Tag Archives: Light

December 29, 2015

The Epiphany of the Lord – Light & Sight

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

epiphany_01

Study: Reflect on a time when you clearly experienced God’s presence in your life.  How were you guided?

Pray:  Is there a challenging task confronting you today?  Ask the Lord for the Light to find your way.

Serve:  How can you be a Light for others?  How can your life help others to see clearly?

The Epiphany of the Lord Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

The Magi were guided by a star to Jerusalem.  They were led by its light, and along the way inquired among the people where they might find the king and were thus directed to Bethlehem.  I am struck by the two complementary components that were necessary for their journey:  Light & Sight.

  • Light: the star that blazed in the sky for all to see
  • Sight: the effort of the Magi to use the Light to find their way.

Without light, sight is impossible.  Without sight, the light is wasted.  Many people saw the light of the star, but the Magi acted on it – seeking through a long journey to find the King of Kings.

God’s light continues to shine in our world today.  Do we open our eyes and see with the gift of faith the wonders that the Lord sets before us?  Make no mistake: we believe that Christ is present in the Eucharist, the Scriptures, and our fellowship “where two or three are gathered” in his name.

We are invited to follow the example of the Magi and seek the Lord in our lives – using our senses and resources to respond to the blessings we have have received.  May we use our Sight to follow the Light!

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in Feasts & Solemnities

November 12, 2015

Daily Mass: God’s Wisdom in our Lives. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily (Thursday of the 32nd Week of the Year)

God’s Wisdom brings light to our lives, helping us see clearly and inspiring us to shine with the grace and love of Christ.

 

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January 1, 2015

The Epiphany of the Lord

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Brilliant Stars!

Study:  Recall a time when you experienced a moment of clarity and understanding – when it all came together.

Pray:  Ask the Lord for direction and insight regarding any particular decisions or needs.

Serve:  How can you help someone clarify their focus and gain direction?

The Epiphany of the Lord Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily

I was sitting in a Calculus class, and my blood was beginning to boil. For over an hour I had been trying to understand a concept without any success. The professor had patiently explained it twice (using two different examples), two friends tried (telling me how EASY it was – like that helped…), and I had read the “helpful hints” section of the textbook (which I still do not understand to this day).

I looked down on the page of equations, a seemingly meaningless series of numbers, letters, and signs, and put my head in my hands and took a deep breath. I then turned to look out the window and daydreamed for a couple of minutes. (I think the professor was just glad I was quiet…!) Then I looked back at the textbook.

It made sense.

I could not believe it. I finally understood in a span of three heartbeats what three different people had been trying to tell me for over an hour. The light bulb went on, and I said “OH!!!” just a little louder then I realized.

The professor, a gentle man with a deep faith, came over to me with a big smile. He said, “Do you get it?” When I told him how it came together he said, “Good for you, Andrew! You just had an epiphany.”

There are times in life when an event or experience comes upon us in a rush. We are caught up in the moment, held in awe by our new awareness. We discover a new insight, understanding, or perspective which shapes and changes how we see the world.

In the Scriptures today we follow the journey of the wise men, guided by a star to the baby Jesus. As the star rose they pursued its course, searching for understanding and wisdom. When they found the child their response reveals the magnitude of their convictions. They knelt in homage, giving the very best gifts they had to offer.

As we journey on in our lives God places before us opportunities and events where the Lord is especially present. In these great and precious moments our eyes are opened – if only briefly – to the grace and blessings around us. We can ask the Lord for this gift of understanding – a gift which recognizes and responds to God’s presence in our midst.

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January 19, 2014

3rd Sunday of the Year – Step into the Light

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

In the Light

Study:  Are there parts of my life that are in the dark?  Is there anything that needs to brought into the light of Jesus?

Pray:  Ask the Lord for light to see insight and out – both in your heart and in your relationships.  Pray for the strength to face what you see.

Serve:  Is there someone in your life struggling to face God’s light?  How can you help them see clearly?

3rd Sunday Readings

Most of us use our sense of sight more than any other.  We are visually oriented – in our reading, electronic media, use of film, and interaction with one another.

But sight requires light to see clearly.  We stumble in the dark, get disoriented easily when we cannot see, and can lose our way without our gift of sight.

This is not just true in the physical world, but in the spiritual as well.  Our lives are defined by the choices we make, the words we speak, and the actions we perform.  They are all evidence of what’s really going on in our heart.  In the spiritual light of faith we understand who we are; we can examine our lives by the light of Jesus and discover ourselves.

Furthermore, in the light we can be truthful with one another.  We tend to hide our sins and weaknesses in the dark – to cover up our failures and avoid exposing our messes to the light where others can see them clearly.  Yet we also know that those who love us most truly know us the best, warts and all.  They love us not because we are perfect, but because their love (which sees us clearly) is greater than our weaknesses.

The readings today give us a lot of thoughts about light:

  • Light shines on us in our darkness (1st)
  • The Lord is our light (Psalm)
  • Light leads to repentance (Gospel)
  • In the light Jesus calls us to follow (Gospel)

Is there a darkness in our lives today?  Have we been stumbling in the dark and lost our way to God and one another?  Jesus Christ brings light which will not only reveal our lives on the inside but also on the outside.  God’s light uncovers who we truly are and how we relate to others.  In the light we can be honest, sincere, and real.  In the light we can acknowledge our failures and return to the one who forgives us.

The invitation: come into the light!  We do not need to be afraid – God knows us better than we know ourselves.  Stepping into the light helps us to recognize where we can grow, so we can be transformed by the grace of Jesus and live in His light.

  • On the inside – we fearlessly look at the darkness in our hearts.
  • On the outside – we face the darkness in our relationships.

Once the light of Jesus helps us to see clearly we can make the changes we need to live authentically as his disciples.  By His light we can receive the grace, guidance, wisdom, and strength we need.  Let there be light!

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December 30, 2013

Epiphany – Responding to the Light

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Fireworks Galaxy - ngc6946

Study:  When did you experience a moment of profound insight that led you to action?

Pray:  Are there any major decisions or challenges in your life right now?  Pray for the light to see your way, and the courage to carry it out!

Serve:  Is there someone in your life in need of light?  Can you help them understand or give them strength to support their actions?

Epiphany Readings

Think for a moment about all the different ways we respond to light:
* Christmas lights
* Stop and Go lights
* Night lights
* Flashlights
* Candlelight
* Lantern light
* Key chain & Pocket lights
* Car lights
* and many, many, more!

All these lights surround us and help us navigate our everyday activities.  They bring guidance, comfort, joy, understanding, and security to our lives.  Indeed, light is a precious gift that brings meaning and purpose to our world.

Yet it is not enough for light to simply shine upon us; light is the beginning – but it evokes and calls forth a response from us.

Look at it this way.  A stop-and-go traffic light cannot simply be seen; it must be followed and acted upon (or else you are likely to get rear-ended).  Failure to respond to the light leads to difficulty, while those who are guided by the light and act accordingly find their way.

We hear about light in the Gospel today.  The Magi observed the light, and they followed and searched until they understood what it meant.  The light was the beginning; only through their journey and response did they discover the precious gift of Jesus – the Light of the World.

Many saw the light.  It was there in the sky for all to see.  Yet only a few responded and recognized that the starlight was a sign from God.  Thus, it was not enough just to see; for indeed we celebrate those who both saw and acted upon the light.

It is our belief that God continues to shine upon us today.  The Light of Christ burns brightly – in the Scriptures, the Sacraments, moral teachings, our conscience, our prayer, and the comfort and support of family and friends.

Yet even as God is revealed to our world the light alone is not enough.  We, too, are invited to act as the Magi and respond to the light.  May we open our eyes and our hearts this day, recognizing the Lord and responding to His Light.

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February 17, 2013

2nd Sunday of Lent – A Ray of Light

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Image

Study:  What sources of faith bring light to your life in wisdom and knowledge – Scripture, Catechism, Sacraments?

Pray: How does prayer strengthen you?  Is it in silence, with music, in faith sharing, or at Mass?

Service: How do you bring light to the lives of others?  What acts of kindness & charity help others, especially in their struggles and challenges?

2nd Sunday of Lent Readings

Have you ever been outside on an overcast day?  On cloudy days I find myself longing for the sun.  Everything looks drab and gray, and the world appears lifeless and cold.

On occasion there will be a break in the clouds, and sunlight will flood the landscape.  In a moment everything changes.  Colors appear, water sparkles, and the brightness makes your eyes squint.

It’s not that the landscape changed.  Everything is the same as before.  What is different is the light which gives our eyes a new perspective.  The light brings out the glory and beauty which we could not notice earlier.

In the Gospel today Jesus leads Peter, James and John up a mountain to pray.  The Lord, whom they had known now for some time, suddenly changes before them.  The man they knew now is revealed as a mighty and powerful person, surrounded by great figures from the past and authorized by the Father’s voice.

The disciples don’t know what to do or say.  Overcome by the glory of Jesus, Peter starts talking without even knowing his own words.  The Lord’s transfiguration changes what they know about Jesus; he is no longer just the teacher – he has been revealed in a profound way as God’s son.

He is still the same man they knew:  the teacher, the healer, the kind and gentle friend.  Yet suddenly they discover that he is much, much more.  His power and authority are revealed, even if for just a moment.  A ray of light has shown the disciples that they are in the savior’s midst.

As the Lord approaches his suffering and death in Jerusalem, his transfiguration reveals that the Cross will not be the end of the story.  His glory and might will transcend his earthly pain, for as the disciples have seen on the mountain, Jesus is the Lord of all creation.

Sometimes we, too, need a ray of light in our lives.  Caught in darkness or doubt, we can become gloomy, despondent, sarcastic, or fearful.  It is at these moments that we call to God for the sight which will help us see the hope and peace within life.

The transfiguration does not take away pain; it shows that God is greater than the suffering and struggle of life.  May we look to the Lord’s example to find the ray of light we need in our dark moments.

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