Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Thursday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time

November 7, 2024, Luke 14: 25-33

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110824.cfm

JOY!

It won’t take much for us to pause for a moment and think back when we were so lost or in such a rut that Jesus searched us out and brought us back to His heart.

Joy! That precious fruit of the Holy Spirit, or, if you like, the experience of being loved by Jesus!

Joy is one reason people drew near to listen to Jesus. They heard how bad they had been, these commoners, tax collectors, and sinners all their lives. 

“Here is someone who isn’t telling us how bad we are. “I feel when He speaks or whenever I am in His presence that He’s picking me up and putting me on his shoulder. “I’m the coin that He sweeps the floor and searches diligently until he finds it.”

This is the beautiful thing about the Gospel, my friends, especially when it is proclaimed at Mass or read prayerfully in the silence of our hearts – we become the characters of Jesus’ parables.

It won’t take much for us to pause for a moment and think back when we were so lost or in such a rut that He searched us out and brought us back to His heart. It doesn’t matter whether we created the distance or life just got the better of us.

Gospel Challenge:
Anytime, day or night, we can pause and have every confidence that God considers our weakness and has great pity for us. Not the pity that looks down on us but the pity that is sad and hurts us until we embrace His merciful love. Sometimes, every day, we need to draw near and listen to Jesus. When we do, what will we experience? JOY!!!

Love Your Neighbor!

Father Rick Pilger, I C.

pastor@bscchurch.com