https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/013126.cfm
Do Not Be Afraid To Go Deep. I Will Raise You Up.
One early spring morning, I was fishing in Long Lake in Central Illinois with an old friend of my Dad’s, Bud Sepich. We were fishing for bluegill and bass from a boat in 15 feet of water. It was still cold, and we were all wearing our winter gear. I was talking with Bud and asked him a question, but he didn’t answer.
I turned around, and he was gone. A spooky feeling came over me. Then, to my surprise, he surfaced and shot up out of the water to his waist. He shot up like a cannonball. I don’t know what shot him up like that, but we were both shaking, not from the cold but from amazement and gratitude.
Sometimes we have to go deep for Jesus to raise us up. We would much rather ignore the emotions that arise when facing difficulties. The strange thing is that when we acknowledge those disturbing thoughts and feelings, we wake up Jesus in the stern of our boat. Jesus is with us in all our fears, his presence a shield against the winds and waves of life that crash upon us.
Jesus may appear asleep during difficult times, yet His calm presence can bring us peace. When we face our fears with Him, the wind and waves submit, reminding us of the power of faith to calm life’s storms.
Gospel Challenge:
When life becomes a struggle and you feel alone, unable to help yourself or anyone else, don’t be afraid to go deep and wake up Jesus. Acknowledge and embrace those feelings, and let them go to Jesus. He will embrace you. Jesus is like the blue sky. He is always there, no matter how many stormy clouds there are.
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
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Saturday, 3rd Week in Ordinary Time,January 31, 2026, Mark 4:35-41
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/013126.cfm
Do Not Be Afraid To Go Deep. I Will Raise You Up.
One early spring morning, I was fishing in Long Lake in Central Illinois with an old friend of my Dad’s, Bud Sepich. We were fishing for bluegill and bass from a boat in 15 feet of water. It was still cold, and we were all wearing our winter gear. I was talking with Bud and asked him a question, but he didn’t answer.
I turned around, and he was gone. A spooky feeling came over me. Then, to my surprise, he surfaced and shot up out of the water to his waist. He shot up like a cannonball. I don’t know what shot him up like that, but we were both shaking, not from the cold but from amazement and gratitude.
Sometimes we have to go deep for Jesus to raise us up. We would much rather ignore the emotions that arise when facing difficulties. The strange thing is that when we acknowledge those disturbing thoughts and feelings, we wake up Jesus in the stern of our boat. Jesus is with us in all our fears, his presence a shield against the winds and waves of life that crash upon us.
Jesus may appear asleep during difficult times, yet His calm presence can bring us peace. When we face our fears with Him, the wind and waves submit, reminding us of the power of faith to calm life’s storms.
Gospel Challenge:
When life becomes a struggle and you feel alone, unable to help yourself or anyone else, don’t be afraid to go deep and wake up Jesus. Acknowledge and embrace those feelings, and let them go to Jesus. He will embrace you. Jesus is like the blue sky. He is always there, no matter how many stormy clouds there are.
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
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