Something I always do when I am home on vacation is spend a few moments with my loved ones who have passed away. I notice a sense of reverence washes over me when I drive to the cemetery. It is a solemn moment standing over the graves of Mom and Dad, my brother-in-law Tom, my nephew Craig, my cousin Fr. Dick, and other relatives. Time seems to stand still. Loving memories of each of them flood my mind and heart.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene. Facing her fears of life without Jesus, she went to His tomb, just as we might do after losing someone we love. We also have graves inside us that we need to visit. These tombs are filled with the death of relationships with family or friends that were never reconciled. The tomb may also be filled with fears of facing the truth about ourselves. It was easier in the moment to bury those feelings than to face them.
Don’t be afraid, my friends, regardless of what we buried in the past. When we look into those tombs with Mary Magdalene, Jesus will be with us. She didn’t realize it was Jesus at first, but she finally recognized Him when He called her name, “Mary.”
We don’t need to analyze what happened or what we or someone else did or didn’t do. Judging and blaming only pull us deeper into the grave. Still, something freeing occurs when we witness the event with Jesus by our side.
Our Lord asks us, “Why are you weeping?” We see ourselves and others objectively as He sees us by observing, watching a past event without thinking or emotion. Soon, we recognize the face of Jesus in the one who caused us grief. As a result, something extraordinary happens to us. Healing replaces pain and sadness effortlessly. Try it. The Lord is with you.
Gospel Challenge: Hear Jesus call out your name and leave that grave forever, never to visit it again.
October 15, 2026Luke 11:47-54https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101526.cfm The most humbling thing we can discover is … Can you imagine how often the scribes, Pharisees, and lawyers heard Jesus
October 14, 2026Luke 11:42-46https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101426.cfm One little decision can determine our destiny. “Woe to you, Pharisees!” Intoxicated drivers can cause significant harm to themselves and others.
October 13, 2026Luke 11:37-41https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101326.cfm Some Things We Can’t See Living in a parish with a school allows me to visit the children anytime. However, we
October 11, 2026 Matthew 22:1-14https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101126.cfm Silence – An Unrepentant Heart Our culture is consumed with appearance. Look at the commercials. If we focus only onthe
Fr. Rick’s Homily: the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
July 22, 2026
John 20:1-2, 11-18
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072226.cfm
Go to the Tomb.
Something I always do when I am home on vacation is spend a few moments with my
loved ones who have passed away. I notice a sense of reverence washes over me
when I drive to the cemetery. It is a solemn moment standing over the graves of Mom
and Dad, my brother-in-law Tom, my nephew Craig, my cousin Fr. Dick, and other
relatives. Time seems to stand still. Loving memories of each of them flood my mind
and heart.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene. Facing her fears of life without Jesus,
she went to His tomb, just as we might do after losing someone we love. We also have
graves inside us that we need to visit. These tombs are filled with the death of
relationships with family or friends that were never reconciled. The tomb may also be
filled with fears of facing the truth about ourselves. It was easier in the moment to bury
those feelings than to face them.
Don’t be afraid, my friends, regardless of what we buried in the past. When we look into
those tombs with Mary Magdalene, Jesus will be with us. She didn’t realize it was Jesus
at first, but she finally recognized Him when He called her name, “Mary.”
We don’t need to analyze what happened or what we or someone else did or didn’t do.
Judging and blaming only pull us deeper into the grave. Still, something freeing occurs
when we witness the event with Jesus by our side.
Our Lord asks us, “Why are you weeping?” We see ourselves and others objectively as
He sees us by observing, watching a past event without thinking or emotion. Soon, we
recognize the face of Jesus in the one who caused us grief. As a result, something
extraordinary happens to us. Healing replaces pain and sadness effortlessly. Try it. The
Lord is with you.
Gospel Challenge:
Hear Jesus call out your name and leave that grave forever, never to visit it again.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
www.rosminians.com
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