It's called the Magnificat - a song of praise that Mary offers - and it has been a prayer of powerful reflection for the Church for 2000 years. Recognizing that God is in charge, initiating, leading, empowering and conquering evil, we are united in grace and draw near to the Lord.
December 22, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary and Elizabeth, pregnant with their sons as foretold by the angel Gabriel, are filled with the Holy Spirit as they encounter one another. The presence of the Spirit gives us an insight into what happens when we cooperate with God's grace in our lives: the Lord does great things!
December 21, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
While the story of the angel Gabriel and Mary is well known, its familiarity can blind us to the fact that just as God worked through Mary's life, God works in ours. The question is, will we use the blessings we have been given for the Lord's glory? Will we say yes to Jesus Christ today?
December 20, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Luke's Gospel sets the context for the birth of John the Baptist - the last and greatest prophet who will proclaim Jesus as the Lamb of God - and shows us how God constantly works through our lives to bring about something new.
December 19, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
St. Joseph's reception and response to the angel's message offers us a fitting example of faith in action as we receive God's word and respond in love to Jesus Christ!
December 18, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Scriptures today reveal Zephaniah, the Psalmist, St. Paul and John the Baptist as God's messengers who communicate to the people. They remind us that we are all messengers for Jesus Christ, called to proclaim and receive a message of joy.
December 15, 2018 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord speaks of a sober reality in the Gospel today: both he and John the Baptist will suffer. It's a powerful reminder that Christ came for us...our sins, our weaknesses, our wounds...and he offers his life that we might be reunited with God.
December 15, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord reveals how the people complained about him and John the Baptist. Their "glass is half empty" thinking demonstrates the tremendous influence we have in shaping and determining our attitude...especially in difficult moments in our lives.
December 14, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Lord speaks to the people about John the Baptist as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He is Elijah, who points out the Lamb of God, and from this foundation of faith we take our part in God's great story of salvation history.
December 13, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus reveals how God looks at us in our wounded and vulnerable state. Seeking what is lost and rejoicing when found, the Lord thus teaches us how to relate to one another.
December 11, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
In every age people find themselves looking for hope as they face the challenges and battles of life. Jesus Christ is the foundation of our hope, inspiring us to seek out the Lord in our lives and discerning how we can share our hope with one another.
December 8, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
How strong is our faith in the Lord? Do we see Jesus at work in our lives? Two blind men in the Gospel of Matthew teach us today how to call upon the Lord in our blindness as we trust in Christ's guidance every day.
December 7, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Jesus reminds his disciples that when our actions match the words of our faith we build our lives on a foundation which can weather the storms of life.
December 6, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Gospel of Matthew reveals the heart of Jesus - filled with pity for the crowds - and helps us understand how the Lord looks at us, especially when we are weak, wounded, lost and struggling. May this scripture passage give us hope to return to the Lord once again in our need, and trust in his boundless love.
December 5, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The prophet Isaiah offers a vision of hope that will happen when all people are drawn to the Lord's mountain. Jesus echoes this sentiment when he tells the disciples that they are blessed by what they see and hear...reminding us to keep our eyes fixed on Heaven as we journey here on earth.
December 4, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
We have the gift of this short, powerful season of Advent to heed the message of God's love in the person of Jesus Christ. Are we ready? This is the time to take the message to heart and put it into practice.
December 1, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The angel Gabriel tells Mary to "be not afraid" as she hears the news of her role in salvation history. In our moments of doubt and fear may we follow Mary's example and turn to the Lord with renewed faith, asking for the grace and strength we need to face our challenges with God's guidance.
December 23, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Luke's Gospel recounts the naming of John the Baptist, and once again we see how his life served to highlight the coming of Christ. As we prepare to bring this Advent season to a close, may we discern the opportunities we have to direct others to Jesus.
Saturday, December 23, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary's Magnificat is a song of praise about God's goodness and mercy. As we prepare for Christmas, may this proclamation inspire us to count our blessings and opportunities as we put our faith into practice.
December 22, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
Mary, Elizabeth and John the Baptist all show the speed of a vibrant response to the coming of the Messiah. Their example inspires us to consider how our faith guides and directs our actions with the people before us each and every day.
December 21, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
The Gospel of Luke recounts today the exchange between Gabriel and Mary. We know the details, and as we hear the specific names and particular locations we recall that God continues to touch our lives through this great account of salvation through our lives today.
December 20, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
In the Gospel today we learn about the priestly lineage of John the Baptist. John's ministry - calling people to repentance and showing them the "Lamb of God" - fulfills the priestly role and sets the stage for the coming of the Messiah.
The readings are filled with examples of God's power, offering us hope, life and joy as we embrace the Lord's grace in our lives. Where do we see Good News in our lives? How can we bring Good News to others? May these final days of Advent inspire us to live our faith!
The Lord explains how Elijah returned in the person of John the Baptist, and then Jesus goes on to say how he will suffer just like John. As we draw near to the Feast of Christmas, we remember how God so loved the world he gave His only Son...to teach us how to offer our lives for one another.
December 16, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com
We can be pretty good at finding excuses not to do something, yet the Lord - who never gives up on us - continues to invite us to follow him that we might have eternal life.
December 15, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com