Pilgrim Priest

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) • We can only love the Lord our God when we begin to realize how much He loves us. Once we are rooted in God’s love for us, then we can go and love others as Christ has loved us. And that gives great glory to God. When did you fall in love with Jesus?

(5 Nov 2017)

Point to Ponder: “We love, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:9)

Point to Discuss: Is your leadership, your parenting, or your service to others, giving glory to God or glory to yourself?

Point for Action: Say a prayer that you can experience Jesus’ love for you. If you have fallen in love with Jesus, say a prayer of thanksgiving for that gift. And pray for others who haven’t yet.

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) • We don’t know exactly what the next life looks like. But we do know that it’s a journey that all must take. We send them on their way with our love and our prayers. We hope and pray that when it’s our turn, they will be waiting by the door to greet us.

(2 Nov 2017)

Point to Ponder: Ponder the thought of your own death.

Point to Discuss: Talk to a friend about what you think happens when you die — do you agree or disagree?

Point for Action: Say a prayer for the dead. Or visit a cemetery. Or both.

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) • The scholar knows so much about the law but he’s forgotten the heart of the law. Many of us know the Catholic faith, but have we forgotten what it’s all about? Have I fallen in love with Jesus?

(29 Oct 2017)

Point to Ponder: Do you love Jesus? How did you come to know and love Jesus? Journal about some of the key steps on the journey.

Point to Discuss: Talk to a friend or fellow parishioner about how your local church would be different if everyone there was head-over-heels in love with God?

Point for Action: Look into a program to help you encounter Jesus more: 33 Days to Morning Glory, a Cursillo weekend, or a TEC retreat.

Twenty-ninth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year A) • We know who a $100 bill belongs to, and what it’s worth. You are made in God’s image. God signed his name on your heart. You are a precious, unique, original piece of art shaped by the hand of God himself. Do you see God’s image in others? Do you see God’s image in yourself?

(22 Oct 2017)

Point to Ponder: Have you ever felt crumpled, used, worthless? Consider praying the Novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots for healing in that area.

Point to Discuss: Talk to a friend about practical ways you can welcome others and treat others as a masterpiece.

Point for Action: Repeat to yourself: I am a priceless and unique masterpiece.

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) • We might find the king’s behavior a little disturbing. But we should be even more shocked by the response of the wedding guests. God’s invitation is met with apathy and opposition. We have each received an invitation to the banquet, but that doesn’t mean we have a guaranteed seat. Many are invited, but few are chosen.

(15 Oct 2017)

Point to Ponder: What would have to change if I wanted to make God a higher priority in my life?

Point to Discuss: The feast is ready, but are we? Talk to friend about what it means to get yourself ready for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb of God.

Point for Action: Take a concrete step to make God’s invitation a higher priority in your life.

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) • We are surrounded by spirits both good and evil. Cooperate with the good ones and resist the bad. Our Lady comes to help us find the path to life and reject the path that leads to death. Use Holy Water at home, pray the Rosary every day, teach your children about God, and focus on what is good. “Go and fear nothing,” says Mary, “for I will help you.”

(8 Oct 2017)

Point to Ponder: Read more about the history of the appearance of Mary in Wisconsin, United States.

Point to Discuss: What is something good you see happening in America right now? Talk to a friend about some of the things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent, and worthy of praise.

Point for Action: Pray a Prayer for Spiritual Protection

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) • We may be saying “yes” to God, but are we really doing our Father’s will? Was there something more important than Jesus this Sunday? Do you follow God’s law when it comes to a significant other? Do we treat people who are different from us with dignity and respect? When our life is rooted and grounded in God’s love, healthy relationships will flourish.

(1 Oct 2017)

Point to Ponder: Reflect on Ephesians 3:14-19

Point to Discuss: When is a time you felt someone actually listened to you, even if they might not have agreed with what you had to say? Return the same favor to someone else.

Point for Action: Take an inventory of your close relationships. Which ones are rooted and grounded in God’s love, and which ones are not?

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Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) • Does it really matter if you live 1 year or 51 or 101, as long as you get to heaven? God is not cheating us when he choses to be generous. The only loser is the one that doesn’t say “Yes” to God’s invitation. When you serve God you’ll always get better than you deserve.

(24 Sep 2017)

Point to Ponder: Does this parable bother you? Why or why not?

Point to Discuss: Have you ever felt as if God has cheated you? Talk to a friend about the feeling.

Point for Action: Say a prayer for the Looney family or someone else who seems to need a little extra help right now.

Photo credit: Beranek Blog: Bailing Hay

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) • Forgiveness is not a something we give on command, an erasing of the past, forgetting, or ‘leaving it to God.’ Forgiveness is the creative and transformative process of letting God’s love fill our wounds. Forgiveness allows us to recover our own dignity and the dignity of the offender. It heals us, opens us to new possibilities, and makes ugly things beautiful.

How many times do you want God to forgive you: as many as seven times?

That’s how many times you should forgive your brother.

(17 Sep 2017)

Point to Ponder: The steps on the process of forgiveness from How to Forgive: A Step-by-Step Guide by John Monbourquette

* Do not seek revenge; Put an end to the offending actions.

* Recognize your pain and poverty.

* Share your pain with someone.

* Identify your loss properly so you can grieve it.

* Accept anger and the desire for revenge.

* Forgive yourself.

* Understand your offender.

* Make sense of the offense in your life.

* Recognize that You’re Worthy of Forgiveness — and Already Forgiven.

* Stop Trying So Hard to Forgive.

* Open up to the Grace of Forgiving.

* Decide Whether to End or Renew the Relationship

Point to Discuss: When do you find forgiveness easy, and when do you find it hard? Talk to a friend about your experiences of forgiving and being forgiven.

Point for Action: The next time someone says, “I’m sorry,” from your heart tell them, “I forgive you.” Even if they’re just sorry they are late. We all need forgiveness.

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) • A little tropical depression feeds off the warm, moist ocean air and turns into a destructive hurricane. This same deadly spiral happens when we get hurt, and start hurting others. We are all responsible for a healthy community. We have to step out of the storm of hurt and violence. Jesus is the eye of the storm.

(10 Sep 2017)

Point to Ponder: Listen to Eye of the Storm by Ryan Stevenson

Point to Discuss: Where have you watched the spiral of hurt people hurting people? Talk with a friend about how current events look different when seen in the light of hurt and counter-hurt.

Point for Action: Is there someone in your family, friend group, or workplace that has hurt you? Sit down with them one-on-one and share with them your feelings. Offer to forgive them.

Photo Credit NOAA