Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 2, 2020
First Reading: Isaiah 55.1-3
1"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.3Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
Psalm 145
1I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.2Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.4One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.5On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.6They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.7They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.8The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.10All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!11They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,12to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]14The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.16You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.20The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.21My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
Second Reading: Romans 8.35, 37-39
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gospel: Matthew 14.13-21
13Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.14When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.15Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves."16But Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat."17They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish."18And he said, "Bring them here to me."19Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.20And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.21And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter a profound narrative of God's boundless love and provision. The First Reading from Isaiah invites us to seek spiritual nourishment, urging us to turn to God who offers abundance without cost. The Second Reading from Romans reassures us that no trial can separate us from God's love, highlighting an unbreakable bond. The Gospel presents Jesus feeding the 5000, a miracle that exemplifies divine provision and generosity.
Each reading, though from different contexts, weaves a tapestry of God's care. Isaiah, speaking to exiles, offers hope in spiritual renewal. Paul, in his letter, strengthens the faithful amidst persecution. Matthew's account of the feeding miracle shows Jesus addressing physical needs, demonstrating that God's love encompasses both body and soul. Together, they remind us of God's faithfulness in all aspects of life.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God's providence, especially in times of scarcity or uncertainty. Just as the disciples shared the little they had, we are called to generosity, trusting that our resources, however meager, can be multiplied. Let us remember that God's love endures through all trials, nurturing both our spirits and our lives. May we embrace this love and share it abundantly with others.