Gospel: July 9, 2026
July 9, 2026 (Thursday)
14th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 2 (Green/White/Red)
St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, & companions, martyrs
Ps 80:2ac & 3b, 15-16
Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
1st Reading: Hosea 11:1-4, 8c-9
Gospel: Matthew 10:7-15
Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. Freely have you received, freely give. Do not carry any gold or silver or money in your purses. Do not take a traveling bag, or an extra shirt, or sandals, or a walking stick: workers deserve to be compensated.
When you come to a town or a village, look for a worthy person, and stay there until you leave.
When you enter the house, wish it peace. If the people are worthy people, your peace will rest on them; if they are not worthy people, your blessing will come back to you.
And if you are not welcomed, and your words are not listened to, leave that house or that town, and shake the dust off your feet. I assure you, it will go easier for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than it will for the people of that town.
Reflection:
Bring this Kingdom into the present.
The Kingdom of God is central to the message of Jesus, and his efforts are focused on it. His stories of miracles—such as healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, and bringing freedom to captives—highlight the reality of the Kingdom. Many people think of the Kingdom as something that will occur in the future or after we die. However, our catechism discusses the end times and the fulfillment of this Kingdom at the end of time. Today’s gospel confirms that the Kingdom of God is not just a future event but is already unfolding.
The miracles and healing stories shared by Jesus during his encounters with people offer a glimpse of what is to come with the fulfillment of this Kingdom. At the same time, they also indicate that the reality of this Kingdom is present now.
Today, we are invited to participate in making this Kingdom a reality. While we long and pray for its swift coming, we are also encouraged to help bring this Kingdom into the present.
