Gospel: July 19, 2026
July 19, 2026 (Sunday)
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 4 (Green)
Ps 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 (5a)
Lord, you are good and forgiving.
1st Reading: Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19
2nd Reading: Romans 8:26-27
Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes for us, without words, as if with groans. And he, who sees inner secrets, knows the desires of the Spirit, for he asks for the holy ones, what is pleasing to God.
Gospel: Matthew 13:24-43
Jesus told the people another parable, “The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a man, who sowed good seed
in his field. While everyone was asleep, his enemy came, and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
When the plants sprouted and produced grain, the weeds also appeared. Then, the servants of the owner came, and said to him, ‘Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? Where did the weeds come from?’
He answered them, ‘This is the work of an enemy.’ They asked him,‘Do you want us to go and pull up the weeds?’ He told them, ‘No, when you pull up the weeds, you might uproot the wheat with them. Let them grow together, until harvest; and, at harvest time, I will say to the workers: Pull up the weeds first, tie them in bundles and burn them; then gather the wheat into my barn.’”
Jesus offered them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.
It is smaller than all other seeds, but once it is fully grown, it is bigger than any garden plant; like a tree, the birds come and rest in its branches.”
He told them another parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast that a woman took, and hid in three measures of flour, until the whole mass of dough began to rise.”
Jesus taught all these things to the crowds by means of parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. This fulfilled what was spoken by the Prophet: I will speak in parables. I will proclaim things kept secret since the beginning of the world.
Then he sent the crowds away and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” Jesus answered them, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world; the good seed are the people of the kingdom; the weeds are those who follow the evil one. The enemy who sows the weeds is the devil; the harvest is the end of time, and the workers are the angels.
Just as the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of time. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom all that is scandalous and all who do evil. And these will be thrown into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the just will shine, like the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. If you have ears, then hear.
Lectio Divina:
We are called to be discerning.
Read: The Sage in the Book of Wisdom praises the Almighty God for His mercy, justice, prudence, and great patience in dealing with His people. In the second reading, Paul tells the believers that the Spirit comes to our aid and intervenes in our weakness. In the gospel, Jesus narrates the parable of the weeds among the wheat, instructing his listeners not to make rash judgments.
Reflect: The Parable of the Weeds is a powerful reminder of how good and evil coexist, both in the world around us and within our hearts. The Master, in His wisdom, chooses not to uproot the weeds immediately, knowing that doing so might also harm the wheat. This story encourages us to practice patience and trust God’s perfect timing. We are called to be discerning, nurturing what is good while standing firm against evil, all without succumbing to despair or making hasty judgments. God’s kingdom encompasses both the good and the bad. God’s justice will ultimately prevail and eliminate the sinful. Meanwhile, let us trust God’s goodness and persevere in faith while preaching repentance.
Pray: Lord, help me to refrain from judging others hastily so that I do not exclude anyone from the realm of Your mercy.
Act: When tempted to judge, pray instead.
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