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Gospel Reading for July 31, 2026 – Matthew 13: 54-58
TRULY
Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed.“Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
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“And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
Indeed, for miracles to happen in our lives, we need faith. Otherwise, we will simply dismiss them as mere coincidences, pure luck, or insist that there is always a logical explanation.
At present, a picture of a crucifix that remained unburnt amid the wildfires in France is making the rounds on the internet. Many believe it is a miracle. Some have even shared their own stories of Bibles, statues of Jesus and Mary, and rosaries that remained intact even after fires had gutted their homes. There have been countless stories like these throughout history, and they continue even today. In fact, some statues and sacred images have come to be known as “miraculous” because of such accounts. Yet, despite all these testimonies, some people remain unconvinced, such as the one who claims that the crucifix must be made of stone and metal that’s why it remained intact, but not considering why the grass around the crucifix were not burned unlike the forest around it.
The recognition of God’s presence in our lives will always depend on our faith. If we have eyes that TRULY see, ears that TRULY hear, and hearts that TRULY feel, it will not be difficult to recognize his presence in our lives and in the world around us. We can encounter him by reflecting on creation, the order of the universe, the human conscience, and the reality of moral truth. Faith goes beyond reason. It is a supernatural gift that we receive from the Holy Spirit.
But if we adamantly refuse to TRULY see, hear, and feel, then whatever happens in the world or in our own lives, nothing will ever be considered a miracle. We will always find another explanation.
We thank you, Lord God, for giving us this precious gift of faith—the grace to TRULY see, hear, and feel your presence in our lives. We are forever grateful. Amen.
