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Daily Readings - Mon Jul 26 2021

Sirach

Chapter 44

1Let us praise the men of glory, and our ancestors in their generation8They left behind a name for those who were born of them, so that their praises might be described10But these were men of mercy, whose pious deeds have not failed11Good things continue with their offspring12Their descendents are a holy inheritance, and their offspring stand firm in the covenants13And because of them, their sons remain even unto eternity. Their offspring and their glory will not be forsaken14Their bodies were buried in peace, and their name lives on, from generation to generation15Let the people declare their wisdom, and let the Church announce their praise

Matthew

Chapter 13

16But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear17Amen I say to you, certainly, that many of the prophets and the just desired to see what you see, and yet they did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and yet they did not hear it

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of gratitude, legacy, and the call to live virtuously. In the first reading from Sirach, we are reminded of the importance of honoring our ancestors and the enduring impact of their virtuous lives. The text praises those who have left behind a name worthy of remembrance, not for their power or wealth, but for their mercy, piety, and fidelity to God’s covenants. Their good deeds, it says, continue to bear fruit in their descendants, and their memory lives on as a blessing for future generations. This passage emphasizes the value of living a life that transcends our own time, leaving behind a spiritual inheritance that endures. The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the present moment and the unique blessings we have received. Jesus tells his disciples that they are blessed because they see and hear what many prophets and righteous people longed to experience but did not. This is not a boast but a reminder of the grace we have been given to know and follow Christ. The prophets of old looked forward to the day when God’s kingdom would be revealed, and now, in Jesus, that kingdom is present among us. This passage calls us to humility and gratitude, recognizing that we are part of a larger story of God’s salvation. Together, these readings encourage us to live with a sense of stewardship and responsibility. We are heirs of a rich spiritual legacy, and we are called to honor those who have gone before us by living out our faith with integrity. At the same time, we are blessed to be living in a time when we can see and experience the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ. Let us not take this lightly. May we strive to live in such a way that our lives, like those of our ancestors, bear fruit for generations to come. Let us use the gifts we have been given to serve others and to share the Good News with a world in need. In doing so, we honor the past, live fully in the present, and hope for a future filled with God’s grace.