Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Habakkuk 1:12-2:4: O LORD, I question your silence toward the wicked and the faithless, while awaiting your response at my guard post. You answered, promising judgment and that the just shall live by faith.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 9: The LORD judges with justice and governs with fairness, being a stronghold in times of distress. He does not forget those who seek him, and he remembers the cry of the poor.
• Gospel – Matthew 17:14-20: A man sought Jesus to heal his possessed son, but the disciples failed to cure him. Jesus rebuked the demon and cured the boy, explaining that faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can make anything possible.

Lectionary Reference: 412

Upcoming dates: August 8, 2026, August 12, 2028, August 7, 2032

Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 17:20

On Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings from Habakkuk and Matthew reveal the power of faith, the need for patience, and the strength of humility. They challenge believers to trust God’s plan, even in uncertainty, and to recognize how God works in unexpected ways.

• Faith in Unseen Power: The readings show that true faith goes beyond what we see or understand. They remind us that God’s power is at work even when we cannot see it directly.
• Trust in God’s Timing: Habakkuk’s words remind us to wait for God’s plan to unfold in its own time. Patience and trust allow us to hold onto hope, even in difficult circumstances.
• Humility in Prayer: The Gospel reading shows how humility in prayer brings strength. When we humbly ask God for help, He provides what we need, even if it’s not what we expect.
• Courage in Faith: Jesus calls us to be courageous in faith, even when it seems impossible. Believing without hesitation can lead to blessings and changes that we could not achieve on our own.
• Strength in Weakness: The disciples struggle to heal on their own, showing us that human strength is limited. Relying on God’s strength allows us to do what we cannot do by ourselves.
• Faith as a Path to Growth: Jesus teaches that faith the size of a mustard seed can make a big difference. Small steps in faith lead to growth and blessings over time.
• Hope in Unanswered Prayers: Habakkuk shows that even when our prayers seem unanswered, God has a purpose. Waiting with hope strengthens our faith and draws us closer to Him.

These themes from Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invite us to live in faith, trusting in God’s plans. Through trust, humility, and courage, we draw nearer to God’s purposes for our lives.

On Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings from Habakkuk and Matthew teach us about faith, trust, and reliance on God. Habakkuk’s patient waiting for God’s plan and the disciples’ struggle with faith encourage us to see how God’s strength works through our own weaknesses. These readings remind us that even small steps of faith can lead to growth, healing, and a deeper relationship with God.

Waiting with Patience and Trust

In the first reading for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Habakkuk cries out to God, questioning why He seems silent in the face of injustice. God answers, telling Habakkuk to wait patiently, as He has a plan that will unfold in time. This response reminds us that God’s plans do not always match our own timing or expectations. Trusting God requires patience, especially when we do not understand His ways.

It is difficult to wait when we see suffering or feel burdened by our own struggles. Like Habakkuk, we might wonder why God allows certain things to happen or why He does not answer quickly. God’s response shows us that faith requires waiting. Patience, especially during hardship, builds our strength and trust in God’s plan.

When we wait with trust, we let go of the need for control. This patience helps us rely on God instead of only relying on ourselves. As we live through uncertain times, God’s encouragement to wait and trust is a reminder that He is always working, even when we cannot see it yet.

Relying on God’s Strength

In the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus’ disciples struggle to heal a boy. They are unable to help him on their own, and Jesus tells them it is because they lack faith. This moment reveals the limits of human strength and the need for faith in God’s power. The disciples learn that they cannot rely on their own strength but need to put their trust fully in God.

When we face problems that seem beyond our abilities, it is easy to feel discouraged. Like the disciples, we may be tempted to think that we should manage things by ourselves. But Jesus’ response teaches us that God’s strength can accomplish what we cannot. When we rely on God, we are not limited by our own weaknesses or lack of ability.

Jesus’ words call us to turn to God, especially when we feel helpless. He reminds us that faith opens doors to solutions we may not see on our own. Relying on God’s strength means we can face challenges with a new perspective, trusting that God will help us even when we feel weak.

Faith as the Key to Healing

A theme that connects both the first reading and the Gospel for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 is the power of faith to bring healing and hope. In Habakkuk, God’s response calls for faith and patience, trusting that He will act. In the Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Faith, then, is shown as the path to healing and hope in both readings.

Both readings remind us that faith has power beyond what we can see. Habakkuk’s faith helps him hold onto hope, even when God’s answers seem slow. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that faith, no matter how small, opens the way for God’s work in our lives. Faith in God’s promises brings us strength, even when we feel uncertain.

Faith gives us hope in situations where we might otherwise give up. When we trust in God’s power to heal and help, we see beyond our immediate problems. The readings for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us that faith in God—whether in big or small moments—leads us forward, healing our hearts and opening new paths of hope.

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The reflections for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invite us to renew our trust in God’s timing and to lean on His strength, especially when we face challenges. Through faith, patience, and humility, we discover that God is always at work, guiding us forward, and making possible what we cannot do alone.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust Your timing and rely on Your strength. Teach us to wait with patience and to believe in the power of faith, even when it feels small. May we lean on You in all things and grow in trust every day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• What does it mean to wait for God’s plan to unfold, and how can I practice patience in my life?
• How can I remember to rely on God’s strength instead of trying to handle everything on my own?
• In what ways does even a small amount of faith make a difference in my challenges?
• How do I respond when I feel like God is silent or slow to act in my life?

Embracing Unseen Faith

Bishop Robert Barron discusses faith’s role in the Gospel for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time. Our primary orientation, rooted in faith rather than reason, allows us to appreciate God’s movement within conventional events. Trusting amidst uncertainty, we recognize God’s continuous action, even from small beginnings, and Jesus’ encouragement to have faith, however small, echoes the potential of the unseen.

What date is Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Saturday August 8, 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 Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Saturday August 8, 2026 are:
First Reading – Habakkuk 1:12-2:4: Judgment and Faith
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 9: Trust in the Lord
Gospel – Matthew 17:14-20: Faith Heals

What is the main message in the first reading for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The reading from Habakkuk shows that God’s answers may take time, but we are called to wait with patience and trust. God is working, even if His plans don’t match our own timing.

Why does God tell Habakkuk to wait?

God tells Habakkuk to wait to help him see that faith includes trusting God’s timing. Waiting teaches us to rely on God and to have hope, even when the outcome is unclear.

How does Habakkuk’s message relate to our daily lives?

Habakkuk’s message encourages us to trust God, even when we don’t see immediate answers. It reminds us that God’s plans are good, and that patience can deepen our faith in hard times.

Why couldn’t the disciples heal the boy in the Gospel reading?

The disciples couldn’t heal the boy because they were relying on their own strength. Jesus explains that they needed faith to call upon God’s help in this challenging situation.

How does the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach us about faith?

The Gospel reading teaches that even a small amount of faith allows God to work in our lives. Trusting God, rather than our own abilities, opens us to His power, especially in difficult moments.

What does it mean to have faith the size of a mustard seed?

Faith the size of a mustard seed means even a small, sincere faith has great power. It shows us that God can work through us when we believe, even if we feel our faith is small.

How can I apply the Gospel message to my own life?

When facing problems or doubts, remember to ask God for help and to trust Him. Like the disciples, we learn to depend on God’s strength rather than our own.

Why is humility important in both readings?

Humility is important because it reminds us that we need God’s help. When we approach Him with humility, we invite His strength into our lives, making us stronger and wiser in faith.

What should I do when God’s answers seem slow?

When God’s answers seem slow, try to wait patiently and trust that He has a plan. Patience builds our faith and helps us see God’s work in His time.

How does Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 challenge us in our faith?

These readings challenge us to wait on God, trust His timing, and lean on Him for strength. They call us to grow in faith, knowing that God is with us through every step.