Readings for Friday July 31, 2026

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest

First Reading

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

Brothers and sisters:
Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do everything for the glory of God.
Avoid giving offense, whether to Jews or Greeks
or the Church of God,
just as I try to please everyone in every way,
not seeking my own benefit but that of the many,
that they may be saved.
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Thanks be to God

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. (or I will bless the Lord at all times.)

Verse: I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.

Response: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. (or I will bless the Lord at all times.)

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 5:3

Alleluia, alleluia.

Verse: Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Response: Alleluia, alleluia.

The Holy Gospel

Luke 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus,
and he turned and addressed them,
"If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother,
wife and children, brothers and sisters,
and even his own life,
he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciple.
Which of you wishing to construct a tower
does not first sit down and calculate the cost
to see if there is enough for its completion?
Otherwise, after laying the foundation
and finding himself unable to finish the work
the onlookers should laugh at him and say,
'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.'
Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down
and decide whether with ten thousand troops
he can successfully oppose another king
advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?
But if not, while he is still far away,
he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.
In the same way,
everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions
cannot be my disciple."

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

ReflectionReflection Guide

The people of Nazareth were amazed by Jesus' wisdom, yet many of them refused to believe in Him because they thought they already knew who He was. They had seen Him grow up among them, and their familiarity prevented them from recognizing the extraordinary work of God in their midst. Sometimes we can fall into the same habit. We become so accustomed to the people, places, and routines around us that we fail to notice how God is working through them.

Today, the Church also celebrates the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. One of the great lessons he left us is the practice of finding God in all things. Saint Ignatius reminds us to pause, reflect, and pay attention to the movements of our hearts because God often speaks through the ordinary events of daily life. Like the people of Nazareth, we can miss God's presence if our hearts are closed. But if we learn to look with faith, we may discover that the Lord has been walking beside us all along.