In this weekend's homily, we are entering the Spiderverse as we talk about one of the most challenging things Jesus says in the Gospels.

Jesus never said, if you wish to be His disciple, kick back and relax.

Instead, He says, "Take up your cross and follow me." He promises suffering, not leisure. But He hasn't abandoned us in the midst of our suffering; He also promises to be right there with us.

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27

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Authority is not dominion or power; it is loving service and sacrifice.

Jesus gave His authority to Peter and his successors. The Pope is a sign of unity for the 1.3 billion Catholics throughout the world.

Jesus wants each and every one of us to be given that sacrificial care, just as He gave to his disciples as the Shepherd.

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

#authority #service #sacrifice #catholic #Peter #Pope

As Catholic Christians, we are witnesses to the grace of metanoia: spiritual conversion. This is a grace given in the heart of every person.

The question is: Do you work with that grace, or do you push it away?

As we hear in the readings and Gospel today, whether Jew or Gentile, this grace is in each of us, and we are all called to the love of Jesus.

Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

#metanoia #conversion #God #Jesus #grace #love #hearts

"It is I; do not be afraid."

Jesus says this not only to reassure the Apostles, but also to proclaim He is God, just as the Father says I AM to Moses.

God has all the power over our lives. Peter knew this at first when he walked out onto the sea toward Jesus. But as Peter became more dependent on himself and thought he could do it all on his own, he began to fear and sink into the sea.

This shows us that only when we depend on our God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) can we release our fears as we navigate our own trials and storms.

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

#Catholic #Fear #Dependent #Power #GodFirst #Peter #IAM #Trial #Storms

What can separate us from the love of Christ?

Nothing--at least not without our consent.

It is not Jesus who stops loving the sinner, but it is we who harden our hearts and choose not to receive his love, but choose other things.

No matter what persecutions or temptations we face, we can conquer all through the love of Jesus Christ.

2nd Reading: Romans 8:35, 37-39

#love #Christ #sinner #receivelove #Jesus #Catholic

This Sunday has many parables that Jesus shared with the crowd to describe His Kingdom. There is treasure that we must seek out or we might stumble upon; there is a final judgment where the good will be separated from the bad and each will get their just reward or punishment.

Jesus came to this world, and He suffered and died so we can be redeemed. We are predestined for Heaven, and the Bible tells us what it takes to inherit the Kingdom.

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52

#Catholic #parables #treasure #judgment #redeemed #Jesus

God is pouring out his graces on all people at all times. It is up to us to tend to it and allow it to take root in our hearts. It is our prayers that cultivate these seeds in our hearts.

In the family, it is important to cultivate a life of prayer and have an openness to life, just as we have an openness to grace from our Lord. In the United States, we are honoring families with Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Week. A unique gift and responsibility contained in the marital vocation is stewardship over the powers of life. NFP respects the integrity of married love and the gift of life.

Learn more: https://www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-43

#Catholic #Jesus #Grace #Prayer #Family #Life #NFP #NaturalFamilyPlanning

We aren't simply observers. We need to live out our faith in Christ.

Our Blessed Mother is the perfect example of this. We can read in the Bible all of the examples of how she lived out her faith, not only in good times but also in very difficult times.

Sacramentals, or devotional items, are one way to remind us to follow our faith in Jesus. The Brown Scapular symbolizes our commitment to lead a holy life in alignment with Christ.

Gospel: Matthew 13:1-23

#Catholic #Jesus #BlessedMother #Faith #BrownScapular #OurLadyofMtCarmel #HolyLife