Father Rick’s One Minute Homily for Thursday, the 5th Week in Lent
March 21, 2024 – Genesis 3:17:3-9; John 8:51-59
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032124.cfm
The Greatest Miracle of All.
Today’s readings revealed different ways people react to God.
When Abraham’s wife, Sarah, was told that her husband, an older man, would become a father, not only of one child but a host of nations, she laughed. Later, Abraham heard that God would give him a new name, inherit a large piece of land, and make his children and children’s children kings. He didn’t laugh or throw up his arms and walk away from God and his plans.
Abraham trusted in God and his word, so God was free to establish a covenant with Abraham. In the gospel, why do some people believe that Jesus came from the Father? And others didn’t but turned on him and wanted to stone him.
Why the two different reactions? Our human minds can only grasp so much. We could understand and accept that if all He called us to do was to be better human beings. But Jesus calls us into mystery.
And in that mystery, he empowers us to live his divine life: To love and honor His Father as he loves and honors Him, to love everyone without exception with his merciful and sacrificial love.
Should we trust God, like Abraham, It will truly surprise us how easy and enjoyable it is to forgive, show compassion, be generous, and give more of ourselves than we ever dreamed. It’s a life we will never understand in its fullness, but a life we can live in the moment with God.
Gospel Challenge:
Just pray in your own words, “Lord Jesus, there are so many things I don’t understand the things you call me to do, why I have to forgive my brother and sister, why I have to pick up my cross daily, why I have to become what I eat in the Eucharist, but Jesus, I trust you.
”With your help, I will follow you wherever you go every day of my life.” With such trust, we can all become one of Jesus’ modern-day miracles.
The miracle of the heart is the greatest miracle of all.
| The Sacrament of Reconciliation
March 18 from 6-7 p.m., Monday through Friday, |
Confessions end after Tuesday of Holy Week, including Holy Thursday – Holy Saturday. Please take advantage of this opportunity.
Love Your Neighbor:
Please join me in praying for all baptized Catholics to be faithful to Jesus in the Holy Mass every weekend. Hail Mary, full of grace…
Mother Mary, “I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you, I always want to belong completely to Jesus.” The Surrender Novena – InHeartland. https://inheartland.com/pages/the-surrender-novena
Peace be with you.
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
