Tag Archives: Mass

April 12, 2016

4th Sunday of the Year – Welcome to the Family

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

multitude

Study:  Reflect on a time in life when someone reached out and welcomed you.  What key points stand out?  Consider any opportunities you have today to do this for another.

Pray:  Is there a rift in your life that calls for healing and unity?  Ask the Lord for grace and mercy to make it happen.

Serve:  What is one thing you can do this week to be “part of the solution” in fostering unity in your life?

4th Sunday of Easter Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

The Scripture readings this week are filled with an uplifting message: we are invited to be part of the Lord’s family of faith.  Check out some high points from the readings:

  • 1st Reading – Paul & Barnabas are a “light to the Gentiles”
  • Psalm – “We are his people, the sheep of his flock”
  • 2nd Reading – the great multitude of every “nation, race, people, and tongue”
  • Gospel – Jesus knows his sheep and they follow him

Consider some points that follow from these incredible readings:

  1. The Good News of Christ is preached to all people.  There is not limit or boundary; all have access to the Lord.
  2. The Lord claims us!  What’s more, like the Psalmist, we can boldly claim our relationship to the Lord and trust in his love.
  3. The divisions that often separate us on earth (race, creed, nationality, language) simply do not exist in heaven; we are one family.
  4. We are known by the Lord – who calls us by name – and we follow Him.

If this unity is thus part of the reality of our Family of Faith, perhaps now is a good time to practice this unity here on earth?  Perhaps today we can cross the boundaries and divisions that keep us from one another as we continue to share the Good News in our words and actions?

As disciples we have been given an example of unity; our lives today provide plenty of opportunities to foster it.  May the grace of Easter inspire us to be a light to one another, after all – we are members of a vast and diverse family!

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April 4, 2016

3rd Sunday of Easter – Strong Faith in Hard Times

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Yes-LordYou-know-that-I-love-you.

Study:  Reflect on an experience where your faith got you through a difficult time.  What (or who) in particular helped you?

Pray:  Offer up the needs of loved ones who are experiencing tough times right now.  Pray for them!

Serve:  Is there a way that you can offer fellowship or support for someone struggling?  How can you lighten their load?

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

3rd Sunday of Easter Readings

The power of Easter shines through the Scripture readings this week:

  • 1st Reading – The Disciples face persecution for their witness
  • Psalm – “I will praise you Lord, for you have rescued me.”
  • 2nd Reading – John’s vision of Heaven, where angels worship Christ
  • Gospel – Jesus asks Peter “Do you love me?” three times

The disciples, freed from fear, now boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.  In fact, they wear their hardships like badges of honor – “rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.” (Acts 5:41)

A key point emerges: being a Christian does not mean that life will be easy.  On the contrary!  Striving to live in a manner worthy of Christ means that we will stand out and at times face hostility because we seek to live a Godly life.  At times we will encounter obstacles, setbacks, personal failures, and perhaps even ridicule – yet even in our weaknesses and failures we draw on the strength of the Lord for grace, mercy, and life.

This strength is highlighted in the encounter between Jesus and Peter, which takes place on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after the resurrection.  Peter has to face the Lord (the one he betrayed three times) and confront his own personal failure as he meets his friend and Savior.  Coming to Jesus (who knows his heart) Peter admits his inadequacy even as he affirms his love for the Lord.

These readings give us hope!  In tough times or smooth sailing, we turn (and return) to Christ for the wisdom and guidance we need.  And if we fail, we fall facing Jesus, who will lift us back up with a grace and strength to help us in our adversity – asking only that we renew our love for the one who died and rose for our salvation.

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March 26, 2016

Easter – Our Resurrection Joy!

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Easter Lily

Study:  Where in my life have I discovered God’s strength and grace?  How have others helped me?

Pray:  Where do I need God’s strength right now?  Call upon the Lord with boldness to face the challenges of life.

Serve:  How can I be an instrument of God’s strength to another?  How can I help someone today?

Easter Vigil Readings

Easter Day Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast (7 minutes, given at Cathedral on April 4, 2015)

I can only imagine the surge of excitement that went through the disciples as the word was shared.  Beyond the agony of the Cross and the sorrow of the Tomb on that first day of the week the message was proclaimed:  He’s Alive!

And everything changes.  This group of disciples – bound by fear and selfishness – are transformed with a new strength and conviction.  Their encounter with the Risen Lord will empower them to face the obstacles of this world with joy and hope.  They have seen the risen Christ…what is there to fear?  They have embraced the one who has conquered sin and death – there is NOTHING that can shake their confidence in the light of Easter morning.

This same strength comes to us.  Like the first disciples, we can turn to Jesus and allow his saving grace to renew us with a strength far beyond our own.  We can claim a hope that sustains us in the midst of our challenges and struggles.  The Easter sunrise brings light to the darkest corners of our hearts.

What in our lives needs to be touched by Jesus Christ?  We are invited to boldly come forward, receive his resurrection strength, and face whatever this world presents with confidence: the victory of Christ enlivens us to travel through life with the conviction that the grace he gave his disciples continues in our hearts today.

May this Easter season be a time of transformation and renewal; a time where we embrace the gift of our lives with a new freedom and conviction.  In the light of this Easter, may we follow the one who leads us from sin and death to the abundance of life…in this world, and the world to come.

Happy Easter!

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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.

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March 24, 2016

Holy Thursday – The Mass of the Lord’s Supper

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

basin and towel

Study:  Reflect on the readings today.  How is the Lord inviting you to serve?  How has the Lord provided opportunities for you to receive him in Eucharist?

Pray:  Go to Mass and recommit your life to Christ – giving your life and receiving from Him what you need.

Serve:  Who has the Lord placed in your path to help?  What can you do right now to make a difference?

Holy Thursday Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast (8 minutes, given at Cathedral on April 2, 2015)

Assembled together on the night before he died, the disciples celebrated the Passover meal with Jesus.  The recalled the great story of deliverance: how the people of Israel had been freed from bondage and slavery by God’s power through the prophet Moses.  They remembered how the blood of the lamb marked the lintel and doorposts so that the Angel of Death would pass by the people as it brought devastation to the land of Egypt.  They ate the unleavened bread, mindful that the Israelites were in such a hurry to depart Egypt that their own bread had not yet risen.

And in the context of this great story of freedom, Jesus teaches and commands them to do two crucial things:

  • Give your life in service to others
  • Receive Christ in his Body & Blood

The Lord demonstrates by his own example: he washes the feet of his disciples – work that is reserved for servants – and commands them to do the same for one another.  There is no ambiguity in this moment, no chance to say it is merely a symbol.  Christ shows them what to do and tells them to do it (John 13:1-15); the path that leads from freedom from sin and death is marked by our care for our brothers and sisters.  Simply put, our lives are meant to be offered for others – giving ourselves in service.

During the course of the meal Jesus took that flat, unleavened bread and did something amazing.  Again, he teaches them that “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood” (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-23).  Note: this is not some vague, hazy statement!  The Lord defines the bread & wine in a new way, revealing to his disciples that he will nourish them as they embrace the new covenant of freedom through his death and resurrection. And then he commands them to “take and eat…and take and drink…”in his name.

Giving and Receiving.  Offering our lives as we are strengthened by the Lord,we are fed so that we might live for one another.  God blesses us with the gift of life and faith so that we in turn might be a gift to those around us.  May we come frequently to the altar – fulfilling the command of Christ – so that we might be renewed to live each day for the one who died and rose for our salvation.

eucharist

This blog was originally posted on April 2, 2015.

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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.

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March 19, 2016

Palm Sunday – May we clearly see the Cross. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Palm Sunday Podcast

We read the Passion of Christ ever year, not as some sad, distant, impersonal story that happen long ago, but as OUR STORY – a reminder that Christ endured his Cross for US, for our our sins and transgressions.  As we enter into this sacred season, may we draw near to the one who saves and sets us free.

And if you would like to have a mini-retreat this week, I invite you to listen to any of these podcasts from my Mission last year in Arizona.

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.

Have a blessed Holy Week.

Holy Week

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March 15, 2016

Palm Sunday

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Station - Jesus in Crucified

Study: Read the Passion narrative again; put yourself in the drama of the Lord’s death. Stand with Mary at the foot of his cross.

Pray: Take time to gaze at the cross. Look beyond the art to the reality of the Lord’s passion. Dwell upon his wounds and thank him for his sacrifice.

Serve: Consider who is in need of healing in your life. Are there people who are carrying a heavy cross? Might you be like Simon of Cyrene – perhaps able to help them with a part of the load?

Palm Sunday Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

How many times throughout our lives have we made the sign of the Cross? Stop and think: at Mass; meal prayers; morning & evening prayers; special gatherings; and moments of blessing and grace. This simple action, which we teach to children at an early age, invokes a connection with the passion of Jesus.

We adorn our homes with the Cross. A crucifix is a common gift to a new home; they are placed in bedrooms and common areas as a reminder that Jesus is the source of our help and strength.

We adorn ourselves with the Cross in many ways: a crucifix on a chain; a cross in our pocket; earrings; rings; bracelets; and all the extra cards, bookmarks, figurines, and miscellaneous items that remind us that Jesus died on a Cross.

The passion we read every year on this day focuses our attention on the central mystery of our faith. Out of love for us God sent Jesus, who gave his life on the Cross that we might have eternal life. Through his suffering and death, we recognize that God has made a pathway possible that we might all journey through this life to the gates of Heaven.

The Cross teaches us many lessons:
* Life is difficult, and at times painful
* Weakness and sin are part of our experience
* God identifies with our pain
* God dies that we might have life

At the core of our teaching the Cross stands as the testament of God’s love for us. On one hand the Cross is an embarrassment – after all, why would God (all powerful, all knowing, supreme) choose to be humiliated? Does that not mean that God is weak? Why could God not take away our sins in a way that showed majesty and splendor?

Yet on the other hand, the Cross is a statement that God meets us where we are in life. In our weakness, in our humiliation, in our low moments of doubt and sin God comes to us. Jesus, like us in every way but sin, understands our pain because through his Cross he shares in the suffering of the world. He knows us, and loves us even more.

Every time we make the sign of the Cross may we recall what the Lord endured for us. May the Cross be our strength as we trust in God’s love, and may we seek to follow that love as we journey through this life toward the world to come.

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Note: this post was originally published on March 18,  2013.

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March 12, 2016

5th Sunday of Lent – Claim the Mercy. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s 5th Sunday of Lent Homily Podcast

We all sin, and sometimes our disastrous mistakes become public humiliations.  Yet like the woman in the Gospel today we encounter the Lord who simultaneously acknowledges the sin and blesses us with forgiving grace.  Through an honest appraisal of our hearts and an open acceptance of God’s love we can be renewed to live with power and joy.  Simply put, may we name the sin and claim the mercy.

Mercy

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March 8, 2016

5th Sunday of Lent – Mercy!

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

woman caught in adultery

Study:  Reflect on a time in life when you made a grave mistake or serious sin.  How did you face it?

Pray:  Is there something that is keeping you from the Lord or another person?  Ask the Lord for the grace to reconcile.

Serve:  Is there a situation in your life that offers you a chance to extend mercy?  Consider ways to make it happen.

5th Sunday of Lent Readings – Year C

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

Have you ever been clearly in the wrong?  Made a mistake that was self-evident and completely your own fault?  Don’t worry…you’re in good company.  As much as we don’t like to admit it or claim it, we have all fallen short of the Lord’s commandments.  We sin.

There are a couple of easy traps that we need to avoid:

  • Assuming that it is no big deal, and downplaying our fault
  • Making it an all-consuming mountain, beyond hope of redemption

What we find in the Gospel today is something in between that exemplifies God’s Mercy.  The woman caught in adultery (where’s the man?!) is dragged before the Lord and forced to stand out in her shame as the people try to trap Jesus.

His response is profound.  “Let the one among you who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her.”  One by one the realization of their own sins causes the crowd to dwindle away; they have all fallen short, and they have all been in need of mercy.

Yet the Lord is not done.  After all, he is the only one without sin in the group!  He alone has the right to carry out judgment.  Yet this is what he says:

“Neither do I condemn you.  Go, and from now on do not sin.”

Note both points:

  1. Jesus acknowledges the sin.  It is clearly and directly stated.
  2. Jesus extends mercy.  His mercy begins her reconciliation and healing.

In light of this Gospel I suggest the following takeaways:

  • What sins do we need to acknowledge, confess, and claim?
  • What steps do we need to take to start the process of reconciliation?
  • We draw near to Christ…who extends mercy to us!

As we embark on the last weeks of Lent, may we never fear to approach the Lord in our sins.  For as we honestly claim our faults we draw forgiveness from the one who came to save and set us free.

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The image is taken from the movie The Passion of the Christ.

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February 29, 2016

4th Sunday of Lent – Two Sons

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

A man & two sons

Study: Reflect on your life for a moment.  When was a time you really (REALLY) messed up?  When was a time you were upset that others didn’t “get what they deserve” when it came to punishment?

Pray:  What in your life needs God’s forgiveness and mercy right now?  Ask for the Lord’s grace.

Serve:  How can you reach out to others, to foster reconciliation and a new beginning?  How can you help heal a situation in your life?

4th Sunday of Lent Readings – Year C

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

Who doesn’t know the parable of the Prodigal Son?  This story told by Jesus has 3 main characters:

  • The Father – who reaches out to his sons
  • The Younger Son – who is reckless and wasteful in his sins
  • The Older Son – who is angry and unwilling to forgive his brother

Let’s start with the Younger Son.  He messes up – no question about that.  He presumes his inheritance, wastes it on sinful living, and is reduced to abject poverty through his own fault.  Finally, at the end of his rope he comes to his senses and asks for mercy, if only to be a servant in his Father’s house.

The Older Son is dutiful, hard working, and faithful.  He does his duty and carries out every command.  Yet when he hears how the Father celebrates his younger brother’s return he is angry…it’s not fair!

Finally the Father.  Note how the Father goes out to both of his sons.  The Father takes the initiative:

  • with the Younger Son he runs out to meet him and assure him a place in the household
  • with the Older Son he goes out to meet him to encourage forgiveness and welcome

Perhaps we might use the next few days to consider this simple question:  Which Son am I?  Have I made some really bad mistakes, caused harm, and wounded relationships with others?  Have I held on to a grudge, nursing old injuries, unwilling to forgive and seek reconciliation?  Or perhaps we are a mixture of both – making our share of messes and denying mercy to those in need.

Whatever we discover about ourselves, we will find our Father who comes to meet us where we are and lead us to a deeper level of grace.  May we return to the Lord in our need and be filled with the grace of healing reconciliation.

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If you are looking for more material to help you this Lent, you might consider this list of presentations I have offered over the last couple of years.  Feel free to check it out and share if you find it helpful:

Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent

 

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February 28, 2016

3rd Sunday of Lent – Repent – Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Three Great Things

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

3rd Sunday of Lent Readings – Year C

The Lord is blunt and direct in the Gospel today:  we are called to repent…or perish.  The life-and-death quality of this command reminds us that God’s grace is ready to wash us clean – if we open our hearts through repentance and turn to the Lord.  As God directed Moses and led the people from slavery to freedom, may we discover new life in Christ when we repent and believe in the Good News.

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If you are looking for more material to help you this Lent, you might consider this list of presentations I have offered over the last couple of years.  Feel free to check it out and share if you find it helpful:

Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent

repent u-turn

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