Category Archives: Ordinary Time

November 9, 2015

33rd Sunday of the Year – No One Knows the Hour

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

No one knows the hour

Study:  Recall a couple of times in your life – when you were prepared and when you were caught off guard.  How did if feel?  What was the outcome?

Pray:  Do you have unfinished business in your life?  Take your challenges to prayer and ask the Lord for wisdom and courage.

Serve:  Is there a broken or wounded relationship in your life?  Perhaps you might make the first move to bring healing and reconciliation to the situation.

33rd Sunday of the Year Readings

Fr. Andrew’ s Homily Podcast

The first reading and the Gospel today are direct and to the point: there will be hardship and distress.  Tribulation is part of the journey.  Get ready!

And yet we can sometimes get caught in the (mistaken) sentiment that because we follow Jesus Christ everything is suppose to be sunshine and daisies.  On the contrary – our faith puts struggle front and center, reminding us that we are called to be ready and prepared for the unexpected.  Because just in case you were hoping for some secret sign from the Bible when the world will end, Jesus offers one of my all-time favorite lines of Sacred Scripture:

“But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”  (Mark 13:32)

No one knows the hour….this is a very big deal.  Remember these points:

  • Difficulty, hardship, tribulation, and suffering are part of life.
  • The unexpected happens!  Deal with it.
  • And we do not know the hour when our lives will be over…

So how do we live?  The answer is simple – TODAY we speak and act so that if the Lord called us right now we would be ready.  TODAY we say:

  • “I’m sorry.”
  • “I forgive you.”
  • “I love you.”
  • “Can I help you?”
  • “Can you help me?”

We live our lives one day at a time – we can’t go back and we can’t go forward – it is only in the present moment that we can do and say.  Thus, if we stay shackled to the past we can’t live today, and if we keep putting off what is needed we are wasting the moment we have.  TODAY is our opportunity to address any unfinished business, to right wrongs and tell the people in our lives how we feel about them.  In other words, today we squeeze out every opportunity we have  to love the Lord and one another…

…for of that day or hour, no one knows.

 

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November 3, 2015

32nd Sunday of the Year – Giving Generously, as God Gives to Us

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Two Coins

Study:  Reflect on a moment when you gave generously of your time, resources, or money.  What was the cost, and what did you discover?

Pray: Take time to thank the Lord for the blessings lavished upon you.  Cultivate gratitude in your heart and express it in your life.

Serve:  Who has the Lord placed in your life to serve?  How can your life be a blessing of generous giving to another?

32nd Sunday of the Year Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

The theme of generous giving runs through these four readings this week:

  • Old Testament – the widow who gives to Elijah some bread from her scant resources
  • Psalm – the Lord who gives sight, hearing, freedom, justice, food and hope
  • New Testament – Christ who gives his life, once for all, that we might have salvation
  • Gospel – the poor widow who gives two small coins…all that she has

Let’s look at how this theme surfaces throughout these readings.

Earthly blessings.  The psalm reminds us that God is the source of all that we have, and it begs a simple point:  Are we grateful?  I know firsthand how easy it is to take even the simplest blessings for granted.  All it takes is to lose something that is part of our routine (health, work, friendship) to rediscover the gift that was right in front of our eyes.

Spiritual Salvation.  Jesus Christ offers his life once-for-all that through his death and resurrection we might have eternal life.  The Father gave his only Son that we might be saved.  This profound act of divine generosity speaks of a love that is vast and all encompassing.  God does this for us!

Profound human generosity.  These two women gave from their need, not their want.  It was not surplus food or money…it was their livelihood.  It is crucial to note that no gift is too big or small in God’s eyes; what’s crucial is the relationship between the offering and the person – is it given as a token or as something of value?

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Do we take time to acknowledge the blessings we have?  No really…do we pause in the course of our day – in a moment of prayer – and thank the Lord for the gifts we have been given?  Let me be clear: without gratitude generosity means nothing, for without thankfulness we have no appreciation and respect for the gift that is given.

And equally crucial point follows: Do we give generously?  Do we share what we have in a manner that shows our prayer and reflection?  All gifts, great or small, are precious in the Lord’s eyes when they are offered in a spirit of love; all gifts, great or small, lose their significance when they are given without respect for the sacrifices  and blessings they represent.

Simply put: we give generously out of gratitude for God’s generous gifts to us!  Take a moment this week to pause and reflect on your blessings.  Then consider the ways that you can offer your life.  Whether it is with time, talent, or treasure – God will take our gifts, generously given, and make them a blessing in the world.

 

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October 20, 2015

30th Sunday of the Year – Divine Power

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Extension Cord

Study:  Where have you seen signs of God’s grace at work in your life?  How did it change you?

Pray:  Are there people or circumstances in your life that are wounded or hurting?  Pray for healing power!

Serve:  Do you see someone in need?  How can you help them?

30th Sunday of the Year Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

The readings this week reveal a common theme of divine power:

  • 1st – The Lord delivers his people
  • Psalm – “The Lord has done great things for us”
  • 2nd – Christ the great high priest
  • Gospel – Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus

Throughout these scriptures the Lord comes with dynamic energy: liberating, saving, healing and redeeming.  This is Good News!  In the midst of the challenges and struggles of human life we find Jesus coming to us – meeting us where we are – with the transformative power of his grace.

With this power in mind, I would suggest two points for consideration this week:

  1. What in my life needs to receive the Lord’s power?
  2. How can I share my life to give the Lord’s power?

Let’s start with receiving.  Where in my life am I wounded, hurting, or helpless?  Do I identify with Bartimaeus, calling upon the Lord for pity?  If so, our prayer (in private and at Mass) can be directed to heaven…asking for the grace we need to keep going.

Giving means we allow the Lord’s power to work through us.  Giving requires that we see the needs of those around us, determine a proper response, and act in a manner worthy of Christ.  We become the Lord’s hands and feet in service to others; our words speak encouragement and hope.

God continues to work with power in our world today, giving us all the opportunity to open our hearts to the endless grace of Christ.  May we draw near to the Lord with confidence and allow his strength to work through us as we touch the hearts of those we meet.

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October 13, 2015

29th Sunday of the Year – The Cup of Suffering

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

800px-Champaigne_La_Crucifixion

Study:  Consider an experience of suffering in your life.  What lessons did you learn?  How did you change and grow?

Pray:  Many people carry heavy crosses every day…pray for them that they find the strength and grace they need.

Serve:  Many people carry heavy crosses every day…how can you help them?

29th Sunday of the Year Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

The readings today weave together around some common themes:

  • 1st Reading – The Servant who suffers to ransom others
  • Psalm – We trust in the Lord’s mercy
  • 2nd Reading – Jesus, tested in every way, sympathizes with our weaknesses
  • Gospel – Christ came to serve and offer his life…inviting us to do the same

Let’s start with Jesus.  The Lord’s mission included not only teaching and healing, but was most clearly articulated in his death and resurrection for the life of the world.  Christ died for our sins – taking our place by his suffering on the Cross for the evil we have done.  His resurrection blazes a trail for us that leads to Heaven.

It is crucial to note that suffering is the path, not the goal.  God the Father did not choose Jesus to suffer out of a desire for pain, but to bridge the gap between the human and divine.  The Lord is the High Priest whose suffering draws near to a wounded and broken humanity.  Like us in all things but sin, Jesus embraces us as he stretched out his hands on the Cross.

The victory of the Resurrection reveals suffering as the doorway, a path that when taken purges and cleanses, through which Christ has passed to break the bonds of sin and death.  Suffering does not end in suffering; it leads to a freedom in Christ that is filled with grace, mercy, and peace.

This message has elements of consolation and challenge for us today.  The consolation?  We look to Christ for our redemption – turning to the Lord whose saving death and resurrection give us eternal life.

The challenge?  We are called to face our suffering, recognizing in the crosses of our lives the path of redemption that God sets before us.  In other words, we drink from the cup of Christ’s suffering – but we do it with conviction, faith, and hope.

The suffering we face today is part of our transformation as disciples.  We engage the challenges of this life, not because we welcome pain, but because we see God’s hand at work in our struggles to purify our hearts and desires.  Through this process we offer our lives, following the example of Jesus Christ to bring life to those in our midst.

Drink from the cup.  Consider the sufferings of today as an offering to the Lord – given out of love that our lives might be transformed into the image and likeness of Christ!

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La crucifixion, Philippe de Champaigne; 1644-1646, 800 x 600 pixels.

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October 6, 2015

28th Sunday of the Year – Come Follow Me

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

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Study:  Reflect on a moment when you put your entire heart into a project.  What did you experience?

Pray:  Ask God for grace to remove obstacles that are you keeping you from the Lord and others.

Serve:  How can you help others follow Jesus Christ?  How can your life strengthen them to focus on the Lord?

28th Sunday of the Year Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

I confess that I have a real respect for people who show their dedication and conviction to a task.  When I see others put their heart and soul into something:

  • a job or task
  • a sport or hobby
  • music, art, cooking, language
  • relationships, especially with family or friends

I see a passion and joy emerge.  They work hard, often long and grueling hours, yet they love it and they glow with an inner light.  Their dedication gives them meaning, purpose, and a zest for life.

This sense of dedication comes into focus in the Gospel reading today.  The encounter with Jesus and the rich young man reveals both an enthusiasm and a hesitancy to follow God.  The man wants to do what is right, he wants to be holy, but he is not yet ready to offer his entire life.

Where do we see ourselves in the Gospel today?  What might be keeping us back from dedicating our lives to the Lord?  Some obvious obstacles:

  • fear, worry, doubt, anxiety
  • the needs of our family – to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads
  • distractions and temptations from the world
  • the speed of life is keeping us too busy, and thus we lose our focus and sense of balance

But what happens if we pause, reflect, and dedicate our lives to Jesus Christ?  What happens the minute we reorganize our lives around the Lord, allowing his grace to flow through all our thoughts, words, and actions?  Simply put, we become fully alive – we find in Christ both our strength and peace.  Our lives take on a whole new level of meaning and purpose as we engage one another with renewed sense of faith, hope, and love.

The invitation today is simple:  Put Jesus Christ first in your life.  Let him be your Lord.  Allow him to touch every aspect of your life, and watch as his light shines through your heart!

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September 29, 2015

27th Sunday of the Year – The Beauty of Marriage and The Pain of Divorce

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

HarringtonWed_445

Study:  Reflect on the strongest marriages you know.  What are the qualities and behaviors that you see in these couples?

Pray:  Who do you know is struggling with divorce?  Ask the Lord to give them guidance and strength.

Serve:  Are there couples you can support in their marriage?  Are there people wounded by divorce in your life?  How can you help them today?

27th Sunday of the Year Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

In our current culture you would be hard pressed to find anyone who hasn’t been touched by the reality of divorce in either family or friendship.  Divorce is part of the landscape of our lives, and we find ourselves confronted by a real challenge:

  • We want to promote marriage in a strong, healthy, and wholesome way
  • We acknowledge those who are wounded and struggling from divorce

The sacrament of Marriage proclaims a fundamental reality that has both earthly and heavenly dimensions.  On earth we recognize the union of a man and woman as part God’s plan which fosters intimacy, love, and the possibility of new life.  Sexual expression within marriage becomes a blessed event, whereby the two become one.

This sense of unity that is present in marriage echoes the complete unity we have with the Lord.  Jesus Christ is the bridge that joins us to the Father; God the Son took on our human form so that we could be reunited with the Father.  Sin no longer divides us.

Yet division is part of our human experience, and nowhere is this more evident than in the reality of divorce.  Life is messy, awkward, and challenging – and we all know that there are times when situations melt down and relationships unravel.  We regret it, we lament it, we wish it could have been different…and we recognize that there is real pain and loss – but we have to find a way to deal with it.

So how do we foster marriage and at the same time help those who experience divorce?  While there are several essential elements, I suggest a few key points:

  • We rededicate daily our Christian conviction to love one another
  • We vigilantly seek opportunities to practice forgiveness
  • We extend mercy toward others in their weakness and need
  • We stand for justice, and uphold our virtues and values
  • We help our children to learn from our examples – both successes and mistakes

But perhaps most importantly of all – we reach out to one another: walking with those who are single, supporting those who are married, and helping those who are divorced.  We need each other, and when we are united we are vastly stronger than when we are isolated.

Take time this week to consider the people in your life.  How can you help them follow Christ?  How can your life bless others in their vocation as they strive to live it?  How can you be a healing agent who strengthens marriage and helps those wounded by divorce?  We need each other, and we call upon the Lord for grace as we remember the words of the Psalm Response:

May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

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September 22, 2015

26th Sunday of the Year – Jealousy & Greed

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

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Study:  Reflect on a situation where you have experienced either jealousy or greed.  How did you move past it?  (HAVE you moved past it?)

Pray:  Ask the Lord for the grace to confront these vices and replace them with the Love, Joy, and Peace of Christ.

Serve:  Is there something that you can do to help break the cycle of greed or jealousy in your life today?  How can your life show others a better way to live?

26th Sunday of the Year Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

Whew!  While every week the Scripture readings give us plenty to ponder about, we are confronted this week with some particularly nasty (but common) elements that can surface in the human heart:

  • Jealousy – to be worried someone will take what we already have
  • Greed – an excessive desire to have more than what is appropriate, right or just

We know that Joshua and John are great figures in the history of our faith.  Joshua, as the successor of Moses, will lead the people as they claim their space in the Promised Land after their enslavement in Egypt.  He is God-fearing and righteous.  John is a close companion of the Lord, the brother of James, who has been personally called by Jesus to follow and be “a fisher of men.”

Empowered by God with particular graces, both are chosen for special work of leadership, yet they make the common (and altogether too human) mistake of getting their noses bent out of joint because great things are happening of which they are not a part.  Sound familiar?

Ever had a moment when you were upset because you were afraid that someone was moving in on your turf?  Taking over a work, task, ministry, or role that was yours?  While it’s true that there are times when people unfairly gobble up the work of others, it is also true that sometimes we are at fault because our expectations are too limited: we have assumed that the work, task, ministry, or role was ONLY ours to control.  We can cultivate assumptions that opportunities are strictly limited – that there is no room to share with others – and that we alone are allowed or expected to act.

Yet this is not how the Lord works!  Both Jesus and Moses welcome others to participate in the Good News – to prophesy, to drive out evil, to bring life and hope.  Simply put, there is room for others to help, for the obvious reason that the needs of the world are vast.  A question then arises: Do we share?  Do we welcome and encourage others to join us in God’s work?

James hits us over the head with greed – an inappropriate hunger for more (often wealth) that shows no regard for the needs and rights of others.  Greed (one of the 7 Deadly Sins) is one of those ugly vices that we always despise in others and often overlook in ourselves.  And while an insatiable desire for money is an easy target, remember that greed can also appear in little ways:

  • a little more food
  • a little more praise
  • a little more attention
  • a little more respect

When greed takes over we can lose our sense of balance and perspective.  People can get lost as we place a higher value on the thing we greedily seek.  The sad thing is, we might get what we desire, but we can lose that which is most important: the opportunity to love and be loved by the people in our lives.

We know jealousy and greed first hand: these are real vices that can fester in our souls.  The question today…how will we respond to their presence?  Jesus invites us in to the Gospel today to pluck them out!  They have no place in Heaven, and here on earth they are obstacles that keep us from the Lord and one another.

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September 15, 2015

25th Sunday of the Year – Troubled Times

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

489-Winston-Churchill-Quote-If-you-are-going-through-hell-keep-going

Study:  Recall a time when you were overwhelmed by difficulty.  What got you through it?

Pray:  Call upon the Lord for the courage and strength to face your challenges.

Serve:  Is there someone you know who is struggling?  How can you offer your support?

25th Sunday of the Year Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

Don’t you wish life would always be easy?  Wouldn’t it be great if challenges and obstacles disappeared with a simple thought?  What’s more, how about if evil, darkness, fear, and violence would vanish from the face of the earth?

I know: I will now wake up from my pleasant dream.  Since the dawn of creation evil and sin have been part of our world, and for this very reason Jesus Christ died and rose.  The death and resurrection of the Lord confronts the darkness  and shines with the light of faith.

As Christians we can thus recognize two fundamental principles:

  • Evil and sin are part of the fabric of life
  • Jesus Christ offers us salvation through his victory on the Cross

Simply put, this means that we have hope in the face of difficulty.  God continues to give grace and strength, empowering us to face our fears and engage life with the faith to continue in the presence of adversity.  We know that life is hard; we know that with the Lord’s help we can carry on.

Where do you find darkness and evil in your life right now?  Where do the difficulties and obstacles present themselves?  Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge these pitfalls and recognize how they tempt and distract us.

For the minute we understand our struggles, we are equipped with the knowledge to petition the Lord for the help we need.  What’s more, as we understand the struggles of those around us, we can reach out with love of Christ to support one another with sincerity and genuine assistance.

May we honestly confront the challenges of life, trusting in the Lord for the grace we need.

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September 8, 2015

24th Sunday of the Year – Can we Walk the Walk?

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

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Study:  Recall a time when you had to carry out a difficult task.  Where did you find your strength?  How did others respond to your actions?

Pray:  Consider the challenges before you right now and ask the Lord for the wisdom and courage you need.

Serve:  Is there someone in your life who is walking a difficult path?  How can you help them?

24th Sunday of the Year Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

My dad often used the saying:

“He can talk the talk, but can he walk the walk?”

It was a favorite line of his when he heard a lot of words but didn’t see much action.  Fact is, most of the time our words signal our behavior; our actions prove it.

The Letter of James puts this notion of action into the context of faith: we demonstrate our faith by the works of daily life.  Talking about our love for the Lord is good, but showing it consistently is crucial.  Let’s face it – as disciples we are at our best when we are living examples of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Of course, sometimes living our faith is difficult, challenging, and painful.  There are times when we are tested to keep going in the right direction, to stay true to our values and purpose, and to hang in there when we might be tempted to stop.  Not only are we living witnesses, but the proof of our faith is often revealed in our actions when times are toughest.

Both Isaiah and Jesus testify that some paths will demand everything we have, even our lives.  In these moments we trust completely in God for the wisdom, courage, and power we need.

As we walk the walk of faith we remember that we do not do it alone: the Lord continues to put people in our lives and strengthens us through Sacraments, Scripture, Prayer, and Fellowship.  What’s more, there are times when we are called upon to support others on their walk – giving strength to those who struggle.

Whether we are leaning on another or lending a helping hand to someone in need…may we walk the walk, with Jesus Christ by our side.

 

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September 1, 2015

23rd Sunday of the Year – Healing and Hospitality

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Jesus-healing-hands_fs

Study:  Recall a moment when you experienced profound healing.  Then consider a time when someone was genuinely hospitable to you.

Pray:  Ask the Lord to see others with the eyes of Jesus.

Serve:  How can you bring healing to another today?  How can you reach out and welcome someone?

23rd Sunday of the Year Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

Two big themes bubble up in the Scriptures this week:

  • Healing: Isaiah proclaims and Jesus performs
  • Hospitality: James urges that we show no partiality

Both of these themes are part of the fabric of human life.  We all know firsthand experiences of illness, disease, and discomfort.  We know the relief that comes from health, especially after a long period of suffering.  Jesus spent a substantial portion of his ministry healing others; indeed, every encounter with the Lord brought about some type of transformative renewal.

Hospitality touches another part of our existence.  It is so easy to prejudge one another!  Looks, clothing, money, power, success….we can quickly get caught up in externals and fail to recognize the shining soul that dwells in the heart.  James (as usual) minces no words here – he speaks bluntly, calling us to treat one another as sons & daughters of God.

Where do you see healing in your life?  Where do you see hospitality?  Perhaps today we can be agents of both, helping others in moments of weakness and need, and reaching out to all with the love of Christ.

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