Catholic Inspiration

The Lord drives out a demon in the Gospel today, reminding us that while evil is present in the world we continue to call upon God for the grace we need to drive out whatever is not fitting in our hearts for the Kingdom of God. March 23, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Jesus comes to fulfill the Law, teaching as the new Moses and inviting us to draw close to God in a new and powerful way.   March 22, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

We forgive: Because the Lord commands us To imitate the Lord's example To be freed from the bondage of sin And so...to whom do we have to say "I'm sorry" or "I forgive you" today? March 21, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Our spiritual thirst helps us understand that there is a need in our hearts that will only be met by Jesus.  May we pay attention to the thirst in our souls and respond - not to the temptations or distractions of the world - so that our we can drink deeply from the Water of Life. March 18, 2017 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

The parable of the Prodigal Son is well known and it speaks to some deep forces in our hearts.  Like the two sons, we have the chance each day to "come to our senses" to receive mercy and "celebrate and rejoice" when we can share that mercy with one another. March 18, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Both the 1st Reading and the Gospel detail stories of rejection: Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers for 20 pieces of silver and Jesus explains how the tenants kill the vineyard owner's son.  Yet in both cases the reality of rejection is transformed and redeemed by God's grace.  May we face our moments of rejection with the power of our faith in Christ, that God will work in our lives to bring about good. March 17, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

Jesus speaks the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to the pharisees, commenting on issues of Heaven/Hell, life after death, and the fact that we have all the information we need to live our faith.  The point: we trust the Lord in this life to be ready to meet Him in the next. March 16, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Who are the greatest among us?  Those who serve and act as instruments of the grace and power of Christ.  May we all become great! March 15, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

One way we can measure our success as disciples: how we help one another.  Whether it is the justice described by Isaiah or the example of Jesus in the Gospel, the Lord accepts our service toward one another as if it were done to Him. March 14, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

This presentation was given at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Solon Springs on March 6, 2017.  It is the second part of a presentation on discipleship, focusing on living the Good News and sharing it with others. (36 Minutes) March 6, 2017 - St. Pius X Catholic Church - Solon Springs, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

The transfiguration of Jesus gives the apostles strength to continue on their journey to Jerusalem, and it gives them an insight into the glory of Jesus.  May we recognize moments when God blesses us as we continue on our journey of faith. March 12, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

"Love your enemies" might be one of the toughest lines in the Bible to carry out.  Yet this command - to love as God loves us - is the test of our discipleship.  May we call upon the Lord for the grace we need to follow the example of Jesus, loving one another...even our enemies. March 11, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

Jesus invites his disciples to seek God above all else, turning away from sin and making a change deep within our hearts.   March 10, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

As Queen Esther calls upon the Lord, she is carrying out the teaching that Jesus offers to his disciples: ask, seek and knock...trusting that the Lord (who knows us better than we know ourselves) will respond with what we need to face the challenges of life. March 9, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

God calls every generation to repentance as we observe in the book of Jonah and the Gospel of Luke today.  Rather than chase after miracles, wonders and signs, may we respond to this ongoing call to conversion of heart - turning away from sin and turning toward the Lord. March 8, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

As Jesus teaches the disciples the Lord's Prayer he also reveals the power of forgiveness to transform and heal our lives.  This commandment - at times difficult to carry out - is crucial for us to receive the Lord's forgiveness as we forgive one another. March 7, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

This presentation was given at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Solon Springs on March 6, 2017.  It is the first part of a presentation on discipleship, focusing on repentance and ongoing conversion. (45 Minutes) March 6, 2017 - St. Pius X Catholic Church - Solon Springs, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Temptation is a part of life, and the fall of Adam & Eve remind us that we encounter temptations each day as a result of sin.  We have hope, however, for the triumph of Jesus over the temptations of Satan inspires us to return to the Lord when we fail and seek the grace we need to flourish. March 5, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Jesus calls the tax collector Levi, with the simple invitation "follow me."  His life is transformed, and we know him today as St. Matthew; may our lives be transformed as well...every time we say yes to Christ and invite others to meet the Lord. March 4, 2017 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com

Both Isaiah and Jesus speak about fasting.  May this powerful discipline help us to draw near to the Lord and one another. March 3, 2017 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com