Every day I pray before the Blessed Sacrament for family members and friends who have left the Church’s sacramental life. I think of Jesus on the cross, praying, “Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing.” Think if someone didn’t know the value of gold, it would only be a rock to them.
But if they knew the value of gold in today’s market, they would sacrifice today for a better tomorrow. Jesus told his disciples not to go into the pagan territory but only to the lost sheep of Israel. The Lord wants us to evangelize family and friends before people we don’t know.
We are all rookies and need the experience of sharing how our relationship with the Lord impacts our life experiences. If they are to hear us, our words and actions, especially our attitudes, must be filled with the kindness and the welcome of the Lord Jesus.
I have found that when I pray for family and friends who no longer have a sacramental life in the Church, the Lord has some work to do in me. One of the hardest things to overcome with relatives and friends is judgment. The thought that I am right and they are wrong is a barrier to the Lord working in their hearts through me.
Gospel Challenge:
You and I can’t convince anyone of anything without loving and embracing them just as we find them. So, let’s start with the goodness in people’s hearts. Let us compliment them on all their achievements and feel their sorrow in disappointments.
When they know we have a genuine interest in them and their lives, Jesus can break through in the most natural but remarkable ways. Give trust a chance to grow, and they will welcome the words we share. Always respond to their needs and never force the gospel on anyone. Jesus works best through our kindness.
Matthew 10:37-42 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062826.cfm I imagine we can all think of someone who made an extraordinary sacrifice for Jesus.I’m not thinking of giving up something for
June 28, 2025, Matthew 8:5-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062726.cfm Loving the Least with the Most. We all have an alarm that goes off when someone is in crisis.
June 26, 2026, Matthew 8: 1-4.https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062626.cfm Quarantine Is No Fun When COVID-19 hit, we did everything we could to avoid catching the virus. We woremasks,
June 24, 2026, Matthew 7:15-20 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062525.cfm False Prophets – Scammers I remember hardly locking our doors during the day when I was a child. Unfortunately,the
Wednesday 14th Week in Ordinary Time July 12, 2023
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Wednesday 14th Week in Ordinary Time
July 12, 2023, Matthew 10:1-7
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071223.cfm
Faith Is All About Relationships.
Every day I pray before the Blessed Sacrament for family members and friends who have left the Church’s sacramental life. I think of Jesus on the cross, praying, “Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing.” Think if someone didn’t know the value of gold, it would only be a rock to them.
But if they knew the value of gold in today’s market, they would sacrifice today for a better tomorrow. Jesus told his disciples not to go into the pagan territory but only to the lost sheep of Israel. The Lord wants us to evangelize family and friends before people we don’t know.
We are all rookies and need the experience of sharing how our relationship with the Lord impacts our life experiences. If they are to hear us, our words and actions, especially our attitudes, must be filled with the kindness and the welcome of the Lord Jesus.
I have found that when I pray for family and friends who no longer have a sacramental life in the Church, the Lord has some work to do in me. One of the hardest things to overcome with relatives and friends is judgment. The thought that I am right and they are wrong is a barrier to the Lord working in their hearts through me.
Gospel Challenge:
You and I can’t convince anyone of anything without loving and embracing them just as we find them. So, let’s start with the goodness in people’s hearts. Let us compliment them on all their achievements and feel their sorrow in disappointments.
When they know we have a genuine interest in them and their lives, Jesus can break through in the most natural but remarkable ways. Give trust a chance to grow, and they will welcome the words we share. Always respond to their needs and never force the gospel on anyone. Jesus works best through our kindness.
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
pastor
or .
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