13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Readings

First Reading 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a

One day Elisha went to Shunem, where a rich woman lived. She invited him to a meal, and from then on every time he went to Shunem he would have his meals at her house. She said to her husband, “I am sure that this man who comes here so often is a holy man. Let’s build a small room on the roof, put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp in it, and he can stay there whenever he visits us.” One day Elisha returned to Shunem and went up to his room to rest.

Later Elisha asked, “What can I do for her?” His servant Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is an old man.” “Tell her to come here,” Elisha ordered. She came and stood in the doorway, and Elisha said to her, “By this time next year you will be holding a son in your arms.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 – For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord

Second Reading Romans 6:3-4, 8-11

Brothers and sisters: Surely you know that when we were baptized into union with Christ Jesus, we were baptized into union with his death. By our baptism, then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life.

Since we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that Christ has been raised from death and will never die again—death will no longer rule over him. And so, because he died, sin has no power over him; and now he lives his life in fellowship with God. In the same way you are to think of yourselves as dead, so far as sin is concerned, but living in fellowship with God through Christ Jesus.

Gospel Matthew 10:37-42

Jesus said to his disciples: “Those who love their father or mother more than me are not fit to be my disciples; those who love their son or daughter more than me are not fit to be my disciples. Those who do not take up their cross and follow in my steps are not fit to be my disciples. Those who try to gain their own life will lose it; but those who lose their life for my sake will gain it.

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes God’s messenger because he is God’s messenger, will share in his reward. And whoever welcomes a good man because he is good, will share in his reward. You can be sure that whoever gives even a drink of cold water to one of the least of these my followers because he is my follower, will certainly receive a reward.”

Prayers of the Faithful

• That Pope Francis and all religious leaders be renewed and strengthened to lead the church to greater service, love, and unity, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• That all decision-makers at the local, state, and national levels be guided by God’s wisdom, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• That all people during this time of anxiety and stress be witnesses to Christ’s love by practicing charity and promoting justice and peace, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• That those who continue to suffer from the pandemic and racism be sustained in hope, empowered with courage, and filled with the grace to persevere, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• That our parish community grow in willingness to offer hospitality to those in need and continue to lift each other up as faithful disciples, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• That June & Kenneth Palm; Ruth & Richard Billmeyer; the Honkamp/Wubben Family; Gilford & Coletta Hohnecker; Evelyn McQuade; Russ Goebel; Don Oliver Jr.; Mary Makovec; Moe & Rose Johanningmeier; and all who have died know the peace and fullness of everlasting life with God, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

A Prayer for During the Pandemic

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We turn to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.