Thursday, 16th Week in Ordinary Time July 27, 2023

Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Thursday, 16th Week in Ordinary Time
July 27, 2023, Matthew 13: 10-17
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072723.cfm

If I Can Only See.

I considered trying to read this morning’s Gospel without using my glasses. But I thought how much more important it is to proclaim God’s Word worthily than to make a point. “Blessed are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear.”

If someone painted a beautiful picture, they would want us to see it in detail. But some pictures, especially religious pictures, can tell stories about a familiar scene, perhaps in the Gospels or one of the saints. If we didn’t know the saint or the gospel scene, the painter would be very disappointed that we missed the whole point of his picture.

As there is a story behind the picture, there is a story behind each parable that Jesus tells. And that story is our story, and Jesus writes a new page of our story daily. The question is, who is holding the brush?

If we are holding the brush and painting what we like, all that anyone can see is paint smeared on a canvas. It needs more meaning and purpose. We will constantly be changing it to suit our immediate pleasures. We would be like those Jesus spoke about who “look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand (his parables).”

Gospel Challenge:
What happens if we hand Jesus the brush? What story does he want to tell others through our picture? Ask Jesus to give you glasses, so you may see what he sees and proclaim what he proclaims through you to others.

IGNITE THE FIRE!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
pastor

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