This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, June 26th is from Luke 9:51-62.
“When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?’ Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.”
“James and John reference the time when Elijah called down fire from heaven to consume two regiments of King Ahaziah’s. Not only did Jesus call for mercy in today’s gospel, later on his way to Jerusalem, he tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. The kingdom of God is open to all, from those who are willing to follow the Lord at once to those who initially refuse to welcome him.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Summer 2022
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Amos 2:6-10, 13-16; Matthew 8:18-22
Tuesday Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12; Matthew 8:23-27
Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (Memorial) – Born in Asia Minor, he studied in Rome and went to Lyons as a missionary priest and was eventually named bishop of Lyons. He was a disciple of St. Polycarp, who was himself a disciple of St. John the Evangelist. His most important contribution was his assertion that creation is not sinful by nature, but rather distorted by sin.
Wednesday Acts 12:1-11; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18; Matthew 16:13-19
Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (Solemnity) – Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome and have been honored from the earliest days. Peter, whose name in Greek means “rock,” was originally called Simon. Jesus changed his name to Peter and told him that it was on this rock that he would build his Church. Paul, the “apostle of the Gentiles,” was born a Roman citizen and educated as a Pharisee. His experience of the risen Christ resulted in his conversion.
Thursday Amos 7:10-17; Matthew 9:1-8
Friday Amos 8:4-6, 9-12; Mathew 9:9-13
Saturday Amos 9:11-15; Matthew 9:14-17
SOURCE: Living With Christ, June 2022