God calls us to work together as living stones - building up our families, schools and churches. May we work together, guided by the hand of Jesus, to accomplish our tasks for the service of one another.
October 18, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus addresses the Pharisees, exhorting them to clean up - not on the outside but within - to cleanse their souls. While externals can be important, by focusing on what's on the inside we prepare ourselves for a lasting relationship with the Lord and one another.
October 17, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Eucharist is a banquet that nourishes, celebrates and unites our lives. Christ himself feeds us with his Body and Blood so that we might grow in grace. Two simple questions follow from this great gift:
For always remember that one day we will stand before the One who is the source of all grace...and what then will we say?
October 15, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus offers a two step process to be blessed. First, we must hear the Word of God. Second, we have to act on it! Here's the question: do you want to be blessed?
October 14, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
After driving out demons, Jesus takes the opportunity to teach about his authority and his power over the forces of darkness.
October 13, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord invites us to persistently ask for what we need, trusting that God's goodness will reach out to bless us in ways beyond our imagination.
October 12, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Luke's Gospel offers a condensed version of the Lord's Prayer from what we commonly pray in the Gospel of Matthew. Because of it's brevity, we can clearly see the emphasis on holiness of God the Father, the Kingdom, trust in God, forgiveness and protection from evil. May we keep praying everyday!
October 11, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary, Jonah and the people of Nineveh all showed a remarkable sense of focus in the readings today. They were able to zero in on something crucial, and with God's grace they were able to carry it out.
October 10, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
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
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
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?
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
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