Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Saturday, 3rd Week in Lent, 3/9/2024

Saturday of the Third Week of Lent | USCCB

Seal the Deal?

Back in 1981 I visited Father Gordon in Blessed Sacrament Church in Seminole. It was my first visit to Florida. I vividly remember walking into the church and standing in awe for five or 10 minutes. It was like I couldn’t move.

I was overwhelmed by the Presence of the Lord coming from the tabernacle. I pause every time I walk into our church, overcome by our Lord’s Presence. It is warm and welcoming. I pray my heart is the same for Jesus.

The tax collector in today’s gospel was overcome with the presence of the Lord when he prayed in the temple. Jesus said he could not “even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ “

We don’t have to be perfect to be with Jesus. It’s so free to be who we are with Him in the moment.

Challenge:

If we are overwhelmed by your sinfulness, rejoice! He’s embracing you in His merciful love for you. No one deserves His love, but you get it anyway. Go to Jesus in confession and let Him seal the deal, so to speak, as He gives you absolution. Like the tax collector, you will walk away justified, that is, your heart will be at peace.

For your convenience, The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available every evening, starting on March 18 from 6-7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week.

Confessions will not be heard after Tuesday of Holy Week, including Holy Thursday – Holy Saturday. Please take advantage of this opportunity.

Love Your Neighbor:
Please join me in praying for all baptized Catholics to be faithful to Jesus in the Holy Mass every weekend. Hail Mary, full of grace…

Mother Mary, “I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you, I always want to belong completely to Jesus.” The Surrender Novena – InHeartland. https://inheartland.com/pages/the-surrender-novena

Peace be with you.

Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.
pastor@bscchurch.com