July 2, 2017: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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 their cross and follow after me
is not worthy of Me.

Whoever finds their life will lose it,
And whoever loses their 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 one is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward.
And whoever receives a righteous person because one is a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous.
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, they will surely not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:37-42)

Reflection

A disciple is one who takes up the cross and follows Jesus. The cross is an impactful image of the demands and effects of discipleship. Faithfulness requires sacrifice.

Action

Take up your cross this week-by accepting life’s minor bothers and hardships; by assuming responsibility for living the Gospel; by being willing to give up everything to follow Jesus.