Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Isaiah 6:1-8: In a vision, Isaiah sees the Lord and Seraphim, hears them proclaim God’s holiness, and laments his uncleanliness. A seraphim purges his sin, and Isaiah responds to God’s call, willing to be sent.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 93: The Lord, king and robed in splendor, has established a solid, unmovable world. His eternal throne and trustworthy decrees illustrate His holiness, enduring through all days.
• Gospel – Matthew 10:24-33: Jesus encouraged his Apostles to fear only God, who can destroy both body and soul. He assured them of their value and promised to acknowledge those who acknowledge Him before others.

So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:31

On Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings highlight God’s holiness and the call to discipleship. They also stress the importance of trusting in God and recognizing our own worth in His eyes.

• God’s Holiness: Isaiah sees a vision of God’s holiness. This reminds us that God is pure and above all.
• Recognition of Sin: Isaiah feels unclean in God’s presence. This shows us the need to recognize our sins.
• Purification: A seraphim cleanses Isaiah’s lips. This signifies God’s willingness to purify us from sin.
• Call to Serve: Isaiah responds to God’s call. This encourages us to be ready to serve God.
• Fear of God: Jesus tells the Apostles to fear only God. This teaches us to respect and trust in God’s power.
• Value in God’s Eyes: Jesus assures the Apostles of their worth. This reassures us that we are valuable to God.

These themes remind us of our need for God’s grace and our value to Him. They also call us to serve and trust in Him.

The readings for Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 focus on God’s holiness, our call to serve, and trusting in God. These themes encourage us to reflect on our relationship with God and our place in His plan.

Recognizing God’s Holiness

Isaiah’s vision of God’s throne reminds us of God’s pure holiness. He sees God surrounded by seraphim, proclaiming, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.” This vision helps us to see God’s greatness and purity.

In Isaiah’s vision, he feels unworthy because he knows his sins. Standing before God, he says, “I am a man of unclean lips.” This moment teaches us to acknowledge our own sins and our need for God’s mercy.

A seraphim touches Isaiah’s lips with a burning coal, saying his sin is taken away. This act of cleansing shows that God wants to purify us. When we admit our sins, God is ready to forgive and make us clean.

Answering God’s Call

After Isaiah’s sin is purged, he hears God asking, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah responds, “Here I am, send me!” This response shows his readiness to serve God.

We often hear God’s call in our own lives. It may come through prayer, scripture, or the needs of others. Like Isaiah, we should be willing to say, “Here I am, send me.”

God calls us to different tasks and missions. It might be in our family, community, or church. By being open to His call, we fulfill our purpose and help others know God’s love.

Trusting in God’s Care

In the Gospel, Jesus tells His Apostles not to fear those who can kill the body but not the soul. He emphasizes that only God has power over both body and soul. This teaches us to trust in God above all.

Jesus assures the Apostles of their worth by saying that even the hairs on their head are numbered. He uses the example of sparrows, stating that not one falls to the ground without the Father’s knowledge. This shows how much God cares for each of us.

Knowing our worth in God’s eyes helps us face life’s challenges. We can trust that God values us and is always with us. This trust gives us the strength to live our faith boldly.

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The readings for Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invite us to recognize God’s holiness, respond to His call, and trust in His care. Reflecting on these themes helps us grow closer to God. Let us strive to live out these lessons in our daily lives.

Prayer

Lord, help us recognize Your holiness and our need for Your mercy. Give us the courage to answer Your call and trust in Your care. May we always know our worth in Your eyes. Amen.

USCCB Reflection: Responding to God’s Call

This USCCB video reflection for Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 discusses Isaiah’s vision and his response to God’s call after being cleansed. It compares Isaiah’s experience with the Apostles being sent out by Jesus, emphasizing the importance of trusting God and responding to His call despite fears. The reflection reminds us that, like Isaiah and the Apostles, we are called to be a presence of care and healing in our time.

What date is Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Saturday July 11, 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 Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Saturday July 11, 2026 are:
First Reading – Isaiah 6:1-8: Isaiah’s Vision and Calling
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 93: Eternal Majesty of the Lord
Gospel – Matthew 10:24-33: Fear and Acknowledgment

What does Isaiah’s vision in the first reading for Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 mean?

Isaiah sees the Lord on His throne, surrounded by seraphim. This vision shows God’s greatness and holiness, reminding us that God is above all.

Why does Isaiah feel unworthy in God’s presence?

Isaiah feels unclean because he is aware of his sins. This shows that when we come before God, we should recognize our own sins and need for forgiveness.

What is the significance of the seraphim touching Isaiah’s lips with a burning coal?

The seraphim touches Isaiah’s lips to purify him from sin. This act shows that God wants to cleanse us and take away our sins when we seek His forgiveness.

How can we apply Isaiah’s response to God’s call in our lives?

Isaiah says, “Here I am, send me!” We can apply this by being willing to serve God in our daily lives. We should listen for God’s call and be ready to help others.

Why does Jesus tell the Apostles not to fear those who can kill the body in the Gospel for Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus says to fear only God, who has power over both body and soul. This means we should trust in God’s power and not be afraid of people who can harm us physically.

What does Jesus mean by saying that even the hairs on our head are numbered?

Jesus means that God knows and cares about every detail of our lives. This shows how valuable we are to God and that He is always watching over us.

How does knowing our worth in God’s eyes help us?

Knowing our worth in God’s eyes gives us confidence and strength. It helps us face challenges and live our faith boldly, trusting that God is with us.

What can we learn from the readings for Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

We learn about God’s holiness, our need for purification, and the importance of trusting in God. We are reminded to respond to God’s call and recognize our value to Him.

How can we trust in God’s care in our everyday lives?

We can trust in God’s care by remembering that He values us and knows every detail of our lives. This trust helps us to face difficulties with faith and confidence.

What message do the readings for Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 give us?

The readings remind us to see God’s holiness, respond to His call, and trust in His care. They encourage us to live out our faith with confidence and readiness to serve God.