Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 28, 2026

Think of yourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

— Romans 6:11

THE RICHNESS OF LIFE IN CHRIST

Today we have the beautiful story of the woman promised a child, the wonderful exhortation about life in Christ, and a powerful instruction from Jesus. An embarrassment of riches? Not if we take Jesus’ words about “welcome” to heart. The many challenges and blessings offered to us today by Elisha, Paul, and Jesus should be cause for rejoicing, and welcomed heartily into our lives. And, like the great treat that they are, they should be enjoyed and shared generously with others.

Today’s reading from Romans was chosen very early in the liturgical life of the Church to be the sole apostolic instruction received by candidates for baptism at the Easter Vigil. This illustrates its importance as a core belief, and as a means of comprehending the story of the Resurrection. Christ’s resurrection is not merely a story about something that he underwent once upon a time, but it is our story, the story of how we joined the other members of the one Body of Christ, the church. We were not only dead, but we were buried; not ultimately buried, but raised to eternal life with Christ.

Masses for the Week

Sun. June 28 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM — Spanish
Mon. June 29 8:30 AM
Weds. July 1 8:30 AM & 6:30 PM
Thurs. July 2 8:30 AM
Fri. July 3 8:30 AM
Sat. July 4 8:30 AM & 5:30 PM
Sun. July 5 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM — Spanish

Announcements

Peter’s Pence Collection

Today is the Peter’s Pence Collection, a worldwide collection that supports the work of the Universal Church, including the work of the Holy See and the charitable works of Pope Leo XIV. Take this opportunity to join with Pope Leo XIV to be a sign of hope to our suffering brothers and sisters. Please be generous today. For more info, visit www.obolodisanpietro.va/en.html.

Totus Tuus — Thank You

A special thank you to Kaitlyn Brindle, as well as all the volunteers, who helped make this another successful, blessed Totus Tuus.

Welcome / New Parishioners

Welcome to all our new parishioners! Please fill out a registration form found in the hall or vestibule, and put it in the collection basket. You can also register online. If you would like to receive Sunday envelopes or the Tennessee Register, please contact the office.

Mass Intention Forms

Mass Intention forms can be found in the vestibule and hall. If you fill one out, please put it in the collection basket.

St. John’s Enrichment Co-op

We are excited to announce St. John’s Enrichment Co-op, a homeschool community for K-8 (nursery included for younger siblings). At St. John’s Enrichment Co-op we exist to create a community of saints through enrichment by forming our children in faith and virtue. We will meet on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month starting August 2026 for morning Mass and enrichment classes (including art, science, Liturgy/Saints, and life skills). Registration is open until July 1, 2026. We are looking for more families to join, as well as adult volunteers for the school year. To register, volunteer, or for more info contact the parish office at (931) 359-5017 or speak with Raqueli DeWitt.

The Word Among Us

Pick up the July issue of The Word Among Us on the table in the hall or vestibule.

Kroger Gift Cards

If you would like to help those in our community in need of food or gas, please pick up a Kroger gift card and put it in the collection basket.

Online Giving

Here is the established QR code for the parish if you would like to make your donation online.

Today’s Readings

First Reading: Elisha promises a baby son to the hospitable woman (2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a).

Psalm: For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 89).

Second Reading: We shall live in newness of life as Christ was raised from the dead (Romans 6:3-4, 8-11).

Gospel: Whoever gives but a cup of cold water to another will surely be rewarded (Matthew 10:37-42).

Readings for the Week

Monday: Eph 2:19-22; Ps 117:1bc-2; Jn 20:24-29

Tuesday: Gn 19:15-29; Ps 26:2-3, 9-12; Mt 8:23-27

Wednesday: Gn 21:5, 8-20a; Ps 34:7-8, 10-13; Mt 8:28-34

Thursday: Gn 22:1b-19; Ps 115:1-6, 8-9; Mt 9:1-8

Friday: Gn 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67; Ps 106:1b-5; Mt 9:9-13

Saturday: Gn 27:1-5, 15-29; Ps 135:1b-6; Mt 9:14-17

Sunday: Zec 9:9-10; Ps 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14; Rom 8:9, 11-13; Mt 11:25-30

Reflecting on the Word

In my catechetical work, as we get close to Holy Week, we meditate on John 12:24: “Unless a grain of wheat shall fall upon the ground and die, it remains but a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

For this meditation, I plant wheat seeds a week apart for three weeks, so that each container has germinated seeds at various stages of growth. I gather the children around me, show them the grain of wheat (they can even hold one in their palm!), and then dig out the plant that was sown last. We observe the appearance and feel of the seed—it is different, it isn’t quite as full as the grain in their palm. We do the same for the next two containers. The plant from the third container (sown first) has now lost the husk of the grain. They recognize that the life of the seed is now in the plant. Death has given life in some mysterious way. And more mysteriously, all this has to do with Jesus’ resurrection! One four-year-old then scrunched up his face in concentration and asked with great puzzlement, “Does Jesus really say that dying is a good thing? Why would he say that?” The paradox was too much for him in that moment.

We react similarly to today’s Gospel passage—what does it mean to lose my life and find my life? Why not just hold on to it? The second reading could offer clues to help us decipher the meaning of life and death in Jesus. The image of dying to ourselves in baptism so that we can take on the new, risen life of Jesus, so that we may be resurrected at the end of times, is vivid and gives color to Jesus’ words. We die so that we can rise again. Whether that death constitutes small sacrifices, or bodily death, it is so that we can be renewed in body and spirit. Too much for a four-year-old to grasp. They preferred the Circle of Life.

Excerpted from Living the Word

Mission Statement

We, the members of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, recognize and respect our diverse and multicultural character. By the grace of God, we will nurture our spiritual community through prayer, service, and example to become one family in Christ.

Adoration

8:00 AM — 1st Saturday of the month

7:00 PM — 1st & 3rd Friday (Spanish)