We all have an alarm that goes off in someone who is in a crisis. Strangers run into a burning house to save someone. We know everyday heroes who sacrifice themselves for the good of others time and time again. In the gospel, the centurion would be a hero in his day. He put his reputation on the line for an enslaved person. Romans treated enslaved people like animals. They could kill them without consequences.
Jesus couldn’t help but see himself in the centurion. The distress of his servant was his distress. He treated him like his son. When we love others, especially those who have little or no worth in the eyes of the world, God’s heart melts to respond to all our needs.
With the heart of Christ, the centurion had no trouble believing that Jesus could heal his servant. He is a model of faith and love working together. St. James proclaims in his letter, “Show me your faith, and I will show you the work of charity that backs up my faith” (James 2:18).
Gospel Challenge:
God can’t help but respond to needs born in love for others. Genuine love for others is the backbone of faith that moves God’s heart to heal and save us. Indiscriminating love transforms our hands, words, and hearts into the words and actions of Jesus. No one we encounter is a nobody to Jesus. So, who needs your heart today? It may be someone you could overlook.
September 16, 2025, Luke 7:11-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091625.cfm “I Command You; Get Up!” My heart goes out to parents who have lost a child. The pain feels
September 15, 2025, John 19:33-35 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091525.cfm No Other Way Nothing is harder than a parent burying their own child. How can anyone understand the pain of
September 14, 2025, John 3:13-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091425.cfm Don’t Be Afraid of the Sting In every Catholic Church and Chapel around the world, we celebrate today an
September 13, 2025, Luke 6:43-49 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091325.cfm Deep Roots I know a friend whose neighbor’s tree fell on her house during a tropical storm. It was
Monday, 24th Week in Ordinary Time September 18, 2023
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Monday, 24th Week in Ordinary Time
September 18, 2023, Luke 7:1-10
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091823.cfm
Jesus’ Heroes
We all have an alarm that goes off in someone who is in a crisis. Strangers run into a burning house to save someone. We know everyday heroes who sacrifice themselves for the good of others time and time again. In the gospel, the centurion would be a hero in his day. He put his reputation on the line for an enslaved person. Romans treated enslaved people like animals. They could kill them without consequences.
Jesus couldn’t help but see himself in the centurion. The distress of his servant was his distress. He treated him like his son. When we love others, especially those who have little or no worth in the eyes of the world, God’s heart melts to respond to all our needs.
With the heart of Christ, the centurion had no trouble believing that Jesus could heal his servant. He is a model of faith and love working together. St. James proclaims in his letter, “Show me your faith, and I will show you the work of charity that backs up my faith” (James 2:18).
Gospel Challenge:
God can’t help but respond to needs born in love for others. Genuine love for others is the backbone of faith that moves God’s heart to heal and save us. Indiscriminating love transforms our hands, words, and hearts into the words and actions of Jesus. No one we encounter is a nobody to Jesus. So, who needs your heart today? It may be someone you could overlook.
Ignite the Fire
Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.
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