Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20: Jehosheba hid Joash to save him from Athaliah. Later, Jehoiada revealed Joash, who was crowned king, leading to Athaliah’s death and the destruction of Baal’s temple.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 132: God promises David that his descendants will rule if they keep His covenant. He chooses Zion as His eternal dwelling and assures victory and honor for David’s line.
• Gospel – Matthew 6:19-23: Jesus teaches his disciples to store treasures in heaven, not on earth, and emphasizes the importance of having a healthy perspective to keep their whole being full of light.

Lectionary Reference: 369

Upcoming dates: June 19, 2026, June 21, 2030, June 18, 2032

Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

Matthew 6:21

The readings for Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 teach us about God’s protection and the importance of righteous leadership through the story of Jehosheba and Joash. Jesus emphasizes storing treasures in heaven and having a clear spiritual vision to guide our lives.

• God’s Protection: Jehosheba hid Joash to save him from Athaliah. This shows how God protects His chosen ones.
• Faithful Leadership: Jehoiada revealed Joash and crowned him king. Good leaders follow God’s will and bring about positive change.
• Destruction of Evil: Athaliah’s death and the destruction of Baal’s temple represent the removal of evil influences. God’s people must remove sin from their lives.
• Heavenly Treasures: Jesus teaches us to store treasures in heaven. Earthly wealth is temporary, but heavenly rewards are eternal.
• Clear Vision: Jesus emphasizes having a healthy perspective. A clear spiritual vision fills us with light and guides our actions.

These themes from Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us to trust in God, seek righteous leadership, remove evil, and focus on heavenly rewards. Jesus’ teachings encourage us to keep our spiritual vision clear and full of light.

The readings for Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 teach us about trusting in God and focusing on what truly matters. We are reminded that God uses people to care for His chosen ones, calls us to seek treasures that last, and invites us to keep our focus on His light. These lessons encourage us to live with faith, generosity, and purpose.

God Works Through Others

In the readings for Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are reminded that God can use people to protect and care for His chosen ones. Throughout scripture, we see examples of individuals being guided by God to help those in need. This shows that God works through human actions to accomplish His plans.

God often chooses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. By saying yes to His call, they become part of His mission to care for His people. We are also called to be open to His guidance. When we listen to God, we can help others and reflect His love.

This invites us to trust in God’s care. Whether we are receiving help or offering it to someone else, we can see God’s hand at work. He often uses others to show His presence and remind us that we are not alone.

Treasures That Last Forever

The Gospel for Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 teaches us to focus on heavenly treasures instead of earthly ones. Earthly treasures, like money and possessions, can be lost or stolen. They don’t last forever. But heavenly treasures, such as love, kindness, and faith, never fade.

Jesus invites us to think about what we value most. Are we putting all our energy into things that don’t last, or are we building a life rooted in God’s love? Heavenly treasures are found in relationships, acts of service, and living with faith.

When we focus on heavenly treasures, our lives become richer in ways that money can’t buy. These treasures bring peace, purpose, and joy that last forever. By living with generosity and trust, we align our hearts with God’s will.

Seeing the Light of God

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us to keep our focus on God. Jesus says that the eye is the lamp of the body. If our eyes are focused on light, our whole body will be filled with light. This means that what we focus on shapes how we live.

If we keep our eyes on God, we are guided by His light and truth. This helps us make choices that honor Him and reflect His love. When we are distracted by earthly things, we can lose sight of what truly matters.

Trusting in God’s light brings clarity and peace. It helps us stay on the path He has set for us. By focusing on Him and seeking His guidance, we can live with purpose and faith, no matter what challenges we face.

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The messages from Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 guide us to trust in God’s care, value heavenly treasures, and keep our hearts fixed on His light. May we take these teachings into our lives and live in ways that honor Him.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust in Your care and to be open to sharing Your love with others. Teach us to focus on treasures that last and to keep our hearts fixed on Your light. Guide our actions so that we may grow in faith and bring Your love to those in need. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can you allow God to work through you to help others?
• What earthly treasures distract you from seeking heavenly treasures?
• How does focusing on God’s light bring peace and clarity to your life?
• What steps can you take to live with more trust, faith, and generosity?

USCCB Reflection: Earthly and Heavenly Treasures

In the reflection for Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we learn about Athaliah’s desire for power and wealth, leading her to worship Baal and kill royal heirs. However, an infant heir is saved and later crowned king, restoring rightful leadership.

This contrasts with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew about choosing heavenly treasures over earthly ones and having a clear spiritual vision. We are challenged to reflect on our own priorities and whether others can see the light of Christ in us.

What date is Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Friday June 19, 2026.

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 odd numbered years see Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Friday June 19, 2026 are:
First Reading  – 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20: Joash’s Hidden Kingship
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 132: God’s Promise to Zion
Gospel – Matthew 6:19-23: Treasures in Heaven

Why did Jehosheba hide Joash?

Jehosheba hid Joash to protect him from Athaliah, who wanted to kill all royal heirs. This shows God’s protection through brave actions of His followers.

What can we learn from Jehosheba’s actions?

We learn that God uses people to protect and care for others. We should be brave and trust in God’s plans, even in dangerous times.

Who was Jehoiada and what did he do?

Jehoiada was a priest who revealed Joash and crowned him king. He followed God’s will and helped remove evil from the land by destroying Baal’s temple.

Why is righteous leadership important?

Righteous leadership is important because it helps guide people to do good and follow God’s ways. Good leaders remove evil and bring people closer to God.

What does Jesus mean by storing treasures in heaven?

Storing treasures in heaven means focusing on eternal values like love, kindness, and faith, rather than on temporary earthly wealth. These heavenly treasures last forever.

How can we store treasures in heaven?

We can store treasures in heaven by doing good deeds, loving others, and following Jesus’ teachings. This helps us focus on what truly matters and lasts.

What does Jesus say about having a healthy perspective?

Jesus says that having a healthy perspective fills our whole being with light. A clear spiritual vision helps us make good choices and live according to God’s will.

How can we apply these teachings to our lives?

We can apply these teachings by trusting in God’s protection, supporting righteous leaders, and focusing on heavenly treasures. Keeping a clear spiritual vision helps us live rightly.

What is the main message of the readings for Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The main message is to trust in God, seek righteous leadership, remove evil, and focus on heavenly treasures. These actions help us live a life full of light and goodness.