The 72 disciples return to Jesus, rejoicing at how their lives - empowered by Christ - have made a difference. Their "yes" to the Lord inspires us to do the same, offering our lives so that Christ can work through us in the world today.
October 7, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
It will not go well for the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum; Jesus preached in their midst and they have not responded. It's a good reminder for us who have been raised with the Gospel...are we merely "cultural" Christians, or has the Good News touched our hearts and changed our lives?
October 6, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus sends out 72 disciples - in pairs, trusting on God's providence and facing tough struggles - so that they can proclaim the Kingdom of God. Nehemiah and Ezra remind the people of Israel not to forget the Lord. The Church needs both: we come to know God so that we might invite others to know the Lord as well.
October 5, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus makes it clear in the Gospel today that to be a disciple is not for the faint of heart; rather, it will call us to place God above all else as we live in the world. It begs the question: what's most important in your life?
October 4, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
James & John are offended by a Samaritan village and threaten to call down fire from Heaven. Jesus rebukes them, reminding us all that when we feel injured or offended to look to the Cross and see God's solution to our human sin.
October 3, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Ezekiel and Jesus point out the power of our actions in the spiritual life, and Paul reminds us that our actions are shaped when we take on the attitude of Jesus Christ. It's practical advice that illustrates our ongoing need to focus on the Lord as we put our faith into practice.
September 30, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus announces that he will be handed over, and the disciples are afraid to ask him any questions about it. The fact is, the Lord embraces the Cross to free us from our sins...inspiring us not to be afraid but to draw near Him in faith.
September 30, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The world can be a dangerous place where we encounter struggles that test us to the limit. Today we are reminded that we are not alone; in the order of creation God's angels are among us, and some of them are appointed to help us in times of need. Among them the archangels are God's "heavy hitters" who remind us to call for help when times are tough.
September 29, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Herod is perplexed. Who is Jesus? What is he about? What does it all mean? These questions continue to surface in the world today as people are confronted with the power of God's saving grace through Jesus Christ.
September 28, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus gives his Apostles power and authority, and then he invites them to trust in God alone. It's a good reminder for us to claim the blessings that we've been given as we put the Lord first in our lives.
September 27, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Here's some good news: those who hear the Word of God and act on it are treated as sisters and brothers to Jesus. Now, do you want to be part of the family?
September 26, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
If your life were to be considered as a single day, what time is it - morning, noon or night? Are you ready to step into eternity or is there something holding you back? God lavishes grace upon our world; our task is to be open to the generous gift of grace and receive it into our hearts.
September 23, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
Autumn offers a good time to reflect on the harvest - the produce we have taken from the land. The Gospel today also offers an opportunity to reflect: what kind of harvest are we cultivating in our hearts?
Names remind us that we are unique persons, made and redeemed by God. The names of the three women in the Gospel today reveal that the Lord continues to call disciples who will go out and proclaim the Good News.
September 22, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Matthew accepts the call of Jesus and goes out bringing others to the Lord. May his example inspire us to do the same!
September 21, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Whatever our shape or size, age or ability, we all have gifts that God has placed within us. As we acknowledge our gifts may we use them to show our love for God and one another.
September 20, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus revives a dead man and returns him to his widowed mother in the sight of a large crowd. This powerful miracle anticipates the Lord's resurrection that we might be restored in our relationship with God. A powerful miracle, indeed!
It's non-negotiable. Forgiveness is a key ingredient in the Christian life and without it we cannot receive the grace that the Lord lavishes upon us. Who do we need to forgive? To whom do we need to ask for forgiveness? May we call upon God's grace for the strength we need to be people who put forgiveness into practice.
Through a series of illustrations Jesus points out that our faith is witnessed through our action. Our words can indicate the state of our hearts, but the actions we carry out reveal the depth of our conviction.
September 16, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Following immediately after yesterday's Feast of the Holy Cross, the readings today focus on Mary as she endured the "sword of sorrow" as she stood at the Cross of her son. Her sorrow reaches out through time and space to all people who have been overwhelmed by grief. May her example help us to face our moments of pain with a sure and steadfast faith in Jesus Christ.
September 15, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Cross teaches us many lessons:
* Life is difficult, and at times painful
* Weakness and sin are part of our experience
* God identifies with our pain
* God dies that we might have life
At the core of our teaching the Cross stands as the testament of God's love for us. On one hand the Cross is an embarrassment - after all, why would God (all powerful, all knowing, supreme) choose to be humiliated? Does that not mean that God is weak? Why could God not take away our sins in a way that showed majesty and splendor?
Yet on the other hand, the Cross is a statement that God meets us where we are in life. In our weakness, in our humiliation, in our low moments of doubt and sin God comes to us. Jesus, like us in every way but sin, understands our pain because through his Cross he shares in the suffering of the world. He knows us, and loves us even more.
September 14, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus offers a series of blessings and woes, reminding us that when we are united to the Lord we are blessed...and when we drift off on our own we find ourselves in a bad place.
September 13, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus calls by name the Twelve Apostles from the disciples who followed him. Chosen by him, they have work to do...reminding us today that the Lord continues to call people to carry on the Lord's saving work through the mission of the Church.
September 12, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
One of the hardest things about the Christian faith is the giving and receiving of a tough message, the kind of message that hits our hearts and requires us to grow as children of God. Whether it's something that needs to be said or something that needs to be heard, may we call upon the Lord for the courage we need to let the message of Jesus Christ speak to our souls.
When confronted by the pharisees about his disciples violation of the Law, Jesus cites David and his own authority over the Sabbath. Recognizing Christ as the Lord of our lives, we are inspired to put Christ at the center of everything we do as we offer our lives for him.
September 9, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com