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Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

  • First Reading2 Kings 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36: Hezekiah prays for help when threatened by Assyrian king Sennacherib. God responds through Isaiah, promising Jerusalem’s safety. An angel subsequently annihilates the Assyrian camp.
  • Responsorial PsalmPsalm 48: Praises are sung for the city of God, known for its beauty and divine protection. God’s mercy, fame, and justice reach the ends of the earth.
  • GospelMatthew 7:6, 12-14: Jesus taught not to give holy things to those who won’t value them. Treat others as you want to be treated. The narrow path leads to life, but only a few find it.

Lectionary Reference: 372

Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12

Themes for the Readings for Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

On the Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings focus on trusting God and choosing the right path. Both the Old Testament and the Gospel remind us of the importance of faith and the consequences of our choices.

  • Trust in God: Hezekiah prays to God for help against the Assyrian king. This shows us the importance of turning to God when we are in trouble.
  • God’s Response: God answers Hezekiah’s prayer through Isaiah, promising safety for Jerusalem. This reminds us that God hears our prayers and offers protection.
  • Power of Prayer: Hezekiah’s prayer leads to an angel destroying the Assyrian camp. This highlights the strength of prayer and God’s willingness to act on our behalf.
  • Respect for Holy Things: Jesus teaches not to give what is holy to those who won’t value it. This means we should treat sacred things with care and respect.
  • Golden Rule: Jesus says to treat others as we want to be treated. This simple rule guides us to act with kindness and fairness.
  • Choosing the Narrow Path: Jesus speaks of a narrow path that leads to life, but few find it. This shows that following God’s way is challenging but rewarding.

The readings for the Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 encourage us to trust in God and to live according to His teachings. They remind us that while the right path may be difficult, it leads to true life.

Thoughts for Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

On the Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we see how King Hezekiah turns to God in prayer. He faces a serious threat from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib. Instead of panicking, Hezekiah prays for help.

God hears Hezekiah’s prayer and responds through the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah delivers a message of hope and assurance. He tells Hezekiah that God will protect Jerusalem.

This teaches us the power of prayer. When we face difficulties, we can pray and trust that God listens. Prayer is a way to connect with God and seek His help.

Respect and Kindness

In the Gospel reading for the Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus teaches us about respect for holy things. He says not to give what is holy to those who will not value it. This means we should be careful with what is sacred.

Jesus also gives us the Golden Rule: treat others as you want to be treated. This simple rule guides our actions. It helps us to be kind and fair to everyone.

Choosing to follow this rule can be challenging. It means putting others first and thinking about their needs. But it is the path that leads to true happiness.

The Narrow Path

Jesus speaks about a narrow path that leads to life. He says that only a few find it. This means that following God’s way is not always easy.

On the Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are reminded to choose the narrow path. This path requires effort and dedication. But it leads to eternal life with God.

By trusting in God and following Jesus’ teachings, we can stay on the narrow path. We can pray for strength and guidance. God will help us on our journey.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust in You. Guide us to treat others with kindness and respect. Lead us on the narrow path that brings us closer to You. Amen.

Homilies and Reflections for Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

Word on Fire: Embracing God’s Love

In his reflection for Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Bishop Robert Barron discusses the nature of heaven and hell in relation to God’s love and human freedom. He explains that God is pure love and loves everyone unconditionally. However, humans have the freedom to accept or reject this love. Accepting God’s love opens us to joy, like a sunflower turning towards the sun, while rejecting it leads to pain, similar to a person emerging from darkness into blinding light. The reflection emphasizes that our response to God’s love determines our experience of it.

USCCB Reflection: Aligning with Our Assignment

In this USCCB reflection for Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the focus is on Matthew 7:6, 12-14. Jesus teaches not to give what is holy to those who cannot understand it, akin to not casting pearls before swine. This emphasizes the need to share God’s teachings in ways that others can grasp. He also reiterates the Golden Rule: treat others as you want to be treated. Lastly, Jesus warns that the path to destruction is wide and many follow it, urging us to align with our divine assignment by living and teaching with love and understanding.

USCCB Reflection: Finding God’s Presence

This USCCB reflection for the Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 focuses on Hezekiah seeking God’s presence during threats. We are encouraged to follow Hezekiah’s example by seeking God’s presence, especially through the Eucharist. In times of sin, pain, and suffering, we should turn to God, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us and help us understand our true identity as God’s children. Spending time with God strengthens us to face the world’s challenges and share Jesus’ love.

Questions and Answers for Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

What date is Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Tuesday June 23, 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 Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Tuesday June 23, 2026 are:
First Reading – 2 Kings 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36: Hezekiah’s Prayer and God’s Response
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 48: The Lord Protects His City
Gospel – Matthew 7:6, 12-14: The Narrow Gate

Why did Hezekiah pray to God?

Hezekiah prayed to God because he was threatened by the Assyrian king, Sennacherib. He sought God’s help and protection for Jerusalem.

How did God respond to Hezekiah’s prayer?

God responded through the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah told Hezekiah that God would protect Jerusalem and defeat the Assyrians.

What happened to the Assyrian army?

An angel of the Lord went to the Assyrian camp and killed many soldiers. This showed God’s power and His answer to Hezekiah’s prayer.

What does Jesus mean by “do not give what is holy to dogs”?

Jesus means we should respect and protect what is sacred. We should not share holy things with those who will not value or respect them.

What is the Golden Rule in the Gospel reading?

The Golden Rule is: treat others as you want to be treated. It guides us to be kind and fair to everyone.

Why is the path to life called “narrow”?

The path to life is called narrow because it is difficult and requires effort. Following God’s way can be challenging, but it leads to true life.

How can we stay on the narrow path?

We can stay on the narrow path by following Jesus’ teachings and praying for guidance. Trusting in God helps us to make good choices.

What can we learn from Hezekiah’s story?

We learn the importance of trusting God and praying in times of trouble. God listens to our prayers and helps us.

How can we apply the Golden Rule in our lives?

We can apply the Golden Rule by treating others with kindness and fairness. This means thinking about how we want to be treated and doing the same for others.

Why is prayer important according to the readings?

Prayer is important because it connects us with God. It helps us seek His help and guidance in our lives.

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