regan.ocd – SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER

July 13, 2026July 14, 2026

14 JULY 2026

5 things to know about the sacrament of reconciliation - Catholic Review

TUESDAY, FIFTEENTH IN ORDINARY TIME

Is 7: 1-9 Ps 48: 2-8 Mt 11: 20-24

RECONCILIATION BRINGS SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION

The reflection on today’s Word of God, ought to commence with the meaning of the word ‘Woe’. It means a condition of deep suffering from misfortune, affliction, or grief. The misfortune of grief in the gospel today is that the cities where Jesus did many mighty miracles, did not repent from their sins and turn to God. They did not recognize God had come to save them. Hence, they shall experience deep suffering. It is not a curse or a punishment given to them by Jesus. It is the just consequence of unrepentant sin. ‘Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church.’ (CCC 1440)

The amazing part is that the whole of humanity was headed towards this ‘Woe’. But Jesus came and did a mighty work for us. He embraced our sins, taking it all on himself, and through his death on the cross, defeated sin, and rose from the dead emerging victorious in that final battle. This mighty work of Jesus is a free gift to those who repent, believe and receive Him. Jesus also points out that other cities would have repented with sackcloth and ashes if these mighty works had been done there. What then is the significance of ‘sackcloth and ashes’? It represents deep mourning, humility and an external display of internal contrition and sorrow. It is important that our repentance be genuine, turning our hearts back to God and accompanied with a real sorrow and mourning for sins and failure committed. This is the real essence of the sacrament of confession.

‘Indeed the sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true “spiritual resurrection,” restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God.’ (CCC 1468) Woe to us if we do not receive this spiritual resurrection that Christ promises to us and a chance to experience this friendship with God while we are still alive.

Response: God upholds his city for ever.

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026

13 JULY 2026

Choose Christ Above All Else For True Fulfillment | TikTok

MONDAY, FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Memorial of St Teresa los Andes

Is 1: 10-17 Ps 50: 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23 Mt 10:34–11:1

CHOOSING CHRIST ABOVE ALL

The words of Jesus in this Gospel may sound difficult and unsettling. We often imagine Jesus bringing comfort and peace, yet here He speaks of division, sacrifice, and the cross. Christ is not encouraging hatred within families; rather, He reminds us that true discipleship demands total commitment. Sometimes choosing truth, justice, forgiveness, and faithfulness to God can create misunderstanding even among those closest to us. Many people experience this in daily life. A young woman once decided to dedicate time every weekend to serving abandoned elderly people in a care home. Her family criticized her, saying she was wasting her time instead of focusing on her career and life. Though hurt by their words, she continued serving with love and patience. Years later, she shared that those moments of sacrifice brought her closer to purpose in Christ. By carrying her small cross faithfully, she discovered a deeper joy and peace.

Jesus tells us, “Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me.” The cross is not only suffering; it is every act of love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and fidelity that costs us something. It may mean standing for honesty when others choose corruption, remaining faithful in prayer during spiritual dryness, forgiving someone who deeply hurts us, or choosing kindness when it is easier to remain indifferent.

St Teresa of Avila faced criticism and opposition while reforming the Carmelite Order, yet she spoke with unwavering faith and courage, trusting that God would help to complete the work. St John of the Cross endured much suffering, but he never stopped proclaiming God’s love through prayer, silence, and total surrender to Christ. St Thérèse of Lisieux embraced hidden sacrifices with childlike trust, teaching that even the smallest acts done with great love become precious in God’s eyes. Holiness is found not only in extraordinary deeds, but also in simple daily actions, and quiet sacrifices offered wholeheartedly to God.

Response: To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

July 10, 2026July 10, 2026

12th JULY 2026

15^ Domenica ordinaria Anno A/ 13.7.2014 – Chiesa di San Rocco

SUNDAY, FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Is 55: 10-11 Ps 65: 10-14 Rom 8: 18-23 Mt 13: 1-23

TO AN OTHERWISE PAINFUL JOURNEY

Jesus very probably was passionately thrilled with the magic of the agriculture. He was indeed a keen observer of greenery around; of the process of growth and productivity in plant world, to the extent that he used that paradigm to communicate very effectively the lofty lessons of inner spiritual growth and of values of God’s kingdom. God’s Word that was God himself in the beginning, that created the whole universe out of nothing with a word, that same word that became flesh in Jesus is sown into the soil of human life to produce abundant harvest, because it is necessarily meant to produce the abundant fruit. Yes, the Lord says it will not return without having produced the fruits. There is a sure assurance that human story will culminate in an eternal smile.

The parable of the Sower, is more a parable of the seed that passing through very many strange stages ends up in the wonder of multiplying itself very many times, is capable of feeding not merely the Sower and his family, but also the wider world of the birds of the air and other creatures. In fact, every seed comes well packed with energy to survive the ordeals, all the script and potential enough to go through the process of germination, growth and productivity. It includes the supply of copious rainwater of grace from above at the right time, to be productive and fulfilled. But despite that much care, that sadly doesn’t always happen. In spite of everything from the side of God the human freedom can do what was not intended by God. It can cut short the path for immediate solutions. Yet the most astonishing aspect of the parable is the extraordinary optimism of the Sower. He does not carefully measure where every seed falls. He scatters generously, lavishly. Some seeds fall on the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some on rich soil. This is precisely how God deals with us. He never ceases to sow His grace into our lives, even when previous harvests have been disappointing. Every sunrise, every Eucharist, every page of Scripture, every movement of repentance is another seed falling into the field of our heart.

Moreover, the seed works silently. Once buried beneath the soil, it disappears from sight. For a time, nothing seems to happen. Yet beneath the surface a hidden transformation is taking place. The Kingdom of God often grows in the same hidden manner. We may not immediately see the fruits of prayer, sacrifice, forgiveness, or fidelity to our vocation. At times we may even feel that our efforts are fruitless. But God is at work in the depths of the soul where human eyes cannot see. This should fill us with hope. The Lord is more patient with our growth than we are with ourselves. He sees not only what we are today but also what we can become through His grace. The tiny seed contains the promise of a mighty harvest. Likewise, every act of faith, however small, contains within it the possibility of holiness. God never abandons the work He has begun in us; He continues to cultivate, nourish, and patiently wait for the harvest of eternal life.

St. Paul warns us that our sufferings which often make us feel God’s absence, are precisely meant to make right choices to move towards the crucified Jesus and to happiness in self-less love and not to drift to loneliness and despair away from God. We and the whole creation is waiting in hope for the final transformation of humanity. We can reach fullness only through Calvary.

Thank you, Jesus, for making me clear that I am meant from the beginning of time to produce the fruits if happiness and selfless live. Thank you Lord for understanding that it is I who allowed the field of my heart to be turned into a busy thoroughfare with so much traffic and messy transactions and there is so much deaf resistance in me that your whisper of the voice to make me sensible, is often lost in the din of superficial life. Lord draw me to you so that my soul may not be a barren land but produce the right harvests of love.

Response: The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.

July 10, 2026July 10, 2026

11th JULY 2026

Due passeri non si vendono forse per un soldo? – Kalaritana Media

SATURDAY, FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Memorial of St. Benedict

Is 6: 1-8 Ps 93: 1-2, 5 Mt 10: 24-33

HAVE NO FEAR

Two attributes of God are presented to us today. Isaiah has a vision in which he sees the glory, majesty and holiness of God. God’s power is manifested in the ‘shaking of the foundations of the threshold at the voice of God’; an utterly awe-inspiring encounter which reveals the absolute transcendence of God. Contrasting this, we have the words of Jesus, in the gospel, where He assures his listeners that this transcendent God is so close to us that he even knows the number of hairs on our head! These two attributes: transcendence and closeness, are in fact not contrasts, but complimentary. And what holds them together is God’s love for us. Our human condition, however, may lead us to doubt or question both the power and the love of God.

Our world today is shrouded in uncertainty, wars, financial and health concerns, loss of freedom; a situation which naturally evokes a sense of fear. Yet Jesus invites us to ‘have no fear! ‘and to trust in an all-powerful and loving God. Trials, persecution, suffering are a part of our spiritual growth. They are inevitable. Jesus does not promise immunity, but strength to endure them. And this he has shown through his own example. We do not have a God who commands slavish allegiance from a distance. Rather by becoming like us and sharing our human condition fully, Jesus has shown that there is life and hope beyond the seemingly hopeless and defeating experiences of life. We are invited to not only share the glory of Christ, but to share in his warfare and agony. To suffer for Christ is to share in the work of Christ. By sharing in the fellowship of His sufferings, we shall also know the power of His resurrection. All our struggles will lead to victory.

May the prayer of St. Teresa of Avila “Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing. God never changes. Patience obtains all things. They who have God lack nothing; God alone is enough,” inspire us in our moments of weakness, and let us make it our own!

Response: The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

July 9, 2026July 9, 2026

10TH JULY 2026

Evangelho do Dia: Mt 10,16-23 - Rádio Rainha da Paz

FRIDAY, FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Hos 14: 1-9 Ps 51: 3-4, 8-9, 12-14 and 17 Mt 10: 16-23

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

To follow Christ is not to step onto a path of ease, but to embrace a journey marked by courage, patience, and unwavering perseverance. The Christian life does not magically remove suffering from the human experience; rather, it holds together both profound joy and intense trial within the grand mystery of God’s salvific plan. Human freedom plays a crucial role here. How we choose to respond to these challenging moments becomes our personal cooperation with divine grace, turning ordinary struggles into a sacred dialogue with the Creator. In the face of these inevitable trials, the disciple is never left alone to falter. Christ explicitly assures us of the gift of the Holy Spirit, who acts as our advocate, guide, and constant source of supernatural strength. Our perseverance, therefore, is not merely a product of human willpower or grit, but a beautiful synergy with God’s grace. Our fundamental task is fidelity remaining steadfast and rooted in prayer even amid difficulties.

The first reading reveals this commitment. We witness the striking imagery of how God relentlessly calls the people of Israel back to Himself, even in the midst of their blatant unfaithfulness and spiritual adultery. God remains merciful, continually inviting them back into the desert to restore the fractured divine relationship. This powerful narrative stands as a timeless reminder that God’s boundless mercy is infinitely greater than any human failure. Consequently, when we face daily struggles, modern-day persecutions, or even painful rejection because of our faith, we must pray for the grace to stay strong. Let us ask God to fill us with His Spirit so we can make the right ethical choices and possess the spiritual stamina to endure. In the Gospel, Jesus practically equips us for this mission by reminding us to be innocent as doves and wise as serpents. This means we are called to live with a pure, transparent heart, while simultaneously exercising sharp discernment and wisdom when dealing with the complexities of the world around us. Discipleship is certainly not easy, but we are never alone. If we stay faithful, God will faithfully carry us through every challenge.

Response: My mouth will declare your praise.

July 8, 2026July 9, 2026

9th JULY 2026

My Reflections...: 1Reflection for July 7, Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 10:7-15

THURSDAY, FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Hos 11: 1-4, 8-9 Ps 80: 2-3, 15-16 Mt 10: 7-15

FAITHFUL MISSIONARIES OF CHRIST

The apostles who were molded by Jesus, faithfully followed his instructions, and because of their obedience, trust, and dependence on God, they became powerful and effective missionaries of the Gospel.

The first instruction Jesus gave to His disciples was to proclaim repentance. Acts 2:38, reveals St Peter preaching: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This message touched the hearts of the people, and about three thousand were converted on that very day.

The second instruction given by Jesus was to “cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons.” The apostles faithfully continued this healing ministry of Jesus. Again in Acts 3:1ff, Peter and John heals a crippled beggar at the temple gate. Also, in Acts 9:36–42, Tabitha is raised from the dead by the Apostles. These miracles revealed that the risen Jesus continued His saving work through the apostles.

The third instruction of Jesus was: “You received without payment; give without payment.” The apostles obeyed this command during their public ministry. When Simon (Acts 8:18-20) saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. But Peter rebuked him sternly. The apostles understood that God’s grace is not for sale. Everything they had received from Christ was a free gift, and therefore it had to be shared freely with others.

The fourth instruction was not to depend on gold or silver. Jesus wanted His disciples to trust completely in God’s providence rather than in material possessions. The apostles lived this teaching faithfully. We have the words of Peter “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk” (Acts 3:6).

Like the Apostles we too are invited to mirror the life of Jesus—a life of love, forgiveness, humility, simplicity, poverty, compassion, and generosity. The world does not only need preachers of the Gospel; it needs living examples of the Gospel.

Response: Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.

July 6, 2026July 7, 2026

8th JULY 2026

My Reflections...: Reflection for July 10, Wednesday: Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 10:1-7

WEDNESDAY, FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Hos 10: 1-3, 7-8, 12 Ps 105: 2-7 Mt 10: 1-7

THE FIRST MISSIONARIES

In today’s first reading Hosea speaks against the idolatry of Israel. The hopes for moral reform and for a return to social justice have turned into empty words and false promises. God is asking them and us, to sow integrity and reap a harvest of kindness, to break with the past and to seek the Lord. Mt.10:5 reflects Matthew’s understanding of the mission of Jesus and the church. The pre-Easter mission of Jesus is restricted to Israel. The mission of the risen Lord reaches out through His disciples to all nations. The appointment of the Twelve is not merely as helpers. The Gospel is clear, he elected Apostles to be with him, and to be sent out (Mk 3:13), They symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel, and so stand for the new people of God which Jesus founds.

The discourse puts together certain sayings of Jesus, some of which seem to have been addressed to His first disciples when they were sent to preach in Galilee. The sayings were spoken in different places and at different times, but today, the liturgy addresses the same to us! We are not, of course, to follow literally the instructions given, many of which were meant for missionaries in situation very different from our own. But the attitudes they inculcate (detachment, dependence on God rather than on human techniques, courage in the face of opposition) must inform mission today and be translated into appropriate ways of acting. It is not the letter of the instruction that matters, but it’s Spirit.

The Father is the one who sends messengers into the world to gather those who believe in His love and promises. He also sends His spirits to move the minds and the hearts of their listeners. It is through the Spirit that the uneducated messengers are able to boldly proclaim and preach Christ. The Father sends His Son to the earth and in turn the Son sends His apostles. The Father entrusts to Jesus the realization of this plan, and the Church takes upon herself the continuation of the work initiated by Jesus.

Response: Seek always the face of the Lord.

July 6, 2026July 6, 2026

7th JULY 2026

The Gospel of the day: 6th July – Archdiocese of Malta

TUESDAY, FOURTEENTH IN ORDINARY TIME

Hos 8: 4-7, 11-13 Ps 115: 3-10 Mt 9: 32-38

DIFFERENT MINDS, DIFFERENT PEOPLE

In today’s Gospel, we encounter four types of people. It is worth pausing at each one to ponder what they can teach us.

The main character is the mute demoniac. Helpless and severely deprived of his basic mental and physical faculties, he nevertheless allows himself to be led by others. God uses his neighbours to guide him toward wholeness. Though possessed, he yields to Divine mercy. This adds a lesson to our own lives: No matter how deeply broken we may be, there remains an unquenchable, divinely planted spark within each of us that continuously draws us back toward the Source of all goodness. Can we pause to thank God for embedding this sacred, inescapable longing deep within our souls, which silently rescues us even when we feel most lost?

The second group consists of the “others.” These are the ones who brought the demoniac to Jesus. Little is known about them, except that they took the trouble to guide him because they wanted him healed. We are not told what their motives must have been! Yet, the healing was actualized only because of their actions. Afterward, they shared in the collective amazement, wondering if Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Notice their shift in focus from the demoniac to Jesus; their interest moves from an ordinary man to the Son of David.

Then we have the third type: the Pharisees. They demonstrate how a deep-seated prejudice against someone, in this case against Jesus, can create a vast chasm. They are unable to give Him even a single chance to be right; their judgment is already formed and their reasoning is blinded. Much like the demoniac, their mental faculties are severely impaired. Today, let us shake off the negativity that clings to us when we encounter people we have disliked in the past. Let us give love a chance.

Finally, we look at Jesus. Today’s Gospel is sandwiched between two other passages of healing. He continues doing good despite the Pharisees because His focus remains entirely on the works His Father entrusted to Him. Can I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus?

Response: The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.

July 5, 2026July 5, 2026

6th JULY 2026

My Reflections...: Reflection for July 8, Monday: Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 9:18-26

MONDAY, FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Hos 2: 14-16, 19-20 Ps 145: 2-9 Mt 9: 18-26

COMPASSION MADE VISIBLE IN JESUS

The Carmelite tradition invites us to encounter God in tender love, revealed through His kindness, mercy, and unfailing compassion. Today’s readings draw us into this intimate experience of a God who heals, restores, and lovingly calls us back to Himself.

In the First Reading, the Lord speaks with deep affection. He gently draws the soul away from distractions into a place of encounter, leading it into a quiet and intimate space where He speaks to the heart. This is not a distant God, but one who desires closeness and relationship. For Carmelites, this “desert” is the interior life where, in silence and prayer, God reveals His mercy to us. He does not condemn unfaithfulness but instead promises restoration and a renewed relationship rooted in steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness. The Psalm echoes this truth by reminding us that the Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and rich in love. This is the God whom Carmelites contemplate: a God whose mercy sustains all creation and whose compassion reaches every wounded heart. His kindness is not abstract; but active, personal, and transformative. Gospel reveals this compassion in Jesus. He responds to a grieving father and a suffering woman with the same tender mercy. The woman, who had suffered for many years, reaches out in faith, and Jesus, aware of her silent plea, restores her dignity and health. He then takes the hand of the young girl and brings her back to life. These actions reveal a God who notices even the hidden pain, who responds with love, and who restores life where there is despair.

For the Carmelite soul, these passages are an invitation to trust deeply in God’s merciful love. In prayer, we bring our brokenness, our weakness, and our longing, and we discover that God meets us not with judgment, but with compassion. His kindness heals, His mercy renews, and His love draws us into a deeper union with Him. In this gentle encounter, we learn to rest in His heart and to become, in turn, instruments of His compassion in the world.

Response: The Lord is gracious and merciful.

July 3, 2026July 14, 2026

15th JULY 2026

A Look at 'Interior Castle' by St. Teresa of Ávila – The Deacon

WEDNESDAY, FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Memorial of St Bonaventure

Is 10: 5-7, 13-16 Ps 94: 5-10, 14-15 Mt 11: 25-27

LIVING A TRINITARIAN LIFE

Judah’s encounter with Assyria in 732 continued as the pattern that they understood and expressed in their attitude towards successive imperial powers. These include Babylon, Persia and Greece. Other nations were victorious over Judah and they understood their loss as God’s will for them. It was seen as God’s way of punishing them for living a sinful life. The Israelites were invited by God time and again to change their behaviour and actions. The imagery used is of presenting Assyria as the axe. YHWH is the one wielding it. The success that Assyria has is because of YHWH. Assyria cannot take pride for their actions and behaviour against Israel and Judah. The Lord is Sovereign is the Lord of every nation, including Assyria. Assyria which lays Israel and Judah to waste will face God’s wrath against it. The text invites us to examine our own pride? How do I respond to such situations of pride in my life?

The responsorial psalm assures us that “the Lord will not forsake His people.” God’s justice is not absent. At times, it may appear to be delayed. God is always faithful and His commitment to us is unwavering. We are invited to be patient and place our hope in the Lord.

In the day’s Gospel, Jesus offers a prayer of thanksgiving. He says “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants.” Jesus’ revelation of the Father is His free gift to us. The wise and intelligent are those who rely on their intellectual pride. The infants represent those who are humble, open and place their total trust in God. We understand the mysteries of God by having childlike faith. Jesus invites us to grow in our relationship with Him and the Father. He has sent the Holy Spirit to help us. Can I model my relationships with others on the Holy Trinity. Let us pause and ask for grace to live our life in a Trinitarian relationship with others.

Response: The Lord will not abandon his people.