Any career calls for great passion and sacrifice. For some, that can mean years of college to get a degree. Think of the expense and hours spent studying into the early hours of the morning. But we do it, and in doing so, we find joy in the sacrifice, knowing that it leads to a greater purpose.
Consider parents who decide to stay home to care for their children. They sacrifice a career and a bigger paycheck. Other parents sacrifice a significant portion of their salaries to afford an excellent daycare where their children are safe and secure.
I didn’t consider it a sacrifice when I moved to England to complete my religious and priestly formation. For anything we are passionate about, we are willing to pay the price, whatever it may cost us.
Today, we celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a symbol of His divine love and compassion. We don’t see a heart as we do on Valentine’s Day cards or media outlets. Instead, we see a crown of thorns reminding us of His suffering before He died on the Cross.
We also see a flame above His heart, reminding us of His passionate love for us, a love that is unconditional and unwavering, even when we are still sinners. We don’t have to change for Jesus to love us. We want to change from our sinful ways because He loves us so much, and this love is a source of comfort and reassurance in our lives.
Gospel Challenge:
Have we lost something of our passion for Jesus and His Body, the Church? Or we may need to reignite the flame of love for a family member, a coworker, or a long-lost friend. Let us not be discouraged by the loss of passion, but instead, let it motivate us to reignite the flame of love. Before seeking out what we lost in a relationship, allow Jesus to seek out what we lost in Him. When we find it, He will restore it all, giving us hope and a renewed sense of purpose.
March 9, 2026, Luke 4:24-30 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030926.cfm Homecoming. When I returned home from my studies in England, my family warmly greeted me at the airport terminal.
March 7, 2026, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030726.cfm Home at Last. How heart-wrenching it is to stray from our Father’s loving embrace. Like the younger son
March 6, 2026, Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030626.cfm Someone is Missing. Mother Teresa recounts a story about a young drug addict she and her sisters met
March 20, 2025, Luke 16:19-31 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030526.cfm One Small Step. One Giant Leap. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Friday, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
June 27, 2025, Matthew 11:25-30
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062725.cfm
Passionate Suffering Equals a Love like No Other
Any career calls for great passion and sacrifice. For some, that can mean years of college to get a degree. Think of the expense and hours spent studying into the early hours of the morning. But we do it, and in doing so, we find joy in the sacrifice, knowing that it leads to a greater purpose.
Consider parents who decide to stay home to care for their children. They sacrifice a career and a bigger paycheck. Other parents sacrifice a significant portion of their salaries to afford an excellent daycare where their children are safe and secure.
I didn’t consider it a sacrifice when I moved to England to complete my religious and priestly formation. For anything we are passionate about, we are willing to pay the price, whatever it may cost us.
Today, we celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a symbol of His divine love and compassion. We don’t see a heart as we do on Valentine’s Day cards or media outlets. Instead, we see a crown of thorns reminding us of His suffering before He died on the Cross.
We also see a flame above His heart, reminding us of His passionate love for us, a love that is unconditional and unwavering, even when we are still sinners. We don’t have to change for Jesus to love us. We want to change from our sinful ways because He loves us so much, and this love is a source of comfort and reassurance in our lives.
Gospel Challenge:
Have we lost something of our passion for Jesus and His Body, the Church? Or we may need to reignite the flame of love for a family member, a coworker, or a long-lost friend. Let us not be discouraged by the loss of passion, but instead, let it motivate us to reignite the flame of love. Before seeking out what we lost in a relationship, allow Jesus to seek out what we lost in Him. When we find it, He will restore it all, giving us hope and a renewed sense of purpose.
Peace everyone.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
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