Tuesday, 6th Week in Easter May 7, 2024

Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Tuesday, 6th Week in Easter

May 7, 2024, John 16:5-11 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050724.cfm

“Grief Has Filled Your Hearts.”

It doesn’t take much for us to recall a memory when a family member or someone close to us died. The sorrow in our hearts is unbearable. Jesus told the disciples that He was leaving them. I would have recalled the three times he predicted His agonizing death if that was me. All my life would stop, and I would be overwhelmed with this news. It would be too much to bear.

A little later, I would recall that Jesus said He would come back to us and send His Holy Spirit, who would teach us everything we need to know each moment. One time, in adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, this happened to me concerning the death of my family members. In an instant, I felt them with me, in my heart. It was incredible.

Then I realized how this happened. It goes like this: In the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass, the priest, with his hands held over the bread and wine, says, “Send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts to make them holy, that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.” These elements become Jesus, His Body, and Blood at the consecration.

St. Paul teaches us that the Church is the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is in heaven, including my family and yours. In Holy Communion, the priest or minister holding up Jesus says, “The Body of Christ.” We say, “Amen.” And at that moment, we receive everyone in heaven, including our parents, relatives, and friends.

At that moment in the chapel, I realized that the Body of Christ, Jesus, the Head, and all the Church members are in my soul. How incredible is Jesus! He returns to us in Holy Communion and brings all our loved ones with Him. They stay with us, and I have found they intercede for us in all we do.  

When I receive Jesus in Holy Communion, I want to be free of sin, so I am worthy of Jesus, my Mom and Dad, and all my relatives and friends. It’s an act of love and thanksgiving for all they did and meant to me. So regular Confession is a real friend. 

Gospel Challenge:

When you receive Jesus and your family and friends in Holy Communion, thank Jesus. I promise they are closer to you and me in Holy Communion than all their moments on this earth.

Love One Another!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC 

www.bscchurch.com