Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 29, 2025
First Reading: Exodus 33.7-11; 34.4b-9, 28
7Also, Moses took the tabernacle and pitched it beyond the camp at a distance, and he called its name: ‘Tabernacle of the Covenant.’ And all the people, who had any kind of question, went out to the Tabernacle of the Covenant, beyond the camp8And when Moses went out to the tabernacle, all the people rose up, and each one stood at the door of his pavilion, and they beheld the back of Moses until he entered the tent9And when he had gone into the Tabernacle of the Covenant, the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door, and he spoke with Moses10And all discerned that the pillar of cloud stood at the door of the Tabernacle. And they stood and worshipped at the doors of their tents11But the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, just as a man is used to speaking to his friend. And when he returned to the camp, his minister Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, did not withdraw from the Tabernacle
4And so he cut out two tablets of stone, like those that were before. And rising up in the night, he ascended onto Mount Sinai, just as the Lord had instructed him, carrying with him the tablets5And when the Lord had descended in a cloud, Moses stood with him, calling upon the name of the Lord6And as he was crossing before him, he said: "The Ruler, the Lord God, merciful and lenient, patient and full of compassion and also truthful7who preserves mercy a thousand fold, who takes away iniquity, and wickedness, and also sin; and with you no one, in and of himself, is innocent. You render the iniquity of the fathers to the sons, and also to their descendents to the third and fourth generation.8And hurrying, Moses bowed down prostrate to the ground; and worshiping9he said: "If I have found grace in your sight, O Lord, I beg you to walk with us, (for the people are stiff-necked) and take away our iniquities and our sin, and so possess us.28Therefore, he was in that place with the Lord for forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread and he did not drink water, and he wrote on the tablets the ten words of the covenant
Psalm 103
1To David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and bless his holy name, all that is within me2Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his recompenses3He forgives all your iniquities. He heals all your infirmities4He redeems your life from destruction. He crowns you with mercy and compassion5He satisfies your desire with good things. Your youth will be renewed like that of the eagle6The Lord accomplishes mercies, and his judgment is for all who patiently endure injuries7He has made his ways known to Moses, his will to the sons of Israel8The Lord is compassionate and merciful, patient and full of mercy9He will not be angry forever, and he will not threaten for eternity10He has not dealt with us according to our sins, and he has not repaid us according to our iniquities11For according to the height of the heavens above the earth, so has he reinforced his mercy toward those who fear him12As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our iniquities from us13As a father is compassionate to his sons, so has the Lord been compassionate to those who fear him14For he knows our form. He has called to mind that we are dust15Man: his days are like hay. Like the flower of the field, so will he flourish16For the spirit in him will pass away, and it will not remain, and he will know his place no longer17But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity, and even unto eternity, upon those who fear him. And his justice is with the sons of the sons18with those who serve his covenant and have been mindful of his commandments by doing them19The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven, and his kingdom will rule over all20Bless the Lord, all you his Angels: powerful in virtue, doing his word, in order to heed the voice of his discourse21Bless the Lord, all his hosts: his ministers who do his will22Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul
Gospel: John 11.17-27 or Luke 10.38-42
17And so Jesus went. And he found that he had already been in the tomb for four days18(Now Bethania was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia.19And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, so as to console them over their brother20Therefore, Martha, when she heard that Jesus was arriving, went out to meet him. But Mary was sitting at home21And then Martha said to Jesus: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died22But even now, I know that whatever you will request from God, God will give to you.23Jesus said to her, "Your brother shall rise again.24Martha said to him, "I know that he shall rise again, at the resurrection on the last day.25Jesus said to her: "I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me, even though he has died, he shall live26And everyone who lives and believes in me shall not die for eternity. Do you believe this?27She said to him: "Certainly, Lord. I have believed that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God, who has come into this world.
38Now it happened that, while they were traveling, he entered into a certain town. And a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her home39And she had a sister, named Mary, who, while sitting beside the Lord’s feet, was listening to his word40Now Martha was continually busying herself with serving. And she stood still and said: "Lord, is it not a concern to you that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, speak to her, so that she may help me.41And the Lord responded by saying to her: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled over many things42And yet only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the best portion, and it shall not be taken away from her.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound themes of God’s presence, mercy, and the power of faith. In the first reading from Exodus, we witness Moses’ deep communion with God. The Tabernacle of the Covenant, pitched outside the camp, becomes a symbol of God’s presence among His people. Moses, as a leader and intercessor, enters the tabernacle to speak with God face to face, embodying the intimate relationship between God and His chosen ones. The Lord’s descent in a cloud and His merciful revelation of Himself as “slow to anger and rich in kindness” remind us of His steadfast love and patience. Moses’ act of bowing down and pleading for God’s presence with His people underscores the importance of prayer and trust in God’s plan.
In the Gospel, we encounter Martha, whose brother Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days. Martha’s statement, “I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you,” reveals her deep faith in Jesus’ divine power. Jesus responds by declaring Himself as “the Resurrection and the Life,” offering a profound theological truth about His identity and mission. Martha’s affirmation, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” is a moment of profound faith, even in the midst of grief and uncertainty. Her response reminds us that faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in God’s love and plan, even when circumstances seem impossible.
These readings call us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Like Moses, we are invited to seek God’s presence in our lives, whether through prayer, worship, or moments of quiet reflection. Like Martha, we are challenged to trust in God’s mercy and power, even when we face challenges or losses. The readings remind us that faith is not about avoiding difficulties but about walking through them with confidence in God’s love. Let us strive to deepen our faith, to seek God’s presence in our lives, and to trust in His promise of eternal life. May we, like Martha, affirm our belief in Jesus as the Son of God and find hope in His words: “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”