Catholic Inspiration

Jesus responds to Peter's question about forgiveness with a parable that reveals the power of forgiveness as an intense way of life.  It's not easy, but it is the path that we walk to receive God's merciful grace into our hearts. August 16, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Mary's Magnificat of praise inspires us to live our faith with joy and power as we face all the circumstances of life. August 15, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

How do we measure greatness?  Is it by strength, intelligence, resources or opportunity?  Jesus shows the disciples today that greatness happens when we can become like children - trusting and allowing the Lord's greatness to direct and empower our lives. August 14, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

In the Scriptures we see a common theme: God's response to the grumbling, griping, complaining and murmuring of others.  May we live each day, not feeding our fears, but feasting on the faith that comes from the Bread of Life! August 11, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Jesus casts out a demon that was rendering a boy and his dad in torment.  As the disciples admitted their helplessness, the Lord exhorts them (and us!) to grow in faith. August 11, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

A single grain of wheat teaches us about the journey from death to new life and the abundance that God provides through our offering.  May we have the courage to embrace our faith and put it into practice! August 10, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Poor St. Peter!  One minute he is named by Jesus as the rock upon which the Church will be built, and the next minute he is chastised by the Lord for falling prey to temptation.  Welcome to the spiritual life!  Yet this spiritual battle of building up and tearing down is part of our journey of faith, inviting us to always keep our focus on Christ. August 9, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

What gives you the strength to keep going, to persevere when opposition seems overwhelming?  The Canaanite woman in the Gospel of Matthew offers us an example of persistence in faith as we follow the Lord in challenging times. August 8, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

St. Peter's call to Jesus across the water offers us a number of aspects of fear as it appears in our hearts.  From terror to doubt, from panic to illness...Christ comes and strengthens our faith so we can respond to his saving gift of grace. August 7, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Like water and air, we require food to survive.  Our physical needs point to similar spiritual nourishment, and Jesus responds by telling us that he is the Bread of Life.  May we hunger to receive the Lord regularly in the sacrament of Holy Communion! August 4, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

The cruel death of John the Baptist offers a brutal reminder that our world is filled with forces of destruction.  In the face of injustice we keep our eyes fixed on the Cross of Christ, so that we can acknowledge the evil around us with the strength of the Lord who triumphs over it. August 4, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

The Gospel today reminds us that seeing and listening to Jesus is not enough to foster our faith; rather, we already have what we need to respond to the Lord in our hearts for the grace that God extends to us all. August 3, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Like fishermen who cast their nets and then sort their catch on land, Jesus teaches that we will be sorted at the end of time.  Knowing that there will come a day when we will judged can help us live each day as a precious gift that is meant to be lived with faithful conviction. August 2, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom of Heaven is a treasure so precious that nothing else compares to it.  It's a good reminder for us when we are distracted or tempted by other things that seek to lead us astray. August 1, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Sometimes we might be tempted to downplay the presence of evil and final judgment...no so, today, in the Gospel of Matthew!  The Lord explains a parable with grim consequences for those who choose to follow the path that leads to death and eternal damnation. July 31, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Hunger is one of our most basic needs, a reminder that we are dependent on a steady diet of decent nutrition to thrive.  This need also applies to our spiritual lives, and we come to the Lord who feeds us with bread from Heaven. July 29, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Sometimes we can take for granted the time we have on earth, delaying important and even crucial tasks until it is too late.  The Lord reminds us that in the end there will be a harvest...and the crop we grow will determine our destination in eternal life. July 28, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Hearing a message is not enough; we are called to listen and then respond with understanding.  The difference is great and the Lord points out the distinction in the Gospel parable today. July 27, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

On this feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne - the parents of Mary - we recognize that God often works through people to carry out the plan of salvation.  That means that God works through us!  May we today say YES to whatever the Lord sets before us as we do our part to be human agents for God's grace. July 26, 2018 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

The Lord reminds us today that if we want to be great in Heaven then we have to serve one another here on earth. July 25, 2018 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com