Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time
Monday June 28, 2027
Daily Mass Readings for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
- 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.
Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.
Matthew 8:22
Themes for the Readings for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
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.
Reflection for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
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.
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.
Reflection Questions
- Who in my life can I pray for today?
- What comforts or habits keep me from following Jesus more closely?
- How do I show trust in God when things are uncertain?
- Am I willing to follow Jesus without delay, even when it’s difficult?
Homilies and Commentaries for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Choosing What Matters Most
In the Gospel for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, a man asks to bury his father before following Jesus. But Jesus tells him to come now, even if it means leaving that behind. His words are hard to hear. They remind us that nothing is more important than the call of God—not even family duties.
This reflection is by Bishop Barron. He doesn’t try to soften Jesus’ words. Instead, he asks us to face them. Would we put God first, even in the hardest moment? Most of the time, love for God and family go together. But sometimes we are asked to choose. This Gospel challenges us to be honest. Is faith the center of our lives, or just something extra?
No More Excuses
In the Gospel for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, a disciple wants to follow Jesus but asks to delay for a good reason—burying his father. Jesus responds with urgency, showing that excuses, even good ones, can hold us back from living the life we’re called to. We often say we’ll change later or follow Christ more closely tomorrow. But the message is clear: now is the time to act, to turn from sin, and to follow Jesus without delay.
Msgr. James Vlaun reflects on how easy it is to make excuses, just like students trying to explain away poor grades. But adults do the same. Whether it’s sin, distractions, or fear, we often wait instead of responding to God’s call. He reminds us that life in Christ brings joy and purpose, and that following Jesus now—without holding back—leads to a deeper love and a life that truly is worth living.
Don’t Resist Your Call
In this reflection for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the Gospel shows how people wanted to follow Jesus but had excuses or delays. One man wanted to bury his father first. Another said he would follow but hadn’t really thought it through. Jesus answered in a way that seems harsh, but it points to something deeper. When Jesus calls, he asks for full attention, not half-hearted commitment.
Matthew Kelly explains that we all tend to resist our call at first. We come up with reasons to wait or put things off. But Jesus invites us to respond right away, like the apostles who left everything behind without delay. Whether the call is big or small, the key is to trust and move forward without hesitation. Kelly reminds us that when Jesus calls, we should act generously and without fear.
Follow Jesus, Wherever that Leads
In this reflection for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Sr. Barbara Schwarz shares how Jesus was likely looking for a moment of quiet when he asked the disciples to cross the lake. But even then, people came asking to follow him. Jesus responded by showing that following him means letting go of comfort, plans, and even family expectations.
Sr. Barbara compares this to her own life in religious community, where stability often comes from trust in God and others, not from staying in one place. She reminds us that Jesus calls us to act now—to care for the poor, the sick, the refugee, and to speak up for peace. The call is urgent. We must be willing to leave behind what is dead or holding us back and let Jesus lead us forward.
Resources
The Book of Genesis: Abraham Pleads for Mercy
In Genesis 18:16-33, read on Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Abraham boldly speaks with God, asking Him to spare Sodom if ten innocent people are found. This moment fits within the broader theme of covenant in Genesis. Abraham is not just a receiver of God’s promise; he becomes an active participant in God’s mission. His intercession shows the role of faith in pleading for justice and mercy.
This passage also highlights the theme of God’s justice paired with compassion. Abraham appeals to God’s fairness, and God responds patiently. It shows how personal relationships with God—like Abraham’s—can shape how God deals with the world. This is one of the earliest examples in Scripture of someone standing in the gap for others, pointing ahead to Jesus, who intercedes for all.
Read more about the larger themes of Genesis in this overview of the book of Genesis.
Psalm 103: The Lord Who Heals and Forgives
Psalm 103, prayed on Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, praises God for His mercy and love. This psalm fits into the Book of Psalms by lifting up the personal and communal experience of God’s care. It reflects the heart of worship—giving thanks for God’s healing, forgiveness, and patience. These are not abstract ideas. They are lived realities for those who trust in Him.
The psalm connects with the larger theme of God’s covenant love. The Lord remembers we are dust, yet surrounds us with kindness. His mercy goes beyond our sins. This message comforts the weary and reminds us that God’s justice is always balanced by compassion. Psalm 103 is often quoted in times of reflection and healing, making it a favorite among believers.
Take a deeper look at Psalm 103 and what it reveals about God’s character.
The Gospel of Matthew: No Turning Back
In Matthew 8:18-22, heard on Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus speaks plainly about the cost of following Him. This short passage ties into the Gospel’s focus on discipleship and the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus shows that discipleship is not a part-time role—it requires total commitment. Comfort, tradition, and even family must come second to the call of God.
The Gospel of Matthew often returns to the tension between earthly expectations and heavenly priorities. Here, Jesus makes clear that the Kingdom calls for urgency. Following Him is not about comfort but obedience. These verses challenge us to let go of excuses and truly follow, even when the path is hard. Matthew emphasizes that faith means action, not delay.
Explore the larger message of Matthew’s Gospel in this summary of the Gospel of Matthew.
Questions and Answers for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
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.
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.
Prayer, Sacrifice, and Trust
Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 shows how we can pray for others and follow Jesus with trust. In the first reading, Abraham asks God to spare the city of Sodom if ten good people are found there. He speaks with care and respect. His prayer shows that we should think of others and ask God to show them mercy.
God listens to Abraham. He shows patience and kindness. This reminds us that God is willing to help when we pray. We are called to pray not only for ourselves but also for others in need.
In the Gospel, Jesus explains that following Him requires sacrifice. He says that even simple comforts may be left behind. He also teaches that we must put Him first, above everything else, and be ready to follow Him without delay.
Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 calls us to trust God’s plan, pray for others, and follow Jesus with full commitment.
Your Turn
Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to pray for others like Abraham did. Think of someone who needs help and bring their name to God in prayer. We are not alone in our worries. God listens and cares.
Also, take time to reflect on how you follow Jesus. Are there things holding you back? Share your thoughts in the comment section. Your words may help someone else take a step forward in faith.
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