Tag Archives: John the Baptist

November 29, 2021

Study, Pray, Serve: 2nd Sunday of Advent

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by Nubia Navarro (nubikini) on Pexels.com

Here’s a quick look at the themes for the readings for the 2nd Sunday of Advent.

1st Reading – Baruch 5:1-9

  • The prophet encourages the people to take off the robe of mourning and misery and put on the splendor of glory from God.
  • God has commanded; he is leading the people in joy and bringing them back in glory.

Psalm 126:1-6

  • “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”
  • The people who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

2nd Reading – Philippians 1:4-6,8-11

  • Paul confidently prays with joy for the people that they will continue their good work until the day of Christ Jesus.
  • This good work includes love, knowledge, discernment, purity and the fruit of righteousness.

Gospel – Luke 3:1-6

  • Luke sets the context of John the Baptist with the names of history, such as Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate and the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas.
  • John’s ministry is understood in light of the words of Isaiah…prepare the way of the Lord!

Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Advent

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

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June 24, 2021

The birth of John the Baptist. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

John the Baptist plays a crucial role in salvation history as the one who comes “to prepare the way of the Lord.” His example inspires us to continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in our lives today.

Mass Readings – The Birth of John the Baptist

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January 9, 2021

Daily Mass: Christ must increase in our hearts. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
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John the Baptist reveals a humility and depth of knowledge as he recognizes how the ministry of Jesus must grow. “He must increase; I must decrease.” May these words apply to each one of us as we welcome Christ as King of our hearts.

Mass Readings – Saturday after Epiphany

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January 4, 2021

The Baptism of the Lord

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
My photo at the Jordan River while on pilgrimage in the Holy Land in 2019.

Study:  Find out about your baptism.  When was it?  Who performed it?  Who are your Godparents?  Who else was present?

Pray:  Thank the Lord for the gift of faith to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ.

Serve:  How can you live your baptismal call today?  How can your faith inspire or assist another?

Mass Readings – The Baptism of the Lord

A few years ago I was having lunch when I ran into Fr. Bob Koszarek, a retired priest from our diocese.  When I asked him what brought him out for lunch he said, “I am celebrating the anniversary of my baptism.”  The comment struck me, especially when he followed it up with, “Do you know the day of your baptism?”

The answer is no.  Yet as I prepare for Mass this week I have made a commitment to find out.  We claim (rightly so) that baptism is a crucial sacrament in the Church – the gateway to all other sacraments whereby we are configured to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Most people know if they have been baptized; my sense is that very few know the actual date.

Our faith is a precious gift – worth fighting for, worth dying for.  Perhaps today we pause to recall just how precious it truly is…Jesus Christ poured out his blood on the Cross for us that we might have eternal life.  His baptism was the revelation of the Trinity, where we hear the Father’s voice from heaven as the Spirit descends upon the Son in the form of a dove.  Our baptism allows us to participate fully in God’s presence for the grace and guidance we need.

I invite us today to claim our baptism.  Some simple steps:

  • Thank the Lord for the gift of faith to know Jesus and live as a Christian disciple
  • Embrace your faith through study and prayer
  • Serve others in the name of Jesus Christ (and with his help and strength)
  • Allow your life to bring Good News to the World

Our baptism is not a one time event.  Rather, it is an ongoing expression of Christ working through us.  May the Baptism of the Lord inspire us to live our faith with joy as we engage our lives with his power.

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

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Note: This post was first published on January 4, 2016.

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December 23, 2020

Daily Mass: The birth of John the Baptist. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by Andreas Wohlfahrt on Pexels.com

The birth of John the Baptist continues to build up expectation as we await the coming of the Messiah. God is constantly doing something new; do we see the Lord’s hand at work in our lives today?

Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 4th Week of Advent

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December 19, 2020

Daily Mass: Are we open to God’s Good News? Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
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Zechariah’s response to the angel Gabriel reveals a common human trait to doubt good news. May we confront this behavior in our hearts as we seek recognize the Lord at work in our lives each and every day.

Mass Readings – Saturday of the 3rd Week of Advent

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December 13, 2020

3rd Sunday of Advent: Testify to the Light! Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
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The Gospel reveals how John the Baptist was sent to testify to Christ, the Light of the world. Following John’s example, we are called to testify to the Light…so that others will find Christ in our words and actions.

Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Advent

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December 9, 2020

Daily Mass: Christ must increase in our hearts. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by Alem Su00e1nchez on Pexels.com

John the Baptist reveals a humility and depth of knowledge as he recognizes how the ministry of Jesus must grow. “He must increase; I must decrease.” May these words apply to each one of us as we welcome Christ as King of our hearts.

Mass Readings – Saturday after Epiphany

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December 7, 2020

3rd Sunday of Advent: The Spirit of the Lord guides us.

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
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Study: Consider a moment when you heard really good news.  How did it feel?  How did it change the way you thought or acted?

Pray: Ask the Lord for guidance how your life can be a blessing to others.

Serve: Do you know someone who is having a bad day?  How can your life bring light to their lives?

Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Advent

The readings of this 3rd Sunday of Advent are filled with hope and power:

  • 1st Reading – Isaiah proclaims, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.”
  • Psalm – “My soul rejoices in my God.”
  • 2nd Reading – St. Paul says, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.”
  • Gospel – John the Baptist comes to testify to the Light.

The themes here all point to God’s power and glory.  As Christians we have confidence that the Lord walks with us, sustains us, and empowers us to face the challenges and obstacles of life.

Isaiah recognizes that there are troubles in this life – the poor, the brokenhearted, those captive and in prison.  We, too, understand very well that there are problems that must be faced and situations that will push us to our limits.  Yet we are not alone; God’s Spirit fills us with new life!

This is cause to rejoice!  Our Good News in Jesus recalls that Christ is victorious over sin and death.  The Lord comes into our world to breathe new life into our limbs when we are weary.  We have a strength that does not fail, and we call upon God with joy.

And like John the Baptist, we can testify to the light of Jesus Christ in the world.  People are hungry for this light, and people continue to give their lives that God’s light will shine…to cast out darkness and evil.

So call upon the Holy Spirit!  Rejoice in the Lord!  Pray always!  And testify to the grace and peace that comes when Christ Jesus shines in our hearts!

This, my friends, is the Good News of the Gospel.

Note: This post was first published on December 11, 2017.

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December 6, 2020

2nd Sunday of Advent: Prepare the way of the Lord. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Isaiah and John the Baptist urge the people to prepare their hearts and make a straight path that leads to God.

Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Advent

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