Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 29, 2021
First Reading: Exodus 40.16-21, 34-38
16And Moses did all that the Lord had instructed17Therefore, in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was put in place18And Moses raised it up, and he positioned the panels as well as the bases and the bars, and he set up the columns19and he stretched out the roof over the tabernacle, imposing a cover above it, just as the Lord had decreed20And he placed the testimony in the ark, applying the bars beneath, and the oracle above21And when he had brought the ark into the tabernacle, he drew the veil before it, in order to fulfill the commandment of the Lord34the cloud covered the tabernacle of the testimony, and the glory of the Lord filled it35Neither could Moses enter the covering of the covenant: the cloud was covering all things, and the majesty of the Lord was flashing. For the cloud had covered everything36Whenever the cloud departed from the tabernacle, the sons of Israel set out by their companies37But if it remained hanging over it, they remained in the same place38Certainly, the cloud of the Lord lay over the tabernacle by day, and the fire by night, being seen by all the people of Israel throughout all their resting places
Psalm 84
1Unto the end. For the wine and oil presses. A Psalm to the sons of Korah. How beloved are your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!2My soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have exulted in the living God3For even the sparrow has found a home for himself, and the turtle-dove a nest for herself, where she may lay her young: your altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God4Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord. They will praise you from age to age5Blessed is the man whose help is from you. In his heart, he is disposed to ascen6from the valley of tears, from the place which he has determined7For even the lawgiver will provide a blessing; they will go from virtue to virtue. The God of gods will be seen in Zion8O Lord, God of hosts, hear my prayer. Pay attention, O God of Jacob9O God, gaze upon our protector, and look upon the face of your Christ10For one day in your courts is better than thousands elsewhere. I have chosen to be lowly in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners11For God loves mercy and truth. The Lord will give grace and glory12He will not withhold good things from those who walk in innocence. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who hopes in you
Gospel: John 11.17-27 or Luke 10.38-42
17And so Jesus went. And he found that he had already been in the tomb for four days18(Now Bethania was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia.19And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, so as to console them over their brother20Therefore, Martha, when she heard that Jesus was arriving, went out to meet him. But Mary was sitting at home21And then Martha said to Jesus: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died22But even now, I know that whatever you will request from God, God will give to you.23Jesus said to her, "Your brother shall rise again.24Martha said to him, "I know that he shall rise again, at the resurrection on the last day.25Jesus said to her: "I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me, even though he has died, he shall live26And everyone who lives and believes in me shall not die for eternity. Do you believe this?27She said to him: "Certainly, Lord. I have believed that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God, who has come into this world.
38Now it happened that, while they were traveling, he entered into a certain town. And a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her home39And she had a sister, named Mary, who, while sitting beside the Lord’s feet, was listening to his word40Now Martha was continually busying herself with serving. And she stood still and said: "Lord, is it not a concern to you that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, speak to her, so that she may help me.41And the Lord responded by saying to her: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled over many things42And yet only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the best portion, and it shall not be taken away from her.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound expressions of God's presence and promise. The first reading from Exodus describes the establishment of the tabernacle, a sacred space where God dwells among the Israelites. The detailed setup and the cloud and fire symbols emphasize God's guidance and presence, reassuring the Israelites of His constant companionship in the wilderness.
The Gospel from John presents a deeply personal moment between Jesus and Martha, where Martha's faith is tested by grief. Jesus' response transcends her hope for a future resurrection by declaring Himself as the Resurrection and the Life, offering eternal life through faith in Him. Martha's affirmation underscores her trust in Jesus as the Messiah.
Both readings converge on the theme of God's presence and the hope it inspires. The tabernacle symbolizes God's physical presence, while Jesus embodies the spiritual presence of God, offering eternal life. This duality reminds us to trust in God's presence in our lives, finding hope and comfort in His promises. Let us embrace this hope, trusting in God's plan and the eternal life offered through faith in Jesus.