Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – A
I would like to begin with a simple question: Have you ever felt that God was asking you to take the next step?
Not necessarily a giant leap of faith, but simply the next step.
For some, that step might have been returning to church after being away. For others, it might have been forgiving someone, spending more time in prayer, or trusting God during a difficult season of life.
God often works that way. He does not usually reveal the entire journey. He simply invites us to take the next step and trust that He will walk with us.
The readings today are all about that invitation.
There is a difference between believing in Jesus and following Jesus. Many people believe in Jesus. They respect Him. They pray to Him when they are in trouble. They may even feel close to Him at certain moments in their lives.
But in today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about something deeper. He speaks about discipleship. He speaks about making Him the center of our lives and choosing to walk with Him every day.
The people who first followed Jesus did not have all the answers. They did not know where the journey would lead. They simply heard His invitation: “Follow me.” That invitation is still being spoken today.
Every one of us can remember a time when Jesus was calling us to take the next step. Perhaps it was returning to Mass after being away . Perhaps it was receiving a sacrament, becoming involved in parish life, or simply trusting God during a difficult time.
God does not force Himself upon us. He invites us.
In our first reading, the woman of Shunem opened her door to the prophet Elisha and discovered a blessing she never expected. Hospitality opened the door to grace.
The same thing happens when we open the door of our hearts to Christ. We often discover that He has been waiting for us all along.
And then St. Paul reminds us in the second reading that through Baptism we become united with Christ. Baptism is not merely a ceremony. It is the beginning of a new life. It is God’s way of saying, “You belong to Me.”
There are many people today who believe in Jesus but have never taken the next step of fully entering into the life He offers through His Church. Yet, Christ continues to call. He continues to invite. He continues to knock at the door.
Perhaps there is someone here today who has been praying for a sign, wondering what God wants from them, wondering if there is something more. If that is you, listen carefully to the words of Jesus. He is not asking for perfection. He is simply asking for a willing heart.
The Church exists because generation after generation of ordinary people who heard Christ’s invitation and responded, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you.”
And so today, whether we have been disciples for fifty years or whether we are just beginning to hear His voice, the Lord asks the same question: “Will you take the next step?”
May our answer be yes. May we continue to follow Him more closely. And may we forever sing of the goodness of the Lord.
AMEN.
Introduction
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks some challenging words about what it means to be His disciple. He reminds us that following Him is not simply a matter of believing in Him from a distance. It requires trust, commitment, and the courage to place Him at the center of our lives.
As we listen to the readings today, let us ask the Lord to open our hearts and help us hear whatever invitation He may be extending to each of us today.
Communion Meditation
Lord Jesus,
In this sacred moment, we sit quietly in Your presence.
You have come to us in Word and Sacrament. You have fed us with your love. You have reminded us once again that You call each of us by name.
Some of us have walked with You for many years. Some of us may still be learning how to trust You Some of us may be standing at the edge of a new beginning.
Wherever we find ourselves today, Your invitation remains the same: “Come follow Me.”
You do not ask us to know everything. You do not ask us to have all the answers. You simply ask us to trust You enough to take the next step.
Help us to believe that You are already walking beside us.
Help us to trust that Your plans are greater than our fears. Help us to recognize that every journey of faith begins with a single step.
As we leave this church today, may we carry Your presence into the world. May we listen for Your voice. May we follow where You lead.
And may we, with grateful hearts, forever sing of the goodness of the Lord.
AMEN.