Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for January 4, 2023,

Elizabeth Ann Seton, John 1:35-42
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010425.cfm

“Come and See.”

Can you picture yourself approaching a stranger and saying, “Here’s my address. Feel free to drop by. I’m usually home.” It’s not a common practice. But Jesus, in His warmth and openness, didn’t hesitate to invite them to “Come and see” where He lives.

We often speak about how our hearts need to be pure, open, and receptive to the Lord, clear of all the clutter of life. But today’s Gospel invites us to know that the Lord Jesus welcomes us into His heart. It’s where we can be at home with Him, where He is at his best in us.

Jesus never had an address after He began his public ministry. “He had nowhere to lay His head,” the Gospel tells us. He spent three years with the disciples on the move, welcoming more and more people to “Come and see.”

He wants us to “Come and see” a little more every day. And every day we do, we discover that our hearts begin to change and become like His heart: we’re not as fearful, worried, or anxious about things; we are kinder to people and more forgiving; our moodiness leaves us; we are less critical; our pain and sufferings are a lot more tolerable.

In a word, we are at peace to be ourselves in any situation with any person. And why? Because Jesus now has somewhere to lay His head, and that is where He wants to stay and make His home in our hearts.

Gospel Challenge:
The Church has a name for this intimacy with the Lord. It is called “contemplative prayer.” Go to your heart and rest with the Lord.

Love Your Neighbor:

Please join me in praying for all baptized Catholics to be faithful to Jesus in the Holy Mass every weekend. Let us pray the ‘Hail Mary, full of grace,’ which honors the Blessed Virgin Mary and asks for her intercession in our lives.

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.