Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 21, 2020
First Reading: Micah 7.14-15, 18-20
14Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, who dwell alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them graze in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old.15As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, I will show them marvelous things.18Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.19He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.20You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.
Psalm 85
1LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.2You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah3You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.4Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!5Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?6Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?7Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.8Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.9Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.10Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.11Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.12Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.13Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.
Gospel: Matthew 12.46, 48-50
46While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.48But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"49And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the boundless mercy of God and the transformative power of living in accordance with His will. In the first reading from Micah, we hear the prophet’s heartfelt plea for God to shepherd His people with the same care and mercy that He has shown throughout history. Micah reminds us of God’s faithfulness, recalling the miraculous deliverance from Egypt, and expresses trust in God’s promise to cast our sins into the depths of the sea. This passage is a beautiful expression of hope and trust in a God who is always willing to show mercy, even when we fall short.
In the Gospel, Jesus expands our understanding of family and relationships. When his mother and brothers approach him, Jesus uses the moment to teach about the true meaning of kinship. He declares that anyone who does the will of His Father in heaven is His brother, sister, and mother. This teaching challenges us to look beyond biological ties and to see our spiritual family as those who share a commitment to living out God’s will. It reminds us that our relationships are not limited to blood but are defined by our shared faith and our efforts to live as disciples of Christ.
These readings call us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Micah’s emphasis on mercy encourages us to approach God with humility and trust, knowing that He is always ready to forgive. Jesus’ teaching on spiritual kinship invites us to build relationships rooted in love, compassion, and a shared commitment to following God’s will. As we go about our day, let us ask ourselves: Am I living in a way that reflects God’s mercy and love? Am I building a community of faith where everyone feels welcome and valued? May we strive to be part of that spiritual family, united in our pursuit of holiness and our trust in God’s infinite love.