Sometimes Jesus will leave the thorn in you. What is your thorn?

Homily of Fr. Mike O'Connor from Mass on July 7th, 2024 at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis, MS
Referenced Readings:
Ez 2:2-5
2 Cor 12:7-10
Mk 6:1-6
If you would like to donate to OLG and her livestream ministry, please go to
olgchurch.net/...

[@harryoesep3086]

Thank you, Fr Mike for such a beautiful Homily. Be blessed. Amen

[@robertallen7186]

I no longer pray for God to deliver me from my 'thorn in the flesh'.......but to give me the Grace to live with it and offer it up. I believe it has deepened my faith; not pushed me away from God. Thank you Father Mike for another great Sunday sermon. You are a blessing to us out here in KZbin Land !! Bob in Grand Rapids, MI

[@Simply_Sadie]

@@Roman-Labrador ouch. Please don't make an assumption about other people's pain. I've seen many people, riddled with hardship, disease, loss and still turning to Christ with acceptance of God's will, asking only that it bring them closer, or that their loved ones are blessed....I could go on. It's very inspiring and powerful testimony. I pray that your "thorn" unites you to Christ's passion and you are given the strength and peace to endure it. God bless you.

[@paski7410]

Your words are inspiring.

[@marathongirl1000]

Many priests give the most boring sermons but this guy is really different his sermons are great!! With useful messages about life from the Bible.

[@user-go2cv2ni7x]

My friend even in the boring sermon there is a seed, pick that little seed and let it grow and it will flourish and bear fruit. Otherwise thanks we all appreciate this homily

[@oneitalia2312]

Dearest Father ❤ I've had a HORRIBLE thorn for 46 years! Haunts me every day. Please pray for me, Father ❤

[@lauriec9183]

Praying for you to have more courage and faith to get through your thorn. God blessings upon you

[@oneitalia2312]

​@@lauriec9183Thank you, Laurie. it's tough ❤ but many thanks 🌹

[@user-go2cv2ni7x]

Courage, besides the thorn, there is a rose, keep your focus, Mary Mystical Rose will intercede for you and God's power is more manifest in weakness. His grace is sufficient. Courage

[@maryannstypa4859]

I feel compelled to quote Mother Angelica who was complaining out loud to Jesus in Adoration in the chapel at EWTN in Irondale years ago. She said to Jesus:”WHY ME LORD? !!!!” She said His response to her was”ANGELICA ! Why ME? “ That did it for her . She recalled that many times over when she got frustrated or upset.

[@sdavidson1306]

Our family went to Mass last night to be able to leave early for a family vacation…but it’s Sunday so we wanted to listen to God’s Holy Word. We just finished listening to your Homily and had a great discussion after. Thank you Fr. Mike! You are awesome and we send our gratitude to God and love for you!

[@maryannstypa4859]

I have a thorn - my husband is THE MOST NEGATIVE, JUDGMENTAL, UNFORGIVING man sadly that I’ve ever known. I pray to Elizabeth LESEUR and other women whose husbands did not appreciate their wives.God can change hearts. Pray for me to always have patience and the grace to offer it up. I find myself too angry about it in my old age if 76. It gets old too! Praying for all of you wives and husbands in similar situations. Our purgatory is here! God bless you Father for your comforting homily!!!

[@alomar726]

"MY Grace IS SUFFICIENT for you" 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-tv3nt6qx1u]

Praying the Divine Mercy chaplet daily, for you and your husband physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing!

[@maryannstypa4859]

@@user-tv3nt6qx1u Thank you

[@maryannstypa4859]

@@alomar726 yes,indeed but even Saint Paul complained.

[@mollyjv1]

Ya, thorn some time people in our life! There are no successful long term marriages, only wounded survivors or wounded dead!Lord pour out your graces upon all the married couples including you and me! Rescue us from the snares of the devil. Amen

[@zeedub8560]

Maybe the most important sermon I have ever heard. Thank you.

[@edelmiraespinosa9689]

Father Mike is a wonderful Priest...

[@user-tv3nt6qx1u]

May the Holy Spirit continue to guide you in your ministry. 🙏❤️🙏

[@grahamcmusic]

You are so kind and humble and have such a natural way of speaking of your Cristian faith Fr Mike. it is always uplifting to hear you speak. Thank you!

[@NedJanelGarber]

I needed to hear this message today. Thank you, Father.

[@shawnsmith3335]

I love your sermons. I live nowhere near you, so I'm thankful they are posted on KZbin. May God bless and keep you, Father.

[@MB-vb4sr]

One of the most beautiful sermons I have heard in my life🙏

[@whatjamesthinks]

Amen. To Jesus, through Mary. 🙏🏼📿✝️

[@user-cd9rd3dc4e]

Good Evening Father Mike from Perth Western Australia I have just found you. I have been lost to faith for 70 years You have just reignited my belief in the WORD. YOU ARE SO SINCERE Regards David 86

[@HumilityisaVirtue]

This past week, the readings from Amos and today's Ezekiel demonstrated the lack of faith and belief the "Chosen" people had for God. God, through His prophets, made sure they knew what the consequences were. How about today? It seems our attitudes haven't really changed with one exception. Very few (clergy) are bold enough to announce such consequences. My point is this: Father Mike, you are a rarity with your homilies. You have no fear in orating what we need to hear. There is so much (how to get to heaven) value you provide us. God Bless you Father Mike.

[@alomar726]

Thank you Mama and Papa O'Connor for your Gift of of Fr. Mike O'Connor 🙏🙏🌹🌹✨️✨️

[@c3plus192]

Inspired homily, Father. Thank you. I feel as though, through you, God has spoken directly to me. Blessed is the name of the Lord.❤❤❤

[@bettybella2417]

If there were no thorns in our life, we may never search for God or even seek HIS LOVE, GRACE & MERCY.❤ GOD BLESS ALL❤

[@lisaparker1607]

That was beautiful... and so true. His grace is sufficient!

[@user-bv7wh4ui5d]

My infirmities are my thorns….Thank you Jesus, your Grace is Sufficient for me….Blessings to All Watching….Nice Sermon Padre Mark.

[@Marekcatholic]

Thank you Fr. Mike for this sermon. I love this passage about St . Paul's struggle. My thorn is my older parents and dealing with temptations, among other things.

[@kathybailey436]

I know older parents can be a thorn. Appreciate every minute that you have with them. Perhaps you could read them the gospel of John.

[@Marekcatholic]

@@kathybailey436 Theyve been my thorn my whole life. So much pain is connected to them. All I can do is praying for them.

[@user-go2cv2ni7x]

Pray for them and forgive them and know that they are pieces of clay like all of us but God, the porter is omnipotent

[@TJ1920]

My grace is sufficient for you

[@connieestes3044]

You and Bishop Barren are my two favorite Priests to listen to. I always enjoy your homilies and appreciate all you do. May God continue to bless you.💗

[@MsCCtop]

God bless you!

[@yohannesasefa3376]

God Bless You Fr Mike

[@janereyes90]

Thanks, Fr Mike. Your homily makes for good reflection. The world often thinks thorns can be removed at our convenience. It's hard to really depend on God and acknowledge that only He knows how, when and why our thorns stay or get removed. We continue to pray for God's grace which is sufficient for us.

[@maritasylva3255]

Thank you Lord for new day, blessings & keepng GTrisSuguitan strong, healthy & pain free. Pls hve chmo drug safe, allergy free & effective for his complete healing.Lord I trust in you hear my prayer

[@montyortiz8368]

Father Mike, since the dark days of the covid shutdown you have been a brilliant light to me!

[@PraiseChrist4Ever]

Praise Christ

[@user-ev3sl3hw9r]

Father, this was another great Homily. I, like many others, have thorns. By becoming weak I have returned to Jesus.

[@annemcgoff8495]

Thank you!!!🙏

[@mariettatrapani291]

Thank You Rev. Mike O' Connor For Your Excellent Homily & God Bless!

[@TN-bi9qf]

Amen!

[@MarySands-pr1cr]

Wow! What a powerful homily! I found Fr Mike’s online ministry two summers ago depressed and grieving my husband’s death. One more powerful homily to help me! Thank you so much Fr Mike.

[@stephaniehatfield5831]

Always, always feeding your sheep!!! Thank you Fr Mike. God bless & keep you always🙏🏻

[@cnyphotovideo]

Amen amen. Thank you, Fr. Mike. You hit the nail on the head again!

[@Simply_Sadie]

Grateful regards from New Mexico. This Priest gives powerful, edifying homilies and I listen regularly. God bless him and each of you!

[@necymamaril3735]

I have so many thorns, I can hardly bear them. I am exhausted, worn out, and burnt out mentally , emotionally and physically. and asked God to give me a break. Everyday I pray to God to give me a break. and then I decided to give the thorns back to God. Now, I am at at peace. I still have thorns in me but thy no longer affect my life and emotions.

[@user-go2cv2ni7x]

Wonderful. And you can as well share your spiritual/ religious leader and it can make an added difference

[@ndhudecz]

The road to heaven is narrow..Make everything in your life about our Lord God or perish.

[@7Peppermint]

Beautiful homily! Praise God! Thank you Father Mike... Bless you from 🇯🇵

[@JWellsUp]

This was an excellent homily Father. God Bless you!

[@mollylule4242]

Thank you Father ...my condition that I have prayed to God for so long now I understand that it might be a thorn for my whole life. But with God's grace, His power is made perfect in my weakness. I have been drawn closer to Him and completely depend on His mercy in my life. Praise be the name of the Lord. Like Paul...I will boast in my weakness because I know God is with me.

[@harryoesep3086]

Wonderful, Fr Mike. A very beautiful reminder for all of us. Be blessed, Fr Mike. Warm greetings from Sydney. Shalom, Shalom

[@patodwyer721]

Thank you Fr.Mike for your Wisdom and Guidance

[@CheryHalibas]

Praying for your Fr. Mike ❤️😇 may u be blessed more of that grace to continue spread the power of spreading that good news to the whole world. Stay well

[@CheryHalibas]

My grace is suffiecient for you and my power is perfect for weakness. Amen

[@teresamelvin1073]

Thank you Father Mike for your beautiful homily always God bless you from 🇨🇦

[@danborst1431]

Amen.

[@Gloria68]

I have an entire rosebush of thorns😳

[@arthurmaglieri1824]

Excellent!! Thsnk you Fr Mike

[@peacefu1]

My thorn right now is a compression fracture in my T11 vertebrae and this brace is a thorn bush. The one thing I am sure about is the Lord Jesus is with me and has something up His sleeve! I am grateful.

[@m.hartyfool]

Thank you, Father. Just what the doctor ordered. Paul sure went through it. I better stop whining.

[@sfranco36]

Wow

[@lindakrzyz5512]

Amen and Amen! Thank you father Mike for your loving faithfulness.

[@tinarodriguez5182]

The homily I heard yesterday at vigil Holy Mass, was not even close to yours, Father Mike. Although I am Thankful we have a Priest to celebrate our Masses, I pray for Mother Church. Thank you, Fr. Mike.

[@timdwyer955]

My thorn is being a caretaker to a disabled wife and her thorn is all the nerve pain from failed spinal surgeries.

[@ericmccabe7493]

I’m sick. But it can be used for good. My illness. Anyway you can pray for me that that I be made perfect in Jesus to be perfectly prepared for his coming?

[@lauriec9183]

Thank you for this message! 💕

[@vickioneill7048]

St. Paul's thorn in his side was his own human ego who is the old man in us that has to pass away before we can move on from death to the life in Christ

[@eileengonzalez9082]

🙏

[@maryhowsrd3381]

Heat exhaustion Thank you Margo

[@Undermarysmantleforever]

🙏🙏🙏🌟

[@Gloria68]

The ram was in the bushes | thorns to offer up as sacrifice in lieu of Isaac.

[@maryhowsrd3381]

Weakness brings me to Jesus suffering on the way of cross..im struggling no Ac. Margo

[@katkat2340]

His thorn might be his weakness

[@minhabonitafilhabrasileira7533]

how do i stop adapting to my weakness? Thank you.

[@DogsCoffeeNJesus]

I have a question about this topic I'd appreciate any help with. I've struggled greatly with lust, it's become an addiction I'd say, I pray for strength to resist temptation, I try my best to hold out, but inevitably I fall almost against my will, I become like a robot only afterwards I am filled with grief, shame, despair, but I run back to God with a contrite heart and keep trying to improve. Could this be considered a thorn? Could this be God's will? I believe it's not because I don't think God's will involves someone committing grave sin. Or could God be allowing this diabolic interference? One thing I've taken out of this is becoming aware of my pride.

[@vincentowoc6796]

I am decent-looking but have epilepsy. Did not win the genetic lottery. A daisy with thorns, lol.

[@Windowsndoors]

Every Christian has a thorn in the flesh? Where does it say that? Paul was sent a thorn or messenger of Satan because of the amount of revelation he was given. God didn’t leave it there for nothing. It was used for Paul specifically. It was used to keep him from becoming prideful. He didn’t have a pride issue. He was just knock off his horse by the Lord. It was to keep him from becoming like Satan and thinking he was so beautiful and great because of the revelation he had. That’s why I’ll never understand how the Catholic Church can’t see the error in its interpretation of Jesus’s discussion about building the church upon the rock he mentioned. If anyone looks like they were in charge it’s Paul but it was Jesus Christ. Very very few Christians are left a thorn in the flesh. Hard times are not a thorn in the flesh. If God’s angels are ministering Spirits sent to those inheriting the Kingdom then what would a messenger of Satan do? Let me ask you this way. If Paul struggled with one as a true Apostle how arrogant are you to say you have one and so do all of your flock and you don’t even understand what a thorn in the flesh is? You’re taking on yours and theirs but Paul struggled with his? That’s definitely not infallible teaching.

[@darz3829]

"Sometimes Jesus will leave the thorn in you. What is your thorn?" Well, obviously a big thorn are You Tube videos by pseudo religionists that claim to have all the answers to life. And as you can see -- because of their wisdom, life is perfect.

[@maryannstypa4859]

I have a thorn - my husband is THE MOST NEGATIVE, JUDGMENTAL, UNFORGIVING man sadly that I’ve ever known. I pray to Elizabeth LESEUR and other women whose husbands did not appreciate their wives.God can change hearts. Pray for me to always have patience and the grace to offer it up. I find myself too angry about it in my old age if 76. It gets old too! Praying for all of you wives and husbands in similar situations. Our purgatory is here! God bless you Father for your comforting homily!!!