Remember the adage, “God helps those who help themselves?” Unfortunately, that phrase makes it sound like everything depends on us. God has given us natural abilities and talents to live and sustain ourselves. We must invest those talents and abilities in others so God’s kingdom can grow.
But for the baptized, God raises us to another notch. His Divine Providence places us in situations where we depend on him for everything. In the gospel, the disciples could not feed thousands of people with just a few fish and loaves of bread. So, they gave Jesus the little they had to receive from His abundance. Of course, God still expects us to offer Him whatever we can do in any situation. But His authority over everything can bring about miracles beyond what we could ever ask or imagine.
St. Paul states in the second letter to the Corinthians, “And so I willingly most of my weaknesses instead, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
God cannot help but bless our poverty when we are in need. The first beatitude is still relevant, “Blessed are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of God.” In an earlier reflection, you may remember me telling you how God fed 50 people a bowl of soup with one ladle. That happened to me twice, feeding hungry people in Bradenton, Florida. I didn’t even ask Him to do it.
Gospel Challenge:
Think of the situation where you are over your head and can do nothing. Feel that sense of helplessness and offer it as a prayer to God. Trust Jesus to take care of everything.
March 9, 2026, Luke 4:24-30 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030926.cfm Homecoming. When I returned home from my studies in England, my family warmly greeted me at the airport terminal.
March 7, 2026, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030726.cfm Home at Last. How heart-wrenching it is to stray from our Father’s loving embrace. Like the younger son
March 6, 2026, Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030626.cfm Someone is Missing. Mother Teresa recounts a story about a young drug addict she and her sisters met
March 20, 2025, Luke 16:19-31 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030526.cfm One Small Step. One Giant Leap. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on
Monday, 18th Week in Ordinary Time August 7, 2023
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Monday, 18th Week in Ordinary Time
August 7, 2023, Matthew 14:13-21
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080723.cfm
Give Them Something Yourselves?
Remember the adage, “God helps those who help themselves?” Unfortunately, that phrase makes it sound like everything depends on us. God has given us natural abilities and talents to live and sustain ourselves. We must invest those talents and abilities in others so God’s kingdom can grow.
But for the baptized, God raises us to another notch. His Divine Providence places us in situations where we depend on him for everything. In the gospel, the disciples could not feed thousands of people with just a few fish and loaves of bread. So, they gave Jesus the little they had to receive from His abundance. Of course, God still expects us to offer Him whatever we can do in any situation. But His authority over everything can bring about miracles beyond what we could ever ask or imagine.
St. Paul states in the second letter to the Corinthians, “And so I willingly most of my weaknesses instead, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
God cannot help but bless our poverty when we are in need. The first beatitude is still relevant, “Blessed are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of God.” In an earlier reflection, you may remember me telling you how God fed 50 people a bowl of soup with one ladle. That happened to me twice, feeding hungry people in Bradenton, Florida. I didn’t even ask Him to do it.
Gospel Challenge:
Think of the situation where you are over your head and can do nothing. Feel that sense of helplessness and offer it as a prayer to God. Trust Jesus to take care of everything.
Peace everyone.
IGNITE THE FIRE!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
pastor
or .
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