Jesus speaks bluntly in the Gospel of Matthew, making it crystal clear that his disciple must take up his cross and follow the Lord in order to enter into eternal life.
Are you ready?
August 9, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
When Jesus asks the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" he is inviting them into a spiritual self-discovery that leads to personal change. The moment we claim Jesus as Lord we recognize our relationship to the Messiah and declare our allegiance to follow where he leads.
August 8, 2019 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord's interaction and subsequent care for the Canaanite woman offers us an insight into how we reach out to others...even when they are not part of our "group."
August 7, 2019 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The transfiguration of the Lord reveals the glory and power of Jesus to three of his disciples. The revelation is given to prepare them for the struggles to come, reminding us that God often gives us special graces to meet new challenges.
August 6, 2019 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord offers a direct warning about the sin of greed in the Gospel today. While we are often quick to perceive greed in others, the reality is that this temptation touches us all in great and small ways. Fr. Andrew's homily offers three antidotes to help us shake off the lure of this deadly sin.
August 3, 2019 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The death of John the Baptist assaults our senses for its cruelty, pettiness and injustice. As John precedes the Lord in life, so also he precedes him in death...reminding us that the offering of our lives will include profound sacrifice.
August 3, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
What do we do to strengthen and nourish our faith in Jesus Christ? The Lord's response in his native place reminds us that being a disciple is a daily decision that demands our determined discipline.
August 2, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord teaches that our actions today result in eternal consequences. As we offer the gift of our lives may we be guided by the light of the Kingdom of Heaven.
August 1, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Like a hidden treasure or a pearl of great price, our faith is a precious gift that offers the most valuable return of all...eternal life in heaven. (I suggest that we all work for that...)
July 31, 2019 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As the Lord explains the parable of the weeds and the wheat to the disciples, we are are reminded in a vivid way that our lives are accountable to the God.
July 30, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Our relationships with the Lord and one another form the foundation for all our interactions and accomplishments. In good times and bad, we build up these connections, recognizing the crucial need to keep them vibrant and strong.
July 27, 2019 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord's parable of the weeds and the wheat makes it clear that at the end of time there will be an accountability of good and evil. May we be inspired to be counted among the wheat!
July 27, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus explains the parable of the sower to his disciples and unlocks for us the insights we need to confront our challenges and engage our faith.
July 26, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As James and John were striving for places of honor while the other Apostles were indignant, Jesus uses the situation to teach that the call of his disciples comes from offering oneself for service...even to the point of suffering out of love for others.
July 25, 2019 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The parable of the sower and the seed reminds us that there are many obstacles that seek to prevent us from following the Lord. May we cultivate our hearts so that Christ may raise up a rich harvest.
July 24, 2019 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord teaches that those who do the will of his Heavenly Father are part of his family. May we claim this relationship as we put into practice our faith in Jesus Christ!
July 23, 2019 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus reminds Martha that only one thing is important, and her sister Mary has found it as she drew near to the Lord. May Christ be the center and priority of our lives as well!
July 20, 2019 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
In the face of opposition and threats against his life, Jesus continues to minister to the crowds and give them hope. May we bring the broken fragments of our lives to the Lord today, confident in his healing grace.
July 20, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
While speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus reveals his authority over all creation. May we recognize the Lord's role in our hearts as well.
July 19, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The compassion of Christ is evident in this well known passage from Matthew: come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. May these words inspire us in our moments of weakness to draw near to the Lord for the grace and strength we need.
July 18, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As Moses approached the burning bush he stood on holy ground and spoke with God. Our faith in Jesus Christ - who fulfills the law of Moses - allows us to draw near to the living God through our study, prayer and service.
July 17, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord reproaches the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum because they did not repent when they witnessed the mighty acts of God. We, too, have been given much by God; will we turn to the Lord and live?
July 16, 2019 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
In this passage from the Gospel of Luke the Lord teaches his disciples that the term "neighbor" applies to all people, regardless of race, color, religion or political view. Using the example of the Good Samaritan, Jesus reveals how we are called to respond with mercy toward all.
July 14, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Three times in the Gospel today Jesus tells his disciples to be not afraid. Three times! The fact is, fear is a part of the landscape of our lives, and with God's help we can face it with faith as we follow the Lord.
July 13, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Matthew's Gospel reminds us that we are called by the Lord to use all our resources of mind, heart and soul. Each of these aspects of our humanity fosters our growth as disciples as we offer our lives for the glory of God.
July 12, 2019 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com