Often someone asks me to pray for healing or some favor. I have in my mind that Jesus is all-powerful and can do all things. But I have learned that appealing to his power and authority has nothing to do with faith.
Faith and friendship are synonymous when relating to Jesus. Listen to how the man in the gospel asked Jesus to heal his son. “Lord, have pity on my son.” First, he does acknowledge Jesus is Lord, meaning he can do everything. But a prayer follows, appealing to our Lord’s compassion, “Have pity on my son.”
The mercy of Jesus is at the heart of our Lord’s power, authority, and compassion. Imagine a parent seeing their child struggle with something they cannot do. Of course, the parent has the authority and power to help the child accomplish their task. It’s not power but compassion that moves the parent to help the child.
Of course, compassion stems from two Latin words, “com,” meaning “with,” and “passio,” meaning to suffer. Jesus bears all our pains and sufferings more than we do. When we appeal to our Lord’s compassion for us, any obstacle, any mountain, can be moved. He can’t wait to help us.
Gospel Challenge:
If there is a mountain in your life or the life of someone you know, pray with the father in the gospel, “Lord, have pity on my son.” Be a friend of Jesus.
November 13, 2025, Luke 17:20-25 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111325.cfm No Greater Love. I remember a movie about Mother Teresa of Calcutta, *No Greater Love*. Many times, she brought
November 12, 2025, Luke 17:11-19 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111225.cfm Jesus heals us on our way. Once again, Jesus surprises us. Usually, he heals someone on the spot. But in
November 11, 2025, Luke 17:7-10 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111125.cfm Serving when we don’t plan it. I can see the servant in the gospel wiping his brow, walking up
November 10, 2025, Luke 17:1-6 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111025.cfm If you have a mulberry tree in your soul, ask Jesus to cast it into the sea. There is
Saturday, 18th Week in Ordinary Time August 12, 2023
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Saturday, 18th Week in Ordinary Time
August 12, 2023, Matthew 17:14-20
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081223.cfm
Lord, Have Pity on My Son.
Often someone asks me to pray for healing or some favor. I have in my mind that Jesus is all-powerful and can do all things. But I have learned that appealing to his power and authority has nothing to do with faith.
Faith and friendship are synonymous when relating to Jesus. Listen to how the man in the gospel asked Jesus to heal his son. “Lord, have pity on my son.” First, he does acknowledge Jesus is Lord, meaning he can do everything. But a prayer follows, appealing to our Lord’s compassion, “Have pity on my son.”
The mercy of Jesus is at the heart of our Lord’s power, authority, and compassion. Imagine a parent seeing their child struggle with something they cannot do. Of course, the parent has the authority and power to help the child accomplish their task. It’s not power but compassion that moves the parent to help the child.
Of course, compassion stems from two Latin words, “com,” meaning “with,” and “passio,” meaning to suffer. Jesus bears all our pains and sufferings more than we do. When we appeal to our Lord’s compassion for us, any obstacle, any mountain, can be moved. He can’t wait to help us.
Gospel Challenge:
If there is a mountain in your life or the life of someone you know, pray with the father in the gospel, “Lord, have pity on my son.” Be a friend of Jesus.
Peace everyone.
IGNITE THE FIRE!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
pastor
or .
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