13TH MONDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 8:18-22) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.” (Mt 8:22)

FIRST READING - 18:16-33

A reading from the Book of Genesis

Abraham and the men who had visited him by the Terebinth of Mamre

set out from there and looked down toward Sodom;

Abraham was walking with them, to see them on their way.

The LORD reflected: "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,

now that he is to become a great and populous nation,

and all the nations of the earth are to find blessing in him?

Indeed, I have singled him out

that he may direct his children and his household after him

to keep the way of the LORD

by doing what is right and just,

so that the LORD may carry into effect for Abraham

the promises he made about him."

Then the LORD said:

"The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great,

and their sin so grave,

that I must go down and see whether or not their actions

fully correspond to the cry against them that comes to me.

I mean to find out."

While the two men walked on farther toward Sodom,

the LORD remained standing before Abraham.

Then Abraham drew nearer to him and said:

"Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty?

Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city;

would you wipe out the place, rather than spare it

for the sake of the fifty innocent people within it?

Far be it from you to do such a thing,

to make the innocent die with the guilty,

so that the innocent and the guilty would be treated alike!

Should not the judge of all the world act with justice?"

The LORD replied,

"If I find fifty innocent people in the city of Sodom,

I will spare the whole place for their sake."

Abraham spoke up again:

"See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord,

though I am but dust and ashes!

What if there are five less than fifty innocent people?

Will you destroy the whole city because of those five?"

He answered, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there."

But Abraham persisted, saying, "What if only forty are found there?"

He replied, "I will forbear doing it for the sake of forty."

Then Abraham said, "Let not my Lord grow impatient if I go on.

What if only thirty are found there?"

He replied, "I will forbear doing it if I can find but thirty there."

Still Abraham went on,

"Since I have thus dared to speak to my Lord,

what if there are no more than twenty?"

He answered, "I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty."

But he still persisted:

"Please, let not my Lord grow angry if I speak up this last time.

What if there are at least ten there?"

He replied, "For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it."

The LORD departed as soon as he had finished speaking with Abraham,

and Abraham returned home.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 8:18-22

From the Gospel according to Matthew

When Jesus saw a crowd around him,

he gave orders to cross to the other shore.

A scribe approached and said to him,

“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,

but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

Another of his disciples said to him,

“Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”

But Jesus answered him, “Follow me,

and let the dead bury their dead.”

13TH MONDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 8:18-22)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

The Word of God today speaks about the conditions for following the vocation of a consecrated mission with Jesus Christ. The life and vocation of Jesus Christ serve as an example—a living witness on this earth—for all who desire to commit themselves to the path of consecration to God the Father. In this world, only the example of the consecrated life of Jesus Christ is truly noble and perfect; there is no other missionary vocation as complete or divine.

The image of Jesus Christ’s perfect life of dedication is revealed through His two responses to those who wished to follow Him: '"Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” and “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”' Through these two statements, it becomes clear that whoever follows Jesus Christ must be prepared to labor tirelessly, without a permanent home, because everything - heaven, earth, and the universe - belongs to God.

Anyone who commits to following Jesus Christ must be ready to embrace challenges and hardships, just as He did while preaching the Gospel. This is not merely about the historical person of Jesus Christ physically traveling the world, but about His living disciples - those who bear His image - spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth, calling people to repentance, and turning away from sin to return to God.

To preach the Gospel is to accept a life of poverty and insecurity, just as our Master did. God has declared that all creation - heaven, earth, and everything within - is His. Therefore, those who follow Jesus on the path of dedication must not worry about wealth, material possessions, or earthly homes. Instead, they are called to trust in God’s power and strength.

The Word of God emphasizes the importance of renouncing attachment to worldly goods. For those who follow Him, trust in the care and providence of God the Father is essential. He also calls those who have already chosen this path to place God above all things in their daily lives. We are called to surrender all wealth, material comforts, and human security, and to entrust ourselves fully to God’s mercy and loving Providence.

Be assured: if we remain steadfast in serving God, He will provide everything we need through His perfect providence. This is God's call to all who desire to dedicate themselves and walk the path of vocation and mission as prophets of God the Father.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

19:00 June 30th, 2025 - Prayer of Divine Mercy - The Way to Heaven