Tuesday, 2nd Week in Lent, March 7, 2023

Father Rick’s Three Minute Homily for Tuesday, 2nd Week in Lent, March 7, 2023

Matthew 23:1-12 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030723.cfm

Too Big for Your Britches?

Popularity has a short lifespan. One day it is a sports celebrity, and another day it can be someone in the news of Hollywood. We get clips of these people, and sometimes we watch tv shows going into greater detail about their life stories. It is easy to get caught up in their hype.

Think of the hype back in Jesus’ time. What was the scuttlebutt? Who were people talking about around the dinner table? I imagine sometimes it was the scribes and Pharisees. They made sure they were seen and heard. Today they would be running tv commercials, and we would see them on billboards.

Jesus told the crowds and the disciples to do everything the Scribes and Pharisees told them to do (follow the Law) but not follow their example. Everything they did was for show. As my Mom and Dad would say, they had big heads and were too big for their britches, meaning they were not who they thought they were.

The scribes and Pharisees did everything they could to make themselves appear important to others. They wore a little box tied around their forehead, indicating they followed the Law to the Letter.

When you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, you don’t need to show your importance. Nor do you want to be better than anyone else. All you want is to please Jesus with every fiber of your being. You want to follow Him, not a rock star or a sports figure.

Gospel Challenge:

Who do you follow? Do you exult yourself in the eyes of other people? Try an act of humility and do something menial for someone because you love them or, even better, want to see Jesus in them. Welcome the Lord’s mercy if there are times you are too big for your britches.

For your convenience, The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available every evening during Lent, starting on March 22 from 6-7 p.m., Monday through Friday, until Wed., April 5.

Please join us for a Penance Service on Tuesday, March 21, when several priests will hear Confessions.

No confessions will be heard during Holy Week. Please take advantage of this

opportunity. We will continue to have confessions on Saturdays from 3-4 p.m.

IGNITE THE FIRE

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC

www.bscchurch.com

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