Struggles are a part of everyday life. There are challenges everywhere we turn. But did you ever have a day when everything was perfect? (OK. Vocations don’t count. Even then, it can rain on the beach.) When faced with a challenge, we often struggle through something or put it off if we can, waiting for a better day.
What about those more significant struggles, like a long-term illness or mourning the death of a family member? Or where am I getting funds to pay my rent or even get some gas for the car? How do we overcome a pattern of sin or weakness of character that has plagued our life for years? Again, Jesus bids us go to Him. He can’t carry our sufferings on His Calvary if we don’t place our crosses on His shoulders.
He told St. Faustina how it grieves Him when we don’t go to Him. We know how we feel when someone will not accept our offer to help them in a struggle. Like a friend helping us, Jesus doesn’t remove our burdens but helps us carry them.
Gospel Challenge:
After my surgeries, I learned to surrender the pain for the intentions people asked me to pray. The pain didn’t subside, but the thoughts of worry and anxiety left me. I knew the pain would be gone in a matter of days. Rest in the Lord, and let Him carry your burden. He will renew your spirit, especially when it rains on the beach.
Mark 6:1-6 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020426.cfm Faith’s Struggles. It’s important to remember that we’re not alone in our struggles. Many who are serious about their relationship with God
Mark 5:21-43 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020326.cfm Never Give UP. The more challenging life gets, the better we get, or do we? I had two operations in my second
February 2, 2026, Luke 2:22-32 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020226.cfm Faith’s Struggles. Tom Brady, an NFL quarterback and now analyst, took his time to make an important decision. The
February 1, 2026, Matthew 5:1-12a https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020126.cfm The Strength of Meekness. Years ago, I rode a horse at a hacienda in Venezuela. I will never forget
Thursday, 15th Week in Ordinary Time July 20, 2023
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Thursday, 15th Week in Ordinary Time
July 20, 2023, Matthew 11:28-30
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072023.cfm
Following the Lord Through Difficult Times.
Struggles are a part of everyday life. There are challenges everywhere we turn. But did you ever have a day when everything was perfect? (OK. Vocations don’t count. Even then, it can rain on the beach.) When faced with a challenge, we often struggle through something or put it off if we can, waiting for a better day.
What about those more significant struggles, like a long-term illness or mourning the death of a family member? Or where am I getting funds to pay my rent or even get some gas for the car? How do we overcome a pattern of sin or weakness of character that has plagued our life for years? Again, Jesus bids us go to Him. He can’t carry our sufferings on His Calvary if we don’t place our crosses on His shoulders.
He told St. Faustina how it grieves Him when we don’t go to Him. We know how we feel when someone will not accept our offer to help them in a struggle. Like a friend helping us, Jesus doesn’t remove our burdens but helps us carry them.
Gospel Challenge:
After my surgeries, I learned to surrender the pain for the intentions people asked me to pray. The pain didn’t subside, but the thoughts of worry and anxiety left me. I knew the pain would be gone in a matter of days. Rest in the Lord, and let Him carry your burden. He will renew your spirit, especially when it rains on the beach.
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
pastor
or .
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