Tuesday 2nd Week in Advent 12-06-2023

Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Tuesday 2nd Week in Advent 12-06-2023
Matthew 18:12-14 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120622.cfm

It is God’s mercy that moves a person to acts of compassion.

Wouldn’t it be fantastic to search for someone who has lost the way of Jesus, pick them up on our shoulders, and carry them back to the Altar of Sacrifice? It isn’t so simple. They have free will. But alone, they don’t know how to cry, Lord, have mercy.

However, they lost practicing their faith through their own bad choices or a deep hurt; they have a story to tell. Listening to their story is key to finding their way back to Christ’s table. Pray for the courage to listen and, in hearing, suffer with them. Their sharing is their cry for mercy. Seeking what is lost only begins in us when we love them more than we want to fix them.

We continue to seek what is lost when we walk with them through their darkness. Searching for someone who no longer worships with us is not a time for judging, fixing, or putting anything right. We don’t have that ability or power. But we do have the heart to suffer with them.

When they experience that compassion in us, they will know they are in the presence of THE SHEPHERD. Then they will be ready for Him to put them on hIS shoulders and carry them home.

Gospel Challenge:
Our listening heart is the healing presence of Jesus in depths only Jesus can go. Listen well, my friends. Listen well.

Ignite the Fire

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com

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