Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Wednesday, 2nd Week in Lent,

March 4, 2026, Matthew 20:17-28
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030426.cfm

Distractions.

I can’t help but love Jesus. It’s the things he does, like what we heard in the gospel
today. He’s been with his friends, the disciples, for three years, and they know each
other well, spending every day together. He had something He wanted to tell His
disciples for a long time.
Have you ever felt a strong urge to share something exciting with someone? It was like
a fire burning inside you. That’s how Jesus felt. He was aware of the suffering He would
endure on the Cross and how painful it would be. Therefore, He sought reassurance
from His friends.
Did they listen? No, they didn’t. It seemed as if they didn’t even hear Jesus. They were
solely focused on themselves. Two of them aspired to be His generals, and they asked
their mom to request this for them, but she didn’t hear Jesus either.
People in our Lord’s era didn’t have cell phones, but I imagine they’d be similar to us if
they did. Have you ever attempted to converse with a friend who couldn’t look away
from their phone? How did that make you feel? 
Have you been so distracted that you forgot to pay attention to a friend? Or have you
gotten a text and had to see what it is while your friend is talking? The phone can be so
distracting.
Jesus spent time with his disciples to help them understand him and prepare to carry
His Cross, but they needed more time. Similarly, our family and friends require us to
listen and understand them. When we do so, our love for them deepens, and our
distractions seem like a waste of time.
It’s not what we do that matters. It’s who we are with..
 
Gospel Challenge:
 Let’s decide whether we will pay more attention to people than to our phones or other
distractions. Let’s ask Jesus for that grace. 
 
For your convenience, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available every evening
during Lent, starting on March 18 from 6-7 p.m., Monday through Friday, until Wed.,
March 26.
 
No confessions will be heard during Holy Week. Please take advantage of this
opportunity. We will continue to have confessions on Saturdays from 3-4 p.m.

Love Your Neighbor:
 Please join me in praying that all baptized Catholics be faithful to Jesus at 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