FRIDAY OF THE EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | AUGUST 7, 2026 |

FRIDAY OF THE EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | AUGUST 7, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/friday-of-the-eighteenth-week-in-ordinary-time-year-a-august-7-2026/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | AUGUST 7, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-7th/

MEMORIAL OF SAINT SIXTUS II, POPE AND MARTYR,  AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS AND SAINT CAJETAN, PRIEST

History of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION | AUGUST 6-14TH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-our-lady-of-the-assumption/

NOVENA TO SAINT PHILOMENA | AUGUST 2ND-10TH | The 2026 Novena to Saint Philomena is scheduled to begin Sunday, August 2nd and end on August 10th. This novena honors Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, a powerful intercessor and Wonder-Worker, asking her help for purity, courage, and trust in God. Feast of St. Philomena is celebrated on August 11th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-saint-philomena/

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | August 7, 2026 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-august-7-2026/

DAILY PRAYERS: St. Michael the Archangel Prayer; Angelus Prayer; and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/st-michael-the-archangel-prayer-angelus-prayer-and-the-chaplet-of-divine-mercy-prayer-2/

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, as we celebrate Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time, we also mark the First Friday of the month, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we are invited to contemplate Christ’s boundless love poured out for humanity, to make reparation for sins, and to grow in trust and fidelity. The Church commemorates Saint Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr, and his Companions, alongside Saint Cajetan, Priest. We also continue our spiritual preparation on Day 2 of the Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption and Day 6 of the Novena to Saint Philomena. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us of the true cost and glory of discipleship: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” This call to self-surrender and total trust in God shines brightly in the lives of today’s saints. Pope Saint Sixtus II and his companions willingly laid down their lives for the Holy Eucharist during a period of fierce Roman persecution, choosing fidelity to Christ over temporary survival. Century later, Saint Cajetan abandoned his noble status and wealth to serve the poor, sick, and unemployed, co-founding an order that relied entirely on God’s divine providence. Paired with Nahum’s prophecy of God’s ultimate triumph over evil and the Psalmist’s declaration that God holds power over life and justice, today’s reflections urge us to look past worldly gain and place our ultimate security in the Lord.

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings for Friday, August 7, 2026 | Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1: Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7
Responsorial Psalm: Deuteronomy 32:35cd-36ab, 39abcd, 41
Gospel: Matthew 16:24-28

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 16:24-28

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.'”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

In today’s Gospel, Jesus sets before us the stark and transformative cost of discipleship. Following Christ is not a path of worldly comfort or self-indulgence, but a conscious decision to surrender our own will, embrace our daily crosses, and walk in His footsteps. Jesus asks a piercing question that echoes through every generation: “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” Earthly wealth, status, and control are fleeting, but the salvation of our souls is eternal. When we willingly surrender our selfish ambitions and hand over our lives for Christ’s sake, we do not lose anything of true value; rather, we discover the fullness of eternal life and true freedom.

In the First Reading, the prophet Nahum announces the collapse of Nineveh, the tyrannical city known for its oppression, lies, and violence. Nahum reassures the suffering people of Judah that evil will not have the final word, for God will restore the vine of Jacob and bring peace to those who trust in Him. The Responsorial Psalm from Deuteronomy reinforces this truth of divine sovereignty: “It is I who deal death and give life.” God alone holds power over life, death, and ultimate justice. While earthly powers and oppressive forces may boast in their temporary strength, God’s righteous judgment will ultimately prevail, bringing vindication and mercy to His faithful servants.

Together, these scriptures challenge us to evaluate where we place our trust and where we seek our security. The pride of Nineveh crumbled because it relied on worldly dominance, whereas the disciple of Christ flourishes by choosing the path of humble self-denial and trust in God’s supreme power. Carrying our daily cross can be heavy and difficult, but it is the very road that leads to victory and heavenly glory. Are you clinging to temporary worldly desires and self-protection, or are you willing to surrender your life into Christ’s hands and take up your cross daily? May we always choose the eternal reward over temporary gain, trusting that in losing ourselves for Jesus, we truly find our salvation.

Heavenly Father, You hold all power in Your hands and love us with a righteous and merciful heart. Grant us the courage to deny ourselves, take up our daily crosses, and follow Your beloved Son without hesitation. When we are tempted by the illusions of worldly success or weighed down by the trials of life, remind us of the priceless value of our eternal souls. Strengthen us to stand firm in faith, knowing that You fight for us and turn every hardship into a path of glory. We place our lives, our burdens, and our futures into Your hands. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | AUGUST 7TH:

Link to Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections | August 7th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com

Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Sixtus II and Saint Cajetan | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-7th/

SAINT SIXTUS II, POPE AND MARTYR, AND COMPANIONS: In the midst of fierce persecution under Emperor Valerian, Pope Sixtus II (d. 258 A.D.) courageously led the Church with wisdom and peace. Despite a law banning Christian worship, he continued to celebrate the Eucharist in secret. While offering Mass in the catacombs, he was captured and martyred along with his deacons, Felicissimus, Agapitus, and others. Their witness showed the early Church’s unwavering fidelity to Christ in the face of death. Saint Lawrence, his archdeacon, would be martyred just days later.

PRAYER: O God, who strengthened Saint Sixtus and his companions to give their lives in faithful witness to Your Name, grant us the courage to follow You boldly, even in trials, and to bear Your light with joyful fidelity. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT CAJETAN, PRIEST: Born of noble lineage in 1480, Saint Cajetan left behind worldly honors to serve the poor and renew the Church. He co-founded the Theatines, a congregation that lived like the early apostles, trusting entirely in divine providence. Known as “the hunter of souls,” he worked tirelessly for the sick, unemployed, and spiritually abandoned. His trust in God and fervent love of prayer made him a powerful reformer during the Catholic Counter-Reformation. He died in 1547 in Naples, worn out by his labors of love.

PRAYER: Lord, through the intercession of Saint Cajetan, teach us to trust in Your providence and to seek first Your Kingdom. May we find in You our true security, and work always with diligence, faith, and compassion. Amen. 🙏🏾

HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Saint Sixtus II and Saint Cajetan, we also honor: SAINT ACIRIANUS, SAINT AGATHANGELO NOURY, SAINT ALBERT OF TRAPANI, SAINT BASICICUS OF KEMET (EGYPT), SAINT CARPOPHORUS, SAINT CLAUDIA, SAINT DONAT, SAINT DONATIAN, SAINTS DONATUS & HILARINUS, SAINT DONATUS OF BESANÇON, BLESSED EDMUND BOJANOWSKI, SAINT FAUSTUS OF MILAN, SAINT HYPERECHIOS, SAINTS PETER, JULIAN, AND COMPANIONS, SAINT SECUNDUS, AND SAINT VICTRICIUS. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Sixtus II, Saint Cajetan, and the Seven Holy Maccabees, and all the Saints we celebrate today ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR JOB SEEKERS, ECONOMIC RELIEF, PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS, AND NOVENA PETITIONS

Heavenly Father, You alone are God, dealing life and healing, and You never abandon those who seek You with a trustful heart. As we journey through Day 2 of the Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption and Day 6 of the Novena to Saint Philomena, we unite our hearts with the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Philomena, placing all our personal petitions into Your loving hands.

Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, Pope Saint Sixtus II and his Companion Martyrs, Saint Cajetan, and Saint Philomena, we bring our humble prayers before You. We ask for Your special favor upon the unemployed, job seekers, and all individuals and families enduring economic hardship; supply their needs according to Your riches in glory and grant them meaningful livelihoods. We pray for our Holy Father, the clergy, and for an increase in holy vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Protect and strengthen Christians around the world who face active persecution for their faith, granting them the steadfast courage of Saint Sixtus. We pray for the conversion of sinners, for peace and healing among the sick and dying—especially those suffering from cancer and terminal illnesses—and for deep peace, love, and unity within our families and across our world. Amen. 🙏🏽

PRAYER FOR PEACE | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/a-prayer-for-peace/

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2026: FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST: For evangelization in the city. Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness, we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.

(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF AUGUST | MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY: August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, inviting us to reflect on her pure love, deep sorrow, and unwavering obedience to God. Her heart, aflame with charity and pierced by suffering, mirrors the life of Christ and calls us to follow Him more closely through her example. This month, the Church encourages us to console her sorrowful heart and grow in holiness through prayers like the Rosary, the Litany of the Immaculate Heart, and the First Saturday Devotion. Through Mary’s heart, we are led ever closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

“O Immaculate Heart of Mary, be our refuge and the way that leads us to God.”

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us and draw us into deeper love and trust in your Son. Amen. 🙏🏽

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/month.cfm?y=2026&m=8

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD
We pray for the repose of the gentle souls of our loved ones and souls of all the faithful departed. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏🏽

Thanking God for His love and the gift of this glorious day, we offer Him a prayer of gratitude for the graces of the past months and entrust this month of August to His loving providence. We pray for God’s grace and mercy as we anchor ourselves in the steady, life-giving rhythm of Ordinary Time. May the profound mysteries of the Cross, the cleansing power of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, and the enduring fire of the Holy Spirit continue to help us seek You in every moment of our lives. May the peace, hope, and divine communion that flow from the Heart of our Redeemer shape our steps, inform our decisions, and strengthen our resolve to live each day in the light of Christ and the daily guidance of the Advocate. As we journey onward through the rest of this month, may God bless our families and loved ones, and may His light continue to shine brightly in every home. Let us draw closer to God and be renewed through the joy of the Gospel, the gifts of the Spirit, and generosity to the poor. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times. Wishing us all a spiritually enriching, most blessed, and grace-filled August ahead. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Sixtus II, Saint Cajetan, and all the Saints we celebrate today ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you! Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

A Guide to Catholic Prayer & Faith Resources: Prayers, Devotions, Teachings, and the Liturgical Year | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-prayer-faith-resources/

Catholic Mission & Witness: Foundations, Media Features, Global Outreach and Podcast Interview | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-mission-witness-foundations-media-features-and-global-outreach/

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org/

Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/