Sunday, June 21, 2026
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost | Year A

Focus Theme:
Solidarity

Focus Prayer:

God of strength and courage, in Jesus Christ you set us free from sin and death, and call us to the risk of faith and service. Give us grace to follow him who gave himself for others, that, by our service, we may find the life he came to bring. Amen.

Focus Reading: Matthew 10:24-39

[Jesus said:] “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!

“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

“Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

“For I have come to set a man against his father,

and a daughter against her mother,

and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

and one’s foes will be members of one’s own 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 the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

All readings for the week:

Genesis 21:8-21 with Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 or

Jeremiah 20:7-13 with Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18

Romans 6:1b-11

Matthew 10:24-39

Focus Questions:

1. What is your greatest loyalty?

2. Did the martyrs and heroes of the early church have a different call from ours?

3. Does discipleship have to be costly? Why or why not?

4. What “dogmatic slumber” tempts you today?

5. How do you experience God’s love as tenderly watchful, even in the face of hardship, deprivation, uncertainty and division?