Love the Lord, and sing of his goodness

The responsorial psalm for July 2 captures the common thread throughout the readings from this 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time. “Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.”

In the first reading, the woman of influence is promised to be blessed with a son after caring for the holy man of God, Elisha. In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that through our baptism, we are raised up to live in newness of life with Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the rewards that one will receive by caring for his people. The goodness of the Lord is truly amazing. You may notice that the rewards and the Lord’s goodness demand something from us. The woman of influence cares for the prophet of the Lord. St. Paul tells us that we must live for God and be dead to sin. Jesus gives certain criteria to receive these rewards.

It is good for us to have faith in Jesus and to believe in the Gospels, but it must also have an effect on our lives. Jesus says that we must love him above all else. This means putting him first, over and above all good things. He wants that priority of

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