Calling all followers of Christ

Sisters and brothers in Christ, a few years ago, the radio station - The Spirit 105.9 - encouraged people to pay it forward with their "drive-thru" challenge. Essentially, you pay for the meal of the people behind you in the drive-thru line. I was on the receiving end of such generosity one time in the drive-thru of a McDonald's but also in a restaurant a few times. I have also paid it forward on several occasions, too.

I believe that Jesus is telling us to pay it forward when it comes to our faith when he says: "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." We receive the gift of faith and healing and, like Jesus mentioned in the parable of talents, we are called to share our gifts of time, talents, and treasures to build up the kingdom of God here on here. We are the laborers for the harvest, called to go forth and "make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’" - and lead others to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The interesting thing is, Jesus says for us to "[go] to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." In other words, Jesus is telling us to first look at our families, friends, and parish, and invite those who are no longer attending Mass or practicing their Catholic faith to return to Mass but, most of all, to dare to risk encountering Jesus in their lives once again. In this way, perhaps we can help them - through the outpouring of grace from the Holy Spirit - to heal those places in their lives - mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual - that have separated them from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is what Jesus has give us the power and authority to do as his disciples. Let's have courage, be bold, be Catholic.

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Gospel of the Day

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,

teaching in their synagogues,

proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,

and curing every disease and illness. 

At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them

because they were troubled and abandoned,

like sheep without a shepherd.

Then he said to his disciples,

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;

so ask the master of the harvest

to send out laborers for his harvest.” 

Then he summoned his Twelve disciples

and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out

and to cure every disease and every illness. 

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,

“Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 

Cure the sick, raise the dead,

cleanse lepers, drive out demons.

Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”