June 15, 2026
11th Week in Ordinary Time
The Cost of Discipleship
Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.
Matthew 5:41

Jesus’ way of life goes against predictable human inter­actions. Just as the disciples learn the path of discipleship, Jesus reveals that discipleship is costly. Jesus’ call to offer the other cheek, to forgive one’s enemies and to endure mistreatment for his name’s sake goes above and beyond. For our typical human interactions are marked often by envy, division and retaliation. And Jesus knows his disciples will be persecuted and even rejected for the sake of the Gospel, just as he was.

Jesus encourages his disciples, and us, to go beyond what is humanly possible to experience what is possible with the help of God’s grace! For only in our personal experience of God’s love and mercy can we, in turn, reveal God’s love and mercy to others.

Lord, grant me the grace to love as you loved, even those who demand more than I think I can give!

- Jem Sullivan, PhD

1 Kings 21:1-16 ✚ Psalm 5:2-7 ✚ Matthew 5:38-42
Summer landscape with two girls walking on wooden pathway in park. Image by Ju_see | stock.adobe.com
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Comments

ADV
June 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM

AMEN!

freeter
June 15, 2026 at 09:57 AM

Amen. :)

CBR
June 15, 2026 at 09:51 AM

Help me with this o Lord give me the strength to love above my strength so I can help others to get to know you like I do Amen Amen Amen

Holly
June 15, 2026 at 09:45 AM

Amen!

Gary
June 15, 2026 at 09:32 AM

Guide me Jesus on my path today. Amen!

Salina (not in control)
June 15, 2026 at 09:01 AM

******* What does the cost of discipleship look like? Here is the example of Jesus in 1 Peter 2:23, “People shouted at Him (Jesus) and made fun of Him. But He didn’t do the same thing back to them. When He suffered, He didn’t say He would make them suffer. Instead, He trusted in the God Who judges fairly!” *** My biggest problem is to hold my tongue and let God does His work by His power, in His way and on His timing! *** Here is an example of Naboth dying for His faith and obedience to the Lord...
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Stormi
June 15, 2026 at 08:41 AM

Jem thank you for the reminder to be all that God wants us to be. To give even when we may be too tired to give. If all society did this what an amazing world we would have eh? Blessings to all the LFF, most especially those with extra needs these days. May the Holy Spirit fill the hearts of all and guide us to a more heavenly giving earth.

Scott
June 15, 2026 at 06:47 AM

I have been away from this community for a while. Been serving others a lot attending and officiating celebration of life services over the weekend. I am in the service of sharing, giving, listening and growing in my faith journey. I want to be disciplined in taking care of myself first and others second. This community is my time to reflect, build and get myself care so I can walk the two miles with anyone who wants me to love and serve them. Thank you Jem for your devotional today, I am off to a marvelous Monday.

Salina (not in control)
June 15, 2026 at 07:35 AM

Welcome back and thank you, Scott, in serving others knowing when and where to be refueled so you can pour out what you receive ❤️ You have done well in putting your oxygen mask on first before helping others to put their on ✝️

Summer landscape with two girls walking on wooden pathway in park. Image by Ju_see | stock.adobe.com
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Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.

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