Browsing GOSPEL MEDITATIONS
October 1, 2023 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 9/30/23
October 1, 2023
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
A life-long Catholic friend of mine recently mumbled to me, “I can’t stand all these converts to the faith. They’re always rocking the boat.” It surprised me because he is dedicated to evangelization, and yet he struggles with openness to new ... Read More »
September 24, 2023, 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 9/23/23
September 24, 2023, 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Once I gave my three-year-old niece a certain toy for Christmas. When she opened it, she was happy. Shortly thereafter her five-year old sister opened another present from me: the same toy, along with some play jewelry. The three-year-old cried out: ... Read More »
September 17, 2023, 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 9/18/23
September 17, 2023, 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
When I was in second grade, my prized possession was a metal Star Wars-themed lunch box. After school one day, another student ripped it from my hands. I helplessly watched in horror as my classmate threw it to the ground and ... Read More »
September 10, 2023 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 9/11/23
September 10, 2023
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
What are you supposed to do about the bad behavior of the people around you? You know who I’m talking about. That family member, friend, coworker, or acquaintance who is quite immoral. On this front there are two lively options in ... Read More »
September 3, 2023, 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 9/05/23
September 3, 2023, 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isn’t it easy to relate to Peter? One moment Jesus announces Peter’s deep communion with God the Father. The very next, when he rejects the logic of Jesus’ suffering and death, Jesus calls Peter Satan. We Christians shouldn’t be too shocked ... Read More »
August 27, 2023, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 8/25/23
August 27, 2023, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isn’t it a bit weird that Catholics call the Pope “papa,” father? This Sunday provides us with essential Scriptural background on the papacy, the petrine office. Jesus gives Peter the “keys to the kingdom of heaven,” after witnessing to the special ... Read More »
August 20, 2023, 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 8/19/23
August 20, 2023, 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The suffering of a child symbolizes uniquely terrible evil as well as despair about the future. This week’s Gospel gives a “limit” case in which Jesus encounters this evil in the form of a mother with a suffering daughter. What he ... Read More »
August 13, 2023,19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 8/10/23
August 13, 2023,19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
A man at my parish was struggling to overcome a habitual sin. He said to me, “Father, I know the chance that I will commit sin again is really high. Why should I keep confessing my sins? Isn’t that dishonest?” Anyone who ... Read More »
The Transfiguration of the Lord
Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 8/05/23
August 6, 2023, The Transfiguration of the Lord
What is Christianity finally about? These days if you ask almost anyone who doesn’t know the Bible you’ll probably hear an answer like this: “Being a good person” or “following the golden rule.” No offense to the golden rule, but our ... Read More »
July 30, 2023, 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 7/27/23
July 30, 2023, 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Our culture seems more polarized and divided than ever. Into this wounded situation, our Catholic faith has a healing remedy to offer: the gift of wisdom. When the Lord offers to give King Solomon anything the monarch desires, he requests “an ... Read More »