MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 13 JULY
July 13, 2026
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS INTO THE LIFE OF SAINT HENRY II
July 13, 2026
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
13 JULY, 2026
Matthew 10:34-11:1
Jesus said to his Apostles:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth.
I have come to bring not peace but the sword.
For I have come to set
a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
and one’s enemies will be those of his household.“Whoever loves
father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,
and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
and whoever does not take up his cross
and follow after me is not worthy of me.
Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
“Whoever receives you receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet
will receive a prophet’s reward,
and whoever receives a righteous man
because he is righteous
will receive a righteous man’s reward.
And whoever gives only a cup of cold water
to one of these little ones to drink
because he is a disciple–
amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”When Jesus
finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples,
he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
SUMMARY OF THE GOSPEL
Jesus explains that following Him requires total loyalty above all else, even family, but promises that anyone who supports His mission will be rewarded.
Jesus warns that His message will divide people, even causing conflict between close family members who disagree about Him. Followers must love Jesus more than their own parents, sons, or daughters to be worthy of Him.
True disciples must willingly give up their own desires and follow Jesus, finding true life by letting go of their old life. Jesus promises that anyone who welcomes His followers—or even gives a cup of cold water to a humble disciple—will receive a heavenly reward.
After giving these intense instructions to His twelve disciples, Jesus leaves to go teach and preach in the nearby towns.
REFLECTION
Putting Jesus first in your life can be painful and costly, but the rewards of following Him are worth every sacrifice. Our love for Jesus must be greater than our love for anyone or anything else, including our own family. Giving up our own selfish plans and “taking up our cross” is the only way to find the beautiful life God planned for us. God sees every single thing you do for others, and even a simple cup of water given in love will be rewarded.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, give me the courage to put You first in my life above all things. Help me to take up my cross daily, love others selflessly, and trust that every small act of kindness done for You is never wasted. Amen
