Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 19, 2020
First Reading: Wisdom 12.13, 16-19
This reading is not available in the ESV version. Visit the CPDV version to view the reading.
Psalm 86
1Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.2Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you--you are my God.3Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.4Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.5For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.6Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.7In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.8There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.9All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.10For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.11Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.12I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.13For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.14O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seek my life, and they do not set you before them.15But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.16Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant.17Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Second Reading: Romans 8.26-27
26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Gospel: Matthew 13.24-33
24He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,25but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.26So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.27And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?'28He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?'29But he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.30Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"31He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.32It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."33He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of justice, mercy, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom highlights God's justice and leniency, emphasizing His care for all and the balance between power and mercy. The second reading from Romans illustrates the Holy Spirit's role in aiding our weaknesses, particularly in prayer, aligning our desires with God's will. The Gospel presents three parables: the weeds among the wheat, the mustard seed, and the leaven, each illustrating the Kingdom of Heaven's growth and the coexistence of good and evil until the harvest.
These readings interconnect by first establishing God's justice and mercy, then showing how the Holy Spirit assists us in living justly, and finally, through parables, demonstrating the Kingdom's patient growth. The Book of Wisdom sets the stage with God's providence, Romans connects with the Spirit's guidance, and the Gospel provides practical examples of growth and transformation.
Applying these teachings to daily life, we are reminded to trust in God's plan and patience. Despite life's challenges, we should allow the Spirit to guide us, living with hope and patience. The moral lesson encourages us to embrace God's justice and mercy, trust in the Spirit's guidance, and cultivate patience as we await God's ultimate triumph. Let us live with faith, knowing the Kingdom grows within us, transforming our lives and the world around us.