Gospel: July 16, 2026
July 16, 2026 (Thursday)
15th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 3 (Green/White)
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Ps 102:13-14ab & 15, 16-18, 19-21
From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
1st Reading: Isaiah 26:7-9, 11, 16-19
Let the righteous walk in righteousness. You make smooth the path of the just, and we only seek the way of your laws, O Lord.
Your name and your memory are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night; for you my spirit keeps vigil.
When your judgments come to earth, the world’s inhabitants learn to be upright.
Lord, your hand is lifted up, but they fail to see that. Let them see your zeal for your people, that they may be put to shame. Let your enemies be burned in the fire of your anger.
For they sought you in distress, they cried out to you in the time of their punishment.
As a woman in travail moans and writhes in pain, so are we now in your presence.
We conceived, we had labor pains, but we gave birth to the wind. We have not brought salvation to the land; the inhabitants of a new world have not been born.
Your dead will live! Their corpses will rise! Awake and sing, you who lie in the dust!
For you will grow like plants drenched with the morning dew, and the earth will bring forth its dead spirits.
Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is easy; and my burden is light.”
Reflection:
I will give you rest.
The reading from the Prophet Isaiah beautifully captures the powerful theme of pursuing God’s peace and righteousness, especially during difficult times. It encourages us to trust in God’s justice and to cling to the promise of resurrection yet to come, reminding us that even in our most desperate hours, God remains our ultimate provider of salvation and revival.
This reassuring message is echoed in the Gospel, where Jesus extends the invitation: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This is an eloquent reminder that when life becomes overwhelming, Jesus invites us to a place of peace and renewal, assuring us that his “yoke is easy and his burden is light.”
As we ponder this invitation, let us consider: What in our lives feels especially burdensome right now? How can we embrace Jesus’ yoke and ease our daily struggles? Remember that we are never alone and that Jesus always offers hope and support.
