Do you remember the story about the fellow who wanted to make his cross smaller? He cut part of it off so it would be easier to carry. But when he reached a deep valley, his cross was too short to reach the other side.
When Jesus asks us to live his gospel in surrender, there will always be something that we will not understand or be able to do without His help. It’s like the scribes and Pharisees in today’s gospel who tried tricking Jesus, accusing Him of being divine, God’s Son.
So, they asked Jesus by whose authority he worked miracles and taught. They couldn’t grasp that God could be a man. When Jesus asked them to answer a question about whether John’s baptism was human or divine, they were stumped.
Jesus knew if he challenged them about his divinity, he would win hands down. Instead of showing them up and making them look foolish, his gentle heart sent them away with something to think about—maybe John’s baptism was from heaven, preparing the way of Jesus.
One of the Pharisees, Zacchaeus, took to heart what Jesus said and met him by night (John’s Gospel) because he wondered, “Just who is Jesus?”
Gospel Challenge:
There may be a few questions or concerns about our faith that Jesus has asked us (in his Word or through the Church) that have stumped us or that we have found difficult to live. Let’s follow and learn from Zacchaeus and meet Jesus in prayer and solitude in the quiet of our hearts to help us grow in our faith. That last little bit of our cross gets us across from our way to “The Way” to living life in all its fullness.
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?
November 11, 2024, Luke 17:20-25 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111424.cfm No Greater Love. I remember a movie about Mother Teresa of Calcutta, No Greater Love. Many times, she brought tears to
November 13, 2024, Luke 17:11-19 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111324.cfm Jesus heals us on our way. Once again, Jesus catches us off guard. Usually, he heals someone on the spot. But
November 12, 2024, Luke 17:7-10 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111224.cfm Serving when we don’t plan it. I can see the servant in the gospel wiping his brow, walking
Saturday, 8th Week in Ordinary Time June 1, 2024
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Saturday, 8th Week in Ordinary Time
June 1, 2024, Mark 11: 27-33
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060124.cfm
The Gentle Heart of Jesus
Do you remember the story about the fellow who wanted to make his cross smaller? He cut part of it off so it would be easier to carry. But when he reached a deep valley, his cross was too short to reach the other side.
When Jesus asks us to live his gospel in surrender, there will always be something that we will not understand or be able to do without His help. It’s like the scribes and Pharisees in today’s gospel who tried tricking Jesus, accusing Him of being divine, God’s Son.
So, they asked Jesus by whose authority he worked miracles and taught. They couldn’t grasp that God could be a man. When Jesus asked them to answer a question about whether John’s baptism was human or divine, they were stumped.
Jesus knew if he challenged them about his divinity, he would win hands down. Instead of showing them up and making them look foolish, his gentle heart sent them away with something to think about—maybe John’s baptism was from heaven, preparing the way of Jesus.
One of the Pharisees, Zacchaeus, took to heart what Jesus said and met him by night (John’s Gospel) because he wondered, “Just who is Jesus?”
Gospel Challenge:
There may be a few questions or concerns about our faith that Jesus has asked us (in his Word or through the Church) that have stumped us or that we have found difficult to live. Let’s follow and learn from Zacchaeus and meet Jesus in prayer and solitude in the quiet of our hearts to help us grow in our faith. That last little bit of our cross gets us across from our way to “The Way” to living life in all its fullness.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
Share:
More Posts
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Friday, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
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?
Father Rick’s Gospel Reflection for Thursday, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
November 11, 2024, Luke 17:20-25 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111424.cfm No Greater Love. I remember a movie about Mother Teresa of Calcutta, No Greater Love. Many times, she brought tears to
Father Rick’s Gospel Reflection for Wednesday, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
November 13, 2024, Luke 17:11-19 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111324.cfm Jesus heals us on our way. Once again, Jesus catches us off guard. Usually, he heals someone on the spot. But
Father Rick’s Gospel Reflection for Tuesday, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
November 12, 2024, Luke 17:7-10 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111224.cfm Serving when we don’t plan it. I can see the servant in the gospel wiping his brow, walking
Categories
Send Us A Message