15TH MONDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 10:34—11:1) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Mt 10:37)

FIRST READING - 1:8-14, 22

A reading from the Book of Exodus

A new king, who knew nothing of Joseph, came to power in Egypt.

He said to his subjects, "Look how numerous and powerful

the people of the children of Israel are growing, more so than we ourselves!

Come, let us deal shrewdly with them to stop their increase;

otherwise, in time of war they too may join our enemies

to fight against us, and so leave our country."

Accordingly, taskmasters were set over the children of Israel

to oppress them with forced labor.

Thus they had to build for Pharaoh

the supply cities of Pithom and Raamses.

Yet the more they were oppressed,

the more they multiplied and spread.

The Egyptians, then, dreaded the children of Israel

and reduced them to cruel slavery,

making life bitter for them with hard work in mortar and brick

and all kinds of field work—the whole cruel fate of slaves.

Pharaoh then commanded all his subjects,

"Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews,

but you may let all the girls live."

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 10:34—11:1

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to his Apostles:

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth.

I have come to bring not peace but the sword.

For I have come to set

a man against his father,

a daughter against her mother,

and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

and one's enemies will be those of his household.

"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,

and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

and whoever does not take up his cross

and follow after me is not worthy of me.

Whoever finds his life will lose it,

and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

"Whoever receives you receives me,

and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.

Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet

will receive a prophet's reward,

and whoever receives a righteous man

because he is righteous

will receive a righteous man's reward.

And whoever gives only a cup of cold water

to one of these little ones to drink

because he is a disciple–

amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."

When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples,

he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.

15TH MONDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 10:34—11:1)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Today’s Word of God instructs the apostles in the following fundamental teachings:

• The first fundamental truth: God came to earth to fight against Satan, and only after that spiritual battle can people find true peace.

Therefore, the Word of God says: "Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's enemies will be those of his household."

God wants to tell everyone that among people, there is often rivalry, manipulation, and calculation in their pursuit of personal gain, jealousy, and hatred.

Everyone wants to be first, appear wiser, and always be right. These tendencies are the result of Satan’s influence, aiming to attack and steal souls.

Therefore, God came to earth to bring humanity justice, peace, and true happiness. But to achieve this, a long and arduous spiritual battle must take place within each soul. There will be conflict and God’s purification for every person.

• The second fundamental truth:

God gave humanity His teachings, which He wants us to live by and put into practice, namely, to love God above all things and to love others as ourselves.

If we value man more than God, and if we do not carry our cross to suffer with God, then we are not worthy of the graces that God offers, which is eternal life.

And if we value our own life above all else and do not run to call upon God the Father, the One who gives eternal life to humankind, then we will not be assured of eternal life with Him.

• The third Fundamental truth: God taught His apostles, “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” And “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Therefore, when His disciples go out to labor in the mission field, they bring the image of Jesus’ love to humanity. Whoever welcomes those sent by God is welcoming God Himself.

His apostles must strive to live according to the teachings of God the Father, to obey Him in all things, to be conformed to Jesus Christ, and to put on the loving person of God in their own bodies, so that God’s love will spread to all humanity, especially to the cold sheep and to those who are wounded in both soul and body.

Today's Word of God instructs the apostles, and all who desire to follow and obey the commandments of God the Father, to go out and put into practice what the Word of God teaches. Then we will be saved.

Any soul that believes in and accepts God as the master of their life and the master of their soul will be saved by God the Father from the temptations, from imprisonment, and the bondage of Satan.

God the Father invites everyone to have faith in His power and strength. He is absolute in power and holds full authority over all creations.

He has always loved humanity, and there is no love greater than the love of God.

He calls all souls to trust in Him. He promises and will fulfill His promise to grant salvation to all souls who trust and follow the teachings of God the Father.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

19:00 July 14th, 2025 - Prayer of Divine Mercy - The Way to Heaven