Fr. Rick’s Three-Minute Homily for The 2nd Sunday in Lent C  

March 16, 2025, Luke 9:28b-36   

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031625.cfm

Listen to Him! 

Who doesn’t daydream? Please, God, no one is daydreaming now. The homily has just started. I must confess that sometimes I only hear the words of Jesus in the Scriptures or praying the Divine Office. It goes in one ear and out the other without any comprehension. Writing a homily is a blessing because it makes me listen to what the Lord is saying in my heart.

Sharing with you now is more than communicating ideas. Ideas don’t change lives. So what does?

The line, “This is my Chosen Son. Listen to him,” is a powerful reminder. Our hearts have ears, and I’ve realized I must put my relationship with Jesus above everything else. This daily decision to give Him the utmost importance sets the tone for me to truly listen to what He says.

It’s not just the words I read or hear at Mass. The intimate conversations I have with Him in my heart change me. Something I find most helpful is called Lectio Divina, or Divine Reading. This aid, Lectio Divina, is not a complex practice. It can be easily found online, and the steps are straightforward, making it accessible to all.

•         Rest for a moment in God’s presence in your heart. Read over a Scripture passage slowly and carefully. Reread it and listen for a word or line that speaks to you.

•         Prayerfully have a conversation with God about the word you heard.

•         Rest for a few moments in God’s Presence, thanking Him for inviting you to listen to Him.

•         Ask God what He would have you do now that He has spoken to you.

Sometimes, I pray a mystery of the Rosary using these steps. Also, this Catholic prayer dates back to the 3rd century. I am happy to share these points with you. You can find them on our parish website, www.bscchurch.com, using the Daily Commentary Link. Click on 2^nd Sunday in Lent Homily.

Don’t we listen to people who matter to us? The Father didn’t say, “Follow him.” He didn’t say, “Love Him.” Why? Before we follow and love Jesus, we must “Listen to him.” We listen to people who matter to us. A doctor is someone we listen to very carefully. When we listen to our doctor, we follow what he tells us. Listening involves some degree of intimacy.

The more committed we are to a person, the more we listen. Along with giving up something for Lent, give Jesus some of your time and your heart to listen to Him. The Lenten season is a perfect time to deepen our relationship with Jesus through listening.

I invite you to Adoration on Tuesday and our parish mission to listen to Jesus with our brothers and sisters.

I will leave you with a thought from St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church. Jesus once said to her in a vision “I would create the universe again just to hear you say that you love me.” She called prayer an intimate “sharing between friends.”

Find some time every day to share your heart with your friend, Jesus.

Peace be with you, everyone.

Love Your Neighbor!

Father Rick Pilger, I.C. 
pastor@bscchurch.com