Father Rick’s One Minute Homily for Thursday, the 5th Week in Lent

April 10, 2025, Genesis 3:17:3-9; John 8:51-59

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041025.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. His unwavering trust in God’s plan is a testament to the reassurance and confidence we can find in our faith journey.

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? Others didn’t believe 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. Living in mystery means surrendering everything to Jesus, trusting in His divine plan even when we don’t fully understand it. Listen to His call to mystery – “Follow Me.”

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.” We can all become one of Jesus’ modern-day miracles with such trust. 

The miracle of the heart is the greatest miracle of all. 

The Sacrament of ReconciliationApril 7-11 from 6-7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week.

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