Sunday, July 19, 2026

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday Ordinary Time

Holy Day of Obligation

Selected Mass Reading

Gospel — Matthew 13:24-43

Another parable he proposed to them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that sowed good seed in his field. But while men were asleep, his enemy came and oversowed cockle among the wheat and went his way. And when the blade was sprung up, and had brought forth fruit, then appeared also the cockle. And the servants of the good man of the house coming said to him. Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? Whence then hath it cockle? And he said to them: An enemy hath done this. And the servants said to him: Wilt thou that we go and gather it up? And he said: No, lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it. Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather up first the cockle, and bind it into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my barn. Another parable he proposed unto them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. Which is the least indeed of all seeds; but when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come, and dwell in the branches thereof. Another parable he spoke to them: The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened. All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes: and without parables he did not speak to them. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. Then having sent away the multitudes, he came into the house, and his disciples came to him, saying: Expound to us the parable of the cockle of the field. Who made answer and said to them: He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man. And the field is the world. And the good seed are the children of the kingdom. And the cockle are the children of the wicked one. And the enemy that sowed them, is the devil. But the harvest is the end of the world. And the reapers are the angels. Even as cockle therefore is gathered up, and burnt with fire: so shall it be at the end of the world. The Son of man shall send his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all scandals, and them that work iniquity. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the just shine as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Feast Days

Arsenius the Great Monk, Hermit, Desert Father 354–449

Saint Arsenius the Great was born around 350 in Rome, into a Christian senatorial family. Brilliantly educated in rhetoric and philosophy, fluent in Latin and Greek, he gained a reputation for wisdom and holiness. Ordained a deacon, he was sent to Constantinople about 383 to tutor the sons of Emperor Theodosius I, the future emperors Arcadius and Honorius. Though surrounded by imperial splendor, Arsenius felt an ever-deepening call to renounce the world. He left the court, sailed to Alexandria, and sought the hidden life among the Desert Fathers at Scetis, where his humility was tested and his heart purified. For more than fifty years he lived as an anchorite, devoted to prayer, manual labor, and silence, guarding his union with God and teaching by example. His sayings—especially his repentance for words spoken and peace in silence—shaped Christian asceticism and contemplative life for centuries. He died near Troe in Egypt around 445, revered as “the Great,” and is honored as patron of Sant’Arsenio. His feast day is July 19.

Symmachus Pope, Bishop of Rome, Catholic priest, Author 460–514

Saint Symmachus was born on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia under Vandal rule, the son of Fortunatus. Though raised a pagan, he came to Rome, was baptized, and served the Church faithfully, becoming archdeacon under Pope Anastasius II. On 22 November 498 he was elected Bishop of Rome, but his pontificate was immediately shaken by a rival election that sparked a bitter schism. King Theodoric the Great was asked to arbitrate, and Symmachus was recognized as pope, yet accusations and political intrigue continued, leading to contentious synods, public unrest, and even violence in the streets of Rome. Amid these trials, Symmachus held firmly to the dignity of the apostolic office, and a synod ultimately declared that the pope could not be judged by other bishops, entrusting the matter to God. After years of division, royal support for the rival claimant ended and Symmachus regained the city’s churches. He also strengthened ties with other local churches, granting the pallium to Caesarius of Arles. He is venerated for steadfast leadership during schism and turmoil. His feast day is July 19.