Something I always do when I am home on vacation is spend a few moments with my loved ones who have died. I notice a sense of reverence overcomes me when driving to the cemetery. It is a solemn moment standing over the grave of Mom and Dad, my brother-in-law, Tom, and my nephew, Craig, my cousin Fr. Dick, and relatives. All time stops. Loving memories of each of them flood my mind and heart.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene. Facing her fears of life without Jesus, she went to His tomb, much as we would after someone we loved died. We all have graves inside of us that we need to visit. Those tombs are filled with the death of our relationships with family or friends that were never reconciled. The tomb may be filled with fears of facing the truth about us. It was easier at the moment to bury them than face them.
Do not be afraid, my friends, whatever we buried in the past. When we peer into those tombs with Mary Magdalene, Jesus will be with us. She didn’t know it was Jesus at first but finally recognized Him when He called out her name, “Mary.”
We don’t have to analyze what happened or what we or someone did or didn’t do. Judging and blaming will get us deeper into the grave. However, something freeing happens when we witness the event with Jesus at our side.
Our Lord asks us, “Why are you weeping?” We see ourselves and others objectively as He sees us by observing, watching a past event without thinking or emotion. We soon recognize the face of Jesus in the one who grieved us. As a result, something extraordinary happens to us. Healing replaces pain and sadness without effort. Try it. The Lord is with you.
Gospel Challenge:
Hear Jesus call out your name and leave that grave forever.
July 11, 2025, Matthew 10:16-23 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071125.cfm Not everyone will welcome the Good News of Jesus. Yesterday, we celebrated the courage of the early missionaries as
July 10, 2025, Matthew 10:7-15 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071025.cfm You Are Sending Me? Really? Are we ever ready to bring Jesus to others? Our world teaches us to
July 9, 2025, Matthew 10:1-7 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070925.cfm Faith Is All About Relationships. Every day, I pray before the Blessed Sacrament for family members and friends
July 8, 2025, Matthew 9: 32-38 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070825.cfm Thank God for His Good Shepherds The heart of Jesus is so big. I experienced this during my
Feast of St. Mary Magdalene July 22, 2023
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
July 22, 2023, John 20:1-2, 11-18
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072223.cfm
Go to the Tomb.
Something I always do when I am home on vacation is spend a few moments with my loved ones who have died. I notice a sense of reverence overcomes me when driving to the cemetery. It is a solemn moment standing over the grave of Mom and Dad, my brother-in-law, Tom, and my nephew, Craig, my cousin Fr. Dick, and relatives. All time stops. Loving memories of each of them flood my mind and heart.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene. Facing her fears of life without Jesus, she went to His tomb, much as we would after someone we loved died. We all have graves inside of us that we need to visit. Those tombs are filled with the death of our relationships with family or friends that were never reconciled. The tomb may be filled with fears of facing the truth about us. It was easier at the moment to bury them than face them.
Do not be afraid, my friends, whatever we buried in the past. When we peer into those tombs with Mary Magdalene, Jesus will be with us. She didn’t know it was Jesus at first but finally recognized Him when He called out her name, “Mary.”
We don’t have to analyze what happened or what we or someone did or didn’t do. Judging and blaming will get us deeper into the grave. However, something freeing happens when we witness the event with Jesus at our side.
Our Lord asks us, “Why are you weeping?” We see ourselves and others objectively as He sees us by observing, watching a past event without thinking or emotion. We soon recognize the face of Jesus in the one who grieved us. As a result, something extraordinary happens to us. Healing replaces pain and sadness without effort. Try it. The Lord is with you.
Gospel Challenge:
Hear Jesus call out your name and leave that grave forever.
Ignite the Fire
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
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