Mass Readings and Reflection On Sunday, July 26th, 2026

First Reading: (1 Kings 3:5, 7–12)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 119:57, 72, 76–77, 127–130)

Response:-“O Lord, how I love your law.”

Second Reading: (Romans 8:28–30)

Alleluia: (Matthew 11:25)

Alleluia, alleluia.

“Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.” (Matthew 11:25)

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (Matthew 13:44–52)

Reflection

What is your treasure and what is my treasure?

Every one of us has something we consider extremely valuable. For some, it may be a dream home. For others, a beautiful car, the latest phone, a successful business, financial security, education, travel, or a particular position in life.

When something is truly important to us, we are willing to sacrifice for it.

Parents sacrifice enormously for their children's education. Someone may sell property to finance a business or pursue an opportunity abroad. Another person may work countless hours to acquire the home or car they have always wanted.

What we treasure determines what we are willing to sacrifice.

That is precisely the point Jesus makes in today's Gospel.

The man who discovers the treasure in the field recognizes its value immediately. He does not hesitate. He goes away, sells everything he has, and buys the field.

The merchant who discovers the pearl of great value does exactly the same thing. He recognizes that what he has found is worth more than everything he currently possesses.

Jesus is asking us to make the same discovery about the Kingdom of God.

Is Heaven Really Our Greatest Treasure?

Jesus tells us plainly:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -Matthew 6:21

That verse forces us to examine ourselves.

We may say that heaven is our greatest treasure, but do our lives demonstrate it?

If we treasure our careers, we make sacrifices for them.

If we treasure financial security, we save and invest.

If we treasure education, we study.

If we treasure our families, we make time for them.

If we treasure heaven, what are we willing to sacrifice for it?

This is where today's meditation becomes especially challenging.

The things we need to “sell” are not necessarily our houses, cars, careers, or possessions. The things that most need to be surrendered are the vices and sins that prevent us from becoming the people God calls us to be.

We need to sell our pride.

We need to sell our anger.

We need to sell our lust.

We need to sell our envy and jealousy.

We need to sell our gossip.

We need to sell our wickedness, laziness, resentment, dishonesty, and selfishness.

These are the things that cost us far more than any earthly possession ever could.

The Gospel message brings to mind the rich young man who approached Jesus and asked:

“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” - Mark 10:17

Jesus challenged him to surrender what stood between him and God. The young man could not make that sacrifice.

“He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” - Mark 10:22

He wanted eternal life, but he was unwilling to give up what had become more important to him.

And this is the question today's Gospel places before each of us:

What is standing between me and the Kingdom of God?

Perhaps it is not money.

Perhaps it is pride.

Perhaps it is an addiction.

Perhaps it is an unhealthy relationship.

Perhaps it is resentment toward someone who hurt us.

Perhaps it is our unwillingness to forgive.

Perhaps it is our obsession with status, possessions, recognition, or the approval of other people.

Whatever it is, Jesus asks us to recognize the greater treasure.

Solomon had the opportunity to choose whatever he wanted, yet he asked for wisdom.

The psalmist declares that God's law is more precious than gold.

Saint Paul reminds us that God is working toward our ultimate good.

And Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven is worth everything.

The message is remarkably consistent:

Do not trade eternal treasure for temporary possessions.

Everything we accumulate in this life will eventually be left behind. Houses, cars, careers, money, titles, technology, and possessions all belong to this world.

But the Kingdom of God is eternal.

Jesus therefore asks us to order our lives according to what lasts.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” - Matthew 6:19–20

The Christian life requires sacrifice, but it is not a miserable sacrifice. The man in the parable sells everything with joy because he has discovered something infinitely more valuable.

When we truly recognize the worth of Christ and His Kingdom, giving up sin should not feel like losing something precious.

Today, let us ask ourselves:

• What is my greatest treasure?

• Where is my heart truly invested?

• If heaven is my treasure, what am I willing to sacrifice for it?

• What vice or sin do I need to surrender?

• Is there something I value more than my relationship with God?

• What can I do today to honor and care for an elderly person or grandparent?

May God give us the wisdom of Solomon to recognize what truly matters. May He give us the courage to surrender everything that separates us from Him. And may we have the joy of the man who discovered the treasure in the field-the joy of knowing that nothing in this world is worth more than the Kingdom of God.

Amen

Things They Don't Teach In School

 

This Was Reason for the Blood on the Street (Wall Street) On Friday

 

Daily Mass Readings and Reflection Friday, July 24th, 2026

First Reading: (Jeremiah 3:14–17)

Responsorial Psalm: (Jeremiah 31:10–12b, 13)

Response: The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Alleluia: (Luke 8:15)

Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (Matthew 13:18–23)

Reflection

Today's Gospel invites us to examine not the quality of God's Word but the condition of our hearts. The seed is always good because it is the Word of God. The difference lies in the soil that receives it.

Jesus explains four responses to God's Word.

The first is the hardened heart. Like seed that falls along the path, the Word never takes root because it is not understood or welcomed. The evil one quickly steals it away before it can transform the person.

The second is the shallow heart. These are people who receive God's Word with enthusiasm and joy, but their faith has no deep roots. When trials, suffering, or persecution come, they quickly abandon the Gospel. Their commitment depends on convenience rather than conviction.

The third is the distracted heart. The seed begins to grow, but it is choked by worldly concerns, anxiety, material possessions, ambition, and the constant distractions of daily life. The Word remains present but becomes unfruitful because other priorities occupy first place.

Finally, there is the good soil. These are the men and women who hear God's Word, understand it, persevere through difficulties, and allow it to shape their lives. Their faith produces abundant fruit according to the gifts God has given them.

The Gospel also reminds us that Jesus Himself was rejected. He was opposed by many, including some from His own hometown, the religious leaders who valued legalism over mercy, and even His own disciples, who were often slow to understand His mission. Yet Jesus never stopped sowing the seed of God's Kingdom.

We are called to imitate His perseverance. Rather than judging how much fruit others produce, we should focus on making our own hearts fertile soil. God does not expect the same harvest from everyone. Some bear thirtyfold, others sixtyfold, and still others a hundredfold. What matters is that we faithfully cultivate the gifts He has entrusted to us.

May we ask the Lord for hearts that are receptive, faithful, and fruitful, so that His Word may flourish within us and bring abundant blessings to others.

Amen

Watching For Earnings Call Tonight July 23rd 2026

Based on historical earnings reactions, current setups, and what the market is rewarding/punishing right now.

The market's current mood: Investors are punishing:

• weak guidance,
• margin compression,
• heavy capex,
• any AI story that isn't producing cash flow.

They're rewarding:

• revenue acceleration,
• free cash flow,
• raised guidance.

Highest Expected Volatility

INTC (Intel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Expected move: ±12–18%

Options are reportedly pricing roughly a 15% move, above Intel's recent historical average earnings reaction. Investors are focused on:

• 18A manufacturing progress
• AI/data center growth
• Foundry business execution
• Gross margins

Bull case

• Revenue above ~$14.4B
• Strong margins
• Positive foundry commentary

Bear case

• Foundry losses widen
• AI story disappoints
• Weak Q3 outlook

My expectation: Slight beat, volatile conference call. Stock direction likely determined by guidance more than earnings.

SMMT (Summit Therapeutics) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Expected move: ±10–20%

This trades more on:

• Ivonescimab updates
• Trial data
• Regulatory commentary

Not really an earnings stock. Any clinical update can overwhelm financial results.

APPF (AppFolio) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Expected move: ±8–15%

AppFolio has a strong record of beating expectations.

Last quarter:

• EPS beat
• Revenue grew 20%+ YoY.

With software names, investors want:

• subscription growth
• operating leverage
• AI monetization

Expectation: One of the higher probability beats tonight.

DECK (Deckers Outdoor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Expected move: ±8–12%

Historically one of the strongest operating companies in retail.

Market focus:

• HOKA growth
• Inventory levels
• Full-year guidance

If HOKA remains >20% growth, stock likely rallies.

Potential Positive Surprises

SAP ⭐⭐⭐⭐

SAP has become one of the market's favorite enterprise software names because of:

• cloud transition
• AI integration
• recurring revenue growth

Recent acquisitions show management is aggressively investing in AI and enterprise data infrastructure.

Expectation: Beat-and-raise more likely than miss-and-cut.

HIG (Hartford)

Insurance has been one of the market's strongest earnings groups.

Things investors like:

• pricing power
• higher investment income
• reasonable valuation

Expectation: Low drama quarter.

SSNC (SS&C Technologies)

Quiet compounder.

Investors will watch:

• recurring revenue
• margins
• wealth-management software demand

Historically tends to have smaller earnings reactions.

Potential Negative Surprise Risk

DLR (Digital Realty)

The AI/data-center theme has driven expectations sky-high.

Good earnings may already be priced in.

Risk:

• slower leasing
• capex concerns
• weaker guidance

RNG (RingCentral)

The market has become skeptical of UCaaS/cloud communications names.

Must show:

• enterprise growth
• stable retention
• AI monetization

Anything less can hurt the stock.

MXL (MaxLinear)

Historically volatile semiconductor name.

Investors want:

• inventory normalization
• networking demand improvement

Could easily move 10%+ either way.

Regional Banks

ASB

COLB

FIBK

GBCI

These typically trade on:

• Net Interest Margin
• Loan growth
• Credit quality
• Deposit trends

Current environment favors banks if:

• credit remains clean
• NIM stabilizes

I'd rank:

1. COLB
2. FIBK
3. GBCI
4. ASB

for probability of positive reaction.

Energy / Commodity Names

OVV (Ovintiv)

Watch:

• production guidance
• shareholder returns
• oil price outlook

Likely tied more to commodity commentary than earnings.

NEM (Newmont)

Gold miner.

If gold remains strong:

• cash flow
• production
• AISC costs

matter most.

Could be one of tonight's more interesting calls.

REITs

REXR

Industrial REIT.

Watch:

• occupancy
• rent spreads
• Southern California demand

Usually moderate earnings reaction.

ORC

Mortgage REIT.

Mostly interest-rate sensitive.

Higher volatility than most REITs.

Small-Cap Wildcards

OPTT

Very speculative.

Small earnings numbers matter less than:

• contracts
• backlog
• financing

Could move double digits.

EBC

RHI

Typically, guidance-driven. RHI is often viewed as an employment/economy indicator.

My "Most Likely Winners Tonight"

1. SAP
2. APPF
3. HIG
4. SSNC
5. DECK

Biggest Upside If They Beat

1. INTC
2. SMMT
3. APPF
4. DECK
5. MXL

Biggest Blow-Up Risk

1. INTC
2. SMMT
3. MXL
4. RNG
5. DLR

If I were trading purely on historical post-earnings reactions and current sentiment, INTC, APPF, DECK, SAP, and SMMT are the names I'd have on the screen immediately after the close. Their conference-call commentary is likely to matter more than the headline EPS number. 

Wealth Creates Options

The Talking Heads Podcasters Needs This One

 

Mass Readings with Reflections for Thursday July 23rd, 2026

First Reading: (Jeremiah 2:1–3, 7–8, 12–13)

Reflection

God remembers Israel's first love-their trust and dependence upon Him. Yet the people gradually drifted away. The tragedy was not merely breaking rules; it was abandoning a relationship.

The image of the "source of living waters" is one of the most powerful in Scripture. God offers life, grace, mercy, and truth. Yet people choose broken substitutes-wealth, power, pleasure, prestige, or self-sufficiency.

The Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 36:6–1)

Response: "With you is the fountain of life, O Lord." 

Gospel Acclamation: (Matthew 11:25)

Reflection

God's deepest truths are not reserved for the powerful, educated, or influential. They are revealed to the humble-those who approach Him with childlike trust.

Saint Bridget embodied this spiritual simplicity despite her noble background.

Gospel: (Matthew 13:10–17)

Reflection

Jesus teaches in parables because spiritual truth requires more than intelligence. It requires openness of heart.

Many heard Jesus' words, but only some truly listened.

The danger Jesus identifies is not ignorance but hardness of heart.

Knowledge can increase humility, but it can also increase pride. That is the danger.

Faith begins when we acknowledge our limitations and allow God to lead us beyond what we can fully comprehend.

As Saint Bernard expressed:

"I believe though I do not comprehend."

This is the path walked by Saint Bridget and every saint.

On Saint Bridget of Sweden

Saint Bridget (1303-1373), wife, mother, widow, mystic, and patroness of Europe, experienced both worldly success and deep personal suffering.

After her husband's death, she dedicated herself entirely to prayer, penance, service to the poor, and obedience to God's will. Her life demonstrates that holiness is not escaping the world but allowing God to transform us within it.

She teaches us:

• Humility over pride
• Faith over certainty
• Prayer over self-reliance
• Eternal vision over worldly distractions

Daily Mass Readings and Reflection on July 22nd, 2026

First Reading (Option I): Song of Songs 3:1–4b

"I found him whom my heart loves."

First Reading:  (2 Corinthians 5:14–17)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 63:2, 3–4, 5–6, 8–9)

Response: For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Tell us, Mary, what did you see on the way? I saw the glory of the risen Christ; I saw his empty tomb.

Alleluia.

Gospel: (John 20:1–2, 11–18)

Reflection

Today's Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene invites us to reflect on a simple yet profound question: How much do you love God?

Mary Magdalene is often misunderstood. Scripture does not identify her as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, nor as the sinful woman who anointed Jesus' feet in the house of the Pharisee, nor as the woman caught in adultery. Rather, Mary Magdalene was a woman from Magdala who had been delivered by Jesus from seven demons (Luke 8:2; Mark 16:9). Transformed by His mercy, she became one of His most devoted followers.

Her life reveals what it truly means to love God with all one's heart, mind, soul, and strength.

First, after experiencing Christ's healing, she left behind her former life and became a faithful disciple. God's mercy changed her completely, making her a living example of the new creation described by St. Paul.

Second, Mary Magdalene did not merely follow Jesus; she generously supported His ministry with her own resources (Luke 8:1–3). Genuine love for God always expresses itself in generous service.

Third, when many fled in fear, Mary remained at the foot of the Cross. Her love was courageous and steadfast, remaining faithful even in the darkest hour.

Finally, she was the first to visit the tomb before dawn, driven by love stronger than fear. Because she sought Christ with all her heart, she became the first witness of His Resurrection. Pope Francis fittingly called her the "Apostle to the Apostles," for it was she who first proclaimed to them, "I have seen the Lord."

Like the bride in the Song of Songs, Mary sought the One whom her heart loved until she found Him. Like the psalmist, her soul thirsted for God above everything else.

Today, she asks each of us:

• Do I truly thirst for God?

• Do I seek Him even when life is dark and uncertain?

• Am I willing to give Him my time, my talents, my resources, my heart, my mind, my strength, and my will?

The greatest evidence of our love for Christ is not simply what we say, but how faithfully we follow Him each day.

May Saint Mary Magdalene teach us to seek Jesus with unwavering devotion, remain faithful through every trial, and boldly proclaim Him to the world with joyful hearts.

Saint Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us. Amen.

Daily Mass Readings and Reflection for Tuesday, July 21st, 2026

First Reading: (Micah 7:14–15, 18–20)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 85:2–4, 5–6, 7–8)

Response: Lord, show us your mercy and love.

Alleluia: (John 14:23)

Alleluia, alleluia.

"If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him."

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (Matthew 12:46–50)

Reflection:

The prophet Micah gives us one of the most beautiful descriptions of God's mercy found anywhere in Scripture:

"Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression... He does not retain his anger forever because he delights in mercy."

Human beings often find it difficult to forgive. When we are deeply hurt, we may distance ourselves from those who have offended us. Sometimes we refuse to listen to their apologies or even allow them into our presence. Such reactions make reconciliation difficult because the offender fears rejection.

God is not like that.

Whenever we fall into sin, God does not close His heart to us. He does not greet us with anger or shame us for our failures. Instead, He patiently waits for us to return, always ready to forgive. His mercy creates a welcoming path back to Him.

This is why the Sacrament of Reconciliation is such an extraordinary gift. In confession, we do not simply meet a priest-we encounter Jesus Christ Himself, who never tires of forgiving those who sincerely repent.

Sadly, many Catholics stay away from confession. Some are embarrassed to confess their sins. Others worry that the priest will think less of them. Some become discouraged because they repeatedly struggle with the same weaknesses and wonder whether there is any point in confessing them again.

The answer is always yes.

No faithful priest judges a sincere penitent. Bound by the sacred seal of confession, he acts only as an instrument of Christ's mercy. More importantly, Jesus never grows tired of welcoming us home. Every sincere confession brings healing, grace, and the strength to begin again.

One of the greatest tragedies today is that many people go for months-or even years-without celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, yet continue to receive Holy Communion. God's mercy should never be taken for granted. His patience is not permission to remain in sin but an invitation to conversion.

Micah reminds us that God delights in mercy. He casts our sins into the depths of the sea, never to hold them against us again. His forgiveness is complete, His compassion is constant, and His love never fails.

Today, take a moment to reflect:

• When was my last good confession?

• What keeps me from approaching God's mercy?

• Do I trust that God truly forgives every sin I sincerely confess?

• Is there a need for repentance that I have been postponing?

God's mercy is one of the greatest treasures of our faith. Do not allow fear, shame, or discouragement to keep you away from His loving embrace. Instead, see His mercy as an invitation to return to Him with confidence.

May we never take God's patience for granted but respond to His loving mercy with sincere repentance, renewed faith, and a firm desire to walk more closely with Him each day. 

Amen.