Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 02 July 2023
First Reading: Second Kings 4: 8-11, 14-16
“Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that he can stay there whenever he comes to us.” (10)
The Shunammite woman was acknowledged for her generosity. She didn’t ask for anything in return yet the Lord saw what she needed. We thank the Lord for all his blessings on us each day. For the roof over our heads, food on the table, family, and friends; health, education and so much more, we praise the Good Lord for his generosity to us.
Alleluia, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 89: 2-3, 16-19
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. (1-2)
Alleluia!
Second Reading: Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11
But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. (8)
So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (11)
Christ lives to the Father, “the life he lives, he lives to God.” (10) Therefore, we must have no fear! Christ lives a triumphant life in God, and we are partakers of his life.
Amen, Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 10: 37-42
“Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous.” (41)
In an increasingly deceptive and divisive world, we ought to discern the wolves in sheep’s clothing. Today, there is an inordinately large number of people preaching and proclaiming themselves “pastors” or “brothers”. We ought to ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. One way to spot the wolf can be by observing their works. Because faith is what faith does! Deeds must bear the fruit of their words. “Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous.” (Jas 1:22) Also, Christ laid down this measure for himself!! “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.” (Jn 14:11)
Then, we now have a clear yardstick of our lives and be able to stay clear of the wolves!
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!
