What would we ever do that could equal in value what the Lord has done for us? It would seem to be nothing. The folks Jesus mentions in today’s Gospel who have no way of repaying us have a special place in our Lord’s heart.
Such poor ones, little ones, are our greatest treasure. They are much like us. Jesus gave His life for us when we were still sinners and when we were in no position to repay Him. Blessed Antonio Rosmini states this truth today in his spiritual calendar. He says,
It is true that Jesus is so perfect that no perfection can come to Him from His members; on the contrary, He alone bestows perfection onto them. However, as He willed to unite to Himself other people, He communicated to them His own holiness, extending it to them.
Della Educazione Cristiana, Roma 1994
And what is that holiness He extends to us? Holiness is Jesus’ capacity always to please his Father in us. In practical terms, this means that we do for others what he did for us, love them, and be generous to them, whatever form it may cost us, and whether or not they are deserving.
Jesus is asking us to rethink why we help people. Is our intention human or divine? As He says, we can expect something in return from someone we know. “You owe me one,” we say. But what about people we don’t know? A person is worthy of our time and resources simply because of their need.
The Lord has given us so much, more than we could ever use. He asks us to share in love just a smidgen of what He has already given us. It isn’t the size of the gift. Our intention is everything.
Gospel Challenge:
We give them a meal, and they give us Jesus. Once again, we are the ones who have reason to be more grateful.
May 12, 2026, John 16:5-11 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051226.cfm “Grief Has Filled Your Hearts.” Sometimes out of the blue, we bring to mind a moment when we lost
May 11, 2026, John 15:26-16:4ahttps://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051126.cfm No More Waiting Anyone who has undergone a shoulder or knee replacement understands that it doesn’toccur instantly. Often, doctors explore
Mother’s Day May 5, 2026, John 15:12-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050826.cfm Choosing to Love Every Wednesday, our Holy Father, Pope Leo, has a general audience in Rome. Recently,
May 9, 2026, John 15:18-21 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050926 Opposition I recall hearing a candidate in a local documentary state that the Catholic Church is very close-minded on
Father Rick’s two-minute Homily for Monday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time
November 4, 2024, Luke 14:12-14
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110424.cfm
What would we ever do that could equal in value what the Lord has done for us? It would seem to be nothing. The folks Jesus mentions in today’s Gospel who have no way of repaying us have a special place in our Lord’s heart.
Such poor ones, little ones, are our greatest treasure. They are much like us. Jesus gave His life for us when we were still sinners and when we were in no position to repay Him. Blessed Antonio Rosmini states this truth today in his spiritual calendar. He says,
It is true that Jesus is so perfect that no perfection can come to Him from His members; on the contrary, He alone bestows perfection onto them. However, as He willed to unite to Himself other people, He communicated to them His own holiness, extending it to them.
Della Educazione Cristiana, Roma 1994
And what is that holiness He extends to us? Holiness is Jesus’ capacity always to please his Father in us. In practical terms, this means that we do for others what he did for us, love them, and be generous to them, whatever form it may cost us, and whether or not they are deserving.
Jesus is asking us to rethink why we help people. Is our intention human or divine? As He says, we can expect something in return from someone we know. “You owe me one,” we say. But what about people we don’t know? A person is worthy of our time and resources simply because of their need.
The Lord has given us so much, more than we could ever use. He asks us to share in love just a smidgen of what He has already given us. It isn’t the size of the gift. Our intention is everything.
Gospel Challenge:
We give them a meal, and they give us Jesus. Once again, we are the ones who have reason to be more grateful.
Ignite the Fire
Father Rick Pilger, I C.
pastor@bscchurch.com
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