Jesus returns home with his disciples, but the people - limited by their thinking - cannot see him by the light of his ministry. The Lord's rejection reminds us that we, too, have a community of our own...and we can either build it up or tear it down.
January 31, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus heals two people in the Gospel today, revealing his power as the Son of God. As his disciples we continue the Lord's healing work as we draw strength from Christ...the source of our healing.
January 30, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus speaks with power and authority in the Gospel today, revealing that these gifts come from God and require us to use them wisely and well. May we both receive from the Lord what we need and then share our blessings with others to the best of our ability.
January 27, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Terrified by a violent storm, the disciples call out to Jesus who immediately calms it. Storms are a part of life, and whether physical, emotional, psychological, relational or spiritual we find in the Lord a peaceful strength to face them with confidence and conviction.
January 27, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
All living things grow slowly and steadily, following a process as they mature. The same is true for our faith. On this feast of Saints Titus and Timothy may we patiently and faithfully keep our eyes fixed on the Lord as we grow in faith, hope and love.
January 26, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord commands the disciples to "go into the world and tell the Good News." Our faith today is built on the witness of those who have gone before us. But the command of Jesus applies to us as well...prompting us to consider how we will proclaim the Good News to those around us today.
January 25, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The parable of the sower teaches us that the Lord works in a slow and steady way to change our lives. While there are many temptations and distractions that can choke off our faith, we are reminded to foster the Gospel in our hearts and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
January 24, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord claims us as part of his family in the Gospel of Mark. God chooses us and invites us to accept the Good News and put it into practice.
January 23, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Those little words, "I'm sorry" and "I forgive you" have the power to bring healing and grace as we recognize our weaknesses and ask for mercy. May the example of Jonah and Jesus inspire us to speak them frequently from the heart!
January 20, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The relatives of Jesus in the Gospel today show us that sometimes our family dynamics can cause stress and struggle. Yet our families can also be the place where we are supported and nurtured to grow. May we give our best effort to our family as we encourage and build up one another.
January 20, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus calls the Twelve disciples by name and empowers them for ministry. The Lord does the same for us! May we say yes and allow God's grace to work through our imperfections so that we may serve others with the love of Christ.
January 19, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Gospel of Mark reveals the power of the healing ministry of Jesus. From the beginning the Church has continued this work; may our lives today be open to this ministry as we seek to be instruments of the Lord's healing touch.
January 18, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on a Sabbath, revealing his power as the Son of God and inviting us to consider how we do the Lord's work in the midst of competing values and priorities.
January 17, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
When we say "Jesus is Lord" we claim Him as the center and priority of our lives. May we constantly examine our hearts, looking for anything that is not worthy of God's grace as we continuously re-orient our lives to Christ.
January 16, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Like a coach who calls a play that leads to action on the field, God calls us to a life of faith by what we think, speak and do. May we hear the Lord's call in our lives today and respond with full hearts!
January 14, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus calls Levi - a tax collector and a sinner - with the simple invitation "Follow me." In the same way the Lord calls us, not because we are perfect, but precisely so that we can draw near to the one who heals, redeems and loves us.
January 13, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Four people go to extraordinary lengths to bring a paralytic to Jesus for healing. It begs the question: what do we do to bring people to Jesus, to remove the obstacles that keep others from God? While it is true that each person must decide to follow Jesus, we can all ask ourselves if we are cooperating with the Lord to help one another encounter Christ.
January 12, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus cleanses a leper and restores his health and relationships. We, too, can look into our hearts, see what does not belong, and draw near to the Lord for the healing and restoration we require.
January 11, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord's ministry touches hearts and changes lives, as people encounter Jesus and begin to serve in new and unique ways. Like them, we can echo the words of Samuel and the Psalmist as we say, "Here am I Lord! I come to do your will."
January 10, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus enters the synagogue and drives out unclean spirits. Guided by our faith in Christ, we face evil with God's grace and build our lives on the strength of the Lord.
January 9, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Magi, guided by the light of the star, brought their gifts to honor the Christ child. Our faith gives us light to recognize the gifts God has placed in our lives...and provides the light to discover ways to put those gifts to use in our world.
January 7, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Today offers two options for the Gospel reading - the baptism of Jesus in Mark or the genealogy of Christ in Luke - and reveals to us the humble, simple and open manner in which the Lord meets us in our human weakness.
January 6, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus invites Philip to become a disciple with the words, "Follow me." The language is clear, direct and simple. Philip's response inspires us to consider how the Lord invites us to follow today. How will we respond?
January 5, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Andrew and another disciple respond to the invitation of Jesus to "come and see." Their day with Jesus will change their lives forever as they invite others to encounter the Lord as well. May we do the same!
January 4, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
John the Baptist calls Jesus "the Lamb of God" and invites us to draw upon the significance of this title within the salvation story. May we call upon the Lord's sacrifice for our sins, and see our brothers and sisters through the eyes of Christ's saving grace.
January 3, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com