A Message from Fr. Jay
Dear Friends,
Surrendering to God and offering hospitality to others are the mandates of every chosen Christian.
The first reading talks about the stories of the two swollen bellies of the prophet Elisha and a ‘woman of influence’. While the hospitality of the woman feeds the prophet Elisha, her personal holiness brings her the blessing to conceive a baby son in her belly.
Jesus reminds us to keep God first in our lives for holiness is born and we should consider God first above everything else. Such holiness can be nurtured with the help of hospitality to others. In the gospel, Jesus reassures His followers that even the smallest, most simple act of kindness—like offering a cup of cold water to one of His disciples in His name—will be deeply valued and rewarded by God. Jesus himself enjoyed the hospitality of different people like, Martha, Mary and Lazarus, Zachaeus, the Wedding at Cana, the Samaritan woman, Nicodemus, Peter’s house, and every village He visited. The early Church would not have flourished without hospitality. We read this in the letters of Paul.
On June 11, 2026, the U.S. bishops, as part of our nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, consecrated our country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. His Sacred Heart burns within the flames of love. His love mandates hospitality to others and helps us grow in holiness.
Beginning July 3, every First Friday of the month during this special year, we will have a consecration prayer for the Sacred Heart of Jesus following the Mass and Adoration.
God Bless,
Fr. Jay Raju
- Reading 1: 2 Kings: 4:8-11. 14-16
- Reading 2: Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11
- Gospel: Matthew 10: 37-42
