Gospel: July 13, 2026
July 13, 2026 (Monday)
15th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 3 (Green/White)
St. Henry
Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 & 23
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
1st Reading: Isaiah 1:10-17
Hear the warning of the Lord, rulers of Sodom. Listen to the word of God, people of Gomorrah.”
“What do I care,” says the Lord “for your endless sacrifices?
I am fed up with your burnt offerings, and the fat of your bulls. The blood of fatlings, and lambs and he-goats
I abhor, when you come before me and trample on my courts. Who asked you to visit me?
I am fed up with your oblations.
I grow sick with your incense. Your New Moons, Sabbaths and meetings, evil with holy assemblies,
I can no longer bear.
I hate your New Moons and appointed feasts. They burden me.
When you stretch out your hands I will close my eyes; the more you pray, the more I refuse to listen, for your hands are bloody.
Wash and make yourselves clean. Remove from my sight the evil of your deeds.
Put an end to your wickedness and learn to do good.
Seek justice and keep in line the abusers; give the fatherless their rights and defend the widow.”
Gospel: Matthew 10:34–11:1
Do not think that I have come to establish peace on earth.
I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Each one will have as enemies, those of one’s own family.
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 me, is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life, for my sake, will find it.
Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes him who sent me. The one who welcomes a prophet, as a prophet, will receive the reward of a prophet; the one who welcomes a just man, because he is a just man, will receive the reward of a just man. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, because he is my disciple, I assure you, he will not go unrewarded.”
When Jesus had finished giving his twelve disciples these instructions, he went on from there, to teach and to proclaim his message in their towns.
Reflection:
Family in God’s kingdom.
Family is the fundamental unit of our society, and its strength often comes from blood connections. The saying “blood is thicker than water” highlights the importance of these familial ties. In many cultures, family plays a significant role in shaping individual lives and guiding their paths. Throughout history, wars and treaties have often been influenced by family relationships. In the context of the Gospel, Jesus broadened our understanding of what it means to be a family in God’s kingdom. For Christians, family extends beyond mere blood relations; we are connected through our shared faith. Our Christian beliefs indicate that we are all sisters and brothers, with God as our Father. This connection transcends biological ties.
From this faith perspective, we can better understand how families and relationships function. We share a common belief that we are united in faith, and through this faith, we participate in Christ’s mission to make God’s family a reality in our world. This calling requires a response from those who wish to follow Jesus.
