Newsletter – Thirteenth Sunday of the Year A – 2nd July 2023

Click here for our latest newsletter

The First Reading this week is 2 Kings 4:8-11,14-16: Hospitality extended to Elisha will be rewarded.
Our Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 89: Sing God’s praises forever.
This week’s Second Reading Romans 6:3-4,8-11: Through Christ we are dead to sin but alive in God.
Today’s Gospel Reading is from Matthew 10:37-42: Jesus outlines the costs and rewards of discipleship. Today’s Gospel is the conclusion of the instructions and consolations that we have heard Jesus offering to his disciples during the past few weeks. In this passage, Jesus summarizes both the costs of discipleship and its rewards. Once again our understanding of the Gospel is strengthened by considering the context in which it was written and the perspective of Matthew’s audience.
The conditions of discipleship outlined in Matthew’s Gospel may appear harsh. Yet they underline for us a truth—choosing anything with one’s whole heart has consequences. Choosing life with Christ means that every relationship we have must be understood from a new perspective. For many in Matthew’s community, this choice brought division to their family. Matthew also outlines the reward of hospitality offered to Jesus’ followers. In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains the difficulties of discipleship, yet reveals that those who welcome the disciples have also welcomed him.
Today’s Gospel also highlights for us the importance of hospitality in the Christian life. To welcome another in Jesus’ name is to extend hospitality to Jesus himself. We have many opportunities in our daily life to reach out to others, to be a welcoming presence and a sign of God’s love.#

Click here for our latest newsletter