Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Lent
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!
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Author Archives: Fr. Andrew Ricci
About Fr. Andrew Ricci
Daily Mass: Helping one another. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Lent
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.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
3rd Sunday of Lent: Thirsting for Living Water
Study: Reflect on a time when you felt a deep emptiness in your soul. Where did you find relief?
Pray: Is there a longing in your heart right now? Ask the Lord to touch your life with his grace.
Serve: Many people are struggling, sometimes lost in destructive distractions; how can you help them?
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Lent
As we enter into the heart of Lent, we encounter two readings that speak of a fundamental human need: to satisfy our thirst. We have all known moments of thirst, accompanied by the profound satisfaction of a cool drink of water. The relief is tangible, and the sensation reveals in a direct way how our bodily needs can be fulfilled.
In the first reading the people are grumbling to Moses in their thirst for water. A miracle is performed by the power of God, and the people once again witness the Lord’s presence in their lives.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is standing by a well and strikes up a conversation with a Samaritan woman. Here, however, there is more than just physical thirst; the Lord speaks to her heart and satisfies a deep longing for spiritual life. In turn, she goes back to the villagers and brings them to Jesus…so that their spiritual thirst might be quenched as well.
Today we reflect on the reality of physical thirst to help us understand the longing in our souls. What’s missing in our lives? Do we have an ache, an emptiness that longs to be fulfilled?
There are many temptations and distractions in the world that promise fulfillment: drugs, alcohol, sex, money, power, fame, beauty…but all of these ultimately leave us empty. They are pleasing for a moment, but we long for something lasting.
Jesus Christ is the answer. The Lord comes to us in our need, knows our sins, and invites us to draw into his grace. Christ speaks to the deepest longings in our hearts and offers the love, joy and peace that reign supreme in the halls of Heaven.
May we draw close to the Lord today in our need, trusting in his compassion and mercy to quench our spiritual thirst!
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Monday Conversation: The Heart of a Disciple, Part II
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)
And if you missed the first part of this presentation on discipleship, which focused on repentance and ongoing conversion, you can pick it up below. (45 Minutes)
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
2nd Sunday of Lent: The power of the Transfiguration. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Lent
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.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Daily Mass: Be perfect…and love your enemies. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 1st Week of Lent
“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.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Daily Mass: Seek the Lord with all your heart. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Friday of the 1st Week of Lent
Jesus invites his disciples to seek God above all else, turning away from sin and making a change deep within our hearts.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Daily Mass: Ask, Seek and Knock. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent
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.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Daily Mass: The sign of repentance. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Wednesday of 1st Lent
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.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Daily Mass: The power of forgiveness. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 1st Week of Lent (Sts. Perpetua & Felicity)
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.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: Jesus prays to protect the disciples
- Daily Mass: Jesus prays for his disciples
- Daily Mass: Paul teaches about the Holy Spirit
- Study, Pray, Serve: Pentecost
- The Ascension of the Lord
- Daily Mass: Apollos humbly accepts instruction about Jesus
- Daily Mass: Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, for God is with us.
- Daily Mass: The example of St. Matthias
- Daily Mass: Paul has limited success in Athens
- Daily Mass: God works through Paul in prison
Three Great Things 