Some things you experience stay with you all your life. I had one of those experiences in the seminary with a professor, Fr. Eric Doyle. He called me into his office for a final oral exam on the doctrine of grace. I sat down across from him in a chair. He held my hands and looked into my eyes. He said, “Rick, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is of supereminent importance.” Then he said, “Rick, everything is grace.” That was our final exam.
I recalled this experience when I prayed over today’s gospel, the Parable of the Sower. We are the ground where our Father plants His seed, the Word, who is Jesus. This unmerited relationship we have with the Lord is His initiative. The ground, even if fertile, can do nothing on its own. It is just there.
But watch what happens when the Father places His Son in a relationship with us. The fruits it bears are remarkable after the growth period of weeding, watering, and fertilizing. How blessed we are to be His fertile ground.
If we fear we are not, but perhaps rocky or thorny or a path, please know that underneath all that mess is fertile ground. The discipline of the Lord is the saving Passion of Jesus. He comes with the plow of His Cross and digs up all that is choking His love for us. Should we experience that cross, don’t resist it.
Gospel Challenge:
Take courage. Embrace it lovingly. The Sower will let His Son suffer for us and with us until He hits the fertile ground. Then, we will intuitively know He is with us in everything, and everything is indeed a grace, even down to the breath we take.
March 27, 2026, John 5:1-16 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031726.cfm From Addiction to Walking. More than 20 years ago, I underwent a shoulder replacement. Initially, the first day
March 16, 2026, John 4:43-54 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031626.cfm No More Dog Days with Jesus Growing up, I loved to fish with my Dad. What mattered most to
March 8, 2026, John 4:5-42 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030826.cfm Jesus, talk to Me. Don’t Make Me Laugh. Imagine this woman approaching Jacob’s well. She has heard of Jesus
March 14, 2026, Luke 18 9-14 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031426.cfm Seal the Deal? In 1981, I visited Father Gordon at Blessed Sacrament Church in Seminole during my first
24th Week in Ordinary Time September 23, 2023
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Saturday, 24th Week in Ordinary Time
September 23, 2023, Luke 8:4-15
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092323.cfm
Everything is Grace
Some things you experience stay with you all your life. I had one of those experiences in the seminary with a professor, Fr. Eric Doyle. He called me into his office for a final oral exam on the doctrine of grace. I sat down across from him in a chair. He held my hands and looked into my eyes. He said, “Rick, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is of supereminent importance.” Then he said, “Rick, everything is grace.” That was our final exam.
I recalled this experience when I prayed over today’s gospel, the Parable of the Sower. We are the ground where our Father plants His seed, the Word, who is Jesus. This unmerited relationship we have with the Lord is His initiative. The ground, even if fertile, can do nothing on its own. It is just there.
But watch what happens when the Father places His Son in a relationship with us. The fruits it bears are remarkable after the growth period of weeding, watering, and fertilizing. How blessed we are to be His fertile ground.
If we fear we are not, but perhaps rocky or thorny or a path, please know that underneath all that mess is fertile ground. The discipline of the Lord is the saving Passion of Jesus. He comes with the plow of His Cross and digs up all that is choking His love for us. Should we experience that cross, don’t resist it.
Gospel Challenge:
Take courage. Embrace it lovingly. The Sower will let His Son suffer for us and with us until He hits the fertile ground. Then, we will intuitively know He is with us in everything, and everything is indeed a grace, even down to the breath we take.
Ignite the Fire
Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.
Pastor
or .
Share:
More Posts
Father Rick’s One Minute Homily for Tuesday, the 4th Week in Lent
March 27, 2026, John 5:1-16 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031726.cfm From Addiction to Walking. More than 20 years ago, I underwent a shoulder replacement. Initially, the first day
Father Rick’s One Minute Homily for Monday, 4th Week in Lent
March 16, 2026, John 4:43-54 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031626.cfm No More Dog Days with Jesus Growing up, I loved to fish with my Dad. What mattered most to
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for 3rd Sunday in Lent, A,
March 8, 2026, John 4:5-42 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030826.cfm Jesus, talk to Me. Don’t Make Me Laugh. Imagine this woman approaching Jacob’s well. She has heard of Jesus
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Saturday, 3rd Week in Lent
March 14, 2026, Luke 18 9-14 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031426.cfm Seal the Deal? In 1981, I visited Father Gordon at Blessed Sacrament Church in Seminole during my first
Categories
Send Us A Message