Walking with Jesus: 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time A

For Sunday, August 2, 2026

Isaiah 55:1-3; Romans 8:35, 37-39; Matthew 14:13-21


How grateful am I? How much is “thank you” a part of my everyday language? Have I ever reflected on how much God does for me, cares for me, and leads me to be a person of love — because all I have has been given to me by our Loving God? People we meet have a colorful way of describing how they have made it through their lives: They are proud and somewhat thankful for those who have touched them in business, education, relationships and everyday life, and made them the people they are today. They are proud, grateful and encouraging, but often they appear to be more concerned with themselves. Sometimes we listen and wonder, maybe, where God is in their lives. We can — and should — reflect on the same question ourselves. Am I taking God for granted? Do I call on Him most often in times of need, desperation and emergency? Do I fail to say, “Thank You, God,” for the daily events in my life?

Today’s readings remind us that Jesus is the one who nourishes us, providing us with the sustenance we need. If we but open our eyes we will be amazed at the bounty of nourishment provided us. There is more than we will ever need. God’s goodness and kindness is given freely without payment and without cost.

And nothing can separate us from the love of God.

In modern biblical scholarship the anonymous prophet in the first reading is referred to as Second Isaiah, whose oracles are found in chapters 40-55 of the book of Isaiah. He is encouraging the exiled Jews in Babylon to put their faith in the one God who is merciful and forgiving. This author’s descriptions of God are foundational as to how Jews and Christians think about and relate to God. His theme is that all are invited to come to the Lord to be refreshed and nourished. God’s generosity is seen in the offer of water, grains, wine and milk. While water is essential in the Middle East, it is especially needed in Mediterranean Palestine where grain, wine and milk are dietary staples, and necessary for abundant harvests and healthy flocks. God gives it free of charge — we seldom reflect on this side of God’s generosity. God has established a covenant — “I will be your God … you will be my people” — but the people have violated this time and again, and God is eager to restore that severed bond. God is always forgiving and merciful, so why do I doubt God’s goodness and His invitation to each of us?

Paul’s beautiful eighth chapter of Romans emphasizes that nothing can separate believers from the love of Christ. Now why would Paul say this? Not only is he cautioning his readers that they will encounter suffering that could turn them away from God — doesn’t God like me anymore? — and the longstanding theory of retribution, which holds that good will be rewarded and evil punished. Paul is also saying that misfortune does not separate us from Christ — it unites us with Him in His suffering for each of us.

In the Gospel, Matthew begins with how the death of John the Baptist prompts Jesus to seek a place where he can be by Himself, a need many of us have at the time of a loved one’s passing. Well, the crowds somehow guess where Jesus is going and arrive before Him. Jesus “saw the vast crowd, His heart was moved with pity for them, and He cured their sick.” Again we see how frequently Jesus views our troubles and illnesses, and cares for us and loves us all the time. Then Jesus conveys a common theme of His ministry — that of the life-giving care and love of God exactly where we are now, whether we are sad, hurting or whatever. And Jesus tells His disciples, “Give them some food yourselves.” [Matthew 14:16] Well, we don’t have enough. But like the disciples, we have a mission. We are always with people, and we have been gifted and blessed. Our mission is to do those things that make a real difference in people’s lives, addressing the many hungers they face. How am I doing in this?

So I reflect on:

• Do I recognize the gifts of God in my everyday life?
• Paul says nothing separates us from the love of God. I can think of many things that can separate me from God, but not God from me. How can I return to that love of God?

Sacred Space 2026 states:

“You knew, Lord, that it was dangerous to burn the candle at both ends and therefore made sure, insofar as You could, that You created time and space for renewal, not only for Yourself but for Your devotees as well. Remind us to be as prudent so that we can also find food for the body and the spirit for those who seek it from us.”