Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 2 Kings 25:1-12: Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem leading to famine. Zedekiah tried to escape but was captured and punished. Jerusalem was burned, its walls torn down, and its people exiled, except for the poorest farmers.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 137: In a foreign land, we wept, remembering Zion. Our captors wanted songs of joy, but how could we sing in this foreign land? If we forget Jerusalem, let us lose our speech.
• Gospel – Matthew 8:1-4: A leper asked Jesus to heal him. Jesus touched him, healed him instantly, and instructed him to tell no one, but to go to the priest and offer the prescribed gift.

Lectionary Reference: 375

Upcoming dates: June 26, 2026, June 30, 2028, June 25, 2032

Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.

Matthew 8:2

On Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings show a contrast between destruction and healing. The themes highlight judgment, hope, faith, and compassion.

• Destruction of Jerusalem: The first reading tells of Nebuchadnezzar besieging Jerusalem, leading to famine and exile. This shows the result of turning away from God.
• Punishment of Zedekiah: Zedekiah tried to escape but was caught and punished. This illustrates the consequences of disobedience and lack of trust in God.
• Preservation of the Poor: Despite the destruction, the poorest farmers were left in the land. This shows God’s mercy even in times of judgment.
• Healing of the Leper: In the Gospel, a leper asked Jesus for healing and was cured. This highlights Jesus’ compassion and willingness to help those in need.
• Faith in Jesus: The leper showed faith by approaching Jesus for healing. This teaches the importance of trusting in Jesus’ power to heal.
• Obedience to Rituals: Jesus instructed the healed leper to follow the ritual of offering a gift to the priest. This shows respect for religious traditions and practices.

The readings for Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us of the consequences of sin and the hope found in Jesus. They teach us about judgment, mercy, faith, and the importance of following God’s ways.

The readings for Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 show both destruction and hope. Jerusalem falls, and many are taken into exile. Yet, the poorest are spared. In the Gospel, Jesus heals a man with leprosy and tells him to honor religious custom. These moments reveal God’s mercy, the importance of faith practice, and how healing can come after suffering. Each reflection explores one of these themes to help us see how God continues to work even in hard times.

Mercy in the Middle of Loss

In the first reading for Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we hear about the fall of Jerusalem. The city is broken, the temple is destroyed, and many people are taken into exile. It is a painful moment. But the reading does not end with total ruin.

The poorest people are left behind. This small detail matters. It shows that God did not forget them. Even in the middle of judgment and sorrow, there is a sign of mercy. God leaves behind a remnant, people who can still work the land and survive.

This reminds us that God always sees the vulnerable. He does not look only at kings or leaders. He cares for those who have little. Even when times are hard, God’s mercy remains.

Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 helps us remember that God’s care does not disappear in hard times. It may not come in big ways, but it is still there.

God is near to the poor, the weak, and the forgotten. And we are called to be near to them too.

Faith and Religious Practice

In the Gospel for Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus heals a man with leprosy. After healing him, Jesus tells the man to go to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded. This shows the importance of honoring the faith traditions of the time.

Jesus did not tell the man to ignore the law. Instead, He told him to follow it. This teaches us that faith is not only about private belief. It is also about how we live and worship in community.

Traditions help us stay grounded. They connect us to others and to God. Things like prayer, going to Mass, and helping the poor are not empty habits. They help us grow in faith and stay close to God.

Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us to respect our faith practices. Jesus did not reject them. He showed us how to live them with meaning.

Faith and practice go hand in hand. When we live both, we stay on the path God gives us.

Healing After Judgment

Both readings from Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 show moments of suffering and restoration. In the first reading, Jerusalem is destroyed, but not all is lost. Some people remain. There is still hope for rebuilding, even after judgment.

In the Gospel, a man suffering from leprosy meets Jesus. His illness made him an outcast. But Jesus does not reject him. He reaches out, touches him, and heals him. It is a moment of healing after pain.

These stories remind us that healing and mercy can come after times of loss. God does not leave us in sorrow forever. He is always ready to begin something new.

Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invites us to believe that healing is possible. Whether it is a broken city or a sick body, God can restore what is damaged.

We are never too far gone. With faith, we can find healing, even after hard seasons.

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Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us that God does not leave us in our pain. He sees the weak, values our faith practices, and offers healing after loss. Whether we are hurting or trying to stay faithful, God is near. He invites us to trust Him, follow His way, and care for those around us with mercy and hope.

Prayer

Lord, help me to see Your mercy, even in times of struggle. Teach me to respect the faith You have passed on through the Church. When things fall apart, help me trust that healing is possible. Stay close and guide my steps each day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How do I see God’s mercy in hard times?
• Do I take time to honor and follow the practices of my faith?
• What does healing look like for me after loss or pain?
• Who are the poor or forgotten people I am called to care for?

Word on Fire: The Power of Right Praise

In this reflection from Bishop Robert Barron for Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we see Jesus healing a leper. This leper, despite being an outsider and despised, courageously comes to Jesus, showing his determination and perhaps desperation. In Jesus’ presence, the leper worships him, recognizing Jesus as the Incarnation of God. This teaches us the importance of coming to Jesus with an attitude of worship and right praise. The leper’s words, “If you wish, you can make me clean,” reflect a humble acknowledgment of Jesus’ sovereignty and serve as a model for our own petitionary prayers.

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

The next date is Friday June 26, 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 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

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

The Mass readings for Friday June 26, 2026 are:
First Reading – 2 Kings 25:1-12: Fall of Jerusalem
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 137: Unforgettable Zion
Gospel – Matthew 8:1-4: Jesus Cleanses a Leper

Why did Nebuchadnezzar besiege Jerusalem?

Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem because the people had turned away from God. They did not follow His commands.

What happened to King Zedekiah?

King Zedekiah tried to escape but was captured. He was punished for not trusting in God.

Why were the poorest farmers left in the land?

The poorest farmers were left in the land to show God’s mercy. Even in difficult times, God cares for those who are vulnerable.

What did the leper ask Jesus?

The leper asked Jesus to heal him. He showed faith by coming to Jesus for help.

How did Jesus heal the leper?

Jesus touched the leper and healed him. This shows Jesus’ compassion and power to heal.

Why did Jesus tell the leper to see the priest?

Jesus told the leper to see the priest to follow religious customs. This shows the importance of respecting traditions.

What can we learn from the readings for Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

We learn to stay close to God and follow His ways. We also see the importance of faith, mercy, and respecting traditions.

How can we apply these lessons to our lives?

We can trust in Jesus’ power to heal and help us. We should show mercy to others and respect our faith traditions.

Why is it important to follow God’s ways?

Following God’s ways keeps us close to Him and protects us from harm. It helps us live better lives.

How does faith in Jesus bring healing?

Faith in Jesus brings healing because it shows our trust in Him. When we believe in His power, He can work in our lives.