Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Saturday, 5th Week in Easter

May 9, 2026, John 15:18-21 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050926

Opposition

I recall hearing a candidate in a local documentary state that the Catholic Church is very close-minded on abortion, which, of course, relates to women’s rights over their bodies. This is just one of many hot-button issues where the world opposes Jesus and the Catholic Church.

The documentary discussed various perspectives on abortion, and the candidate’s statement reflected the prevalent societal view that the Church’s stance on abortion is restrictive and outdated.

The world aims to diminish the Catholic Church and the divine truths revealed to her by the Father through Jesus, reducing them to personal opinions that change arbitrarily. This view, called moral relativism, denies the existence of universal moral principles for judging right or wrong. It fundamentally questions the Church’s moral and ethical teachings.

Although the world tries to keep our faith within church walls, we should not be discouraged. The challenges we encounter highlight the strength of our faith. The world opposes us for two main reasons, yet we remain steadfast in our beliefs.

First, experiencing mistreatment, misunderstanding, and rejection is a true sign that the life we live and proclaim in the world reflects the life of Jesus. “If you belong to the world, it would love its own. But I have chosen you out of the world; therefore, the world hates you.”

Secondly, Jesus assured us that they would persecute us as they did to Him because of His name. Why? Because they do not recognize the One who sent Him.

When we sincerely pray for our opponents and treat them with kindness, we are planting seeds of love and understanding. These seeds, sown by Jesus, can gradually change hearts and minds, offering us hope for what is ahead.

Remember Him telling the parable of the farmer who sowed seeds, how they sprouted and grew into plants, and no one understood how?

Gospel Challenge:

Our love for the Truth, Jesus, and for those who oppose us is the seed He plants in everyone. Praise God for moments of opposition that can lead to their conversion and bring Him glory. If we ever doubt the Lord’s mercy for someone, remember the soldier who, standing near Jesus on the cross, proclaimed, “Truly, this is the Son of God.”

Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC  www.bscchurch.com     www.rosminians.com