Many times in my years of riding with the police, we had the difficult task of informing a family that someone in their family had lost their life. It was more trying to tell the parents when it was their child. I would sit with them as long as needed. Words only got in the way and didn’t help much at all. I learned over time the value of presence, just being with someone seemed to soften the blow a little.
Our American culture is stuck on fixing everything right away when it breaks. “I can’t manage without my phone.” “That repair is three hours late.” We are all victims of instant gratification. However, some things in life take their time, and healing is one we can not rush.
Welcome to the belly of the whale Jonah was in for three days. He didn’t want to go to Nineveh. They were so evil he thought, what is the use? Like Jonah, Jesus didn’t want to go to the Cross. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemene, “Let this cup pass me by, but let not my will, but Your will be done.” Unlike Jonah, Jesus went to His belly of the earth after His death willingly for us. Transformation takes place in that belly with Jesus.
It is hard to learn to go through your cross/difficulty into that belly willingly. Submission is the key to helping us get through it. “Let not my will but Yours be done.” Go to Jesus, Who is PRESENT with you in the bitterest part of your pain. Your submission and willingness embrace His strength to get where God needs you to go. Why fight it on your own?
He is waiting for you now. The resurrection is so much easier.
March 22, 2025, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032225.cfm Home at Last. How heart-wrenching it is to stray from our Father’s loving embrace. Like the younger son
December 13, 2025, Matthew 11: 16- 19 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121324.cfm “We played the flute for you. We sang a dirge for you.” Who is playing and singing
DECEMBER 11, 2023, Matthew 11:11-15 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121125.cfm VIOLENCE – IS THERE ANOTHER WAY? Isn’t it true that many people in America wonder when the violence will
December 13, 2027, 2023 Matthew 11:28-30 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121025.cfm It is God’s mercy that moves a person to acts of compassion. People with the world in their
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Wednesday 1st Week in Lent – 03-09-2022
Wednesday 1st Week in Lent 2022
Luke 11:29-32… Wednesday of the First Week in Lent | USCCB
THE BELLY OF THE WHALE
Many times in my years of riding with the police, we had the difficult task of informing a family that someone in their family had lost their life. It was more trying to tell the parents when it was their child. I would sit with them as long as needed. Words only got in the way and didn’t help much at all. I learned over time the value of presence, just being with someone seemed to soften the blow a little.
Our American culture is stuck on fixing everything right away when it breaks. “I can’t manage without my phone.” “That repair is three hours late.” We are all victims of instant gratification. However, some things in life take their time, and healing is one we can not rush.
Welcome to the belly of the whale Jonah was in for three days. He didn’t want to go to Nineveh. They were so evil he thought, what is the use? Like Jonah, Jesus didn’t want to go to the Cross. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemene, “Let this cup pass me by, but let not my will, but Your will be done.” Unlike Jonah, Jesus went to His belly of the earth after His death willingly for us. Transformation takes place in that belly with Jesus.
It is hard to learn to go through your cross/difficulty into that belly willingly. Submission is the key to helping us get through it. “Let not my will but Yours be done.” Go to Jesus, Who is PRESENT with you in the bitterest part of your pain. Your submission and willingness embrace His strength to get where God needs you to go. Why fight it on your own?
He is waiting for you now. The resurrection is so much easier.
IGNITE THE FIRE
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
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