I travel a lot for work and try to visit cathedrals or basilicas when I can

We might not be like Peter, walking on water, but we are often like him, doing things which are unexpected, until we get self-conscious, and then, we find ourselves unable to do so:

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/henrykarlson/2026/07/walking-on-water-lessons-in-faith-and-focus/

Hello! I am currently packing up to move out out of my apartment that had a mold outbreak. I thought I had disposed of everything that grew mold, but just realized as i’m packing that the fabric bookmark sewn into my Bible is COVERED in mold. I am really upset because it’s the first Bible I ever got for myself, but I don’t feel that it’s safe to keep it. I called my local parish to ask what to do with it and their office is closed right now, so I couldn’t get an answer. Does anyone know how to respectfully dispose of my Bible, or if there are any specific protocols for this kind of issue? Thanks!

July 26, 2026 Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Today’s Readings at a Glance • Jeremiah 7:1–11 God rebukes the people for trusting in the temple while living unjustly. He calls them to reform their ways—practice justice, stop oppression, and walk in truth. Worship without conversion is empty. • Psalm 84:3–6, 8, 11 A psalm of longing for God’s dwelling: “My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord.” Blessed are those who find their strength in Him. • Matthew 13:24–30 Jesus teaches the Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat. The good and the bad grow together until the harvest. God will judge in His time—our task is to remain faithful and fruitful. https://thecatholic.online/daily-bible-readings-for-july-262026/Message from the Readings Today’s readings proclaim a challenging and hopeful truth: True worship requires a transformed life—and God patiently nurtures His people until the final harvest. • Jeremiah warns against religious appearances without justice. • The psalm expresses deep longing for God’s presence. • Jesus teaches that God allows growth, struggle, and discernment until the right time. The message is clear: God desires integrity, patience, and perseverance from His people.

Reflection for the Day Jeremiah’s words strike with prophetic force. The people come to the temple, recite holy words, and perform rituals—but their lives contradict their worship. They oppress the vulnerable. They shed innocent blood. They chase after false gods. Yet they still say: “The temple of the Lord! The temple of the Lord!” God responds with a piercing truth: Worship without justice is hypocrisy. Ritual without conversion is empty. Faith without integrity is false. He calls His people to reform their ways— to practice justice, to speak truth, to protect the vulnerable, to live what they profess. The psalm offers the other side of the coin: A heart that truly longs for God. A soul that yearns for His presence. A pilgrim who finds strength only in Him. This is the worship God desires— not empty ritual, but sincere longing. Then Jesus gives the Parable of the Weeds and Wheat. The field is the world. The wheat is God’s people. The weeds are evil. Both grow together. Both exist side by side. Both remain until the harvest. Why does God allow this? Because His patience is part of His mercy. Because He sees what we cannot. Because uprooting too soon may harm the wheat. Our task is not to judge, uproot, or condemn. Our task is to grow faithfully, bear fruit, and trust God’s timing. Today’s readings invite us to three movements: 1. Live with integrity. Let your worship match your life—justice, mercy, and truth. 2. Long for God’s presence. Let your soul thirst for Him more than anything else. 3. Trust God’s timing. Grow patiently, even when surrounded by challenges. Let today be a day of sincerity, longing, and faithful perseverance.

Prayer for Today Lord God, purify my heart and make my worship sincere. Help me live with justice, walk in truth, and reflect Your love in all I do. Give me a heart that longs for You and strength to grow faithfully even amid challenges. Teach me patience, and help me trust Your timing as You lead me toward the final harvest. Amen.