REFLEXIÓN DEL XIII DOMINGO DEL TIEMPO ORDINARIO – CICLOA

"En verdad les digo que no quedará sin recompensa" (Mt 10,42).

Antes de venir a los Estados Unidos, serví como párroco en mi parroquia natal en la isla de Futuna desde 2018 hasta 2024. Hacia finales de 2023, mi provincial me preguntó si me gustaría venir a trabajar en la Provincia de los Estados Unidos. Después de un momento de silencio, le respondí: «Si es la voluntad de Dios, iré».

Fue una respuesta que di después de reflexionar sobre los cinco años que había pasado en la parroquia, donde las cosas me resultaban mucho más fáciles. En otras palabras, estaba establecido y cómodo trabajando en mi parroquia natal.Todavía deseaba continuar allí, pero al reflexionar sobre mi vida como MSC, me di cuenta de que soy un Misionero del Sagrado Corazón, Ilamado no solo a servir en mi propio lugar, sino también a estar disponible para la misión en otros países. Al decir sí a la petición de mi provincial, estaba viviendo mi voto de obediencia y, al mismo tiempo, reafirmando mi identidad como MSC. En la liturgia de hoy escuchamos la conclusión de las enseñanzas de Jesús sobre la misión. En el Evangelio según san Mateo (10,37-42), Jesús nos enseña lo que debe hacer un verdadero discípulo: dejar de lado aquello que más aprecia, salir de su zona de comodidad e incluso estar dispuesto a entregar su vida por Él. Jesús también subraya de manera hermosa que la hospitalidad y la generosidad siempre tendrán su recompensa. Por una parte, ser discípulo de Jesús significa estar dispuesto a ser enviado en misión; por otra, significa acoger a los demás y mostrar bondad hacia los extranjeros y necesitados.

Según el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús invita a sus discípulos y también a nosotros a rendirnos a Dios y a desprendernos de aquello que nos ata. Hay una historia acerca de tres niños en una clase a quienes se les preguntó de dónde viene el agua. El primero respondió que el agua viene del grifo. El segundo dijo que viene de la presa. El tercero estaba convencido de que viene de las botellas que están en el refrigerador. Si tuviera que elegir quién tiene razón, elegiría al niño que dijo que el agua viene de la presa, porque allí está la fuente. Los grifos y las botellas son simplemente medios que acercan el agua para nuestro uso. De manera semejante, nuestros padres son quienes nos dieron la vida y nuestros hermanos son nuestros familiares más cercanos; sin embargo, Dios es la fuente primera de nuestra existencia, así como de la vida de nuestros padres y hermanos. Por eso, rendirse a Dios o desprenderse de los afectos familiares no significa abandonar o rechazar a nuestra familia. Más bien significa reconocer a Dios como el origen de todo y elegir obedecer su voluntad.

Jesús también nos invita a salir de nuestra zona de comodidad. Esto es lo que quiere decir cuando habla de tomar nuestra cruz y seguirlo. Es una llamada a hacer sacrificios para seguir a Cristo en su Pasión y, finalmente, participar también en su Resurrección.

Llegué a los Estados Unidos en octubre de 2024 y, hasta junio o julio del año pasado, no había recibido ninguna noticia sobre un posible nombramiento. En un momento llegué a pensar: «Dejé mi zona de comodidad con la esperanza de trabajar en los Estados Unidos, pero parece que aquí no me necesitan». Estaba dispuesto a rendirme y regresar a mi país, pero de alguna manera el Espíritu Santo me llevó a ser paciente y a mantener la esperanza. Y aquí estoy ahora, feliz de haber sido nombrado para ayudar en Solitude y Guadalupe.

Como discípulos, también estamos llamados a seguir a Cristo incluso hasta el punto de entregar nuestra propia vida. Por ejemplo, un sacerdote que recorre muchos kilómetros para administrar el Sacramento de la Unción de los Enfermos o para celebrar la Santa Misa está arriesgando su vida al viajar, incluso durante la noche, por el bien del Pueblo de Dios. De igual manera, los padres de f'amilia hacen grandes sacrificios. Trabajan arduamente día y noche para ganar el sustento necesario para alimentar a sus hijos, pagar sus estudios y cuidar de su salud y bienestar. Estos son solo algunos de los muchos sacrificios que hacemos como discípulos de Cristo. Al ayudar a los demás, también estamos sirviendo a Dios.

Finalmente, lo último que Jesús menciona en el Evangelio es la recompensa que reciben quienes se entregan a Él. Jesús nos recuerda que debemos acoger a los demás, ofrecerles hospitalidad y tratarlos con bondad tanto en palabras como en obras. En la primera lectura, tomada del segundo libro de los Reyes (4,8-16), el profeta Eliseo fue acogido y atendido por un matrimonio de Sunén. Como recompensa por su generosidad y hospitalidad, Dios los bendijo con un hijo al año siguiente. Del mismo modo, hermanos y hermanas, si dejamos nuestras zonas de comodidad, si nos entregamos a la voluntad de Dios, si acogemos a los demás y les ofrecemos hospitalidad, ciertamente no perderemos nuestra recompensa. ¡Amén!

Así pues, hermanos y hermanas, mientras continuamos nuestro camino de fe, reflexionemos sobre esta pregunta:

«¿Qué puedo dejar de lado o entregar cada día para unirme más profundamente a Jesús y convertirme en un verdadero discípulo suyo?»

P. Lomano

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REFLECTION OF THE 13th SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (FR. LOMANO)

“Amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward” (Mt 10: 42).

Before coming to the United States, I was serving as a pastor in my home parish on the Island of Futuna from 2018 to 2024. Toward the end of 2023, my provincial asked me if I would like to come and work in the U.S. Province. After a moment of silence, I said to him, “If it is God’s will, I will go.”

It was an answer given after reflecting on the five years I had spent in the parish, where things were much easier for me. In other words, I was settled and comfortable working in my home parish. I still desired to continue serving there, but reflecting on my life as an MSC, I realized that I am a Missionary of the Sacred Heart, called not only to serve in my own place but also to be open to mission abroad. By saying yes to my provincial’s request, I was living out my vow of obedience while at the same time embracing my identity as an MSC.

In today’s liturgy, we hear the conclusion of Jesus’ instruction on mission. In the Gospel passage from Matthew 10:37–42, Jesus teaches what a true disciple should do: to let go of what is most dear, to move away from one’s comfort zone, and even to sacrifice one’s life for His sake. Jesus also beautifully emphasizes that hospitality and generosity will certainly be rewarded. On the one hand, to be a disciple of Jesus means being willing to be sent on mission; on the other hand, it means welcoming others and showing kindness to strangers. According to today’s Gospel, Jesus is inviting His disciples—and us—to surrender and to let go. There is a story about three children in a classroom who were asked to explain where water comes from. The first said that water comes from the tap. The second believed it comes from the dam. The third was convinced that it comes from the bottles in the refrigerator. If I had to choose which one was correct, I would choose the child who said that water comes from the dam because it is the source. The taps and bottles are simply vessels that bring the water closer for our use. Likewise, our mothers and fathers are the parents who gave us life, and our brothers and sisters are our siblings, but God is the primary source of our existence, including the lives of our parents and siblings. Therefore, to surrender or let go of our attachment to family does not mean abandoning or denying them. Rather, it means acknowledging God as the source of everything and choosing to obey His will. Jesus also invites us to let go of our comfort zones. This is what He means when He speaks about taking up our cross and following Him. It is a call to make sacrifices in order to follow Christ through His Passion and ultimately to His Resurrection. I arrived in the United States in October 2024, and until June or July of last year, I had received no news about any appointment. At one point I said to myself, “I left my comfort zone with the hope of working in the United States, but it seems that I am not needed here.” I was ready to give up and return home, but somehow the Holy Spirit led me to remain patient and hopeful. And here I am today, happy to have been appointed to assist at Solitude and Guadalupe. As disciples, we are also called to follow Christ even to the point of losing our lives. For example, a priest who drives many miles to administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick or to celebrate Mass is risking his life by traveling, sometimes even at night, for the sake of God’s people. Parents also sacrifice greatly. They work hard day and night to earn money to provide food, pay school fees, and care for the health and well-being of their children. These are just some of the many sacrifices we make as disciples of Christ. In helping others, we are at the same time serving God.

Finally, the last thing Jesus mentions in the Gospel is the reward that comes from surrendering ourselves to Him. Jesus reminds us to welcome others, offer them hospitality, and show them kindness in both words and deeds. In our first reading from 2 Kings 4:8–16, the prophet Elisha was welcomed and cared for by a couple in Shunem. Because of their generosity and hospitality, they were blessed with a child the following year. Likewise, brothers and sisters, if we let go of our comfort zones, surrender ourselves to God’s will, welcome others, and offer them hospitality, we too will surely not lose our reward. Amen.

So, brothers and sisters, as we continue our journey of faith, let us reflect on this question:

“What can I let go of or surrender each day so that I may become more closely attached to Jesus as His true disciple?”

13th Sunday – Cycle A 2026

My friends, in our Gospel reading today, Jesus is quite explicit of what he expects of His disciples:

• Love Jesus more than anyone else, including family.

• Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Him, is not worthy of Him.

Those are huge demands.  Love Jesus more than family and pick up our cross.

In the days when Jesus was on the earth, people knew well what the cross meant and often had visual reminders.  When the Roman general, Varus, had broken the revolt of Judas of Galilee, he crucified two thousand Jews, and placed the crosses along the roads to Galilee for everyone to see.

The Cross is so hard to understand from a logical point of view.  Killing someone is contrary to goodness.  Also, people have to be taught to kill.  St. Paul wrote about the 'Folly' of the Cross:

"The message of the Cross is foolishness to the worldly.  But to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.”  (1 Corinthians:18)

Now, we know the Cross is key to our salvation.  Time and time again, Jesus explained that the Son of God must be crucified and be put to death.

Even on the Day He rose from the dead, Jesus interpreted Scripture for the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus, explaining that it was necessary for him to suffer at the hands of the religious leaders and be put to death.

But why did the Son of God have to suffer and be put to death ?  The short answer is Love.

• Jesus' love of humanity.

• And the lack of love by the religious leaders.

My friends, Jesus came to teach Love.  He was sent by the Father to teach us how we should treat each other. Jesus died because of hatred which was rooted in jealousy, power and greed.  What Jesus was teaching, those in power did not want anyone to hear.

Also, when Jesus was standing in front of Pontius Pilate, all He had to do is take back what He taught and the religious leaders and would have allowed Pontius Pilate to let Him go.  But then His teaching about love would have meant nothing and the reason He was sent by God would have been shattered.  

We are reminded of Jesus’s love for us in John 3:16 “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world." 

Following Jesus and taking up our cross comes with challenges along the way.  Just as Jesus endured hatred and violence, so must we.  Today in 2026, there continues to be violence and hatred.  Sadly, for many, the answer to violence is more violence and retaliation.  To fall into that mindset is not the way of Jesus.  Following the way of Jesus is accepting everyone as a child of God.  In fact, Jesus tells us to go beyond acceptance.  He tells us to welcome !  “Whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

My friends, being a disciple of Jesus and acting as a disciple of Jesus does not have to be anything grandiose.  A beautiful part of today’s Gospel is the stress on simple things, treating everyone with kindness.

• If we receive or welcome Jesus, we receive the Father who sent Jesus.

• If we welcome a prophet, we receive a prophet’s reward.

• If we welcome a righteous person, we receive a righteous person’s reward.

Jesus even goes so far as to tell us that “Whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple – amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."