March 22, 2025, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032225.cfm
Home at Last.
How heart-wrenching it is to stray from our Father’s loving embrace. Like the younger son in the parable, our sin, the act of turning away from all God provides for us, begins long before we walk into the darkness of our immediate pleasures and our own will. Something within us stirs, causing us to feel a void even while we are still at home in his graces.
Doing our daily chores, faithfully fulfilling our Father’s will, and seeking to please him in all things become routine because we love what pleases us in the moment more than our good Heavenly Father. Our stuff becomes more important than our father, mother, brother, and significant others.
So, we venture out independently, seeking to fulfill that immediate gratification. With each passing gratification, we grow emptier, more unfulfilled, until we remember how good we had it back home with our Dad.
That memory is the point of turning back to begin the long walk back to our Father. With each step, we become sorrier and more regretful for hurting Him. Notice that our focus has changed from us to our Heavenly Father.
Many take a long time before approaching the Lord in the Sacrament of His Mercy. Focusing on ourselves only produces guilt. No matter how hard we try, we can’t run or hide from it.
When we change our focus from ourselves to the Lord, he fills our hearts with a deep sorrow. Our relationship with God comes to life again; Then, we approach Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We have a renewed love, even for our brother.
Gospel Challenge:
What a beautiful gift that sorrow is. That’s what Jesus feels for us until he absolves us from our sins. Then comes the open arms. Then comes the fatted calf, the ring on our finger, and sandals on our feet. These are all expressions of our Father’s joy that His child has come home, a joy that surpasses all understanding.
Some people think that they can receive forgiveness from God without Confession. Remember, forgiveness is about relationships. Only the pains and suffering of Jesus’ Passion can absolve sin. No one but Jesus can absolve sin. In Confession, we stand under the Cross of Jesus, and a drop of his Precious Blood washes our souls clean.
Let’s all eagerly hasten to the Sacrament of Mercy, for it is there that we find the balm for our wounded souls, the forgiveness that sets us free. Let’s all look forward to the Sacrament of Mercy with hope and anticipation.
It is offered every night for a week. Please see the bulletin for the times.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Saturday, 2nd Week in Lent
March 22, 2025, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032225.cfm
Home at Last.
How heart-wrenching it is to stray from our Father’s loving embrace. Like the younger son in the parable, our sin, the act of turning away from all God provides for us, begins long before we walk into the darkness of our immediate pleasures and our own will. Something within us stirs, causing us to feel a void even while we are still at home in his graces.
Doing our daily chores, faithfully fulfilling our Father’s will, and seeking to please him in all things become routine because we love what pleases us in the moment more than our good Heavenly Father. Our stuff becomes more important than our father, mother, brother, and significant others.
So, we venture out independently, seeking to fulfill that immediate gratification. With each passing gratification, we grow emptier, more unfulfilled, until we remember how good we had it back home with our Dad.
That memory is the point of turning back to begin the long walk back to our Father. With each step, we become sorrier and more regretful for hurting Him. Notice that our focus has changed from us to our Heavenly Father.
Many take a long time before approaching the Lord in the Sacrament of His Mercy. Focusing on ourselves only produces guilt. No matter how hard we try, we can’t run or hide from it.
When we change our focus from ourselves to the Lord, he fills our hearts with a deep sorrow. Our relationship with God comes to life again; Then, we approach Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We have a renewed love, even for our brother.
Gospel Challenge:
What a beautiful gift that sorrow is. That’s what Jesus feels for us until he absolves us from our sins. Then comes the open arms. Then comes the fatted calf, the ring on our finger, and sandals on our feet. These are all expressions of our Father’s joy that His child has come home, a joy that surpasses all understanding.
Some people think that they can receive forgiveness from God without Confession. Remember, forgiveness is about relationships. Only the pains and suffering of Jesus’ Passion can absolve sin. No one but Jesus can absolve sin. In Confession, we stand under the Cross of Jesus, and a drop of his Precious Blood washes our souls clean.
Let’s all eagerly hasten to the Sacrament of Mercy, for it is there that we find the balm for our wounded souls, the forgiveness that sets us free. Let’s all look forward to the Sacrament of Mercy with hope and anticipation.
It is offered every night for a week. Please see the bulletin for the times.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
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