Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 90 (NAB Translation)
Reading 1
In this week’s first reading from the first book of Kings in the Old Testament, we see the Prophet Elijah demonstrate the power of God by raising someone from the dead. A poor widow in the pagan city of Zarephath has lost her only son to death despite the presence of Elijah, the holy man of God. As with many miracles performed by the prophets and apostles, God uses this episode to demonstrate both His mercy and the power of prayer. Elijah prays to the Lord and the Lord brings the man back to life. This story also prefigures our Gospel reading where Jesus’ raises another widow’s son from the dead.
Responsorial Psalm
The response for this Psalm is: “I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.”
Reading 2
In this week’s reading from Saint Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we hear Paul’s defense of his calling as a preacher of the Gospel. As he was not one of the original twelve apostles, and because he was preaching a Gospel of grace to the Gentiles, there were some Jewish believers who had attempted to discredit him. Saint Paul establishes his authority and commission by affirming that the Gospel he has received has come directly from Jesus Christ himself and not from any human being, and that like many prophets before him he had been chosen for this task while still in his mother’s womb. Nevertheless, after a long period of prayer and preparation, Paul eventually goes to Jerusalem to visit with Peter, thus acknowledging Peter’s role as head of the infant Church.
Gospel
In this week’s Gospel from St. Luke, we see Jesus acting out of the impulse of His heart. The text shows that upon seeing dead man, the son of a widow, being carried out for burial, He “felt sorry for her”. ‘Do not cry’ he said. It is clear in this instance that Jesus’ primary motivation was human compassion. Jesus sees a woman who already had lost her husband, and now was losing not only a dear child, but one who was possibly her only source of security and support. Moved by human suffering Jesus decides to do something to change the situation. In reflecting on this great miracle we can learn two lessons. The first is that we, like Him, should act of love to ease suffering and comfort the afflicted. The second is that in our own pain and suffering, we too can turn to the Jesus’ Sacred Heart to receive His mercy and to have our lives restored.
Reflection question from Bishop Vásquez
Gospel meditation
Consider using the following meditation for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 5):
Power over life and death is God’s alone. We see the depth of God’s mercy and care for those in need. Who do you know that needs God’s life giving presence? How can you be a living encounter of God’s mercy?
El Poder sobre la vida y la muerte pertenece sólo a Dios. Vemos la profundidad de la misericordia y el cuidado de Dios hacia aquellos necesitados ¿Quién que conoce necesita la presencia viva de Dios? ¿Cómo puede usted ser un encuentro vivo de la misericordia de Dios?
Bishop Vásquez’ prayer request
Please consider Bishop Vásquez’ prayer request for the 10th Sunday of Ordinary time (June 5):
May we be faithful agents of God’s life giving mercy to all people …
Por que seamos fieles agentes de la vida de Dios dando misericordia a toda la gente ..
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