Wow! What a Huge Step for Us, But a Small Step for Jesus.
Anything can lose its meaning when we hear it so often. “Love your neighbor” is one such saying. It can quickly lose its impact.
We can’t help but notice how our late Pope Francis repeatedly reminded us to love, especially our neighbors who go unnoticed. Let us be the ones who notice. God, in His wonderful providence, places such people—without names or faces—in our path every day, just as He placed Lazarus in the path of the rich man, Dives.
So, we must first notice the person. It is one thing to notice others and perform acts of charity, like feeding or clothing them, but are these people truly our neighbors? Do I love them as I love myself?
No, this kind of love takes time and requires dedicated effort to listen to that person until they are no longer “no-name.” Something in us changes when we know their name, recognize their face, and hear their voice, which strikes a beat in our hearts.
Do you see what Jesus means when he says to hate our family? It is not hate-filled with anger. He is telling us that our work is far from done once we meet our family’s responsibilities.
We need to get out onto the highways and byways and befriend those strangers we didn’t recognize because we weren’t paying attention. Walking with them through their struggles transforms them from strangers into neighbors.
Then I start to love my neighbor as myself, even a little. It is incredible that once we befriend a stranger, it becomes much easier to love them. Loving them becomes exciting. The hardest part is taking the first step out of myself and into their world.
Gospel Challenge: As Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel, this requires thoughtful planning. We must consider our responsibilities to our family, personal needs, and the stranger whose face we do not recognize.
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November 1st, 2026Matthew 5:1-12ahttps://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110126.cfm Being with God in Ordinary Events Sometimes I read or hear about a saint in heaven and think, “I wish I
October 28, 2026Luke 6 12-16https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102826.cfm Pray well that you may listen well. There is more to Jesus’ call than simply following a career. Jesus invites
October 27, 2026 Luke 13:18-21https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102726.cfm Something small but beautiful for God. Jesus always starts in small ways so as not to overwhelm us. Many have
Father Rick’s Homily: Wednesday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time
November 4, 2026
Luke 14: 25-33
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110426.cfm
Wow! What a Huge Step for Us, But a Small Step for Jesus.
Anything can lose its meaning when we hear it so often. “Love your neighbor” is one such saying. It can quickly lose its impact.
We can’t help but notice how our late Pope Francis repeatedly reminded us to love, especially our neighbors who go unnoticed. Let us be the ones who notice. God, in His wonderful providence, places such people—without names or faces—in our path every day, just as He placed Lazarus in the path of the rich man, Dives.
So, we must first notice the person. It is one thing to notice others and perform acts of charity, like feeding or clothing them, but are these people truly our neighbors? Do I love them as I love myself?
No, this kind of love takes time and requires dedicated effort to listen to that person until they are no longer “no-name.” Something in us changes when we know their name, recognize their face, and hear their voice, which strikes a beat in our hearts.
Do you see what Jesus means when he says to hate our family? It is not hate-filled with anger. He is telling us that our work is far from done once we meet our family’s responsibilities.
We need to get out onto the highways and byways and befriend those strangers we didn’t recognize because we weren’t paying attention. Walking with them through their struggles transforms them from strangers into neighbors.
Then I start to love my neighbor as myself, even a little. It is incredible that once we befriend a stranger, it becomes much easier to love them. Loving them becomes exciting. The hardest part is taking the first step out of myself and into their world.
Gospel Challenge:
As Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel, this requires thoughtful planning. We must consider our responsibilities to our family, personal needs, and the stranger whose face we do not recognize.
Love Your Neighbor!
Father Rick Pilger, I C.
www.bscchurch.com
www.rosminians.com
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