There is a correlation between a speaker and a listener. We see this happening in John and the people who listened to him. John lived his life with such integrity that people knew he spoke the truth. And that truth, our Lord Jesus, pierced their hearts.
The words of John burned in their hearts as they felt a deep joy in repenting their sins for the first time rather than fear of acknowledging those sins. As John spoke, they said, “He’s right, and I know he is speaking to me.”
Both the Pharisees and the people, including the hated tax collectors, heard John’s human words. The Pharisees had their sense of goodness within themselves, so much that they couldn’t see their sin, and John’s words were only human.
The people, however, knew they had no goodness apart from God. By submitting themselves to John’s baptism, they expressed their genuine sorrow for their sins. True sorrow for our sins empties our hearts enough of ourselves that so we can begin to hear God’s voice.
Gospel Challenge
God’s voice of tenderness and mercy is sweeter than the condemning voice of guilt. Try it.
January 13, 2026, Mark 1:21-28 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011326.cfm Who Is My Teacher? By junior and senior years in high school, we took courses we had no interest
January 12, 2026, Mark 1:14-20 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011226.cfm Snakes And Fog Can Be Dangerous. We really must give a hand to our firefighters in California. They find
January 11, 2026, Matthew 3:13-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011126.cfm The Holy Spirit And Fire. It’s humbling when nature acts on us, as seen with recent hurricanes; some are
January 10, 2026, John 3:22-30 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011026.cfm What Do You Consider Worthwhile? Some things you hear strike you deeply and stay with you. Father Eric Doyle
Thursday, 3rd Week in Advent 12-15-2022
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily Thursday, 3rd Week in Advent 12-15-2022
Luke 7:24-30 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121522.cfm
Sorrowing for sin leads to peace.
There is a correlation between a speaker and a listener. We see this happening in John and the people who listened to him. John lived his life with such integrity that people knew he spoke the truth. And that truth, our Lord Jesus, pierced their hearts.
The words of John burned in their hearts as they felt a deep joy in repenting their sins for the first time rather than fear of acknowledging those sins. As John spoke, they said, “He’s right, and I know he is speaking to me.”
Both the Pharisees and the people, including the hated tax collectors, heard John’s human words. The Pharisees had their sense of goodness within themselves, so much that they couldn’t see their sin, and John’s words were only human.
The people, however, knew they had no goodness apart from God. By submitting themselves to John’s baptism, they expressed their genuine sorrow for their sins. True sorrow for our sins empties our hearts enough of ourselves that so we can begin to hear God’s voice.
Gospel Challenge
God’s voice of tenderness and mercy is sweeter than the condemning voice of guilt. Try it.
Ignite the Fire
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
or .
Share:
More Posts
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Tuesday, 1st Week in Ordinary Time
January 13, 2026, Mark 1:21-28 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011326.cfm Who Is My Teacher? By junior and senior years in high school, we took courses we had no interest
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Monday 1st Week in Ordinary Time
January 12, 2026, Mark 1:14-20 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011226.cfm Snakes And Fog Can Be Dangerous. We really must give a hand to our firefighters in California. They find
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for the Baptism of the Lord
January 11, 2026, Matthew 3:13-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011126.cfm The Holy Spirit And Fire. It’s humbling when nature acts on us, as seen with recent hurricanes; some are
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Saturday after Epiphany
January 10, 2026, John 3:22-30 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011026.cfm What Do You Consider Worthwhile? Some things you hear strike you deeply and stay with you. Father Eric Doyle
Categories
Send Us A Message