13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 28/06/2020

We are now on the Thirteenth Sunday of the ordinary time. On this Sunday, the Gospel acclamation verse, echoes the generosity of God through which we have become his chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people called out of darkness into his wonderful light (1Peter 2:9). The liturgical mood and the today’s biblical readings invite us to reflect on this baptismal song, a ritual effect, and in other words, a sacramental accomplishment. Listen to the opening prayer of today’s mass, this prayer is also known as “collect”.  And the church prays,

“O God, who through the grace of adoption chose us to be children of light, grant, we pray, that we may not be wrapped in the darkness of error but always be seen to stand in the light of truth”.

It is true that we are Jesus’ disciples through baptism, and a disciple must live with generosity. Failure to do so, is to be enclosed in the darkness of error, is to lose the reward of a disciple, and to fail in our missionary vocation.

The first reading and the gospel are leading us through the path of generosity for those who live the life in Christ. This generosity is revealed in welcoming a Prophet or a disciple. The Psalm is full of praise for the Lord, expressing the Psalmist’s joy and trust in the Lord’s everlasting love and faithfulness. The Gospel sees Jesus continuing to instruct the disciples in their mission, telling them of the demands in following his way. But he also assures them of God’s great generosity– both to them and also to anyone who welcomes them. In doing so, they are welcoming Jesus himself, and even the smallest kindness will be rewarded. This week consider loving Christ more dearly and welcoming him clearly in others.

Joy and Peace.