Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13: The Lord recalls Israel’s devotion in the past but laments their turning away. They embraced idols and neglected God. He warns of the consequences of forsaking Him for empty substitutes.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 36: Praise be to you, O Lord, for you are the fountain of life. Your mercy reaches the heavens, your justice is mighty, and in your light, we find illumination and refuge.
• Gospel – Matthew 13:10-17: Jesus explains to his disciples the purpose of speaking in parables, revealing that those who have a receptive heart will understand and receive the kingdom’s mysteries, while those who are hardened will remain spiritually blind. Jesus quotes the prophecy of Isaiah, emphasizing the blessedness of his disciples who see and understand, for they witness what prophets and righteous people longed to see but did not.

Lectionary Reference: 398

Upcoming dates: July 23, 2026, July 27, 2028

But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. 

Matthew 13:16

On Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, we reflect on God’s call to return to Him and the importance of spiritual understanding. The readings highlight God’s disappointment with His people and Jesus’ teaching about openness to the truth. Each theme connects with the message to seek God sincerely and open our hearts to His guidance.

• God’s Faithfulness to His People: God remembers the devotion of His people from the past. This faithfulness contrasts with their current rejection of Him, calling us to return to a genuine commitment to God.
• Rejecting Idolatry: The first reading warns against replacing God with empty things. It calls us to see where we might be putting other things in place of God in our lives.
• Consequences of Turning Away: God describes the emptiness that comes when we abandon Him. This teaches that straying from God leaves us empty and unfulfilled.
• Spiritual Blindness: Jesus explains why some people don’t understand His teachings. He reminds us that a closed heart cannot see or understand God’s truths.
• Call to Repentance: Jeremiah’s words show God’s call for His people to return to Him. Repentance is presented as a way back to the truth and fullness of life with God.
• Blessing of Understanding: Jesus says that those who see and hear His message are blessed. This invites us to appreciate the gift of faith and seek a deeper understanding of God’s Word.
• Rejecting Superficial Faith: The readings emphasize sincerity in our faith. We are reminded that faith requires commitment, not just outward actions.

These themes for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 challenge us to look deeply at our faith and actions. The readings encourage us to renew our commitment to God with a sincere heart and to be open to the truths He wants to reveal to us.

The readings for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, call us to examine our relationship with God and the things that may be pulling us away from Him. They highlight the dangers of relying on empty things, the blessing of truly understanding Jesus’ message, and the importance of sincere commitment to our faith. Each reflection reminds us to focus on God and let His Word fill our lives with purpose and truth.

Replacing God with Empty Things

On Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the first reading warns us about the danger of replacing God with empty things. God calls His people out for turning away from Him to things that have no value or life in them. This is a powerful reminder of how easily we can let other things take God’s place in our lives. We may not see it at first, but when we put our trust in things that don’t bring us closer to God, we end up feeling unfulfilled and disconnected.

Today, these “empty things” could mean anything we put ahead of God: work, entertainment, money, or even our own opinions. These things may seem important, but when they take up more space than our relationship with God, they leave us feeling empty. Our hearts are made to know and love God, and nothing else can truly fill that place in us. When we reflect on this reading, we are called to examine what we are putting first in our own lives.

This reflection is not about rejecting the good things in life but about making sure that God is always the center. By turning back to Him and letting go of things that pull us away from Him, we find peace and purpose. God’s love and guidance give meaning and direction, while all else falls short. The message for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, is simple: we are made for God, and only He can fill the deepest needs of our hearts.

The Blessing of Faith and Understanding

In the Gospel reading for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, Jesus explains that those who truly see and hear His message are blessed. This is an invitation for us to appreciate the gift of faith and to seek a deeper understanding of God’s Word. The ability to hear and see Jesus’ teachings is not just about listening but about having open hearts and minds that are ready to understand and follow Him.

Jesus shows that having faith is not something we can take for granted. It’s a special blessing to be able to understand and live by His message. Many people hear the words of the Gospel but do not let them reach their hearts. Faith is a gift that needs our cooperation; we must open ourselves to God’s words and ask Him to help us understand them fully.

To grow in faith, we can turn to Scripture, prayer, and a deeper commitment to learning what God wants to teach us. Each day gives us a new chance to listen and understand a little more. Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, reminds us to treasure the gift of faith and ask God to help us truly see and hear all that He wants to teach us.

Sincere Faith and True Commitment

Both readings for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, highlight the importance of sincerity in our faith. God’s call to Israel in the first reading and Jesus’ teachings in the Gospel make it clear that true faith is not just a matter of words or actions but of a deep commitment to God. Outward actions alone are not enough if our hearts are not truly committed to following Him.

Faith is about more than just going through the motions. It’s easy to say prayers, attend Mass, and look the part of a believer. But if our heart is not fully in it, then we are missing the true point of faith. God wants us to live sincerely for Him, with hearts that seek Him and actions that reflect our love for Him. The message of sincerity is a call to examine whether we are giving our best to God or simply following habits.

This reminder is both a challenge and a gift. God’s call for sincerity means He desires a real relationship with each of us, one where we freely choose to love and serve Him. When we live our faith with full commitment, we find joy and strength that outward actions alone cannot give. Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, invites us to deepen our relationship with God by making our faith sincere and heartfelt in all we do.

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As we reflect on Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, we are invited to look honestly at our own faith and make sure God is at the center. These readings encourage us to live fully for God with sincere hearts and open minds, letting go of anything that stands between us and Him.

Prayer

Lord, help me to put You first and let nothing come between us. Open my heart and mind to Your words, so I can grow in faith and live sincerely for You. Teach me to treasure the gift of faith and to seek You above all things. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• What are some things in my life that I may be putting ahead of God?
• How can I make more space in my heart to hear and understand Jesus’ teachings?
• What steps can I take to live my faith more sincerely each day?
• How can I show gratitude for the gift of faith in my daily actions?

Word On Fire: Unveiling Truth through Puzzling Parables

From Bishop Robert Barron for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time. In today’s Gospel, the disciples question Jesus about why he speaks to the crowds in parables. Jesus explains that parables serve as provocative and puzzling stories to convey the kingdom of God. By using parables, Jesus addresses those who refuse to believe and understand his message directly. These unique stories challenge and confound us, disrupting our established perspectives. Jesus’ preaching is characterized by these puzzling and amusing narratives, as they have the power to reveal truth that logical arguments often fail to capture. Parables encourage reflection and engagement, enabling us to uncover deeper spiritual insights and embrace the profound mysteries of the kingdom of God.

What date is Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Thursday July 23, 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 Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Thursday July 23, 2026 are:
First Reading – Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13: God’s Lament for Jerusalem
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 36: The Abundant Mercy of the Lord
Gospel – Matthew 13:10-17: The Purpose of Parables

What does the first reading for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 mean by turning away to empty things?

This reading refers to people abandoning God for things that have no real value. It reminds us not to fill our lives with things that take us away from God, but to center our lives on Him.

Why does God speak of the past faithfulness of His people?

God reminds His people of their past devotion to show how far they have drifted. This helps us understand the need to look at our own faith history and renew our commitment to following God sincerely.

What does God mean by the broken cisterns in the first reading?

God describes people who have made poor choices by turning away from Him. This teaches us that turning to things other than God leaves us empty and unsatisfied.

Why does Jesus say some people cannot understand His message?

Jesus explains that some people close their hearts and minds, so they miss the truth He offers. We learn here that an open heart is necessary for understanding God’s message and growing in faith.

How does this Gospel for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 apply to our daily life?

This Gospel shows that truly listening to God involves both hearing and accepting His words. It challenges us to pay attention to God’s teachings and apply them to our actions and decisions each day.

How can we see and hear as Jesus teaches?

Jesus encourages us to be open to His message, which requires both humility and a willing heart. We can do this by praying, reading Scripture, and asking God to help us understand.

What blessing does Jesus talk about in the Gospel?

Jesus says that those who truly see and hear Him are blessed. This reminds us to value the gift of faith and to seek a closer relationship with God.

Why is repentance important in these readings for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The first reading calls for repentance, showing that it leads us back to God and helps heal our relationship with Him. It reminds us that saying sorry and making a change is a way to renew our connection with God.

What does it mean to have a closed heart?

A closed heart is one that refuses to accept or understand God’s teachings. This reading calls us to examine any stubbornness in our lives and to ask God to help us open our hearts to Him.

How can we avoid having a superficial faith?

The readings encourage us to go beyond just going through the motions of faith. This means actively growing in our relationship with God by learning, listening, and living our faith every day.