Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin [In the Dioceses of the United States], July 14, 2025

Gospel

Matthew 10:34—11:1

Jesus said to his Apostles:

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth.

I have come to bring not peace but the sword.

For I have come to set

a man against his father,

a daughter against her mother,

and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

and one's enemies will be those of his household.

"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,

and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

and whoever does not take up his cross

and follow after me is not worthy of me.

Whoever finds his life will lose it,

and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

"Whoever receives you receives me,

and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.

Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet

will receive a prophet's reward,

and whoever receives a righteous man

because he is righteous

will receive a righteous man's reward.

And whoever gives only a cup of cold water

to one of these little ones to drink

because he is a disciple–

amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."

When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples,

he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.

Reflection

When we choose to follow Christ with integrity, there will be times when even those closest to us whether it be our family, friends, or our society, will resist, misunderstand, or reject us. This is precisely the cross Jesus calls us to carry. True love doesn’t appease sin or affirm confusion. If we ignore what is truth just to keep someone happy, that’s not real love, it is simply going along to avoid conflict. I know this can be hard, even in small everyday moments. This Gospel reminds me that truth and love aren’t opposites...they go hand in hand. The goal isn’t to be blunt or hurtful, but to love others with the heart and mind of God. This can mean finding a way to speak the truth with kindness, even when it’s uncomfortable. We see this lived out powerfully in the life of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, whose memorial we celebrate today. Despite facing rejection from her family and community because of her decision to follow Christ, she remained faithful and courageous, placing God above all else. Her quiet strength and deep love for Jesus are a beautiful example of how to carry our crosses with grace. At the end of the Gospel, Jesus says this, “Even giving a cup of cold water to one of these little ones… will not lose its reward.” It’s a reminder that even the smallest acts of love hold great meaning when they come from a heart aligned with God, just like the quiet sacrifices and acts of charity Saint Kateri Tekakwitha offered throughout her life.