Father Rick’s One Minute Homily for Wednesday, the 4th Week in Lent

March 18, 2026, John 5:17-30  

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031826.cfm

Do Nothing On Your Own.

Jesus explained that He only does what He sees the Father doing, showing us that
communion is at the heart of His relationship with the Father and with us. Whenever we
feel isolated from someone, Jesus experiences that same sense of separation from us,
reminding us of His close, loving presence.
 Here’s the key point: without Jesus, my heart lacks peace and tranquility. When tension
and stress take over, watch out. Something terrible is about to happen if we act on
compulsion. However, you may remember it, Will Smith most likely acted out of
compulsion when he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, likely coming from such
compulsive behavior. 
Let’s take guidance from Jesus. He does nothing independently, so He spoke and acted
with complete peace. Approaching His adversaries with a calm mind and a loving heart,
He extended an invitation for communion with Him and His Father.
Just as our body temperature rises during a fever, our emotional temperature also
climbs during moments of conflict. Our emotions are often used to persuade others to
do what we want. As a result, people feel attacked, which usually leads to negative
outcomes.
Let go of those worries and feelings. Spend some time in prayer, sharing your thoughts
with Jesus or a close friend. You’ll notice peace coming back when your concerns
become less about what’s bothering you and more about your relationship with them. 
Gospel Challenge: 
 Finally, keep in mind that Jesus always kept His heart open. Even the soldier who
crucified Him recognized this, proclaiming, “Truly, this is the Son of God.” This was what
the Pharisees accused Jesus of, leading to His crucifixion. Yet Jesus remained strong
and steadfast on the Cross. There’s no reason to fear standing with Him.
 Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC   
www.bscchurch.com