Fr. Rick’s Homily: for 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 

August 30, 2026
Matthew 16: 21-27
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/083026.cfm

The Cross is Freedom

The Sacrament of the Sick is a powerful encounter with Jesus in the places where we
suffer most. Surgery carries its complications and difficulties. It can disrupt our lives,
including losing work and the ability to do even the simplest things for ourselves.  

Over time, it can cause a lot of frustration, anger, and even a bout of depression. One of
the worst pains is the loneliness that sometimes no one close can relate to.  

Jesus teaches us to deny ourselves and pick up our cross, which frees us by shifting
our focus from ourselves to Him, our true center. 

He knows it is the only weapon that gives us back our innermost self – our best self here
(point to your heart), where He is always present to us. Let me share a personal
experience I had after a lung operation. I was laid up in a chair for 6 months, with three
holes draining dead blood and tissue from my back. For three of those months, I
couldn’t speak or take a deep breath. 

I was so depressed and angry. I threw a pity party: “Why me, Lord?” 

I remember a good friend, a Catholic psychiatrist, telling me after that surgery, “Embrace
the pain, don’t fight it, embrace it.” At first, it sounded ridiculous—“Embrace it?” I
thought. “Are you kidding?” 

But when I put my arms around myself, I felt so helpless that I cried out to Jesus from a
depth I didn’t know was there, “Help me, Lord Jesus. I can’t bear this suffering
anymore.” I felt Jesus yoke himself to me and noticed something inside me change. 
 
The pain from the surgery was still there. I was still laid up and couldn’t talk, but the
worry, anxiety, and the way I was beating myself up with angry thoughts were long
gone. I realized later, through the grace of God, that I was embracing and loving myself
through the pain.  

I have learned that picking up my cross is the kindest thing I can do for myself, keeping
me humble and real. Jesus cried from His Cross, “Father, into your hands I commend
my spirit.” In my heart I hear Him saying, “I have surrendered everything I am to you,
Father. My spirit is all I have left.” Resurrection can come only through the cross for
Jesus and for us.

Gospel Challenge:
Letting go of ourselves can be the most freeing experience of our lives.
Embrace yourpain and suffering with all your might, trusting that the Lord hears the cry of the poor
(Psalm 34) and uses it for your growth. 
 
Lose this human life, my friends, because the life within with the Lord is worth more than
anything we could lose. 

Peace everyone. 

Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC 

www.bscchurch.com
www.rosminians.com