Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

When people acknowledge one another with respect, families and whole societies come together; when people exchange gifts – even simple gifts - and do good for one another, families and societies grow stronger. Even a drink of cold water given to a disciple who is acknowledged to be a disciple reaps rewards for giver and receiver alike.

In Matthew’s gospel, which we hear today, Jesus is teaching his disciples how Christian community and the common good itself come together; they are built up and grow stronger around the exchange of gifts. The gifts may be simple in themselves, but as signs of respect and generosity even a small gift like a cup of water can go a long way. As each person with a different gift attends to the needs of another, everyone benefits, because the reward – among other things - is a lively, flourishing community.

This is clearly seen when the prophet Elisha visits the woman of Shunem – a woman of influence, we are told, who, unfortunately for her and her husband cannot bear a child. The woman respects Elisha as a prophet, and she also sees that although he visits her often, he has not yet been able to feel at home. So she offers him comfortable accommodations: a bed, table, chair, and lamp – along with the good food he usually receives.

For his part, Elisha is moved to give the woman a gift of his own, and so he asks his servant: “Can something be done for her?” It seems that even a prophet does not know everything and could use a little advice! The servant, Gehazi, simply points out an obvious fact: “She has no son, and her husband is getting on in years.” And Elisha does the rest: “This time next year,” he promises the woman, you will be fondling a baby son.” As Jesus said, “Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward.”

The exchange of gifts creates relationships and from relationships flow responsibilities and when people honor their responsibilities, the reward follows: Community happens; the common good flourishes.

Since we are hearing these readings on the weekend before July 4^th, they have a special meaning for us as citizens of this country, who will be celebrating our claim to be a nation in which all people have a right to life, to liberty, and to the pursuit of happiness. As Pope Francis said when he spoke to the Congress of the United States during his recent visit to this country, the purpose of public service is “to protect by means of the law the image and likeness of God on every human face.” In other words, we are responsible for recognizing and protecting by law that “All people are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights.”

Pope Francis went on to cite examples of four great Americans who recognized and respected the relationships that need tending in this country and in the entire world: Abraham Lincoln, fought and died for liberty; Martin Luther King, Junior, dreamed of the inclusion of all people in the common good and acted to make it happen. And Pope Francis added: “I am happy that America continues to be, for many, a land of “dreams,” dreams which lead to action, to participation, to commitment, dreams which awaken what is deepest and truest in the life of a people.”

Francis also named two other Americans: Dorothy Day, who, along with others, served the need for social justice through her organization, “The Catholic Worker,” and Thomas Merton, the monk and writer, who pointed out how all people have a capacity and a need for dialogue and openness to God.

Because Pope Francis recalled four characters from American history, he reminded all of us that it is possible for people to exchange their gifts with one another and to work together for the common good.  What HAS happened in history CAN happen, even in our own time. A cup of cold water, we are told, will receive its reward. Thanks to the gifts of four great Americans, we have reaped rewards of community and solidarity. We have flourished as a people.

It remains for us, in our time, to give the gifts that respect our relationships with others and in that way to build up the common good. “Whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink…Amen, I say to you, that person will surely not lose his or her reward.”

Fr. Stephen Rowan