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Our Sunday Reflection - July 2, 20223 -
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"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."
Matthew 10:42
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Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day
The Holy Spirit draws us to this holy place each week to join together as a faith community to celebrate the Eucharist. Eucharistia literally means “thanksgiving” and we are forever thankful to God for sending the Son, who gives us his Body and Blood to nourish us, to redeem us, and to give us eternal life. May the Lord’s acceptance of his cross give us the courage to carry our own crosses, to empathize with others carrying their own crosses, and inspire us to help those whose crosses are too heavy to carry themselves.Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
Three times in today’s Gospel Jesus explains how someone can receive a reward. Sounds great, right? In the first reading, a kind and generous woman receives an awesome reward from God for her hospitality to the prophet Elisha. The psalmist sings of the goodness of the Lord. Our greatest reward, though, has already been given to us. As Paul tells the Romans, when we are baptized into Christ, we are baptized into both his death and his new life. Let us listen for what Jesus asks us to do for his sake to receive our reward.Reflections
- What is eternal life in the kingdom of heaven if not a sign of God’s hospitality to us? Because Jesus redeemed us on the cross, we are now welcomed into God’s home to live forever. Like the woman of Shunem, who made a special place in her home for the prophet Elisha, God has made a special place in heaven for us. Let us follow Elisha’s example and ask ourselves what we can do to express our gratitude for God’s hospitality.
- When we celebrate the Eucharist, whether we are conscious of it or not, we are offering thanks to God for all the God-given blessings we have received, especially the gift of Jesus, through whom we have received redemption. Because the Greek word eucharistia means “thanksgiving,” in offering the Eucharist we are giving thanks. Indeed, before Jesus offered the bread as his body to the disciples, he gave thanks to God. He gave thanks once again before he offered the cup of wine as his blood. For all that God has done for us, we give thanks for the invitation to share Christ’s Body and Blood.
- To return to Elisha’s question, “Can something be done for her?” (2 Kings 4:14), let us look to Jesus in today’s Gospel. He calls us to take up our crosses. In taking up our crosses and following Jesus’ example, we are doing something for God. Specifically, we are surrendering ourselves to God’s will, as Jesus did when he faced persecution. Additionally, Jesus promises a reward even to those who give “only a cup of cold water” (Matthew 10:42) 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.
Question of the Week
How is God asking me to sacrifice my will today? Whom can I help carry their cross in an act of Christian solidarity?
-from Pastoral Patterns
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readings of the mass
LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, July 2, 2023
SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, July 2, 2023
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Offerings
The Sunday offerings are a portion of our blessings that we give to God (Church) in gratitude to what God has done for us...ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS -
Reflections on the readings
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News from the Vatican
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