Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for the Sixth Day In the Octave of Christmas

December 30, 2025, Luke 2:36-40

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123025.cfm

An Emptiness That Is Full

The widow in today’s gospel makes me ponder how often I go out of my way to visit Jesus in the Chapel. She was 84 years old and a widow after only seven years of marriage. Girls were married at the early age of 14 or 15.

What makes this so interesting is that “widow” derives from Sanskrit, meaning “empty.” What was empty was her heart for over 60 years.

The Lord filled her emptiness on the day she held the Christ child in her arms, reminding us that prayer can fill our deepest spiritual needs and bring hope.

Anna’s example shows how faith transforms the emptiness in our hearts into fullness, inspiring us to seek quiet time with the Lord amid the busyness of our lives for spiritual renewal.

Gospel Challenge:

Whether we choose to fast from the pleasures of life or life takes them from us, remember Anna. Go to that Temple, the domain of God’s presence in us, the emptiest part of our heart. And we, too, will grow strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God will be upon us. We are no less present with Jesus in front of the Blessed Sacrament than Anna holding Him in her arms.

Let us allow Anna’s love to be with the Lord to become contagious. 

Love Your Neighbor:
Please join me in praying that all baptized Catholics be faithful to Jesus at 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, I.C.
pastor@bscchurch.com