A reading from the second Book of Kings
(Chapter 4:8-11, 14-16a)
The prophet Elisha was traveling to a town named Shunem where he was invited for dinner with the family of a “woman of influence.” This became the place for a meal whenever Elisha traveled in that direction. The woman suggested to her husband that they prepare a room for the prophet to stay overnight. Elisha was grateful for her generosity and 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 boy.’”
This is one of many instances in the Jewish scriptures of the power of God to bring forth new life unexpectedly, a power that would take on new meaning in the Christian era.
Responsorial Psalm
(Psalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19)
“Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.” Sometimes it is hard to see the “goodness of the Lord,” especially during times of overwhelming tragedy and sadness. We are in such times now; yet, the “goodness of the Lord” still shines forth. Where and when have you experienced this goodness? How have these experiences of love and friendship and support helped you through hard times?
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans
(Chapter 6:3-4, 8-11)
Here is this deep and powerful reading from the letter to the Christian community in Rome:
“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 a new 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.”
Paul wanted his readers to know that their baptism was not just one more event in their lives; it was a life-changing event. Of course, most of the people that he was talking to were baptized as adults. Today, almost all of us were baptized as babies, so it is harder for us to realize the power of our baptism, how it unites us with Christ even before we are conscious of who he is. What does it mean for you to be “living for God in Christ Jesus”? The Spirit of God lives in each one of us. Do you ever think about that?
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
(Chapter 10:37-42)
The apostles had families, and there were conflicts between the all-consuming ministry of following Jesus and family obligations. Jesus knew how hard it was for the apostles to leave their families. That is the context for what appear to be very harsh requirements for being an apostle: “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 me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
But then, listen to this powerful statement: “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” Jesus knows that his time on earth is short, so he wants to make sure that the apostles understand how hard their mission really is and how important it is.
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus today? What qualities and teachings of Jesus do we live every day? How should we bear witness to the teachings of Jesus in our everyday lives, especially facing many of the evils we experience that harm individuals and whole groups of people?
Excerpts from the English translation of the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL). All rights reserved.
Bill Ayres was a founder, with the late singer Harry Chapin, of WhyHunger. Bill was a radio and TV broadcaster for 40 years. He is a member of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Centerport, New York.

"Hear the Word!" by Bill Ayres: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by
Bill Ayres on Jun 26, 2020 7:00:37 AM
Written by Bill Ayres
Subscribe Here!
Recent Posts
Posts by Tag
- RENEW International (229)
- Sharon Krause (165)
- Reflections on the coming Sunday's Gospel (86)
- prayer (61)
- Jesus Christ (58)
- Hear the Word! by Bill Ayres (42)
- catholic program renew (33)
- prayer life (31)
- catholic renew progam (24)
- renew catholic program (22)
- Lent (21)
- Advent (18)
- Bill Ayres (18)
- Indwelling of the Holy Spirit (18)
- Christmas (17)
- God's love (17)
- catholic RENEW program (17)
- a reflection on the coming Sunday's Gospel (15)
- COVID (12)
- pandemic (12)
- Holy Spirit (11)
- The Everyday Gospel: Deacon Charles Paolino (11)
- gratitude (11)
- Sunday readings (10)
- Good News (9)
- Lenten season (9)
- everyday prayer (9)
- Gratitude to God (8)
- John the Baptist (8)
- Scripture (8)
- daily prayer (8)
- Gospel According to Matthew (7)
- resurrection (7)
- Catholic social teaching (6)
- forgiveness (6)
- justice (6)
- praying (6)
- spiritual life (6)
- Dignity and the Death Penalty (5)
- Easter (5)
- God's gifts (5)
- RENEW prayers (5)
- hope (5)
- spontaneous prayer (5)
- virus (5)
- Advent journey (4)
- Advent prayer (4)
- Book of the Prophet Isaiah (4)
- First Sunday of Advent (4)
- Gifts of the Holy Spirit (4)
- Gospel According to Mark (4)
- Holy Trinity (4)
- Marian devotion (4)
- New Year (4)
- Ordinary Time (4)
- Psalm 23 (4)
- St. Joseph (4)
- The Holy Spirit accompanies us (4)
- The Resurrection of the Lord (4)
- care for those in poverty (4)
- celebration of the Eucharist (4)
- creation (4)
- death penalty (4)
- mercy (4)
- rosary (4)
- scripture readings (4)
- season of preparation (4)
- suffering servant (4)
- time of anticipation (4)
- trust in God (4)
- Awaken to the Spirit (3)
- Babylonian Exile (3)
- Book of Wisdom (3)
- Christmas season (3)
- Church (3)
- Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (3)
- Fifth Sunday of Lent (3)
- Fourth Sunday in Lent (3)
- God's call (3)
- God's forgiveness (3)
- Good Shepherd (3)
- Gospel according to John (3)
- Jesus Christ the King (3)
- Jesus walks on water (3)
- Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians (3)
- New Covenant (3)
- Palm Sunday (3)
- Second Sunday of Advent (3)
- Second Sunday of Lent (3)
- Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (3)
- Sunday Mass (3)
- The Ascension (3)
- The Good Shepherd (3)
- The Gospel (3)
- Third Sunday of Lent (3)
- beatitudes (3)
- body and blood of Christ (3)
- counting our blessings (3)
- dignity of each person (3)
- disciples (3)
- epiphany (3)
- evangelization (3)
- feast of pentecost (3)
- first sunday of Lent (3)
- gifts from God (3)
- joy (3)
- kindness (3)
- patience (3)
- personal reflection (3)
- pray (3)
- priorities (3)
- recreate yourself this New Year (3)
- repentance (3)
- say yes to God's will (3)
- sharing our gifts (3)
- sins (3)
- thanksgiving (3)
- third sunday in ordinary time (3)
- welcome (3)
- 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (2)
- Abba (2)
- Assumption of Mary (2)
- Bible (2)
- Crucifxion (2)
- Dying to new life (2)
- Easter Season (2)
- Easter joy (2)
- Easter season of rebirth (2)
- Emmanuel (2)
- Eucharist (2)
- Feast of the Holy Family (2)
- Feeding the hungry (2)
- Fifth Sunday of Easter (2)
- God is love (2)
- God who loves you (2)
- God with us (2)
- God's blessings (2)
- God's mercy (2)
- God's presence (2)
- Gospel according to Luke (2)
- Holy Communion (2)
- Jesus (2)
- Magnificat (2)
- Mary (2)
- Mary and Joseph (2)
- Nativity of the Lord (2)
- Questions and Answers (2)
- Rely on Jesus (2)
- Seventh Sunday of Easter (2)
- Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2)
- Sixth Sunday of Easter (2)
- Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (2)
- Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (2)
- Spirit of love (2)
- St John the Baptist (2)
- Suffering Messiah (2)
- The Rosary (2)
- Virgin Mary (2)
- You shall love the Lord your God (2)
- attitude of gratitude (2)
- authority of Jesus (2)
- baptism (2)
- birth of our Savior (2)
- bread of life (2)
- centering prayer (2)
- covid-19 (2)
- crèche (2)
- decorations (2)
- divinity of Jesus (2)
- doubting Thomas (2)
- eternal life (2)
- every knee shall bend (2)
- faith in Jesus (2)
- faithful (2)
- fourth sunday in ordinary time (2)
- fourth sunday of advent (2)
- gift of faith (2)
- greatest commandment (2)
- growing in faith (2)
- having faith (2)
- holding grudges (2)
- holiness (2)
- holy spirit at work (2)
- hope in God (2)
- hope in the Lord (2)
- humility (2)
- inclusion (2)
- insight (2)
- kingdom of God (2)
- listening to God (2)
- love of neighbor (2)
- magi (2)
- meditation (2)
- mental incompetence (2)
- mission (2)
- open to the Holy Spirit (2)
- optimism (2)
- parables (2)
- peace (2)
- penance (2)
- praise God (2)
- pray for peace (2)
- prayer of thanksgiving (2)
- prayers of gratitude (2)
- prepare for Christmas (2)
- raising of Lazarus (2)
- reconciliation (2)
- repent and believe in the gospel (2)
- resurrection in our lives (2)
- road to Emmaus (2)
- sabbath (2)
- savior (2)
- saying grace (2)
- second coming of Christ (2)
- servant leadership (2)
- share your faith (2)
- social justice (2)
- solemnity of the most holy body and blood of chris (2)
- something new (2)
- spend time with God (2)
- spirit of the lord (2)
- spiritual grouth (2)
- spirituality (2)
- temptation (2)
- the examined life (2)
- thoughtfulness (2)
- trust in the Lord (2)
- use your gifts (2)
- vineyard of the Lord (2)
- wedding garment (2)
- wisdom (2)
- woman at the well (2)
- words (2)
- 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 2021 (1)
- 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- 3rd Sunday of Advent (1)
- 4th Sunday of Advent (1)
- Acts of love (1)
- Adam and Eve (1)
- Advent Wreath (1)
- Advent calendar (1)
- Annunciation (1)
- Apostle Andrew (1)
- Ascension (1)
- Ash Wednesday (1)
- Autumn (1)
- Awake (1)
- Baptism of Our Lord (1)
- Baptism of the Lord (1)
- Be still (1)
- Be watchful (1)
- Behold (1)
- Benedictine nun (1)
- Birth of John the Baptist (1)
- Blessed Mother (1)
- Blessed Trinity (1)
- Blessed Virgin Mary (1)
- Body of Christ (1)
- Book of Judges (1)
- Book of Kings (1)
- Book of Proverbs (1)
- Book of the Prophet Amos (1)
- Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (1)
- Catechism (1)
- Catholic (1)
- Catholic Faith (1)
- Catholic education (1)
- Charity (1)
- Charles Paolino (1)
- Children's Easter story (1)
- Christ child (1)
- Christ's love (1)
- Christian unity (1)
- Christian witness (1)
- Christmas Day (1)
- Christmas Star (1)
- Christmas carols (1)
- Christmas pageant (1)
- Christmas shopping (1)
- Covenant with Israel (1)
- Creation at the Crossroads (1)
- Creator God (1)
- Diocese of Brooklyn (1)
- Divine Office (1)
- Easter Sunday (1)
- Elijah (1)
- Father Son and Holy Spirit (1)
- Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (1)
- First Book of Samuel (1)
- First Commandment (1)
- First letter of Saint John (1)
- Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- Fourth Sunday of Easter (1)
- Genesis (1)
- Gentiles (1)
- God forgives (1)
- God full of love (1)
- God is our help (1)
- God is with us (1)
- God works in mysterious ways (1)
- God's generosity (1)
- God's guidance (1)
- God's healing (1)
- God's plan (1)
- God's unconditional love for all (1)
- God's voice (1)
- Gospel of John (1)
- Gospel of Mark (1)
- Hail Holy Queen (1)
- Haitian Creole (1)
- Holy Eucharist (1)
- Holy Week (1)
- HolySpirit (1)
- I am the light of the world (1)
- Immaculate Conception (1)
- In God We Trust (1)
- In the beginning was the Word (1)
- Inspired by the Holy Spirit (1)
- Jesus as high priest (1)
- Jesus as teacher (1)
- Jesus feeds the multitude (1)
- Jesus forgives (1)
- Jesus healing (1)
- Jesus heals (1)
- Jesus loves us (1)
- Jesus' call (1)
- Jesus’ Resurrection (1)
- Jews (1)
- Jonah (1)
- Joseph Mohr (1)
- Last Supper (1)
- Laudato Si" (1)
- Lenticular printing (1)
- Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1)
- Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians (1)
- Letter to the Hebrews (1)
- Love your neighbor as yourself (1)
- Marian Prayer (1)
- Martha and Mary (1)
- Mary Magdalene (1)
- Mary mother of God (1)
- Mary's House (1)
- Mary's intercession (1)
- Matthew 25 Christians (1)
- Meaning of Christmas (1)
- Meet Mary in Prayer (1)
- Messiah (1)
- Moses (1)
- Nativity scene (1)
- Natvity set (1)
- Nearness of God (1)
- Noah (1)
- Oh My God (1)
- Passion of Our Lord (1)
- Pentecost (1)
- Poor Richard's Almanac (1)
- Power of the Holy Spirit (1)
- Prediction of the Passion (1)
- Prepare (1)
- Prophet Ezekiel (1)
- Prophet Jeremiah (1)
- Psalm 100 (1)
- Psalm 138 (1)
- Psalm 139 (1)
- Psalm 146 (1)
- Psalm 24 (1)
- Psalm 34 (1)
- Psalm 63 (1)
- Psalm 80 (1)
- Psalm 85 (1)
- Rejoice and Be Glad (1)
- Sadducees (1)
- Saint Blaise (1)
- Saint Jerome Emiliani (1)
- Saint Peter (1)
- Savior of the world (1)
- Scriptures (1)
- Second Letter of St. Peter (1)
- Second Sunday of Easter (1)
- Silent Night (1)
- Sleeplessness (1)
- Small-Group Ministry (1)
- Solemnity of All Saints (1)
- Son of God (1)
- Special Rosaries (1)
- Sr. Helen Prejean (1)
- St. Callistus I (1)
- St. Damien (1)
- St. Gertrude (1)
- St. Hippolytus (1)
- St. Therese of Lisieux (1)
- St. Thomas (1)
- St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1)
- St. patrick (1)
- Star of Bethlehem (1)
- Sunday (1)
- Sunday Gospel (1)
- Sunday Matters (1)
- Temptation of Christ (1)
- Thanksgiving parade (1)
- The Apostles (1)
- The Boy Jesus (1)
- The Gift of Faith (1)
- The Lord is my rock (1)
- The Lord's Day (1)
- The Lord's Prayer (1)
- The Memorare (1)
- The Passion of the Lord (1)
- The Prophet Job (1)
- The Word became flesh (1)
- The golden rule (1)
- The kingdom of God is at hand (1)
- The risen Jesus (1)
- Third Sunday of Easter (1)
- Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- War in Ukraine (1)
- Wedding Feast (1)
- What would Jesus do (1)
- Word of God (1)
- Zacchaeus (1)
- Zaccheus (1)
- Zoom (1)
- abundant life (1)
- acceptance (1)
- accessible (1)
- adoration (1)
- agapé (1)
- angels (1)
- anxiety (1)
- apostle Peter (1)
- applying Scripture to your life (1)
- appreciation (1)
- ark (1)
- artist creator (1)
- attentiveness (1)
- authentic discipleship (1)
- autumn leaves (1)
- autumn prayer (1)
- awareness (1)
- baby Jesus (1)
- be less judgmental (1)
- being a disciple (1)
- being positive (1)
- bible study (1)
- blessed (1)
- blessing of throats (1)
- bread from heaven (1)
- call to discipleship (1)
- called to follow (1)
- campaign (1)
- census tax (1)
- choices (1)
- close encounter (1)
- clothe the naked (1)
- comfort and joy (1)
- comfort the sick (1)
- communion of saints (1)
- compassion (1)
- confession (1)
- confirmation sponsor (1)
- courage (1)
- crib (1)
- crucifixion (1)
- despair (1)
- devotion to Saints (1)
- disciples of Jesus (1)
- discipleship (1)
- distractions from prayer (1)
- divine help (1)
- divine intervention (1)
- divine mercy (1)
- divine providence (1)
- divorce (1)
- do not be afraid (1)
- driving responsibly (1)
- election (1)
- encounter Jesus (1)
- end of liturgical year (1)
- epiphany of the Lord (1)
- examining conscience (1)
- experience god's presence (1)
- faith sharing group (1)
- false prophets (1)
- fasting (1)
- fear not (1)
- feast of unity (1)
- feed the hungry (1)
- first letter of saint paul to the corinthians (1)
- fog (1)
- follow Jesus (1)
- follow the gospel (1)
- generosity (1)
- gift of God (1)
- gift wrapping (1)
- give glory (1)
- give thanks to God (1)
- glory (1)
- glory to god (1)
- go in peace (1)
- godparents (1)
- good Samaritan (1)
- good works (1)
- gospel challenges (1)
- greatest gift (1)
- growing in love (1)
- hallowed be thy name (1)
- handy (1)
- healing of the blind man (1)
- hearts and minds (1)
- his people on earth (1)
- holiday (1)
- hope and promise (1)
- house of the Lord (1)
- human dignity (1)
- humanity and divinity of Christ (1)
- humble life (1)
- imitating Jesus (1)
- inner peace (1)
- insomnia (1)
- intercessory prayer (1)
- interior life (1)
- intimacy with Christ (1)
- introspection (1)
- invitation (1)
- joy and wonder of the resurrection (1)
- lamb of God (1)
- least of them (1)
- life in christ (1)
- like a thief at night (1)
- love of God (1)
- love of self (1)
- love one another (1)
- love one another as I love you (1)
- love your neighbor (1)
- lullaby (1)
- magician (1)
- magnificence of God's love (1)
- man born blind (1)
- marriage (1)
- maturing in faith (1)
- meek and humble of heart (1)
- mental health (1)
- messages (1)
- messengers of God's love (1)
- mind and body (1)
- multiplication of the loaves and fishes (1)
- new beginnings (1)
- new perspectives (1)
- night prayer (1)
- nourishing the soul (1)
- online community (1)
- online small groups (1)
- openness (1)
- pandemic lessons (1)
- parable (1)
- parable of the 10 virgins (1)
- parable of the hidden treasure (1)
- parable of the pearl (1)
- parable of the talents (1)
- parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee (1)
- parable of the two sons (1)
- parable of the wicked tenants (1)
- peace be with you (1)
- peace of mind (1)
- persecution (1)
- persist in prayer (1)
- pillar of cloud (1)
- power of the Spirit (1)
- pray together (1)
- prayer of gratitude (1)
- praying with a psalm (1)
- prepare for Easter (1)
- prepare the way of the Lord (1)
- procrastination (1)
- promise of new life (1)
- prostitutes (1)
- psalm 131 (1)
- psalms (1)
- reach out to others in mercy and love (1)
- real presence of Christ (1)
- receive the Holy Spirit (1)
- reflect on God's presence (1)
- reflection (1)
- rejoice (1)
- remembering (1)
- render unto caesar (1)
- renewing our faith (1)
- respond "yes" to God's call (1)
- respond to the call (1)
- restraint (1)
- retreat (1)
- rote learning (1)
- sacrament of baptism (1)
- sacrament of reconciliation (1)
- salt of the earth (1)
- salvation is through Jesus (1)
- second sunday in ordinary time (1)
- seek the Lord (1)
- self control (1)
- self-awareness (1)
- self-sacrifice (1)
- sense of hope (1)
- serenity (1)
- service (1)
- serving others (1)
- seventy seven times (1)
- share love of Christ (1)
- silence (1)
- silent prayer (1)
- sinfulness (1)
- sins of the world (1)
- sleep (1)
- slogans (1)
- slow down (1)
- small faith sharing groups (1)
- social distancing (1)
- solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (1)
- son of Mary (1)
- spend time with Jesus (1)
- spiritual reading (1)
- spiritual renewal (1)
- spread the Gospel (1)
- spreading good news (1)
- starting fresh (1)
- stations (1)
- status of women (1)
- stay awake (1)
- stress (1)
- suffering (1)
- take time to pray (1)
- talents (1)
- tax collectors (1)
- teaching children about God (1)
- thanking God (1)
- the common good (1)
- the elect (1)
- the just one (1)
- the miraculous catch of fish (1)
- the people's prayer book (1)
- the prophet Jonah (1)
- the stone the builders rejected (1)
- thinking (1)
- third sunday of advent (1)
- thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (1)
- thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time (1)
- three kings (1)
- three meditations (1)
- to serve God (1)
- transfiguration (1)
- transfiguration of the Lord (1)
- treasure the faith (1)
- treatment of women (1)
- trimmings (1)
- true wisdom (1)
- trust in God's mercy (1)
- universal Church (1)
- unlocking our potential (1)
- use time well (1)
- using your talents to serve god (1)
- virtual (1)
- voice crying out in the desert (1)
- we remember (1)
- wedding feast at Cana (1)
- welcome the stranger (1)
- whatever you did for the least of brothers of mine (1)
- when the saints go marching in (1)
- widow's mite (1)
- widows and orphans (1)
- wild turkeys (1)
- witness (1)
- witness to matrimony (1)
- witness to the baptism (1)
- woman found in adultery (1)
- women in the Church (1)
- wonder of creation (1)
- workers in the vineyard (1)
- worry closet (1)
- worthy wife (1)