When our hearts change after an encounter with Jesus, We will never forget Him.
The term “woe” that Jesus uses in today’s Gospel is more of a heartfelt cry than a warning. I wonder how many times St. Francis of Assisi cried from deep within his heart with people, with us. The Lord pleads with the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida, as well as with us, to listen to Him and move beyond the miracles He performs over nature and broken bodies.
His plea is for us to turn to Him wholeheartedly and reveal everything to Him. No secrets, no darkness in our hearts will prevent Him from loving us and sacrificing His life for us on the cross.
The people of Chorazin and Bethsaida saw His mighty works, yet they did not turn to Him for the greatest gift: forgiveness. The most heartbreaking fact is that after Jesus left their towns, no one continued to spread His Gospel.
The miracles would be forgotten because no one’s life changed. When Jesus left, they reverted to the same worries, quarrels, and nitpicking as before He arrived in town. It makes me want to seriously examine what I do after leaving Holy Mass.
They missed the surprise of the Gospel, which Pope Benedict XVI described as: “Nothing is more beautiful than to know Christ and speak to others about our friendship with Him.” The power of God’s Word truly comes alive when we invite Jesus to love us even at our worst. This makes our witness to Jesus more effective, and people are more likely to listen to it.
They listen because they know we connect with them and their life experiences. The words we speak about Jesus come from the deepest and richest encounter a human being can have with the Lord—His mercy.
Gospel Reflection: All of us need His mercy. After visiting our town, will the sadness of Jesus persist, or will the angels in heaven rejoice over one repentant sinner? You and I can be their reason for rejoicing.
April 12, 2026, John 20:19-31 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041226.cfm Jesus’ Mercy is the Best Love You Will Ever Know Peace to all of you, and Happy Easter. Being
April 11, 2026, Mark 16:9-15 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041126.cfm Stuck. I Can’t Move. Grab a Hand. I moved from Illinois to Florida in 1989. I have only been
April 10, 2026, John 21:1-14 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041026.cfm Knucklehead. Growing up, I watched a slapstick comedy called The Three Stooges. A typical phrase Moe used was ‘knucklehead’
April 9, 2026, Luke 24:35-48 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040926.cfm Why Are You Troubled? May I Have A Piece of Fish? For years, I haven’t given up anything for
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily Friday, 26th Week in Ordinary Time
October 3, 2025, Luke 10:13-16
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100325.cfm
When our hearts change after an encounter with Jesus,
We will never forget Him.
The term “woe” that Jesus uses in today’s Gospel is more of a heartfelt cry than a warning. I wonder how many times St. Francis of Assisi cried from deep within his heart with people, with us. The Lord pleads with the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida, as well as with us, to listen to Him and move beyond the miracles He performs over nature and broken bodies.
His plea is for us to turn to Him wholeheartedly and reveal everything to Him. No secrets, no darkness in our hearts will prevent Him from loving us and sacrificing His life for us on the cross.
The people of Chorazin and Bethsaida saw His mighty works, yet they did not turn to Him for the greatest gift: forgiveness. The most heartbreaking fact is that after Jesus left their towns, no one continued to spread His Gospel.
The miracles would be forgotten because no one’s life changed. When Jesus left, they reverted to the same worries, quarrels, and nitpicking as before He arrived in town. It makes me want to seriously examine what I do after leaving Holy Mass.
They missed the surprise of the Gospel, which Pope Benedict XVI described as: “Nothing is more beautiful than to know Christ and speak to others about our friendship with Him.” The power of God’s Word truly comes alive when we invite Jesus to love us even at our worst. This makes our witness to Jesus more effective, and people are more likely to listen to it.
They listen because they know we connect with them and their life experiences. The words we speak about Jesus come from the deepest and richest encounter a human being can have with the Lord—His mercy.
Gospel Reflection:
All of us need His mercy. After visiting our town, will the sadness of Jesus persist, or will the angels in heaven rejoice over one repentant sinner? You and I can be their reason for rejoicing.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
Share:
More Posts
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for 2nd Sunday in Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday
April 12, 2026, John 20:19-31 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041226.cfm Jesus’ Mercy is the Best Love You Will Ever Know Peace to all of you, and Happy Easter. Being
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Saturday in the Octave of Easter
April 11, 2026, Mark 16:9-15 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041126.cfm Stuck. I Can’t Move. Grab a Hand. I moved from Illinois to Florida in 1989. I have only been
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Friday in the Octave of Easter
April 10, 2026, John 21:1-14 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041026.cfm Knucklehead. Growing up, I watched a slapstick comedy called The Three Stooges. A typical phrase Moe used was ‘knucklehead’
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Thursday in the Octave of Easter
April 9, 2026, Luke 24:35-48 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040926.cfm Why Are You Troubled? May I Have A Piece of Fish? For years, I haven’t given up anything for
Categories
Send Us A Message