Gospel for Thursday July 16, 2026

Gospel

Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said:
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

The Gospel of the Lord,

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Reflection

Jesus thanks the Father for revealing His truth not to the wise and learned, but to the little ones. It is a beautiful reminder that knowing God is not about having the highest education, the most impressive credentials, or all the answers. More often, it is the humble, trusting, and open-hearted who recognize God's presence in their lives.

Children have a simple way of trusting. They ask questions, they depend on those who love them, and they are not afraid to admit they need help. Jesus invites us to have that same kind of heart before God. The more we let go of pride and self-sufficiency, the more room we give God to teach, guide, and transform us. Sometimes the greatest wisdom begins with the simple prayer, "Lord, teach me."

My Gospel Word Today

What word or message speaks to you today?

Share a word or short phrase that expresses what you feel about today's Gospel, what you reflect on about the message. Example: trust, listen more, choose what matters...

References for July 16, 2026

Other readings

First Reading Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19

The way of the just is smooth;
the path of the just you make level.
Yes, for your way and your judgments, O LORD,
we look to you;
Your name and your title
are the desire of our souls.
My soul yearns for you in the night,
yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you;
When your judgment dawns upon the earth,
the world's inhabitants learn justice.
O LORD, you mete out peace to us,
for it is you who have accomplished all we have done.

O LORD, oppressed by your punishment,
we cried out in anguish under your chastising.
As a woman about to give birth
writhes and cries out in her pains,
so were we in your presence, O LORD.
We conceived and writhed in pain,
giving birth to wind;
Salvation we have not achieved for the earth,
the inhabitants of the world cannot bring it forth.
But your dead shall live, their corpses shall rise;
awake and sing, you who lie in the dust.
For your dew is a dew of light,
and the land of shades gives birth.

Thanks be to God

Psalm Psalm 102:13-14ab and 15, 16-18, 19-21

From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.

You, O LORD, abide forever,
and your name through all generations.
You will arise and have mercy on Zion,
for it is time to pity her.
For her stones are dear to your servants,
and her dust moves them to pity.

The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer.

Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
"The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die."

"He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit."

"He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty."

"He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever."

Second Reading Second Reading