Daily Readings
In the tenth month of the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his whole army advanced against Jerusalem, encamped around it, and built siege walls on every side. The siege of the city continued until the eleventh year of Zedekiah. On the ninth day of the fourth month, when famine had gripped the city, and the people had no more bread, the city walls were breached. Then the king and all the soldiers left the city by night through the gate between the two walls that was near the king’s garden. Since the Chaldeans had the city surrounded, they went in the direction of the Arabah. But the Chaldean army pursued the king and overtook him in the desert near Jericho, abandoned by his whole army.
The king was therefore arrested and brought to Riblah to the king of Babylon, who pronounced sentence on him. He had Zedekiah’s sons slain before his eyes. Then he blinded Zedekiah, bound him with fetters, and had him brought to Babylon.
On the seventh day of the fifth month (this was in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon), Nebuzaradan, captain of the bodyguard,
came to Jerusalem as the representative of the king of Babylon. He burned the house of the LORD, the palace of the king, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every large building was destroyed by fire. Then the Chaldean troops who were with the captain of the guard tore down the walls that surrounded Jerusalem.
Then Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, led into exile the last of the people remaining in the city, and those who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the last of the artisans. But some of the country’s poor, Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, left behind as vinedressers and farmers.
RESPONSORIAL Psalm:
PS 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
Response: (R): Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
By the streams of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. On the aspens of that land we hung up our harps. <R>
Though there our captors asked of us the lyrics of our songs, And our despoilers urged us to be joyous: “Sing for us the songs of Zion!” <R>
How could we sing a song of the LORD in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand be forgotten! <R>
May my tongue cleave to my palate if I remember you not, If I place not Jerusalem ahead of my joy. <R>
SECOND READING;
ACTS 13:22-26
In those days, Paul said: “God raised up David as king; of him God testified, I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish. From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’
“My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent.”
GOSPEL: Matthew 8:1-4
When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”
DAILY REFLECTION: 26 June 2026
Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
The first reading tells us about the Babylonian Exile which completes the destruction of the identity of Israel. The three pillars of Israel’s identity – land, Temple and king – are all brought to naught. Israel always believed that they were God’s Chosen People – and indeed they were – but forgot that to be ‘chosen’ implied a mission and a job to be done. The destruction of Jerusalem was a reminder of how far removed they were from their calling as a Chosen People.
The Exilic Psalm – “May my tongue cleave to my mouth if I do not place Jerusalem ahead of my joys” – refocuses on what matters
The Gospel reminds us that God is always willing to reach out and restore us. A leper – considered a social outcast on account of disease – is healed by the touch of Jesus.
Are you ready to implore the Lord, in the words of the leper, “Lord, if you wish you can make me clean?” In experiencing the words and the touch of Jesus, we are healed and our identity is restored.
Source : Archdiocese of Bombay