Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection July 08, 2026
Wednesday – 14th Week in Ordinary Time
08th June 2026 (Wednesday)
Psalter: Week 2
Here are the Catholic Mass readings and a daily reflection for Wednesday, July 08, 2026, an ordinary weekday. Today Hosea calls a divided heart to account, and in the Gospel Jesus names the twelve he will send out with his own authority.
Readings of the Day
Catholic Mass Readings
First Reading: Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12
Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars. Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will break down their altars and destroy their pillars. For now they will say: “We have no king, for we do not fear the Lord; and a king, what could he do for us?” Samaria’s king shall perish, like a twig on the face of the waters. The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed. Thorn and thistle shall grow up on their altars, and they shall say to the mountains, “Cover us,” and to the hills, “Fall on us.” Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 (R. 4b)
R/. Constantly seek the Lord’s face
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7
At that time: Jesus called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Daily Gospel Reflection
Wednesday – 14th Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: Jesus calls twelve men and gives them his power. Matthew lists every name. And he does not hide the last one. Judas is on the list, called a traitor, and Jesus sends him out all the same.
1. Jesus gathers twelve men and gives them something staggering. Authority over unclean spirits, and power to heal every disease. These are not trained holy men. They are fishermen, a tax collector, ordinary workers. Yet he entrusts his own power to their hands.
2. Then Matthew does something careful. He writes down all twelve names. This is not a blur of disciples. These are real men, named one by one, each personally chosen and called. Jesus does not send a faceless crowd. He sends people he knows by name.
3. Read to the end of the list, and it stings. “Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” Even here, at the joyful sending, Matthew will not soften it. The man who will hand Jesus over is standing in the group, holding the same authority as the rest.
4. Sit with that a moment. Jesus knew. He chose Judas anyway. He gave him the same power to heal, the same mission, the same trust. The traitor was not smuggled in by accident. He was called, with open eyes, and sent.
5. This tells us something about how God works. He calls flawed people, and he calls them knowing the flaw. He does not wait for a perfect team. Every name on that list would fail him in some way that very week, and he sent them out regardless.
6. There is warning here too. Judas had everything the others had. He saw the miracles, heard the teaching, held the power. Nearness to Jesus is not the same as faithfulness to him. A person can stand inside the circle and still let the heart drift.
7. Their mission is simple and urgent. “Proclaim as you go, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” They are not sent to impress or to build a name. They are sent to announce that God has drawn near. The message is not about them. It is about him.
8. This is the thread to Hosea. “Their heart is false, now they must bear their guilt.” Israel’s problem was a divided heart, loyal in appearance, drifting underneath. Judas is that divided heart with a name and a face. Hosea’s call still stands. Sow righteousness, break up your fallow ground, and come back before the drift becomes a fall.
My Practice: You do not have to be worthy for God to call you. Look at the twelve. He chose flawed men on purpose, and even the traitor received real trust. So stop hiding behind the excuse that you are not good enough to be used. That was never the requirement. But hear the other half too. Judas had everything and still let his heart wander. Nearness is not loyalty. So take the place he offers you today, and guard the heart he entrusts it to.
Read tomorrow’s Catholic Mass readings and reflection for July 09, 2026, or revisit yesterday’s reflection for Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time.
Thank You 🙏🙏🙏
Tags: Daily Mass Reflection, Ordinary Time, Gospel of Matthew, Catholic Mass Readings, The Twelve Apostles, July 2026
