The Great Woman of Shunem

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For 2 July 2023, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, based on 2 Kings 4:8–11, 14–16a

One day Elisha was passing through Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to have a meal. So whenever he passed that way, he would stop there for a meal. She said to her husband, ‘Look, I am sure that this man who regularly passes our way is a holy man of God. Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that he can stay there whenever he comes to us.’

One day when he came there, he went up to the chamber and lay down there. He said, ‘What then may be done for her?’ Gehazi answered, ‘Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.’ He said, ‘Call her.’ When he had called her, she stood at the door. He said, ‘At this season, in due time, you shall embrace a son.’


Scripture passage from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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About Ann Garrido

Ann is Associate Professor of Homiletics at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO (sponsored by the Province of St. Albert the Great) and former director of the school’s doctorate of ministry in preaching program. She has been affiliated with the Dominican community since 1996.