Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Monday, 25th Week in Ordinary Time

September 22, 2025, Luke 8:16-18

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092225.cfm

My Two Dads

When I was five or six, my Dad built a bathroom addition. He finished the foundation, and the brick was about three feet high. He told me not to play there, but I didn’t listen.

He went into the house for lunch and left his tools outside. I remember jumping off that three-foot wall and thinking it was the coolest thing, maybe because Dad told me not to play there. I climbed a small tree and cut my leg on a branch while coming down.

It put a hole in my upper leg. I didn’t scream or cry because I didn’t want to get in trouble. I walked into the kitchen, past my Dad like nothing was wrong, and grabbed some Mercurochrome and gauze, but it wouldn’t stop bleeding.

There was blood everywhere. To make a long story short, I told Mom and Dad I accidentally cut myself, and they took me to the ER. Six stitches later, I had to come clean about what happened. I knew I’d be in trouble, so I told them I cut myself on a chisel – until they found the blood on the tree.

He sat me on his lap, looked me in the eye, and said, “Son, you never have to lie to me. We never have to keep secrets.” I wrapped my arms around him and just cried and cried and cried. I remember him holding me tight, rocking me in his lap until every tear was soaked into his shirt. That day, my Dad became my best friend, and he still is – God rest his good soul.

“Nothing is hidden that will not become visible, and nothing is secret that will not be known and come to light.” Jesus gave us His Father; that day, His Father revealed Himself through my Dad. We all need that Father figure through whom our Heavenly Father reveals Himself.

Gospel Challenge: 

If you have any secrets, no matter how far back they go, open the door to that secret in your heart and go to your Father in confession. Tell him the whole story and be free to let your heavenly Father put his arms around you and love you back into His good graces.

He can turn something very wrong into something outstanding.

Love Your Neighbor   

Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.   

Pastor@bscchurch.com