Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, January 1, 2024,
Luke 2:16-21
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010124.cfm
The Shepherd Went in Haste.
Watching the Tampa Bay Lightning or the Bucs is a great pastime, and I record the games when I know I can’t watch them. When I catch a live game and our team scores or makes a great play, I can’t call a friend fast enough to talk about the play. That sense of urgency is like an alarm inside of me.
Think about the times you experienced that alarm. You can’t wait to tell someone and do it in haste. The shepherds were going about their business watching their sheep, and they went in haste after the angel told them to go to Bethlehem to see the newborn King. Afterward, they also rushed to tell everyone what they heard and saw.
I need help to get excited about what God does in my life. Like many, I am too busy to notice Him working with me. To get to the haste with the shepherds, I need to reflect on the ordinary life events with Mother Mary in my heart. Then, I share with her what I feel about those events. I feel the prayer more than saying it with words.
Mother Mary always brings me into the Presence of her Son, and I surrender myself to Him to take care of everything. And He does. The haste isn’t going to someone like the shepherds went to the Holy Family. The urgency is going to someone or doing something with Jesus in my heart. He is the cause of the excitement.
Going about my business daily, tending the sheep, is much easier and more exciting than trying to sort things out myself.
Gospel Challenge: Think of what you are going to do today. Who will you be with today? Join the shepherds in haste to see the newborn King in all you do.
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
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