Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 21, 2023
First Reading: Judges 2.11-19
11And the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they served the Baals12And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had led them away from the land of Egypt. And they followed foreign gods and the gods of the peoples who were living around them, and they adored them. And they provoked the Lord to wrath13forsaking him, and serving Baal and Ashtaroth14And the Lord, having become angry against Israel, delivered them into the hands of plunderers, who seized them and sold them to the enemies that were living on all sides. Neither were they able to withstand their adversaries15Instead, wherever they wanted to go, the hand of the Lord was upon them, just as he said and just as he swore to them. And they were greatly afflicted16And the Lord raised up judges, who would free them from the hands of their oppressors. But they were not willing to listen to them17Fornicating with foreign gods and adoring them, they quickly deserted the way along which their fathers had advanced. And having heard the commandments of the Lord, they did all things to the contrary18And while the Lord was raising up the judges, in their days, he was moved to mercy, and he listened to the groaning of the afflicted, and he freed them from the slaughter of their oppressors19But after a judge had died, they turned back, and they were doing much worse things than their fathers had done, following strange gods, serving them, and adoring them. They did not abandon their pursuits and their very stubborn way, by which they were accustomed to walk
Psalm 106
1Alleluia. Confess to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy is with every generation2Who will declare the powers of the Lord? Who make a hearing for all his praises3Blessed are those who keep judgment and who do justice at all times4Remember us, O Lord, with good will for your people. Visit us with your salvation5so that we may see the goodness of your elect, so that we may rejoice in the joy of your nation, so that you may be praised along with your inheritance6We have sinned, as have our fathers. We have acted unjustly; we have wrought iniquity7Our fathers did not understand your miracles in Egypt. They did not remember the multitude of your mercies. And they provoked you, while going up to the sea, even the Red Sea8And he saved them for the sake of his name, so that he might make known his power9And he rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up. And he led them into the abyss, as if into a desert10And he saved them from the hand of those who hated them. And he redeemed them from the hand of the enemy11And the water covered those who troubled them. Not one of them remained12And they believed his words, and they sang his praises13As soon as they had finished, they forgot his works, and they would not endure his counsel14And they coveted their desire in the desert, and they tempted God in a waterless place15And he granted to them their request, and he sent abundance into their souls16And they provoked Moses in the camp, and Aaron, the holy one of the Lord17The earth opened and swallowed Dathan, and it covered the congregation of Abiram18And a fire broke out in their congregation. A flame burned up the sinners19And they fashioned a calf at Horeb, and they adored a graven image20And they exchanged their glory for the likeness of a calf that eats hay21They forgot God, who saved them, who did great things in Egypt22miracles in the land of Ham, terrible things at the Red Sea23And he said that he would destroy them, yet Moses, his elect, stood firm before him in the breach, in order to avert his wrath, lest he destroy them24And they held the desirable land to be nothing. They did not trust in his word25And they murmured in their tabernacles. They did not heed the voice of the Lord26And he lifted up his hand over them, in order to prostrate them in the desert27and in order to cast their offspring among the nations, and to scatter them among the regions28And they were initiated into Baal of Peor, and they ate the sacrifices of the dead29And they provoked him with their inventions, and ruination was multiplied in them30Then Phinehas stood up and placated him: and so the violent disturbance ceased31And it was reputed to him unto justice, from generation to generation, even forever32And they provoked him at the Waters of Contradiction, and Moses was afflicted because of them33for they exasperated his spirit. And so he divided them with his lips34They did not destroy the nations, about which the Lord had spoken to them35And they were mixed among the Gentiles. And they learned their works36and they served their graven images, and it became a scandal to them37And they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons38And they shed innocent blood: the blood of their sons and of their daughters, which they sacrificed to the graven images of Canaan. And the land was infected with bloodshed39and was contaminated with their works. And they fornicated according to their own inventions40And the Lord became furiously angry with his people, and he abhorred his inheritance41And he delivered them into the hands of the nations. And those who hated them became rulers over them42And their enemies afflicted them, and they were humbled under their hands43Many times, he delivered them. Yet they provoked him with their counsel, and they were brought low by their iniquities44And he saw that they were in tribulation, and he heard their prayer45And he was mindful of his covenant, and he repented according to the multitude of his mercies46And he provided for them with mercies, in the sight of all those who had seized them47Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, so that we may confess your holy name and glory in your praise48Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, from ages past, even to all ages. And let all the people say: Amen. Amen
Gospel: Matthew 19.16-22
16And behold, someone approached and said to him, "Good Teacher, what good should I do, so that I may have eternal life?17And he said to him: "Why do you question me about what is good? One is good: God. But if you wish to enter into life, observe the commandments.18He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said: "You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony19Honor your father and your mother. And, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.20The young man said to him: "All these I have kept from my childhood. What is still lacking for me?21Jesus said to him: "If you are willing to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.22And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad, for he had many possessions
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the human condition and our relationship with God. In the first reading from Judges, we see the recurring pattern of the Israelites turning away from God to follow false idols and foreign gods. This infidelity leads to their downfall, as God allows them to be oppressed by their enemies. Yet, in his mercy, God raises up judges to rescue them, only for the cycle to repeat itself after each judge’s death. This passage reminds us of the consequences of spiritual infidelity and the importance of remaining faithful to God’s covenant.
In the Gospel, we encounter a young man who approaches Jesus, seeking eternal life. Jesus lists the commandments, emphasizing the importance of living a morally upright life. The young man claims to have kept all these commandments since childhood, but Jesus challenges him further: to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow him. The young man, attached to his wealth, walks away sorrowfully. This encounter highlights the difficulty of letting go of worldly attachments and the radical commitment required to follow Christ.
Both readings call us to examine our own lives. Like the Israelites, we may often turn to false idols—whether material possessions, comfort, or other distractions—that pull us away from God. Like the rich young man, we may think we are living virtuous lives, but we are called to go further, to let go of whatever hinders our relationship with God. True freedom and happiness come not from wealth or possessions but from wholehearted devotion to God. Let us ask ourselves: What are the “possessions” in our lives that keep us from following Christ more closely? May we trust in God’s promise of eternal life and have the courage to let go, that we might find true treasure in heaven.