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.
November 17, 2024, Matthew 13:24-32 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111724.cfm https://www.dosp.org/courageouslyliving/ Bishop Parkes Call to Conversion This past Sunday I was honored to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to
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November 15, 2024, Luke 17:26-37 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111524.cfm Do Your Shopping Early? Can you imagine walking into a grocery store on the day a hurricane hits?
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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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