Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 4, 2023
First Reading: Genesis 19.15-29
15And when it was morning, the Angels compelled him, saying, "Arise, take your wife, and the two daughters that you have, lest you also should perish amid the wickedness of the city.16And, since he ignored them, they took his hand, and the hand of his wife, as well as that of his two daughters, because the Lord was sparing him17And they brought him out, and placed him beyond the city. And there they spoke to him, saying: "Save your life. Do not look not back. Neither should you stay in the entire surrounding region. But save yourself in the mountain, lest you also should perish.18And Lot said to them: "I beg you, my lord19though your servant has found grace before you, and you have magnified your mercy, which you have shown to me in saving my life, I cannot be saved on the mountain, lest perhaps some misfortune take hold of me and I die20There is a certain city nearby, to which I can flee; it is a little one, and I will be saved in it. Is it not a modest one, and will not my soul live?21And he said to him: "Behold, even now, I have heard your petitions about this, not to overturn the city on behalf of which you have spoken22Hurry and be saved there. For I cannot do anything until you enter there." For this reason, the name of that city is called Zoar23The sun had risen over the land, and Lot had entered into Zoar24Therefore, the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah sulphur and fire, from the Lord, out of heaven25And he overturned these cities, and all the surrounding region: all the inhabitants of the cities, and everything that springs from the land26And his wife, looking behind herself, was turned into a statue of salt27Then Abraham, rising up in the morning, in the place where he had stood before with the Lord28looked out toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and the entire land of that region. And he saw embers rising up from the land like smoke from a furnace29For when God overthrew the cities of that region, remembering Abraham, he freed Lot from the overthrow of the cities, in which he had dwelt
Psalm 26
1Unto the end. A Psalm of David. Judge me, Lord, for I have been walking in my innocence, and by hoping in the Lord, I will not be weakened2Examine me, Lord, and test me: enkindle my temperament and my heart3For your mercy is before my eyes, and I am serene in your truth4I have not sat with the council of emptiness, and I will not enter with those who carry out injustice5I have hated the assembly of the malicious; and I will not sit with the impious6I will wash my hands among the innocent, and I will surround your altar, O Lord7so that I may hear the voice of your praise and describe all your wonders8O Lord, I have loved the beauty of your house and the dwelling place of your glory9O God, do not let my soul perish with the impious, nor my life with the men of blood10in whose hands are iniquities: their right hand has been filled by bribes11But as for me, I have been walking in my innocence. Redeem me, and have mercy on me12My foot has stood firm in the straight path. In the churches, I will bless you, O Lord
Gospel: Matthew 8.23-27
23And climbing into a boat, his disciples followed him24And behold, a great tempest occurred in the sea, so much so that the boat was covered with waves; yet truly, he was sleeping25And his disciples drew near to him, and they awakened him, saying: "Lord, save us, we are perishing.26And Jesus said to them, "Why are you afraid, O little in faith?" Then rising up, he commanded the winds, and the sea. And a great tranquility occurred27Moreover, the men wondered, saying: "What kind of man is this? For even the winds and the sea obey him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on trust and faith in the face of adversity. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot, warned by angels of the impending doom, is urged to flee. Despite the angels' guidance, Lot hesitates and requests to go to a nearby city, Zoar, instead of the mountains. His wife, however, looks back, turning her into a pillar of salt—a poignant reminder of the consequences of doubt and hesitation. Abraham, observing the destruction from a distance, is spared, illustrating God's mercy and remembrance.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a different yet complementary scenario. Jesus and his disciples encounter a tempest while on a boat. While Jesus sleeps, the disciples, fearing for their lives, awaken him. Jesus calms the storm, demonstrating his divine authority over nature. This miracle leaves the disciples in awe, pondering the kind of man who can command the winds and seas.
Both readings underscore the importance of trust and faith in times of crisis. In Genesis, Lot's story teaches us about the perils of looking back and the necessity of trusting God's plan. In Matthew, Jesus' calm amidst the storm reminds us of His presence and power in our lives. These narratives encourage us to face life's challenges with unwavering faith, trusting in God's providence and guidance. May we, like the disciples, recognize the divine presence in our midst and find peace in the midst of turmoil.