Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 22, 2024, Mark 8:27-35

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091524.cfm

Identity – Who Are You?

Identity theft is a big problem today. Companies are constantly trying to keep ahead of thieves. My heart goes out to people who lose everything to a thief.

There is another identity far more important than the information we have about ourselves and our bank accounts. It’s the person we are in God’s eyes.

St. Paul writes to the Ephesians, “By the power of the Holy Spirit, may you come to know your hidden self.”

Jesus wanted to reveal His hidden self to the disciples. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered through the grace of the Holy Spirit, “You are the Christ.”

So, Jesus told them what “the Christ” meant: to suffer, be killed, and rise from the dead. Then Peter responded without the help of the Holy Spirit,” This can’t happen to you.”

Jesus calls Peter Satan or the Tempter, the one who keeps us from knowing Jesus and knowing ourselves.

Like securities that protect our personal identity from being stolen and abused, the cross of Jesus protects us from Satan stealing God’s Presence from our hearts.

Our daily crosses have the potential to cleanse and write in our hearts, “We are disciples of Jesus.” They help us see what is essential in our lives and Who is most important.

We see this discipleship daily in the faithful love of spouses, priests, and religious and how they live out their vocations.

We see it in the attention and care given to an ailing parent or a sick child, in the countless hours given to charitable causes, and especially in the volunteers who sacrifice so much for victims of hurricanes – people they never met.

It will call us to give of ourselves, sometimes heroically but always selflessly. Embracing these crosses in love becomes a joy to bear.

I thank Jesus for all in our parish who go out of their way and sacrifice their time to give to others.

It can be as simple as baking a cake for the poor in Venezuela.

In no uncertain terms, Satan is adios, out of here, for he cannot be present to sacrificial love.

He sees Jesus on His Cross in our sacrifices. It frightens him to death.

Lovingly unite any cross you carry with Jesus’ cross, saying, “Get behind me, Satan.”

Satan runs from the cross because the One who was crucified on it bore it with perfect love for us. 

By His grace, we can love anyone and everyone with the same perfect love. This is our true identity, another Christ.

Gospel Challenge:
Pray every day thoughtfully in the Our Father, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil so we can love like You. Amen.

Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
pastor@bscchruch.com