Gospel: July 21, 2026
July 21, 2026 (Tuesday)
16th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 4 (Green/White)
St. Lawrence of Brindisi, priest & doctor
Ps 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8
Lord, show us your mercy and love.
1st Reading: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50
While Jesus was talking to the people, his mother and his brothers wanted to speak to him, and they waited outside.
So someone said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside; they want to speak with you.”
Jesus answered, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look! Here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Reflection:
We are all connected through our faith in God.
We often hear the saying “blood is thicker than water” when navigating our complex loyalties toward our family and friends. It’s entirely natural for us to want to prioritize and protect those we love, especially when it comes to safeguarding our family’s well-being.
When people approached Jesus about his mother and relatives waiting for him outside the synagogue, it beautifully highlighted our instinctive human bonds. Yet, Jesus gently reminded his listeners of a more profound truth: in the eyes of faith, we are all brothers and sisters, united with God as our Father. This perspective expands our understanding of family beyond biological ties; we are all connected through our faith in God and the Gospel values that guide our daily lives. In light of this, we can take a moment to reflect on our relationships with our brothers and sisters in faith. Are we recognizing and embracing the presence of God’s image in one another?
Let us strive to cultivate those connections with compassion and understanding.
