July 9, 2026
Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Or Optional Memorial of Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions, Martyrs
Gospel: Mt 10:7-15

Today is Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates today the Optional Memorial of Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions, Martyrs. In the Chinese missionary region and among Chinese-speaking Catholic communities, this liturgical celebration is typically observed as a Feast or Solemnity. For pastoral reasons, we offer two distinct versions of reflections this year.

The Gospel passage for Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time continues from yesterday’s reading. Matthew proceeds to recount the instructions Jesus gave to His twelve apostles when He first sent them forth to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom. Let us attempt some reflection.

Jesus instructed the apostles going forth to proclaim the Kingdom to first declare that “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” He further charged them to proclaim the Gospel to the sick, to those living under the shadow of death, to those afflicted with physical or spiritual sores, and to those bound by the devil, the flesh, and the world (cf. Mt 10:7-8). This was intended to demonstrate to the world that the Kingdom He proclaimed stood in stark contrast to the “Kingdom of God” preached by the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, elders of the people, and chief priests of that time. Their conception of God’s Kingdom centered on a God who rewards the good and punishes the wicked, a God who delights in sacrifice and who harshly chastises those who fail to offer Him oblations—a realm entered only through ritual offering. But the Kingdom of God preached by Jesus is a Kingdom ruled by a God who loves all, a God who is Love alone; whoever is loved by God may enter His Kingdom.

Today, we too are called to go forth and proclaim the Kingdom as Jesus taught. But how do we proclaim it? I believe many brothers and sisters have had this experience: At times, filled with zeal, they journey to unfamiliar environments to evangelize. Instinctively, they seek suitable lodging and amenities, even planning the budget for the mission before it begins. Should the projected costs exceed their means, or if local accommodation falls short of their expectations, they choose to abandon the effort. Other brothers and sisters initially integrate well into their communities, but over time, divisions arise. They then invoke the words from today’s Gospel: “Whoever does not receive you or listen to your words—go out of that house or town and shake the dust off your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town” (cf. Mt 10:14-15), seeking to justify their departure and the resulting schism.

To those brothers and sisters harboring such thoughts, I wish to say: There are moments when we all feel disheartened and hopeless. Sometimes, we may even grow resentful toward God and those we serve, resolving to sever ties. When such thoughts arise, let us turn to Jesus hanging upon the Cross, imploring His mercy. May He manifest His power within us, dispelling every negative inclination and obstacle that hinders our path to God, so that we may remain ever centered on the Word of God and faithfully proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom.

O God, who in the abasement of your Son have raised up a fallen world, fill your faithful with holy joy, for on those you have rescued from slavery to sin you bestow eternal gladness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica