Bible Diary

Daily Reading

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

LECTIONARY
97

FIRST READING

2 KGS 4:8-11, 14-16A

One day Elisha came to Shunem,
where there was a woman of influence, who urged him to dine with her.
Afterward, whenever he passed by, he used to stop there to dine.
So she said to her husband, "I know that Elisha is a holy man of God.
Since he visits us often, let us arrange a little room on the roof
and furnish it for him with a bed, table, chair, and lamp,
so that when he comes to us he can stay there."
Sometime later Elisha arrived and stayed in the room overnight.

Later Elisha asked, "Can something be done for her?"
His servant Gehazi answered, "Yes!
She has no son, and her husband is getting on in years."
Elisha said, "Call her."
When the woman had been called and stood at the door,
Elisha promised, "This time next year
you will be fondling a baby son."

PSALM

PS 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19

Response: For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

The promises of the LORD I will sing forever,
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever;"
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.

You are the splendor of their strength,
and by your favor our horn is exalted.
For to the LORD belongs our shield,
and the Holy One of Israel, our king.

SECOND READING

ROM 6:3-4, 8-11

Brothers and sisters:
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into his death?
We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death,
so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
by the glory of the Father,
we too might live in newness of life.

If, then, we have died with Christ,
we believe that we shall also live with him.
We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more;
death no longer has power over him.
As to his death, he died to sin once and for all;
as to his life, he lives for God.
Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as dead to sin
and living for God in Christ Jesus.

GOSPEL

MT 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."

Daily Reflection

The readings, today, all speak of consequences.

Whoever has attachments which divert their attention from God is not worthy of Him. This does not mean that we should not be attached to our parents, siblings, children and friends. It is just that such attachments should not be used as excuses to not find time for God and His work – work which includes carrying our cross, reaching out to the less fortunate, finding time to listen to the Word and meeting Christ in the Eucharist as frequently as possible.

In the first reading, Elisha’s hosts – a childless husband and wife – gladly offer him their hospitality, to the extent that they give him permanent accommodation in their home. That too, without expectation of return because Elisha is a holy man! They are rewarded with a child in their old age.

St. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, reminds us that having been baptised in Christ, we will also share in the resurrection. But first, we must die to sin.

The consequence of sin is everlasting death. The consequence of serving the Lord, as He asks, is everlasting life.