Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b: After leaving Egypt, the Israelites arrive at Mount Sinai. God appears in a dense cloud, thunder, and lightning, and summons Moses to the mountaintop to communicate His commands.
• Responsorial Psalm – Daniel 3: Glory and praise be to God, the exalted and praiseworthy Lord, whose name is holy and glorious, surpassing all others for eternity. Blessed are you, holy and glorious, praised and exalted for all ages.
• Gospel – Matthew 13:10-17: Jesus explains to his disciples the purpose of speaking in parables, revealing that those who have a receptive heart will understand and receive the kingdom’s mysteries, while those who are hardened will remain spiritually blind. Jesus quotes the prophecy of Isaiah, emphasizing the blessedness of his disciples who see and understand, for they witness what prophets and righteous people longed to see but did not.

Lectionary Reference: 398

Upcoming dates: July 24, 2025, July 26, 2029, July 24, 2031, July 21, 2033

But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. 

Matthew 13:16

On Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings reflect God’s holiness, His presence among His people, and the invitation to deeper understanding. God draws near to His people, while Jesus invites His disciples to open their hearts and minds.

• God’s Holy Presence: In Exodus, God’s presence on Mount Sinai is shown with thunder and lightning, showing His holiness. This reminds us of God’s power and how we must approach Him with respect and humility.
• Preparation to Meet God: God instructs Moses to prepare the people to meet Him. This shows that coming close to God requires a readiness of heart and mind.
• Obedience and Reverence: God asks the people to obey Him as He reveals Himself in a powerful way. The reading highlights the need for obedience and reverence to stay close to God.
• Mystery of God’s Ways: Jesus tells the disciples that not everyone can understand His teachings, revealing the mystery of God’s ways. This shows that understanding God is a gift that requires an open heart.
• Faith over Sight: Jesus tells His followers that seeing and hearing isn’t enough if their hearts are closed. Faith requires trusting and believing in what God reveals, even when we don’t fully understand.
• Invitation to Deeper Understanding: Jesus invites His followers to go beyond appearances and understand His teachings. This calls each person to seek a deeper relationship with God.
• Hearing and Listening: Jesus speaks of those who hear but do not listen, and see but do not perceive. The theme reminds us that God calls us to listen to His Word with an open heart.

The readings for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, show us that God invites us to know Him more fully and calls us to prepare our hearts. He gives us the chance to deepen our faith by drawing closer to His Word and His presence.

The readings for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, draw us to consider the power, mystery, and invitation of God’s presence. In the book of Exodus, God’s appearance on Mount Sinai reminds us of His holiness and the need for respect as we approach Him. Jesus, in the Gospel, calls us beyond mere appearances, inviting us to seek deeper understanding and connection with God. Together, these themes call us to grow in faith, humility, and awareness of God’s ways.

Approaching God with Reverence

On Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the scene of God’s appearance on Mount Sinai is one of power and awe. The people witness thunder, lightning, and smoke as God makes His presence known. This powerful image reminds us of the holiness of God and the respect we must have when approaching Him. We are not approaching an equal but the Creator of everything, who deserves reverence and humility from His people.

Reverence means recognizing God’s greatness and our need to be humble before Him. In a world where it’s easy to feel self-sufficient, these readings invite us to bow our hearts to God. Just as the people of Israel prepared themselves, we are called to take time and prepare our hearts to welcome God’s presence and listen to His guidance.

Living out reverence means taking time to be aware of God’s presence around us. It means setting aside moments for prayer, for silence, and for opening our hearts to Him. God’s holiness calls us to be humble, recognizing that He is God, and we are His people, made to know, love, and serve Him.

Seeking a Deeper Relationship with God

In the readings for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, we see an invitation to go beyond what we see on the surface. Jesus tells His disciples that some will hear His words but not understand them, and others will see His actions but miss their meaning. God calls us to look deeper and seek to understand His ways, growing in a relationship with Him that goes beyond appearances.

God desires a relationship with each of us that involves trust and commitment. This means taking time to know Him, to pray, and to understand His teachings. It’s easy to go through the motions, but Jesus calls us to seek God in a way that changes our hearts and minds. Following God is not about simply following rules but about letting His love guide our actions.

Developing a deeper relationship with God means paying attention to His presence in our daily lives. As we pray, read Scripture, or attend Mass, we can ask God to help us see beyond what is visible. We are called to seek a faith that changes us, one that draws us closer to God, who always wants us to come closer to Him.

Understanding with Open Hearts

Another theme that connects the readings on Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, is the importance of understanding God’s message with an open heart. In Exodus, the people are asked to listen to God and obey His commands to stay close to Him. Jesus echoes this in the Gospel, pointing out that true understanding comes when we are willing to listen, not just with our ears but with our hearts.

Sometimes, people hear God’s words or witness His actions but do not truly understand because their hearts are closed. We, too, can struggle to listen fully, especially when God’s message challenges us or calls us to change. Jesus reminds us that an open heart is needed to receive His word, making us like fertile soil where God’s truth can grow.

God’s teachings take root in hearts that are ready and open. This involves daily choices to listen with humility, let go of distractions, and put God’s message into action. As we seek to understand more deeply, we find that God’s words bring peace, wisdom, and guidance, helping us to walk closer with Him each day.

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Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, urges us to approach God with reverence, to seek deeper understanding, and to open our hearts fully to His word. Through these reflections, we remember that God wants us to draw close to Him in faith and humility. As we grow in these ways, we come closer to the love and peace He offers.

Prayer

Lord, help us come to You with open hearts and humble minds. Teach us to listen, to seek understanding, and to grow in faith. May we approach You with respect and love, trusting in Your guidance and walking in Your light every day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I approach God with more reverence and humility in my daily life?
• In what ways is God inviting me to seek a deeper relationship with Him?
• What helps me listen to God with an open heart, and what distracts me?
• How can I look beyond appearances to understand God’s presence in my life?

Word On Fire: The Paradox of God’s Elusiveness

From Bishop Robert Barron for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time. Jesus explains his use of parables to baffle the crowds, intentionally confounding their understanding. Through these stories, Jesus challenges conventional notions of justice and compassion, revealing the vastness of divine attributes beyond human comprehension.

The biblical God remains elusive because He is the creator of the entire finite universe, transcending any otherness found within creation. His justice surpasses human understanding, and His compassion goes far beyond any human love. By employing parables, Jesus emphasizes the profound mystery of God’s nature, prompting us to seek a deeper relationship with Him and recognize the limitations of our understanding. Embracing the divine mystery allows us to approach God with humility and reverence.

What date is Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Thursday July 24, 2025.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For even numbered years see Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Thursday July 24, 2025 are:
First Reading – Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b: The Divine Encounter at Mount Sinai
Responsorial Psalm – Daniel 3: A Hymn of Blessing and Praise
Gospel – Matthew 13:10-17: The Purpose of Parables

Why does God appear to the people with thunder and lightning in the first reading for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1?

God appears this way to show His power and holiness. Thunder and lightning remind the people to respect Him and to prepare themselves to receive His guidance.

What does it mean to prepare to meet God?

Preparation means setting aside distractions and being open to God’s message. For the people of Israel, this meant cleaning themselves and their surroundings, while for us it means setting time for prayer and reflection.

What is the purpose of obedience in the first reading from Exodus for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Obedience shows our trust in God’s way and willingness to follow Him. In the reading, the people are called to obey because it allows them to be close to God and know His love.

Why does Jesus say that only some people will understand His teachings in the Gospel for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1?

Jesus knows that understanding God’s truth requires a heart open to listening. Some people hear but do not truly listen, so they miss out on understanding God’s ways.

How can we apply the message of faith over sight?

Faith over sight means trusting God even when we do not see everything clearly. In our lives, it can mean believing in God’s care and guidance, especially in difficult times.

What does Jesus mean when He says that some people see but do not perceive?

Jesus is saying that people can be physically present but closed off in their hearts. We are called to be aware of God’s presence and not just go through the motions.

Why is listening important in Jesus’ message on Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1?

Listening with an open heart allows us to understand God’s will and be guided by Him. When we truly listen, we can grow in faith and put God’s teachings into action.

How can we grow in understanding God’s teachings?

We grow by spending time in prayer and reflection and asking for guidance from the Holy Spirit. God helps those who sincerely seek Him to understand His ways.

What does God’s invitation to come closer mean for us?

It means we are welcome to seek Him and build a relationship with Him. God wants us to draw close to Him in prayer, obedience, and love.

What is the main lesson for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1?

The main lesson is that God is holy, and we should approach Him with respect and obedience. He calls us to listen, seek understanding, and grow closer to Him in faith.