are saved “by faith, working through love.” And in the Gospel, Jesus reprimands the Pharisees who are so focused on the Law, they have lost sight of the Lord. What kinds of lives are we leading? Are we focused on the Lord, or ourselves?

Lord, help us keep our lives directed in the way you would have us go.

Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings:

Galatians 5:1-6

Psalm 119:41, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48

Luke 11:37-41

Sr. Ann’s Books

Pray and Never Lose Heart

Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times

More of the Holy Spirit

Captured By Mercy

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariaradio.substack.com

This Sunday’s Gospel warns us of the blessings – and dangers – of freedom.

Jesus tells a parable of a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son, but the invited guests refused to come.

Jesus has made the Wedding Feast of Heaven available to us. But we have the Free Will to accept this invitation – or to reject it.

One of the most terrifying aspects about the gift of freedom is it leaves us the option of rejecting God.

Where am I resisting God? Where am I saying no to Him?

Sr. Ann reflects on the Sunday readings:

Isaiah 25:6-10a

Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20

Matthew 22:1-14

Sr. Ann’s Books

Pray and Never Lose Heart

Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times

More of the Holy Spirit

Captured By Mercy

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariaradio.substack.com