June 13, 2026

Wonder, Love, and Praise

Will McLeane | Read Matthew 9:35-38 , Read Matthew 10:1-23

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Matthew 10:1-23

¹ He called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to throw them out and to heal every disease and every sickness. ² Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, who is called Peter; and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee; and John his brother; ³ Philip; and Bartholomew; Thomas; and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Cananaean; and Judas, who betrayed Jesus. ⁵ Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, “Don’t go among the Gentiles or into a Samaritan city. ⁶ Go instead to the lost sheep, the people of Israel. ⁷ As you go, make this announcement: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, and throw out demons. You received without having to pay. Therefore, give without demanding payment. ⁹ Workers deserve to be fed, so don’t gather gold or silver or copper coins for your money belts to take on your trips. ¹⁰ Don’t take a backpack for the road or two shirts or sandals or a walking stick. ¹¹ Whatever city or village you go into, find somebody in it who is worthy and stay there until you go on your way. ¹² When you go into a house, say, ‘Peace!’ ¹³ If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if the house isn’t worthy, take back your blessing. ¹⁴ If anyone refuses to welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that house or city. ¹⁵ I assure you that it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on Judgment Day than it will be for that city. ¹⁶ “Look, I’m sending you as sheep among wolves. Therefore, be wise as snakes and innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Watch out for people—because they will hand you over to councils and they will beat you in their synagogues. ¹⁸ They will haul you in front of governors and even kings because of me so that you may give your testimony to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ Whenever they hand you over, don’t worry about how to speak or what you will say, because what you can say will be given to you at that moment. ²⁰ You aren’t doing the talking, but the Spirit of my Father is doing the talking through you. ²¹ Brothers and sisters will hand each other over to be executed. A father will turn his child in. Children will defy their parents and have them executed. ²² Everyone will hate you on account of my name. But whoever stands firm until the end will be saved. ²³ Whenever they harass you in one city, escape to the next, because I assure that you will not go through all the cities of Israel before the Human One comes.

There is power in our names. Our names tell where we came from, the experiences we have endured, and the person we are becoming. Whether a parent speaks a word of affirmation, a coach or colleague offers a word of direction, or a friend shouts across the street, we sense...

Speaking God, help us listen to your voice. Open our lives to receive your word of blessing and faithfully respond to your call to go and bless others. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

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Lectionary Week

June 8–14, 2026

Scripture Overview

Life with God leads us into the mysterious depths of God’s compassionate love. Like Sarah, we can’t help but stop and laugh at how absurdly wonderful God is. In the psalm and the epistle, we discover a God intimately familiar with the ordinary details of our everyday lives. God’s grace is continually transforming us and sustaining us in all seasons. In the Gospel, we are interrupted by the Lord, who calls us by name and commissions us as partners in the extraordinary work of healing and hope.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7. When have you waited for a long time for God? Amidst the pain of delay, who and what helped you keep your life open to God’s surprising blessings?
Read Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19. How might God’s attention to your life change how you talk with God?
Read Romans 5:1-8. What gifts have you received during seasons of trial and tribulation? How might you live as one grounded in the peace of Jesus Christ?
Read Matthew 9:35–10:8. How might God’s compassion lead you to partner with God’s mission in your everyday life?

Respond by posting a prayer.

Wonder, Love, and Praise

The Practice of Belonging

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Wonder, Love, and Praise

Matthew 9:35-38

Matthew 10:1-23

The Practice of Belonging

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