Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday August 12, 2027
Crossing Waters and Forgiving Debts
On Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we hear stories of God’s power and mercy. In the first reading, Joshua leads the people of Israel across the Jordan River. The priests step into the water with the Ark of the Covenant, and the river stops flowing. God makes a path for His people.
The psalm reminds us of how nature itself reacts to God’s presence. The sea runs away. Mountains skip like rams. It’s a picture of how big God’s actions are. He leads with strength and care.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about forgiveness. Peter wants to know how many times we must forgive. Jesus answers with a story. It shows us that God forgives us, and we should forgive others.
Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 brings together three readings that speak of mercy, power, and trust. God acts in big ways, but He also wants our hearts to change.
Daily Mass Readings for Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
- First Reading – Joshua 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17: The LORD instructed Joshua to have the priests carry the ark of the covenant into the Jordan River. When they did, the waters halted, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 114: Israel’s liberation from Egypt is celebrated, and the power of the divine is symbolized by describing the sea fleeing and mountains skipping like rams.
- Gospel – Matthew 18:21–19:1: Jesus teaches about the importance of forgiveness through a parable of a servant forgiven of a huge debt who then refuses to forgive a smaller debt, resulting in his punishment.
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 even numbered years see Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
Matthew 18:21-22
Themes for the Readings for Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 brings us the theme of forgiveness, trust, and God’s presence in our journey. Joshua leads Israel across the Jordan, while Jesus teaches about mercy and reconciliation, showing God’s closeness to those who follow His path.
- God’s Faithful Presence: God promises to be with Joshua and the Israelites as they cross the Jordan. This theme highlights how God remains with His people and leads them through new challenges.
- Power of Forgiveness: Jesus calls for forgiveness without limit. This theme reminds us that forgiveness heals relationships and reflects God’s endless mercy.
- Unity in the Journey: Israel moves as one under Joshua’s leadership. This theme shows the importance of unity among God’s people as they follow His guidance.
- Obedience to God’s Will: Joshua follows God’s command to cross the Jordan with faith. This theme highlights how listening to God’s directions brings blessings and strength.
- Trust in God’s Power: God stops the Jordan River so Israel can cross on dry land. This theme reminds us to trust God’s power to open paths even when things seem impossible.
- Call to Reconciliation: Jesus teaches that forgiving others is essential. This theme shows how forgiveness frees us and builds peace in the community.
Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us to trust in God’s guidance and live with mercy. Through unity, obedience, and forgiveness, we draw closer to God’s path for us.
Reflection for Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 brings together themes of God’s guidance, forgiveness, and community. In the readings, God’s promise to be with Joshua encourages us to trust in His presence through challenges, while Jesus’ call to forgive shows us the path to lasting peace. These themes invite us to reflect on how God leads us, helps us heal, and builds us up as a united people.
God’s Steady Presence in Our Challenges
On Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, God’s words to Joshua are full of reassurance. God promises to be with him as he leads the Israelites into unknown territory, across the Jordan. This promise is not only for Joshua but for all of God’s people, reminding us that God does not abandon us. Instead, He walks with us and guides us when we face uncertain times.
This reading encourages us to remember that God stays with us even in moments that seem overwhelming or challenging. Just as He made a way for the Israelites, God helps us to find our way through struggles in our lives. When we remember His presence, we can move forward with courage, even if we don’t see the full path ahead.
Knowing God is with us strengthens our faith. It helps us to walk in peace rather than worry. When we trust in God’s guidance, we can step into new situations with greater confidence, assured that He will help us along the way. God’s promise to Joshua reminds us that we never walk alone.
Forgiveness as a Path to Peace
On Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiveness. He teaches that forgiveness is essential for living in harmony with others. This lesson shows us that forgiveness isn’t just about resolving the past but also about freeing ourselves and creating a peaceful community. When we forgive, we let go of anger, and we open the way for God’s peace to fill our hearts.
Forgiveness is not always easy. We may feel the pain of being hurt or betrayed, making it difficult to let go. Yet, Jesus’ words invite us to keep forgiving, not to focus on the cost but on the gift of peace it brings. Each time we forgive, we reflect God’s mercy in our own lives, showing the same patience that God shows us.
Jesus’ message on forgiveness in this reading encourages us to break down barriers between ourselves and others. When we forgive, we build stronger connections and create a community that reflects God’s love. Choosing forgiveness is a powerful way to build peace and bring healing to our relationships.
Following God’s Guidance Together
In Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, both the readings from Joshua and Matthew show us the importance of following God’s guidance as a community. Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan with everyone moving together in faith. Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness also calls us to support one another by being merciful and compassionate, qualities that strengthen community life.
When the Israelites cross the Jordan, they are not acting alone. They depend on each other and on God’s strength to face this new chapter. In our own lives, we need each other’s support, too, especially in times of change or difficulty. Following God together helps us to feel connected, knowing we are stronger when we trust in God and walk with others.
In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that forgiveness is key to unity. Without it, anger and division can take root. But with forgiveness, we create a community that values peace and understanding. These readings show that when we act together in God’s love, we become a united people, ready to move forward with strength and purpose.
The readings for Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us that God walks with us, calling us to forgive freely and to follow His guidance with trust. As we take these lessons to heart, we strengthen our faith, open ourselves to peace, and grow closer to others. Through God’s help, we can face each new day with confidence and unity.
Prayer
Lord, help us trust in Your presence as we face new challenges. Open our hearts to forgive others, just as You forgive us. Guide us each day and strengthen our community with love and peace. Let us walk together in faith, following Your path with courage and unity. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- When have you felt God’s presence during a difficult time?
- How can you practice forgiveness with those closest to you?
- What helps you trust in God’s guidance, even when you don’t understand the full plan?
- How can you support others in building a peaceful, faith-filled community?
Homilies and Commentaries for Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
The Challenge to Forgive
Fr. Clifton Harris reflects on the call to forgive without limits. Forgiveness, he explains, is not just something we do occasionally. It is at the heart of Christian life. Jesus teaches that we must always forgive, no matter how often we are wronged. Forgiveness is not optional for those who want to live in God’s mercy. When we refuse to forgive, we close ourselves off from the grace we have received.
In his reflection for Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Fr. Harris says the cross is the key to understanding forgiveness. Jesus forgave from the cross, and we are called to do the same. Forgiving others releases God’s healing love into the world and into our own hearts. It heals both the one who forgives and the one forgiven. Even when forgiveness feels difficult, God gives the grace to make it possible.
Forgiveness Without Limits
On Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus teaches that forgiveness should have no limits. Peter asks if forgiving seven times is enough, but Jesus says seventy-seven times, meaning always. In the parable, a servant’s massive debt is forgiven, but he refuses to forgive a small debt from another. This shows that God’s mercy cancels a debt we could never repay, and we must offer the same mercy to others.
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers reminds us that forgiveness must come from the heart, not just our lips. Jesus knows our human weakness because he is both God and man. Through the sacrament of reconciliation, he wipes away our sins and gives us the grace to forgive others. By following his example, we take part in the hard but necessary work of letting go and loving without holding grudges.
The Forgiveness Equation
Forgiveness is not always a one-time choice. Sometimes we must forgive someone many times for the same hurt, especially when the wound runs deep. Even if the person hurt us only once, the pain can return, and we have to forgive again. This ongoing choice to forgive is part of living our faith. At the same time, we can set healthy boundaries to avoid repeated harm.
In his reflection for Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Matthew Kelly points out a simple but powerful prayer from Jesus’ parable: Lord, have patience with me. He encourages repeating this prayer often, in quiet moments during the day. This prayer reminds us of our need for God’s mercy and inspires us to extend patience and forgiveness to others. By making it part of our routine, we open our hearts to healing and let forgiveness shape the way we live.
Keep Forgiving Without Limits
On Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus teaches that we must always be ready to forgive. Forgiveness is more than a feeling. It is a choice to repair what is broken, even if the other person is not ready to meet us halfway. It means not giving up on the relationship.
Bishop Barron explains that forgiveness takes effort and courage. It means carrying the burden of the other person’s failure and still moving toward them. Jesus showed this fully when He forgave those who crucified Him. We forgive because He forgave first.
Love, Forgiveness, and Transformation
This USCCB video reflection for Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time emphasizes the theme of God’s unwavering love and promise. Both readings highlight God’s commitment to His people. The exaltation of Joshua in the first reading and the parable of forgiven debt in the Gospel illustrate God’s presence in our lives.
Jesus fulfills the promise of the old Covenant, guiding us and providing light. Faith and openness to God’s gifts prevent failure. The reflection likens the flowing waters halting at the souls of our feet to the transformation brought by God’s gifts. Repentance, love, and contrition lead to conversion. Forgiveness, mirroring God’s grace, fosters improved relationships on Earth and aligns with the goal of heavenly happiness.
Resources
The Book of Joshua: Stepping Into the Promise
In Joshua 3, we see a turning point as the people finally prepare to enter the land God promised. On Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, this passage highlights how God confirms Joshua’s leadership by repeating a miracle from the time of Moses. The ark going first shows that God leads His people.
This moment fits into the broader theme of God’s faithfulness and power to keep His promises. The Israelites cross the Jordan on dry land just like the Red Sea. It connects the journey out of slavery to the new life ahead. Trust, obedience, and God’s presence are central themes in the Book of Joshua.
Psalm 114: Creation Trembles at God’s Power
Psalm 114, read on Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, celebrates God’s might in freeing Israel from slavery. The sea and mountains respond to His presence. This psalm uses nature to show that God’s actions in history were no small event. All creation reacts when God comes close.
In the psalm’s short verses, we hear the echo of the Exodus. This fits into the Psalter’s larger pattern of remembering God’s saving deeds. The psalm reminds us that the same God who shook mountains still watches over us today.
The Gospel of Matthew: The Call to Forgive from the Heart
On Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus answers Peter’s question with a story. He uses the parable to teach that forgiveness must not be limited. The servant who was shown mercy but refused to offer it to others shows how God’s mercy calls us to respond with mercy.
This passage fits into Matthew’s focus on the kingdom of heaven and how we are to live in it. Mercy, humility, and justice are themes found throughout the Gospel. Jesus wants disciples who live out the mercy they’ve received, forming a community shaped by grace.
For more context, see this summary of the Gospel of Matthew.
Social Media Graphics and Bulletin Artwork
The Unforgiving Servant Reflects
Looking for visual resources to support your reflection on forgiveness and mercy? This image, inspired by the Gospel reading from Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, is now available for download.
Perfect for bulletins, newsletters, or classroom displays. Help others see the message behind the parable with this expressive and thoughtful artwork.
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Questions and Answers for Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Why does God tell Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan in the first reading for Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
God tells Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan as a sign that He is with them. This reminds us to trust that God will guide us through difficult moments if we rely on Him.
How does the crossing of the Jordan apply to us today?
The crossing of the Jordan teaches us to trust God when facing new challenges. It shows us that God clears a path when we walk in faith, even if the future looks uncertain.
What can we learn from Joshua’s trust in God?
Joshua trusts God’s instructions, even when they seem difficult. His trust reminds us that faith in God’s guidance can help us overcome obstacles in our own lives.
How does unity play a role in the readings?
In the reading, the Israelites cross the Jordan together as one people. This unity teaches us the strength of staying connected as a community and supporting each other in faith.
What do these readings teach about obedience to God?
Joshua follows God’s directions exactly, showing the importance of obedience. This encourages us to trust in God’s plan, even if we don’t fully understand it.
What does Jesus mean by forgiving others many times in the Gospel for Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Jesus teaches that we should forgive others without counting how often we forgive. This shows that God wants us to forgive freely, like He forgives us.
Why does Jesus emphasize unlimited forgiveness?
Jesus emphasizes forgiveness without limit to reflect God’s own mercy. He invites us to forgive others, just as God forgives us, creating peace and healing in our hearts.
Why is forgiveness so important in the readings for Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Forgiveness is central because it heals our relationships with others and brings us closer to God. These readings encourage us to let go of grudges and seek peace through forgiveness.
How can we practice these lessons in our daily lives?
We can practice these lessons by forgiving others, trusting God, and following His guidance. Staying united with others in faith helps us to feel supported and strengthens our trust in God.
Trusting God and Choosing Forgiveness
On Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we reflect on how God leads us through challenges and calls us to forgive others. The readings show us that God never abandons His people and that forgiveness is key to building a strong and united community. These lessons help us trust in God’s presence and open our hearts to peace.
In the first reading, Joshua receives God’s promise that He will be with him as he leads the Israelites into the Promised Land. This shows that even in times of uncertainty, God remains close to His people. Just as God guided Joshua, He guides us through our own challenges. We are reminded to trust in His presence and move forward with faith.
The Gospel reading focuses on Jesus’ teaching about forgiveness. He reminds His followers that forgiveness is not a one-time act but a continuous practice. By forgiving others, we allow peace to grow in our hearts and within our communities. Forgiveness brings healing and strengthens our relationships.
Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to trust in God’s guidance and to live with a spirit of forgiveness. When we place our faith in God and choose mercy over resentment, we grow in love and unity. These teachings help us walk with confidence, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
Your Turn
Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us to trust in God’s guidance and to practice forgiveness in our daily lives. Are there moments when you have struggled to forgive? Have you seen how trust in God can bring peace in difficult times? These readings invite us to reflect on how we can follow God’s path with courage and mercy.
Take time to think about how these messages speak to you. Share your thoughts in the comments. How do these lessons challenge or inspire you? Let’s encourage each other to trust in God and to choose forgiveness in all things.