Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 24, 2017
Psalm 139
1Unto the end. A Psalm of David. O Lord, you have examined me, and you have known me2You have known my sitting down and my rising up again3You have understood my thoughts from afar. My path and my fate, you have investigated4And you have foreseen all my ways. For there is no word in my tongue5Behold, O Lord, you have known all things: the newest and the very old. You have formed me, and you have placed your hand over me6Your knowledge has become a wonder to me. It has been reinforced, and I am not able to prevail against it7Where will I go from your Spirit? And where will I flee from your face8If I ascend into heaven, you are there. If I descend into Hell, you are near9If I assume my feathers in early morning, and dwell in the utmost parts of the sea10even there, your hand will lead me forth, and your right hand will hold me11And I said: Perhaps darkness will overwhelm me, and the night will be my illumination, to my delight12But darkness will not be impenetrable to you, and night will illuminate like the day: for just as its darkness is, so also is its light13For you have possessed my temperament. You have supported me from the womb of my mother14I will confess to you, for you have been magnified terribly. Your works are miraculous, as my soul knows exceedingly well15My bone, which you have made in secret, has not been hidden from you, and my substance is in accord with the lower parts of the earth16Your eyes saw my imperfection, and all this shall be written in your book. Days will be formed, and no one shall be in them17But to me, O God, your friends have been greatly honored. Their first ruler has been exceedingly strengthened18I will number them, and they will be more numerous than the sand. I rose up, and I am still with you19O God, if only you would cut down sinners. You men of blood: depart from me20For you say in thought: They will accept your cities in vain21Have I not hated those who hated you, Lord, and wasted away because of your enemies22I have hated them with a perfect hatred, and they have become enemies to me23Examine me, O God, and know my heart. Question me, and know my paths24And see if there might be in me the way of iniquity, and lead me in the way of eternity
Second Reading: Acts 13.22-26
22And having removed him, he raised up for them king David. And offering testimony about him, he said, ‘I have found David, the son of Jesse, to be a man according to my own heart, who will accomplish all that I will.23From his offspring, according to the Promise, God has brought Jesus the Savior to Israel24John was preaching, before the face of his advent, a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel25Then, when John completed his course, he was saying: ‘I am not the one you consider me to be. For behold, one arrives after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to loosen.26Noble brothers, sons of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, it is to you the Word of this salvation has been sent
Sermon
In today's reading from Acts 13:22-26, we hear Paul's sermon in the synagogue at Antioch, where he recounts the transition from King Saul to King David. David, a man after God's own heart, is chosen by God to fulfill His will, setting the stage for the Messiah. The reading then shifts to John the Baptist, who humbly acknowledges his role as a precursor to Jesus, emphasizing that he is not the Messiah but one who prepares the way.
This passage is rooted in the context of Paul addressing both Jews and Gentiles, illustrating the progression of God's plan from the Old Testament to the New. David's kingship and John's baptism of repentance highlight the fulfillment of God's promises, leading to the arrival of Jesus Christ. The connection between the readings lies in their shared theme of preparation and fulfillment—David's obedience and John's humility both point to the coming of the Messiah.
In our daily lives, this teaches us to trust in God's plan and timing. Like David, we are called to be faithful and obedient, and like John, to humbly recognize our role in God's larger narrative. The moral lesson here is one of trust and humility—trusting in God's purpose and being open to how He works through us. Let us strive to be faithful in our roles, preparing the way for others to encounter Christ, just as John did.