Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 18-19, 2026

  The text of Saint Matthew's Gospel in today's celebration presents Jesus instructing the crowd with three parables: the good seed planted by the sower and the weeds sown by the enemy, the mustard seed that grows into a large bush, and the yeast mixed with three measures of flour. With these parables, Jesus announces the nearness of the reign of God, especially for those who open their hearts to the good news and turn to God wholeheartedly. This presence of God as "reign" can only grow where roots of justice, peace, and forgiveness are planted. In the context of the two other readings this Sunday, we are all called to trust in God, whose mercy is abundant in ways we can hardly imagine. Through Jesus, the Father invites us to walk the path of hope, in which sinners find forgiveness and the just celebrate God's glory. The Holy Spirit, who comes to the aid of our weaknesses, strengthens us before the enemy so that we may live fully our journey of faith. In small groups, either in a Bible study group or even in a gathering among friends, ask yourselves: How do we identify the "weeds" that impede the sowing of the good seed in our world? Where do we see the positive signs of the reign of God, or those good works that no enemy can destroy?

(This reflection is from www.liturgy.com subscription service)