We are a joyful community of disciples proclaiming the Good News and inviting all people to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”.
(John 8:31-32)
Disciples of the Lord
In today's gospel, Jesus is teaching that “everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.”
Let us break John 8:31-32 into smaller pieces:
“If you remain in my word” – Jesus is the Word Incarnate (John 1:14). Repenting and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior is the first step. If you are Catholic, I humbly suggest that you consider getting the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
"You will truly be my disciples" – Having Jesus as my Lord requires that we become his disciples. Read the daily readings. Live the Sacraments. Maybe invite someone to join you for Mass. Ponder on what you could do to help the poor and the needy in your community.
"You will know the truth" – Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). The more we get to truly know Jesus, the more we will live according to his teachings. Make time to pray at your home. Consider visiting Jesus during Eucharistic Adoration at your parish.
"And the truth will set you free" – Then, Jesus, who is the Truth, will set you free from sin and you will no longer be a slave.
Let us break John 8:31-32 into smaller pieces:
“If you remain in my word” – Jesus is the Word Incarnate (John 1:14). Repenting and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior is the first step. If you are Catholic, I humbly suggest that you consider getting the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
"You will truly be my disciples" – Having Jesus as my Lord requires that we become his disciples. Read the daily readings. Live the Sacraments. Maybe invite someone to join you for Mass. Ponder on what you could do to help the poor and the needy in your community.
"You will know the truth" – Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). The more we get to truly know Jesus, the more we will live according to his teachings. Make time to pray at your home. Consider visiting Jesus during Eucharistic Adoration at your parish.
"And the truth will set you free" – Then, Jesus, who is the Truth, will set you free from sin and you will no longer be a slave.
What can I do during this Lent to be a true disciple of Jesus of Nazareth?
Dear Mother Mary, guide us to truly be your Son’s disciples by our words and actions just like you did. Pray for us!
Reflection by:
Landy Colon - José Orlando (Landy) Colón was born and raised in Puerto Rico. His journey to faith started as a teenager after accepting Christ during a Juan XXIII weekend retreat. He is a resident of the Tampa Bay area since November 2000. Landy is fully bilingual in English and Spanish. He is serving as Liturgy Committee chair and Eucharistic Minister at Resurrection Catholic Church in Riverview. He is also blessed to serve as chair of the Diocesan Hispanic Commission under the Intercultural Ministries of our diocese. His lovely wife Judi and Landy are completing their last year of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute program (dosp.org/lpmi). They have two married daughters, and are the caregivers of Judi’s mother. Landy is a firm believer of second chances in life and that we should try to stay hopeful by trusting God at all times and under all circumstances.