March 1, 2026, Matthew 17:1-9
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030126.cfm
Let’s Stay Here!
“This is my Beloved Son. Listen to him.” Don’t we all tend to listen more carefully to those who matter most to us? It’s interesting to note that the Father didn’t say, “Follow him,” but instead emphasized listening to Him.
He didn’t say, “Love Him.” Why? Before we follow and love Jesus, we must first “Listen to him.” Yes, it is true – we listen to people who matter to us. A doctor is someone we listen to very carefully. When we listen to our doctor, we follow their advice.
Listening involves a degree of intimacy. The more critical the information, and the more committed we are to a person, the more we listen.
The Transfiguration of Jesus reveals the closeness Jesus has with his Father. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain to experience the intimacy he shares with his Father. That love- and honor-filled closeness gave Jesus the strength to climb another mountain—Calvary.
We, too, must climb this mountain of the Transfiguration with Jesus daily, drawing closer to his heart in prayer, especially before the Blessed Sacrament. This daily commitment to prayer is our connection to Jesus, our source of strength and guidance. “Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened. I will give you rest.”
We need that intimate encounter with Jesus so we can travel with Him down the mountain, where He will encounter all of us who are suffering without Him.
The Founder of our religious order, The Institute of Charity, Antonio Rosmini, used this analogy to describe the power of daily prayer:
“The precious moments with Jesus daily in prayer are like the archer who pulls back his bow, ready to fling the arrow at its target. In prayer, we draw back the bow of our hearts, ready to send our love and compassion to those in need, just as the archer sends the arrow to its target.”
We don’t have the strength and healing power of Jesus to pull back that bow enough to alleviate the suffering in another’s heart. We can feed them, clothe them, and meet all their other needs, but it is Jesus who is the ultimate healer, the Master of the heart, who can bring true healing and peace.
Gospel Challenge:
Let Jesus master our hearts in prayer every day, so whenever we encounter another person in need, they will say what Peter said, “It is so good that you are here!” This is the transformative power of prayer, inspiring us to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.
Love Your Neighbor!
Father Rick Pilger, I.C.
pastor@bscchurch.com
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for 2nd Sunday of Lent A
March 1, 2026, Matthew 17:1-9
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030126.cfm
Let’s Stay Here!
“This is my Beloved Son. Listen to him.” Don’t we all tend to listen more carefully to those who matter most to us? It’s interesting to note that the Father didn’t say, “Follow him,” but instead emphasized listening to Him.
He didn’t say, “Love Him.” Why? Before we follow and love Jesus, we must first “Listen to him.” Yes, it is true – we listen to people who matter to us. A doctor is someone we listen to very carefully. When we listen to our doctor, we follow their advice.
Listening involves a degree of intimacy. The more critical the information, and the more committed we are to a person, the more we listen.
The Transfiguration of Jesus reveals the closeness Jesus has with his Father. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain to experience the intimacy he shares with his Father. That love- and honor-filled closeness gave Jesus the strength to climb another mountain—Calvary.
We, too, must climb this mountain of the Transfiguration with Jesus daily, drawing closer to his heart in prayer, especially before the Blessed Sacrament. This daily commitment to prayer is our connection to Jesus, our source of strength and guidance. “Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened. I will give you rest.”
We need that intimate encounter with Jesus so we can travel with Him down the mountain, where He will encounter all of us who are suffering without Him.
The Founder of our religious order, The Institute of Charity, Antonio Rosmini, used this analogy to describe the power of daily prayer:
“The precious moments with Jesus daily in prayer are like the archer who pulls back his bow, ready to fling the arrow at its target. In prayer, we draw back the bow of our hearts, ready to send our love and compassion to those in need, just as the archer sends the arrow to its target.”
We don’t have the strength and healing power of Jesus to pull back that bow enough to alleviate the suffering in another’s heart. We can feed them, clothe them, and meet all their other needs, but it is Jesus who is the ultimate healer, the Master of the heart, who can bring true healing and peace.
Gospel Challenge:
Let Jesus master our hearts in prayer every day, so whenever we encounter another person in need, they will say what Peter said, “It is so good that you are here!” This is the transformative power of prayer, inspiring us to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.
Love Your Neighbor!
Father Rick Pilger, I.C.
pastor@bscchurch.com
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