Father Rick’s Three-Minute Homily for Ash Wednesday
February 14, 2024, Mark 6:1-6,16-18
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021424.cfm
THIS LENT, SET YOUR STANDARD HIGH – 40 DAYS TO GREATNESS!
Competition is a part of life. We play games around the kitchen table, and we watch our children compete in sports growing up. We try our best to climb the ladder at work for better pay with more responsibility. So it’s no wonder the scribes and Pharisees did their darndest to be better than the common folk.
In the gospel for Ash Wednesday, Jesus tells us not to compare ourselves to others. That standard needs to be higher. Our potential for greatness (holiness) is much greater; Jesus is our standard, and He welcomes us to be like Him. He helps us so we will never fail.
He mentions three things that help you to be like Him: Almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. If we think of doing this with the attitude, “Oh, I have to do this, but I don’t want to,” you got it. Our standard is too low, and we will give up in no time. Has that ever happened? Remember those New Year’s resolutions.
See what happens when we pray, help people, and fast with this motivation: “Lord, I know there is a spark of greatness to be like You in me. Unfortunately, I can’t muster enough effort to get over the hump. I want to in my heart, but it is so easy to give up. I need a push, like trying to get up a hill. Get behind me, Lord, and inspire me, motivate me.
Nothing can stop us with the help of these three aids:
· Giving alms to people experiencing poverty more than I usually give.
· Giving you more attention in my day.
· Giving up that snack or favorite food or activity.
It doesn’t seem like much when I do it with you. Ah, that’s when I reach my potential to be the best friend I can be to you—forty days to be my best, not a bad deal.
Gospel Challenge:
So, Lord Jesus, what am I going to do this Lent? _____________________________. Sit with the Lord briefly, then fill in the blank. You can do it. Jesus set that standard just for you, and He never fails.
Love Your Neighbor:
Please join me in praying for all baptized Catholics to be faithful to Jesus in the Holy Mass every weekend. Hail Mary, full of grace…
Mother Mary, “I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you, I always want to belong completely to Jesus.” The Surrender Novena – InHeartland. https://inheartland.com/pages/the-surrender-novena
Peace be with you.
Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.
pastor