13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
In our reading, Elijah was asked to anoint Elisha because he was going to replace him when he died. Elisha wanted to kiss his mother and father goodbye first. Elijah said go ahead. Elisha prepared a meal for them and then followed Elijah.
In our Gospel, someone wanted to follow Jesus but Jesus said he doesn’t have a home. This means that the disciple must be ready to go and do whatever is necessary, in everyday life because Jesus goes from place to place to preach the Good News. Jesus asked another person to follow him but they wanted to bury their father first. Someone else said they would follow Jesus but they wanted to say goodbye to their family first.
Special Saint/Feast Day: St. Josemaria Escriva – June 26th
Josemaria Escriva was born in Spain on Jan. 9, 1902. He was one of six children. He was ordained a priest in 1925 and he continued his studies in Rome.
Father Escriva began his priestly ministry in country parishes. Later, he ministered to university students.
He knew it was important to bring faith and hope to the rich and poor, the educated and the simple.
Father Escriva started an association called Opus Dei, meaning “the work of God” in Latin. It was an organization for people from all levels of social and professional life who wanted to live the Christian life more fully. Members of Opus Dei offer up the work they do each day in union with Jesus for the good of others.
He taught that everyone is called to live a holy life and to carry out a mission in the Church.
Father Escriva died in 1975.
St. Josemaria Escriva taught that the work we do in our everyday lives is a way to become closer to God. When we offer Jesus our schoolwork, our daily chores, and even our times of fun, our whole life becomes a prayer and a fulfillment of God’s will. This is what true holiness is.