Catholic Inspiration

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: Are we listening to the Lords call in our lives? Are we helping others find their call? 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.  Death: the destructive force of a flood, or the cleansing power to remove filth Life: crucial for physical life, and capable of peace & serenity in our souls 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

The Magi followed the Star which led them to Jesus Christ - the source of all Light.  Through their journey, they reveal two points for consideration today: How do we seek the Light of Christ in our lives? How do we share the Light of Christ with one another? The Feast of the Epiphany - where light shines upon us for understanding, insight, and hope - strengthens us to welcome God's light into our hearts, that we may be a light to those around us! January 4, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci studyprayserve.com

The Incarnation of Jesus - who is both the Son of God and the Son of Mary - helps us understand the way that God has drawn near to us.  The bridge between the human and divine was made possible when Jesus - born of Mary - closed the gap between heaven and earth.  God comes to us so that we may come to know God! As we begin to move into a New Year, what gaps and obstacle are before us?  As we begin to see the challenges in our lives, may we turn to the Son of Mary for the help and strength we need to face life with the conviction that God continues to reach out to us in love. January 1, 2015 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci studyprayserve.com

The Holy Family encountered great extremes of blessing and hardship.  Their witness can teach us two crucial lessons: They faced life together God was with them The example of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph can inspire us to call upon God's help as we walk with our families through life. December 28, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci studyprayserve.com

In A Christmas Carol we see two completely different portraits of Ebenezer Scrooge: on one hand he is a tight-fisted miser whose heart is cold; on the other hand he is a fully alive uncle and employer who wishes "Merry Christmas!" to friends and strangers alike.   What happened?  What brought about the transformation?  Simply put, the power of Christmas - Jesus Christ - touched his heart and changed his life. This power continue to speak to us today.  The incarnation of Jesus - God becoming like us - removes all barriers and obstacles that keep us from the Lord and one another.  By recognizing the parts of our lives that have "Bah!  Humbug!" and turning to Christ, we can receive the power and grace of Christmas. December 25, 2014 - Midnight Mass - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci studyprayserve.com

At the end of A Christmas Carol Scrooge chooses to make a change in his life that will affect everything.  In the Gospel, Mary chooses to embrace the message of the angel Gabriel. Our choices carry powerful consequences for ourselves and those around us.  Sometimes they are major events in life, but often they occur throughout a day as we freely decide to either step up (seeking what is good) or step down (giving in to temptation and sin). This Christmas, may the choices we make be guided by the love and grace of Jesus Christ! December 21, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci studyprayserve.com

We take out the trash regularly from the kitchen, or else we live with the stink and stench of smelly garbage.  In the same way Advent gives us a ready made opportunity to search our hearts and through the sacrament of reconciliation to remove the stink of sin so that God's grace might give us healing and peace December 13, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI  Fr. Andrew Ricci studyprayserve.com

There are times when we formally say "Yes, I accept" to new opportunities in our lives.  Mary's "yes" to the angel Gabriel gives us an example and model as the Lord invites us to follow our call.   December 8, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci studyprayserve.com

A Christmas Carol has several characters that stand out:  Fan (Scrooge's sister) - full of love for her older brother Fred (Scrooge's nephew) - full of Christmas cheer Fezziwig (Scrooge's old boss) - knows how to celebrate Christmas Bob Cratchit (Scrooge's clerk) - loves his family deeply Tiny Tim (Bob's weakly son) - strives to live thoughtfully with goodness/kindness Note: They are all filled with hope, even as they face the difficulties of life: Fan will die young; Fred grew up without a mom; Fezziwig knew the challenges of running a business; Bob knew about poverty and making tough sacrifices; and Tiny Tim knew firsthand the hard realities of illness. It invites us to ponder - how do we prepare our hearts with Advent hope?  Are we receiving hope, and are we passing it on to one another? December 7, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci studyprayserve.com  

This talk was part of an Advent retreat offered at Cathedral of Christ the King.  Six categories are offered to help us see more clearly the face of Christ: Sacraments Scriptures Prayer Service Sacrifice Fellowship December 6, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci studyprayserve.com

Just as Jacob Marley provided a wake up call to Ebenezer Scrooge, we have been given an opportunity to be alert to the coming of the Lord.  Advent is our opportunity to prepare our hearts - pausing to reflect and consider the state of our souls - so that when the Lord Jesus comes he will find us ready. November 30, 2014 - Cathedral of Christ the King - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci studyprayserve.com

The feast of Christ the King reminds us that Jesus Christ - the king of the universe - comes to us in a loving and accessible way.  He's the judge, the savior, the messiah, and the Lord - yet for all that power and glory he breaks through all boundaries to come to us in the midst of our human weakness and fraility.     The king became like us...so we can know him!   November 23, 2014 - 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

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica reminds us that our churches are sacred spaces where we encounter the depth and breadth of human experience in the context of God's grace.  We come before the Lord in our need - reaching out in gratitude and petition - that we might be renewed in faith, hope, and love. November 9, 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:  Thoughts Speech Actions 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