Mass Readings – 27th Sunday of the Year
We stir into flame our faith in Jesus Christ through prayer, sacraments, and our relationships with one another.
Tag Archives: Eucharist
The Body & Blood of Christ. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – The Feast of the Body & Blood of Christ
We all have those people in our lives who pour out their hearts to feed others tasty, wholesome food. In much the same way, the Lord offers us the Eucharist that we might have the spiritual food we need to strengthen us on our journey through life.
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Corpus Christi – The Body & Blood of Christ
Study: Reflect on the Mass. What parts do you find most helpful?
Pray: Consider making a list of prayer needs for your use at Mass. Keep this list near you for reference when you go to Church.
Serve: Perhaps you know others who have been away from Mass for awhile. Consider making the effort to invite them to join you at Mass.
The Body & Blood of Christ Readings
The celebration of the Eucharist is the highest form of Christian prayer. Jesus defines the bread and wine and his body and blood, and then he commands his disciples to “take and eat…take and drink” in his memory. Besides the readings we will hear at Mass, some other crucial Scripture passages testify to this essential element of our faith:
- Matthew 26:26-29
- Mark 14:22-26
- Luke 22: 14-23
- John 6:51-58
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
What happens when we go to Mass? What do we encounter when we open our hearts to this hour long prayer? Here are few key points:
- We hear a good selection of the Word of God
- We receive Jesus Christ in Holy Communion
- We unite in prayer with others
- We pray for the sick, those who have died, and our special needs
- We have a few moments for silence and reflection
Of course in our fast paced, entertain-me-so-I-won’t-be-bored world, we can look upon the central prayer of the Church and wonder why the Mass doesn’t “get modern.” The reality is that the Mass continues to adapt to the culture and times. The real question is this: Do I come to the Mass with an open heart to encounter the Lord and his disciples? Do I come with a focus to offer my life to be renewed by Christ?
Here are seven ideas for getting the most out of Mass:
- Read the Sunday Scriptures ahead of time. This way you can get a sense of the key themes and be better prepared to follow the homily.
- Come prepared to pray. This seems obvious, but many people often don’t come with their “list” of intentions and needs. Take some time before Mass to consider who or what in your life could use a prayer.
- Pray before Mass starts. Sometimes we can rush into church, drop into a pew, and try to follow along with the Mass. Give yourself 5-10 minutes to reflect on the past week, look to the next, and ask the Lord for guidance and strength. It really helps!
- Receive Holy Communion with heightened awareness. This is Jesus Christ who offered his life on a Cross for the salvation of our souls. It’s his blood that was poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. Make that moment of receiving Him intentional and reverent; let the “Amen” come from your heart!
- Pray after receiving Holy Communion. You have just received the Lord Jesus into your body – you have become a living Tabernacle – there is no better time to offer the deepest, most important issues on your plate to the one who loves you.
- Consider one takeaway that you experienced from every Mass. Name one thing (just one is perfectly fine) that struck you at every Mass. Perhaps it was a point in the homily, a line from a hymn, someone you prayed for, something you experienced, or an insight that came to you in silence. By naming one takeaway you actively participate in the prayer and engage your faith as you live your life.
- Use a resource to get the most out of Mass. Some people like a devotional, missal, or prayer booklet – something that can be used both in and out of church. Others prefer an online resource where they can follow up at a website, video, or podcast. Still others favor their smartphones for handheld resources that they can take anywhere. Find what works for you…the only true measure is the resource that helps you engage your faith each and every day.
Jesus Christ gives us the gift of himself in every Mass. He defines what we do and commanded us to do it. Every time we come to Mass we encounter the Lord and allow his grace to transform our lives. May his Body strengthen our bodies; may his Blood flow through our veins.
After all, as his disciples, we have his work to do.
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The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci; 1494-1499, tempera on gesso, pitch and mastic, 460 cm x 880 cm, Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy.
Note: This blog was originally published on June 2, 2015.
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First Holy Communion. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s First Holy Communion Homily
Every year in the Easter season children often make their First Holy Communion. This homily was given on the 4th Sunday of Easter at the Cathedral of Christ the King on April 16, 2016. Please continue to pray for all our children who receive the Lord in this great Sacrament; and may all of us draw near to Jesus!
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Daily Mass: Taught by God. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast – Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter
In both the 1st Reading and the Gospel we have references to teaching: Philip teaches the Ethiopian eunuch and Jesus instructs the people in the “Bread of Life” discourse. Note how the teaching leads to the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist! May our faith help us to enter ever deeper into our life in Jesus Christ.
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Daily Mass: the Bread of Life
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
“I am the Bread of Life” are the words the Lord speaks to the crowd. This time of year, when 1st Communions are common, may we receive the Lord in the Eucharist with the living bread that feeds our souls.
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Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
There are many ways to get the most out of Lent. This gift that the Church celebrates every year provides an opportunity for spiritual renewal. Below you will find a short summary of some of the Homilies, Presentations and Retreats that I have offered over the last couple of years with themes that might speak to your own Lenten journey. Feel free to try any of these podcasts; if they are helpful, you are welcome to share them with others. After all, the purpose of the season is to draw our hearts to Jesus Christ!
Homilies
Preparing for Lent (13 Minutes) – This homily podcast offers some general helpful hints to consider as you get ready to enter into the season as a whole. Given at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI on March 2, 2013.
Ash Wednesday (4 Minutes) – This short homily shows how messy, dirty, grimy ashes on the outside remind us of the messy, dirty, grimy reality of sin in our hearts. As we repent and believe in the Gospel, may we call upon the Lord to wash us clean with the grace of Jesus Christ. Given at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI on Feb. 18, 2015.
Holy Thursday (8 Minutes) – At the Last Supper Jesus teaches and commands his disciples to receive his Body & Blood and give your life in service to others. In our reception of Holy Communion may we be strengthened and renewed to offer our lives, following the example of Christ. Given at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI on April 2, 2015.
Good Friday (10 Minutes) – The Cross of Christ – ugly, filthy with the blood of countless victims, jagged, and splintered – becomes the sign of the depth and breadth of agony Jesus endured. As he embraces his suffering, the Cross becomes a bridge whereby he unites with all humanity, meeting us in our most profound moments of weakness and sin, and gives us hope through his triumph over death. We must understand the Cross in the light of Easter joy: For if we only focus on the Cross then we have no hope – life becomes dark and filled with despair; and if we only focus on Easter joy then we have no respect for the gift of the Lord’s Passion – we do not value the price He paid for our salvation. Given at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI on April 3, 2015.
Easter (7 Minutes) – Their lives were changed; the sorrow cast from the shadow of the Cross is now transformed by resurrection glory…He’s alive! The grace of Jesus Christ inspired the disciples to go out to the world – carrying their crosses – with the power the Lord’s triumph. Christ brings this transformation to us today; his power continues to work in the world. May we open our hearts to the resurrection…and be transformed! Given at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI on April 5, 2015.
General Presentations
Personal Prayer: Making it Real (46 Minutes) – How do we make our personal prayer real? This homily podcast highlights practical tips that bring power and meaning to our personal prayer. Given at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI on April 11, 2015.
Personal Healing & Renewal (44 Minutes) – The presentation explores a four step process of personal healing and renewal: Acknowledgement; Diagnosis; Prescription; and Follow through. By examining four quadrants of human life (physical, intellectual, relational, spiritual) this presentation guides the listener toward personal growth in practical ways. Given to the Northern Waters Parish Nurse Group on October 9, 2015.
Christ Renews Our Lives! (31 Minutes) – This talk was presented to Confirmation students from the Cathedral and St. Francis Xavier parishes. Note these four points: God made us to be united with Him; Sin destroys our relationships with God and one another; Christ restores the relationship through his life, death, and resurrection; Each of us can choose to accept the gift of Christ and live as his disciple. Given at the Cathedral of Christ the King on November 11, 2015.
Extraordinary Life! (36 Minutes) – This “Theology on Tap” presentation asks some big questions: Are you looking for some practical ways to transform your life? Do you long for something special, filled with power, purpose, and meaning? Fr. Andrew looks at 3 areas (Self, Others, God) and applies them to the ordinary and routine elements of daily life. Given at VIP in Superior, WI on October 22, 2015.
Prayer: Practical Pointers to Grow Closer to God (30 Minutes) – This “Theology on Tap” reflection offers some practical ways to strengthen your prayer life and grow closer to God. Some topics include: Time, Space, Location, and Preparation; Dealing with Distraction; Using resources – including Scripture and Devotionals; Finding what works for you. Given at Dubh Linh’s Pub in Duluth, MN on November 11, 2013.
Retreats
Knights of Columbus Men’s Retreat (September 13, 2014 – St. Joseph Church – Hayward, WI) This Catholic Men’s Retreat explores three ways we draw near to Jesus Christ and one another: study, prayer, and service.
- #1 Study: Some Ways We Learn about Our Faith (25 Minutes)
- #2 Prayer: Developing Our Relationship with the Lord (38 Minutes)
- #3 Service: Practical Ways to Live as Christ Taught (21 Minutes)
Eucharist (March 8, 2014 – St. Dominic Church – Frederic, WI) This parish retreat focuses on Eucharist as the central expression of our Catholic faith.
- #1 Why We Do What We Do (45 Minutes)
- #2 Getting the Most out of Mass (49 Minutes)
- #3 A Catholic Way of Life (28 Minutes)
Christian in a Changing World (February 22-24, 2014 – Cathedral of Christ the King – Superior, WI) This parish mission looks at three key concepts: Our direction in life; our spiritual fitness; putting our faith into practice.
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)
May this Lent be filled with grace and power – God bless you!
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Daily Mass: Feeding the 5000. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily – January 5th in the Christmas Season
The Miracle of the Fishes and Loaves reminds us that God continues to Take, Bless, Break, and Give from the little we offer and transform it into abundance. With a little help from his nieces and nephews, Fr. Andrew reminds us that every Mass participates in the grace of Jesus Christ.
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Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe – Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Christ the King Homily Podcast
Christ, our Savior, Lord, and Friend…is also our King. What’s more, the King has given us some very specific commands – here are three:
- Love one another
- Forgive one another
- Receive the Eucharist
As we follow the King may we carry out his commands!
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Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe
Study: Recall a time when you carried out a difficult command. What gave you strength?
Pray: Is there a difficult situation facing you right now? Draw near to Christ in the Eucharist for wisdom and courage.
Serve: Actions speak louder than words…so how can your actions today show others that Christ is your King?
Readings for the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe
We conclude the Church’s liturgical calendar with this Feast in honor of our Lord. The title is one that speaks to a role that appears in history, literature, and culture: the KING.
Here are some common key points to remember:
- The King is recognized as ruler
- The King’s power is acknowledged
- The King’s decrees are to be obeyed
Sounds simple, right? So how do we apply these concepts to Jesus? Consider this:
- If Christ is the ruler of my life, then all my words and actions must align with Him.
- I turn to Christ for strength in my moments of powerlessness.
- I act on Christ’s commands, obeying His teaching and precepts.
Practically, I suggest that we focus this week on three key commandments that Christ gave us:
- Forgive one another. Reread chapter 18 in Matthew’s gospel for a review.
- Come to Mass. Check out chapter 6 in John’s gospel, or Mt. 26:26-28.
- Love one another. Try John 15:12-17 for a refresher!
Remember: the King commands us to forgive, receive Him in the Eucharist, and love one another. These are not suggestions, or helpful hints when we have free time! These are commands…and as we acknowledge that Jesus is our King we also know that we can draw near to the Lord for the strength and wisdom we need to carry them out.
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This icon of Christ Pantocrator is on loan to the Cathedral of Christ the King from Fr. Andrew Ricci. “Pantocrator” may be literally translated into “Ruler of All” or “Almighty” and it is an ancient way of depicting Jesus.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: A parable about prayer
- Daily Mass: The Lord offers a sober teaching about judgment
- Daily Mass: An insight about the Kingdom of God
- Daily Mass: A lesson from a leper
- Daily Mass: Service for the Lord is a way of life
- Daily Mass: The Cathedral of Rome, a sign of our unity in the Church
- Study, Pray, Serve: 33rd Sunday of the Year
- 32nd Sunday of the Year: Preparation, Readiness, Finality
- Daily Mass: Jesus discusses how to serve God and use wealth wisely
- Daily Mass: An example of hustle, drive, and determination
