June 28, 2020: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading: Matthew 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.”

Reflection:

Jesus’ “pep talk” to his disciples continues with more “hard” sayings. I find it a bit overwhelming and wonder if I can measure up … loving God above all others and above all possessions; taking up the cross of daily realities in life; losing my life to find it. But then, Jesus seems to get more to my level … even giving a cup of cold water to another is important in Jesus’ way of seeing things.

Action:

I will identify the “cups of cold water” I can give this week. Perhaps I can literally quench someone’s thirst or hunger. Or I can write a note, bake cookies for a neighbor, or make a phone call to someone who lives alone. The possibilities of small acts of kindness are endless!