The 13th Sunday

This post is a few weeks late, but I find myself unexpectedly alone on Sunday morning, waiting for painters to come finish the house.  Conveniently, I went to Mass alone last night, so maybe now is the time to write this post.

June 30 was the 13th Sunday in Ordinary time.  As I drove to Mass that morning, I wondered if it was a special feast day for a Saint, but nothing came to mind.   My husband wasn't there to ask since we were in separate cars that day.  I thought nothing more about it, until we were listening to the readings, and then I knew.

GospelLK 9:51-62

When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled,he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there,but they would not welcome himbecause the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him,“I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him,“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

It was MY Sunday!  (I obviously had not been listening to the lector when he said, "Today is the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.")  It was the (18th?!) anniversary of  day when I could no longer deny that Christ was calling me to the Catholic Church.  All my philosophical doubts had already fallen away, and the only thing stopping me from converting was the opinions of my family.  I knew that to continue to sit on the fence would be the equivalent of telling my Heavenly Father "No".   And that was something I didn't want to do.

The tears started flowing when I realized what day it was.  Even when I thought I had pulled myself together and wiped my eyes with dh's hankie, they continued to flow.  Those tears of joy for the gift I've been given.

The day was made extra special when I went to pick up Meg who had slept over at a friend's house.  Her mom must be one of the few people who know the story (well, outside of the internet), and she said, "It's your special day, isn't it?"  She had shed a few tears of joy for me at Mass, too.

R.  You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.”
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.