Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 24, 2018
First Reading: Isaiah 49.1-6
1Pay attention, you islands, and listen closely, you far away peoples. The Lord has called me from the womb; from the womb of my mother, he has been mindful of my name2And he has appointed my mouth as a sharp sword. In the shadow of his hand, he has protected me. And he has appointed me as an elect arrow. In his quiver, he has hidden me3And he has said to me: "You are my servant, Israel. For in you, I will glory.4And I said: "I have labored toward emptiness. I have consumed my strength without purpose and in vain. Therefore, my judgment is with the Lord, and my work is with my God.5And now, says the Lord, who formed me from the womb as his servant, so that I may bring back Jacob to him, for Israel will not be gathered together, but I have been glorified in the eyes of the Lord and my God has become my strength6and so he has said: "It is a small thing that you should be my servant so as to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and so as to convert the dregs of Israel. Behold, I have offered you as a light for the Gentiles, so that you may be my salvation, even to the furthest regions of the earth.
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
Gospel: Luke 1.57-66, 80
57Now the time for Elizabeth to give birth arrived, and she brought forth a son58And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy with her, and so they congratulated her59And it happened that, on the eighth day, they arrived to circumcise the boy, and they called him by his father’s name, Zechariah60And in response, his mother said: "Not so. Instead, he shall be called John.61And they said to her, "But there is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.62Then they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him to be called63And requesting a writing tablet, he wrote, saying: "His name is John." And they all wondered64Then, at once, his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosened, and he spoke, blessing God65And fear fell upon all of their neighbors. And all these words were made known throughout all the hill country of Judea66And all those who heard it stored it up in their heart, saying: "What do you think this boy will be?" And indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him80And the child grew, and he was strengthened in spirit. And he was in the wilderness, until the day of his manifestation to Israel
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound messages about divine calling and preparation for God's plan. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a servant chosen by God from the womb, destined to be a light to all nations. This servant, though facing challenges, trusts in God's plan and finds strength in fulfilling His will. The reading from Acts highlights God's faithfulness in raising up leaders like King David and later Jesus, emphasizing John the Baptist's role in preparing the way for the Messiah. The Gospel from Luke narrates the birth of John the Baptist, where his parents' obedience and the miraculous events surrounding his birth signify his special mission.
These readings interweave the themes of divine calling and preparation. Isaiah's servant points to the universal salvation brought by Jesus, while John the Baptist's role, as mentioned in Acts and Luke, is to prepare the hearts of the people for this salvation. John's obedience and the wonder he inspires in others illustrate the impact of being an instrument of God's plan.
In our lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own calling and how we prepare the way for others to encounter God. Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, we are called to obedience and trust in God's plan, even when it seems unconventional. John's example teaches us the importance of humility and readiness to serve as a bridge for others to experience God's love. As we go about our daily lives, may we embrace our roles as instruments of God's grace, preparing the hearts of those around us to receive His love and light. Let us, like John, be mindful of our mission to clear the path for the Lord, bringing hope and renewal to all we meet.