Poor, Hungry, Weeping, Hated, And Persecuted – But Blessed.
What a challenge Jesus presents to us! A willingness to be poor, hungry, weeping, hated, and persecuted is not very appealing: Unless your heart is overcome with so much love, you can’t help yourself. How many parents sacrifice so much to send their children to Catholic school and later to college? It takes some calculation, but they know their children are worth the struggle.
Students and athletes make similar sacrifices in the classroom and on the field. Having a goal is a great motivation to accomplish something in this world. We can see results when we sacrifice for education, sports, and otherworldly goals.
Living as a disciple of the Lord every day also calls for sacrifices. Feeling the poverty of someone, weeping for someone who lost a loved one, and being willing to be hated and persecuted for our faith are great sacrifices. But how much are we willing to give to a poor person? How much time will we spend with someone who is sorrowful and has lost someone precious? How much time are we willing to give Jesus in worship, prayer, and study to grow in our love for him daily?
Our beloved Founder, Blessed Antoino Rosmini, calls this justice, giving God and anyone what is their due. We grow in justice when we do make these sacrifices. I find it takes the sting out of the sacrifice. Our joy is a fruit of being more pleasing to God.
Gospel Challenge:
Being a disciple of Jesus is all grace; there’s only one place we can get it: being with the Lord daily. Spend some precious time with Him. Only God can change our hearts and what they value.
September 19, 2024, Luke 7:36-50 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091924.cfm Pope Paul VI wrote about evangelization that “modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if
September 18, 2024, Luke 7: 31-35https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091824.cfm Dancing with Jesus. Presidential campaigns seem like they go on forever. Conservative and liberal candidates spend millions of dollars
September 17, 2024, Luke 7:11-17https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091724.cfm “I Command You; Get Up!” My heart goes out to parents who lost a child in death! It is devastating,
September 12, 2024, Luke 6:49-42https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091324.cfm Humility And Mercy “When fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” God gives us the grace to train
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Wednesday, 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
September 11, 2024, Luke 6:20-26
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091124.cfm
Poor, Hungry, Weeping, Hated, And Persecuted – But Blessed.
What a challenge Jesus presents to us! A willingness to be poor, hungry, weeping, hated, and persecuted is not very appealing: Unless your heart is overcome with so much love, you can’t help yourself. How many parents sacrifice so much to send their children to Catholic school and later to college? It takes some calculation, but they know their children are worth the struggle.
Students and athletes make similar sacrifices in the classroom and on the field. Having a goal is a great motivation to accomplish something in this world. We can see results when we sacrifice for education, sports, and otherworldly goals.
Living as a disciple of the Lord every day also calls for sacrifices. Feeling the poverty of someone, weeping for someone who lost a loved one, and being willing to be hated and persecuted for our faith are great sacrifices. But how much are we willing to give to a poor person? How much time will we spend with someone who is sorrowful and has lost someone precious? How much time are we willing to give Jesus in worship, prayer, and study to grow in our love for him daily?
Our beloved Founder, Blessed Antoino Rosmini, calls this justice, giving God and anyone what is their due. We grow in justice when we do make these sacrifices. I find it takes the sting out of the sacrifice. Our joy is a fruit of being more pleasing to God.
Gospel Challenge:
Being a disciple of Jesus is all grace; there’s only one place we can get it: being with the Lord daily. Spend some precious time with Him. Only God can change our hearts and what they value.
IGNITE THE FIRE!
Father Rick Pilger, I.C.
pastor@bscchurch.com
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Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Thursday, 24th Week in Ordinary Time
September 19, 2024, Luke 7:36-50 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091924.cfm Pope Paul VI wrote about evangelization that “modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Wednesday, 24th Week in Ordinary Time
September 18, 2024, Luke 7: 31-35https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091824.cfm Dancing with Jesus. Presidential campaigns seem like they go on forever. Conservative and liberal candidates spend millions of dollars
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Tuesday, 24th Week in Ordinary Time
September 17, 2024, Luke 7:11-17https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091724.cfm “I Command You; Get Up!” My heart goes out to parents who lost a child in death! It is devastating,
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Friday, 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
September 12, 2024, Luke 6:49-42https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091324.cfm Humility And Mercy “When fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” God gives us the grace to train
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