Seeds and Weeds are part of every garden.  Seeds require care and attention; weeds are constant presence that require dedicated effort to remove.  

What's true for the garden is also true for our hearts.  There are seeds that we want to grow into fruitful harvests of virtue & spiritual gifts, and their are weeds in the form of sin and temptation that we want to remove.

July 19, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

A garden offers many insights for life and spiritual life:

• A positive attitude that keeps trying in spite of difficulty
• Cultivating a variety of skills that are dedicated to getting better
• Hard work that is expended through labor, energy, and effort

These practical points of gardening can inspire us to apply them to our spiritual lives, that we take the gift of life that we have been given and offer the blessing of our uniqueness opportunities to be a blessing to others.

July 13, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

There are many ways to say "I love you" to the people in our lives:

• with words
• with actions
• being present to another in silence and stillness

The reality of love, its power and beauty, can thus be expressed in many different ways.  Similarly, the love of God is revealed to us through the mystery of the Trinity: one God, revealed in three Persons.

May we enter into this great mystery of God's love, and may we express this love - in a variety of powerful ways - to the people in our lives.

June 15, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

The Holy Spirit - the third Person of the Trinity - descended upon the disciples and empowered them to proclaim the Good News of Christ.  With the power of the Spirit these disciples will change the world.

Here are two powerful ways the Spirit helps us:

• To find our path and direction - giving us guidance
• To provide power and strength - to carry out our tasks

The Spirit continues to work through us today - guiding and empowering us to live our lives for the Lord.  Come Holy Spirit!

June 8, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

There are times in life when we need to say goodbye - letting go of familiar things and embracing new opportunities and challenges.  Transitions are difficult, yet they are a common way we grow.

The Feast of the Ascension reminds us that the disciples faced their transition as the Lord was lifted up to Heaven.  We, too, are called to step out and undertake the opportunities and challenges that the Lord sets before us, embracing our transitions so that the Lord can stretch and transform us!

June 1, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

God commands us to love, both the Lord and one another.  Love is a way we live - a verb that calls us to actions.  3 thoughts:

• Where in my life is it hard to love?  Name it!
• What's my part in that?  Own it!
• Call on the Lord for grace to love.  Ask for it!

May 25, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For other podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Stones are the bones of the earth.  They may or may not be attractive, but when they are shaped and formed they can become powerful - capable of supporting tremendous weight.

Our hearts can do the same.  When we shape and form our hearts - working together with those around us - we become a living temple that gives glory to God.  In our unity we become strong, united in the Lord's love for service in the world.

May 18, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Jesus is not only the shepherd who calls us, he is the gate that protects and guards. When our our lives on earth are finished, the Lord will not only call us - but he will be at the gate.  Will we be ready to greet him?  Do we have any unfinished business that needs to be addressed?  If so, then perhaps today offers the opportunity for us to attend to our hearts.

May 11, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Christ's greeting "Peace be with you!" in the Gospel teaches us about the Lord's longing for us:

• Serenity is a part of God's desire for us
• Many things attempt to steal that peace from us

We hunger and long for peace...we need it!  And to understand peace, there are two distinct components to look for:

• What - the thing itself, which is our goal and objective 
• How - the way we live and act

Both are crucial for an authentic expression of the Lord's peace, and both are required if we will live the Peace of Christ in our hearts.

April 27, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Day transforms the hearts of the disciples.  Formerly afraid and timid, they will now boldly go out into the world - facing terrible fears - proclaiming the Good News with joy.  

The power of the resurrection continues through our lives today.  We embrace the examples of the apostles and continue the mission of Christ.  

This is Easter power!  Filled with hope and joy!

April 20, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

The death of the Lord on the Cross reveals God's uncondional love to take away sin and as Jesus stood in our place.

April 12, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Lazarus, brought back to life by Jesus, is given a second chance - a gift - to live his life.  His example reminds us that every day is a gift from the Lord to share our lives with joy and power.

April 6, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

Thirst is a common experience of human life.  We need water, and we have all experienced the physical sensation that tells us what we need:

• to live
• to thrive
• to be alive

The same is true for our souls, when we feel the thirst - the longing - for something in our hearts.  In our need Jesus Christ comes to us - with the living water that restores us to life.

March 23, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

A test determines the extent and limit of our ability, knowledge, and power.  Tests reveal our strengths and weaknesses - showing us parts of our lives that we might not otherwise notice.

Temptation, like testing, uncovers those parts of our hearts where we our vulnerable. The weaknesses of Adam & Eve are redeemed by the Lord, who faced his three temptations and triumphed over them.  May we turn to Christ and draw strength, that even when we are tempted, we can trust in his grace.

March 9, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI

Fr. Andrew Ricci

studyprayserve.com

For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.

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