- 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Kings 4:8-11,13-16; Psalm 88(89):2-3,16-19; Romans 6:3-4,8-11; Matthew 10:37-42The readings of this Sunday reveal that the Christian life is a generous response to the generous love of God. In the First Book of Kings (2 Kings 4:8–11, 13–16), the Shunammite woman welcomes the prophet Elisha with open-hearted generosity, expecting nothing in return. Her selfless hospitality becomes the place where God’s blessing enters her life. True generosity is never a loss in God’s eyes; it always bears fruit beyond our expectations. The Psalm responds by proclaiming that true happiness is found in singing forever of the Lord’s love. A heart that has experienced God’s faithful love naturally becomes a heart of praise. Saint Paul, in the Letter to the Romans (6:3–4, 8–11), reminds us that through Baptism we have died and risen with Christ. We no longer belong to the old life centered on ourselves but are called to walk in the new life of grace. This new life finds its fullest expression in the Gospel (Matthew 10:37–42), where Jesus invites His disciples to follow Him without calculating the cost. Love does not keep accounts. Whoever truly loves Christ no longer measures sacrifices, because love transforms sacrifice into a joyful gift of self. The disciple does not ask, “How much must I give?” but “How can I give myself more completely?” Generosity, praise, new life in Baptism, and wholehearted discipleship all flow from the same source: a heart that has encountered the immeasurable love of God. When we know we have received everything from Him, we no longer count the cost of giving ourselves in return. Let’s reflect: Have I encountered God’s love so deeply that I can give myself generously, praise Him joyfully, and follow Christ without calculating the sacrifices He asks of me?
Don Giorgio