Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Monday 13th Week in Ordinary Time

June 30, 2025, Matthew 8:18-22
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/063025.cfm

Hold Nothing Back From Jesus.

Interuptions can be nerve-racking the moment they happen. We are right in the middle of something important, and when something comes up, we must drop everything. It could be a work-related call during family time, a sudden health issue, or a friend in need. Parents with small children are all too familiar with this. So do pastors and priests.   

Most interruptions are not life-changing like the man in today’s Gospel. Jesus asked him to leave everything and follow him. Of course, he wanted to bury his father, which meant that he must take care of his father until he died, a sacred duty for any son at that time. Who knows how many years that could take?   

But what about Jesus’ plans for salvation and the people whom Jesus would minister to through this man? Please, God, those plans didn’t go to waste. When that phone or doorbell rings, consider it as Jesus asking us to do something for someone that no one else can do. It is truly a graceful moment.    

We can start our day with a sense of openness to this grace – “Here is my plan, Lord Jesus, for the day. Now, what is yours?” This openness and readiness to do the Lord’s bidding free our hearts from anxiety. 

Gospel Challenge: 

It opens the floodgates of God’s love and power to work through us, no matter how significant or insignificant the interruption may be. And should we have a moment of frustration at the time of the interruption, offer it up gracefully for what the Lord would have us do.

This means acknowledging our frustration, but choosing to respond with patience and understanding, as we trust that God’s plan is at work. 

Jesus works silent miracles in these moments of surrender.  

Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC                                                               

www.bscchurch.com