Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Tuesday, 1st Week in Ordinary Time

January 13, 2026, Mark 1:21-28

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011326.cfm

Who Is My Teacher?

By junior and senior years in high school, we took courses we had no interest in but worked through them. We forgot these courses after we finished, and they didn’t affect our lives. For me, math and I never mixed well.  

Sometimes, our faith can be like a math course, with periods when other interests take over, whether we enjoy time online with like-minded people or get caught up in ongoing news stories. Time flies, and we wonder what the latest is. 

There is nothing wrong with any of these activities. However, I must ask myself where these activities are leading me. Am I a better person because of the time and energy they require? Are my relationships healthier because of them? Without realizing it, these human interests became my teachers in life. 

Today, the gospel shows that Jesus taught differently from any other teacher. He spoke with authority, even casting out unclean spirits with total power. No human or philosophy can heal bodies and minds, address social issues, forgive, reconcile, liberate, or grant new life as Jesus does. We have only one Savior. 

Gospel Challenge:
Is it not a profound opportunity to learn from Jesus in the Scriptures and His People and to understand why He and the Catholic Church have endured for over 2000 years? Visit our parish website, www.bscchurch.com, and explore FORMED. Sign up and discover the wisdom that awaits you. Jesus is eager to be your teacher, too.

Love Your Neighbor:
Please join me in praying that all baptized Catholics remain faithful to Jesus through active participation in 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