Wednesday 2nd Week in Advent 12-07-2023

Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Wednesday 2nd Week in Advent 12-07-2023

Matthew 18:12-14 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120722.cfm

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

People with the world in their hearts use power to control others and events. God’s power is a loving mercy that cannot help but suffer with another person. This is the source of the healing power of Jesus. He takes our sufferings and sins into his own wounds, and by them, we are healed.

Well, today, we get another glance into the heart of Jesus. He says he is meek and humble of heart. The world thinks of meekness as someone timid, shy, introverted, and even bashful.

But in Galatians 5, where St. Paul lists the fruits of the Holy Spirit, meekness is one of those fruits of the heart of Jesus. Greek scholar, Rick Renner, says the Greek word for meekness “depicts an attitude or demeanor of a person who is forbearing, patient, and slow to respond in anger or who remains in control of himself in the face of insults or injuries.” (Sparkling Gems: from the Greek).

A meek person is humble and willing to submit his will to a higher authority. For the disciple, Jesus is that authority who controls even difficult circumstances. A meek person is far from being weak.

Instead of flying into a rage, they know when to keep quiet and their temper under control. Do we remember when Jesus was on the cross, and people were jeering at him, spitting upon him, and calling upon him to save himself? Our Lord’s meekness and gentleness were a soothing medicine for the good thief who prayed that Jesus would remember him when he came into his kingdom.

Gospel Challenge:

Let us pray for a moment now that we may be slow to anger and a soothing medicine for anyone who might lose it so quickly. Remember the adage, there but for the grace of God go I.

Ignite the Fire

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC

www.bscchurch.com

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