Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 23, 2017
Psalm 103
1To David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and bless his holy name, all that is within me2Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his recompenses3He forgives all your iniquities. He heals all your infirmities4He redeems your life from destruction. He crowns you with mercy and compassion5He satisfies your desire with good things. Your youth will be renewed like that of the eagle6The Lord accomplishes mercies, and his judgment is for all who patiently endure injuries7He has made his ways known to Moses, his will to the sons of Israel8The Lord is compassionate and merciful, patient and full of mercy9He will not be angry forever, and he will not threaten for eternity10He has not dealt with us according to our sins, and he has not repaid us according to our iniquities11For according to the height of the heavens above the earth, so has he reinforced his mercy toward those who fear him12As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our iniquities from us13As a father is compassionate to his sons, so has the Lord been compassionate to those who fear him14For he knows our form. He has called to mind that we are dust15Man: his days are like hay. Like the flower of the field, so will he flourish16For the spirit in him will pass away, and it will not remain, and he will know his place no longer17But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity, and even unto eternity, upon those who fear him. And his justice is with the sons of the sons18with those who serve his covenant and have been mindful of his commandments by doing them19The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven, and his kingdom will rule over all20Bless the Lord, all you his Angels: powerful in virtue, doing his word, in order to heed the voice of his discourse21Bless the Lord, all his hosts: his ministers who do his will22Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul
Second Reading: 1 John 4.7-16
7Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God8Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love9The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him10In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins11Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another12No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us13In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit14And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world15Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God16And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him
Gospel: Matthew 11.25-30
25At that time, Jesus responded and said: "I acknowledge you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the prudent, and have revealed them to little ones26Yes, Father, for this was pleasing before you27All things have been delivered to me by my Father. And no one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son is willing to reveal him28Come to me, all you who labor and have been burdened, and I will refresh you29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you shall find rest for your souls30For my yoke is sweet and my burden is light.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the essence of humility and love, which are central to our faith. The Second Reading from 1 John reminds us that love is not just a feeling but a divine gift from God, who is love itself. John emphasizes that to know God is to love one another, as love is the hallmark of being born of God. This letter, written to early Christians facing challenges, reinforces the importance of love amidst conflicts and false teachings, urging believers to remain steadfast in their commitment to one another.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this message with Jesus' invitation to humility. He reveals that divine truths are often understood by the simple-hearted rather than the wise, highlighting that spiritual insight comes from a humble and open heart. Jesus' words, spoken in a context of skepticism, encourage us to approach life with meekness, recognizing that our burdens can find rest in Him. His yoke, though it may seem heavy, is light because it is borne out of love and humility.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to embrace humility and love actively. Recognizing our limitations and seeking God's guidance with a humble heart can lead us to deeper understanding and peace. Practicing love, even in challenging situations, reflects our commitment to follow Christ. The moral lesson here is clear: by embracing humility and love, we find the rest and peace promised by Jesus, living as true disciples in a world that often values the opposite. Let us strive to embody these virtues, knowing that in doing so, we draw closer to God and find fulfillment in our journey of faith.