Tag Archives: Waiting

November 22, 2021

Study, Pray, Serve: 1st Sunday of Advent

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by George Becker on Pexels.com

Here are some of the themes for the readings for the 1st Sunday of Advent.

1st Reading – Jeremiah 33:14-16

  • The days are coming when the Lord will fulfill the promise to the house of Israel
  • The Lord will bring justice through the shoot of David.

Psalm – 25:4-5,8-9,10,14

  • “To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.”
  • The psalmist invites the people to seek the Lord, who offers kindness and goodness.

2nd Reading – 1st Thessalonians 3:12-4:2

  • Paul blesses the people with an increase in love for one another.
  • He then exhorts the people to conduct themselves in a manner pleasing to God.

Gospel – Luke 21:25-28,34-35

  • Jesus tells his disciples about the end times and encourages them to be vigilant at all times.
  • The Lord further reminds the disciples to pray that they have strength to face their tribulations.

Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Advent

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November 30, 2020

2nd Sunday of Advent: Am I prepared?

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Study: Reflect on an experience where you were able to act in a strong and powerful way.  How did you prepare for this work?

Pray:  Do you see an obstacle in your life that is keeping you from the Lord or another person?  Pray for the grace to prepare the way.

Serve: How can you assist someone who is working on a difficult task right now?

Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Advent

This week we hear about John the Baptist who embodies the great call of Isaiah the prophet to “prepare the way of the Lord.”  John heralds the coming of the Messiah, urging us to change our ways and prepare our hearts.  Here’s a quick recap:

  • 1st Reading – Isaiah comforts the people as God prepares the way.
  • Psalm – “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.”
  • 2nd Reading – We patiently await the Lord’s coming.
  • Gospel – John the Baptist preaches repentance and prepares the people for Jesus.

The stirring quality of these readings prompts us to respond decisively.  God calls us to action!  God comes with power!  The urgency underscored in these readings today emphasizes that eternal life is at stake; what we do here on earth leads to repercussions in Heaven.

Yet we also know that careful planning frequently precedes bold action.  As we follow Christ we take the time that Advent offers to reflect on how the Lord is speaking to our lives.  We pause in this season because there are critical times in life that demand stillness, silence, reflection and thoughtful attention.  Simply put, we slow down with the Lord so that we are ready to speed up when life switches gears.

What is God doing in our lives today?  What needs preparation?  How is the Lord working in and through our hearts?

Take this week and perform a simple internal spiritual inventory.  Consider this one question – If God called you home tonight, would you be ready?    If the answer is yes, then we live our faith with eagerness and zeal.  If the answer is no, then we take time to prepare the way for the Lord.

Note: This post was first published on December 4, 2017.

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December 1, 2018

Daily Mass: Be vigilant! Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Throughout our lives we have numerous experiences of vigilance: watching over a loved one, remaining attentive to someone’s needs or waiting in expectation for an arrival.  The same is true everyday in the spiritual life as we are vigilant in living our faith for Jesus Christ.

Mass Readings – Saturday of the 34th Week of the Year

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March 31, 2018

Easter Vigil: United with Christ from death to new life. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

We wait in vigil through the night to hear the news of Easter joy: Christ is risen!  At the Easter Vigil we join with the Church around the world, welcoming new members to the faith and recalling the great events of salvation history.

Mass Readings – Easter Vigil

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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.

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November 23, 2015

1st Sunday of Advent – Be Vigilant

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

resurrection - the Passion of the Christ

Study:  Name a time when you had to be vigilant.  What gave you strength to remain alert, disciplined, and prepared?

Pray:  Is there something in your life that requires vigilance right now?  Pray for the strength to remain focused.

Serve:  Does someone in your life need support to remain vigilant?  How can you help them?

1st Sunday of Advent Readings

Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast

The Gospel reading paints a dark picture – filled with worry, anxiety, dismay, and fright.  It warns that some might foolishly respond with drunkenness, others by getting drowsy and paying no attention.  Here’s the proper approach:

“Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength” – Luke 21:36

Be vigilant.  But what does that mean?  Here are some key points:

  • Alert: focused, paying attention, aware
  • Disciplined: steadfast, consistent
  • Prepared: ready, able to act instantly

The idea is that we are actively engaged in the present moment – watching and waiting – so that when the situation requires our effort we can swiftly give our best.  It takes a lot of energy, effort, and concentration…but then again, at stake is our preparation for the savior of the world.

So as we step into this Advent – where do you see the need for vigilance in your life?  Are there situations or relationships that require attention?  Are there details that need to be addressed?  If the Lord came today are we ready to greet him, or would we be caught unprepared?

This holy season provides us with the gift of time to become vigilant – alert, disciplined, and prepared for the Lord’s return.

Happy Advent!

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The image is from The Passion of the Christ – The Resurrection of Jesus – Easter Day.  May we all have that expression on our faces as we wait for the Lord!

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