Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God is among us. Our task is not to go chasing around looking for the Lord, but rather to live as his disciples as we apply our faith to every aspect of our lives.
November 15, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The healing of the ten lepers reveals the power of God's grace. The gratitude of the Samaritan shows a response that can teach us all a great deal about how we drawn near to the Lord with a grateful heart.
November 14, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
To say "I serve the Lord" has tremendous implications for our understanding and action. Recognizing Jesus as our Lord, we configure every aspect of our lives to him as our daily actions and interactions are infused with his grace.
November 13, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Two widows offer examples of giving generously in the Scriptures today. Three words - gratitude, sacrifice and expectation - can offer insight into how we can be generous as we follow the example of Jesus.
The Lord offers a blunt teaching about money, reminding us that God is our first and greatest priority...whereas money is a tool that is meant to be put to good and practical use.
November 10, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Recognizing our sins and asking for forgiveness challenges us to honestly acknowledge our faults and humbly ask for help. While this is not easy, this process puts us in right relationship with the Lord and one another...allowing us to grow in maturity, wisdom and love.
November 8, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Gospel makes it clear that all other blessings, even the most precious relationship, take second place to our relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the source of all our blessings and the Lord our souls.
November 7, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The reading from Philippians offers a powerful teaching about Jesus, who emptied and humbled himself for the salvation of our souls. As the Lord's disciples we acknowledge that our journey to heaven will lead us along a similar path as we share our lives with one another.
November 6, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The commandment to love God and neighbor is well known, and it can act as a mission statement that guides every single element of our lives...and helping us to grow as Sons and Daughters of God.
November 4, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Sometimes we can get caught up in social status, cherishing feelings of importance and respect. In the Gospel today Jesus reminds us that true greatness lies in how we offer our lives, directing us away from external accolades and turning us toward the beauty of a life of humble service.
November 3, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord reminds us of a sobering fact: the path that leads to eternal life flows through a narrow gate, and every day we make choices that either lead us closer or farther away.
October 31, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus offers two examples to show how with God's help a small action on our part leads to big changes in our lives, inviting us to consider what small adaptations we can make to grow in our faith today.
October 30, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
When Jesus heals Bartimaeus, he does more than simply offer him sight. An encounter with Christ brings us into a direct experience of God's grace and power; how we respond reveals our recognition of the many ways we see the Lord at work in our lives today.
October 28, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Our lives offer us an opportunity to grow and flourish in the grace of God. However, this chance to be spiritually fruitful lasts until the time when the Lord calls us into eternity, and from that moment there is no turning back.
October 27, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Letter of the Ephesians offers a beautiful call to faith which can inspire us in the darkest moments of our lives. May we take these words to heart as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
October 26, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord speaks of division - even within families - in the Gospel today. Why? Because in the end all of us will have to choose a path in life, either leading us to God or casting us away.
October 25, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The end of today's passage from the Gospel of Luke offers a powerful reminder: we are called to live the blessing of our lives to the fullest extent. What's more, we will be judged, not in comparison to others, but in comparison to the gifts that God has placed within us.
October 24, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord exhorts the disciples to be ready and prepared. Each day is a precious gift, calling us to be present to the people in our lives as we strive to take care of any unfinished business. That way, when the Master calls, we will be quick to respond.
October 23, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The prophet Isaiah and Jesus both speak of the servant who suffers for others. Once we recognize the value of life we begin to embrace our suffering with the grace of Christ...whose death and resurrection reveal the depth of love God has for us all.
October 20, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus offers some key insights regarding what it means to be his witness in the world. What we do matters, and even in our darkest moments we can call upon the Holy Spirit for what we need.
October 20, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
We have been chosen by God to offer our lives for service in the world. Our actions will be unique to our own particular qualities, gifts, talents and opportunities...but when we do so the Lord will take our offering and bless it with power.
October 19, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As Jesus sends out the seventy-two disciples, he charges them with specific tasks of preaching, healing and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Like those first disciples, we participate in the ministry of Christ every time we use our gifts and talents for the glory of God.
October 18, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Paul speaks of the "Fruits of the Spirit" in his letter to the Galatians. These nine virtues flourish in our hearts when we are in right relationship with God and one another, and they become powerful signs to guide our actions each and every day.
October 17, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus offers a rebuke in the Gospel today with the insight that almsgiving is powerful way we can foster our spiritual life.
October 16, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Book of Wisdom beautiful describes a life where God is preferred above all else. For when we place the Lord first in our lives, then the rest of our lives becomes focused, balanced and fulfilled.
October 13, 2018 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com