Today’s morning Mass homily speaks of the “Inclusiveness of Discipleship.”
It tells us that, “Everyone has a place in the mission of Jesus,” including women.
The homily gave a beautiful picture of what it means to be a disciple of Christ—not simply someone who follows Jesus from a distance, but someone who allows an encounter with Him to transform his or her life and then responds through generous service.
The Gospel reminds us that Jesus was accompanied not only by the Twelve Apostles, but also by women who traveled with Him and supported His mission from their own resources. These women were not merely spectators. They had encountered Jesus. They had experienced His healing and mercy, and their response was to become active participants in His mission.
What a beautiful reminder for all of us today.
We All Have a Place in Jesus’ Mission
Sometimes we may wonder, What can I possibly do for God?
Perhaps we think we are too ordinary, too old, too young, too busy, too imperfect, or that our past disqualifies us from serving the Lord.
But the women who accompanied Jesus teach us otherwise.
Discipleship is not determined by gender, social status, or our past. What matters is our willingness to be transformed by Christ and our readiness to respond generously to His call.
Jesus does not ask all of us to serve in the same way. He gives each of us different gifts, circumstances, experiences, and opportunities.
One person may serve through teaching. Another through caring for the sick. Someone may serve through prayer. Another may offer financial support. Someone may simply give a listening ear, a kind word, or a comforting presence to someone who is suffering.
Our service may seem small in the eyes of the world, but when it is offered to God with love, it can become part of something much greater—the work of His Kingdom.
Discipleship Is More Than Words
The women spoken of in today’s Homily did not merely express their discipleship in words, but in service.
They followed Him. They stayed close to Him. They offered their time, their presence, their talents, and their resources in support of His mission.
Their faith became visible through their actions.
This should challenge us to ask ourselves:
How are we living our discipleship?
Are we simply listening to the words of Jesus, or are we allowing those words to change the way we live?
Are we only receiving God’s blessings, or are we also asking how we can become a blessing to others?
Are we keeping our faith to ourselves, or are we using what God has given us to help build His Kingdom?
True discipleship is not simply about what we say. It is about what we do with the love and grace we have received.
Because Christ Is Risen, Our Lives Have a New Purpose
The first reading reminds us of the very foundation of our Christian faith: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Christ is risen!
And because Christ is risen, our lives do not have to remain the same.
The Resurrection tells us that God can bring new life out of what appears to be hopeless. He can transform our wounds into sources of compassion, our struggles into opportunities for growth, and even our past mistakes into lessons that can help us serve others.
An encounter with the risen Christ gives our lives a new direction and a new purpose.
The question is whether we will allow that encounter to transform us.
Stay Close to Jesus
Perhaps this is one of the most important lessons we can take from today’s Gospel: stay close to Jesus.
The faithful women stayed close to Him. They experienced His presence, His mercy, and His transforming love. And their closeness to Jesus moved them to serve.
The same should happen to us.
When we spend time with Jesus in prayer, when we receive Him in the Holy Eucharist, when we listen to His Word, and when we remain close to Him through His Church, our encounter with Christ should eventually overflow into the way we treat and serve others.
We do not have to do extraordinary things.
We simply need to be willing to offer what we have.
Our time.
Our presence.
Our talents.
Our resources.
Our prayers.
Our love.
Whatever God has placed in our hands can become an offering when we place it at His service.
A Prayer for Faithful Discipleship
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for calling each of us to be Your disciples.
Help us remember that there is a place for everyone in Your mission. Do not allow our past, our limitations, our circumstances, or our feelings of unworthiness to keep us from responding to Your call.
Transform our hearts through Your grace.
Teach us to remain close to You, just as the faithful women in today’s Gospel remained close to You.
Show us how to use our time, talents, presence, and resources for Your Kingdom.
May our encounter with You never remain only in our hearts or in our words, but may it become a generous service to others.
Because You are risen, Lord, give our lives a renewed purpose.
Help us to follow You faithfully, serve You generously, and bring Your love wherever You send us.
Amen.
“True discipleship means being with Jesus and participating in His mission in whatever way we can.”
May we never underestimate what God can do through a willing heart.
There is a place for you in the mission of Jesus.
Source: Today’s Homily: St. Timothy Catholic Church, Chantilly, VA, 18 September 2026
