In football, trick plays are sometimes used to fake out an opponent with misdirection - focusing on something unimportant while the play is happening somewhere else. Life works the same way: it is easy to spend our time and resources on trivial matters and miss out on critical issues.
The Lord points this out in the Gospel today, inviting us to concentrate on the battle within our hearts. Here are three things to consider:
Through regular use we strengthen our hearts and focus our lives on important things, asking the Lord for the help and guidance we need to conquer our daily battles.
August 30, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Life is difficult. In the midst of our struggle to make good choices and carry out challenging tasks, we call upon God for the help we need. As we encounter Jesus Christ in Holy Communion to be strengthened for the burdens of life, we pray for Wisdom to choose wisely and Courage to carry it out.
August 23, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Family dinners - be they big or small - touch our hearts in a number of ways:
The same is true when we come to the Lord's table at every Mass. We are nourished with Christ's Body & Blood. We are united as the People of God - as brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends. We are empowered to go forth, touching the hearts of those we meet with the grace and peace of Jesus Christ.
May our reception of Holy Communion feed our souls, foster unity, and empower us to live our lives for the Lord!
August 16, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Every breath we take is sustained by the will of God. Our dependence upon the Almighty can help us in two key ways:
In our need we draw strength from the Bread of Life - who gives us what we need to face each day!
August 9, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Have you ever "wanted" something - thinking that if you only had this one thing you would be...happy, fulfilled, and free of care? There are many good (and some not so good) things that we can want, but none of them will completely satisfy us. We are left restless, longing for something at the center of our our hearts. We know that nothing in this world will satisfy us for a simple reason:
Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life."
The Lord knows us, loves us, died and rose for us, and longs for us to be united in his Sacred Heart. Christ comes to us - sharing his Body and Blood - that we might never hunger and thirst again. When we draw near to the altar, may our "Amen" resound with a desire to unite our hearts to Jesus Christ - the one who knows our wants, but responds to our needs.
August 1, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Thanks to all who have checked out my website and listened to Catholic Inspiration! I am grateful for the opportunity I have as a parish priest and touched by the responses I have received over the last couple of years. God bless you!
September 27, 2016 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com