Fr. Dave Tomaszycki Podcasts
Fr. Dave Tomaszycki is a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit, and currently serves as weekend help at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Parish in Farmington, Michigan.
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Knowing Jesus, Actively and Passively
04/15/2024
Knowing Jesus, Actively and Passively
From the 7:30am Mass on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, the Third Sunday of Easter, Year B. My Three Points: "Know" To know Jesus Who's Job? Active, we must work at knowing Jesus Passive, we must also let Jesus work on us Exult For Ever! The closer we are to Jesus, the more we know Him, the more we want to be with Him, and exult in His presence. That is, the more we want to be in heaven with Jesus.
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The Answer is Jesus!
04/08/2024
The Answer is Jesus!
From the 6pm Mass on the Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday), Year B at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, Sunday, April 7, 2024. Intro: An explanation of Divine Mercy Sunday Body: I relate the book I am working on (On the Demonic, by Fulton Sheen) to the readings today: Three Signs of the Demonic: Love of Nudity Violence Schizophrenic Mentality / Loss of Identity Three Weapons against the Demonic: The Name of Jesus The Blood of Jesus Mary, the Mother of Jesus Conclusion: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus... the answer is Jesus!
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Happy Easter!
04/01/2024
Happy Easter!
Dear All, Christ is Risen! Due to my responsibilities with the Archbishop, I was not in the pulpit on Easter Sunday. But I will be back for the 6pm Mass on Sunday, April 7. Happy Easter! God Bless, Fr. Dave
/episode/index/show/frdave/id/30617053
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We Must Break!
03/25/2024
We Must Break!
From the 7:30am Mass on Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Year B, Sunday, March 24, 3024 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak. My three points: Who Killed Jesus? Not Open to God Giving All Break that alabaster jar! Give it all to Jesus!
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Lenten Talk on the End of Mass: What Does God Want from Me?
03/21/2024
Lenten Talk on the End of Mass: What Does God Want from Me?
The priests at the National Shrine of the Little Flower gave a five week series of talks on the Mass. I had the final talk: "What does God want from me? Reflect on how we are part of God's Divine Plan for salvation--and how He is counting on you to carry out this mission just as the Apostles, Disciples and Saints have done for over two thousand years." Given at 7pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak. This was about a 45 minute talk, followed by Q&A. Layout of the talk: Intro: Mass is ended, go... I borrow material from the sixth chapter of Sheen's . Body: Part 1: Foundations: I borrow material from explaining the Mass. A Sacramental View of Reality Part 2: Pratical: A. "Come," how do we step closer to Christ? Boundaries Prayer B. "Go!" Witnessing to others Live the Life Engage people Conclusion This talk was live streamed, and can be found .
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In Touch with Nature, Reality, and God
03/18/2024
In Touch with Nature, Reality, and God
From the 9:30am Mass on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year B (but using the Year A readings). My three points: Incredulity Our Artificial Lives Although I don't name him or directly quote him, the basis of these thoughts come largely from the book . Reality, Life! Other Resources Quoted: Scott Hahn's , particularly pp. 1-2. Pete Townshend's , particularly pp. 113 & 129.
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Eyes that See Deeper
03/11/2024
Eyes that See Deeper
From the 7:30am Mass on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year B (but using the Year A readings). (The recorder is finally hooked up!) My three points: "Not as Man Sees Does God See" Who is Blind? Humlity
/episode/index/show/frdave/id/30319563
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Stripped, and Left With Jesus
03/04/2024
Stripped, and Left With Jesus
(Our new recorder is still not set up, so I'm recording things on my phone. Thank you for your patience!) From the 9:30am Mass on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak, the Third Sunday of Lent, Year B (but using the Year A readings). My three points: Bunch of Whimps! Like the Israelites, how quickly we turn back when the going gets tough, running from the cross. Hope "The theological virtue by which we desire and expect from God both eternal life and the grace we need to attain it" (Catechism of the Catholic Church). The Samaritan Woman Loses everything, and is left with Jesus Conclusion: Fix your eyes on Jesus and His love, and pray for the grace to embrace your cross.
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Like Abraham, Do We Love God More Than Our Children?
02/26/2024
Like Abraham, Do We Love God More Than Our Children?
From the 9:30am Mass at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak, on Sunday, February 25, 2024, the Second Sunday of Lent, Year B. (FYI: Our new sound system at the Shrine is sounding amazing! ...but we still don't have the recording system set up (waiting for a part). So, I put my phone by a speaker in the rectory and recorded it that way. The quality of the recording is better than I expected, but still not as good as a proper recorder.) Main point of the homily: Is God really our number 1? Do we even place Him above our children?
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To be able to Say: "Be Imitators of Me, as I am of Christ."
02/12/2024
To be able to Say: "Be Imitators of Me, as I am of Christ."
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – February 11, 2024 7:30am Mass, The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica Intro: • Good morning! ◦ Great to be with you! Body: 1. “Be Imitators of Me”: • Mark Twain once said: ‘People worry about the parts of the Bible they don’t understand. It’s the parts I do understand that worry me.’ ◦ Today we have one of those “parts” ▪ We have a very scary and dangerous line ◦ The Second Reading ends with St. Paul telling the Corinthians: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” ▪ ‘Oh, you want to be like God? Just do as I do, I got it all figured out.’ • Normally, when I hear people talk like this, I run the other way ◦ There are plenty of people in psychiatric wards who have the ‘god complex;’ who think they are God, or think they’re so close to God ◦ Typically when people tell you how close they are to God, that is a surefire sign that they are miles away from Him ◦ But, this is coming from Saint Paul, and is the inspired Word of God ▪ So, there’s got to be something to it • St. Paul is speaking from his role as spiritual father to the flock: • “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” ▪ This is really a line that any father or mother ought to be able to say to his or her children ◦ A priest ought to be so dedicated to following the Lord, that he can say to his congregation, in all humility: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” ◦ In marriage, the Church teaches that there are two “goods” of marriage • The first good, is the good of the spouses: ◦ The spouses are supposed to get each other to heaven • The second good, is the good of the children: ◦ The parents are supposed to get their children to heaven ▪ So, husband and wife ought to be able to say to each other: “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ.” ▪ And parents ought to be able to say to their children: “Imitate us, as we imitate Christ.” ◦ I know a couple—they have gone to the Lord now—at the husbands funeral, the wife was at the casket, and pointed and said: “Because of him, I know who God is.” ▪ If spouses can show each other who God is, that’s a good, “successful” marriage ▪ If parents can show their children who God is, those are good parents 2. “Do Everything for the Glory of God”: • But, obviously, none of us are perfect ▪ How can we say—“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ”—with any kind of integrity? ◦ I think the key comes earlier in the Second Reading: ▪ St. Paul tells us: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” • This is a challenging line ◦ Am I doing everything for the glory of God? ◦ When I eat or drink, is it done for the glory of God? • Personally, one of the things I have been consciously attempting for the last few years, is to live life as a Christian … ◦ A few years ago, I went to the store on a Sunday ▪ The store was absolutely packed! ◦ About this time the Archbishop put out a pastoral note on why the Catholic sports leagues have quick playing sports on Sundays ▪ It got me reflecting on the Ten Commandments • The Third Commandment is to Keep Holy the Sabbath Day: ◦ “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates” (Exodus 20:8-10) ◦ The Lord doesn’t even want our cattle to work on the Sabbath, but we go to stores, and we go to restaurants, and Amazon delivers late into the evening on Sundays ▪ Do we live like Christians? Are we doing everything for the glory of God? … • Or do we just live like, everyone else? ◦ Going into that packed store on Sunday, a few years ago, scandalized me ▪ I was living like everyone else ◦ Since then—even though I am far from perfect—I have really been making a conscious effort to do “everything for the glory of God” • I still go to the movies—not on Sundays—but I want it to be formative in some way, shape, or form ▪ St. Thomas Aquinas writes about how artists have a way of reading the signs of the times, and conveying a philosophy before even the philosophers have picked it up • I go to movies, but on the lookout for truths that are being expressed, where the people are, and how it effects their relationship with God ◦ I still listen to comedians—I love comedians (that’s what I want to be when I grow up) ▪ Comedians have a way of seeing a truth from a different angle • When half of the people see it this way, and half of the people see it that way, a good comedian will see it a third way, which sheds light on a truth ▪ You know Who else is a pro at the “Third Way?” • Jesus! ◦ ‘Do you pay taxes or don’t you?” ▪ “Render unto Ceasar” ◦ ‘Moses said divorce is all right. Are you with him or against him?’ ▪ “I am here to fulfill the law” ▪ I don’t think Jesus would be a conservative or a liberal • He would find a “third way” ◦ Books ▪ I still read lots of books, but I try to read books that really capture the truths of humanity • Autobiographies, classic novels ◦ I still love music ▪ But it has been cleaned up over the years ▪ And I’m looking for those great truths that only artists can capture ◦ I still play sports ▪ It’s good for the body, which is a temple of the Holy Spirit ▪ And it’s good for comradery • There’s something about being in a foxhole together, where people “get” each other at a very deep and profound level • So, when we really, consciously work at putting everything we say and do in the service of the Lord—that is, doing everything for the glory of God—there are going to be some consequences: ◦ A. Some things are going to have to change ▪ I have cleaned up my music ▪ There are some comedians I don’t listen to ▪ There are some friends that are better not to hang out with too much ▪ I don’t go out on Sundays ◦ B. Other things have a new focus ▪ Movies, music, comedians, sports, books • On the outside, those things haven’t changed that much ◦ But on the inside, now they are all clearly directed to the Lord Conclusion: Lent: • So, Lent starts in three days ▪ It tends to catch many of us by surprise • It may be good to pray about these questions: ◦ “Lord, how can I do everything for Your glory?” ◦ “Lord, what do I have to do, so that I can say with integrity: ‘Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ’?” ▪ “What has to go? What should I stop? What should I get rid of?” ▪ “What needs a new focus? How do I get that focus?” • Take this to prayer, this really wouldn’t be a bad thing to work on throughout Lent: ◦ “Lord, how can I do everything for Your glory?” ◦ And “How can we—me and You, Lord—use Lent to achieve this?” • God will answer ◦ He is always thrilled to bring His children closer to Him “God Love You!”
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On the Problem of Pain
02/05/2024
On the Problem of Pain
From the 6pm Mass on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. This homily by no means exhausts the topic of pain and suffering. I was simply moved to give a few reflections about the subject. My three points: Brokeness It is okay to not be okay, because none of us is okay The Denial The lie of social media What to do about it We turn to Our Lord
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The Answer is Jesus
01/29/2024
The Answer is Jesus
From the 6pm Mass on Sunday, Jaunary 28, 2024, at The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. I had a longer homily prepared, but I ended up giving a short reflection on the Gospel. Basically, the answer = Jesus. But, it's easy to get distracted, it's easy to desire all the good things that Jesus can give us, instead of Jesus Himself. Let's pray to desire Jesus.
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The "Core"
01/22/2024
The "Core"
From the 11:30am Mass On Sunday, January 21, 2024 at The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. This homily is a little different than most. I don't have my usual, clear three points. Instead, I talk about some people who have passed from my life recently, and then make some ties to the readings. Here are those people: One of the first priests to encouarge me toward the priesthood: My buddy's father: The couple from Our Lady of Sorrows: Here is the page that has been set up for the six Ambrosio children
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Ordinary Time = Time to Hang Out With Jesus
01/15/2024
Ordinary Time = Time to Hang Out With Jesus
From the 7:30am Mass on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. Baptized Members Ordinary Time Hanging out with Jesus A few practical ideas: Sunday: Do something in addition to Mass Mass: Come early Pray after Mass Come to a daily Mass Adoration: Sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament
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The Epiphany: Worshipping, the God, of All
01/08/2024
The Epiphany: Worshipping, the God, of All
From the 9:30am Mass on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Part 1: Explanation of the Epiphany: Jesus: God for All Jesus: God for all Worship Part 2: Pratical Applications Jesus is God for All Do we really believe that? Do we pray like He is? Do we look like He is? Jesus is God What other gods do we have? Jesus deserves to be worshipped How do we attend Mass? How is our tithing?
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Faith, and Family
01/01/2024
Faith, and Family
From the 9:30am Mass on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak, The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Year B. Today, I preach about faith, and make six applications: Abraham, our father in faith Mary, the Holy Mother of God St. Joseph Priestly Ordination Marriage Family Resources: Catechism of the Catholic Church, glossary. Definition of Faith: Both a gift of God and a human act by which the believer gives personal adherence to God who invites his response, and freely assents to the whole truth that God has revealed.
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A Full "Yes," to Veto the Devil's "No"
12/24/2023
A Full "Yes," to Veto the Devil's "No"
From the 11:30am Mass on Sunday, December 24 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B. Three points: A Kerygmatic Advent Created Captured Rescued Response Today we see the perfect response: Mary's "Yes" The Devil: Non Serviam! "I will not serve!" Mary: Fiat! "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Take away point to pray with: What can I do to give a resounding, "Yes," a fuller "Yes," to the Lord? Resources: , by Mother Francis Mary, P.C.C., particularly p. 102.
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Rejoice! We have been Rescued!
12/18/2023
Rejoice! We have been Rescued!
From the 9:30am Mass on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, the Third Sunday of Advent, Year B. Today I walk through the Kerygma, with special attention on part 3: Rescued. The Kerygma: Created Captured Rescued On the Cross, Jesus is: Showing the Love of the Father Jesus, born to die God goes to the Cross, doesn't delegate this God freely goes to the Cross for us Making atonement for us, for our sins Sin is an offense against God Sin is in the blood Going to war to rescue us Response How do we respond to a God Who loves us so? Resources: I draw heavily from Fr. John Riccardo's book: I also barrow a few lines from this awesome little St. John Vianney quote book:
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Fix a Pothole: Preparation for the Lord's Coming
12/11/2023
Fix a Pothole: Preparation for the Lord's Coming
From the 9:30am Mass on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, on the Second Sunday of Advent, Year B. Main Point: Preparation for the Lord's Coming We Participate in Our Own Salvation Both ... and: God saves, and we are called to participate in our salvation Example: Confession Three Offenses: God Man Nature Fix a Pothole Homework: Pray, "Lord, I have lots of potholes in my life. Which one would You like me to work on this Advent?" Conclusion: Preparing a welcoming place for the Lord "Prepare the way for the Lord!" Prepare a "highway for the Lord! May the Christ child have a warm, inviting home in our hearts to lay His head on Christmas Day
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"Suffering from delusions of Adequacy" -Weird Al Yankovic
12/04/2023
"Suffering from delusions of Adequacy" -Weird Al Yankovic
From the 7:30am Mass on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, the First Sunday of Advent, Year B. Intro: Happy New Year! It is Advent Body: Why do we need Jesus? The Infinite Offense Captured (this point is taken from Fr. John Riccardo's excellent book, Rescued) Do we still need Jesus? If we don't think we do, we are "suffering from delusions of adequacy" Conclusion: Hope Isaiah tells us: "Yet, O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands." Throughout Advent, we will work on letting the Father--the potter--work on us, and make us into the beautiful persons He has created us to be
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Jesus Christ, King of... Our Messes
11/27/2023
Jesus Christ, King of... Our Messes
From the 7:30am Mass at The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica on Sunday, November 26, 2023, on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year A. My three points: Working with Others Working with Ourselves Christ, King of the Universe Jesus is the King of the Universe... but He is not yet fully reigning. We participate with the Lord and His mission when we bring everything under His Lordship. Homework: Pray about making a New Year's resolution: What can I do to bring something / someone under the Lordship of Jesus? Two Focuses: Others The Corporal Works of Mercy Ourselves Inviting Jesus into a specific area, a particular "mess," in our lives
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On Contraception
11/20/2023
On Contraception
From the 6:00pm Mass on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. Introduction: Where are your fruits? Show me your children! Body: The Nature of God: God gives Life, the devil gives death and sterility Figruative Birth-Control: Contracepting the Holy Spirit Literal Birth-Control: Contracepting life Conclusion: To those who bury the Master's talents: "Throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grindind of teeth" (Matthew 25:30). To those who fully place the Master's talents in the Lord's service: "Well done, my good and faithful servant.... Come, share your master's joy" (Matthew 25:21). Resources: The Roger Daltrey quote is taken from his autobiography Thanks A Lot Mr Kibblewhite, p. 110. The Kimberly Hahn quote is taken from the book Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism, by Scott & Kimberly Hahn, pp. 35-36.
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Does Jesus Know You?
11/13/2023
Does Jesus Know You?
From the 9:30am Mass on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica on the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A. Introduction: Our Sunday readings become more and more apocalyptic as we approach the end of the liturgical year. Body: To be Known: Our Lord tells the foolish virgins: "Amen, I say to you, I do not know you." Being known Presence Encounter: Confession Mass Prayer The End Times? Conclusion: Jesus would love to get to know you. Put yourself in that position: Confession, Mass, Prayer
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Sharing in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ
11/06/2023
Sharing in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ
From the 11:30am "High Mass" at The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak on Sunday, November 5, 2023, the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. Breakdown of the homily: Introduction: Re-introduce self, talk about being the Archbishop's priest-secretary Body: Baptized as Priest, Prophet, and King The Priesthood Stories from my Priesthood Conclusion: Recruitment Call
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How to Model the Faith
10/30/2023
How to Model the Faith
From the 7:30am Mass at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, on Sunday, October 29, 2023, the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. The Danger of Self-Assurance/Self-Reliance St. Paul and the Thessalonians Homework: How has Jesus made a difference in my life? Where are my sins, my pitfalls, and what has Jesus done?
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Out of Town
10/22/2023
Out of Town
Dear All, I am out of town this week, and thus will have no homily to post. I'll be back in the pulpit on Sunday, October 29. God Bless, Fr. Dave
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Engage the Lord
10/15/2023
Engage the Lord
From the 7:30am Mass on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. The three parts of the homily: The Encounter The Genius of Pope Francis: Creating a Culture of Encounter Encountering / Engaging God Conclusion: The Secret / Hope = Jesus!
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Can We Take Correction... from God?
10/09/2023
Can We Take Correction... from God?
From the 7:30am Mass on Sunday, October 8, 2023, the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, at The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica. My three points: Can we take Correction? Love = Unconditional God is Love Conclusion: "...given to a people that will produce its fruit"
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A "Little Way" for the 21st Century?
10/01/2023
A "Little Way" for the 21st Century?
From the 7:30am Mass on Sunday, October 1, 2023, the Feast Day of the Little Flower (St. Therese of the Child Jesus), at The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica. My three points: St. Therese of the Child Jesus Power, the Currency of the Devil Mystery Conclusion: Some practical ideas to becoming more childlike
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The Joy of Working in the Lord's Vineyard
09/24/2023
The Joy of Working in the Lord's Vineyard
From the 7:30am Mass on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. My two points: Is the Gospel a Burden? Why do we do it? (Why do we practice the faith?) For what we get out of it... worshipping ourselves? Or, for God, worshipping Him?
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