Sunday 5 July 2026

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

First Reading - Zechariah 9.9-10

A reading from the book of the prophet Zechariah. Rejoice, O Zion, and shout aloud, O Jerusalem, for your king is here, your righteous saviour, humble, and riding on a donkey. He will banish the chariots of battle and the weapons of war. He will command peace for all nations, across the whole land, and to the ends of the earth. This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - Romans 8.1-4

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the spirit of life, in Christ Jesus, has set us free from the power of sin and death. In the weakness of our human flesh, the law could never set us free. But God has now done what the law could not do. By sending God’s own Son, in human flesh, like a perfect sacrifice for sin, God has destroyed the power of sin and death. And so we finally enter into the righteousness that the law intended, living now not by our weak human flesh, but by the spirit. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Matthew 11.18-19, 25-30

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Jesus said, ‘John the Baptist came, neither eating nor drinking, and they said he had a demon. The Son of Man comes, eating and drinking, and they call him a glutton, a drunkard, and a friend of sinners. But wisdom is known by her deeds.’ And Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to your children what you have hidden from the scholar and the scribe. You have trusted me with all things, as Father to Son, so that others will come to know you, Father, as I know you.’ And Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you that are weary, with heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Walk with me, and learn from me; for the burden I will place upon you will fit you well, and will not overwhelm you. For I am gentle, and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your soul.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.