Disciple of Christ

My dear friends in Christ,

We have passed the mid-point of summer and have been concentrating on the summer’s readings taken from the Gospel of Luke. The focus has been on the practice of discipleship and what it means to be a disciple of Christ. This practice ignites a burning message in today’s Gospel. There is a cost to discipleship: suffering, division, and even rejection. These may be the cost for disciples who live the radical convictions and values of the kingdom of God in their family, workplace, parish, diocese — their private and public lives. How have you lived the radical convictions and values of the Gospel in your life? Has there been a cost to your discipleship? Have you been challenged to “pay the price?” Indeed, how can we disciples ever pay that price? We do not have the resources. “Lord, come to my aid!” cries the psalmist. And the author of Hebrews reminds us that “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” O God, in whom we trust, give us the courage to live as strong and faithful disciples always keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process developed by the Catholic Church for prospective converts to Catholicism who are above the age of infant baptism. Candidates are gradually introduced to aspects of Catholic beliefs and practices. If you know someone who is interested in becoming Catholic, please stop by the Parish Meeting Room after Mass today and meet the RCIA team members who will provide you with information and answer questions.

May God bless you all!

Father John