Fr. John Riccardo's Podcasts

This is Fr. Riccardo's homily from the Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated at the start of the new school year.

Fr. Riccardo discusses the mutual subordination of husband and wife while reflecting on the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Eph 5:21-32) from today's second reading. Fr. John reminds the congregation that marriage is a sacrament of service, and that husbands and wives will find fulfillment in their selfless service of each other. Fr. John's dissertation referenced in this homily is available here.

Fr. John continues to reflect on the Bread of Life Discourse (Jn 6:22-59) in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John discusses the longing of all Christians to meet God, and reminds the congregation that proper disposition and a state of grace are needed to encounter God in the Mass.

In this homily for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that Mary shows us how to be attentive to God's voice and obedient to His word.

Fr. John continues to reflect on the Bread of Life Discourse (Jn 6:22-59) in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John remarks that the path to eternal life comes from, "entering into a relationship with Him who is life, who is love, who can't die." Fr. John invites the congregation to come to know God through weekly participation in Eucharistic Adoration.

Does God have a plan? While considering the scripture readings (Ex 16:2-4, 12-15; Eph 4:17, 20-24; and Jn 6:24-35) of this day, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that God does have a plan for our lives and wants to feed us on our pilgrimage. Fr. John encourages the congregants to come to Sunday Mass regularly, and to attend Mass during the week. He invites all of us to be daily present in front of a crucifix to be reminded of all that God has done for us, to be daily present in His word, and to spend time each week in front of the Lord in the Eucharist.

While considering the Gospel account of St. John (Jn 6:1-15), Fr. Riccardo remarks that the New Testament brings to fulfillment events first described in the Old Testament. Fr. John reflects on the Passover meal and the Exodus while comparing those events with the Last Supper and the events of Calvary. Fr. John reminds the congregation that there really is a love that is stronger than death.

Fr. Riccardo discusses sexual morality in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. On the near occasion of the 44th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's letter Humanae Vitae, Fr. John discusses church teaching on contraception and morality.

While reflecting on the scripture readings (Am 7:12-15, Eph 1:3-14, and Mk 6:7-13) of this day, Fr. Riccardo reminds the congregation that each of us, through our Baptism, is a prophet tasked to speak on God's behalf. Fr. John encourages the congregants to, "Live your life for the praise and the glory of God in whatever you and I do, and beg the Lord to use us to draw others to Himself."

While reflecting on the readings of this day (Ez 2:2-5, 2 Cor 12:7-10, and Mk 6:1-6), Fr. John reminds the congregation of the important truth found in Paul's letter to the Corinthians that, "God's power is made perfect in weakness, and His grace is sufficient for everything."