Free Resources and Reflections
Daily Mass Readings for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
Monday August 3, 2026
- First Reading – Jeremiah 28:1-17: Hananiah predicts freedom from Babylon in two years. Jeremiah counters, warning of an iron yoke. Hananiah dies that year for preaching rebellion.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 119: I seek God’s guidance to follow His truth and laws, despite challenges, hoping for purity and steadfastness in His commandments.
- Gospel – Matthew 14:13-21: Jesus withdrew to a remote place after John the Baptist’s death. Compassionate, he healed and fed a large crowd with five loaves and two fish, leaving twelve baskets of leftovers.
When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.
Matthew 14:13
Themes for the Readings for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
The readings for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 teach us about faith and God’s guidance. These passages show God’s power and care for His people.
- God’s Guidance: In Jeremiah, God speaks through His prophet to warn the people. This shows how God guides and corrects us through His messengers.
- True Prophecy: Jeremiah confronts false prophets. This teaches us to discern true messages from God and not be misled.
- Obedience to God: Jeremiah obeys God’s command even when it’s hard. This reminds us to follow God’s will even when it’s challenging.
- Jesus’ Compassion: In Matthew, Jesus feels compassion for the crowds. This shows His care and concern for our needs.
- Miraculous Feeding: Jesus feeds over five thousand people with five loaves and two fish. This miracle shows God’s power to provide for our needs.
- Faith in Action: The disciples distribute the loaves and fish to the crowd. This teaches us to trust in God’s power and to act in faith.
These themes from Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us of God’s presence and care. They encourage us to trust and obey Him in all circumstances.
Thoughts for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
The readings for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 offer deep insights into our relationship with God. They teach us about faith, obedience, and God’s care for us. Reflecting on these themes helps us to grow closer to God and understand His will.
God’s Guidance and Correction
In the first reading from Jeremiah, we see God’s guidance through His prophet. Jeremiah speaks against false prophets who lead people astray. This reminds us that God cares about our direction in life and wants to keep us on the right path.
Jeremiah’s obedience to God’s difficult command shows the importance of listening to God even when it is hard. We might face challenges or temptations, but following God’s guidance leads us to true peace. Trusting in God’s direction helps us avoid false teachings that can harm our faith.
God’s guidance can come through prayer, scripture, and wise counsel. Seeking His will daily keeps us aligned with His plans. We are encouraged to listen closely to God’s voice and follow Him with courage and trust.
Jesus’ Compassion
In the Gospel reading from Matthew, Jesus shows great compassion for the crowds. He heals the sick and teaches the people who follow Him. Jesus’ compassion reflects God’s love for each of us, caring for our needs and well-being.
The miracle of feeding over five thousand people with a small amount of food shows Jesus’ power and kindness. He provides for the people even when resources seem scarce. This miracle encourages us to trust that God can meet our needs no matter how impossible it seems.
Jesus’ actions teach us to show compassion to others. We are called to help those in need and share what we have. By following Jesus’ example, we can spread God’s love and care to those around us.
Faith and Action
The disciples in Matthew’s Gospel play a crucial role in the miracle of feeding the crowd. Jesus asks them to distribute the food, and they obey, even though they doubt there is enough. Their actions show the importance of faith combined with action.
When we trust God and act on His instructions, amazing things can happen. The disciples’ faith, though small, leads to a great miracle. This teaches us that even small acts of faith can result in significant outcomes.
Our faith grows stronger when we see God’s work in our lives. By taking steps of faith, we witness His power and care. Trusting God and acting on His word can bring about blessings for us and others.
The readings for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us of God’s care and guidance. They encourage us to trust Him, show compassion, and act in faith. As we reflect on these lessons, let us seek to follow God’s will more closely in our daily lives.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your guidance and care. Help us to trust in Your plans and show compassion to others. Strengthen our faith so that we can act according to Your will. Amen.
Homilies and Reflections for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
USCCB Reflection: Offering Our Simple Gifts to God
In this USCCB video reflection for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, a priest recalls a heartwarming experience of celebrating Christmas in the summer with a parishioner. This memory parallels the Gospel’s feeding miracle, where Jesus multiplies five loaves and two fish to feed thousands. The reflection emphasizes how small, simple offerings—like the boy’s loaves and fish—can be used by Christ to create something extraordinary. We are reminded to offer our own simple gifts—mercy, love, time, and forgiveness—so that God can use them to continue His miracles in the world.
Word on Fire: The Miracle of Giving and Receiving
In his reflection for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, Bishop Robert Barron discusses Jesus’ miracle of feeding the five thousand. Jesus takes a small offering of five loaves and two fish, gives thanks, and feeds a vast crowd. Bishop Barron highlights a key theological principle: God, needing nothing, transforms our offerings for our benefit. This reflects St. John Paul II’s “law of the gift,” which teaches that our being increases when we give ourselves away. The miracle shows that even our smallest gifts, when given to God, can have a profound impact.
USCCB Reflection: Abundant Sharing and Community
The USCCB video reflection for the Gospel on Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 focuses on the miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand. It draws a parallel between sharing food and experiencing community and joy. The reflection emphasizes that true community involves giving and receiving generously, similar to the abundance in the Eucharist. It encourages us to be open to sharing and to recognize the continuous presence of God’s grace, forgiveness, and love.
Questions and Answers for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
What date is Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
The next date is Monday August 3, 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 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.
What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
The Mass readings for Monday August 3, 2026 are:
First Reading – Jeremiah 28:1-17: Jeremiah vs. Hananiah
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 119: Seeking God’s Guidance
Gospel – Matthew 14:13-21: Feeding Five Thousand
Who is Jeremiah speaking to in the first reading for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah. He is warning them about false prophets and guiding them to follow God’s true message.
Why did Jeremiah confront the false prophet?
Jeremiah confronted the false prophet because the false prophet was misleading the people. Jeremiah wanted to correct them and bring them back to God’s true teachings.
How can we apply Jeremiah’s obedience to our lives?
We can apply Jeremiah’s obedience by listening to God’s guidance and following His will. Even when it is difficult, trusting in God’s plan brings peace.
Why is it important to discern true messages from God?
It is important because false messages can lead us astray. By discerning true messages, we stay on the right path with God.
What does Jesus’ compassion in the Gospel reading for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 show us?
Jesus’ compassion shows us His deep care for people’s needs. It reminds us to be kind and helpful to others, just as Jesus was.
How did Jesus feed so many people with so little food?
Jesus performed a miracle by multiplying the loaves and fish. This shows that God can provide for our needs, even when it seems impossible.
What lesson can we learn from the disciples’ role in the feeding miracle?
We learn that faith and action go hand in hand. The disciples trusted Jesus and did what He asked, leading to a great outcome.
What does the miracle of the loaves and fish teach us about trust?
It teaches us to trust that God will take care of us. Even in difficult situations, God has the power to help and provide for us.
How does Jesus’ example of compassion guide us in our actions?
Jesus’ example guides us to be caring and generous. We are encouraged to help those in need and show love to everyone.
What does the feeding of the five thousand show about God’s power?
It shows that God’s power is limitless. He can do amazing things, even with very little, to care for His people.
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