An Inexhaustible Mercy

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12

Hear this word, O children of Israel, that the Lord pronounces over you,
over the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt:

You alone have I favored,
more than all the families of the earth;
Therefore I will punish you
for all your crimes.Do two walk together
unless they have agreed?
Does a lion roar in the forest
when it has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out from its den
unless it has seized something?
Is a bird brought to earth by a snare
when there is no lure for it?
Does a snare spring up from the ground
without catching anything?
If the trumpet sounds in a city,
will the people not be frightened?
If evil befalls a city,
has not the Lord caused it?
Indeed, the Lord God does nothing
without revealing his plan
to his servants, the prophets.The lion roars--
who will not be afraid!
The Lord God speaks--
who will not prophesy!

I brought upon you such upheaval
as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah:
you were like a brand plucked from the fire;
Yet you returned not to me,
says the Lord.

So now I will deal with you in my own way, O Israel!
and since I will deal thus with you,
prepare to meet your God, O Israel.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 5:4b-6a, 6b-7, 8

R. (9a) Lead me in your justice, Lord.
At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you.
For you, O God, delight not in wickedness;
no evil man remains with you;
the arrogant may not stand in your sight.
R. Lead me in your justice, Lord.
You hate all evildoers;
you destroy all who speak falsehood;
The bloodthirsty and the deceitful
the Lord abhors.
R. Lead me in your justice, Lord.
But I, because of your abundant mercy,
will enter your house;
I will worship at your holy temple
in fear of you, O Lord.
R. Lead me in your justice, Lord.

Alleluia Psalm 130:5

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I trust in the Lord;
my soul trusts in his word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea,
so that the boat was being swamped by waves;
but he was asleep.
They came and woke him, saying,
“Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”
Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea,
and there was great calm.
The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this,
whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

Readings for the Optional Memorial of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church

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Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

July 1, 2026 // Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time // Optional Memorial of Saint Junipero Serra, Priest [In the Dioceses of the United States]

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34

Reflect on the Word //

I sat anxiously in the wooden pew, gently swaying back and forth, taking deep breaths—anything to calm my nerves as I waited my turn for Confession. I was deeply overwhelmed by my sinfulness, my heart and thoughts swarming with discontent. I had begun to confess regularly, but my heart had yet to receive the truth of Love and Mercy Himself. The enemy’s taunts overcame my heart and mind, causing me to doubt and question. What if my sins are the exception to His compassion? What if my mistakes are too much for Him?

As I read today’s Gospel, I was struck by the words “he came” (Matthew 8:28). Jesus willingly entered the place where two demoniacs resided. It was a place to be avoided, as the demoniacs made it dangerous for anyone to pass. Jesus went where no one else was willing to go, and He entered into this area of darkness without any fear or hesitation.

As I ponder this in light of my Confession experience, I understand that His desire was never to condemn or hurt me, but to cast out the darkness that separates me from Him. He doesn’t enter into these places only to wipe away my sins, but also to give, to pour out His abundant love and mercy.

Dear sister, He’ll never tire of driving out the darkness from our hearts with His tender yet powerful healing. He’s never afraid to enter into the parts of our hearts that pain us, even the places where we don’t dare to go. We worship a King Whose mercy and loving pursuit remain inexhaustible for all eternity. There is no darkness, sin, or affliction that He isn’t willing to enter and redeem. May we allow this truth to sink deep into our souls, and continue to return to Him.

Relate to the Lord // Make time this week to receive the Sacrament of Confession. Jesus’ love and mercy are waiting for you.

Be a Woman of the Word

About Bella Rol

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Bella Rol is a college student from Monterey, CA and she’s passionate about finding the Lord in the simple things. She was a contributing author to New Wine and GIFT: Eucharistic Study for Teens. In her free time, Bella can be found laughing with her three brothers, enjoying a foamy latte, journaling, doodling, contemplating Jesus in the Eucharist, taking a long walk, or asking Saint Joseph for his intercession.