Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 22, 2017
First Reading: Song of Solomon 3.1-4a or 2 Corinthians 5.14-17
1On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not.2I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not.3The watchmen found me as they went about in the city. "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"4Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her who conceived me.
14For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;15and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.16From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Psalm 63
1O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.2So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.3Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.4So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.5My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,6when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;7for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.8My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.9But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth;10they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.11But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.
Sermon
The passage from Song of Solomon 3:1-4a presents a vivid and intimate dialogue between a bride and her beloved, set against the backdrop of a nighttime search through the city. The bride, driven by deep longing, seeks her beloved relentlessly, questioning the city guards until she finally finds him. Her determination is unwavering, and once reunited, she vows to bring him into the heart of her family home, symbolizing a deep desire for union and connection.
This poetic text is part of the Song of Solomon, a book celebrated for its rich imagery and allegorical interpretations. Often seen as an allegory of God's love for humanity or the Church's relationship with Christ, the passage underscores the theme of persistent and passionate pursuit. The bride's journey mirrors the spiritual quest for divine connection, emphasizing perseverance and intimacy in one's faith journey.
In our daily lives, this passage encourages us to embrace a similar perseverance in our spiritual pursuits. Just as the bride does not falter in her search, we are called to remain steadfast in our faith, even when challenges arise. The transformative power of such a deep union with God invites us to bring His presence into the core of our lives, much like the bride brings her beloved into her mother's house. This passage reminds us that our spiritual journey is one of relentless seeking and profound transformation, leading us closer to the divine.