Monday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time 2024

Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Monday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time
June 10, 2024, Matthew 5: 1-12
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061024.cfm

Poor, Merciful, and Mourning for Others

Gadgets are a convenient way to escape any pain or discomfort in our minds. We turn on the TV or radio, look at our smartphone, flip through Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and, for a moment, get some relief.

Keeping our thoughts or feelings in check is hard when we spend so much time on a gadget. But no matter how often we run away from them, they will always be there. Our culture will find it very strange to call us blessed when we are suffering in our spirits, mourning for someone we lost, and feeling compassion for someone who hurt us.

Why would God allow us to suffer? The answer is for the greater good, which we call redemption. Jesus carried the sufferings and sins of the whole world to the cross. And He told us to pick up our cross and follow Him.

It takes the courage of the Holy Spirit to bear our sufferings so we can appreciate what others are going through and empathetically suffer with them. Before God heals our bodies or minds, He heals our broken spirits.

I have noticed that when I offer my suffering to someone who asked for my prayers, the pain is still there, but the thoughts that beat me up are gone. Peace replaces inner struggles and conflicting thoughts. And now, my attention is on healing, not fighting or distracting myself with gadgets.

Gospel Challenge:
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, offer it to Jesus and ask Him to bless someone who asked for your prayers. You will be praying with your whole person and not just with words. And united with Jesus on His Cross, invite Him to do whatever He wishes for your friend(s).

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com