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
"What are you giving up for Lent?" is a question that all too often finds us without an adequate answer. Take time now in these next few days to reflect on how we want to make a sacrifice - Body, Mind or Heart - that speaks to our Soul!
February 13, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - 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
The temptation of Adam & Eve illustrates for us how sin can erode our relationships with God and one another. As we come to understand their temptation, we seek the Lord in our moments of trial, asking for the grace (and when necessary, forgiveness) of Jesus Christ.
February 10, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
A Greek woman who is Syrophoenician by birth expresses a mother's love through her simple and direct faith in the healing power of Christ. Her one line response to Jesus inspires us to embrace our faith with conviction and power as we face the challenges in our lives.
February 9, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus points out that it is within our hearts that destruction and defilement take place. The solution? Turn away from sin, making a change of heart so that the grace of Christ can make us whole.
February 8, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of Mark that we are called to keep our focus fixed on God, so that all our actions - big or small - do not take on a life of their own but always point back to the Lord.
Jesus proclaims to his disciples that they are the light of the world, an uplifting testament to the opportunity we have to make a difference in our world as we offer the gift of our lives to God.
February 5, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Christ, the Great Shepherd, looks upon our weakness with compassion and reaches out to guide and strengthen us for the journey through this life and into the next.
February 4, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The death of John the Baptist recalls the fact that doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason does NOT mean that life will always be easy. In fact, our faith in Jesus Christ will sometimes put us squarely in the face of opposition...and we recognize that we might suffer even as we serve the Lord with all our heart.
February 3, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
As Mary and Joseph presented their infant son in the Temple, they encounter Simeon and Anna who give praise to God for the fulfillment of the Lord's promises - the Messiah has come bringing light into the world! As his disciples may we continue to share this light as we present ourselves for service to God and one another.
February 2, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
In the Book of Hebrews we are reminded to treat our trials as discipline, something that Jesus encountered when he preached at Nazareth. As we live our faith today may we consider our struggles and difficulties as "homework for holiness" through which God strengthens our faith and renews us in grace.
February 1, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The two healing miracles in the Gospel of Mark today reveal the healing power of the Lord, inspiring us to draw near to the one who knows our need and longs to touch our hearts with his grace.
January 31, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Humility happens when we are simultaneously aware of our sins and acknowledge God's grace. When we bring together this understanding of our sinfulness and God's mercy we can be honest with ourselves and thus approach the Lord and others with a humble heart.
January 28, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Both St. Paul and Jesus teach about the crucial role of faith, and their words inspire us to trust in the Lord as we follow God's call.
January 28, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven as a mustard seed that grows slowly and steadily, reminding us to be open to the Lord's grace in our lives today...so that we continue to grow to full stature as disciples of Christ.
January 27, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
We are invited to stir into flame the gift of our faith, allowing the grace of God to work in and through our lives with the Light of Christ.
January 26, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
St. Paul's conversion shows how God calls us to make changes in our lives as we draw close to Jesus Christ and proclaim the Good News. The Lord reaches out to us in our weakness, inspiring us to turn away from our sins and become living witnesses to the world.
January 25, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus teaches in the Gospel today that all who do God's will are part of his family. Through prayer, Scripture, sacraments and fellowship we become spiritually fruitful as we offer our lives to the Lord.
January 24, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
We know firsthand the different types of darkness that occur in daily life: fear, grief, loss, pain, anger, loneliness, rejection and doubt. In these moments we call upon the Lord - who casts out the darkness - so that we can live in the Light of Christ.
January 22, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Book of Hebrews proclaims that we are cleansed by the blood of Christ - which fills us with grace to live each day as a precious and holy gift.
January 21, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Calling his disciples, the Lord appointed and sent Twelve to preach the Good News and drive out demons. Christ continues to call apostles today, inviting us to continue his mission on earth...with our eyes fixed on heaven.
January 20, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com