Gospel: July 28, 2026
July 28, 2026 (Tuesday)
17th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 1 (Green/Red)
St. Pedro Poveda
Ps 79:8, 9, 11 & 13
For the glory of your name,
O Lord, deliver us.
1st Reading: Jeremiah 14:17-22
This you will say to them: Let my eyes shed tears night and day without ceasing! For with a great wound has the virgin daughter of my people been wounded, a most grievous wound.
If I go into the country, I see those slain by the sword. If I enter the city I see the ravages of famine. For the prophet and the priest did not understand what was happening in the land.”
Have you then rejected Judah forever? Do you abhor Zion? Why have you wounded us and left us with no hope of recovery?
We hoped for salvation but received nothing good; we waited for healing, but terror came!
The Lord, we know our wickedness and that of our ancestors, and the times we have sinned against you.
For your name’s sake do not despise us; do not dishonor the throne of your glory. Remember us. Do not break your Covenant with us!
Among the worthless idols of the nations, are there any who can bring rain, or make the skies send showers?
Only in you, Lord our God, do we hope, for it is you who do all this.
Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43
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.
Reflection:
Goodness and justice prevail.
A familiar plot in many movies is the conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist, which can be described as a battle between good and evil. In these stories, good always triumphs after overcoming numerous challenges and adversities from evil forces.
Similarly, Jesus conveys the idea of good triumphing over evil in the Gospel. However, goodness must navigate various adversities and challenges before achieving this victory, leading to its maturity. We may feel overwhelmed by seemingly insurmountable issues such as war, poverty and corruption. These worldly challenges are often front and center. Yet, in God’s grand plan, goodness and justice ultimately prevail.
This period of struggle is, in fact, a gift from God. The present moment is the only time we have to witness our faith. Now is the opportunity to continue working for truth and justice—to contribute to making this world a true reflection of God’s Kingdom.
