Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (July 2, 2017): What matters most to you?.

2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a
Ps 89:2-3, 16-19
Romans 6:3-4, 8-11
Matthew 10:37-42
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070217.cfm

USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/17_07_02.mp3

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

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.”

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus emphasizes the importance of keeping our eyes on him and always making him our top priority. Nothing else matters as much as our relationship with God. This means following Jesus wherever he leads, doing everything his way, all the way, every day, giving him our 100% (no excuses for being mediocre in our faith), laying down our lives in service to others like he did.

Laying down our lives means making sacrifices, such as giving our cup of cold water to someone who’s thirsty. It means receiving someone into our busy schedules and listening for the prophet in him; for example: What is God saying to us through this person?

When we refuse to lay down our lives for others, we reject the Cross of Christ and his sufferings, which he submitted to for our sake. This does not mean, however, that we can never say no to others. Jesus wants to lead us away from the harm of abuse or demands that are sinful or the enabling of unhealthy behaviors. Saying no in such cases is yet another Way of the Cross.

When we truly follow Christ, we can receive all that he is and all that he has for us. When we let go of our fears and personal goals, letting Jesus lead us into new places and new ways of handling problems, we discover new life in Christ. His ways are always far better than what we had feared would happen.

This is the difference between a mediocre faith and a life in Christ that is full of adventures, miracles, surprising solutions, healing, victories, and realizing how very precious and important we are to God.

Questions for Personal Reflection:
Who has asked you (either consciously or unaware) to lay down a part of your life for them? When have you said no? When have you said yes — and was it worth the sacrifice?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
Why is laying down our lives for the needs or requests of others worthwhile? Share a story from your own life that illustrates this.

Beloved Father: In the name of Jesus, give me the courage to do good all the time. May my prejudices not prevent me from being an instrument of Your love towards others. Amen.