Father Michael's Thoughts This Week

WEEKLY THOUGHTS 14th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 

JULY 5, 2026 

Dear Friends,  

Welcome to the celebration of the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the 250th Independence Anniversary. Let us be thankful to God for all the blessings, developments and progress God had showered upon this great Nation. God Bless America. Again, welcome to the new month of July and first month of the fiscal year July 1st, 2026 - June 30th, 2027. Thank you everyone for your generous giving and contributions to our respective Churches of Holy Infant and Shepherd of the Hills. May God bless you with abundance of his goodness.
In the Gospel Reading of last Sunday Mt 10:37- 42 we heard Jesus teaching his disciples on the cost of being his disciple. That Jesus must be put first to what society deems dear like family- father, mother, son and daughter. Jesus cautioned us on the cost of suffering – persecution or the cross that must be carried by the disciple of Jesus. Indeed, the way of Jesus is the way of the cross. Jesus also demands generosity from all called to discipleship as it serves the Body of Christ. 

The Readings of this Sunday continue to reflect on the basic requirements for those called to discipleship; they must embrace and live by the Spirit of Jesus.  

In the second Reading Rom 9: 11-13 Paul calls upon the people to stop living by the flesh and choose to live by the life of the spirit as a source of salvation. 

In the Gospel Mt 11: 25-30 We hear Jesus giving praise to his Father in heaven. He had revealed the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven to the simple and unlearned with faith. The disciples of Jesus were simple fishermen and intellectually mere children compared to the learned Scribes and Pharisees who remained ignorant simply because they lacked the humility- a disposition required to know and learn the ways of God. They failed to live by the spirit and faith in Jesus.  

Jesus knows the Father and the one he chooses to reveal himself. So it is through Jesus that we get knowledge of the Father.  Good news is grasped by faith and revelation other than wisdom and knowledge of the law. I need to see Jesus in other people as I extend small acts of generosity like a glass or bottle of cold water is assured of eternal glory. 

For us celebrating this day of the Lord, we need the Spirit of Jesus to open our minds to grasp the message of Jesus inviting us to a spiritual transformation of our lives as we grow in faith and love of Jesus. I should be open to the life of the Spirit – embrace humility recalling the words of Jesus; “Unless you become like little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of God.” (Mt 18:3)  

Jesus makes an invitation to each one of us; “Come to me who are weary and find life burdensome and I will give you rest.’’ This invitation is meant to everyone in a hopeless situation, harassed and helpless. It is likened to the people of Jesus whose leaders had made religion burdensome. 

The yoke of Jesus is easy and less burdensome; It is a source of peace, rest, mercy and love, consolation and joy.  

Have a great weekend and Independence Anniversary.