Fr. Rick’s Homily: Wednesday, 19th Week in Ordinary Time

August 12, 2025
Matthew 18:15-20
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/wednesday-nineteenth-week-ordinary-time

We Offend People But Also God

Perhaps you’ve asked God for forgiveness for your sins, especially against someone,
but still lack peace with God or the person. It’s good to admit our sins, but a quiet prayer
isn’t enough.

After a while, we realize that we need the words of absolution from Jesus and the priest.
How wonderful it is and how blessed we are to know that when we tell the priest in the
Sacrament, we are telling Jesus.

In today’s gospel, he told his disciples, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” He said this to his
disciples, not to everyone. St. John confirmed in his gospel that it was only his disciples,
so we would not doubt that Jesus himself absolved sins through his ordained priests.

Some people think they can manage without Jesus absolving sin in the Sacrament. But
they must realize that we not only offend other people but also offend our Lord God,
Jesus Christ. “What you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me”
(Matthew 25:40). He needs to hear our sorrow as well as other people do.

Only Jesus can absolve sin that offends him. No human being can absolve sin. It’s all in
the words of Consecration at Mass: “This is the cup of My Blood, the Blood of the new
and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and many, FOR THE FORGIVENESS
OF SINS. Do this in memory of Me.”

From my experience, I know that confession to a priest in the Sacrament gives me the
courage to approach a brother or sister and tell them I’m sorry. Until then, it’s easy to
continue harboring resentment and the pain sin causes us. James L. Menapace states
this: 

To harbor resentments is like closing a wound with all the infection still inside. No
healing can ever take place. The wound has to be lanced, opened, and cleansed
before it can heal. Someone has said resentment is like drinking poison, hoping
the other person dies. (https://www.livingwithoutlust.com/our-unbearable-sins/)

Gospel Challenge: 
Think of someone you know who hasn’t been to confession in a long time. It may be
challenging to share how the Sacrament of Confession has cleansed your mind, heart,
and soul. It does because our heart becomes the merciful heart of Jesus. Pray about it;
the Sacrament will give you courage.

Peace everyone.

Love Your Neighbor!   
  
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC

www.bscchurch.com
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