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
When Jesus steps into the boat he changes Peter's life forever. As the Lord teaches the crowds and invites Peter to abandon fear and follow him, we find that Christ continues to do the same in our lives, reaching out to us and welcoming us into a life of faith.
September 7, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
What's your treasure? What's so important to you that you will make sacrifices, work hard and dedicate your life to make it happen? A new school year offers the chance for students of all ages to grow in mind and heart!
September 6, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
With authority and power Jesus teaches and drives out a demon in the Gospel today. As his followers, may we call upon the Lord for the guidance and courage we need to face our challenges with his grace.
Three servants were given different amounts of money by their master to invest; two worked hard, one was lazy. The parable reminds us that while we are all given different resources and abilities in this life the Lord still calls us all to use what we've been given with wisdom and hard work.
The wise women in the Gospel today remind us that we are called to be prepared to live our faith for the long haul. Saying yes to the Lord is a crucial step, but it is reaffirmed moment-by-moment as we keep true every day to the teaching and example of Jesus.
September 1, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Love - the Greatest Commandment - offers us an insight into the depth and breadth of the love that God has for us. Pause for a moment and reflect on a time when you experienced love in a blessed way. Now live that love today!
August 25, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The woman in the Gospel of Matthew is tenancious! She trusts that Jesus can offer help for her daughter, and she will not be denied. Her example inspires us to foster a fierce faith - one that receives the gift of God and strengthens it through prayer, Sacraments, and a conviction to offer one's life in love.
August 19, 2017 - St. Anthony Catholic Church - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The woman in the Gospel of Matthew is tenancious! She trusts that Jesus can offer help for her daughter, and she will not be denied. Her example inspires us to foster a fierce faith - one that receives the gift of God and strengthens it through prayer, Sacraments, and a conviction to offer one's life in love.
August 19, 2017 - St. Anthony Catholic Church - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
This short reading from the Gospel of Matthew reveals a beautiful scene: Jesus blessing the children. May we bring our children to the Lord - in prayer, sacraments, and a holy way of life - so that they can receive the blessing of God's grace as they grow.
August 19, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
When asked about divorce Jesus references the Book of Genesis and offers a simple but profound teaching on the sacrament of Marriage: two people become one flesh. While this holy union is a blessing from God, even in ancient times it came with challenges. May we work to support and help those who live this sacred vocation!
August 18, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus teaches about forgiveness through a parable, reminding us that as we have been forgiven by God for our sins we are directed to forgive one another as well.
August 17, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Fear is a part of life, yet our response determines the impact it will have upon us. Peter's experience of fear reminds us that we have an opportunity today to call upon the Lord for the courage we need to face our fears with the power of faith.
August 12, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus heals a child that could not be helped by this disciples. Why? Their faith was not strong enough. As the disciples sought to strengthen their faith we can learn from them, training our "spiritual muscles" to become strong as we turn to the Lord for wisdom, strength and guidance.
August 12, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com