Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Friday after Ash Wednesday – 03-04-2022

 Friday after Ash Wednesday 2022
Luke 9:14-15  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030422.cfm 

AWAY FROM THE LORD? NOT REALLY.

After my adoration every morning, I end with the benediction and the blessing. One of the people I bless with Jesus are people who no longer practice their Catholic Faith and are not personally handing the Faith on to their children. There is no judgment here, only mercy. I pray the Lord to touch them and let them know how near He is to them. 

They came to mind when I prayed over the gospel today. Jesus tells the Pharisees that his disciples do not fast while He is with them. But they will fast when He is taken away. So it came to me that He is never taken away from them or anyone. They no longer perceive His Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament and other Sacraments. 

Indeed they still believe. Their prayers and works of mercy and other Catholic practices are in their life. But they don’t see Jesus in His Body and Blood on the altar at Mass. Of course, these are only assumptions on my part. I am so happy when I have the opportunity to listen to their story. It is good to understand their relationship with the Lord and the Church and love them there.

So I fast for them and invite you to fast for someone who chose not to receive Jesus in Word and Sacrament on the Lord’s Day. When we fast, we give something of ourselves to the Lord to benefit the person for whom we fast. Jesus knows the day and hour when He will reveal Himself to them and let them know He never left them. 

IGNITE THE FIRE 

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC 

 www.bscchurch.com