Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 26, 2023

First Reading: Sirach 44.1, 8, 10-15

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

Psalm 132

Psalms

Chapter 132

¹A Canticle in steps. O Lord, remember David and all his meekness²how he swore to the Lord, how he made a vow to the God of Jacob³I shall not enter into the tabernacle of my house, nor climb into the bed where I lie down⁴I shall not give sleep to my eyes, nor slumber to my eyelid⁵and rest to my temples, until I find a place for the Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob⁶Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We discovered it in the fields of the forest⁷We will enter into his tabernacle. We will adore in the place where his feet stood⁸Rise up, O Lord, into your resting place. You and the ark of your sanctification⁹Let your priests be clothed with justice, and let your saints exult¹⁰For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your Christ¹¹The Lord has sworn the truth to David, and he will not disappoint: I will set upon your throne from the fruit of your lineage¹²If your sons will keep my covenant and these, my testimonies, which I will teach to them, then their sons will sit upon your throne even forever¹³For the Lord has chosen Zion. He has chosen it as his dwelling place¹⁴This is my resting place, forever and ever. Here I will dwell, for I have chosen it¹⁵When blessing, I will bless her widow. I will satisfy her poor with bread¹⁶I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will rejoice with great joy¹⁷There, I will produce a horn to David. There, I have prepared a lamp for my Christ¹⁸I will clothe his enemies with confusion. But my sanctification will flourish over him

Gospel: Matthew 13.16-17

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 first reading from Sirach invites us to reflect on the legacy of our ancestors and the enduring impact of their virtuous lives. The author praises those who have gone before us, not merely for their achievements, but for their fidelity to God and their commitment to living according to His will. These individuals left behind not only a name but also a spiritual inheritance—a legacy of faith, wisdom, and righteousness that continues to inspire generations. The reading reminds us that our lives are not isolated events but are deeply connected to those who came before us and to those who will come after us. Our actions, like theirs, have the power to shape the future and leave a lasting impact. 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 profound grace we have been given to know and follow Him. The prophets of old looked forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises, and now, in Christ, those promises are revealed. Yet with this blessing comes a responsibility—to live in gratitude, to share the gift of faith with others, and to continue the legacy of those who came before us. Together, these readings call us to live with a sense of gratitude and stewardship. We are heirs of a rich spiritual tradition, and we are called to honor that legacy by living virtuous lives and sharing the blessings we have received. Let us not take for granted the gift of faith or the opportunities we have to grow closer to God. May we, like our ancestors, leave behind a legacy of love, mercy, and fidelity, so that future generations may also know the joy of living in God’s presence.