The psalm response stirs our hearts as we recognize our need for God’s help, especially in times of great distress.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of Holy Week
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Author Archives: Fr. Andrew Ricci
About Fr. Andrew Ricci
Daily Mass: Lord, in your great love, answer me. Catholic Inspiration
Daily Mass: Judas and Peter at the table with Jesus. Catholic Inspiration
In the darkness of night Judas departs from the Last Supper to betray Jesus while Peter boasts that he will die for the Lord. This is the hour that the light of Christ will shine, inspiring us to look into our hearts and repent of our sins before the one who gives his life for our salvation.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of Holy Week
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Daily Mass: An example of generous service. Catholic Inspiration
In Bethany at the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, we see how Mary offers a generous example of service to Jesus prior to his arrest and crucifixion. May her example inspire us to serve one another.
Mass Readings – Monday of Holy Week
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Holy Week
Pastoral Note: This post was originally given on April 12, 2014. I share it once again in the hope that all of us will enter more fully into the gift of this sacred time. Fr. Andrew
Study: Recall a time in your life when you experienced death and new life. Where did you find the strength? Who helped you through this time?
Pray: Spend some time reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus this week. Read Mark 14-16; Matthew 26-28; Luke 22-24; and John 18-21. Take in as many prayer opportunities as possible in your parish.
Serve: Who in your life is dealing with life and death issues right now? How might you be present to them to offer help, comfort, or strength?
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We enter into the heart of the Christian mystery: Holy Week offers us a time to pause, reflect, and pray as the Church ponders on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This mystery, often called the Paschal Mystery, recalls us to the saving work of the Lord. His death frees of from the burdens of sin and death, and his resurrection opens for us the path to eternal life. This mystery is profoundly experienced over the Triduum – the 3 Great Days:
- Holy Thursday – the Mass of the Lord’s Supper
- Good Friday – the Passion of the Christ
- Easter (Vigil/Day) – the Resurrection of the Lord
On Holy Thursday we find ourselves in Jerusalem, eating with the disciples at the Lord’s Supper and feeling awkward as he washes their feet – wondering how we would react if he did that for us. We might identify with Peter or Judas – especially when we consider the times we have willingly betrayed or turned our back on the Lord.
On Good Friday we experience the physical pain, emotional abandonment, and personal humiliation on the path to Calvary (also called Golgotha or Skull Place) and look on with horror at the cruel death of Jesus. We might also consider the times we have helped others – as Simon did when he was forced to carry the Cross of Christ. And then we stand in profound sorrow with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, helpless as the innocent suffer injustice.
On Easter we wait in vigil and rise early in the morning with Mary Magdalen, only to find to our wonder and joy that the tomb is empty: Christ is alive! Our world, like that of the apostles, is changed forever as we experience new hope and life.
A word to the wise – we get out of Holy Week what we put into it. Here are some simple ways for an incredible experience.
- Make church services a top priority – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter (Vigil or Day).
- Take time to read and reflect on the scriptures (see at the top under “Pray”).
- Make Holy Thursday an opportunity to offer a special act of service or kindness to another.
- Make Good Friday fasting extra special with a gift to a particular charity that helps the poor.
- Make Easter a time of gratitude – take a quiet moment to count our blessings and thank the Lord.
- Find some time throughout this week to tell the people in our lives how much we love them.
May this be a time for all of us to grow closer to the Lord and one another.
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Walking with the Lord in Holy Week (March 9-12, 2015 – Our Lady of the Valley – Green Valley, AZ) This parish mission takes the listener on a journey with Christ – from his entry into Jerusalem, through the Last Supper, his Passion, and his Resurrection.
- #1 Palm Sunday (32 Minutes)
- #2 Holy Thursday (33 Minutes)
- #3 Good Friday (33 Minutes)
- #4 Easter (33 Minutes)
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Monday Conversation: The sacred three days. Catholic Inspiration
Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday are the “Sacred Triduum” (the three sacred days) found in the heart of Holy Week. These high liturgies set forth the central elements of our faith in Jesus Christ.
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Palm Sunday: The sacrificial offering of Christ’s Passion. Catholic Inspiration
We read the Passion of the Lord every year to remember the Lord’s sacrificial offering for the salvation of the world. May our reflection inspire us to live the gift of our lives, bought by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
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Daily Mass: Setting the stage for Holy Week. Catholic Inspiration
John’s Gospel recounts how Caiaphas the High Priest prophesies how Jesus will give his life to save the nation. May these words inspire us to make the final preparations we need to enter into Holy Week with grateful hearts for all that the Lord has done for us.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent
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Daily Mass: In our distress, we call upon the Lord. Catholic Inspiration
The Psalm response today reminds us that even in the darkest moments of terror and distress we call upon the Lord for the strength we need.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 5th Week of Lent
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Walking with Mary on the Way of the Cross: in six parts. Catholic Inspiration
This six part retreat was given during Lent in 2021 at the Cathedral of Christ the King. Each session stands alone and can be heard in any order. However, they are listed below in the order they were given. May these reflections help us draw closer to Christ and one another.
Part 1 – Confronting Injustice – February 18, 2021
Part 2 – Jesus falls three times – February 25, 2021
Part 3 – Simon and Veronica – March 4, 2021
Part 4 – Jesus is stripped – March 11, 2021
Part 5 – Jesus is crucified – March 18, 2021
Part 6 – Jesus dies – March 25, 2021
Walking with Mary on the Way of the Cross: Jesus dies. Catholic Inspiration
This sixth and final installment of the Lent Retreat focuses on the reality of death in the last three Stations: Jesus dies, Jesus is taken down from the Cross and Jesus is laid in the tomb. As the Lord triumphed over death through his resurrection, we recognize that death is our doorway that leads to eternal life with Christ.
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