Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 7, 2019
First Reading: Isaiah 66.10-14
10Rejoice with Jerusalem, and exult in her, all you who love her! Rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her11So may you nurse and be filled, from the breasts of her consolations. So may you receive milk and overflow with delights, from every portion of her glory12For thus says the Lord: Behold, I will turn a river of peace toward her, with an inundating torrent: the glory of the Gentiles, from which you will nurse. You will be carried at the breasts, and they will caress you upon the knees13In the manner of one whom a mother caresses, so will I console you. And you will be consoled in Jerusalem14You will see, and your heart will be glad, and your bones will flourish like a plant, and the hand of the Lord will be known to his servants, and he will be angry with his enemies
Psalm 66
1Unto the end. A Canticle Psalm of the Resurrection. Shout joyfully to God, all the earth2Proclaim a psalm to his name. Give glory to his praise3Exclaim to God, "How terrible are your works, O Lord!" According to the fullness of your virtue, your enemies will speak lies about you4Let all the earth adore you and sing psalms to you. May it sing a psalm to your name5Draw near and see the works of God, who is terrible in his counsels over the sons of men6He converts the sea into dry land. They will cross the river on foot. There, we will rejoice in him7He rules by his virtue for eternity. His eyes gaze upon the nations. May those who exasperate him, not be exalted in themselves8Bless our God, you Gentiles, and make the voice of his praise be heard9He has set my soul toward life, and he has granted that my feet may not be shaken10For you, O God, have tested us. You have examined us by fire, just as silver is examined11You have led us into a snare. You have placed tribulations on our back12You have set men over our heads. We have crossed through fire and water. And you have led us out to refreshment13I will enter your house with holocausts. I will repay my vows to you14which my lips discerned and my mouth spoke, in my tribulation15I will offer to you holocausts full of marrow, with the burnt offerings of rams. I will offer to you bulls as well as goats16Draw near and listen, all you who fear God, and I will describe to you how much he has done for my soul17I cried out to him with my mouth, and I extolled him under my breath18If I have seen iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not heed me19And yet, God has heeded me and he has attended to the voice of my supplication20Blessed is God, who has not removed my prayer, nor his mercy, from me
Second Reading: Galatians 6.14-18
14But far be it from me to glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world15For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision prevails in any way, but instead there is a new creature16And whoever follows this rule: may peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God17Concerning other matters, let no one trouble me. For I carry the stigmata of the Lord Jesus in my body18May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen
Gospel: Luke 10.1-9
1Then, after these things, the Lord also designated another seventy-two. And he sent them in pairs before his face, into every city and place where he was to arrive2And he said to them: "Certainly the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his harvest3Go forth. Behold, I send you out like lambs among wolves4Do not choose to carry a purse, nor provisions, nor shoes; and you shall greet no one along the way5Into whatever house you will have entered, first say, ‘Peace to this house.6And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you7And remain in the same house, eating and drinking the things that are with them. For the worker is worthy of his pay. Do not choose to pass from house to house8And into whatever city you have entered and they have received you, eat what they set before you9And cure the sick who are in that place, and proclaim to them, ‘The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we find a powerful message of hope, transformation, and mission. The prophet Isaiah invites us to rejoice with Jerusalem, promising consolation and a river of peace. This passage, written during the restoration after exile, offers comfort to a people returning to their homeland, reminding us that God's presence brings renewal and joy.
Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, shifts our focus to the cross of Christ, where true glory resides. He emphasizes that in Christ, old distinctions fade, and a new creation emerges. This context addresses the tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers, urging us to find our identity in Christ rather than outward signs. Paul's stigmata symbolize his commitment to this new life, calling us to embrace our own transformation in Christ.
The Gospel of Luke challenges us to trust in God's providence as we are sent out like lambs among wolves. Jesus' disciples are to rely on the hospitality of others, bringing peace, healing, and the proclamation of the kingdom. This mission reflects our call to live out our faith, trusting in God's plan and serving others selflessly.
These readings weave together themes of hope, new life, and mission. Isaiah's comfort, Paul's transformation, and Luke's call to service remind us to trust in God's plan and live out our faith with hope. In our daily lives, this means embracing our role as servants of the Gospel, trusting in God's provision, and finding joy in serving others. Let us live with hope, trusting in God's plan, and serve others as part of our faith journey.