Ordinary Time

God will never abandon you. He knows your suffering; He knows your deepest mistakes and sins; and He desires greatly to receive you back and heal you. Don't be afraid to express your troubles, worries, and fears to Him. Invite Him into your heart, your mind, your soul - for the first time or the 100th time. Be open to His mystical presence here at Mass and beyond.
Readings at this Mass: 1 Kgs 19:4–8 | Eph 4:30—5:2 | Jn 6:41–51

In receiving the Body of Christ, you are transformed and filled with Him who came to unite you to the Father, to turn you from an ordinary individual to an extraordinary person in God. Let’s set the world on fire for the Lord through His presence in you, the living and walking tabernacle through the fire and power of the Holy Spirit! Be Christ-like to others, so that they may come to know Him and His presence in the Eucharist and be transformed.
 
Readings at this Mass: Ex 16:2–4, 12–15 | Eph 4:17, 20–24 | Jn 6:24–35

Our hunger for transcendent purpose is meant to connect us with God, THE source of meaning, power, and purpose who unites all things. But if God gets relegated to the margins of our lives, it’s easy for idols to take His place - idols that initially offer a sense of connection but in the end destroy us. Think about that as we enter the heart of election season, wherever you are on the political spectrum. Who are our hearts given to: the "right" crowd, party, or politician, or to Jesus?
 
Readings at this Mass: 2 Kgs 4:42–44 | Eph 4:1–6 | Jn 6:1–15 

God is not far from us - He is always by our side, journeying along with us and accompanying us. “When two or three gather in my name, I am in their midst" (Mt 18:20), Jesus says. He is inviting us to help others experience Him through our accompaniment. And as the world is increasingly becoming individualistic, the need to accompany one another is most needed now more than ever. We are called to be a source of comfort, consoling, a helping hand to those who are alone in our midst.
 
Readings at this Mass: Jer 21:1–6 | Eph 2:13–18 | Mk 6:30–34

Each of you is Church, bona fide members of the Body of Christ, in whom Jesus lives and interacts with the world. Your relationships are potential vehicles of grace, windows through which God’s love can reach through and touch those who don’t know Him. Think about that when you’re online, or about to get into a political debate, or you run into that annoying neighbor. Your words, your thoughtfulness, your willingness to befriend, can be sacraments of the saving love of God Himself.
 
Readings at this Mass: Am 7:12–15 | Eph 1:3–14 | Mk 6:7–13

God is the author of all our hobbies; the director of our recreation and guide on our vacations; the maker of your loved ones; the giver of love, joy, and peace. God wants you to delight in these things and know they are His gift to you. But we don't always recognize His sacramental presence in them, whether due to pride, contempt, or fear. To admit to these weaknesses in our lives and surrender them to God, taking them to confession to be healed, leads to a renewed sense of awe and joy.
 
Readings at this Mass: Ez 2:2–5 | 2 Cor 12:7–10 | Mk 6:1–6a

God wants so much to save us from those moments of death and sin. "Do not be afraid," He says, "just have faith." He wants us to rely on Him and His Most Sacred Heart. He is here for you and me, so ask Him to carry you, to restore and renew you, to strengthen you and remind you that you are wholesome, you are imperishable, and you are created in God's image.
 
Readings at this Mass: Wis 1:13–15; 2:23–24 | 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13–15 | Mk 5:21–43

If 99% of our time is spent living for ourselves, focused on our agenda, relying on our own powers, it'll be hard to turn to the Lord or sense His presence when we need Him. So start training now, so you'll be ready. If you've gotten lazy, recommit to daily prayer. If it's been awhile, go to Confession. When you get out of bed in the morning, offer your day to God before doing anything else. Let the Lord into those broken places and allow Him to become your strength and still point.
 
Readings at this Mass: Jb 38:1, 8–11 | 2 Cor 5:14–17 | Mk 4:35–41