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

May 22, 2025, John 15:9-11

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052225.cfm

An Incredible Love

There is no moment in our lives when God isn’t with us. It doesn’t matter how tragic an experience may be; He is always there. The first thing that came to mind when I read, “As the father loves me, so I have loved you,” was the sorrow a parent feels when they lose a child in death.

Jesus knew the agony He would suffer and the painful death He would endure to love us past our sins. How much more God the Father grieved over His Beloved Son’s suffering and death than all human parents suffer when they lose a child?

Our Heavenly Father’s love for us is so incredible that He permitted Jesus to suffer and die a horrible death to save us from ourselves and our sins. He permitted Jesus’

Passion because He saw something greater to come from it: His resurrection and victory over our sins and death. We see how much the Father loves us when Jesus prayed from His Cross, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they are doing.” This forgiveness is a powerful reminder of the relief we feel when we are forgiven.

Our human love has limits. We can love so far until it costs us too much. We take people to court; we cut people out of our hearts when an offense or injustice is too much to bear. The divine love, however, keeps making excuses when someone steps on our toes too hard. It’s a warm, merciful love that Jesus invites us to “Remain in His love” by showing how merciful we are to all the members of His Body and all people.

Gospel Challenge:

This is a hard commandment: to love others past their sins against us. It’s a weighty challenge that Jesus invites and graces us to remain in His love, whatever happens. In the Presence of Jesus, let’s decide not to allow anything to separate us from Him or anyone He wants to love through us.

Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC  
www.bscchurch.com