Monday 13th Week in Ordinary Time July 1, 2024

Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Monday 13th Week in Ordinary Time

July 1, 2024, Matthew 8:18-22
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070124.cfm

Hold Nothing Back From Jesus.

 Interruptions can be nerve-racking the moment they happen. We are right in the middle of something important, something comes up, and we must drop everything. Parents with small children know this so well. So do pastors.  

Most interruptions are not life-changing like the man in today’s Gospel. Jesus asked him to leave everything and follow him. Of course, he wanted to bury his father, which meant that he must take care of his father until he died, a sacred duty for any son. Who knows how many years that could take?  

But what about Jesus’ plans for salvation and the people whom Jesus would minister to through this man? Please, God, those plans didn’t go to waste. When that phone or doorbell rings, think of Jesus asking us to do something for someone that no one else can do. It is truly a graceful moment.   

We can start our day with a sense of openness to this grace – “Here is my plan, Lord Jesus, for the day. Now, what is yours?” This openness and readiness to do the Lord’s bidding free our hearts from anxiety. 

Gospel Challenge:

It opens the floodgates of God’s love and power to work through us, no matter how significant or insignificant the interruption may be. And should we have a moment of frustration at the time of the interruption, offer it up gracefully for what the Lord would have us do.  

Jesus works silent miracles in these moments of surrender. 

Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC

www.bscchurch.com