Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time (Aug 4, 2025)

• First Reading – Numbers 11:4b-15: The children of Israel lament, desiring meat and recalling food from Egypt. Manna sustains them, but they crave variety. Moses feels burdened and pleads to the LORD.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 81: God laments disobedience, giving them over to their hardened hearts. If they’d listen, enemies would be humbled. Hated ones flatter but endure, while Israel enjoys abundance.
• Gospel – Matthew 14:13-21: Jesus withdraws to grieve John the Baptist’s death. Crowds follow Him. He heals the sick and later multiplies five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand men, plus women and children, with leftovers.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.

Matthew 14:19

On Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we reflect on God’s care and guidance in our lives. The readings from Numbers and Matthew highlight different aspects of God’s relationship with His people.

• God’s Care: God listens to the complaints of the Israelites in the desert and provides for them. This shows His ongoing concern for their needs.
• Human Weakness: The Israelites complain about their hardships despite being freed from Egypt. This reminds us of our tendency to forget God’s past help in times of trouble.
• Moses’ Leadership: Moses feels overwhelmed by the burden of leading the people. This highlights the challenges and responsibilities of leadership in faith.
• Jesus’ Compassion: Jesus feeds the large crowd with loaves and fishes. This shows His love and care for those who follow Him.
• God’s Generosity: Jesus multiplies the food so that everyone has enough. This teaches us about God’s ability to provide abundantly for our needs.
• Gratitude: The people in both readings receive what they need. This encourages us to be thankful for God’s blessings in our lives.

Reflecting on these themes helps us see how God cares for us and guides us through life’s challenges. We are reminded to trust in His care and to be grateful for His many blessings.

On Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we read about the Israelites’ struggles in the desert and Jesus feeding the crowd with loaves and fishes. These stories remind us of God’s care and how He responds to our needs. Through these reflections, we will explore God’s care, human weakness, and Jesus’ compassion.

God’s Care

In Numbers 11:4b-15, we see the Israelites complaining about their hardships. They miss the food they had in Egypt, forgetting the suffering they endured there. God listens to their complaints and provides for them, showing His care even when they are ungrateful.

God’s care for the Israelites reminds us that He listens to our needs. Even when we complain or feel dissatisfied, God is there. He provides for us, even when we do not recognize His care.

This reflection on God’s care teaches us to trust Him more. When we feel troubled or unsatisfied, we should remember that God listens to us. He will provide for our needs just as He did for the Israelites.

Human Weakness

The Israelites’ complaints also show human weakness. Despite being freed from slavery, they focus on their immediate discomfort. They forget the miracles God performed to free them from Egypt.

This tendency to forget God’s past help is common. We often focus on our current problems and forget how God has helped us before. This shows our human weakness and lack of trust.

Reflecting on this helps us see the importance of remembering God’s past help. When we face difficulties, we should recall how God has been there for us before. This will strengthen our trust in Him.

Jesus’ Compassion

In Matthew 14:13-21, Jesus shows compassion by feeding the large crowd. Despite His own need for rest, He puts others’ needs first. He multiplies the loaves and fishes so that everyone has enough to eat.

Jesus’ compassion teaches us to care for others. He shows us that even when we are tired, we can still help those in need. His example encourages us to be compassionate and generous.

Reflecting on Jesus’ compassion helps us see the importance of caring for others. We should follow His example and be willing to help those around us. Through our actions, we can show God’s love to others.

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The readings for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us of God’s care, human weakness, and Jesus’ compassion. These themes help us reflect on our relationship with God and others. Trusting in God’s care, remembering His past help, and showing compassion to others are important lessons for our lives.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your care and compassion. Help us trust in You and remember Your past help. Guide us to show compassion to others. Amen.

Word On Fire: Courage Transfigured by Love

Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection on Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time focuses on Jesus feeding the five thousand with only five barley loaves and two fish. This miracle illustrates the principle that God lacks nothing from the world He created, and whatever is given to Him benefits the giver. St. John Paul II referred to this principle as the “law of the gift,” showing that selfless giving increases our being. Jesus’ act of providing abundantly from meager resources exemplifies the power of selflessness and the divine principle of giving.

What date is Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Monday August 4, 2025.

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 Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Monday August 4, 2025 are:
First Reading – Numbers 11:4b-15: Longing for the Past
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 81: God’s Plea and Promise
Gospel – Matthew 14:13-21: Feeding Five Thousand

Why were the Israelites complaining in the first reading for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Israelites were complaining because they missed the food they had in Egypt. They were tired of eating manna every day and wanted more variety in their diet.

What does Moses’ reaction teach us?

Moses felt overwhelmed by the people’s complaints. This teaches us that even strong leaders can feel burdened and need God’s help.

How does God respond to the Israelites’ complaints?

God listens to their complaints and provides them with quail to eat. This shows that God cares about their needs, even when they are ungrateful.

What can we learn from the Israelites’ behavior?

The Israelites’ behavior shows our tendency to focus on current problems and forget past help. We should try to remember God’s past help and trust Him more.

What miracle does Jesus perform in the Gospel for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus feeds over 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. This miracle shows His compassion and power.

Why did Jesus perform this miracle?

Jesus saw that the crowd was hungry and had compassion for them. He wanted to care for their physical needs.

How can we apply Jesus’ compassion to our lives?

We can show compassion by helping others, even when we are tired or busy. Like Jesus, we should care for those in need.

What does the miracle of the loaves and fishes teach us about God?

It teaches us that God can provide abundantly for our needs. We should trust in His ability to care for us.

How can we remember God’s past help in difficult times?

We can remember God’s past help by keeping a gratitude journal or sharing stories of His help with others. This strengthens our trust in Him.

What is the main message of the readings for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The main message is that God cares for us and provides for our needs. We should trust Him, remember His past help, and show compassion to others.