Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Monday, 7th Week in Easter  

June 2, 2025, John 16:29-33 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060225.cfm

Friendships That Endure

Friends are the best; some last a while, and others a lifetime. These enduring friendships, like a sturdy ship in a storm, weather the business of life. The ones that last are friends who share the Lord and their life, and they have an enduring quality that sees them through any difficulty.

Friendships in Christ share more than the stuff of life. They are bound by the power of prayer, which connects them to each other and the Lord. They pray together and experience what their friend is going through, and they know what the other needs before they ask.

Jesus and the disciples had this kind of friendship. Jesus knew His Passion was going to challenge His disciples and their fidelity. Fear is a horrible emotion. And the disciples at the Last Supper moved from confusion to panic – ‘Jesus is serious. He is going to suffer and die.’ Sometimes, friends go through this passage of suffering.

The LORD knew their thinking and fear, so he told them that His relationship with the Father would be enough to see Him through His sufferings. And He offered them the same strength. “In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage. I have overcome the world.” 

Gospel Challenge: 

Has the world gotten in the way of any of your friendships? Remember, even in loss, there is hope. Stay confident when losing a friend. Go to prayer, especially before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  

Then, sit around the table with the disciples at the Last Supper. Pray over the words of today’s Gospel a few times, and listen to your heart. Our Lord will give you the courage to be a good friend, even when someone else isn’t, for whatever reason. Only Jesus can change a person’s heart. 

Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC   
www.bscchurch.com