Holyrood Church 715 West 179 Street, Upper West side Manhattan, USA, 212-923-3770

Jesus always understood his mission as something to be carried out with others, never on his own.

 
Reading: After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.
 
Good morning, happy Friday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
In today’s Gospel (Luke 8:1-3) Jesus once again is on the road. He had journeyed from one town and village to another, always proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. The Twelve accompanied him on this journey as well as several women whom Jesus had cured of evil spirits or infirmities. The women were Mary, also called Magdalen, Joanna, Susanna, and many others. These women provided for Jesus and his disciples from their personal resources.

Today we are reminded that Jesus was an itinerant preacher. He depended on friends as well as the generosity of the people he met on his travels for the food and shelter he and his disciples required. Typically, when I think of Jesus’ disciples, I think of the twelve apostles. Yet, the men and women who chose to follow Jesus were from all the classes of society: the rich, the poor, the educated, and the beggars.

Also today, several of the women who were traveling with Jesus are named: Mary (Magdalene), Joanna and Susanna as well as many other women. Jesus had ministered to these three women by driving out evil spirits and healing their infirmities. In gratitude, the women traveled with Jesus and provided for Jesus and his disciples out of their personal resources. In a very concrete way, through their financial support, these women were a vital part of Jesus’ ministry.

As we all know money is essential. Without sufficient resources, we are handicapped and not able to provide for our families, communities, and the poor. These women truly gave Jesus a great gift. Their belief in Jesus as the Son of God came from the depths of their hearts. They were not only loyal to him, but they also became his disciples. They followed him around the countryside and provided for his needs and for the disciples’ needs. Anyone who chooses to follow Jesus is a disciple. Today we are the women and men who have chosen to follow Jesus. And today we are called to provide for the people in our lives who are in need. We may do this by donating, helping a neighbor, working in a food pantry, or simply by lending a listening ear to an individual who needs some support. If we claim to be disciples of Jesus, will the people we encounter today recognize us as his followers?
 
Jesus always understood his mission as something to be carried out with others, never on his own. I look at the ones he chose, who look quite an unlikely group, and I ask myself what he wants to tell us through this choice.
 
Blessings,
 
Fr. Luis+

Date news: 
Friday, September 17, 2021 - 07:30

Ministry at the time of Coronavirus (Covid 19): Prevent, cure and accompany

Now we have to shape what some have started calling; The Church at Home. Although I keep asking myself; What do those who do not have a home do? For this reason, at the same time, I am declaring today in our Holyrood Church a Lenten day of prayer, fasting and reading the Bible in the Time of the Coronavirus.

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