Invitation
May I take this opportunity to draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation is intended to share with you the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, without exception,
can experience that joy by opening their heart
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day
Introduction
This Sunday’s Scripture readings invite us to practise hospitality.
They challenge us to make room in our hearts for others.
This is not just about showing hospitality to like-minded people
or for people we like.
We are challenged to be hospitable to all people,
whatever language they speak and whatever their background.
Whoever opens themselves up to a stranger or an unexpected guest
will encounter God himself in that person.
Let us turn our eyes to the Lord, who welcomes us to his table.
FIRST READING 2 Kings 4:8–11, 14–16a
This man is a holy man of God; let him stay here.
From the Second Book of Kings
One day, the prophet Elisha passed through Shunem.
There lived a wealthy woman,
who urged him
to come and eat with her.
And every time
the prophet passed through the area thereafter,
he would go there to eat.
So the woman said to her husband:
‘Listen, I’ve noticed
that he always comes to our house;
is a holy man of God.
‘Let’s build a small room for him onto our house
and put a bed, a table, a chair and a lamp in it;
so that when he comes to us,
he can take up residence there.”
So when Elisha came back one day,
he was able to move into the upper room
and rest there.
He then asked Gehazi, his servant:
“Is there really nothing we can do for her?”
Gehazi replied:
“Alas, she has no son, and her husband is old.”
Then Elisha said:
“Call her.”
The servant called her, and she stood in the doorway.
And Elisha said:
“By this time next year
you will hold a son close to your heart.”
Responsorial Psalm Ps. 89(88), 2–3, 16–17, 18–19
Refrain
I will sing of your loving-kindness, O Lord.
I will sing of your kindness, O Lord,
and proclaim your faithfulness to every generation.
You have said: “My favour shall endure for ever!”
The heavens are the foundation of your faithfulness.
Blessed are the people who know what joy is,
for they live, O Lord, in the light of your countenance.
For all day long they glorify your Name,
and finds its glory in your righteousness.
For You are our glory and our strength;
your favour makes us a great and mighty people.
For from the Lord we have received our shield,
the Holy One of Israel has given us a king.
SECOND READING Rom . 6:3–4, 8–11
Through baptism we were buried with him, so that we might live a new life.
From the letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Christians in Rome
Brothers and sisters,
You know that baptism,
through which we have become one with Christ Jesus,
has made us share in his death?
Through baptism into his death we have been buried with him,
so that we too might live a new life
just as Christ,
who, by the power of his Father,
was raised from the dead.
If, then, we have died with Christ,
we believe that we shall also live with him;
for we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead,
dies no more:
Death no longer has power over Him.
Through the death He died,
He has once and for all put an end to sin;
the life He now lives
is devoted solely to God.
So you too must regard yourselves as
as dead to sin
and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Gospel Acclamation 1 Peter 2:9
Alleluia.
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
called to proclaim the glorious deeds of Him
who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mt. 10:37–42
Whoever does not take up their cross is not worthy of Me; whoever receives you receives Me.
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
At that time, Jesus said to his apostles:
‘Whoever loves father or mother more than Me,
is not worthy of Me;
whoever loves son or daughter more than Me,
is not worthy of me.
“And whoever does not take up their cross and follow me,
is not worthy of Me.
“Whoever finds their life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for My sake,
will find it.
“Whoever receives you receives Me;
and whoever receives Me,
welcomes the One who sent Me.
“Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet,
will also receive a prophet’s reward;
and whoever welcomes a righteous person,
because he is a righteous person,
will also receive the reward of a righteous person.
“And whoever gives even one of these little ones
even if it is only a cup of cold water,
because he is my disciple,
truly, I tell you:
his reward will certainly not be withheld from him.”
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Laudato Si
Encyclical of
POPE FRANCIS
On care for our common home
160. What sort of world do we wish to pass on to those who will come after us
, to the children who are growing up? This question
does not concern the environment in isolation, for it cannot be
. When we ask ourselves about the world
we wish to leave behind, we are referring above all to the overarching purpose,
its purpose and values. If this fundamental question does not resonate
efforts, I do not believe that
they can have any significant impact. But if this question is posed courageously,
it inevitably leads us to other, very direct questions.
For what purpose do we live in this world? To what end have we been
called to do in this life? For what purpose do we work and strive? Why does this
earth need us? That is why it is not enough simply to care
about future generations. We must realise that
our own dignity is at stake. We are the primary stakeholders
in ensuring we pass on a planet that is habitable for the humanity that
will come after us. It is a mission for ourselves, because it points
to the meaning of our own journey through life on this earth.
To be continued.
Every day at 1 am
The Bible passage in this edition is taken fromThe New Bible Translation,
©Nederlands Bijbelgenootschap 2004/2007.
Reflections from Liturgical Suggestions for Weekdays and Sundays
Laudato Si’ Official English translation
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