Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22: The LORD tells Jeremiah to document His words. Despite the people’s grave sins, which led to their suffering, God promises restoration. Their cities will rebuild, joy will return, and God reestablishes His covenant: they will be His people, and He will be their God.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 102: Nations and kings will honor the LORD when He rebuilds Zion and shows His glory. He hears the distressed and frees the imprisoned. Future generations will serve and praise Him.
• Gospel – Matthew 14:22-36: After feeding thousands, Jesus sends his disciples by boat while he prays. Later, he walks on water towards them. Initially terrified, they recognize Him. Peter, excited, walks towards Jesus but starts sinking due to doubt. Jesus rescues him, asking why he doubted. Upon reaching the boat, the storm calms, and everyone acknowledges Jesus as God’s Son.

Lectionary Reference: 408

Upcoming dates: August 4, 2026, August 8, 2028, August 3, 2032

But when he saw how strong the wind was Peter became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:30-31

On Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings from Jeremiah and the Gospel of Matthew invite us to trust in God’s healing, to repent, and to recognize Jesus as the one who calms our fears. They remind us that God’s mercy and promises are real, even when we feel burdened or weak.

• God’s promise of restoration: God speaks of rebuilding Israel after suffering. Despite their wounds, He will heal them and restore their land and peace.
• Call to repentance: God calls His people to see their sins and turn back to Him. He invites them to recognize that their troubles are tied to their unfaithfulness.
• Healing for the broken: God acknowledges the pain of His people, but offers them a future of hope. His mercy brings new life even when we feel defeated.
• Jesus calms our fears: In the Gospel, Jesus walks on the water to reach the disciples. He reassures them with His presence, calming their worries and doubts.
• Faith in difficult times: Peter steps out of the boat, showing faith, but he falters when he doubts. Jesus saves him, showing us that faith grows stronger when we rely on Jesus.
• God’s mercy for sinners: God’s response to Israel’s sin shows His mercy. Even when they stray, He welcomes them back and leads them forward.

These readings on Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time remind us of God’s kindness and of the peace Jesus brings. By trusting in His mercy, we are strengthened to face life’s challenges.

The readings for Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, invite us to consider God’s mercy, the strength of faith, and His presence in times of need. Through the words of the prophet Jeremiah and the actions of Jesus, we see that God’s compassion reaches into our struggles. He calls us to trust in Him, even when we feel afraid or uncertain, and promises us a future of hope.

God’s Mercy Brings Hope

In the first reading for Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, God addresses the wounds and struggles of His people. He recognizes their pain and suffering but promises a future filled with hope. Even though they have suffered because of their own choices, He still offers them His mercy. This mercy invites them to believe that they are not abandoned.

God’s promise to restore Israel shows His patience and willingness to forgive. Despite the people’s sins, He reaches out with healing and invites them to a new beginning. In this way, God shows that He does not just see the mistakes and sins of His people, but also their need for mercy and love. When we feel far from God because of our own failings, we can trust in this same mercy.

This message is important for us when we feel hopeless or defeated. God invites us to believe in His mercy and a future full of peace. His mercy is like a fresh start that He offers us whenever we return to Him. In difficult times, this promise of hope and healing can help us move forward, knowing God wants to make things new.

Faith Grows When We Rely on Jesus

The Gospel reading for Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, shows Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water with Jesus. Peter begins with faith but starts to sink when he feels afraid. When he calls out for help, Jesus saves him and questions why he doubted. This moment shows that our faith can grow when we rely fully on Jesus, especially when facing fear.

Peter’s attempt to walk on water reminds us that faith requires courage. As long as he focused on Jesus, Peter stayed above the waves. But when he noticed the wind and waves, he let his fear take over. This moment is a reminder that fear can distract us, and relying on Jesus can help us stand strong.

In our lives, we may face our own storms and feel tempted to focus on the things that scare us. We might worry about challenges we don’t control. Just as Peter called out to Jesus, we can remember to reach out to Him. He wants to steady us, lifting us up when we feel like we are sinking. By looking to Jesus, we find strength for whatever life brings.

God Walks with Us Through Challenges

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, show God’s presence with His people in difficult moments. In the first reading, God acknowledges the suffering of His people but promises to heal and rebuild them. In the Gospel, Jesus goes out to meet His disciples in a storm. Each reading reveals that God is present, helping His people when they feel weak or afraid.

God doesn’t leave His people to face suffering on their own. In both readings, He takes the first step to meet them in their trouble. This is a reminder that God’s love is active. He is not distant, but close and ready to give strength. When we feel overwhelmed, we can look to these readings and remember that God does not let us struggle alone.

This theme invites us to trust God’s presence in our own struggles. Sometimes, we might feel distant from Him, but these readings remind us that He reaches out to help. In times of trouble, God is like Jesus in the storm, stepping toward us, offering peace. By turning to Him in prayer, we can feel His support even in the hardest times.

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As we reflect on the readings for Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, we are reminded of God’s care and guidance through every challenge. He offers His mercy, strengthens our faith, and walks with us in all circumstances. By turning to Him, we find the peace and strength to face whatever comes our way.

Prayer

Lord, we thank You for Your mercy and for walking with us through our struggles. Help us trust in Your love and rely on You, even when we feel afraid. Strengthen our faith and fill us with hope as we seek to follow You. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• When have I experienced God’s mercy in my own life?
• What storms am I facing now, and how can I invite Jesus into them?
• In what ways can I deepen my faith and rely on Jesus more each day?
• How can I share God’s message of hope and healing with others?

The Church’s Journey of Faith

Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection for Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time explains that Jesus walks on water to reach his disciples in a boat, symbolizing the Church. This story represents the Church’s journey through history, navigating challenges and spiritual warfare. Just as the disciples face winds and waves, the Church encounters trials throughout its existence.

Jesus’ words, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid,” reassure the Church amid turmoil. Peter’s bold step out of the boat portrays the Church’s reliance on Christ’s power. When the Church places its confidence in Jesus, it gains the ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

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

The next date is Tuesday August 4, 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 Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

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

The Mass readings for Tuesday August 4, 2026 are:
First Reading – Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22: Punishment and Restoration
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 102: Rebuilding and Reverence
Gospel – Matthew 14:22-36: Jesus Calms the Storm

Why does God speak about wounds in the first reading on Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2?

God speaks about wounds to show how sin and rebellion against Him can lead to suffering. He wants the people to understand that they are hurting because they have turned away from Him, but that He can heal them if they return to Him.

What does it mean that God promises restoration?

God promises to restore His people despite their failures and pain. This means that no matter how far we stray, God offers us a chance to come back and find peace with Him.

Why does God call for repentance in the first reading?

God calls His people to turn from their sins and come back to Him. Repentance means honestly seeing our wrongs and choosing to live differently by following God’s ways.

What does God’s mercy look like in the readings for Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2?

God’s mercy means that He forgives us and welcomes us back even after we have turned away from Him. He does not abandon us, but offers to heal and restore us when we come back to Him.

What does Jesus walking on water teach us in the Gospel reading for Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2?

Jesus walking on water shows His power over nature and His closeness to His followers. It teaches us that Jesus is with us, even when life feels stormy or uncertain.

Why does Peter start sinking in the water?

Peter starts sinking because he becomes afraid and begins to doubt. This shows us that when we take our eyes off Jesus, our fears can overwhelm us, but Jesus is there to help us when we call out.

How does the Gospel reading teach us about faith?

The reading shows us that faith requires trusting Jesus even when things feel impossible. Like Peter, we may stumble, but Jesus wants us to reach out to Him with trust.

How can we apply these readings to our lives?

We can apply these readings by trusting God to guide us and by repenting when we make mistakes. We learn to rely on Jesus, especially in times of fear or trouble, knowing that He is close to us.

What should we do when we feel overwhelmed, like the disciples in the boat?

When we feel overwhelmed, we can turn to Jesus in prayer and ask for His help. Like the disciples, we can find peace knowing that Jesus is near, ready to strengthen us through our challenges.

What is the main message of the readings for Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2?

The main message is that God calls us to repentance, trust, and faith in His love and healing. He wants us to rely on Him in all things, knowing He can bring peace and restoration into our lives.