TODAY’S GOSPEL READING – 15 JUNE
June 15, 2026
FEAST OF SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS – 16th JUNE
June 16, 2026
1 Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take up shield and armor;
arise and come to my aid.
3 Brandish spear and javelin[a]
against those who pursue me.
Say to me,“I am your salvation.”
4 May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.
5 May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the Lord driving them away;
6 may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them
7 Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
8 may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord
and delight in his salvation.
10 My whole being will exclaim,“Who is like you, Lord?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
11 Ruthless witnesses come forward;
they question me on things I know nothing about.
12 They repay me evil for good
and leave me like one bereaved.
13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
and humbled myself with fasting.
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14 I went about mourning
as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
as though weeping for my mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.
They slandered me without ceasing.
16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked
they gnashed their teeth at me.
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you.
19 Do not let those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
do not let those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
20 They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the land.
21 They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it.”
22 Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.
Do not be far from me, Lord.
23 Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.
Do not be far from me, Lord.
24 Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.
Do not be far from me, Lord.
25 Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.
Do not be far from me, Lord.
26 May all who gloat over my distress
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27 May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, “The Lord be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant.”
28 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,
your praises all day long.
Psalm 35, written by King David in the Book of Psalms, is a heartfelt cry for God’s protection during a time of persecution. Surrounded by enemies who falsely accuse and seek to harm him, David turns to God as his defender and deliverer. The psalm expresses deep pain, but also unwavering faith that God will bring justice and rescue the righteous.
1. God as Defender and Protector:
David begins by asking God to fight on his behalf against those who attack him:
“Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me”
— Psalm 35:1
David places his battles into God’s hands instead of seeking revenge himself.
2. Pain Caused by Betrayal:
David describes the hurt caused by people who repay his kindness with evil:
“They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved”
— Psalm 35:12
This reveals the emotional pain of betrayal and rejection.
3. Deliverance From Fear:
Fear has become common in today’s world. People fear failure, rejection, uncertainty, sickness, and the future. Yet Psalm 34 reminds believers that God responds when His people seek Him. This promise is reflected :
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God”
— Isaiah 41:10
4. Faith During Opposition:
Even while facing hostility, David continues to trust in God’s righteousness and protection:
“My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long”
— Psalm 35:28.
David believes that God sees the truth and will ultimately defend those who remain faithful.
5. God Hears the Afflicted:
David reminds believers that God does not ignore the suffering of the innocent:
“The poor man cried, and the Lord heard him”
— Psalm 35:10
The psalm teaches that Divine justice may take time, but God remains attentive to every cry for help.
6. Praise After Deliverance:
Although the psalm begins with distress, it ends with praise and hope:
“May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness”
— Psalm 35:27
David promises to publicly praise God for rescuing him from danger and injustice.
Psalm 35 reminds believers to bring pain, betrayal, and struggles honestly before God. King David teaches that true faith means trusting God through hardship, seeking justice over revenge, remaining faithful during opposition, and believing God hears every cry for help and delivers the righteous.
