Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday July 15, 2027
God Who Saves and Guides
Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that God is close to His people. He speaks to us, guides us, and gives rest to those who are tired. These readings show how God works in history and how He cares for us today.
In the first reading, God tells Moses His name and promises to free Israel. This shows His power and His care for those who suffer. He does not leave His people alone. He sends help and keeps His promises.
The psalm calls us to remember what God has done. It tells us to give thanks and share His works with others. God has always been faithful, and we can trust Him too.
The gospel shows Jesus inviting the weary to come to Him. He offers peace and a lighter burden. Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 is a reminder that we can rest in God’s care.
Daily Mass Readings for Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
- First Reading – Exodus 3:13-20: When Moses questioned God’s name, God revealed Himself as “I AM.” He instructed Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt with miraculous signs.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 105: Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His deeds among the nations. Remember His covenant with Abraham and Isaac, how He delivered His people through Moses and Aaron with signs and wonders.
- Gospel – Matthew 11:28-30: Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to him for rest, offering his gentle and humble guidance. He promises that his yoke is easy and his burden is light.
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 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Themes for the Readings for Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
On Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we reflect on important themes from the readings. These themes help us understand God’s messages and promises.
- God’s Identity: God reveals His name as “I AM” to Moses, showing He is always present and unchanging.
- Leadership: God calls Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, showing God chooses leaders to guide His people.
- God’s Power: God promises to perform miraculous signs to free the Israelites, showing His power over all things.
- Rest in Jesus: Jesus invites the weary to come to Him for rest, showing He cares for our burdens.
- Gentle Guidance: Jesus describes His guidance as gentle and humble, showing He leads us with kindness.
- Light Burden: Jesus says His yoke is easy and His burden light, showing that following Him brings true peace.
These themes remind us of God’s presence, care, and power. Reflecting on them helps us trust in God’s guidance and find rest in Jesus.
Reflection for Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
On Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings guide us to understand God’s nature and Jesus’ invitation. These readings help us see how God reveals Himself, calls us to lead, and offers us rest.
God’s Name
In the first reading, Moses asks God what His name is. God replies, “I AM.” This shows us that God is always present and unchanging.
When God calls Himself “I AM,” He tells us that He is with us at all times. God does not change, and we can rely on Him. This gives us comfort and strength in our daily lives.
Knowing that God is “I AM” helps us trust in Him. No matter what we face, God is always there. He is the same God who helped Moses and who helps us now.
God Calls Leaders
In the reading from Exodus, God calls Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God chooses Moses to guide His people.
God often chooses people to lead and help others. Moses was unsure of his abilities, but God promised to be with him. This teaches us that God supports us when He gives us a task.
We might feel unqualified, but God helps us. When He calls us to lead, He provides what we need. Like Moses, we can trust in God’s support.
Rest in Jesus
In the Gospel, Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest. He promises to give them peace.
Jesus knows that we get tired and burdened. He offers us rest and comfort. This shows us that Jesus cares deeply for us and wants to help us.
Following Jesus brings peace to our lives. His guidance is gentle and kind. When we are tired, we can go to Jesus and find rest.
On Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see how God reveals His presence, calls us to lead, and offers us rest. These readings help us trust in God’s unchanging nature, His support in our tasks, and the peace we find in Jesus.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for always being with us. Help us trust in Your presence and strength. Guide us in our tasks and give us rest in Jesus. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How does knowing God as “I AM” help you trust in His presence in your life?
- Are there times when you have felt unqualified for a task but experienced God’s help?
- What burdens are you carrying that you need to bring to Jesus for rest?
- How can you live out Jesus’ invitation to trust in His peace and guidance in your daily life?
Homilies and Commentaries for Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Rest from Cumbersome Chaos
Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that Jesus calls us to come to Him when life feels heavy. He does not promise to take away our burdens, but He promises to help us carry them differently. When we bring our troubles to Him, they do not feel as crushing. His presence gives peace and strength, even when the struggles remain.
Fr. Jim Marchionda reflects on this gospel as a message of hope for troubled times. He speaks of the pain in the world, from wars to poverty and political unrest. He admits his own feelings of sadness and powerlessness but finds comfort in hearing Jesus’s invitation to rest. Fr. Marchionda encourages us to trust that God is with us in every hardship and to keep turning to Him for peace, even when answers seem far away.
Called by Name
Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that God calls each of us by name. At baptism, parents name their child as a sign of sharing in God’s creative love. God knows us personally and invites us into a loving and life-giving relationship with Him. We are never alone because He calls us to walk with Him in faith.
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers explains that Jesus invites us to take on His yoke, which is the yoke of love and sacrifice. A yoke may seem heavy, but it guides us and makes the work easier. When we follow Christ, we find real freedom, not the burdens of the world. Deacon Burke-Sivers reminds us that carrying Jesus’s yoke leads us to rest and peace, both now and in the life to come.
Whose Yolk Are You Carrying?
Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that Jesus invites the tired and burdened to find rest in Him. He calls us to take His yoke, which is easy and light, instead of carrying the heavy yokes we place on ourselves or let others put on us. Rest comes when we set aside pride, stress, and the endless need to prove ourselves.
Matthew Kelly explains that arrogance, ego, and constant busyness drain our energy. Jesus, who is gentle and humble, shows us a better way. When our souls are at peace, even our bodies find better rest. If life feels too heavy, it may mean we are not living in God’s will. Kelly says God gives us just enough time each day to do what He asks. Walking in that will brings peace and makes His yoke truly light.
Relief in Surrender
On Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Bishop Robert Barron highlights that the Lord offers solace to those burdened by sin, worries, suffering, or injustice. Relief comes by submitting to Christ’s kingship and embracing His new way. Like pack animals under a farmer’s yoke, we serve His purposes and follow His lead.
Is Christ the Lord of every aspect of our lives? Surrendering to His path brings lightness, ease, and joy. As Jesus said, “My yoke is easy, my burden is light.” Moving with divine purpose, our lives become joyful.
Blessings and Refreshment
In this USCCB video reflection for Thursday of the 15th week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the focus is on the true meaning of blessings in our lives. The reflection highlights Jesus’ invitation to come to Him for refreshment and the significance of His custom-made yoke that fits our individual journeys. It emphasizes that blessings are not about luck or material possessions but about being in tune with the Holy Spirit and recognizing the depth of connectedness we have as part of the Body of Christ.
The reflection encourages us to seek refreshment, embrace the burdens of following Christ, and find joy in coming together as a community.
Resources
The Book of Exodus: God’s Eternal Presence
In Exodus, God’s name “I AM” reveals His eternal and unchanging nature. This is central to the book’s message of God as the One who saves and sustains His people. On Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, this passage shows that God’s identity is not tied to earthly power but to His faithful presence with His people.
The signs promised to Moses highlight God’s active role in salvation history. Exodus focuses on God’s covenant love and His desire to free His people from slavery. By sending Moses with miraculous signs, God shows that deliverance is His work, not human achievement. This ties to the larger theme of redemption in Exodus.
Psalm 105: Faithful God of Wonders
Psalm 105 celebrates God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises. On Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, this psalm calls us to remember God’s mighty deeds. It fits within the psalm’s theme of praise for God’s saving actions throughout history, especially His care for Israel from Abraham to the time of Moses.
The psalm points to God’s constant guidance and His power to act in history. It encourages trust, showing that God remains faithful even when His people struggle. By recalling Moses and Aaron’s signs, the psalm strengthens hope in God’s unchanging love.
The Gospel of Matthew: Rest for the Weary
Matthew’s Gospel emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises and the giver of true rest. On Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus invites the burdened to take His yoke, showing His care for those oppressed by sin and legalism. This reflects Matthew’s theme of Jesus as the compassionate teacher who brings God’s kingdom near.
The easy yoke shows that life under Jesus is guided by mercy, not empty rules. Matthew often contrasts the heavy demands of the law with the joy of following Christ. This passage fits the larger theme of salvation as a relationship of love, where Jesus restores and heals.
Social Media Graphics and Bulletin Artwork
Looking for Rest
Bring inspiration to your parish or ministry with this uplifting artwork. Perfect for bulletins, newsletters, or reflection pages, this image captures a sense of hope and peace. It reminds us of Jesus’ promise to give rest to the weary, fitting for Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. Download it now to share encouragement with your community.
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Questions and Answers for Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
What does “I AM” mean in the first reading?
In the first reading for Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, “I AM” means that God is always present and unchanging. God is telling us that He is with us at all times.
Why did Moses ask God for His name?
Moses asked God for His name because he wanted to know how to explain who sent him to the Israelites. He needed to tell them that their God had sent him to lead them out of Egypt.
How can we apply God’s name to our lives?
We can remember that God is always with us and does not change. This helps us trust Him in all situations, knowing He is constant and reliable.
Why did God choose Moses to lead the Israelites?
God chose Moses because He wanted someone to guide His people out of slavery in Egypt. Even though Moses felt unsure, God promised to help him.
How can we relate to Moses being chosen to lead?
Like Moses, we might feel unqualified for tasks God gives us. But God supports us and provides what we need, just as He did for Moses.
What does Jesus mean when He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened”?
In the Gospel reading for Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus is inviting those who are tired and carrying heavy burdens to come to Him for rest. He offers peace and comfort.
How can we find rest in Jesus?
We can find rest in Jesus by turning to Him in prayer and trusting His guidance. Jesus offers us peace when we are tired and overwhelmed.
What does Jesus mean by “my yoke is easy and my burden is light”?
Jesus means that following Him is not difficult or heavy. His guidance is gentle and kind, bringing us peace and comfort.
How can we apply Jesus’ promise of an easy yoke and light burden to our lives?
We can trust that Jesus will help us with our struggles. By following Him, we find true peace and relief from our burdens.
What should we remember from the readings for Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
We should remember that God is always present, He supports us in our tasks, and Jesus offers us rest and peace. These teachings help us trust in God’s unchanging nature and find comfort in Jesus.
God’s Name and Rest for the Weary
The readings for Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 show us God’s identity and His care for those who are burdened. In the first reading from Exodus, Moses asks God what name he should give the Israelites when they ask who sent him. God responds, “I AM who I AM.” This name reveals that God is eternal and ever-present. He promises to deliver the Israelites from slavery and lead them to the promised land. This passage reminds us that God is always with us, guiding and protecting us.
In the Gospel, Jesus offers rest to all who are weary and burdened. He invites us to take His yoke and learn from Him, for He is gentle and humble. Jesus assures us that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. This message is comforting, showing that we can rely on Jesus for strength and peace in difficult times.
These readings remind us of God’s constant presence and care. They encourage us to trust in Him, especially when life feels heavy. By turning to God, we can find rest and the courage to face life’s challenges.
Your Turn
Take time to reflect on Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. Are you carrying heavy burdens that you need to bring to Jesus? How can you trust in God’s presence and guidance in your daily life?
Share your thoughts in the comments. Let us encourage one another to rely on God’s strength and to find rest and peace in His care.
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