Father Rick’s Homily: Friday ~ 25th Week in Ordinary Time

September 25, 2026
Luke 9:18-22
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092526.cfm

How Much Do I Love Jesus?

There are many ways to see a person, from social to profoundly intimate relationships.
We can also know a lot about a person, but that doesn’t mean we know them
personally.  
  
We know the difference between reading a biography, meeting someone socially, and
sharing deeply over the years. The latter reflects the profound, personal relationship
Jesus seeks with each of us. How well did Peter know Jesus when he called Him the
Christ, God’s Anointed One?  
  
Would we not react like Peter did when witnessing Jesus’ miracles? When Jesus spoke
about God, his words touched Peter’s heart. Peter experienced this daily for three
years.  
  
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, Peter frequently witnessed Jesus’ works of mercy toward
others. Jesus recognized that Peter and the disciples hadn’t fully grasped His true
identity because they hadn’t yet experienced His mercy firsthand in their own sins. For
Peter, this realization came during a pivotal moment between his denial and Easter
morning, when Jesus lovingly forgave him.  
  
Do you remember that tender question after Jesus rose from the dead—“Peter, do you
love me?” The kindness we feel from someone’s good heart creates a unique,
unbreakable bond between us, a connection only love can truly understand.  
  
It’s in those moments when we can stand before the Lord and genuinely say, “I’m sorry,”
that we truly discover who He is. In those intimate moments, we see Him come back to
us, just as He did for Peter, gently saying, “I love you. I will always love you.”  
   
Much of our culture tends to medicate, pretend, or flee from the mercy that can truly
heal us. We often turn to distractions, substances, or denial to avoid confronting our
sins and the need for God’s mercy. Yet there’s a deeply freeing feeling that comes when
we stand before Jesus and, with heartfelt tears, honestly say, “I never meant to hurt you
so much.”
 
Gospel Challenge: 
After forgiving Mary Magdalene, when He told Simon the Pharisee, ‘It is the one who is
forgiven much that loves much,” this Gospel Challenge urges us to consider our love for
Jesus. It makes me ask—how much do I love Jesus? Do I dare walk with Him down that
path of mercy? Feel free to ask St. Peter to intercede—he truly understands. 

Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.  
 
www.bscchurch.com
www.rosminians.com