Both Amos and the Apostles are chosen by God and empowered to do amazing things. The tasks set before them are difficult and challenging - obstacles that will test them. The Letter to Ephesians reminds us, however, that God chooses us as well! Here are three points to help us face the struggles of life:
May the words of the Scriptures and the examples of the saints inspire us to engage the obstacles of life with God's grace!
July 12, 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.
Sometimes there are obstacles that are keeping us from saying what needs to be said...or hearing what needs to be heard. What's more, before we can face the challenges of speaking or listening we might be better served by naming these obstacles in our lives. Once we can give it a name, we can bring it before the Lord for the help and strength we need to pull these obstacles out of the way.
July 5, 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.
Jesus defines much of his ministry with clear examples of healing others, and the Gospel today gives us an insight about how we draw near the Lord. We have all had experiences where we long for healing. We have seen loved ones suffer, and many of us know first hand the presence of pain in our lives. May the example of Jairus and the unnamed woman inspire us to seek the healing grace of Christ!
June 28, 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.
We get to live in this beautiful part of the country! From the wonder of creation we can get some insights into the power and love of God. May these insights inspire us:
With open eyes and willing hearts...may our love for the Creator be inspired by the creation we enjoy!
June 21, 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.
Nature teaches us that little seeds lead to big things. Life is a process of growth and change, and from the Gospel reading we can consider two points:
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a seed - it starts small but keeps growing! May we do the same, as individuals and united together, to grow in faith, hope, and love.
June 14, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci - studyprayserve.come
For more podcasts, go to threegreatthings.libsyn.com or "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
Suffering not only affects us individually, but relationally as well. The four categories described last week may touch our relationships in some of these ways:
Like the leper in the Gospel of Mark today, we can reclaim the healing we need in our lives and the relationships around us. Here are three things to consider:
February, 15, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com
Suffering is a part of human life. It is often found in one of four quadrants of human experience:
When we encounter suffering we can first do our part:
But sometimes we discover that the suffering is bigger than ourselves. We cannot handle it alone, so we then turn to the Lord who through his death on the Cross understands our pain and triumphs over it.
February 8, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com
The power and authority of Jesus Christ is evident in the Gospel reading today, as the Lord teaches and then casts out unclean spirits. This same power was extended through the Apostles; calling upon the Lord these disciples changed the world as they allowed the grace and strength of Christ to flow through their lives.
When we are plugged in to the grace of Jesus, we allow the Lord's love to flow through our lives and touch the hearts of others. Like extension cords, we become conduits - drawing upon the strength of Christ and sharing his power with those in our lives - so that the Lord's mission will continue through us today.
February 1, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com
Remember as kids when we learned how to do long division? Remember what happens when you make a mistake early on, only to find out at the end that the answer is wrong? And remember how you have to:
The same is true for spiritual life. Both the first reading and the Gospel call us to repent - turning away from our sins and mistakes and following God with full hearts. May we call upon the Lord's grace to move forward with God's help as we embrace the Good News.
January 24, 2014 - St. William Church - Foxboro, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts, go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes.
or www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com
The call of the Lord today touched the hearts of Samuel and two disciples of John the Baptist through the assistance of Eli and John. Their example speaks to us:
May we keep our hearts open through Scripture, Prayer, and Fellowship; may we speak to others in love - sharing what we see so that they can find their path.
January 18, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
For more podcasts go to "Catholic Inspiration" in iTunes or
www.threegreatthings.libsyn.com
Water is an essential element here on Earth - capable of death and life.
The Baptism of the Lord was a moment that transforms and empowers all baptisms - configuring the newly baptized to Jesus Christ. His death on the Cross destroys our sin and death; his resurrection opens the doors of Heaven for our eternal life.
Today, what sin and/or temptation needs to be destroyed by the grace of Baptism? What virtues and abilities need to be nourished by the Lord's saving power that comes to us through our Baptism?
January 11, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
We use our calendars to keep us on track. But there are traps:
We can get caught up in the past - and beat ourselves up over our mistakes.
We can get absorbed in the future - wasting time over unknown worry.
Rather, we are called to encounter the present moment - learning from the past as we plan and build for our future. This is true not just for life, but for our spiritual journey as well.
November 16, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
How do we measure things? Volume, space, time all have tools to help us measure: what about our hearts? We are reminded that LOVE is the benchmark by which we determine our discipleship.
Three key areas surface:
By reviewing these areas we can look at concrete opportunities where we engage our faith through the practical ways we love the Lord and one another.
October 26, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
What does it mean to make an offering to God? Everything we have comes from the Lord, belongs to the Lord, and will one day return to the Lord; when we offer our lives for care and service we conform our lives to Jesus - who offered his life for us all.
October 19, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
Food is more than nourishment. A great meal feeds our bodies and our souls. This is also true for our spiritual nourishment - the Lord feeds us with his Body & Blood - so that we can draw together and be strengthened for service in the world.
October 11, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
Forgiveness is never easy, yet it is the path the Lord has set before us. We forgive others, as God has forgiven us. All of us have made mistakes - said and done things we regret - and in our need the Lord continues to reach out to us with mercy and love.
May we do the same!
October 5, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
"He can talk the talk, but can he walk the walk?" Are our actions congruent with our words? When this happens, we not only follow the Lord's example, but we become instruments of the Lord's mission in the world today.
September 28, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
We are often tempted to try to do things on our own. But when we start looking more closely at our lives, we realize quite quickly that we need each other - consider the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the cars we drive - that so much of what we do depends on the skills, talents and abilities of millions of people.
"United we stand" speaks to the fundamental truth of life and spiritual life.
First, we cooperate together to have enough.
Second, generosity flows out of our interdependence on one another.
September 20, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
Keys are part of our lives. Here are three ways in particular:
How will we use the keys we have been given? How will we offer our lives to use what we have been given in good and prudent ways.
August 24, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
Do you remember a time when you were a stranger, visitor, or guest? Were you welcomed? Who welcomed you? How did they make you feel, and how did they help you fit in?
Welcoming others is a central part of hospitality. When we recognize that we are brothers and sisters in the Lord, how do we interact with one another? God reaches out to all people, inviting them to draw near. May the Lord help us to treat one another with the love and enthusiasm of Christ!
August 17, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
Four scenes are touched in this homily:
1) Jesus feeding the 5000
2) Jesus alone in prayer
3) Jesus approaching the boat during a storm
4) Jesus saving Peter
We can enter into each of these scenes and recognize God at work in our lives in moments of gratitude, stillness, fear, help. Just as the Lord was present to the people in the Gospel, he is present to us! May we reach out and let him take us by the hand.
August 10, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
The crowds drawn to Jesus in the Gospel are healed and fed by the Lord, who again at the Last Supper does the following with bread:
This happened at the Feeding Miracle and the Last Supper, and it happens at every Mass! We receive the Lord himself, who strengthens and nourishes us so that we will be a blessing to the people and situations that confront us!
August 3, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
How do we make decisions? What aspects of our Christian faith can help and guide us to choose wisely? Here are three points to keep in mind:
Choices confront us all the time. When we look in, out, and up we make the best decisions possible - drawing on all the resources that God provides.
July 27, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
Seeds and Weeds are part of every garden. Seeds require care and attention; weeds are constant presence that require dedicated effort to remove.
What's true for the garden is also true for our hearts. There are seeds that we want to grow into fruitful harvests of virtue & spiritual gifts, and their are weeds in the form of sin and temptation that we want to remove.
July 19, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com
A garden offers many insights for life and spiritual life:
These practical points of gardening can inspire us to apply them to our spiritual lives, that we take the gift of life that we have been given and offer the blessing of our uniqueness opportunities to be a blessing to others.
July 13, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI
Fr. Andrew Ricci
studyprayserve.com