Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Genesis 18:16-33: Abraham intercedes with the LORD to spare Sodom if innocent people are found. The LORD agrees not to destroy the city for the sake of ten innocent people.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 103: Praise the Lord, who forgives sins, heals diseases, and surrounds us with love. He is compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in kindness.
• Gospel – Matthew 8:18-22: Jesus told his followers to cross the lake. A teacher promised to follow him, but Jesus said he had no home. Another disciple asked to bury his father first, but Jesus told him to come and let the dead bury their own.

Lectionary Reference: 377

Upcoming dates: June 30, 2025, June 28, 2027, July 2, 2029, June 20, 2031, June 27, 2033

Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.

Matthew 8:22

Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 brings us lessons about faith and obedience through the stories of Abraham and Jesus. We see examples of intercession, mercy, and the cost of discipleship.

• Intercession for Others: Abraham prays to God to spare Sodom if there are ten good people. This shows the power of asking God to help others.
• God’s Mercy: God agrees to spare the city if He finds ten innocent people. This reminds us that God listens and cares about the good among us.
• Cost of Discipleship: Jesus tells a teacher that He has no home. Following Jesus means being ready to leave comfort behind.
• Urgency in Following Jesus: Jesus tells a disciple to follow Him and let the dead bury their own. This teaches us that following Jesus should come first, even before family duties.

These readings for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage us to pray for others and understand the importance of following Jesus. We learn about the need for immediate and wholehearted commitment to Him.

Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 gives us important lessons about faith and obedience. We see Abraham praying for Sodom and Jesus teaching about the cost of following Him.

Intercession and Mercy

In the first reading for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Abraham speaks to God about sparing Sodom. He asks God to save the city if there are ten good people there. Abraham shows us the importance of praying for others. He does not think only about himself but also about the people in the city. This is a reminder that we should care for others and ask God to help them.

God listens to Abraham and agrees to spare the city if there are ten good people. This shows us that God is kind and willing to show mercy. He does not want to destroy but to save. This teaches us that we should trust in God’s kindness and pray for His help in difficult times.

We learn that interceding for others is important. God wants us to care for each other and pray for one another. By doing this, we follow Abraham’s example and show love for our neighbors.

The Cost of Discipleship

In the Gospel, Jesus tells a teacher of the law that He has no place to rest. This means that following Jesus is not always easy. It can mean leaving behind comfort and security. Jesus wants His followers to be ready to face hardships. This teaches us that being a disciple of Jesus requires sacrifice.

Another disciple asks Jesus if he can first go and bury his father. Jesus tells him to follow and let the dead bury their own. This might seem harsh, but it shows that following Jesus must be our first priority. We must be ready to follow Him right away, without delay.

Following Jesus means putting Him first in our lives. It means being ready to leave behind anything that keeps us from Him. This helps us understand the true cost of being a disciple and challenges us to commit fully to Jesus.

Trusting in God’s Plan

Abraham’s conversation with God shows us that we can talk to God about our concerns. Abraham respectfully questions God and asks Him to show mercy. This teaches us that it is okay to bring our worries to God and to ask Him for help. God wants to hear from us and cares about our thoughts.

In the Gospel, Jesus’ responses to the teacher and the disciple show us that following Him requires trust. We might not always understand His ways, but we must trust that His plan is good. Jesus knows what is best for us and wants us to follow Him without hesitation.

We are reminded to trust in God’s plan, even when it is hard. By putting our faith in Him, we can follow Jesus more closely and live according to His will. This trust strengthens our relationship with God and helps us grow in faith.

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Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 gives us valuable lessons about prayer, sacrifice, and trust. We learn from Abraham’s example to pray for others and from Jesus’ teachings to make Him our first priority. These reflections encourage us to deepen our faith and commitment to God.

Prayer

Lord, help us to pray for others like Abraham did. Teach us to make You the center of our lives. Give us the strength to follow You without hesitation. Amen.

USCCB Reflection: Act Now

The USCCB video reflection for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 highlights how we make excuses to delay doing what is right, comparing our behavior to that of students in a Catholic high school. Jesus calls us to act immediately, to live a life of holiness, grace, and freedom from sin. The reflection encourages us to stop procrastinating and follow Jesus more closely, experiencing the joy of discipleship and the gospel. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s show, “Life is Worth Living,” is mentioned to emphasize the joy of a life lived in Christ.

What date is Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Monday June 30, 2025.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For odd numbered years see Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Monday June 30, 2025 are:
First Reading  – Genesis 18:16-33: Abraham Intercedes for Sodom
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 103: The Lord’s Kindness and Mercy
Gospel – Matthew 8:18-22: Following Jesus

Why did Abraham ask God to spare Sodom in the first reading for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Abraham asked God to spare Sodom because he cared about the people there. He hoped there were some good people who did not deserve to be destroyed. This shows us the importance of praying for others.

What does Abraham’s conversation with God teach us?

Abraham’s conversation with God teaches us to pray for others. It shows that God listens to our prayers. We should talk to God about our concerns and trust that He cares.

Why did God agree to spare Sodom if there were ten good people?

God agreed to spare Sodom if there were ten good people to show His mercy. He did not want to destroy the innocent with the guilty. This teaches us that God values goodness and listens to our prayers for mercy.

How can we apply the lesson of intercession from Abraham to our lives?

We can apply the lesson of intercession by praying for others, just like Abraham did. We should care about the well-being of others and ask God to help them. This helps us to be more loving and compassionate.

Why did Jesus say He had no place to rest in the Gospel for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus said He had no place to rest to show that following Him can be hard. It means giving up comfort and security. This teaches us that being a disciple of Jesus requires sacrifice.

What did Jesus mean by “let the dead bury their own dead”?

Jesus meant that following Him should come first, even before family duties. This teaches us that our commitment to Jesus must be our top priority. We should be ready to follow Him right away.

What does the cost of discipleship mean for us?

The cost of discipleship means that following Jesus might require giving up things we value. We might face challenges and hardships. This teaches us to be ready to make sacrifices for our faith.

How can we trust in God’s plan like Abraham and Jesus’ followers?

We can trust in God’s plan by bringing our worries to Him and believing He knows what is best. We should follow Jesus without hesitation, even when it is hard. This helps us grow in faith and trust in God’s goodness.

What is the main message of the readings for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The main message is about faith, prayer, and the cost of following Jesus. We learn to pray for others, trust in God’s mercy, and make Jesus our top priority. These lessons help us live as true disciples of Christ.