"Love your enemies" may be one of the toughest teachings of Jesus. Sometimes to seek the best in those who are opposed to us is possible only through the grace of God. If that's the case, then today is a good day to pray for that grace!
June 20, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
St. Paul reminds us that we live for the Lord, offering our lives as His ambassadors and sharing the love that we have received through a life of grace.
June 17, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Our human lives are filled with contrasts: on one hand we are fragile "earthen vessels" that can crack and break; on the other hand, we have been given the treasure of Jesus Christ - who heals, saves and renews our lives.
June 16, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord invites us to a higher standard as we reconcile our hearts with one another. May we examine our lives today and remove any obstacle that keeps our relationships from growing in God's grace.
June 15, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus tells the disciples that he has come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. The Good News is that God is with us! Christ's saving death and resurrection, followed by the gift of the Holy Spirit, means that we are not alone. May we turn to the Lord every day for the grace and strength we need.
June 14, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord describes us as Salt and Light, two things that while good in themselves are also precious when shared with others. With salt our food is tasty and preserved; with light we can see and find our way on the journey of life. May we share our lives with one another, giving glory to God for blessings we have received.
June 13, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
What if the gift of our lives was not measured by time or money, but rather by the sacrifice in our hearts? That's the lesson the Lord reveals about the poor widow in the Gospel today.
June 10, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The first reading and psalm response show people praising God with grateful hearts. What are you thankful for today? How can you express in word or action fitting praise for what God has done in your life?
June 9, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Today is my 20th anniversary as a priest! As I reflect on the Gospel reading today, I pray that each of us will live our Christian vocation to love the Lord and one another with all our heart!
June 8, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
What will it be like in Heaven? When the Sadducees try to trap Jesus, the Lord responds with wisdom that gives insight into God's gift of eternal life.
June 7, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus cuts through the hypocrisy and offers some profound wisdom regarding what we owe in Heaven and on earth.
June 6, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Peter's words to Jesus, "Lord we have given up everything and followed you" remind us of the true cost of discipleship; for when we put the Lord first and at the center of our lives, everything else falls into its proper place.
February 28, 2017 - Cathedral or Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
When worry overtakes us we lose our focus on the Lord and run the risk of wasting the gift of our lives. Jesus knows this, and his teaching in the Gospel today reminds us that as we follow Christ we will receive what we need to encounter each day when we think, pray and share over the worry that confronts us.
February 25, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As Jesus welcomes and blesses the children in the Gospel of Mark, we are reminded to foster a world where our children are safe and protected as we recall that we, too, seek the Lord with the tender trust of a child.
February 25, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The book of Sirach speaks about the great gift of friendship. As we build up our friendships on earth, may we also foster our life with Jesus Christ - the best friend of all.
February 24, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Our conversion of heart never stops; we are either drawing closer to Christ or farther away. As we follow the Lord we recognize our actions have consequences that affect our lives...both in this life and the life to come.
February 23, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As the Lord attempts to teach the disciples he catches them arguing about who is the greatest. His response: to set before them a child...that as they welcome the innocent and vulnerable into their midst, they welcome Him.
February 21, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus says "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." This command to love one another as God loves us will challenge our attitudes, actions and prayer as we strive to follow the Lord's example of love.
February 18, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
On the mountain Jesus is transfigured, appearing to three disciples as he stands in Heaven. His transfiguration offers us hope, that as we carry our crosses and face the challenges of life we will have the strength and guidance we need.
February 18, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus invites us to "take up our Cross" and follow him. While God does not will suffering, the Lord permits it for the sake of a far greater commandment: Love one another. As we carry our crosses today, we do so out of love for one another, as the Lord - who shows his love on the Cross - loves us.
February 17, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
When Jesus asks the disciples "Who do you say that I am?" Peter gets it right...and then he gets it wrong. The Lord reminds us that we are called to think as God does...and not as human beings do!
February 16, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As Jesus heals the blind man in the Gospel today, he shows how healing is often an intimate process that leads back to our relationships at home. May we set before the Lord whatever is wounded in our lives, trust in his process of healing, and renew the relationships within our families and friendships.
February 15, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus recalls how a little yeast can transform dough - making it grow larger and into something new. In our spiritual lives this process can work for both good or evil, and we are invited today to embrace God's grace into our hearts, changing us into daughters and sons of God.
February, 14, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Book of Sirach, the Psalm response, and the Gospel of Matthew all highlight the crucial power we have to make choices in our lives. May we put Christ at the center of our hearts, so that everything we say and do will be touched by his grace.
February 12, 2017 - St. Anthony Catholic Church - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Adam and Eve experience the natural consequences of sin as they face new challenges in their lives and leave the Garden of Eden; Jesus looks on the crowd with pity and responds to the natural consequences of their needs with compassion - inspiring us to face the consequences of our own sins with the compassion of Christ.
February 11, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com