Gospel: July 29, 2026
July 29, 2026 (Wednesday)
17th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 1 (White)
St. Martha, St. Mary & St. Lazarus
Ps 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18
God is my refuge on the day of distress.
1st Reading: Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21
Woe is me, Mother, why did you bring me to the light? A man of dissension throughout the land!
I owe them nothing, neither do they owe me, yet they all curse me!
I devoured your words when they came.
They were my happiness and I felt full of joy when you made your name rest on me.
I never associate with worldly people, amusing myself with scoffers!
When your hand was upon me I stood apart and you filled me with your anger.
Why is there no end to my sorrow or healing for my wound?
Why do you deceive me, and why does my spring suddenly dry up?
Then the Lord spoke to me, “If you return I will take you back and you will serve me again.
Draw the gold from the dross and you will be as my own mouth. You must draw them to you and not go over to them and a wall of bronze facing them; if they fight against you they will not overcome you; I will make you a fortress
I am with you to free you and save you.
I will redeem you from the wicked and free you from the hands of tyrants.”
Gospel: John 11:19-27 (or Luke 10:38-42)
Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary, after the death of their brother, to comfort them.
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, while Mary remained sitting in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection, at the last day.” But Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, shall live. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Martha then answered, “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.”
Reflection:
With Jesus, there is true life.
Death is the only certainty that we all face. Just as everyone experiences birth, all people will eventually encounter death. Ancient philosophies often suggested that human life ends with death. However, today’s Gospel shows us that Jesus challenges this notion by declaring, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This statement redirects our focus to God’s original plan for us: eternal life. Thus, death does not have the final word; God does.
In our daily lives, we also confront various forms of “death,” manifested in our struggles, addictions, and burdens that prevent us from realizing what God has intended for us. Jesus continually reminds us that with Him, there is true life.
We are invited to reflect on our lives: What burdens are holding me back from reaching my full potential as God’s beloved?
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