Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 11, 2021
First Reading: Amos 7.12-15
12And Amaziah said to Amos, "O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there,13but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom."14Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs.15But the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'
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.
Second Reading: Ephesians 1.3-10
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love5he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Gospel: Mark 6.7-13
7And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.8He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff--no bread, no bag, no money in their belts--9but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.10And he said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there.11And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them."12So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.13And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful reminders of God’s call, our response to that call, and the profound blessings we receive as children of God. The first reading from Amos shows us a prophet who, despite being told to leave and stop speaking God’s word, remains steadfast in his mission. Amos humbly insists that he is not a professional prophet but simply a man called by God to deliver a message. This exchange highlights the tension between human authority and divine authority, as well as the courage required to obey God’s will even in the face of opposition.
The second reading from Ephesians shifts our focus to the blessings we have received in Christ. Paul reminds us that before the world was even created, God chose us to be holy and blameless in His sight. This passage is a beautiful expression of God’s eternal plan of love and adoption, through which we are made sons and daughters of God. It emphasizes that our lives are not random or without purpose; rather, they are part of a grand design rooted in God’s grace and wisdom. This truth should fill us with gratitude and hope, knowing that we are loved and destined for greatness in Christ.
In the Gospel, Mark recounts how Jesus sent out the Twelve Apostles two by two, giving them authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons. Jesus’ instructions to travel lightly, without extra provisions, teach us about trust in God’s providence. The Apostles’ mission was not about self-reliance but about reliance on God and the hospitality of others. This reminds us that our own mission as disciples is not about our own strength or resources but about surrendering to God’s plan and trusting in His grace. Like Amos and the Apostles, we are called to live with humility, courage, and trust, knowing that God equips us for whatever He asks of us. Let us embrace our calling, live simply, and share the Good News with joy and perseverance.