Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 23, 2021
First Reading: Exodus 20.1-17
1And the Lord spoke all these words2"I am the Lord your God, who led you away from the land of Egypt, out of the house of servitude3You shall not have strange gods before me4You shall not make for yourself a graven image, nor a likeness of anything that is in heaven above or on earth below, nor of those things which are in the waters under the earth5You shall not adore them, nor shall you worship them. I am the Lord your God: strong, zealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the sons to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me6and showing mercy to thousands of those who love me and keep my precepts7You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. For the Lord will not hold harmless one who takes the name of the Lord his God falsely8Remember that you are to sanctify the day of the Sabbath9For six days, you will work and accomplish all your tasks10But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. You shall not do any work in it: you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, your beast and the newcomer who is within your gates11For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all the things that are in them, and so he rested on the seventh day. For this reason, the Lord has blessed the day of the Sabbath and sanctified it12Honor your father and your mother, so that you may have a long life upon the land, which the Lord your God will give to you13You shall not murder14You shall not commit adultery15You shall not steal16You shall not speak false testimony against your neighbor17You shall not covet the house of your neighbor; neither shall you desire his wife, nor male servant, nor female servant, nor ox, nor donkey, nor anything that is his.
Psalm 19
1Unto the end. A Psalm of David. The heavens describe the glory of God, and the firmament announces the work of his hands2Day proclaims the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge3There are no speeches or conversations, where their voices are not being heard4Their sound has gone forth through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world5He has placed his tabernacle in the sun, and he is like a bridegroom coming out of his bedroom. He has exulted like a giant running along the way6his departure is from the summit of heaven. And his course reaches all the way to its summit. Neither is there anyone who can hide himself from his heat7The law of the Lord is immaculate, converting souls. The testimony of the Lord is faithful, providing wisdom to little ones8The justice of the Lord is right, rejoicing hearts. The precepts of the Lord are brilliant, enlightening the eyes9The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for all generations. The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves10desirable beyond gold and many precious stones, and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb11For, indeed, your servant keeps them, and in keeping them, there are many rewards12Who can understand transgression? From my hidden faults, cleanse me, O Lord13and from those of others, spare your servant. If they will have no dominion over me, then I will be immaculate, and I will be cleansed from the greatest transgression14And the eloquence of my mouth will be so as to please, along with the meditation of my heart, in your sight, forever, O Lord, my helper and my redeemer
Gospel: Matthew 13.18-23
18Listen, then, to the parable of the sower19With anyone who hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, evil comes and carries away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received the seed by the side of the road20Then whoever has received the seed upon a rocky place, this is one who hears the word and promptly accepts it with joy21But he has no root in himself, so it is only for a time; then, when tribulation and persecution occur because of the word, he promptly stumbles22And whoever has received the seed among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the falseness of riches suffocate the word, and he is effectively without fruit23Yet truly, whoever has received the seed into good soil, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, and so he bears fruit, and he produces: some a hundred fold, and another sixty fold, and another thirty fold.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound texts that guide us in understanding our relationship with God and our commitment to living according to His will. The first reading from Exodus presents the Ten Commandments, a cornerstone of God's covenant with His people. These commandments are not merely a set of rules but a blueprint for living a life that honors God and respects the dignity of others. They call us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else, to respect the sanctity of life, and to uphold justice and truth in our dealings with one another.
The Gospel from Matthew offers Jesus' parable of the sower, which invites us to reflect on how we receive the Word of God. The different types of soil represent the various ways people respond to God's message. The seed that falls on the path, rocky ground, or among thorns symbolizes the challenges we face in embracing God's word fully. However, the seed that falls on good soil bears abundant fruit, illustrating the transformative power of faith when we open our hearts and minds to God's grace.
These readings are deeply connected, as both emphasize the importance of our response to God's call. The Ten Commandments provide the moral and spiritual foundation for living as God's people, while the parable of the sower challenges us to examine the state of our hearts. Together, they remind us that our faith must be lived out in concrete ways, through our choices and actions. As we navigate the complexities of daily life, we are called to cultivate hearts that are receptive to God's word, to root out distractions and sins that hinder our growth, and to bear fruit in love, compassion, and service to others. Let us strive to be the good soil, where God's word takes root and flourishes, transforming us and the world around us.