Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Friday, 3rd Week in Easter

May 9, 2025, Acts of the Apostles 9:1-1-20; John 6:52-59

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050925.cfm

The Father’s Draw

Jesus is not just a comforting presence we call upon in times of trouble. He is the transformative Savior of the World, a beacon of hope and inspiration.  

“Go.” We hear that word of Jesus twice in today’s First Reading. First, “Go,” Jesus tells Saul, “Go into the city, and you will be told what to do.” Second, “Go,” Jesus tells Ananias, “Go to Straight Street and ask for a man named Saul.”   

As Jesus reminds us at the conclusion of every Eucharist, “Go, the Mass is ended.” This is a call to action, a reminder that we are entrusted with the responsibility of sharing Jesus’s message with the world.  

And think of Judas, who lived on Straight Street, to take Saul into his home. Isn’t it amazing that Judas lived on Straight Street? We have to go straight to the place and people Jesus tells us to go. You can see his longing and desire to bring into communion at his table the most notorious and unlikely people we can find.  

If he longs for them to eat his Body, drink his Blood, and share his life, any excuse or reason we can come up with not to invite everyone we meet can’t hold water. And please remember, we invite them through our kindness and love so they will know we have their best interest at heart whatever we say and do.  

In the parable of the King having a banquet, the most likely people he visited refused. But that didn’t stop him. Instead, he told the servants to “go” into the streets and invite everyone they met: the poor, the blind, the lame. “I want my banquet room full.”   

Gospel Challenge:   

None of us has the right to keep Jesus to ourselves. He is not some little Jesus who makes us feel better. He is the Savior of the World. For him to save the world, we must go! Invite everyone. 

Who will you invite this week to meet Jesus? Start with your interest in them and your kindness to them, and let them know they are your whole world when you are with them. Jesus will come into their heart through you.

 Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC   

www.bscchurch.com