Fr. Rick’s Gospel Reflection Monday, 30th Week Ordinary Time

October 26, 2026,
Luke 13:10-17
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102626.cfm

The Law is not an end but a beginning.

How often do drivers roll through stop signs without thinking? After eight years riding
with Galesburg, IL, police, I learned officers watch for cars to brake, knowing they do
when a car pulls back momentarily. Try it. A police officer looks for that full stop. A long
time ago, I didn’t come to a complete stop and got cited. Now my car rocks back at
every red light and stop sign.  

The people in today’s Gospel saw Jesus cure a woman who had been bent over for 18
years. (Try walking like that for five minutes.) The Law was explicit: no work on the
Sabbath. But Jesus was motivated by something more significant than the Law:
compassion. He suffered with this woman. Jesus felt her pain in his back. He
experienced the humiliation she endured for 18 years. He could not bear to see her
suffer any longer. 

The beginning of knowing right from wrong in God’s eyes is the Law God gave Moses,
the Commandments. Fulfilling that Law is not merely about doing the right thing to
please God, but about embodying His love and compassion in our actions. I want Him
to be happy with me because I love Him so much.

No greater joy is there than serving out of love. We find true happiness when we do
something for someone because we care about them, not because we feel obligated.
That’s the heart of Christian service, and it brings joy to both the giver and the receiver.

The Gospel Challenge:   

Think of something you do regularly, perhaps even every day. Then do it not out of
obligation, but because you love doing it for Jesus. Let that love shape your actions and
bring a little more joy to each day.  

 Love Your Neighbor!  
  
Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C. 
 
www.bscchurch.com
www.rosminians.com