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

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