26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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How many of us wish (or even pray) that we might win the lottery, or just have a bit more money every month? While we certainly live in a world that requires money (and a lot of it), the Scriptures constantly warn us that wealth tempts us to believe we provide our own sustenance. Great wealth comes with a profound responsibility to share, along with a parallel temptation to selfish greed. It would be a gross oversimplification to say wealth is bad, and it is abusive to praise poverty. The Gospel call is to worship God and use material resources as gifts for all.

For faith in God and responsible stewardship of wealth, we pray to the Lord.
God of abundance, teach us to pursue you above all else. Protect us from greed. Give us opportunities to share our wealth with others, and to receive the gifts of others where we are in need. Amen.

#CatholicYYC #SundayMass
Reflection: CCCB

(Taken from the Facebook page of Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary)

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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The idea that those who can be trusted with little will also be trusted with much can be misread as a guarantee God will r(eward His followers with material wealth. This is always a perversion of the Gospel. The readings today remind us that wealth is found in peaceful communion with our neighbours and with God, and that the misuse of material wealth will also deprive us of the ability to appreciate spiritual riches. If we pursue the things of God first and always, we will find ourselves at peace now and into eternity, as a gift of God. This will also help us to manage material goods faithfully. If we are struggling with finances, feeling guilty about not being good stewards, or otherwise struggling with money or materialism, now is a great time to seek out the help we need to manage better. God wants for us to be at peace, not drowning. There is no shame and lots to be gained from finding a way to seek God in managing well material and financial wealth (or lack of it).

Prayer: For growth in pursuing God and being faithful stewards, we pray to the Lord.

God of life, you have offered us all things to be gifts for your glory. Help us to pursue you above all things, and then to use your resources faithfully. May we be good stewards of your gifts, now and for ever. Amen.

Reflection: CCCB
#CatholicYYC #SundayMass

(taken from the Facebook page of Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary)

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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In the first reading, Moses begs God for mercy for a broken and sinful people. In the Gospel, we hear about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. It is easy for us to have mercy on the prodigals who have decided to return, and much harder to follow Moses in putting ourselves out there for those who are still lost. How are we interacting with the lost in our world: the homeless, the addicted, the angry, those suffering from mental illness, the unrepentant? While we set healthy boundaries to avoid enabling or letting ourselves be dragged under, how do we offer kindness, mercy, and compassion? Every interaction we have with someone who is hurting can be a drop of water that will eventually fill a cup to quench their thirst for God’s unfailing love.

For mercy and compassion for the lost, we pray to the Lord.

Prayer: Loving Father, remind us to be constantly hoping for the “prodigal sons and daughters”. Even when we see no signs of repentance, may our compassion and kindness be an invitation for those who are lost to find another way. May we be ever ready to receive a prodigal home. Amen.

Reflection: CCCB #CatholicYYC #SundayMass
Taken from the Facebook page of Roman Catholic Church

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Satisfy us in the morning with your stead fast love,
so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Let the favour of the Lord our God be up on us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands.  (Psalm 90)

Taken from Living with Christ 

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

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“Let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God;
let them be jubilant with joy.
Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
his name is the Lord, be exultant before him.”  (Psalm 68)
(Taken from the Living with Christ – September 2019 issue)