Saturday, the 5th Week in Lent April 1, 2023

Father Rick’s One Minute Homily for Saturday, the 5th Week in Lent

April 1, 2023 – John 11:45-56

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040123.cfm

The Darkness Grows Over Time.

Driver’s Ed was an experience. First, I had to consciously put my foot on the brake early when approaching a Stop Sign. Then, after a time, I just did it. You know how it takes practice before something we do becomes automatic.

The Scribes and Pharisees didn’t wake up one day and say, “It’s time we get rid of Jesus." Instead, there were many encounters where they questioned Jesus and even tried to trick him with absurd situations. When Jesus would not conform to their way of thinking, it was time for Him to go.

Sin anesthetizes us a little at a time. It starts in small doses. First, we think, "It’s just a little sin, angrily answer someone to get them off our backs. Then, verbal abuse becomes physical over time, until it no longer bothers the person. Gun violence follows the same pattern as all violence. The benchmark is "I have to do it to survive." "Better for one man to die,” as Caiaphas said.

No matter how small, we lose peace of mind when we sin. So, before we commit the act, we keep thinking about it, convincing ourselves it is the right thing to do. It’s like a hunger in our stomachs that won’t disappear until we satisfy it. So, the act keeps repeatedly playing in our minds for days or weeks.

Gospel Challenge:

The goodness of God in us dies a little bit more each day we live with these sins on our souls. Its fruit is frustration, impatience, and anger. So let Jesus deal with it in Confession. "Better for one man to die than the whole nation."

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC

www.bscchurch.com

Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.

Pastor

Blessed Sacrament Church

11565 66th Ave. N.

Seminole, FL 33772

727-391-4661

pastor

www.bscchurch.com

or .