July 2026

There is a saying that goes, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” I think today’s Gospel proves that it can also breed blindness.

In today’s Gospel, Martha is grieving. Her brother Lazarus has died, and everything seems lost. When Jesus finally arrives, Martha says something many of us have probably felt at some point: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains the Parable of the Weeds. At first, it seems like a simple story about farming. A farmer plants good seed, but during the night an enemy secretly plants weeds among the wheat.

There is something surprising about God. We often expect Him to work in big, dramatic ways. We think that if God is truly at work, we should immediately see huge results.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells three short stories: a man who finds a treasure hidden in a field, a merchant who discovers a pearl of great value, and a fisherman sorting fish in a net.

Today, on the Feast of St. James the Apostle, the Gospel begins with an awkward moment. The mother of James and John comes to Jesus with a bold request. She wants her two sons to have the best seats in heaven – one at His right and one at His left.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains the Parable of the Sower. At first, it sounds like a lesson about farming, but it is really a lesson about the human heart.

Have you ever noticed that two people can look at the exact same thing and walk away with completely different conclusions? One person sees beauty, while another sees nothing special. One hears good advice and changes, while another ignores it.

There is something beautiful about today’s Gospel. Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb while it is still dark. When she discovers the empty tomb, she does not immediately think of the Resurrection.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is speaking to a crowd when someone tells Him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for You.” Jesus then says, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?

In today’s Gospel, the scribes and Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign. At first, that doesn’t seem like a bad request. After all, if someone claims to be sent by God, wouldn’t you want proof?

Have you ever wished God would immediately remove everything that is bad from the world? Every injustice, every sinner, every failure, every temptation?

The Gospel today begins with a sad reality: “The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death.” Imagine that. Jesus had just healed a man, yet instead of celebrating the miracle, His enemies planned His destruction.

Have you ever noticed that sometimes we can become so focused on doing things right that we forget why we are doing them? In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ disciples are hungry, so they pick some heads of grain to eat as they walk through the fields.

Have you ever prayed and felt like nothing was happening? You ask God for help, healing, or direction, but all you hear is silence. Most of us have experienced that.