Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Monday 14th Week in Ordinary Time 

July 7, 2025, Matthew 9:18-26

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070725.cfm

Effective Prayer

Why does God sometimes answer our prayers right away, and other times it seems like it takes forever? Has that question ever crossed your mind? Today’s gospel will help us answer that query.  

The lady in the gospel suffered for 12 years from a hemorrhage. I wonder how many times she asked the Lord to heal her. The official in today’s gospel made one request to bring his dead son back to life. Jesus got up and followed him.  

In the case of the official, Jesus experienced in His Person the grief and sorrow of this father. It became personal for Jesus. And perhaps with the lady with a hemorrhage, Jesus needed a personal encounter with her so she could know that He carried her suffering in His own Body.  

When you pray for yourself or someone else, remember that Jesus is with you, personally. Don’t just ask him to heal or work miracles to make life easier and better. Kneel down with the official and ask Jesus to lay His hand on you, carrying your pain and bearing your suffering, especially the pain you are carrying with someone. This is a personal encounter with Jesus.

Remember, Jesus immediately got up and followed his father to his son’s bed. His response was immediate, showing us that He is always there for us. Also, remember, all it took was a touch of Jesus’ cloak for Him to experience the pain and long suffering of the woman with a hemorrhage. His response is always immediate and personal.  

Gospel Challenge:

Let’s make every moment we experience an encounter with Jesus, and He will continue His saving work through us. This gospel inspires us to live our lives in constant communion with Him.  

Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC  
pastor@bscchurch.com