With Opened Bible
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.” (Matthew 10, 41)
The prophet Elisha promised the woman who helped him the blessing of a child, and Jesus spoke of the prophet's reward. But what is the reality of this?
This Sunday's first reading and Gospel invite us to reflect on the fruits—or blessings—of charity, kindness, and compassion. Both readings encourage us to choose what is good, for it draws God's blessings down upon our families and us. In the Old Testament, there was a time when people believed that the sins of parents brought down God's wrath upon their children: "Our ancestors, who sinned, are no more; but now we bear their guilt" (Lamentations 5:7).
The reverse is also true. God bestows His blessing upon those who fear Him—that is, those who listen to His voice and practice justice: "For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their ancestors' wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation; but showing love down to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments" (Exodus 20:5–6).
This truth applies today to the woman who welcomed and cared for the prophet Elisha with love and generosity. She had nochildren, but because she acted with love toward the man of God and contributed to his well-being, God rewarded her: "This time next year you will be fondling a baby son." (2 Kings 4:16) To the crowds, Jesus said: "Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward." (Matthew 10:16). Indeed, his word is trustworthy: upon those who do good to others (especially to God's servants), heaven showers its blessings.
