Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 9, 2021
First Reading: Genesis 46.1-7, 28-30
1And Israel, setting out with all that he had, arrived at the Well of the Oath. And sacrificing victims there to the God of his father Isaac2he heard him, by a vision in the night, calling him, and saying to him: "Jacob, Jacob." And he answered him, "Behold, here I am.3God said to him: "I am the most strong God of your father. Do not be afraid. Descend into Egypt, for there I will make of you a great nation4I will descend with you to that place, and I will lead you back from there, returning. Also, Joseph will place his hands over your eyes5Then Jacob rose up from the Well of the Oath. And his sons took him, with their little ones and wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry the old man6along with all that he possessed in the land of Canaan. And he arrived in Egypt with all his offspring7his sons and his grandsons, his daughters and all his progeny together28Then he sent Judah ahead of himself, to Joseph, in order to report to him, and so that he would meet him in Goshen29And when he had arrived there, Joseph harnessed his chariot, and he went up to meet his father at the same place. And seeing him, he fell upon his neck, and, amid embraces, he wept30And the father said to Joseph, "Now I will die happy, because I have seen your face, and I am leaving you behind alive.
Psalm 37
1A Psalm of David himself. Do not choose to imitate the malicious; neither should you envy those who work iniquity2For they will quickly wither away like dry grass, and in like manner to kitchen herbs, they will soon droop3Hope in the Lord and do good, and dwell in the land, and so you shall be pastured with its riches4Delight in the Lord, and he will grant to you the petitions of your heart5Reveal your way to the Lord, and hope in him, and he will accomplish it6And he will bring forth your justice like the light, and your judgment like the midday7Be subject to the Lord and pray to him. Do not choose to compete with him who prospers in his way, with the man who does injustice8Cease from wrath and leave behind rage. Do not choose to imitate the malicious9For those who are malicious will be exterminated. But those who remain with the Lord, these will inherit the land10Yet still a little while, and the sinner will not be. And you will search his place and find nothing11But the meek shall inherit the earth, and they will delight in the multitude of peace12The sinner will observe the just, and he will gnash his teeth over him13But the Lord will laugh at him: for he knows in advance that his day will come14The sinners have drawn the sword, they have bent their bow, so as to cast down the poor and the needy, so as to massacre the upright of heart15Let their sword enter into their own hearts, and let their bow be broken16A little is better to the just than the many riches of sinners17For the arms of sinners will be crushed, but the Lord confirms the just18The Lord knows the days of the immaculate, and their inheritance will be in eternity19They will not be confounded in an evil time; and in days of famine, they will be satisfied20for sinners will perish. Truly, the adversaries of the Lord, soon after they have been honored and exalted, will fade away, in the same way that smoke fades away21The sinner will lend and not release, but the just one shows compassion and donates22For those who bless him will inherit the earth, but those who curse him will perish23The steps of a man will be directed by the Lord, and he will choose his way24When he falls, he will not be harmed, because the Lord places his hand under him25I have been young, and now I am old; and I have not seen the just forsaken, nor his offspring seeking bread26He shows compassion and lends, all day long, and his offspring will be in blessing27Turn away from evil and do good, and dwell forever and ever28For the Lord loves judgment, and he will not abandon his saints. They will be kept safe in eternity. The unjust will be punished, and the offspring of the impious will perish29But the just will inherit the earth, and they will dwell upon it forever and ever30The mouth of the just one will express wisdom, and his tongue will speak judgment31The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps shall not be supplanted32The sinner considers the just one and seeks to put him to death33But the Lord will not abandon him into his hands, nor condemn him, when he will be judged34Wait for the Lord, and keep to his way. And he will exalt you, so as to inherit the land that you may seize. When the sinners will have passed away, then you shall see35I have seen the impious over-exalted, and lifted up like the cedars of Lebanon36And I passed by, and behold, he was not. And I sought him, and his place was not found37Keep to innocence, and gaze upon fairness: because there are allotments for the peaceful man38But the unjust will be destroyed together: the allotments of the impious will pass away39But the salvation of the just is from the Lord, and he is their protector in time of tribulation40And the Lord will help them and free them. And he will rescue them from sinners and save them, because they have hoped in him
Gospel: Matthew 10.16-23
16Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be as prudent as serpents and as simple as doves17But beware of men. For they will hand you over to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues18And you shall be led before both rulers and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles19But when they hand you over, do not choose to think about how or what to speak. For what to speak shall be given to you in that hour20For it is not you who will be speaking, but the Spirit of your Father, who will speak in you21And brother will hand over brother to death, and father will hand over son. And children will rise up against parents and bring about their deaths22And you will be hated by all for the sake of my name. But whoever will have persevered, even to the end, the same shall be saved23Now when they persecute you in one city, flee into another. Amen I say to you, you will not have exhausted all the cities of Israel, before the Son of man returns
Sermon
The first reading from Genesis tells the story of Jacob, who, guided by God, travels to Egypt with his family. Despite the uncertainties of the journey and the challenges of leaving the land of Canaan, Jacob trusts in God’s promise to make of him a great nation. The passage highlights Jacob’s deep faith and the emotional reunion with his son Joseph, who had been separated from him for many years. This story reminds us of the importance of trusting in God’s providence, even when the path ahead seems unclear.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents a very different scene. Jesus sends his disciples out into the world, warning them that they will face persecution and hardship. He encourages them to be wise and innocent, trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide them in their moments of trial. This passage emphasizes the cost of discipleship and the need for courage and perseverance in the face of adversity. Just as Jacob trusted God in his journey, the disciples are called to trust in God’s presence and strength as they carry out their mission.
Both readings remind us that faith is not about avoiding challenges but about trusting God in the midst of them. In our own lives, we may face uncertainties, difficulties, or even persecution. Like Jacob, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when the future seems uncertain. Like the disciples, we are called to be bold in living out our faith, knowing that God will give us the grace we need to persevere. Let us ask for the strength to remain faithful, even in the face of trials, and to trust that God is always with us, guiding us on our journey.