Our Lady of Sorrows
    info@oladyofsorrows.org
    956-686-0251
    • Home
    • News
      • Weekly Bulletin
    • Homilies
      • Msgr. Gustavo Barrera
      • Dcn. Ray Thomas
      • Dcn. Johnny Gonzalez
      • Dcn. Crawford Higgins
    • About Us
      • Office Directory
      • Worship & Liturgy Schedule
      • Our Pastor
      • Photo Gallery
    • Donate
    • Sacraments
      • Baptism
      • Matrimony
      • CCD
      • RCIA
    • Ministries & Organizations
      • Adoration
      • Altar & Rosary Society
      • Altar Servers
      • Asamblea de Oracion de Matrimonios (AOM)
      • Catholic Daughters of the Americas
      • Homebound Ministry
      • JCDA
      • Choir
      • Knights of Columbus
      • Legion of Mary
      • Readers of the Word (Lectors)
      • Serra Club
      • Star of Hope
    • Faith & Spirituality Groups
      • Bereavement Support
      • Centering Prayer Group
    • Become a Parishioner
    • Funeral Information
    • Quinceañera Information
    • OLS YouTube Channel
    • School
    • Diocese of Brownsville
    • Contact Us

    14 SUNDAY, CYCLE C

    7/12/2019

     
    Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

    Many people identify themselves as Catholic but are surprised to be called a disciple.  Yet, that is what we are.  To be a disciple means putting our faith into action. 
     
    The vast majority chooses to be inactive—disciples in name only.  A true disciple does not keep quiet and when tested, always upholds the truth.  That’s what Jesus did.  If we want to be like the Master, which is the goal of every disciple, then we have to follow the example of Jesus.  Means that we must be familiar with His life.  The Gospels are filled with examples of how Jesus treated people, especially sinners—how He went out of His way to forgive the guilty—when confronted about the Law—Jesus chose to heal people rather than obey the Sabbath observance.  Naturally, He got into a lot of trouble, ultimately paid with His life.  Knowing that His followers would encounter the same opposition, Jesus told His disciples, “If you want to be my disciples, you must carry your cross daily and follow me.”  Yes, Jesus already paid the price for our sins.  Yes, we get a free ride to heaven.  No doubt, that we are loved beyond all our imagining.  However, the world still needs witnessing of the Gospel because the “harvest is abundant but laborers are few.”  Folks are ready but no one is inviting them to change their life, to make a commitment, to come to the Banquet of Holy Communion.  Many have still not heard the message of freedom and are stuck in the guilt of their past.  The popular misconceptions continue to be circulated:  “Catholics worship Mary and the Saints.  Once you get divorced, you’re kicked out.  If you go to the Catholic Church they don’t let you read the Bible.”  Indeed, there are countless misconceptions that are perpetuated because of ignorance.  “The harvest is abundant but laborers are few.” 
     
    Of all the job openings, the call to discipleship is the least attractive.  “I am sending you like lambs among wolves.  Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals.”  Doesn’t sound like what most of us are interested in doing.  We like security; some guarantees; a promise of success.  With Jesus there are no guarantees.  What He promises is to be with us always, especially in the face of persecution.  Jesus knew that rejection would be part of being a disciple.  “If they welcome you—great.  If they reject you—move on.” 
     
    Faith sharing is different than selling raffle tickets.  Fact is that we are not selling anything; we are inviting others to look inside themselves to discover what is already there.  A person would not exist, would not be alive if Jesus Christ was not inside of them.  Worst notorious sinner in town—such person has never been abandoned by God, they just haven’t been aware of His presence, usually because of anger, resentment, guilt.  One kind word can make all the difference.  But who is going to say it?  Who is willing to touch the untouchable?  If we say that we are disciples, we have no choice but to be like Christ.  Perhaps the more rejection we encounter, the more we can be certain that we are like Christ.  The world is not ready, might never be ready.  Shouldn’t stop us.  Keep in mind that witnessing is not always with words.  Actions speak louder than words.  Fidelity, good example, not using violence—folks are always watching, always listening, particularly young people.  Whatever spiritual shape our society reflects is the society we have created.  “Bad wolf is fighting the good wolf—both are inside of us—which one will win?  The one that we feed.”  The battle will never be over until the end of time.  Meanwhile, which wolf will we feed?  Which one dominates our thoughts?  We all want to see the good wolf win.  We have to be the change that we want to see.  Peace begins with each of us, especially in how we treat our family.  At times the most difficult place to be a disciple is at home.
     
    We don’t have to have our act together or be versed in the Catechism.  What is necessary is our sincere love for Christ.  He will provide all that we need to be His disciples.     

    Comments are closed.
      Picture
      Msgr. Gustavo Barrera,
      ​celebrated his first Holy Mass as pastor on September 15, 2007, the feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows. With his enthusiasm and spiritual guidance, OLS continues to serve our Catholic family in a way that challenges us to grow as an evangelizing community.

      Archives

      February 2023
      January 2023
      December 2022
      November 2022
      October 2022
      September 2022
      August 2022
      July 2022
      June 2022
      May 2022
      April 2022
      March 2022
      February 2022
      January 2022
      November 2020
      October 2020
      September 2020
      August 2020
      July 2020
      June 2020
      May 2020
      April 2020
      March 2020
      February 2020
      January 2020
      December 2019
      November 2019
      October 2019
      September 2019
      July 2019
      June 2019
      May 2019
      April 2019
      March 2019
      February 2019
      January 2019
      December 2018
      November 2018
      October 2018
      September 2018
      August 2018
      July 2018
      June 2018
      May 2018
      April 2018
      March 2018
      February 2018
      January 2018
      December 2017
      November 2017
      October 2017
      September 2017
      August 2017
      June 2017
      May 2017
      April 2017
      March 2017
      February 2017
      January 2017
      December 2016
      November 2016
      October 2016
      September 2016
      August 2016
      July 2016
      June 2016
      May 2016
      April 2016
      March 2016
      February 2016
      January 2016
      December 2015
      November 2015
      October 2015
      September 2015
      August 2015
      July 2015
      June 2015
      May 2015
      April 2015
      March 2015

      Msgr. Gustavo Barrera, Pastor.

      Categories

      All

      RSS Feed

    About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Office Directory
    • Stewardship
    • Pastor
    • Our History
    Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • First Reconciliation
    • First Communion
    • Confirmation
    • Marriage
    • Anointing of the Sick
    Parish Life
    1. Become a Parishioner
    2. Bulletin & Newsletters
    3. Planning Center Log-in​
    Worship and Liturgy
    • Daily Readings
    • Liturgy of Hours
    • Mass & Reconciliation
    • Eucharistic Adoration
    Faith Formation
    • CCD
    • RCIA​
    Links & Resources
    • CDOB
    • USCCB
    • Vatican: Holy See
    • American Catholic
    More
    • Homilies
    • Online Giving
    • OLS School
    • OLS on YouTube
    Our Lady of Sorrows Parish
    1108 W Hackberry Ave.
    McAllen, Texas 78501-4370
    Telephone
    : (956) 686-0251
    Picture
    Picture

    Website Development by The Parish Solutions Company
    Our Lady of Sorrow Image Copyright Cromo NB permission to use by CNB Basevi.
    Back to top