Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 2, 2022
First Reading: Jeremiah 30.1-2, 12-15, 18-22
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying2"Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, saying: You shall write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you12For thus says the Lord: "Your fracture is incurable; your wound is very serious13There is no one who may judge your judgment, so as to bandage it; there is no useful treatment for you14All your lovers have forgotten you, and they will not seek you. For I have wounded you with the strike of an enemy, with a cruel chastisement. Your sins have become hardened because of the multitude of your iniquities15Why do you cry out over your affliction? Your pain is incurable. I have done these things to you because of the multitude of your iniquity and because of your hardened sins18Thus says the Lord: "Behold, I will turn back the turning away of the tabernacles of Jacob, and I will take pity on his roofs. And the city will be built up in her heights, and the temple will be founded according to its order19And praise will go forth from them, with the voice of those who play. And I will multiply them, and they will not be lessened. And I will glorify them, and they will not be weakened20And their sons will be as in the beginning. And their assembly will remain in my sight. And I will visit against all those who trouble them21And their ruler will be one of their own. And their prince will be led forward from their midst. And I will draw him near, and he will cling to me. For who is the one who applies his heart, so that he may draw near to me, says the Lord22And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Psalm 102
1The prayer of the pauper, when he was anxious, and so he poured out his petition in the sight of the Lord. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my outcry reach you2Do not turn your face away from me. In whatever day that I am in trouble, incline your ear to me. In whatever day that I will call upon you, heed me quickly3For my days have faded away like smoke, and my bones have dried out like firewood4I have been cut down like hay, and my heart has withered, for I had forgotten to eat my bread5Before the voice of my groaning, my bone has adhered to my flesh6I have become like a pelican in solitude. I have become like a night raven in a house7I have kept vigil, and I have become like a solitary sparrow on a roof8All day long my enemies reproached me, and those who praised me swore oaths against me9For I chewed on ashes like bread, and I mixed weeping into my drink10By the face of your anger and indignation, you lifted me up and threw me down11My days have declined like a shadow, and I have dried out like hay12But you, O Lord, endure for eternity, and your memorial is from generation to generation13You will rise up and take pity on Zion, for it is time for its mercy, for the time has come14For its stones have pleased your servants, and they will take pity on its land15And the Gentiles will fear your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory16For the Lord has built up Zion, and he will be seen in his glory17He has noticed the prayer of the humble, and he has not despised their petition18Let these things be written in another generation, and the people who will be created will praise the Lord19For he has gazed from his high sanctuary. From heaven, the Lord has beheld the earth20So may he hear the groans of those in shackles, in order that he may release the sons of the slain21So may they announce the name of the Lord in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem22while the people convene, along with kings, in order that they may serve the Lord23He responded to him in the way of his virtue: Declare to me the brevity of my days24Do not call me back in the middle of my days: your years are from generation to generation25In the beginning, O Lord, you founded the earth. And the heavens are the work of your hands26They will perish, but you remain. And all will grow old like a garment. And, like a blanket, you will change them, and they will be changed27Yet you are ever yourself, and your years will not decline28The sons of your servants will live, and their offspring will be guided aright in every age
Gospel: Matthew 14.22-36
22And Jesus promptly compelled his disciples to climb into the boat, and to precede him in crossing the sea, while he dismissed the crowds23And having dismissed the multitude, he ascended alone onto a mountain to pray. And when evening arrived, he was alone there24But in the midst of the sea, the boat was being tossed about by the waves. For the wind was against them25Then, in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them, walking upon the sea26And seeing him walking upon the sea, they were disturbed, saying: "It must be an apparition." And they cried out, because of fear27And immediately, Jesus spoke to them, saying: "Have faith. It is I. Do not be afraid.28Then Peter responded by saying, "Lord, if it is you, order me come to you over the waters.29And he said, "Come." And Peter, descending from the boat, walked over the water, so as to go to Jesus30Yet truly, seeing that the wind was strong, he was afraid. And as he began to sink, he cried out, saying: "Lord, save me.31And immediately Jesus extended his hand and took hold of him. And he said to him, "O little in faith, why did you doubt?32And when they had ascended into the boat, the wind ceased33Then those who were in the boat drew near and adored him, saying: "Truly, you are the Son of God.34And having crossed the sea, they arrived in the land of Genesaret35And when the men of that place had recognized him, they sent into all that region, and they brought to him all who had maladies36And they petitioned him, so that they might touch even the hem of his garment. And as many as touched it were made whole
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages of hope, faith, and restoration. The first reading from Jeremiah speaks to a people in exile, burdened by their sins and suffering. Yet, even in the midst of their pain, God offers a promise of healing and renewal. He declares that He will restore the tabernacles of Jacob, rebuild the city, and bring joy and prosperity to His people. This is not merely a distant hope but a divine assurance that God’s mercy and love will prevail, even in the face of great affliction.
The Gospel reading from Matthew complements this theme of hope and restoration through the story of Jesus walking on the water. After feeding the multitude, Jesus sends His disciples ahead in a boat, while He remains to pray. As a storm arises, the disciples are tossed about by the waves, symbolizing the trials and fears we all face in life. Jesus comes to them, walking on the water, and Peter, in a moment of faith, steps out to meet Him. Though Peter falters and begins to sink, Jesus immediately reaches out and saves him. This narrative reminds us that even when our faith is weak, Jesus is always near, ready to rescue us and bring us to safety.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like the exiles in Jeremiah’s time, we may feel wounded or lost, but God’s promise of restoration is ever-present. Like Peter, we may doubt or fear, but Jesus calls us to trust in Him, even when the waves of life seem overwhelming. Let us cling to faith, knowing that God’s power and love can calm every storm. In moments of uncertainty, may we turn to Jesus, the Son of God, and seek His healing touch, remembering that He is always with us, guiding us toward peace and wholeness.