SUNDAY READINGS REFLECTIONS
from our Carmelite Friars
GOD MAKES US WORTHY
13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Reading 1: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16A
In the First Reading, a woman was barren for many years. But despite the ‘lack’ in her life, she was willing to receive, Elisha the Prophet of God. Hers is not just hospitality but openness to receive God in their lack of child. What happened? The son is promised to arrive. God turns their emptiness into grace, from dishonor to God’s honor.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19
The Psalmist sings of the goodness of the Lord. Why? Despite Israel’s inaptness with God, He remains faithful. His faithfulness keeps us, keeps them worthy in the sight of God despite their unfaithfulness.
Reading 2: Romans 6:3-4, 8-11
The second reading tells us that we will only have life if we have died with Christ for it leads to faith that we will live in him. Jesus died to sin once and for all, and as for his life, he lives for God. We are dead to sin not because of our goodness, but Jesus made us so. Through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, we are saved. Salvation is God making us worthy once more.
Gospel: Matthew 10:37-42
The Gospel tells us where our worth lies.
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
It is not because Jesus wants us to suffer. Rather it is his desire for us to find what will make life worth living. It is not through position, money, fame, authority, and the like. But like the woman in the first reading, it is through receiving the life and love of Jesus and in turn the Father in their lives. And what is the acid test in knowing that we have truly receive God in our lives? When we welcome in our lives God’s prophet, righteous people, and the poor, then we have truly received God.