Thirteenth Sunday of the year June 28. 2026
2 Kings 4, 8-11 14-16; Romans 6, 3-4 8-11; Matthew 10 37-42
As a young man, he had received a scholarship to study
abroad. It was a rare opportunity that promised wealth, success, and prestige.
Just before leaving, his widowed mother fell seriously ill. There was no one
else to care for her. For several days he struggled with the decision. If he
stayed, he might lose the opportunity of a lifetime. If he left, he would
abandon the person who had sacrificed everything for him.
Finally, he chose to stay. He cared for his mother until her
death several years later. He never became rich, nor did he achieve the worldly
success he had once dreamed of. Yet he said, “That decision taught me what
truly matters. Love is measured not by what we feel but by what we are willing
to give up. Losing that opportunity was not the greatest sacrifice of my life.
It was the greatest blessing because it taught me the value of selfless love.”
Today's readings invite us to reflect on the cost and reward
of true discipleship. They remind us that following God is not simply about
religious practices or good intentions. It is about placing God at the centre
of our lives and allowing that relationship to shape every choice we make.
In the first reading from the Second Book of Kings, we meet
a wealthy woman from Shunem. She notices that the prophet Elisha frequently
passes through her town. Recognizing him as a holy man of God, she invites him
into her home and provides hospitality. Her generosity goes beyond a simple
meal. She persuades her husband to build a small room for Elisha so that he may
rest whenever he visits.
What is remarkable about this woman is that she expects
nothing in return. She serves because she recognizes God's presence in His
prophet. Her generosity springs from faith and openness of heart. Yet God is
never outdone in generosity. Through Elisha, God blesses her with a son, even
though she had been childless for many years. This story teaches us that every
act of kindness done for God's sake carries a blessing. The blessing may not
always be material, but God sees every sacrifice and every act of generosity.
The Gospel echoes this theme. Jesus tells His disciples that
whoever receives a prophet receives a prophet's reward and whoever gives even a
cup of cold water to one of His little ones will not lose the reward. The
Christian life is often built upon simple acts of love. A kind word, a helping
hand, a listening ear, a gesture of hospitality, a sacrifice made quietly for
another person. In God's eyes, these actions are never insignificant.
In the second reading, St Paul reminds us of our deepest
identity. Through Baptism, we have been united with Christ in His death and
resurrection. The old self has died, and a new life has begun. This means that
discipleship is not merely about following a set of rules. It is about sharing
in the very life of Christ. We are called to leave behind selfishness, sin, and
self-centeredness and to live a new life rooted in love and service.
St Paul challenges us to see ourselves differently. Too often we define ourselves by our achievements, failures, possessions, or social status. But our truest identity is that we belong to Christ. We have died with Him and risen with Him.
The Gospel contains some of the most demanding words of
Jesus. He says, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of
me.” At first these words may seem harsh. Jesus is not asking us to love our
families less. Rather, He is asking us to love God first.
When God occupies the first place in our lives, every other
relationship finds its proper place. But when anything or anyone replaces God
at the centre, our priorities become distorted.
Jesus goes even further and says that whoever does not take
up the cross and follow Him is not worthy of Him. Discipleship involves
sacrifice. It requires courage, commitment, and perseverance. Following Christ
may sometimes mean choosing what is right over what is easy, what is faithful
over what is convenient.
Yet Jesus immediately adds a promise. Whoever loses his life
for His sake will find it. The paradox of the Gospel is that true fulfillment
is found not in self-preservation but in self-giving love.
There are three important life messages for us today.
First, put Christ at the center of your life. Every
decision, relationship, and ambition should be guided by your relationship with
Him.
Second, never underestimate the value of small acts of
kindness. God notices every gesture of love and generosity done in His name.
Third, embrace the sacrifices that come with discipleship.
The cross is never the end of the story. Every sacrifice offered with love
leads to deeper joy and new life.
Let us return to the story of the young man who gave up a
promising future to care for his sick mother. Many people may have seen his
choice as a loss. Yet he discovered something far more valuable than success.
He discovered the meaning of selfless love.
The readings today teach the same lesson. The woman of
Shunem opened her home and received a blessing. Saint Paul reminds us that our
old life must give way to a new life in Christ. Jesus teaches that whoever
loses life for His sake will find it.
The world often tells us to put ourselves first, to seek
comfort, success, and personal gain above everything else. The Gospel offers a
different path. It is the path of generosity, sacrifice, hospitality, and love.
When we place Christ first, we do not lose anything that
truly matters. Instead, we discover a deeper purpose, a greater joy, and a
richer life. Like the man in the story, we eventually realize that what seemed
to be a sacrifice was actually a blessing. For the person who gives everything
to God never loses; he gains a treasure that lasts forever.
Happy Sunday
