Any career calls for great passion and sacrifice. For some, that can mean years of college to get a degree. Think of the expense and hours spent studying into the early hours of the morning. But we do it, and in doing so, we find joy in the sacrifice, knowing that it leads to a greater purpose.
Consider parents who decide to stay home to care for their children. They sacrifice a career and a bigger paycheck. Other parents sacrifice a significant portion of their salaries to afford an excellent daycare where their children are safe and secure.
I didn’t consider it a sacrifice when I moved to England to complete my religious and priestly formation. For anything we are passionate about, we are willing to pay the price, whatever it may cost us.
Today, we celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a symbol of His divine love and compassion. We don’t see a heart as we do on Valentine’s Day cards or media outlets. Instead, we see a crown of thorns reminding us of His suffering before He died on the Cross.
We also see a flame above His heart, reminding us of His passionate love for us, a love that is unconditional and unwavering, even when we are still sinners. We don’t have to change for Jesus to love us. We want to change from our sinful ways because He loves us so much, and this love is a source of comfort and reassurance in our lives.
Gospel Challenge:
Have we lost something of our passion for Jesus and His Body, the Church? Or we may need to reignite the flame of love for a family member, a coworker, or a long-lost friend. Let us not be discouraged by the loss of passion, but instead, let it motivate us to reignite the flame of love. Before seeking out what we lost in a relationship, allow Jesus to seek out what we lost in Him. When we find it, He will restore it all, giving us hope and a renewed sense of purpose.
October 9, 2026 Luke 11:15-26https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100926.cfm A Vacant Soul – Sound the Alarm In today’s Gospel, Jesus drove a demon out of a man. He said
October 8, 2026Luke 11:5-13https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100826.cfm WHAT’S UNDERNEATH YOUR CHECKLIST “And I tell you: ask, and you will receive. How often do we pray for things rather
October 7, 2026Luke 1:26-38https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/1007-memorial-our-lady-rosary.cfm She Bears Our Joys and Sorrows How blessed we are to receive the gift of the Holy Rosary. Each prayer is
October 6, 2026Mark 10:38-42https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100626.cfm So Many Things. It’s easy to picture Martha reviewing her grocery list the night before Jesus came to herand her sister
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily ~ Friday, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
June 12, 2026, Matthew 11:25-30
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061226.cfm
Passionate Suffering Equals a Love like No Other
Any career calls for great passion and sacrifice. For some, that can mean years of
college to get a degree. Think of the expense and hours spent studying into the early
hours of the morning. But we do it, and in doing so, we find joy in the sacrifice, knowing
that it leads to a greater purpose.
Consider parents who decide to stay home to care for their children. They sacrifice a
career and a bigger paycheck. Other parents sacrifice a significant portion of their
salaries to afford an excellent daycare where their children are safe and secure.
I didn’t consider it a sacrifice when I moved to England to complete my religious and
priestly formation. For anything we are passionate about, we are willing to pay the price,
whatever it may cost us.
Today, we celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a symbol of His divine love and
compassion. We don’t see a heart as we do on Valentine’s Day cards or media outlets.
Instead, we see a crown of thorns reminding us of His suffering before He died on the
Cross.
We also see a flame above His heart, reminding us of His passionate love for us, a love
that is unconditional and unwavering, even when we are still sinners. We don’t have to
change for Jesus to love us. We want to change from our sinful ways because He loves
us so much, and this love is a source of comfort and reassurance in our lives.
Gospel Challenge:
Have we lost something of our passion for Jesus and His Body, the Church? Or we may
need to reignite the flame of love for a family member, a coworker, or a long-lost friend.
Let us not be discouraged by the loss of passion, but instead, let it motivate us to
reignite the flame of love. Before seeking out what we lost in a relationship, allow Jesus
to seek out what we lost in Him. When we find it, He will restore it all, giving us hope
and a renewed sense of purpose.
Peace everyone.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
www.rosminians.com
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