Fr. Rick’s One Minute Homily – 12-07-2021

Wednesday, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Luke 18:12-14

“I AM the handmaid of the Lord.”

Sports have always been a part of my life. I remember going to St. Mary’s School diamond every night growing up. The neighborhood kids, 15 or so, would pick teams and start our game. I loved the competition. In my older days, I took up golf when my knees and ankles couldn’t take the pounding. The competition was a thrill and a drive to excel. Now I always want to beat my last score in golf.

The words, “I am,” in today’s gospel caught my attention when I prayed over the words of St. Luke. Once Mother Mary said, “YES,” to the angel Gabriel, there was no looking back. She found her new identity, God’s Mother. She was in God’s zone.

Yes, she was conceived without sin, but God still respected her freedom, her “YES.” It was her surrender to please God in all things. She knew, from that moment God would take care of everything. She never looked back to live life on her own without God. “I AM” His mother. She lived in His fullness, His zone, every day.

When have you made that personal commitment and freely said, “YES” to God? I find when I don’t say “YES” to Him throughout the day, life becomes a competition. Sure, I want to be better, not for me, for God. Mother Mary had the strength to do all things and bear all things. She lived in His zone. There was no competition for her. She followed Him faithfully with her “YES.” Do you want to live in God’s zone? Say “YES” and mean it.

Ignite the Fire 

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC  

 www.bscchurch.com