Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 22, 2017
First Reading: Song of Solomon 3.1-4a or 2 Corinthians 5.14-17
1Bride: On my bed, throughout the night, I sought him whom my soul loves. I sought him, and did not find him2I will rise up, and I will circle through the city. Through the side streets and thoroughfares, I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, and did not find him3The watchers who guard the city found me: "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?4When I had passed by them a little, I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not release him, until I would bring him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her who bore me
14For the charity of Christ urges us on, in consideration of this: that if one died for all, then all have died15And Christ died for all, so that even those who live might not now live for themselves, but for him who died for them and who rose again16And so, from now on, we know no one according to the flesh. And though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him in this way no longer17So if anyone is a new creature in Christ, what is old has passed away. Behold, all things have been made new
Psalm 63
1A Psalm of David, when he was in the desert of Idumea. O God, my God: to you, I keep vigil until first light. For you, my soul has thirsted, to you my body, in so many ways2By a deserted land, both inaccessible and waterless, so I have appeared in the sanctuary before you, in order to behold your virtue and your glory3For your mercy is better than life itself. It is you my lips will praise4So will I bless you in my life, and I will lift up my hands in your name5Let my soul be filled, as if with marrow and fatness; and my mouth will give praise with exultant lips6When I have remembered you on my bed in the morning, I will meditate on you7For you have been my helper. And I will exult under the cover of your wings8My soul has clung close to you. Your right hand has supported me9Truly, these ones have sought my soul in vain. They will enter into the lower parts of the earth10They will be delivered into the hand of the sword. They will be the portions of foxes11Truly, the king will rejoice in God: all those who swear by him will be praised, because the mouth of those who speak iniquity has been blocked
Sermon
The passage from Song of Solomon 3:1-4a presents a vivid and intimate dialogue between a bride and her beloved, set against the backdrop of a nighttime search through the city. The bride, driven by deep longing, seeks her beloved relentlessly, questioning the city guards until she finally finds him. Her determination is unwavering, and once reunited, she vows to bring him into the heart of her family home, symbolizing a deep desire for union and connection.
This poetic text is part of the Song of Solomon, a book celebrated for its rich imagery and allegorical interpretations. Often seen as an allegory of God's love for humanity or the Church's relationship with Christ, the passage underscores the theme of persistent and passionate pursuit. The bride's journey mirrors the spiritual quest for divine connection, emphasizing perseverance and intimacy in one's faith journey.
In our daily lives, this passage encourages us to embrace a similar perseverance in our spiritual pursuits. Just as the bride does not falter in her search, we are called to remain steadfast in our faith, even when challenges arise. The transformative power of such a deep union with God invites us to bring His presence into the core of our lives, much like the bride brings her beloved into her mother's house. This passage reminds us that our spiritual journey is one of relentless seeking and profound transformation, leading us closer to the divine.