Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time (July 27, 2026)

• First Reading – Jeremiah 13:1-11: The LORD instructed me to buy and bury a loincloth. When I retrieved it, it was ruined. God compared this to the pride and disobedience of His people.
• Responsorial Psalm – Deuteronomy 32: You’ve forgotten God, your Creator, and turned to idols. His anger grows, and He hides His face. Your lack of loyalty provokes Him. He warns of consequences for rejecting Him.
• Gospel – Matthew 13:31-35: Jesus compared the Kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed growing into a large plant and yeast spreading through dough, illustrating how small beginnings can have great impacts.

When this falls on August 29, the gospel for the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus is used.

The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.

Matthew 13:33

On Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings highlight important themes. These themes help us understand God’s messages through the actions and parables.

• Obedience to God: God asked Jeremiah to buy and bury a loincloth to show the importance of obedience. The ruined loincloth showed the result of disobedience.
• Pride’s Consequences: The ruined loincloth symbolized the people’s pride. Pride led them away from God and caused their downfall.
• Small Beginnings: Jesus spoke of the mustard seed, which starts small but grows large. This shows that great things can start from humble beginnings.
• Spreading Goodness: Jesus compared the Kingdom of heaven to yeast that spreads through dough. This teaches that goodness and faith can spread and grow widely.
• God’s Messages through Actions: God used Jeremiah’s actions to communicate His message. This shows that actions can be powerful ways to teach and guide.
• Faith’s Growth: The parable of the mustard seed also highlights how faith can grow. Even small acts of faith can lead to significant spiritual growth.

These themes from Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us of the importance of obedience, humility, and faith. They encourage us to trust in God’s ways and to spread His love through our actions.

Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 gives us a chance to reflect on God’s messages through actions and parables. These readings help us understand the importance of obedience, humility, and faith. Let us explore the themes and lessons presented in these readings.

The Importance of Obedience

In the first reading, God asked Jeremiah to buy a loincloth and bury it. Jeremiah followed God’s instructions. When he retrieved the loincloth, it was ruined and useless.

This act was a symbol of the people’s disobedience. Just like the loincloth, their pride and refusal to listen made them worthless. Obedience to God keeps us useful and close to Him.

Obeying God might seem hard sometimes, but it is always for our good. God’s commands are meant to guide us and keep us on the right path. When we follow His instructions, we remain in His care and grow in faith.

Small Beginnings, Great Impacts

Jesus compared the Kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed. The mustard seed is tiny, but it grows into a large plant. This teaches us that small beginnings can lead to great things.

Our faith might start small, like a mustard seed. But with care and nurturing, it can grow big and strong. Small acts of kindness and faith can have a big impact on the world around us.

This parable encourages us to start with what we have, no matter how small. God can use our small efforts to do great things. We should never underestimate the power of even the smallest act of faith.

Spreading Goodness

Jesus also spoke of yeast in the dough. A small amount of yeast spreads through the entire batch of dough. This shows how goodness and faith can spread widely.

Our actions can influence others. When we live with faith and kindness, we can spread God’s love. Just like yeast, our small acts of goodness can grow and affect many people.

We are called to be like yeast in the world. By living our faith openly, we can inspire and uplift others. Our small efforts can make a big difference and help spread God’s Kingdom.

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The readings for Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 teach us about obedience, humble beginnings, and spreading goodness. These lessons remind us to stay close to God, to nurture our faith, and to let our actions reflect His love. Let us take these messages to heart and live them out daily.

Prayer

Lord, help us to obey Your commands and trust in Your guidance. Strengthen our faith, even if it starts small. Let our actions spread Your love to others. Amen.

USCCB Reflection: The Power of Small Acts

In a USCCB video reflection for Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we hear a story about a pizzeria owner who used anchovy paste as a secret ingredient in pizza sauce. This secret ingredient symbolizes how small things can make a big difference. The reflection connects this idea to the gospel about mustard seeds and yeast, emphasizing that small acts of faith, hope, and love can greatly impact the world. Our little efforts, like mercy and generosity, are vital for living a life of faith and helping God’s Kingdom grow.

What date is Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Monday July 27, 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 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Monday July 27, 2026 are:
First Reading – Jeremiah 13:1-11: The Rotted Loincloth
Responsorial Psalm – Deuteronomy 32: A Warning for Forgetfulness
Gospel – Matthew 13:31-35: Parables of the Mustard Seed and Yeast

Why did God ask Jeremiah to buy and bury a loincloth in the first reading for Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

God asked Jeremiah to buy and bury a loincloth to teach a lesson. The ruined loincloth showed what happens when people are proud and do not obey God.

What does the ruined loincloth symbolize?

The ruined loincloth symbolizes the people’s pride and disobedience. Just like the loincloth became useless, their pride made them useless to God.

How can we apply the lesson of the ruined loincloth to our lives?

We can apply this lesson by staying humble and obedient to God. When we follow God’s instructions, we stay useful and close to Him.

What does the mustard seed represent in Jesus’ parable in the Gospel for Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The mustard seed represents the Kingdom of heaven. It starts small but grows into a large plant, showing how small beginnings can lead to great things.

How can we relate the mustard seed parable to our faith?

Our faith may start small, like a mustard seed. With care and nurturing, it can grow strong and have a big impact on our lives and the world.

What is the significance of yeast in the dough?

The yeast in the dough represents how small acts of goodness and faith can spread widely. Even a small amount of yeast can affect the whole batch of dough.

How can we be like yeast in the world?

We can be like yeast by living our faith openly and spreading God’s love through our actions. Small acts of kindness can grow and influence many people.

Why is it important to understand these parables?

Understanding these parables helps us see how God works in our lives. They teach us about the power of small beginnings and the importance of spreading goodness.

What is the main message of the readings for Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The main message is to stay obedient to God, nurture our faith, and spread goodness. These actions keep us close to God and help build His Kingdom.

How can we live out the lessons from Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

We can live out these lessons by being humble, faithful, and kind. By doing small acts of goodness and following God’s guidance, we can make a big difference in the world.