This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, July 2nd is from Matthew 10:37-42.
“Jesus said to his apostles: ‘Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And 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.’”
Reflection
“Three times in today’s Gospel Jesus explains how someone can receive a reward. He calls us to take up our crosses and surrender ourselves to God’s will. Jesus promises a reward even to those who give ‘only a cup of cold water’ to a disciple. This is akin to us helping someone else carry their cross, even if only for a short time, even if only expending a small effort. We are surrendering our own will to God’s. Let us listen for what Jesus asks us to do for his sake to receive our reward.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Summer 2023
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Ephesians 2:19-22; John 20:24-29
Saint Thomas, Apostle (Feast) – Since the early Church, there has been a tradition that Thomas is the ‘Apostle of India.’ Although the phrase ‘doubting Thomas’ refers to him, it overlooks both his loyalty in troubled times and his surrender when given the evidence he sought. Thomas is the patron saint of builders of India and Pakistan.
Tuesday Genesis 19:15-29; Matthew 8:23-27
Wednesday Genesis 21:5, 8-20a; Matthew 8:28-34
Thursday Genesis 22:1b-19; Matthew 9:1-8
Friday Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67; Matthew 9:9-13
Saturday Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29; Matthew 9:14-17
SOURCE: Living with Christ, July 2023