Tag Archives: Prayer

December 31, 2017

The Holy Family. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Family life is crazy and chaotic, sometimes blissful, sometimes frustrating, big and noisy, small and quiet, in a every shape, size and configuration imaginable.  Yet it is within the specific context of our families that we grow in faith and life lessons.  May we look to the Holy Family for inspiration as we seek the best in our families, dedicate earnest effort in supporting them, and pray every day for the Lord’s guidance and strength.

Mass Readings – The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

***************

Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Christmas, Feasts & Solemnities, Podcast

November 27, 2017

1st Sunday of Advent: Are you ready?

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Study: Consider an experience where you were able to be still, pause and reflect.  How can you make that pattern happen this Advent?

Pray: Carve out a few minutes this season for quiet prayer.  Reflect on your life and invite the Lord to dwell in your heart.

Serve: There are many opportunities this time of year to help others.  Look around for an activity that speaks to your soul.

Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Advent

Advent is one of those seasons that has the power to surprise us.  Just like the relationship between Lent and Easter, Advent offers us a time to prepare our hearts for the great feast of Christmas.  In this short season we discover the themes of Preparation, Waiting, Expectation, Repentance, and Stillness.

The thing is…if we aren’t ready for Advent then the whirlwind rush of December can sweep us up into the frenzy of the commercial side of the holiday.  Many people are so busy – concerts, parties, family events, purchasing gifts and partaking of the “forced fun” of consumerism’s attempt at a Hallmark Christmas…

Whew!  Instead, we can take a deep breath, pray, and reflect on where the Lord is leading us at this moment in our lives.  Consider the readings this Sunday:

  • 1st Reading – Isaiah acknowledges that the people are far from God
  • Psalm – “Lord make us turn to you; show us your face and we shall be saved.”
  • 2nd Reading – St. Paul encourages the people of Corinth to be faithful to the end.
  • Gospel – The Lord exhorts us to be watchful and alert.

So in these short days of preparation here are a few questions to ponder:

  • Where I can find a little stillness and quiet in my life?
  • How is the Lord calling me to pray?
  • Is there anything or anyone that requires special attention?
  • Where is the Lord leading me right now?
  • What do I need to do as I prepare for Christmas?
  • How can I help someone in this quiet season of Advent?

You get the idea.  Step back, pause, and consider in the busy pace that many of us call normal how the Lord is directing your heart.  Advent has a beauty and power; our task is to enter into this season and allow God to speak to our souls.

***************

Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Advent

November 18, 2017

Daily Mass: Call upon the Lord. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Mass Readings – Saturday of the 32nd Week of the Year

The Lord invites us to pray always and never become weary.  May the blessings and burdens of each day be a part of our daily prayer, as we call upon the Lord for what we need.

***************

Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in Ordinary Time, Podcast

November 12, 2017

32nd Sunday of the Year: a life of wisdom. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Mass Readings – 32nd Sunday of the Year

Wisdom – the ability to see the big picture – is a quality that helps us experience life to the fullest.  Through prayer, reflection and action we can open our hearts to this gift of the Holy Spirit and offer our lives for one another.

***************

Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , | posted in Ordinary Time, Podcast

November 6, 2017

32nd Sunday of the Year: The wisdom of God.

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Study: Consider a moment when you saw someone act in a wise manner.  What did you notice?

Pray: Wisdom is a precious gift; pray for it every day!

Serve: How can you help someone facing a tough challenge today?  Ask the Lord for the wisdom to guide you.

Mass Readings – 32nd Sunday of the Year

With just a couple of weeks left of Ordinary Time, we hear about the wisdom of God repeatedly in the readings today.

  • 1st Reading – “Resplendent and unfading is wisdom.”
  • Psalm – “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”
  • 2nd Reading – We have hope that Christ will raise us up from death to life.
  • Gospel – Jesus offers a contrast between wisdom and foolishness.

When we talk about the concept of wisdom we often refer to the ability to see the big picture.  Wisdom gives us the ability to “see around corners” and anticipate circumstances; this particular virtue allows us to step back and take in events, seeing how they relate and connect with other situations.

And God offers it to us!  This is a precious spiritual gift, one that comes through the power of the Holy Spirit, and it helps us live each day in a vibrant manner.  Without wisdom we can speak and act in ways that might have disastrous results, especially if we would have considered the ramifications and consequences that followed if we’d have only thought about other factors.

In order to apply wisdom to our lives we begin first with a strong foundation of prayer.  The closer we draw to Jesus, the closer we connect with the source of all wisdom and understanding.  As we thirst for the Lord we are nourished and sustained with God’s grace as we see with the eyes of Christ.

Wisdom then requires our action.  Once we have insight we can then proceed to act in a manner that is guided by the nuances and sensitivities that confront us.  We can act decisively and deliberately, aware of the situation and able to adjust and respond as needed.

This precious spiritual gift is for the asking…so ask!  May we all call upon the Lord for this grace as we live our faith each day.

***************

Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in Ordinary Time

August 27, 2017

21st Sunday of the Year: Three keys to Heaven. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year

Entrusting the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to Peter, Jesus establishes the Church upon a rock that hell itself cannot prevail against.  Christ is the key; through prayer, sacraments and virtue we grow in grace through this life so that we can enter into the Lord’s Kingdom in the next.

***************

Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

 

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Ordinary Time, Podcast

August 20, 2017

20th Sunday of the Year: A fierce faith. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Mass Readings – 20th Sunday of the Year

The woman in the Gospel of Matthew is tenancious!  She trusts that Jesus can offer help for her daughter, and she will not be denied.  Her example inspires us to foster a fierce faith – one that receives the gift of God and strengthens it through prayer, Sacraments, and a conviction to offer one’s life in love.

***************

Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

 

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Ordinary Time, Podcast

August 19, 2017

Daily Mass: Let the children come to me. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Mass Readings – Saturday of the 19th Week of the Year

This short reading from the Gospel of Matthew reveals a beautiful scene: Jesus blessing the children.  May we bring our children to the Lord – in prayer, sacraments, and a holy way of life – so that they can receive the blessing of God’s grace as they grow.

***************

Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Ordinary Time, Podcast

July 24, 2017

17th Sunday of the Year: The pearl of great price

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Study:  Have you ever gotten something you wished for?  In hindsight, was it what you really wanted or needed?

Pray:  What graces or virtues do you need in your life right now?  Ask the Lord with boldness and confidence!

Serve:  How is the Lord leading you to offer your life today?  How can you fulfill God’s command to serve others?

Mass Readings – 17th Sunday of the Year

Here’s a quick review:

  • 1st Reading – Solomon asks God for wisdom and understanding
  • Psalm – “Lord, I love your commands.”
  • 2nd Reading – All things, good and bad, work for good for those who love God
  • Gospel – When you find the pearl of great price, you sell everything you have to acquire it

If the Lord would grant you one request, what would you ask for?  We can learn a lot about ourselves by what we seek, and sometimes we discover when we get it that it might not have truly been the best thing.  Yet, it is the desire in our hearts, however, that tells us if we are on the right track.

Solomon asked to be wise and understanding…a wonderful response!

Jesus uses the parable of the pearl to remind us that there are some things in life so precious that other wishes and requests pale in comparison.  With this in mind, here are a couple of thoughts to consider:

  • What is it you often wish for?
  • Are there any blessings in your life that you might be taking for granted?
  • Do you have your priorities organized?  Are the most important things getting your time, effort and attention?

God will take the sum of our lives – good and bad – and bless it with grace.  As we seek the Lord today, may we bring our hearts and offer ourselves….so that our response will draw us closer to Jesus Christ and one another.

***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Ordinary Time

July 17, 2017

Monday Conversation: Dealing with Divorce. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Divorce touches our lives in many ways and on many levels.  Fr. Andrew offers some pastoral food for thought regarding how we offer healing to those facing divorce and support for couples working on their marriage.  (40 Minutes)

***************

Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

4 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Podcast