April 2, 2023 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 3/29/23

April 2, 2023

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

What’s your car? Let’s say it’s a fancy silver Toyota. Now imagine you’re having lunch in a restaurant and suddenly see two men outside attempting to steal it. You run outside and confront them. They respond, “The master ... Read More »

March 26, 2023 5th Sunday of Lent

Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 3/20/23

March 26, 2023 5th Sunday of Lent

Of all Jesus’ miracles, the most unsettling might be when he made a dead person alive. We know of three times when he did so: a girl, a young man, and Lazarus. The miracle teaches us he has the power of life ... Read More »

March 19, 2023 4th Sunday of Lent

Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 3/17/23

March 19, 2023 4th Sunday of Lent

God asks a rhetorical and slightly sarcastic question to Samuel, the prophet: “How long will you grieve for Saul, whom I have rejected as king of Israel?” Like us, Samuel is depressed that the old king failed. It’s painful to admit that ... Read More »

March 12, 2023, 3rd Sunday of Lent

Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 3/10/23

March 12, 2023, 3rd Sunday of Lent

When I became the pastor of a large parish, I soon found myself, for the first time in my life, riddled with anxiety, headaches, difficulty making decisions, and fatigue. I called a therapist friend and told her my symptoms and asked if ... Read More »

March 5, 2023 2nd Sunday of Lent

Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 3/04/23

March 5, 2023 2nd Sunday of Lent

As a kid I remember looking at my sister and thinking, “No man is ever going to marry her. She is way too…my sister!” I couldn’t see her as anything except my goofy, emotional, cooties-laden sister. Years later, on her wedding day, ... Read More »

February 26, 2023 1st Sunday of Lent

Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 2/26/23

February 26, 2023 1st Sunday of Lent

The Spirit leads Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil, and we hear this: “He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.” Seems like a questionable battle preparation plan. When I fast, I usually ... Read More »

February 19, 2023, 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 2/17/23

February 19, 2023, 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Of all the things Jesus says which seem totally bat-crazy, this one might take the cake: “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” An enemy is someone who desires the destruction of you, ... Read More »

February 12, 2023, 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 2/10/23

February 12, 2023, 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

It’s often said that the Catholic Church lays heavy rules on her members, rules that can almost seem impossible. Mass every Sunday? No lying ever? Sexual purity all the time? I recently said to some non-Catholic friends that more than fifty ... Read More »

February 5, 2023, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 2/04/23

February 5, 2023, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

I recently decided to learn to cook. As I sit at the feet of various YouTube cooking masters, I notice how much of cooking is adding ingredients that don’t provide any more nourishment, like herbs and other seasonings. But man! They ... Read More »

January 29, 2023 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Lenny Ricciardelli on 1/28/23

January 29, 2023

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In my parents’ bedroom there were on the wall two photos of my mom and dad from their early adulthoods. The photo of my mother entranced me when I was a boy. I loved looking at it, even though I saw ... Read More »