Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 1, 2019
First Reading: Genesis 18.16-33
16Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way.17The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,18seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?19For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him."20Then the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave,21I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know."22So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD.23Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?24Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it?25Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?"26And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake."27Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.28Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there."29Again he spoke to him and said, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it."30Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there."31He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it."32Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it."33And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
Psalm 103
1Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,3who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,5who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.7He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.10He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.13As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.14For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.15As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;16for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.17But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,18to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.19The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.20Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!21Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!22Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Gospel: Matthew 8.18-22
18Now when Jesus saw a great crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.19And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."20And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."21Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."22And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of faith, intercession, and commitment, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with God and our spiritual journey.
The first reading from Genesis 18:16-33 presents Abraham as a model of faith and intercession. Abraham's negotiation with God over the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah illustrates his deep concern for others and his trust in God's justice. This passage highlights the importance of praying for others and advocating for God's mercy, even in the face of impending judgment. Abraham's willingness to intercede demonstrates his faith in God's character and his understanding of God's justice tempered with compassion.
In the Gospel of Matthew 8:18-22, Jesus teaches about the radical commitment required to follow Him. When a scribe offers to follow Jesus without understanding the challenges, Jesus warns him of the hardships ahead. Another disciple asks to bury his father first, but Jesus insists on prioritizing discipleship. This passage emphasizes that following Jesus demands a willingness to let go of worldly attachments and to trust in God's providence, even when it seems difficult or uncertain.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own faith and commitment to God. Abraham's intercession reminds us to pray for others and to trust in God's justice and mercy. Jesus' teachings challenge us to examine our priorities and to be willing to make sacrifices in order to follow Him more closely. May we, like Abraham, be bold in our prayers and, like the disciples, be willing to follow Jesus without hesitation, trusting in His plan for our lives.