Tag Archives: Courage

August 4, 2014

19th Sunday of the Year – Walking on Water

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Walking on Water

Study:  Recall a moment in life when you were doubtful or afraid.  How did you face it?

Pray:  Ask the Lord for the strength and wisdom to face doubts and fears.

Serve:  Is there someone in your life who is struggling with doubts or fears?  How might you help them?

19th Sunday of the Year Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily

This Gospel story (Matthew 14:22-33) follows immediately after the reading from last week.  Here’s a quick recap:

* Jesus hears of the death of John the Baptist
* Jesus seeks solitude in a deserted place
* The crowds find Jesus; he ministers to them
* Jesus feeds the hungry with fishes & bread

After the people have eaten, the Lord makes the disciples get into a boat while he dismisses the crowd.  The following events occur:
1.  The disciples are in the boat on the water
2.  Jesus goes up the mountain to pray alone
3.  The wind and the waves are getting strong
4.  Late at night Jesus comes on the water
5.  Seeing Jesus, the disciples are terrified
6.  Jesus, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”
7.  Peter to Jesus “Command me to come to you.”
8.  Peter goes to Jesus, is frightened and sinks
9.  Jesus rescues Peter “Why did you doubt?”
10. The disciples:  “Truly you are the Son of God!”

Note that Matthew’s Gospel differs from Mark’s account (6:45-52) in three ways:
1.  The dialogue between Jesus and Peter
2.  Peter walking (sort of) on the water
3.  Confession of faith – Jesus the Son of God

The story speaks of Peter’s desire to follow Jesus, even as it clearly shows his human weakness.  Peter tries, fails, and calls upon Jesus to save him in his need.  As a result, the disciples recognize the Son of God in their midst.

The early Church took this passage to heart.  Like the boat tossed on the waters, early Christians knew all too well the dangers of faith – risking their lives to follow Jesus.  Like Peter, they had their moments of weakness; like Peter, they called upon the Lord in their need.

We can see ourselves in this situation as well.  There are times when we desperately want a strong and steadfast faith; we seek the Lord and desire to follow His path for our lives.  Yet we are also aware of our limitations, failures, and fears.  May we, like Peter, call upon Jesus in our need; may we trust in the Lord’s strength and love to save us.

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April 19, 2014

Easter Day

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Easter Lily

Study:  When have you experienced a profound moment of change and growth?  What brought it about?

Pray:  Open your heart to Jesus Christ.  Let the joy of the resurrection transform your life.

Serve:  Claim your faith!  Let your love for the Lord direct your thoughts, words, and actions – in whatever you face today.

Easter Day Readings        Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

In the early hours of that first Easter Day we celebrate an incredible hope as word spread through the city of Jerusalem – Jesus is alive.

His followers had been crushed by the agony of the Cross.  Lost – beyond all sense of pain, sorrow, and grief – from the darkness of their fear and despair they passed on the message: we have seen him, we have touched him, we have eaten with him – the Lord has been raised!

I have always been struck by the transformational effect the resurrection of Jesus had upon his disciples:

  • Fear to Faith
  • Helplessness to Hope
  • Lament to Love
  • Cowardice to Courage

The same disciples who once fled for their lives will now go out into the world to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.  They will face persecution, suffering, and martyrdom in order to testify to the truth of Easter Day: the Resurrection of Christ.  What’s more, they will do this with an overwhelming sense of conviction and strength.

No one can ignore the power of this effect.  The encounter with the Risen Lord changes everything.  What is there to be afraid of?  Jesus has broken the chains of sin and death – we can face anything in this world with confidence.  Jesus has triumphed, and in the light of Easter Day we now draw on his strength to face our battles with joy.

The death of Jesus on the Cross was for our sins; the resurrection of Jesus was for our lives.  The power of Easter Day directs our attention to the sacred and precious gift of life.  Life is worth fighting for, worth dying for, and worth living for – in this world and the next.  The resurrection reveals God’s love for our lives; we are worth the sacrifice of the Cross and empowered to live with faith, hope, and love.

How will we live this great promise of faith?  How will we allow the power of Easter to transform us?  For remember: the moment we acknowledge the truth of the resurrection our lives fundamentally change.  Directed by the saving work of Christ we now engage the world on new terms: we witness through word and action the love of Jesus each and every day.  With our eyes fixed on heaven we boldly walk this earth as his disciples.  We live our lives with real truth and power.  We live our lives as God’s sons and daughters.

The authentic witness of our faith is THE WAY that people truly discover Jesus.  It was true for the disciples on that first Easter Day, and it is true for disciples today.

Perhaps today is the day that our faith takes on a deeper meaning and purpose in our lives – placing Jesus first in all that we say and do.  May this Easter Day fill our hearts with grace and power to live in the light of Christ.  May we let the Lord into our hearts and allow our lives to be transformed by his love.

Christ is alive!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

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August 13, 2013

20th Sunday of the Year – Keep Running the Race

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Runner

Study:  When in my life did I hit a “wall” – an obstacle that seriously affected my life?

Pray:  Call upon the Lord for the wisdom and courage to face the challenges before us.

Serve:  Who in my life can I encourage to continue?

20th Sunday Readings:

I have a lot of respect for marathon athletes.  The sport of running is grueling in both physical and mental ways, demanding discipline, dedication, and concentration.  Running is hard work, and those athletes who embrace the sport demonstrate their willingness to accept a difficult challenge.

While many runners work out with a partner or a group, running is ultimately an individual sport.  Whereas a team sport allows a person to have a poor performance and still win, a runner who breaks down is lost.  The energy, stamina, and focus must come from each runner, or the race will not be completed.

Runners often talk about the “Wall.”  At some point (usually toward the end of the race) the body revolts.  Concentration is lost, breathing is labored, and the legs feel like they are made of lead.  To the runner it seems almost impossible to continue, and for a time it is only by sheer will, as one foot is forced ahead of the other, that the runner goes on.

Where do runners get this kind of strength?  Where do they find the energy and determination?  Every runner is different, yet every one relies on some kind of conviction or encouragement to continue.  This focus – to finish running the race – gives them the power to see it through.

“Running the Race” has much to tell us about the journey all of us encounter in our lives.  For we know that there are times when we encounter our own personal wall, that obstacle, event, or sin which drains our strength and concentration.  At these moments we can feel exhausted – beyond help, guidance, or the desire to continue.

The letter to the Hebrews reminds us that at these times we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the source and center of our faith.  It is the Lord’s example which gives us the hope we need to face the challenges and obstacles of any given day.  By ourselves we can stumble and fall to temptation and sin, but with the strength of Christ we continue, finding new life where we thought there was none.

Running a race IS hard work; the same is true for life.  We know that the journey is not easy.  Yet we know that through our faith in Jesus we have a source of strength that will not abandon us.  The Lord is near, inviting us to continue and finish the journey, inspired by the example of Christ.

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