Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 5, 2024
First Reading: Jeremiah 28.1-17
1And it happened in that year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, the king of Judah, in the fourth year, in the fifth month, that Hananiah, the son of Azur, the prophet from Gibeon, spoke to me, in the house of the Lord, in the sight of the priests and all the people, saying2"Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon3There are still two years of days, and then I will cause to be carried back to this place all the vessels of the house of the Lord that Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, took from this place and carried away to Babylon4And I will return to this place: Jeconiah, the son of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, and all those taken captive from Judah, who were brought into Babylon, says the Lord. For I will crush the yoke of the king of Babylon.5And Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Hananiah the prophet, before the eyes of the priests and before the eyes of all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord6And Jeremiah the prophet said: "Amen, may the Lord accomplish this; may the Lord act upon your words, which you have prophesied, so that the vessels may be carried back to the house of the Lord, and so that all those taken captive may return from Babylon to this place7Yet truly, listen to this word, which I am speaking to your ears and to the ears of all the people8The prophets, who were before me and before you, from the beginning, have prophesied over many lands and over great kingdoms, about war, and about affliction, and about famine9The prophet who has predicted peace, if his word will occur, then the prophet will be known as one whom the Lord has sent in truth.10And Hananiah the prophet took the chain from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, and he broke it11And Hananiah spoke in the sight of all the people, saying: "Thus says the Lord: So shall I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, after two years of days, from the neck of all the people.12And Jeremiah the prophet went his own way. And after Hananiah the prophet had broken the chain from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying13"Go, and you shall say to Hananiah: Thus says the Lord: You have broken chains of wood, and so you will make for them chains of iron14For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: I have placed a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations, so that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. And they shall serve him. Moreover, I have given to him even the beasts of the earth.15And Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah the prophet: "Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, and so you have caused this people to trust in a lie16For this reason, thus says the Lord: Behold, I will send you away from the face of the earth. This year, you shall die. For you have spoken against the Lord.17And Hananiah the prophet died in that year, in the seventh month
Psalm 119
1Alleluia. ALEPH. Blessed are the immaculate in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord2Blessed are those who examine his testimonies. They seek him with their whole heart3For those who work iniquity have not walked in his ways4You have ordered your commandments to be kept most diligently5I wish that my ways may be directed so as to keep your justifications6Then I will not be confounded, when I will look into all your commandments7I will confess to you with honesty of heart. In this way, I have learned the judgments of your justice8I will keep your justifications. Do not utterly abandon me9BETH. By what does an adolescent correct his way? By keeping to your words10With my whole heart, I have sought you. Do not let me be driven away from your commandments11I have hidden your eloquence in my heart, so that I may not sin against you12Blessed are you, O Lord. Teach me your justifications13With my lips, I have pronounced all the judgments of your mouth14I have been delighted in the way of your testimonies, as if in all riches15I will be trained in your commandments, and I will consider your ways16I will meditate on your justifications. I will not forget your words17GHIMEL. Repay your servant, revive me; and I will keep your words18Reveal to my eyes, and I will consider the wonders of your law19I am a sojourner on the earth. Do not hide your commandments from me20My soul has longed to desire your justifications at all times21You have rebuked the arrogant. Those who decline from your commandments are accursed22Take me away from disgrace and contempt, for I have sought your testimonies23For even the leaders sat and spoke against me. But your servant has been trained in your justifications24For your testimonies are also my meditation, and your justifications are my counsel25DALETH. My soul has adhered to the pavement. Revive me according to your word26I have declared my ways, and you have heeded me. Teach me your justifications27Instruct me in the way of your justifications, and I will be trained in your wonders28My soul has slumbered because of weariness. Confirm me in your words29Remove the way of iniquity from me, and have mercy on me by your law30I have chosen the way of truth. I have not forgotten your judgments31I have adhered to your testimonies, O Lord. Do not be willing to confound me32I have run by way of your commandments, when you enlarged my heart33HE. O Lord, place the law before me, the way of your justifications, and I will always inquire into it34Give me understanding, and I will examine your law. And I will keep it with my whole heart35Lead me according to the path of your commandments, for I have desired this36Bend my heart with your testimonies, and not with avarice37Turn my eyes away, lest they see what is vain. Revive me in your way38Station your eloquence with your servant, along with your fear39Cut off my disgrace, which I have taken up, for your judgments are delightful40Behold, I have longed for your commandments. Revive me in your fairness41VAU. And let your mercy overwhelm me, O Lord: your salvation according to your eloquence42And I will respond to those who reproach me by word, for I have hoped in your words43And do not utterly take away the word of truth from my mouth. For in your judgments, I have hoped beyond hope44And I will always keep your law, in this age and forever and ever45And I have wandered far and wide, because I was seeking your commandments46And I spoke of your testimonies in the sight of kings, and I was not confounded47And I meditated on your commandments, which I loved48And I lifted up my hands to your commandments, which I loved. And I was trained in your justifications49ZAIN. Be mindful of your word to your servant, by which you have given me hope50This has consoled me in my humiliation, for your word has revived me51The arrogant act altogether iniquitously, but I have not turned aside from your law52I called to mind your judgments of antiquity, O Lord, and I was consoled53Faintness has taken hold of me, because of the sinners, those who abandon your law54Your justifications were the subject of my worthy singing, in the place of my pilgrimage55During the night, I remembered your name, O Lord, and I kept your law56This has happened to me because I sought your justifications57HETH. O Lord, my portion, I have said that I would keep your law58I have beseeched your face with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word59I have considered my ways, and I have turned my feet toward your testimonies60I have been prepared, and I have not been disturbed, so that I may keep your commandments61The ropes of the impious have encircled me, and I have not forgotten your law62I arose in the middle of the night to confess to you, over the judgments of your justification63I am a partaker with all those who fear you and who keep your commandments64The earth, O Lord, is full of your mercy. Teach me your justifications65TETH. You have done well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word66Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge, for I have trusted your commandments67Before I was humbled, I committed offenses; because of this, I have kept to your word68You are good, so in your goodness teach me your justifications69The iniquity of the arrogant has been multiplied over me. Yet I will examine your commandments with all my heart70Their heart has been curdled like milk. Truly, I have meditated on your law71It is good for me that you humbled me, so that I may learn your justifications72The law of your mouth is good for me, beyond thousands of gold and silver pieces73IOD. Your hands have created me and formed me. Give me understanding, and I will learn your commandments74Those who fear you will see me, and they will rejoice. For I have greatly hoped in your words75I know, O Lord, that your judgments are fairness. And in your truth, you have humbled me76Let it be your mercy that consoles me, according to your eloquence to your servant77Let your compassion draw near to me, and I will live. For your law is my meditation78Let the arrogant be confounded, for unjustly they have done iniquity to me. But I will be trained in your commandments79Let those who fear you turn to me, along with those who know your testimonies80Let my heart be immaculate in your justifications, so that I may not be confounded81CAPH. My soul has faltered in your salvation, yet in your word, I have hoped beyond hope82My eyes have failed in your eloquence, saying, "When will you console me?83For I have become like a wineskin in the frost. I have not forgotten your justifications84How many are the days of your servant? When will you bring judgment against those who persecute me85The iniquitous have spoken fables to me. But these are unlike your law86All your commandments are truth. They have been persecuting me unjustly: assist me87They have nearly consumed me on earth. Yet I have not forsaken your commandments88Revive me according to your mercy. And I will keep the testimonies of your mouth89LAMED. O Lord, your word remains firm in heaven, for all eternity90Your truth is from generation to generation. You have founded the earth, and it remains firm91By your ordinance, the day perseveres. For all things are in service to you92If your law had not been my meditation, then perhaps I would have perished in my humiliation93I will not forget your justifications, for eternity. For by them, you have enlivened me94I am yours. Accomplish my salvation. For I have inquired into your justifications95The sinners have waited for me, in order to destroy me. I have understood your testimonies96I have seen the end of the consummation of all things. Your commandment is exceedingly broad97MEM. How have I loved your law, O Lord? It is my meditation all day long98By your commandment, you have made me able to see far, beyond my enemies. For it is with me for eternity99I have understood beyond all my teachers. For your testimonies are my meditation100I have understood beyond the elders. For I have searched your commandments101I have prohibited my feet from every evil way, so that I may keep your words102I have not declined from your judgments, because you have stationed a law for me103How sweet is your eloquence to my palate, more so than honey to my mouth104I obtained understanding by your commandments. Because of this, I have hated every way of iniquity105NUN. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my paths106I have sworn it, and so I am determined to keep the judgments of your justice107I have been altogether humbled, Lord. Revive me according to your word108Make the willing offerings of my mouth well pleasing, Lord, and teach me your judgments109My soul is always in my hands, and I have not forgotten your law110Sinners have set a snare for me, yet I have not strayed from your commandments111I have acquired your testimonies as an inheritance unto eternity, because they are the exultation of my heart112I have inclined my heart to do your justifications for eternity, as a recompense113SAMECH. I have hated the iniquitous, and I have loved your law114You are my helper and my supporter. And in your word, I have greatly hoped115Turn away from me, you malignant ones. And I will examine the commandments of my God116Uphold me according to your eloquence, and I will live. And let me not be confounded in my expectation117Help me, and I will be saved. And I will meditate always on your justifications118You have despised all those who fell away from your judgments. For their intention is unjust119I have considered all the sinners of the earth to be transgressors. Therefore, I have loved your testimonies120Pierce my flesh with your fear, for I am afraid of your judgments121AIN. I have accomplished judgment and justice. Do not hand me over to those who slander me122Uphold your servant in what is good. And do not allow the arrogant to slander me123My eyes have failed in your salvation and in the eloquence of your justice124Deal with your servant according to your mercy, and teach me your justifications125I am your servant. Give me understanding, so that I may know your testimonies126It is time to act, O Lord. They have dissipated your law127Therefore, I have loved your commandments beyond gold and topaz128Because of this, I was directed toward all your commandments. I held hatred for every iniquitous way129PHE. Your testimonies are wonderful. Therefore, my soul has been examined by them130The declaration of your words illuminates, and it gives understanding to little ones131I opened my mouth and drew breath, for I desired your commandments132Gaze upon me and be merciful to me, according to the judgment of those who love your name133Direct my steps according to your eloquence, and let no injustice rule over me134Redeem me from the slanders of men, so that I may keep your commandments135Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your justifications136My eyes have gushed like springs of water, because they have not kept your law137SADE. You are just, O Lord, and your judgment is right138You have commanded justice: your testimonies and your truth even more so139My zeal has caused me to pine away, because my enemies have forgotten your words140Your eloquence has been greatly enflamed, and your servant has loved it141I am young and treated with contempt. But I have not forgotten your justifications142Your justice is justice for all eternity, and your law is truth143Tribulation and anguish have found me. Your commandments are my meditation144Your testimonies are fairness unto eternity. Give me understanding, and I will live145COPH. I cried out with my whole heart. Heed me, O Lord. I will ask for your justifications146I cried out to you. Save me, so that I may keep your commandments147I arrived first in maturity, and so I cried out. For in your words, I have hoped beyond hope148My eyes preceded the dawn for you, so that I might meditate on your eloquence149Hear my voice according to your mercy, O Lord. And revive me according to your judgment150Those who persecute me have drawn near to iniquity, but they have been brought far from your law151You are near, O Lord, and all your ways are truth152I have known from the beginning about your testimonies. For you founded them in eternity153RES. See my humiliation and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your law154Judge my judgment and redeem me. Revive me because of your eloquence155Salvation is far from sinners, because they have not inquired about your justifications156Many are your mercies, O Lord. Enliven me according to your judgment157Many are those who persecute me and who trouble me. I have not turned away from your testimonies158I saw the prevaricators, and I pine away. For they have not kept your word159O Lord, see how I have loved your commandments. Revive me in your mercy160The beginning of your words is truth. All the judgments of your justice are for eternity161SIN. The leaders have persecuted me without cause. And my heart has been awed by your words162I will rejoice over your eloquence, like one who has found many spoils163I have held hatred for iniquity, and I have abhorred it. Yet I have loved your law164Seven times a day, I uttered praise to you about the judgments of your justice165Those who love your law have great peace, and there is no scandal for them166I have waited for your salvation, O Lord. And I have loved your commandments167My soul has kept to your testimonies and has loved them exceedingly168I have served your commandments and your testimonies. For all my ways are before your sight169TAU. O Lord, let my supplication draw near in your sight. Grant understanding to me according to your eloquence170Let my petition enter before you. Rescue me according to your word171A hymn will burst forth from my lips, when you will teach me your justifications172My tongue will pronounce your eloquence. For all your commandments are fairness173Let it be your hand that saves me. For I have chosen your commandments174O Lord, I have longed for your salvation, and your law is my meditation175My soul will live and will praise you, and your judgments will assist me176I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost. Seek out your servant, for I have not forgotten your commandments
Gospel: Matthew 14.13-21
13When Jesus had heard it, he withdrew from there by boat, to a deserted place by himself. And when the crowds had heard of it, they followed him on foot from the cities14And going out, he saw a great multitude, and he took pity on them, and he cured their sick15And when evening had arrived, his disciples approached him, saying: "This is a deserted place, and the hour has now passed. Dismiss the crowds, so that, by going into the towns, they may buy food for themselves.16But Jesus said to them: "They have no need to go. Give them something to eat yourselves.17They answered him, "We have nothing here, except five loaves and two fish.18He said to them, "Bring them here to me.19And when he had ordered the multitude to sit down upon the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fish, and gazing up to heaven, he blessed and broke and gave the bread to the disciples, and then the disciples to the multitudes20And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up the remnants: twelve baskets full of fragments21Now the number of those who ate was five thousand men, besides women and children
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, discernment, and God's providence. The first reading from Jeremiah presents a stark contrast between the true prophet Jeremiah and the false prophet Hananiah. While Hananiah offers a message of immediate relief and liberation from the yoke of Babylon, Jeremiah delivers a more difficult truth: the exile will be long, and the people must endure. This tension reminds us that God's timing is not always aligned with our desires, and true faith requires patience and trust in His plan, even when it is challenging.
The Gospel reading from Matthew offers a complementary message of trust in God's providence. Jesus, moved by compassion, feeds a multitude with just five loaves and two fish, demonstrating that even the smallest resources can be multiplied when placed in God's hands. This miracle is not just about physical nourishment but also about spiritual sustenance, teaching us to rely on God's abundance rather than our own limited vision. Just as the disciples were called to share what little they had, we too are invited to trust that our meager offerings can be transformed by God into something extraordinary.
These readings encourage us to embrace a deeper trust in God's plan, even when it seems slow or uncertain. Like Jeremiah, we must discern the truth amidst false assurances and remain steadfast in our faith. Like the disciples, we must be willing to offer what little we have, trusting that God will provide. In our daily lives, this means facing challenges with patience, seeking guidance from true sources of wisdom, and generously sharing our time, talents, and resources with others. May we learn to trust in God's timing and providence, knowing that He works all things for our good.