Gospel for Tuesday July 21, 2026

Gospel

Matthew 12:46-50

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds,
his mother and his brothers appeared outside,
wishing to speak with him.
Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside,
asking to speak with you.”
But he said in reply to the one who told him,
“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”
And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father
is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

The Gospel of the Lord,

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Reflection

When Jesus was told that His mother and relatives were looking for Him, He pointed to His disciples and said, "Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother." Jesus was not rejecting His earthly family. Instead, He was revealing that God's family is even bigger, welcoming everyone who chooses to follow His will.

This is good news for all of us. Whether we belong to a close-knit family, live far from our loved ones, or sometimes feel alone, we always have a place in God's family. We experience this in our parish, in Couples for Christ, Youth for Christ, and in every Christian community where people encourage one another to grow in faith. The strongest family is not simply connected by blood, but by hearts that seek to love God and faithfully do His will each day.

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 21, 2026

Other readings

First Reading Micah 7:14-15, 18-20

Shepherd your people with your staff,
the flock of your inheritance,
That dwells apart in a woodland,
in the midst of Carmel.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,
as in the days of old;
As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,
show us wonderful signs.Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?
You will cast into the depths of the sea
all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob,
and grace to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.

Thanks be to God

Psalm Psalm 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8

Lord, show us your mercy and love.

You have favored, O LORD, your land;
you have brought back the captives of Jacob.
You have forgiven the guilt of your people;
you have covered all their sins.
You have withdrawn all your wrath;
you have revoked your burning anger.

Restore us, O God our savior,
and abandon your displeasure against us.
Will you be ever angry with us,
prolonging your anger to all generations?

Will you not instead give us life;
and shall not your people rejoice in you?
Show us, O LORD, your kindness,
and grant us your salvation.

Second Reading Second Reading