The Lord gives his authority to the Twelve Apostles and sends them out to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven. This is our legacy of faith; like those first apostles we are empowered by the Lord for service in the world. Now get to work!
July 11, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Gospel of Matthew offers a succinct review of the earthly ministry of Jesus, who in turn invites his disciples to pray that God will send more laborers for the harvest. As the Lord's disciples we continue Christ's ministry in our lives today as we reach out to those who are troubled and abandoned.
July 10, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Both Ezekiel and Jesus are confronted by people who do not want to listen to their message. The spoken word has power, and when the message is tough we can evaluate our effectiveness by four simple tests: Is it true? Is it useful? Is it good? Is it loving?
July 7, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
When questioned about fasting, Jesus responds with an insight: there is a time to feast and a time to fast. As the Lord's disciples we are guided by our faith in Christ to discern the appropriate times when we need to adjust our behaviors for the specific needs of a particular situation.
Saturday, July 7, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The call of Matthew in the Gospel reminds us that God calls all of us - regardless of our weaknesses, failures or past history - and invites us to offer our lives. In other words, God does not call the perfect; rather, the Lord chooses us (warts and all) and blesses us with what we need to accomplish our task. Like Matthew, may we accept the invitation and follow Christ!
July 6, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord's healing of the paralytic in the Gospel today invites us to consider both what needs to be healed in our lives and how we might bring others to Jesus for the healing they require.
July 5, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord drives out demons from two people in the Gospel, inviting us to discern how we recognize and respond as we focus our lives on Christ.
July 4, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Often in life we experience the need for healing, both in our lives and in the lives of those around us. As we grow in faith we acknowledge the Lord's power to bring this healing to our hearts...and as his disciples we become agents for the healing grace of Christ to work through us in the world.
June 30, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The faith of the Roman centurion reveals his complete trust in the authority and power of Jesus. His example inspires us to turn to the Lord with open hearts and allow God's grace to work in and through our lives.
June 30, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
These two heavy hitter saints were far from perfect, and yet God worked in and through them to accomplish marvelous deeds. Their example serves as our inspiration: God patiently works with us! As we look to Sts. Peter & Paul may we embrace the gifts of life and faith as we follow Jesus Christ.
June 29, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
More practical advice from Jesus: his words are good, but when they are turned into actions we create a foundation for our lives that no storm can destroy.
June 28, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus offers practical insight into how we deal with others. By looking at the fruitfulness of one's life we can get a good sense of what is going on down deep in the heart.
June 27, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
"Do to others whatever you would have them do to you" is the modern translation of the Golden Rule. Jesus gives us this rule to help us relate to one another from a common framework of understanding and respect; now we have to act on it!
June 26, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
John the Baptist offers a strong and potent example of Christian witness for us today. John's life served as a preparation for the messiah; he recognized the Lord from the very beginning and he embraced God's call with fierce commitment. Now it's our turn!
June 23, 2018 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Perhaps it's human nature to worry, yet all too often we spend ridiculous amounts of time and effort worrying about things over which we have no control. In those moments when we are tempted to let worry enslave us we gratefully count our blessings and direct our hearts to the Lord.
June 23 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci -www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord teaches the disciples to consider what they should treasure. While we are called to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to our care, we acknowledge that there are truly priceless things that no amount of money can buy...and we will carry these with us into Heaven.
June 22, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord's Prayer is a powerful gift that we frequently use in many ways throughout life. Whether alone or with others, this prayer helps us draw close to God and one another. May we use it frequently!
June 21, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The practices of fasting, prayer and almsgiving are powerful disciplines that the Church has embraced from the teaching of Jesus, and they offer immense power in shaping and guiding our spiritual lives.
June 20, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord teaches the disciples about love by using examples from his Heavenly Father. While it is sometimes easy to love, the real test happens when we overcome the obstacles within and without, choosing to love others as God loves us.
June 19, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Gardeners know that fruitful plants begin from tiny seeds that grow slowly and steadily through a process of change. God brings about transformation in a similar way in our souls: we start small, work a process of growth and the Lord gives the grace we need.
June 16, 2018 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus teaches the disciples to speak simply and plainly. In a world full of words it is a good reminder! May our words reflect our actions with clear transparency, helping us deepen the relationships in our lives with trust and integrity.
June 16, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The prophet Elijah watched and waited for the Lord. While the wind, earthquake and fire were visibly amazing, Elijah recognized God in a tiny whispering sound. It's a good reminder for us today to be on the lookout for the Lord, for even in the smallest and simplest of experiences God is constantly present and in our midst.
June 15, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord boldly states that we are called to reconcile with one another. That begs a simple question: who do I need to forgive in my life today? Once we recognize the essential aspect of forgiveness in our lives the next step is to call upon Christ for the grace required to make it happen.
June 14, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
From the miracle of Elijah to the Lord's fulfillment of the Law, our faith is a gift that allows us to see God at work in our lives. What's more, as disciples we continue Christ's saving work as his instruments in the world.
June 13, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com