Fr. Rick’s 3 Minute Gospel Reflection – 3/7/2024

Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Thursday, 3rd Week in Lent

March 7, 2024, Luke 11:14-23

The Finger of God?

“If it’s by the finger of God that I cast out demons.….” How much can we do with our little finger? I have to say not very much. I tried to open a new jar of Metamucil, and I couldn’t get my little finger around the lid to get a grip.

And yet Jesus says that’s all He needs to cast out the power of Satan in our lives. He didn’t have to go through his Passion, and He didn’t have to die the way He did.

But he gave himself so completely so we wouldn’t have any reason to hold anything back from him. We can’t give Jesus just part of ourselves and keep something back for safekeeping. That’s not trust.

          A man named Ananias, however, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece     of property. He retained for himself, with his wife’s knowledge, some          of the purchase price, took the remainder, and put it at the feet of the          apostles. (Acts of Apostles 5:1-11). Read the story. It didn’t work out         for them.

“A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.” Let us not fear welcoming Jesus into the areas of our lives that belong solely to us and not to him. All he needs is his little finger to make us whole again.

But he gives us so much more in Holy Communion – his body, soul, mind, spirit – everything, absolutely everything of His is ours. We don’t even have to wait for it.

Gospel Challenge:

So, when He gives us Himself in a few moments, what will we give Him that He is hungry to carry to the cross for us?

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, and Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week.

Confessions will not be heard after Tuesday of Holy Week, including Holy Thursday – Holy Saturday. Please take advantage of this opportunity.

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