Catholic Inspiration

Autumn offers a good time to reflect on the harvest - the produce we have taken from the land.  The Gospel today also offers an opportunity to reflect: what kind of harvest are we cultivating in our hearts?

Names remind us that we are unique persons, made and redeemed by God.  The names of the three women in the Gospel today reveal that the Lord continues to call disciples who will go out and proclaim the Good News. September 22, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Matthew accepts the call of Jesus and goes out bringing others to the Lord.  May his example inspire us to do the same! September 21, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Whatever our shape or size, age or ability, we all have gifts that God has placed within us.  As we acknowledge our gifts may we use them to show our love for God and one another. September 20, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Jesus revives a dead man and returns him to his widowed mother in the sight of a large crowd.  This powerful miracle anticipates the Lord's resurrection that we might be restored in our relationship with God.  A powerful miracle, indeed!

It's non-negotiable.  Forgiveness is a key ingredient in the Christian life and without it we cannot receive the grace that the Lord lavishes upon us.  Who do we need to forgive?  To whom do we need to ask for forgiveness?  May we call upon God's grace for the strength we need to be people who put forgiveness into practice.

Through a series of illustrations Jesus points out that our faith is witnessed through our action.  Our words can indicate the state of our hearts, but the actions we carry out reveal the depth of our conviction. September 16, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Following immediately after yesterday's Feast of the Holy Cross, the readings today focus on Mary as she endured the "sword of sorrow" as she stood at the Cross of her son.  Her sorrow reaches out through time and space to all people who have been overwhelmed by grief.  May her example help us to face our moments of pain with a sure and steadfast faith in Jesus Christ. September 15, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

The Cross teaches us many lessons: * Life is difficult, and at times painful * Weakness and sin are part of our experience * God identifies with our pain * God dies that we might have life At the core of our teaching the Cross stands as the testament of God's love for us.  On one hand the Cross is an embarrassment - after all, why would God (all powerful, all knowing, supreme) choose to be humiliated?  Does that not mean that God is weak?  Why could God not take away our sins in a way that showed majesty and splendor? Yet on the other hand, the Cross is a statement that God meets us where we are in life.  In our weakness, in our humiliation, in our low moments of doubt and sin God comes to us.  Jesus, like us in every way but sin, understands our pain because through his Cross he shares in the suffering of the world.  He knows us, and loves us even more. September 14, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Jesus offers a series of blessings and woes, reminding us that when we are united to the Lord we are blessed...and when we drift off on our own we find ourselves in a bad place.   September 13, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Jesus calls by name the Twelve Apostles from the disciples who followed him.  Chosen by him, they have work to do...reminding us today that the Lord continues to call people to carry on the Lord's saving work through the mission of the Church. September 12, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

One of the hardest things about the Christian faith is the giving and receiving of a tough message, the kind of message that hits our hearts and requires us to grow as children of God.  Whether it's something that needs to be said or something that needs to be heard, may we call upon the Lord for the courage we need to let the message of Jesus Christ speak to our souls.

When confronted by the pharisees about his disciples violation of the Law, Jesus cites David and his own authority over the Sabbath.  Recognizing Christ as the Lord of our lives, we are inspired to put Christ at the center of everything we do as we offer our lives for him. September 9, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

The Church celebrates the birth of Mary out of gratitude for her cooperation with God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.  As we remember the Mother of God today, may we continue to open our hearts - cooperating with God's plan for our lives as the Lord's disciples. September 8, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

When Jesus steps into the boat he changes Peter's life forever.  As the Lord teaches the crowds and invites Peter to abandon fear and follow him, we find that Christ continues to do the same in our lives, reaching out to us and welcoming us into a life of faith. September 7, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

What's your treasure?  What's so important to you that you will make sacrifices, work hard and dedicate your life to make it happen?  A new school year offers the chance for students of all ages to grow in mind and heart! September 6, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

With authority and power Jesus teaches and drives out a demon in the Gospel today.  As his followers, may we call upon the Lord for the guidance and courage we need to face our challenges with his grace.

Both Jeremiah and Jesus acknowledge that they must experience suffering, and learning from them we recognize that suffering is part of our world.  When we face suffering with the gift of faith, we grow strong in virtue as we strive to do the right thing, for the right reason, at the right time, in the right way. September 2, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Three servants were given different amounts of money by their master to invest; two worked hard, one was lazy.  The parable reminds us that while we are all given different resources and abilities in this life the Lord still calls us all to use what we've been given with wisdom and hard work.

The wise women in the Gospel today remind us that we are called to be prepared to live our faith for the long haul.  Saying yes to the Lord is a crucial step, but it is reaffirmed moment-by-moment as we keep true every day to the teaching and example of Jesus. September 1, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com