Healthy competition is good for us and can bring out our best. In sports, we go to the weight room and are the last to leave the practice field. We see the results in competition and might even come out first.
We live in this world of rivalry. Being first is in our faces every day. But is constantly striving to be first in other areas of life worth the loss of meaningful relationships? It is very subtle how work and getting ahead can take over our lives. It happens in family life, and I see this temptation in community life.
There is a “wisdom from above” that can help us keep our priorities in order. What does that wisdom say? “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all. Who are the “rest” Jesus tells us we must serve?
“Whoever receives a child such as this receives Me.” People in our Lord’s time knew who these rest were. The child symbolized the anawim – the poor, the forgotten, the lowly, and the vulnerable. Who are they today?
The ragged man who’s by a dumpster looking for something to eat.
The immigrant who is out of place.
The neighbor’s son, who has Autism, is at your back door at the oddest times.
Maybe a co-worker I overlook for whatever reason.
The hungry child in Venezuela.
And yes, the “rest” may be a member of our family.
Gospel Challenge:
We don’t turn our eyes away. We do what Jesus says: “Welcome them.” We welcome them with a cup of coffee, stop to chat , and take an interest in what they are doing now. The anawim have stories they need to tell us, and we need to hear them. This “wisdom from above” changes lives and makes us whole. Everyone is better off.
February 4, 2025, Mark 5:21-43 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020425.cfm Never Give UP. The more challenging life gets, the better we get, or do we? I had two operations
February 3, 2025, Mark 5:1-20 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020325.cfm Alone and Helpless. People handle pain in different ways. Some have acute pain that never goes away, and
February 2, 2025, Luke 2:22-32 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020225.cfm Faith’s Struggles. Tom Brady, an NFL quarterback, took his time to make an important decision. The big question before
February 1, 2025, Mark 4:35-41 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020125.cfm Do Not Be Afraid To Go Deep. I Will Raise You Up. One early spring morning, I was
Tuesday, 7th Week in Ordinary Time May 21, 2024
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Tuesday, 7th Week in Ordinary Time
May 21, 2024, Mark 9:30-37
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052124.cfm
Who are the “least?”
Healthy competition is good for us and can bring out our best. In sports, we go to the weight room and are the last to leave the practice field. We see the results in competition and might even come out first.
We live in this world of rivalry. Being first is in our faces every day. But is constantly striving to be first in other areas of life worth the loss of meaningful relationships? It is very subtle how work and getting ahead can take over our lives. It happens in family life, and I see this temptation in community life.
There is a “wisdom from above” that can help us keep our priorities in order. What does that wisdom say? “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all. Who are the “rest” Jesus tells us we must serve?
“Whoever receives a child such as this receives Me.” People in our Lord’s time knew who these rest were. The child symbolized the anawim – the poor, the forgotten, the lowly, and the vulnerable. Who are they today?
Gospel Challenge:
We don’t turn our eyes away. We do what Jesus says: “Welcome them.” We welcome them with a cup of coffee, stop to chat , and take an interest in what they are doing now. The anawim have stories they need to tell us, and we need to hear them. This “wisdom from above” changes lives and makes us whole. Everyone is better off.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
Share:
More Posts
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Tuesday, 4th Week in Ordinary Time
February 4, 2025, Mark 5:21-43 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020425.cfm Never Give UP. The more challenging life gets, the better we get, or do we? I had two operations
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Monday, 4th Week in Ordinary Time
February 3, 2025, Mark 5:1-20 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020325.cfm Alone and Helpless. People handle pain in different ways. Some have acute pain that never goes away, and
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Presentation of the Lord
February 2, 2025, Luke 2:22-32 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020225.cfm Faith’s Struggles. Tom Brady, an NFL quarterback, took his time to make an important decision. The big question before
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Saturday, 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
February 1, 2025, Mark 4:35-41 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020125.cfm Do Not Be Afraid To Go Deep. I Will Raise You Up. One early spring morning, I was
Categories
Send Us A Message