lectionary.com

Ordinary Time · Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A

Matthew 10:37-42

Fearless Discipleship; Not Peace but a Sword

June 28, 2026

The Mission of the Apostles, Battista Bissoni
The Mission of the Apostles, Battista Bissoni, 1631Santa Giustina, Padua
A north Italian altarpiece of the sending out, with the apostles receiving their commission and already turning to go in different directions.Whoever welcomes you welcomes me … whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple, truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.Battista BissoniA Paduan painter of the early seventeenth century who worked chiefly on church commissions in the Veneto.Santa Giustina, PaduaA vast Benedictine basilica in Padua with one of the largest church interiors in the world.Santa Giustina, Padua
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 10:37-42Mt 10:37-42
Second ReadingRom. 6:3-4, 8-11Rom 6:3-4, 8-11
First Reading2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a2 Kgs 4:8-11, 14-16a
Responsorial PsalmPs. 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 (2a)Ps 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 (2a)

Overview & Insights

"Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39)

Jesus prepares his disciples for opposition, urging them not to fear those who kill the body and to acknowledge him before others. He warns that faithfulness may bring division even within families and calls disciples to take up the cross.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Matthew 10:37-42

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 10:40-42Commentary on Mt 10:40-42 Working Preacher

Lectionary commentary on welcoming Christ's messengers and the reward for a cup of water.

Matthew 10 CommentaryMt 10 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on taking up the cross and welcoming disciples.

Matthew 10:37 CommentariesMt 10:37 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentaries gathered for loving Christ above all and losing one's life to find it.

Matthew 10 CommentaryMt 10 Commentary Precept Austin

Collected commentary and sermon resources on Matthew 10.

The Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Brant Pitre's video walk through all of this Sunday's Mass readings, including the Gospel.

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time A: Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

Catholic reflection and discussion questions gathering the day's readings.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 10:37 InterlinearMt 10:37 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing for worthy, cross, losing life, and welcome.

Overview: Gospel of MatthewOverview: Gospel of Mt BibleProject

Animated overview of Matthew, closing the mission discourse of chapter 10.

Generosity BibleProject

Background on welcome and giving, the frame for the cup of cold water and its reward.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Matthew 10Catena: Mt 10 Catena

Patristic comments chained to the cross of discipleship and welcoming the prophet.

Podcast

Sermon Brainwave Working Preacher

Weekly lectionary podcast discussing the appointed texts for preaching.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition: Matthew 10Art in the Christian Tradition: Mt 10 Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt's searchable image archive for cross-bearing and hospitality to Christ's own.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Matthew 10:37-42
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.