https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060224.cfm
It blows my mind to think that God the Father loves us so much and asked His Son to suffer, die, and rise from the dead to free us from our sins. And Jesus at the Last Supper gave His apostles the power to change bread into His Body and wine into His Blood so we could be present at His Crucifixion and Resurrection every time we celebrate the Holy Mass. We are beyond time and space in this mystery.
Think how much God loves us to be our Food for our journey to heaven. Every time I offer Mass and say those words of Consecration, all time stops, and my heart bursts with so much affection for God and you that I can’t put it into words.
Celebrating today, my 45th anniversary of ordination, made me think back to when I was just a kid. Can I share how I remember God planting His seed of unconditional love in my heart? Believe me, it’s all Him. All I did was say yes.
I was eight or nine years old. I got home from school and heard my Mom saying, “Ricky, will you please clean up that mess in the kitchen for me.” “But Mom, I didn’t make it.” She replied, “I know, but do it because you love me.” I was happy to clean it up. It took less time than our conversation.
Wow! My Mom was wise. Whenever my initial response to do something is “No, I don’t want to,” I recall her words, “Do it because you love me.”
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed a “No” to His Father, “Let this cup pass me by.” Then he added, “But let not my will but Yours be done.” I believe Jesus was praying these words in me when my Mom asked me to clean up the kitchen. It is incredible how everything changes when you do things out of love for God or someone else.
Can I share one more time when I experienced the unconditional love of my parents, who, with God’s grace, instilled in me the passion to be a priest and religious? It was the day of my ordination. I got out of the car and opened the trunk to get my vestments.
Dad put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Son, look at me.” I looked at him, and he said, “Son, if this is not what you want, please know we will always love you.” I couldn’t speak but hugged him and Mom like I never wanted to let go. Finally, I said, “Dad, Mom, I love you so much and know I haven’t wanted anything more in this life.”
How many times have I gone back to them in prayer, thanking them for allowing God to instill in me his call to be His priest in the Institute of Charity?
Finally, I am not the only one Jesus loves this much.
I can’t thank you enough for being here so faithfully every weekend. And because you and I eat and drink the Body and Blood of Jesus, He works in you so beautifully. You continue sacrificing yourselves in our parish ministries with your time and talents. You sacrifice by responding financially to many projects to keep our property and buildings running. Like any household, it seems there is always something else. Dear people of God, believe me, in every sacrifice you make, you do it because you love the Lord and us with such a big heart.
You are all becoming what you eat and drink every time you celebrate the Holy Mass. It is evident in the ways you put God and others before yourself. I am so happy to have been His priest for forty-five years and to be your priest in this family for 29 years. May it continue many more. Nothing would make me happier.
Thank you for loving God and all our priests over the years. You remind me of my Mom and Dad every day.
Peace, my friends.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
pastor@bscchurch.com
