Scripture Reflection - July 5, 2026

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Zechariah 9:9-10 Romans 8:9, 11-13 Matthew 11: 25-30

Our first scripture reading today reminds us, “To rejoice, your king shall come to you. The warriors' bow shall be banished, and peace will be proclaimed to all nations.” Our second reading repeatedly tells us, “If we live by the Spirit, we will live.” While these words are meant to comfort and encourage us, in today’s world, it becomes more challenging to find the peace and the fire of love promised by the Spirit.

Let me call your attention to an image in our collective mind’s eye, of what is known as “The Terror of War” or “The Napalm Girl”. (June 8, 1972)

The iconic photograph of what has become known as “The Napalm Girl” shows nine-year-old Kim Phuc running naked after being severely burned in a napalm attack. The image became one of the most powerful symbols of the Vietnam War, influencing public opinion and anti-war movements. After many years of medical treatment for her injuries, Kim moved to Canada, where she eventually became a citizen and later founded the Kim Foundation International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping child victims of war. She became a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and a prominent advocate for peace and reconciliation, frequently sharing her experiences to promote healing and understanding. It was later revealed that the napalm was mistakenly dropped by South Vietnamese forces on their own villagers and soldiers. A tragedy among tragedies!

Let us take a moment of silence and recall the suffering of war experienced by nine-year-old Kim Phuc.

Now, let me call your attention to another, more recent image of what has been referred to as “The Boy on the Beach”. (September 2, 2015)

A young boy was found lying face down on a beach near the Turkish resort town of Bodrum. The full horror of the human tragedy unfolding on the shores of Europe was brought home through images of the lifeless body of a dark-haired toddler, wearing a bright red t-shirt and shorts, washed ashore and lying face down in the surf. He was one of at least 12 Syrians who drowned while attempting to reach the Greek island of Kos that day.  Two-year-old Alan Kurdi and his five-year-old brother, Galip, were among the many refugees trying to escape Islamic state insurgents in Syria.

Let us take a moment of silence and recall the suffering of war experienced by two-year-old Alan Kurdi and his five-year-old brother, Galip.

Finally, let us consider the most recent tragedy of war, the US missile strike on an Iranian elementary school in the town of Minab.  (February 28, 2026)

It was at the beginning of the US-Iranian War when a double-tap strike of Tomahawk missiles hit Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School, killing more than 120 children between the ages of 6 and 11. One father lost his seven-year-old daughter, Hanieh Tifakani, who was killed along with all of her classmates when the first missile struck. Her ten-year-old brother, Sobhan Tifakani, ran back to look for his sister and was killed in the second explosion.

Let us take a moment of silence and recall the terrible suffering of war experienced by seven-year-old Hanieh, ten-year-old Sobhan, and all of their schoolmates.

Yes, our first scripture reading today reminds us, “To rejoice, your King shall come to you. The warrior’s bow shall be banished, and peace will be proclaimed to all nations.” Our second reading repeatedly tells us, “If we live by the Spirit, we will live.” While these words are meant to comfort and encourage us, in today’s world, it becomes increasingly difficult for us to find that peace and that fire of love promised by the Spirit.

Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” So, let us come to Jesus today, and bring Kim Phuc, Alan Kurdi, Galip Kurdi, Hanieh Tifakani, and Sobhan Tifakani with us in our hearts and our prayers.

Let us commit to praying each and every day for an end to war throughout our world.

Sr. Ellenrita Purcaro, OP