Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time

Monday July 13, 2026

Daily Mass Readings for Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

First Reading – Isaiah 1:10-17: The Lord rebukes Sodom and Gomorrah for insincere sacrifices and empty rituals. Instead, He calls for justice, compassion, and a genuine desire to do good. Repent, do right, and care for the vulnerable.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 50: God rejects empty sacrifices and calls for true obedience. He warns against hypocrisy and promises salvation to those who live rightly.
Gospel – Matthew 10:34-11:1: Jesus told his Apostles that his mission would cause division, not peace. He stressed the need to prioritize him above all else, promising rewards for those who support his followers.

Upcoming dates: July 13, 2026, July 17, 2028, July 15, 2030, July 12, 2032

Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
Matthew 10:40

Themes for the Readings for Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 has readings that focus on sincere faith and commitment to Christ. The themes emphasize actions and attitudes that align with true devotion and following Jesus.

Sincere Worship: God rejects insincere sacrifices and empty rituals. True worship requires justice, compassion, and caring for the vulnerable.
Justice and Compassion: God calls for justice and compassion over rituals. He wants us to help those in need and do what is right.
Repentance: God urges repentance and a change of heart. Turning away from wrong and doing good is essential.

Prioritizing Jesus: Jesus stresses the importance of putting Him first. Our commitment to Him should be above all other relationships and concerns.
Division in Following Jesus: Following Jesus may cause division. Commitment to Him might lead to conflicts even within families.
Rewards for Support: Jesus promises rewards for those who support His followers. Helping and welcoming His disciples is highly valued.

The readings from Isaiah and Matthew show that God values genuine faith and actions. True commitment to Christ means prioritizing Him and living a life of justice and compassion.

Reflection for Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us to examine our faith and actions. The readings from Isaiah and Matthew challenge us to be sincere in our worship and committed in our discipleship. They call us to live out our faith with justice, compassion, and unwavering dedication to Christ.

True Worship

Isaiah addresses the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, condemning their empty rituals and insincere sacrifices. He emphasizes that God is not pleased with offerings made without true repentance and justice. Instead, God calls for actions that reflect genuine faith.

God wants us to practice justice and show compassion. It is not enough to go through the motions of religious rituals. We must live out our faith by helping those in need and standing up for what is right.

In our daily lives, we need to reflect on whether our worship is sincere. Are we just going through the motions, or are we truly committed to living out our faith? God desires our hearts and actions, not just our words and rituals.

Cost of Discipleship

In the Gospel, Jesus tells his Apostles that his mission will cause division. He says that following him may separate families and bring challenges. This message is difficult, but it is important for understanding the cost of discipleship.

Following Jesus means putting him first, even above family and friends. This can be hard, but it is necessary to truly follow Christ. We must be willing to face difficulties and stay committed to our faith.

Jesus assures us that those who prioritize him will be rewarded. Though the path may be tough, the promise of eternal life with him is worth the sacrifices we make. We must stay strong and keep our focus on Jesus.

Helping Others

Jesus also speaks about the rewards for those who support his followers. He promises that even small acts of kindness, like giving a cup of cold water, will be remembered. This highlights the importance of helping each other in our journey of faith.

We are called to support and welcome those who follow Jesus. By doing so, we participate in his mission and share in the blessings he promises. Helping others is a way to show our love for Christ and our commitment to his teachings.

Our actions towards others reflect our faith. Simple acts of kindness can have a big impact and are valued by Jesus. Let us be generous and supportive, knowing that God sees and rewards our efforts.

Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 challenges us to be sincere in our faith and actions. The readings call us to true worship, understanding the cost of discipleship, and helping others. Let us reflect on these messages and strive to live them out in our daily lives.

Prayer

Lord, help us to worship you with sincere hearts. Guide us to live out our faith with justice and compassion. Strengthen us to follow you, even when it is difficult. Amen.

Reflection Questions

How can you make your worship more sincere and reflect your faith in your daily actions?
Are there areas in your life where you need to practice more justice and compassion?

What sacrifices are you willing to make to follow Jesus more fully?
How can you support and encourage others in their faith journey through acts of kindness and love?

Homilies and Commentaries for Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

USCCB Reflection: Choosing Christ

In this USCCB video reflection for the Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the focus is on making a decisive commitment to live the Gospel fully. Jesus calls us to live purposefully and counter-culturally, which requires daily choices to stand for Christ and the Church. This commitment isn’t easy and involves working for justice to achieve true peace.

Reflecting on St. Bonaventure, who found peace in Christ despite his struggles, the reflection encourages us to seek wisdom and joy in Jesus. Through St. Bonaventure’s intercession, we pray for true and lasting peace in our lives.

Word on Fire: The Cost of Discipleship

In this reflection from Bishop Robert Barron for Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus sets the high demands for discipleship. He teaches that true followers must prioritize him above all, even family, and be willing to take up their crosses.

Bishop Barron explains that loving like Christ involves more than sentimentality; it means embracing sacrificial love, even to the point of suffering. This love absorbs violence and hatred, mirroring Jesus’ forgiveness and nonviolence on the cross. True discipleship requires losing our lives for Christ to truly find them.

USCCB Reflection: Peace and the Sword

This USCCB video reflection for Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 discusses the seeming contradiction between Jesus’ gift of peace and His statement about bringing a sword. The reflection emphasizes that true peace requires a decisive commitment to Christ and living counter-culturally.

Saint Pope Paul VI is quoted, stating that to achieve peace, we must work for justice. Saint Benedict’s rule is also highlighted as a guide to integrating prayer, labor, and study for a well-rounded, peaceful life. The call is to live out this peace actively and purposefully.

Questions and Answers for Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

What date is Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Monday July 13, 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 Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Monday July 13, 2026 are:
First Reading – Isaiah 1:10-17: Seeking True Worship
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 50: True Worship and Repentance
Gospel – Matthew 10:34-11:1: The Cost of Discipleship

What does God mean by insincere sacrifices in the first reading for Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

God rejects sacrifices and rituals that are done without a sincere heart. He wants us to be just, compassionate, and to help others.

Why does God compare the people to Sodom and Gomorrah?

God uses Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of extreme sinfulness. He wants to show how serious their lack of true worship and justice is.

What is the main message of Isaiah 1:10-17?

The main message is to repent and do good. God wants us to show justice and compassion rather than just performing empty rituals.

How can we apply the call to justice to our lives?

We can help those in need and stand up for what is right. This means caring for the vulnerable and making fair decisions.

Why does Jesus say He came to bring division in the Gospel for Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus means that following Him might cause conflicts. Our commitment to Him can lead to disagreements, even with those close to us.

What does it mean to prioritize Jesus above all else?

It means putting Jesus first in our lives. Our relationship with Him should come before all other relationships and concerns.

How can we support Jesus’ followers?

We can help, welcome, and care for those who follow Jesus. Supporting His disciples is highly valued by Jesus.

What rewards does Jesus promise in Matthew 10:34-11:1?

Jesus promises rewards for those who support His followers. Helping His disciples will be recognized and rewarded by God.

What should we learn from the readings for Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

We should learn to be sincere in our faith and actions. God values true worship, justice, compassion, and prioritizing Jesus.

How can we live out the lessons from Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

We can live out these lessons by being just and compassionate, putting Jesus first, and supporting His followers. This means turning away from wrong and doing good every day.

True Worship and Following Jesus

The readings for Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 challenge us to reflect on the sincerity of our worship and the cost of discipleship. In the first reading from Isaiah, God speaks against meaningless sacrifices and rituals. He calls for justice, urging the people to care for the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow. This reminds us that true worship involves both prayer and action. It is not enough to go through the motions of faith; we must live out God’s love in our actions.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that His coming will bring division. He warns that following Him may separate them from their families and loved ones. Jesus emphasizes the importance of putting Him above all else, even above family ties. He tells His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him, reminding them that true life comes through losing their lives for His sake.

These readings call us to examine the depth of our faith. Isaiah asks us to live justly and with compassion, while Jesus challenges us to commit fully to His call, no matter the cost. Together, they remind us that faith is both a personal and active response to God’s love.

Your Turn

Take a moment to reflect on Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2. Are your actions aligned with the justice and compassion God calls for? How can you deepen your commitment to following Jesus, even when it is difficult?

Share your reflections in the comments. Let us encourage one another to live our faith with sincerity and boldness, trusting in God’s guidance and love.