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.
February 23, 2025, Luke 6:27-38 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022325.cfm Only Carnivores Eat Raw Meat. There is nothing like catching a whiff of a great steak cooking slowly on
Apostle February 22, 2025, Matthew 16:13-19 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022225.cfm The Rock Within Me And You. A majority of us have taken vows. Perhaps you have taken a vow
February 20, 2025, Mark 8:27-33 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022025.cfm A Moment That Lasts A Lifetime Two distinct memories have profoundly influenced my relationship with Jesus and my ministry
February 19, 2025, Mark 8: 22-26 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021925.cfm Going For A Walk With Jesus? Many people like to go for walks. We have the Pinellas Trail
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 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time C
February 23, 2025, Luke 6:27-38 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022325.cfm Only Carnivores Eat Raw Meat. There is nothing like catching a whiff of a great steak cooking slowly on
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
Apostle February 22, 2025, Matthew 16:13-19 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022225.cfm The Rock Within Me And You. A majority of us have taken vows. Perhaps you have taken a vow
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Thursday, 6th Week in Ordinary Time
February 20, 2025, Mark 8:27-33 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022025.cfm A Moment That Lasts A Lifetime Two distinct memories have profoundly influenced my relationship with Jesus and my ministry
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Wednesday 6th Week in Ordinary Time
February 19, 2025, Mark 8: 22-26 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021925.cfm Going For A Walk With Jesus? Many people like to go for walks. We have the Pinellas Trail
Categories
Send Us A Message