Saturday, 14th Week in Ordinary Time July 15, 2023

Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Saturday, 14th Week in Ordinary Time
July 15, 2023, Matthew 10:24-33
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071523.cfm

Like the Master – like the Teacher

Teachers and coaches bear an innate quality that wants to help others succeed. I have taught people who want to become Catholic over the years. There have been a couple of occasions when the new Catholic wants to become a teacher.

They attend a four-year class with the diocese called Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute. I have seen them take courses to become catechists. Watching someone grow in their love for Jesus and the Church is a tremendous joy!

We don’t have to be catechists to stand up for the faith we received from Jesus and the apostles. The time will come for each of us when our love for Jesus is tested by society.

Our Church cannot change divinely revealed truths in morality and doctrine. Jesus made Peter and his successors The Rock on which He built His Church. Our faithfulness to the Rock is our faithfulness to Jesus.

Like the candidate to become Catholic decides to become a catechist, we must decide to acknowledge Jesus before others. “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

Gospel Challenge:

Jesus never caved when his life was threatened for speaking the Truth. Like our Lord, the Church grows during times of persecution. It is enough for the student to become like his teacher and for the disciple to become like his master.

Pray, my friends, for the strength to persevere to the end.

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC 
pastor 

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