17TH FRIDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 13:54-58) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” (Mt 13:57)

FIRST READING - Lev 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37

“These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing food offerings to the Lord."

A reading from the Book of Leviticus

The Lord said to Moses, ⁴ “‘These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times: ⁵ The Lord’s Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. ⁶ On the fifteenth day of that month the Lord’s Festival of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast. ⁷ On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. ⁸ For seven days present a food offering to the Lord. And on the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.’” ⁹ The Lord said to Moses, ¹⁰ “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. ¹¹ He is to wave the sheaf before the Lord so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath. ¹⁵ “‘From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. ¹⁶ Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord. ²⁷ “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves,^[a] and present a food offering to the Lord. ³⁴ “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Lord’s Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days. ³⁵ The first day is a sacred assembly; do no regular work. ³⁶ For seven days present food offerings to the Lord, and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the Lord. It is the closing special assembly; do no regular work.

³⁷ (“‘These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing food offerings to the Lord—the burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings required for each day.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 13:54-58

“Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?"

✠From the Gospel according to Matthew

⁵⁴ Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. ⁵⁵ “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”

⁵⁸ And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

17TH FRIDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 13:54-58)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

The Word of God for today warns people not to condemn or oppose the prophets sent by God the Father to us. Since God’s teachings are conveyed through these prophets, those who listen to them and live according to His teachings will find happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven.

He also warned the people not to oppose the prophets. Do not be like those in the homeland of Jesus Christ who rejected Him, for such opposition does not benefit the soul. Listen to the teachings and transmissions of Jesus Christ—are there any words He spoke that harm others? Are there any teachings of His that lead people to sin? Certainly not. The words of God are teachings that guide us in living a life pleasing to God the Father.

Through the image of Jesus Christ returning to His hometown to teach, God the Father invites people not to fall into Satan’s traps, just as the Jewish people were once tempted to oppose Him and even sought to kill Him. God calls us to be vigilant—to resist Satan’s temptations, not to oppose God, and not to reject the prophets who bring His word to us.

In today’s world, God the Father has chosen and sent many prophets to their homelands to proclaim His word and to bring true joy to the people. Therefore, we must no longer oppose the prophets of God. Instead, we must be humble and self-abased to listen to, accept, and practice God’s word as spoken through these prophets. For these prophets are instruments that God the Father uses. Therefore, to enter into the joy of the Kingdom of Heaven, we must choose wisely and follow the will of God: to receive these prophets as we would receive Jesus Christ Himself. For the word of God said: "Whoever receives you receives me."

This is the warning from God the Father for all people to understand: If anyone does not live according to the teachings and commandments of God the Father, then when they stand before Him, they will be held accountable for all their wrongdoings before His justice, righteousness, and fairness.

Thanks be to God. Amen

19:00 August 1st, 2025 - Prayer of Divine Mercy - The Way to Heaven