Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time
Friday July 2, 2027
Daily Mass Readings for Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
- First Reading – Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67: After Sarah’s death, Abraham secures a burial ground and arranges for his servant to find a wife for Isaac from his own people. Isaac marries Rebekah, finding comfort in his love for her.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 106: Give thanks to the Lord for his everlasting mercy. Blessed are those who do what is right. Remember us, O Lord, and grant us your saving help and prosperity.
- Gospel – Matthew 9:9-13: Jesus calls Matthew to follow him. When criticized for eating with sinners, Jesus explains that he came to help sinners, not those who are already righteous.
Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Matthew 9:12
Themes for the Readings for Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
On Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we reflect on themes from Genesis and the Gospel of Matthew. The readings tell of Sarah’s death, Abraham’s efforts for Isaac, and Jesus’ call to Matthew. They show faith, obedience, and God’s mercy.
- Faithfulness in Family: Abraham ensures his son Isaac marries someone from his own people. This shows the importance of keeping faith within the family.
- Obedience to God’s Will: Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac, trusting in God’s guidance. This highlights trusting God’s plan.
- Comfort in Love: Isaac marries Rebekah and finds comfort after his mother’s death. This shows the healing power of love.
- Calling of Sinners: Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him. This shows that Jesus welcomes everyone, even those seen as sinners.
- Criticism and Compassion: Jesus dines with sinners and is criticized by the Pharisees. He explains that He came to help sinners, teaching compassion over judgment.
- Healing and Mercy: Jesus’ response to the Pharisees shows His mission to heal and forgive. It emphasizes that God’s mercy is for everyone.
The readings on Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us of faith, obedience, and God’s love. They teach us to trust God, love others, and seek God’s mercy.
Reflection for Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
On Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we look at the stories of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis, and Jesus calling Matthew in the Gospel of Matthew. These readings teach us about faith, trust in God, and Jesus’ mercy. Let us reflect on these lessons to deepen our understanding and strengthen our faith.
Faith and Family
Abraham shows great faith in God when he secures a burial place for Sarah. He ensures his family is taken care of, showing the importance of family in faith. Abraham’s actions remind us to trust God in family matters.
When Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac, he trusts God’s guidance. This act shows his obedience and faith in God’s plan. We too should seek God’s guidance in important life decisions.
Isaac finds comfort and love in Rebekah after his mother’s death. This shows the healing power of love and family. God blesses those who remain faithful and trust in His plan.
Jesus Calls Matthew
Jesus sees Matthew, a tax collector, and calls him to follow. Matthew immediately leaves his old life behind. This shows that Jesus welcomes everyone, no matter their past.
When the Pharisees criticize Jesus for eating with sinners, He explains His mission. Jesus came to help those who are lost and need healing. We learn that Jesus’ mercy is for all, not just the righteous.
Jesus teaches us to have compassion for sinners. Instead of judging, we should help others find their way to God. We are called to follow Jesus’ example of love and mercy.
Trusting in God’s Plan
Abraham’s faith is evident when he trusts his servant to find Isaac a wife. He believes God will guide his servant to the right person. This trust in God’s plan is an example for us.
In the Gospel, Matthew’s response to Jesus’ call is immediate. He trusts Jesus and follows Him without hesitation. We should also be ready to follow Jesus and trust in His plan for us.
Jesus’ mission is clear when He explains why He dines with sinners. He came to heal and forgive, showing us the importance of mercy. We must trust in God’s mercy and share it with others.
On Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we learn about faith, trust, and mercy. Abraham’s actions, Isaac’s love, and Jesus’ call to Matthew teach us to trust in God’s plan. Let us strive to follow Jesus’ example of love and compassion.
Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to trust in Your plan and follow Your guidance. Teach us to show mercy and compassion to others. Strengthen our faith and help us to live according to Your will. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How do you show faith in God when making decisions for your family?
- What steps can you take to trust God more in your daily life?
- How can you respond with compassion instead of judgment when others make mistakes?
- What inspires you most about Matthew’s response to Jesus’ call?
Homilies and Commentaries for Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Called from the Margins
The calling of Matthew shows why Jesus came—to invite sinners into new life. Matthew was a tax collector, hated by his own people but useful to the Romans. He likely lived with deep inner conflict. Still, Jesus saw him and called him. This story reminds us that Jesus didn’t come just for the outwardly religious. He came for those who feel lost, forgotten, or stuck in sin.
Fr. Mckenzie shares how this Gospel touches his heart, especially as he walks the streets of Detroit. He points to the famous Caravaggio painting that captures the moment Jesus calls Matthew, comparing it to God calling Adam in the Sistine Chapel. Fr. Mckenzie also reflects on Pope Francis’s motto about mercy and mission. He encourages us, on Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, to be like Jesus—going out to those on the edges and bringing them into God’s family.
Your Deepest Need
Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him. Then He shares a meal with many sinners. The Pharisees question this, but Jesus explains that He came to help those who know they need Him. The real difference between the sinners and the Pharisees isn’t their actions, but their awareness. One group knows they need God. The other acts like they don’t.
In this reflection for Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Matthew Kelly reminds us that Jesus came for those who are broken, not those who pretend to be perfect. We all need God every moment, even if we forget that sometimes. Kelly encourages us to stop pretending and be honest about our need for Jesus. That is where healing and grace begin.
The Call to Follow and Love
Bishop Robert Barron reflects on the Gospel for Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the story of the conversion of Matthew. The call of Jesus to “Follow me” is not just a mental concept, but a transformative invitation that reaches into one’s entire life. Conversion involves rising to a higher life, shifting focus from worldly goods to the things of God.
The subsequent gathering of tax collectors and sinners around Jesus reveals His unconditional love for all, without requiring perfection beforehand. Bishop Barron encourages the listeners to meditate on this story and recognize the call to follow Jesus and embrace His love for sinners.
Answering the Call to Discipleship
This USCCB video reflection for Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 focuses on the calling of Saint Matthew by Jesus, emphasizing the simplicity and drama of the encounter.
We are invited to hear the voice of the Lord calling use to discipleship and to encounter Jesus and His divine love. It reminds us that we are all called to live a life of holiness and imitation of the Lord.
Resources
The Book of Genesis: A Promise, a Burial, and a New Beginning
The reading from Genesis for Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 highlights two important transitions. First, Abraham secures land to bury Sarah. This moment is not just about mourning. It shows how the promise of land to Abraham is beginning to unfold. Though he does not own the land yet, buying a burial site shows a long-term connection. God’s covenant with Abraham involves both descendants and land. This act quietly affirms Abraham’s trust in God’s plan.
Second, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac. He insists the woman come from his own people, not the Canaanites. This points to the importance of keeping faith alive within the covenant family. The story ends with Isaac marrying Rebekah and finding comfort. Marriage here is more than love—it continues the line of promise. It shows how God’s plan moves forward through ordinary life.
Psalm 106: Remember Us, Lord, in Your Kindness
Psalm 106, used on Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, is a cry for mercy rooted in memory. The psalm recalls how the people of Israel often failed to live rightly, yet God remained faithful. This part of the psalm invites listeners to give thanks for God’s lasting mercy and to ask for His help again. It’s a pattern of failure and forgiveness, common in Israel’s story.
This psalm fits within a larger theme of communal repentance. The people are not just remembering for history’s sake. They are remembering to change and seek renewal. The call to “remember us, O Lord” reflects the heart of Israel’s prayer—asking God to be present again, even after failure. The psalm reminds us that God’s justice and mercy go together.
The Gospel of Matthew: Called from the Margins
The Gospel from Matthew for Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 shows how Jesus brings in the outsiders. Matthew is a tax collector, someone many Jews would see as a traitor. Yet Jesus calls him to follow. When others question this, Jesus makes it clear: He came to heal sinners. This moment shows one of the main messages of Matthew’s Gospel—God’s kingdom is open to those who seem least worthy.
The Gospel of Matthew often ties Jesus’ actions to Old Testament hopes. Jesus acts as the true shepherd, gathering the lost. He does not just teach from a distance. He sits at the table with the people others avoid. This shows a key part of Jesus’ mission: calling people to conversion, not comfort. The Church, too, is called to reach out and welcome.
Social Media and Bulletin Graphics
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Questions and Answers for Friday 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 even numbered years see Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
Why does Abraham want Isaac to marry someone from his own people in the first reading for Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Abraham wants Isaac to marry someone from his own people to keep their faith strong. He believes this will help Isaac follow God’s ways.
What can we learn from Abraham sending his servant to find a wife for Isaac?
We learn about trusting God’s guidance in important decisions. Abraham’s trust in God’s plan shows us the importance of seeking God’s help in our lives.
How does Isaac finding comfort in Rebekah apply to us?
Isaac finding comfort in Rebekah shows the healing power of love. It reminds us that God brings people into our lives to support and comfort us.
How can we trust in God’s plan like Abraham did?
We can pray and seek God’s guidance in our decisions. Trusting in God means believing He knows what is best for us.
Why did Jesus call Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him in the Gospel for Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Jesus called Matthew to show that He welcomes everyone. It teaches us that no one is too far gone to be called by Jesus.
What is the lesson from Jesus eating with sinners?
Jesus eating with sinners shows His mission to help those in need. It reminds us to be compassionate and not judge others.
How can we apply the story of Jesus calling Matthew to our lives?
We can follow Jesus without hesitation, just like Matthew. We should be ready to leave our old ways and follow Jesus.
What does Jesus’ response to the Pharisees teach us?
Jesus’ response teaches us about mercy. He came to heal and forgive, showing us that we should also be merciful.
What does it mean to follow Jesus’ example of love and compassion?
Following Jesus’ example means showing kindness to others. It means helping those in need and being forgiving.
Faith and Mercy in Action
The readings for Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us of the importance of faith, obedience, and God’s mercy. In Genesis, we hear about the death of Sarah and Abraham’s efforts to find a wife for Isaac. Abraham trusts God and sends his servant to choose a wife from his own people. This shows Abraham’s faithfulness and his trust in God’s plan. The story ends with Isaac marrying Rebekah and finding comfort in her love after his mother’s death.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him. Matthew immediately leaves his work and follows Jesus, showing the power of Jesus’ call. Later, Jesus dines with sinners and faces criticism from the Pharisees. Jesus explains that He came to call sinners, not the righteous. This reveals His mission to bring healing and mercy to everyone, especially those who are seen as outcasts.
These readings teach us to trust in God’s guidance, love one another, and be open to God’s mercy. They remind us that God invites all people to follow Him, regardless of their past. Faith and love are central to living out God’s call in our lives.
Your Turn
Reflect on the readings for Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. How can you show trust in God’s plan like Abraham? How does Jesus’ call to Matthew inspire you to follow Him more closely?
Share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s reflect together on how these readings challenge us to grow in faith, show compassion, and trust in God’s mercy.
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