Fr. Rick’s Homily: Saturday, 26th Week of the Year

October 3, 2026,
Luke 10:17-24
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100326.cfm

Cries from Deep Within.

You can see Jesus taking it all in, listening to story after story. The disciples can’t get
their reports out quickly enough, / recounting what happened on their missionary
journey: The healings in Jesus’ Name, driving Satan out of people’s lives. The joy
swelling in Jesus’ heart was growing so rapidly and intensely that His heart burst into
prayer.

“Thank you, Father, that these little ones, these children, know you as I know you. You
are becoming their Father, too.” The word Jesus used was not children, but “napios.”

It’s a term that describes a ‘babe in its mother’s arms.’ Sure, they are grown men in the
world, but they are babes in the Kingdom of Heaven, which has nothing to do with
maturity or immaturity. It is a heart attitude that allows our thoughts and desires to
surrender to Jesus.

Think of a baby crying out when it’s hungry. It can’t understand the pain in its stomach. It
can only cry out from deep within, “Take away the pain.” St. Paul uses that image when
he says the Holy Spirit groans in us in ways we cannot express in words. It’s a powerful
sound deep in our hearts that reaches our Father’s ears in heaven.

Instinctively, it knows it will receive a response. It’s the moment Jesus reveals His
Father to us through the love of the Holy Spirit.

We can know the Father of Jesus in our hearts. Just as an infant instinctively knows
food is coming, even when the event is beyond its comprehension, we can hear the
word of Jesus so clearly.

Gospel Challenge!
And it doesn’t happen just once. It’s this “cry” of the Holy Spirit deep within us whenever
we are so helpless, so poor in spirit, that the Father can’t help pouring out the treasures
of heaven in abundance into our laps. Do you need to cry from the depths of your soul,
beyond words or even your comprehension?

Love Your Neighbor!

Father Rick Pilger, IC

www.bscchurch.com
www.rosminians.com