Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time

Wednesday July 15, 2026

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

First Reading – Isaiah 10:5-7, 13b-16: God condemns Assyria, used as His tool of wrath against a sinful nation. Assyria’s pride in its own power will lead to its downfall by God’s hand.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 94: The Lord’s people are oppressed and afflicted, but He sees and knows. Those who think otherwise are senseless. God, who created all, will not abandon His people. Justice will prevail.
Gospel – Matthew 11:25-27: Jesus praises the Father for revealing truth to the humble and childlike. He explains that only the Son knows the Father, and only the Father knows the Son, and they reveal each other to whom they choose.

Upcoming dates: July 15, 2026, July 19, 2028, July 17, 2030, July 14, 2032

All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
Matthew 11:27

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

On Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings highlight themes of humility, pride, and revelation. Isaiah shows God’s judgment on Assyria’s pride, while Jesus speaks about the revelation of God’s truth to the humble.

God’s Judgment on Pride: God condemns Assyria for its arrogance. Though He used them as an instrument of wrath, their pride will bring their downfall.
Humility before God: Jesus praises those who are humble and childlike. They are the ones who understand and receive God’s truth.
God’s Sovereignty: God uses nations and people according to His will. Assyria is an example of how God can use even the proud for His purposes.

Revelation to the Lowly: Jesus teaches that God’s truths are revealed to the humble. Those who think they are wise often miss these truths.
Relationship between Father and Son: Jesus explains the unique relationship between Him and the Father. Only through Jesus can one truly know the Father.
Consequences of Arrogance: Assyria’s fate shows the danger of pride. Trusting in one’s own strength rather than God leads to destruction.

The readings for Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us to be humble. They teach us that true understanding and knowledge of God come through humility and dependence on Him.

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

The readings for Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 focus on God’s power, human pride, and the revelation of truth. They remind us of the importance of humility and the dangers of arrogance.

The Danger of Pride

In the first reading, God condemns Assyria for its pride. Assyria was used by God to punish a sinful nation, but its arrogance led to its downfall. This shows that even when we are successful, we must remain humble and remember that our abilities come from God.

Pride can make us forget God and think we are in control. Assyria thought its power came from its own strength, not from God’s allowance. When we forget God and rely only on ourselves, we risk losing everything.

Humility keeps us close to God. By acknowledging that our successes are due to God’s help, we stay grounded. This helps us avoid the mistakes that come from pride and arrogance.

Humility Before God

In the Gospel, Jesus praises those who are humble and childlike. He says that God reveals His truth to the lowly, not to the proud and self-important. This teaches us the value of humility and simplicity in our faith.

Being humble means recognizing our need for God. It means trusting Him like a child trusts a parent. When we are humble, we are open to learning and growing in our relationship with God.

Humility helps us understand God’s truth. When we let go of our pride, we can see more clearly. Jesus wants us to have a childlike openness to God’s teachings.

The Unique Relationship

Jesus talks about His special relationship with the Father. He says that only the Son knows the Father, and only the Father knows the Son. This shows that our knowledge of God comes through Jesus.

Jesus reveals the Father to those He chooses. This means that by following Jesus, we can come to know God more deeply. Our relationship with Jesus is key to understanding God’s love and truth.

Through Jesus, we learn how to live according to God’s will. By studying His life and teachings, we get a clearer picture of what God wants from us. This helps us grow in faith and live more fully as God’s children.

The readings for Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us to be humble and rely on God. They show the dangers of pride and the blessings of humility. Through Jesus, we come to know God and His truth.

Prayer

Lord, help us to be humble and open to Your truth. Keep us from pride and guide us to rely on You. Through Jesus, may we come to know You more deeply. Amen.

Reflection Questions

How can you remain humble and give credit to God for your successes?
Are there areas in your life where pride might be distancing you from God?

How can you adopt a childlike trust in God’s guidance and teachings?
In what ways can you grow in your relationship with Jesus to better understand God’s will?

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

USCCB Reflection: Trusting in God’s Justice and Mercy

In this USCCB video reflection for Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the focus is on God’s unwavering care for the poor, outcast, and mistreated, as highlighted in Psalm 94. The psalm assures us that God sees the suffering and injustices faced by His people and will not abandon them. It reminds us to trust in God’s power and love, even when we don’t see immediate answers to our prayers.

God walks with us through His word, the sacraments, and creation, ensuring that His justice will prevail over human injustice.

Word on Fire: Revealed to the Little Ones

In his reflection for Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Bishop Robert Barron discusses Jesus’ prayer to the Father, revealing the inner life of God. Jesus explains that the mysteries of God’s love are revealed to the humble and childlike, not to the learned and proud.

Bishop Barron describes the divine life as an endless exchange of love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This self-giving love contrasts with humanity’s tendency to seek fulfillment in worldly things, which ultimately leaves us empty. True fulfillment is found in the love of God.

USCCB Reflection: The Path of the Saints

This USCCB video reflection for Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 emphasizes the childlike dependence on God shared by saints. Jesus praises God for revealing His truth to the humble. Saints live by faith, experience God’s love, and extend it to others.

The reflection highlights God’s care for the poor and humble, showing His desire to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom to those who draw near to Him. This reflection calls us to embody this childlike faith and trust in God’s wisdom.

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

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

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

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

The Mass readings for Wednesday July 15, 2026 are:
First Reading – Isaiah 10:5-7, 13b-16: Assyria’s Arrogance and Judgment
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 94: The Lord’s Faithfulness
Gospel – Matthew 11:25-27: Revealing the Father’s Wisdom

Why does God condemn Assyria in the first reading for Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

God condemns Assyria for its pride. Though He used them as a tool to punish a sinful nation, their arrogance and belief in their own power led to their downfall.

What lesson can we learn from Assyria’s downfall?

We learn the importance of humility. Assyria’s downfall shows that pride and self-reliance without God lead to destruction. We should stay humble and remember that our abilities and successes come from God.

Why does Jesus praise the humble and childlike in the Gospel for Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus praises the humble and childlike because they are open to receiving God’s truth. Their simplicity and humility make them more receptive to God’s teachings.

How can we be more humble before God?

We can be more humble by recognizing our need for God and trusting Him like a child trusts a parent. This means admitting our limitations and depending on God for guidance and strength.

What does Jesus mean when He says only the Son knows the Father?

Jesus means that He has a unique relationship with God the Father. Only through Jesus can we truly know and understand God.

How can we grow in our relationship with God?

We can grow in our relationship with God by following Jesus’ teachings and example. By studying His life and words, we learn how to live according to God’s will.

How does being humble help us understand God’s truth?

Being humble helps us be open to learning from God. When we let go of our pride, we can see more clearly and understand God’s teachings better.

What role does Jesus play in revealing God to us?

Jesus reveals God to us by showing us who the Father is. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus helps us understand God’s love and truth.

Why is humility important in our faith?

Humility is important because it keeps us close to God and open to His guidance. It helps us recognize our need for God and prevents us from becoming proud and self-reliant.

What is the key message of the readings for Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The key message is the importance of humility and reliance on God. Both the first reading and the Gospel emphasize the dangers of pride and the blessings that come from being humble.

God’s Justice and the Gift of Humility

The readings for Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 show us the balance of God’s justice and His grace. In the first reading from Isaiah, God speaks of using Assyria as an instrument of His justice. Assyria’s king boasts of his power, claiming that his success is his own doing. However, God reminds us that all power comes from Him. He is in control and will judge those who misuse the authority He has given them. This teaches us the importance of humility and acknowledging God’s role in all we do.

In the Gospel, Jesus thanks the Father for revealing the truth to the humble and childlike, rather than to the wise and learned. Jesus explains that the relationship between the Father and the Son is unique and that the Son reveals the Father to those He chooses. This reminds us that understanding God requires humility and trust. It is not through our own efforts or knowledge but through our openness to Jesus that we come to know God.

These readings challenge us to examine our attitudes toward success and knowledge. They remind us to remain humble, give credit to God, and trust in Jesus to guide us in understanding God’s will.

Your Turn

Take time to reflect on Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2. Are there areas in your life where you need to give more credit to God for your achievements? How can you grow in humility and trust in Jesus’ guidance?

Share your thoughts in the comments. Let us encourage one another to remain humble, trust in God, and open our hearts to His guidance.