Recall the saying, “God helps those who help themselves,” which might imply that everything relies only on us. While God has endowed us with natural abilities and talents to survive and thrive, we are encouraged to use these gifts to serve others and further God’s kingdom.
For those baptized, God raises us to a higher level of dependence. His Divine Providence often places us in situations where we must rely entirely on Him. In the gospel, the disciples were unable to feed thousands of people with only a few fish and loaves of bread.
They gave Jesus what little they had in exchange for His abundant blessings. Naturally, God still desires us to give Him whatever we can, regardless of circumstances. His supreme authority can lead to miracles that surpass our requests and imaginings.
St. Paul writes in his second letter to the Corinthians, “And so I willingly boast of my weaknesses instead, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
God can only bless our poverty when we are genuinely in need. The first beatitude remains as relevant as ever: “Blessed are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of God.” I previously shared how God provided a bowl of soup for 50 people with a single ladle in the pan. It kept refilling until everyone was fed. This miracle happened twice to me while caring for hungry individuals in Bradenton, Florida. I never asked for it; it simply occurred.
Gospel Challenge: Picture yourself overwhelmed and powerless. Send that feeling of helplessness as a prayer to God, and let Jesus carry it for you. Trust Jesus to handle everything.
August 2, 2026Matthew 14:13-21https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080226.cfm When I Am Helpless We can certainly feel for Jesus, grieving after he heard about the beheading of hiscousin, John the
August 1, 2026 Matthew 14:1-12https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080126 Peer Pressure – Who Do You Want To Be Like? Throughout our lives, many people influence us. When I was
July 31, 2026Matthew 13:54-58https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/073126.cfm How do we know Jesus? When soldiers or sports stars return home to small-town America, it’s like a specialcelebration. The streets
July 30, 2026Matthew 13:47-53https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/073026.cfm The Negative Becomes a Positive I know someone who went to the doctor because of chest pains and feeling very tired.
Fr. Rick’s Homily: Monday, 18th Week in Ordinary Time
August 3, 2026
Matthew 14:13-21
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080326.cfm
Give Them Something Yourselves?
Recall the saying, “God helps those who help themselves,” which might imply that
everything relies only on us. While God has endowed us with natural abilities and
talents to survive and thrive, we are encouraged to use these gifts to serve others and
further God’s kingdom.
For those baptized, God raises us to a higher level of dependence. His Divine
Providence often places us in situations where we must rely entirely on Him. In the
gospel, the disciples were unable to feed thousands of people with only a few fish and
loaves of bread.
They gave Jesus what little they had in exchange for His abundant blessings. Naturally,
God still desires us to give Him whatever we can, regardless of circumstances. His
supreme authority can lead to miracles that surpass our requests and imaginings.
St. Paul writes in his second letter to the Corinthians, “And so I willingly boast of my
weaknesses instead, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
God can only bless our poverty when we are genuinely in need. The first beatitude
remains as relevant as ever: “Blessed are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of
God.” I previously shared how God provided a bowl of soup for 50 people with a single
ladle in the pan. It kept refilling until everyone was fed. This miracle happened twice to
me while caring for hungry individuals in Bradenton, Florida. I never asked for it; it
simply occurred.
Gospel Challenge:
Picture yourself overwhelmed and powerless. Send that feeling of helplessness as a
prayer to God, and let Jesus carry it for you. Trust Jesus to handle everything.
Peace everyone.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
www.rosminians.com
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Fr. Rick’s Homily: 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 2, 2026Matthew 14:13-21https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080226.cfm When I Am Helpless We can certainly feel for Jesus, grieving after he heard about the beheading of hiscousin, John the
Fr. Rick’s Homily: Saturday ~ 17th Week in Ordinary Time
August 1, 2026 Matthew 14:1-12https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080126 Peer Pressure – Who Do You Want To Be Like? Throughout our lives, many people influence us. When I was
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July 31, 2026Matthew 13:54-58https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/073126.cfm How do we know Jesus? When soldiers or sports stars return home to small-town America, it’s like a specialcelebration. The streets
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July 30, 2026Matthew 13:47-53https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/073026.cfm The Negative Becomes a Positive I know someone who went to the doctor because of chest pains and feeling very tired.
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