This week's readings Week of June 30 - July 6 Sunday, June 30, 2002 Reading I: 2 Kgs 4:8-11, 14-16a Reading II: Rom 6:3-4, 8-11 Gospel: Mt 10:37-42 Monday, July 1, 2002 Reading I: Am 2:6-10, 13-16 Gospel: Mt 8:18-22 Tuesday, July 2, 2002 Reading I: Am 3:1-8; 4:11-12 Gospel: Mt 8:23-27 Wednesday, July 3, 2002 Reading I: Eph 2:19-22 Gospel: Jn 20:24-29 Thursday, July 4, 2002 Reading I: Am 7:10-17 Gospel: Mt 9:1-8 Friday, July 5, 2002 Reading I: Am 8:4-6, 9-12 Gospel: Mt 9:9-13 Saturday, July 6, 2002 Reading I: Am 9:11-15 Gospel: Mt 9:14-17 Pope's Prayer Intentions June General Intention Cooperation among all religions for world peace: That both leaders and members of the world's religions may together seek world peace through conversion of hearts and brotherly dialogue. June Mission Intention To live out our Baptism in thought, word, and deed: That we the Baptized may use all that Baptism imparts to us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world in the whole circuit of our daily lives.

A cup of cold water:
So little for so much

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

When we were little, it was easy to please us.

A cup of macaroni and cheese was a gourmet meal. The cardboard box was a venerable cornucopia of playtime possibilities. Kool-Aid or water from the hose was our beverage of choice, more delectable than the choicest Coca-Cola or finest red wine.

Our tastes were simple, our needs were few, our worries almost non-existent.

Readings for 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 30) 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a Psalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 Matthew 10:37-42

Jesus often used children as examples for his disciples. To be worthy of the kingdom meant to be like a child - not childish, but simple, honest, pure. He often referred to "the little ones" in his preaching. Children are open to the possibility of God working in their lives, because they have not learned to distrust him.

We are not so simple, I'm afraid. Fatty T-bones or other rich foods appeal to our palate, even though they may jeopardize our health. Our "toys" are significantly more expensive and less satisfying. What we choose to drink may be costly, unhealthy, even deadly to ourselves or others.

Our desires have become complex, our needs so many, our worries constant.

Jesus has so much more in mind for his disciples. To tap into his plan, we need to return to the simplicity, openness, honesty, trust, and purity of a child. The Lord whose kindness is established forever will even help us to do it.

Saint Paul teaches us that we were baptized into Christ Jesus and into his death. "If, then," he preaches, "we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him . . . he lives for God." Paul learned the lesson of dying to sin and "living for God in Christ Jesus," which makes us God's children.

The Lord Jesus showed his apostles that the way he was preaching often put the world on its ear. "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." We who have lost the trust we had as children find this hard to believe. Jesus does not tell us to throw our lives away, but to be concerned with that which transcends our earthly life.

When we place our focus on God's kingdom, Jesus helps us to tap into his plan. He gives the simplest of examples: "whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink" because he is a disciple, will surely not lose his reward.

So should we treat one another, seeing to the needs of the poor and downtrodden, the needy, the hungry, the thirsty. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux taught that the simplest little thing, done out of love, had immense merit. She got that teaching from Jesus, you know.

Putting that teaching into action can be a challenge. Others might not be satisfied with our "cup of cold water." We might ourselves doubt the merit of the simple, easy things as the way to God's kingdom. We need to learn to trust again in the wisdom of God.

Nostalgia for our childhood can often provide the key. Who hasn't gone back to the home of his or her childhood and secretly stolen a drink once again from the hose, with tears in our eyes for the simple days we miss? Isn't macaroni and cheese still a "comfort food"? The child within is not dead, but waiting for the invitation of Jesus to reawaken it.

Accept that sip of cold water from Jesus, who gives life-giving water to those who trust in him. Offer a cup to one another, and let the tears in your eyes wash away anything that keeps you from looking at God and others with the eyes of a child.

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.