How big can Jesus make our hearts? We all probably know someone who has left the practice of their faith and perhaps joined another church that is not Catholic. Something monumental is missing in our hearts.
Our Catholic faith isn’t a contest but an openness and willingness to accept and embrace people where they are in life and their faith. This can be very difficult for us to accept. However, it’s what Jesus did in the Gospels and what the disciples did in the first generation of our faith.
The apostles encountered people who were not Jewish. A Jew could not even speak to a Gentile. The apostles remembered how Jesus cured the Roman centurion’s son and asked the Samaritan woman to drink water from her well.
Jesus is the Vine, but he is also the entire plant. At the first Council of Jerusalem, the apostles left judgment aside. They received a new commandment from Jesus: love as He loved them. Then, it became much easier to welcome Gentiles to the Lord’s Table after they put people before stuff (the century held hatred for Gentiles based on the Mosaic Law.)
We cannot keep our faith to ourselves. Each branch of the Vine penetrates every part of it. The time will come when all Christians can eat and drink from our table. The Lord alone knows that date.
Gospel Challenge:
Until then, our responsibility is to mature in our love for Christ Jesus as he reaches out through us and embraces the people we meet every day.
Do not be surprised when Jesus reaches out and touches someone you find different or difficult. Who might that person be? Someone who no longer eats and drinks with us? Pray for them and for yourself to be a loving presence of Christ to all.
January 8, 2026, Luke 4:14-22 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010826.cfm New Year’s Resolutions – One To Keep. Reflect on how your spiritual resolutions can become meaningful commitments that truly
January 11, 2026, Mark 6: 45-52 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010726.cfm We Are Never Alone Some people who have lived in their apartments for years find out one day
January 6, 2026, Mark 6: 34-44 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010626.cfm One And The Same Heart For People. When was the last time you were moved with pity for
January 5, 2026 Matthew 4:12-17; 23-25 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010625.cfm What Can I Proclaim? When we hear the words “Proclaim the Gospel,” many of us may feel incapable
Wednesday, 5th Week in Easter May 1, 2024
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Wednesday, 5th Week in Easter
May 1, 2024, Acts of the Apostles 15:1-6, John 15:1-8
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050124.cfm
Big Hearts
How big can Jesus make our hearts? We all probably know someone who has left the practice of their faith and perhaps joined another church that is not Catholic. Something monumental is missing in our hearts.
Our Catholic faith isn’t a contest but an openness and willingness to accept and embrace people where they are in life and their faith. This can be very difficult for us to accept. However, it’s what Jesus did in the Gospels and what the disciples did in the first generation of our faith.
The apostles encountered people who were not Jewish. A Jew could not even speak to a Gentile. The apostles remembered how Jesus cured the Roman centurion’s son and asked the Samaritan woman to drink water from her well.
Jesus is the Vine, but he is also the entire plant. At the first Council of Jerusalem, the apostles left judgment aside. They received a new commandment from Jesus: love as He loved them. Then, it became much easier to welcome Gentiles to the Lord’s Table after they put people before stuff (the century held hatred for Gentiles based on the Mosaic Law.)
We cannot keep our faith to ourselves. Each branch of the Vine penetrates every part of it. The time will come when all Christians can eat and drink from our table. The Lord alone knows that date.
Gospel Challenge:
Until then, our responsibility is to mature in our love for Christ Jesus as he reaches out through us and embraces the people we meet every day.
Do not be surprised when Jesus reaches out and touches someone you find different or difficult. Who might that person be? Someone who no longer eats and drinks with us? Pray for them and for yourself to be a loving presence of Christ to all.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
or .
Share:
More Posts
Fr. Rick’s One Minute Homily for Thursday after Epiphany
January 8, 2026, Luke 4:14-22 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010826.cfm New Year’s Resolutions – One To Keep. Reflect on how your spiritual resolutions can become meaningful commitments that truly
Fr. Rick’s One Minute Homily for Wednesday after Epiphany
January 11, 2026, Mark 6: 45-52 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010726.cfm We Are Never Alone Some people who have lived in their apartments for years find out one day
Fr. Rick’s One Minute Homily for Tuesday after Epiphany
January 6, 2026, Mark 6: 34-44 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010626.cfm One And The Same Heart For People. When was the last time you were moved with pity for
Fr. Rick’s One Minute Homily for Monday After Epiphany
January 5, 2026 Matthew 4:12-17; 23-25 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010625.cfm What Can I Proclaim? When we hear the words “Proclaim the Gospel,” many of us may feel incapable
Categories
Send Us A Message