Daughter of The Spirit

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February 23, 2025 – 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C

St. Ambrose Catholic Church

On behalf of Fr. Jack, Fr. Stoltz, the staff, Deacon John and myself I welcome you to our beautiful Church built by the Italian immigrants that settled in St. Louis in the early 1900’s.

In last week’s Gospel Luke tells us that Jesus, standing on the plain with the 12 men he chose to be his Apostles, gave us instructions on how we need to live our lives to get to heaven by giving us the gift of the Beatitudes.

Today’s Gospel is a continuation of the sermon on the plain.  Today we hear Jesus tell us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  These are things all of us need to work on this season of Lent. 

We do not hear the gospels for this week and next often through our liturgical cycle.  They are usually after Pentecost and get set aside in favor of the solemnities of the Holy Trinity and Corpus Christi, which both have their own set of good readings.  So, it is rare for Deacons and Priests to get preach on these readings.  They are rich in guidance on reaching our goal: Heaven.

We have the story of David who had his enemy in his grasp.  Instead of killing his adversary, he shows him mercy.  Then we have Jesus continuing his sermon on the plain challenging us to love our enemies.  This is perhaps the toughest challenge Jesus gives us.  Throughout His ministry, Jesus practiced what he preached.  Even as he was dying on the cross for the atonement of our sins, Jesus forgave those who tortured and put him to death when he said “forgive them Father.  They do not know what they are doing”.  What powerful examples for us!  Forgiveness is hard.  It can go against our human nature.  Ash Wednesday is right around the corner.  Maybe this year instead of giving something up for Lent, we can concentrate on the sermon on the plain by doing our best to live the Beatitudes and take up what might be the hardest challenge that Jesus gave us – To truly love our enemies.

Friday, January 23, 2026 –  2nd Week in Ordinary Time

St. Ambrose Catholic Church

Good morning, everyone.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus does something really important — He calls people by name.

Let me ask you something: How does it feel when someone remembers your name?  (It feels good, right?) Jesus goes up the mountain to pray, and then He calls the apostles one by one.  Not a crowd.  Not “Hey you.”  But by name.

That tells us something about Jesus.  Jesus knows people.  Jesus notices people.  Jesus cares about people.  And look who He chooses — fishermen, a tax collector, ordinary people.  Not perfect people.  Just people willing to follow Him.

Here’s the most important part: Jesus calls them to be with Him first.  Before they teach.  Before they help.  Before they go out.  They start by being close to Jesus.  And today, in this Communion Service, Jesus is calling us to be close to Him too.

When you come forward for Communion, remember this: Jesus knows your name.  Jesus loves you.  Jesus invites you to walk with Him — today, at school, at home, everywhere.

So let’s ask Jesus to help us listen when He calls our name and to follow Him with kind hearts and brave faith.

Amen.