We all want to be accepted and loved. We can probably remember times when that didn’t happen and know how much it hurt. The world’s values can influence us, so we make our importance felt with some people.
It might surprise us how many times we think, “I am not like that person.” Or “I am better than that person.” That is what I like about my golf group. We cheer each other on, and at the end of the day, we are happy to have some time together.
Jesus did not live to please others. He didn’t care what they thought of Him. Look how people treated Jesus in the end. He lived only to please His Father. When we live to please God alone, the honor of another person is nice but not necessary or even needed.
Think of the example that Jesus set for us: he was born in poverty; he lived and worked as a layman for 30 years; he didn’t belong to any priestly tribe or sect, such as the Pharisees and scribes.
St. Paul was knocked off his high horse when he met Jesus and never got back up on it. Because he had the heart of Jesus beating in his chest, he didn’t flash his credentials to show off.
He was freed up, as he said, “With such affection for you, we were determined to share our very selves…working night and day in order not to burden any of you.”
I recall that our Blessed Antonio Rosmini, the founder of the Institute of Charity, wrote a book, The Five Wounds Of The Church. One of the wounds was the distance bishops put between themselves and their priests, and the priests put between themselves and the people of God. Pray that your priests and bishops have the attitude of John the Baptist. Speaking of Jesus, he said, “he must increase, I must decrease.”
Gospel Challenge: How many problems in the world would be solved if people would not look down on others but look up to them to see the face of Christ? Who needs you today to be another Christ for them?
Finally, I ask your prayers for Fr. Bibin and me that we be worthy to serve you as you need us.
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: Saturday, 20th Week in Ordinary Time
August 22, 2026
Matthew 23:1-12
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082226.cfm
A Humble Authority?
We all want to be accepted and loved. We can probably remember times when that
didn’t happen and know how much it hurt. The world’s values can influence us, so we
make our importance felt with some people.
It might surprise us how many times we think, “I am not like that person.” Or “I am better
than that person.” That is what I like about my golf group. We cheer each other on, and
at the end of the day, we are happy to have some time together.
Jesus did not live to please others. He didn’t care what they thought of Him. Look how
people treated Jesus in the end. He lived only to please His Father. When we live to
please God alone, the honor of another person is nice but not necessary or even
needed.
Think of the example that Jesus set for us: he was born in poverty; he lived and worked
as a layman for 30 years; he didn’t belong to any priestly tribe or sect, such as the
Pharisees and scribes.
St. Paul was knocked off his high horse when he met Jesus and never got back up on it.
Because he had the heart of Jesus beating in his chest, he didn’t flash his credentials to
show off.
He was freed up, as he said, “With such affection for you, we were determined to share
our very selves…working night and day in order not to burden any of you.”
I recall that our Blessed Antonio Rosmini, the founder of the Institute of Charity, wrote a
book, The Five Wounds Of The Church. One of the wounds was the distance bishops
put between themselves and their priests, and the priests put between themselves and
the people of God. Pray that your priests and bishops have the attitude of John the
Baptist. Speaking of Jesus, he said, “he must increase, I must decrease.”
Gospel Challenge:
How many problems in the world would be solved if people would not look down on
others but look up to them to see the face of Christ? Who needs you today to be
another Christ for them?
Finally, I ask your prayers for Fr. Bibin and me that we be worthy to serve you as you
need us.
Peace everyone.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
www.rosminians.com
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