Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 29, 2022
First Reading: Jeremiah 26.1-9
1In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, the king of Judah, this word came from the Lord, saying2"Thus says the Lord: Stand in the atrium of the house of the Lord, and speak to all the cities of Judah, from which they come to adore in the house of the Lord, all the words that I have commanded you to speak to them. Do not choose to subtract any word3So may they hear and be converted, each one from his evil way. And then I may repent of the evil that I plan to do to them because of the wickedness of their pursuits4And you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord: If you will not listen to me, so that you walk in my law, which I have given to you5so that you listen to the words of my servants, the prophets, whom I have sent to you, who arise while it is still night, and though they give guidance, you do not listen6then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city into a curse for all the nations of the earth.7And the priests, and the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord8And when Jeremiah had completed speaking all that the Lord had instructed him to speak to all the people, then the priests, and the prophets, and all the people apprehended him, saying: "You shall be put to death.9"Why has he prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying: ‘Like Shiloh, so shall this house be,’ and, ‘This city shall be made desolate, even without an inhabitant?’ " And all the people were gathered together against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord
Psalm 69
1Unto the end. For those who will be changed: of David. Save me, O God, for the waters have entered, even to my soul2I have become stuck in a deep quagmire, and there is no firm footing. I have arrived at the height of the sea, and a tempest has overwhelmed me3I have endured hardships, while crying out. My jaws have become hoarse; my eyes have failed. Meanwhile, I hope in my God4Those who hate me without cause have been multiplied beyond the hairs of my head. My enemies, who persecuted me unjustly, have been strengthened. Then I was required to pay for what I did not take5O God, you know my foolishness, and my offenses have not been hidden from you6Let those who wait for you, O Lord, the Lord of hosts, not be shamed in me. Let those who seek you, O God of Israel, not be confounded over me7For because of you, I have endured reproach; confusion has covered my face8I have become a stranger to my brothers and a sojourner to the sons of my mother9For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproached you have fallen upon me10And I covered my soul with fasting, and it has become a reproach to me11And I put on a haircloth as my garment, and I became a parable to them12Those who sat at the gate spoke against me, and those who drank wine made me their song13But as for me, truly, my prayer is to you, O Lord. This time has pleased you well, O God. In the multitude of your mercy, in the truth of your salvation, hear me14Rescue me from the quagmire, so that I may not become trapped. Free me from those who hate me and from deep waters15Do not allow the tempest of water to submerge me, nor the deep to absorb me. And do not allow the well to close in on me16Hear me, O Lord, for your mercy is kind. Look upon me, according to the fullness of your compassion17And do not turn your face away from your servant, for I am in trouble: heed me quickly18Attend to my soul, and free it. Rescue me, because of my enemies19You know my reproach, and my confusion, and my reverence20All those who trouble me are in your sight; my heart has anticipated reproach and misery. And I sought for one who might grieve together with me, but there was no one, and for one who might console me, and I found no one21And they gave me gall for my food. And in my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink22Let their table be a snare before them, and a retribution, and a scandal23Let their eyes be darkened, so that they may not see, and may their back always be crooked24Pour out your indignation upon them, and may the fury of your anger take hold of them25May their dwelling place be deserted, and may there be no one who dwells in their tabernacles26For they persecuted whomever you struck. And they have added to the grief of my wounds27Assign an iniquity upon their iniquity, and may they not enter into your justice28Delete them from the Book of the Living, and let them not be written down with the just29I am poor and sorrowful, but your salvation, O God, has taken me up30I will praise the name of God with a canticle, and I will magnify him with praise31And it will please God more than a new calf producing horns and hoofs32Let the poor see and rejoice. Seek God, and your soul will live33For the Lord has heard the poor, and he has not despised his prisoners34Let the heavens and the earth praise him: the sea, and everything that crawls in it35For God will save Zion, and the cities of Judah will be built up. And they will dwell there, and they will acquire it by inheritance36And the offspring of his servants will possess it; and those who love his name will dwell in it
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 moments of faith and prophecy. The first reading from Jeremiah depicts the prophet standing courageously in the Temple, delivering a message from God to the people of Judah. Despite the potential danger, Jeremiah faithfully relays God's words, urging the people to turn from their wicked ways. His prophecy warns of destruction if they do not listen, yet he stands firm, trusting in God's plan. This scene highlights the difficult role of the prophet, who must speak truth even in the face of rejection and peril.
In the Gospel, we find Martha expressing her faith in Jesus when he arrives after Lazarus's death. Her statement, "I know that whatever you will request from God, God will give to you," shows her trust in Jesus's divine power. Jesus's response, "I am the Resurrection and the Life," shifts Martha's focus from mourning to hope, emphasizing that faith in him transcends even death. Martha's affirmation, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," underscores her unwavering belief.
These readings connect through the theme of faith and trust in God's plan. Jeremiah's courage and Martha's belief illustrate the transformative power of faith. In our lives, we are called to trust God, even in uncertain times. Like Martha, we can find hope in Jesus's promise of eternal life. Let us embrace this faith, allowing it to guide us through life's challenges, trusting in God's love and plan.