Something I always do when I am home on vacation is spend a few moments with my loved ones who have died. I notice a sense of reverence overcomes me when driving to the cemetery. It is a solemn moment standing over the grave of Mom and Dad, my brother-in-law, Tom, and my nephew, Craig, my cousin Fr. Dick, and relatives. All time stops. Loving memories of each of them flood my mind and heart.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene. Facing her fears of life without Jesus, she went to His tomb, much as we would after someone we loved died. We all have graves inside of us that we need to visit. Those tombs are filled with the death of our relationships with family or friends that were never reconciled. The tomb may be filled with fears of facing the truth about us. It was easier at the moment to bury them than face them.
Do not be afraid, my friends, whatever we buried in the past. When we peer into those tombs with Mary Magdalene, Jesus will be with us. She didn’t know it was Jesus at first but finally recognized Him when He called out her name, “Mary.”
We don’t have to analyze what happened or what we or someone did or didn’t do. Judging and blaming will get us deeper into the grave. However, something freeing happens when we witness the event with Jesus at our side.
Our Lord asks us, “Why are you weeping?” We see ourselves and others objectively as He sees us by observing, watching a past event without thinking or emotion. We soon recognize the face of Jesus in the one who grieved us. As a result, something extraordinary happens to us. Healing replaces pain and sadness without effort. Try it. The Lord is with you.
Gospel Challenge:
Hear Jesus call out your name and leave that grave forever.
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Friday, 16th Week in Ordinary Time July 26, 2024, Matthew 13: 18-23 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072624.cfm Listen and Understand. How much the
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Feast of St. James, Apostle July 25, 2024, Matthew 20:20-28 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072524.cfm The Scallop. The beach is a great attraction for
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Wednesday 16th Week in Ordinary Time July 24, 2024, Matthew 13:1-9 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072424.cfm Jesus and the Draft. Drafts play a
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Feast of St. Mary Magdalene July 22, 2023
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
July 22, 2023, John 20:1-2, 11-18
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072223.cfm
Go to the Tomb.
Something I always do when I am home on vacation is spend a few moments with my loved ones who have died. I notice a sense of reverence overcomes me when driving to the cemetery. It is a solemn moment standing over the grave of Mom and Dad, my brother-in-law, Tom, and my nephew, Craig, my cousin Fr. Dick, and relatives. All time stops. Loving memories of each of them flood my mind and heart.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene. Facing her fears of life without Jesus, she went to His tomb, much as we would after someone we loved died. We all have graves inside of us that we need to visit. Those tombs are filled with the death of our relationships with family or friends that were never reconciled. The tomb may be filled with fears of facing the truth about us. It was easier at the moment to bury them than face them.
Do not be afraid, my friends, whatever we buried in the past. When we peer into those tombs with Mary Magdalene, Jesus will be with us. She didn’t know it was Jesus at first but finally recognized Him when He called out her name, “Mary.”
We don’t have to analyze what happened or what we or someone did or didn’t do. Judging and blaming will get us deeper into the grave. However, something freeing happens when we witness the event with Jesus at our side.
Our Lord asks us, “Why are you weeping?” We see ourselves and others objectively as He sees us by observing, watching a past event without thinking or emotion. We soon recognize the face of Jesus in the one who grieved us. As a result, something extraordinary happens to us. Healing replaces pain and sadness without effort. Try it. The Lord is with you.
Gospel Challenge:
Hear Jesus call out your name and leave that grave forever.
Ignite the Fire
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
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