Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 1, 2017
First Reading: Exodus 33.7-11; 34.4b-9, 28
7Also, Moses took the tabernacle and pitched it beyond the camp at a distance, and he called its name: ‘Tabernacle of the Covenant.’ And all the people, who had any kind of question, went out to the Tabernacle of the Covenant, beyond the camp8And when Moses went out to the tabernacle, all the people rose up, and each one stood at the door of his pavilion, and they beheld the back of Moses until he entered the tent9And when he had gone into the Tabernacle of the Covenant, the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door, and he spoke with Moses10And all discerned that the pillar of cloud stood at the door of the Tabernacle. And they stood and worshipped at the doors of their tents11But the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, just as a man is used to speaking to his friend. And when he returned to the camp, his minister Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, did not withdraw from the Tabernacle
4And so he cut out two tablets of stone, like those that were before. And rising up in the night, he ascended onto Mount Sinai, just as the Lord had instructed him, carrying with him the tablets5And when the Lord had descended in a cloud, Moses stood with him, calling upon the name of the Lord6And as he was crossing before him, he said: "The Ruler, the Lord God, merciful and lenient, patient and full of compassion and also truthful7who preserves mercy a thousand fold, who takes away iniquity, and wickedness, and also sin; and with you no one, in and of himself, is innocent. You render the iniquity of the fathers to the sons, and also to their descendents to the third and fourth generation.8And hurrying, Moses bowed down prostrate to the ground; and worshiping9he said: "If I have found grace in your sight, O Lord, I beg you to walk with us, (for the people are stiff-necked) and take away our iniquities and our sin, and so possess us.28Therefore, he was in that place with the Lord for forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread and he did not drink water, and he wrote on the tablets the ten words of the covenant
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
Gospel: Matthew 13.36-43
36Then, dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. And his disciples drew near to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.37Responding, he said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of man38Now the field is the world. And the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. But the weeds are the sons of wickedness39So the enemy who sowed them is the devil. And truly, the harvest is the consummation of the age; while the reapers are the Angels40Therefore, just as weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the consummation of the age41The Son of man shall send out his Angels, and they shall gather from his kingdom all who lead astray and those who work iniquity42And he shall cast them into the furnace of fire, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth43Then the just ones shall shine like the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on God's presence, mercy, and justice, inviting us to consider our spiritual journey and relationship with the divine. The Exodus narrative depicts Moses as a mediator, interceding for his people, seeking God's presence and forgiveness. The Tabernacle, pitched outside the camp, symbolizes a sacred space where God's people seek guidance and reconciliation. Moses' intimate conversation with God underscores the theme of divine mercy, as God renews the covenant, acknowledging human frailty yet offering compassion. This passage reminds us of the enduring nature of God's love and the importance of prayer and intercession in our lives.
The Gospel parable, as explained by Jesus, presents a stark contrast between good and evil, emphasizing the inevitability of judgment. The weeds, symbolizing evil, will be separated from the good seeds, representing the righteous. This parable calls us to reflect on our own lives, urging us to be mindful of our actions and align them with the values of God's kingdom. It serves as a reminder that our choices have consequences and that we are called to live virtuously, trusting in God's ultimate plan.
Both readings, though separated by time, unite in their message of God's justice and mercy. They encourage us to seek a deeper connection with God, to live righteously, and to trust in His plan. As we navigate our daily lives, may we embrace the call to be the good seeds, striving to reflect God's love and justice. Let us pray for the grace to remain faithful, mindful of our actions, and trusting in God's enduring mercy and plan for our lives.