18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

• First Reading – Isaiah 55:1-3: The LORD invites everyone to come and receive food and drink without cost, promising life and renewal of the everlasting covenant.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 145: The Lord is kind, merciful, and just, providing for all and close to those who sincerely call on him. He satisfies every need.
• Second Reading – Romans 8:35, 37-39: Nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ, not even life’s greatest challenges or spiritual forces.
• Gospel – Matthew 14:13-21: Jesus withdrew to a remote place, where crowds followed him. Despite the disciples’ concerns, Jesus miraculously fed over five thousand men with just five loaves and two fish.

Lectionary Reference: 112

Upcoming dates: August 2, 2026, August 5, 2029, August 1, 2032

The readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A show God’s care for people. They remind us that God provides, loves, and invites all to come to Him.

• God’s Generosity: God gives freely to all. Isaiah speaks of food and drink without cost, and Jesus feeds thousands with little.
• God’s Love is Unbreakable: Paul says nothing can separate us from God’s love. No hardship or struggle can take it away.
• Trust in God’s Care: The disciples worried about feeding the crowd, but Jesus provided. This shows that God knows our needs and cares for us.
• Invitation to Come to God: Isaiah calls all to come and receive. Jesus welcomes the crowd and gives them what they need.
• Jesus Feeds the Hungry: The feeding of the five thousand shows Jesus’ care for people’s needs. He does not send them away but provides for them.
• God’s Promise is Eternal: Isaiah reminds us of God’s lasting covenant. God’s love and care never end.
• The Eucharist as Spiritual Food: Jesus’ miracle of feeding the crowd points to the Eucharist. Just as He gave them bread to satisfy their hunger, He gives us Himself in the Eucharist to nourish our souls.

God provides for both physical and spiritual needs. The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reminds us to trust in Him.

God Feeds His People: A Lesson Plan on Manna and Bread

God has always cared for His people by giving them what they need. In the Bible, He fed the Israelites with manna, helped Elijah through the widow’s small supply of food, and provided for Elisha during a famine. Jesus continued this by feeding the crowds who followed Him. These moments show that God does not abandon His people.

The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reminds us that God still provides for us, not just physically but also spiritually. The Eucharist is His greatest gift, offering us true nourishment. Just as He fed people in the past, He feeds us now with Himself. This teaches us to rely on Him and trust that He will always care for us.

Psalm 145: God’s Greatness and Mercy

Psalm 145 is a song of praise that reminds us of God’s kindness and care. It speaks about His greatness and how He is good to everyone. The psalm invites people to thank God for His love and the wonderful things He has done. It is a joyful reminder that God watches over all His creation.

Psalm 145 is the responsorial psalm for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. This psalm reminds us that God provides for His people and is always near to those who call on Him. It encourages us to trust in His love and to praise Him every day. Like King David, we are invited to share His goodness with others.

See a Prayer of Praise and Trust for Young Hearts based on Psalm 145

Come to the Water!

Bishop Barron’s homily for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focuses on God’s free and unconditional love. Isaiah 55 invites all who are thirsty to come and receive without cost. This shows that God’s love is a gift, not something we earn. Paul’s letter to the Romans confirms this by saying nothing can separate us from God’s love.

God’s love comes first, but we are called to respond. Once we accept His grace, we must live according to His ways. Like a house with rules, God’s kingdom has guidelines for how we should act. While we can sin and turn away, God always invites us back. His love is constant, and He always calls us to return.

Stuck in the Story?

Dr. Ann Garrido’s reflection for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A connects the Gospel story of Jesus feeding the crowd to the ongoing issue of racism and injustice. She compares the grief and exhaustion of the people following John the Baptist’s death to the pain and anger after George Floyd’s killing. Jesus sees the suffering and does not turn away. Instead, He moves toward the people, offering healing and hope. The reading reminds us that God’s compassion is always present, especially in times of deep sorrow.

The reflection also challenges us to take action. When Jesus performs the miracle, He does not act alone—He asks His disciples to bring what they have. This raises an important question: are we willing to share what we have to help others? The Gospel does not allow us to wait for Jesus to fix everything. It calls us to be part of the solution.

The readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A remind us of God’s generosity, love, and care. Isaiah speaks of an open invitation to receive freely. Paul assures us that nothing can separate us from God’s love. The Gospel tells of Jesus feeding a great crowd, a sign of His deep concern for people’s needs. These readings invite us to trust in God and to recognize His presence in our lives.

God Gives Freely to All

The readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A remind us that God gives without cost. Isaiah speaks of food and drink offered freely to all. This shows that God’s love and care are not limited. He does not ask for payment or special qualifications. He simply invites everyone to come and receive.

In the Gospel, Jesus also gives freely. The disciples see a hungry crowd and worry that they have nothing to offer. But Jesus takes what little they have—five loaves and two fish—and makes it enough for thousands. He does not turn anyone away. Instead, He provides more than enough for all.

This shows us something important about God. He does not wait for us to be worthy. He does not give based on what we have to offer. He simply sees our needs and provides.

We sometimes forget this when we worry about our own struggles. We might feel unworthy or think we have nothing to give. But God does not see it that way. He invites us to come as we are, trusting that He will take care of us. The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reminds us to trust in His generosity.

Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love

Paul’s message in the second reading for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A is clear. Nothing can separate us from God’s love. Not trouble, hardship, or anything else. God’s love is constant, no matter what happens.

Life can be hard. We face struggles, losses, and disappointments. Sometimes, we may feel distant from God or wonder if He is still with us. But Paul assures us that no challenge is greater than God’s love. Even in the hardest times, He is with us.

In the Gospel, the disciples are unsure how to feed the crowd. They feel helpless in the situation. But Jesus shows them that even when things seem impossible, He is there to help. He takes what little they have and makes it enough.

This is a reminder for all of us. No matter what we are facing, God does not leave us. His love is steady and unbreakable. The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A encourages us to trust that He is always with us, no matter what we go through.

A Sign of the Eucharist

The feeding of the five thousand in the Gospel for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A is more than just a miracle. It also points to the Eucharist. Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, and gives it to the people. This foreshadows what He will do at the Last Supper and what happens at every Mass.

The people in the crowd came hungry, and Jesus gave them food. But He did not just care for their physical hunger. He was also showing them that He would provide for their spiritual needs. Just as He fed them with bread, He gives us Himself in the Eucharist.

Isaiah’s reading also connects to this. God invites everyone to come and receive. He offers food and drink without cost. The Eucharist is a free gift, given to us out of love. We do not earn it. We simply receive it with faith.

This reminds us how much God wants to be close to us. He gives Himself completely in the Eucharist so that we can be united with Him. The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A calls us to see the Eucharist as a gift and to come to Jesus with open hearts.

God continues to provide for us, just as He did for the people in these readings. The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A encourages us to rely on Him, knowing that He gives freely and loves without end. As we reflect on these themes, we can ask ourselves how we trust in His care and how we respond to His gifts.

Prayer

Lord, You give freely and love without limits. Help us to trust in Your care, even when we feel uncertain. Remind us that You are always with us, providing for our needs. Open our hearts to receive Your gifts with gratitude. May we share Your love with others. Amen.

• How do I see God’s generosity in my life?
• When have I felt unsure if I had enough, yet God provided?
• How does knowing that nothing can separate me from God’s love give me comfort?
• What do I learn from Jesus’ response to the hungry crowd?
• How does the feeding of the five thousand connect to the Eucharist?
• Do I trust that God will provide for my needs?
• How can I be more open to receiving God’s gifts?
• In what ways can I share what I have with others?
• How do these readings challenge me to trust God more?
• What steps can I take to rely on God instead of my own strength?

The music selections for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focus on God’s generosity, love, and invitation to all. Some songs celebrate the theme of God feeding His people, just as Jesus fed the crowd in the Gospel. Others remind us that nothing can separate us from God’s love, as Paul writes in his letter to the Romans. There are also hymns of praise that express gratitude for God’s kindness and care. Many of these songs highlight the Eucharist, where God continues to nourish us today. Together, these songs help us reflect on God’s gifts and our response to His love.

• Alleluia, Sing to Jesus by Rowland H. Pritchard, William C. Dix, Robert E. Kreutz
• All Are Welcome, All Belong by Ken Canedo & Jesse Manibusan
• Bread of Angels by Curtis Stephan
• Bread of Life by Bobby Fisher
• Come to the Feast by Bob Hurd, Jaime Cortez & Pia Moriarty
• Come to the Lord by Steve Angrisano
• Come to Me and Drink by Bob Hurd
• Come to the Water / I Will Run to You by John Foley & Matt Maher
• I Received the Living God
• I Sing the Mighty Power of God
• In the Breaking of the Bread by Bob Hurd & Anawim
• Join in the Dance by Dan Schutte
• Let us Break Bread Together
• Love Divine, All Loves Excelling by Rowland H. Pritchard & Charles Wesley
• Mighty to Save by Laura Story
• Miracle of Grace (Bread of Life) by Curtis Stephan
• Our God Is Here by Chris Muglia
• Table of Plenty by Dan Schutte & Randall Debruyn
• Taste and See by Bob Hurd, Craig Kingsbury & Dominic MacAller
• The Hand of the Lord Feeds Us by Scott Soper
• There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy by Fredrick William Faber

Music directors and musicians can use these selections to support the themes of the readings. These songs can help the congregation enter into worship and reflect on God’s care. If you have other songs that fit these themes, share your suggestions in the comments.

What date is the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A?

The next date is Sunday August 2, 2026.
For other years see the links below:
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

What are the Mass readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A?

The Catholic Mass readings for Sunday August 2, 2026 are:
First Reading – Isaiah 55:1-3: Come and Receive
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 145: The Lord Fulfills Needs
Second Reading – Romans 8:35, 37-39: Unbreakable Bond
Gospel – Matthew 14:13-21: Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

What does Isaiah mean when he says to come and eat without cost?

Isaiah is showing that God’s love and care are free gifts. We do not have to earn them, only accept them.

Why does Paul say that nothing can separate us from God’s love?

Paul is reminding us that no hardship, sin, or struggle can take away God’s love. No matter what happens, God remains with us.

What is the main message of the Gospel reading?

Jesus feeds a hungry crowd with very little food, showing that God takes care of both physical and spiritual needs. It also points to the Eucharist, where Jesus continues to nourish us.

How does the feeding of the five thousand relate to the Eucharist?

Jesus blesses and shares the bread, just as He does at the Last Supper. This reminds us that in the Eucharist, He gives Himself to us.

What lesson can we learn from the disciples in the Gospel?

The disciples focus on the problem of not having enough food. Jesus teaches them to trust that God will provide.

Why is Psalm 145 the responsorial psalm for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A?

Psalm 145 speaks about God’s kindness and care for all people. This fits with the readings, which show how God provides for our needs.

How can we apply the message of the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A to our daily lives?

We can trust that God will take care of us. We can also share what we have with others, just as Jesus shared the loaves and fish.

What does the everlasting covenant in Isaiah mean?

It means God’s love and promises never end. He is always faithful to His people.

How does the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A show God’s generosity?

Isaiah speaks of a free invitation to receive, and Jesus feeds thousands with very little food. These readings remind us that God gives without limits.

What should we do when we feel like we do not have enough?

Instead of worrying, we can bring our needs to God in prayer. Like the disciples, we should trust that He will take care of us.