Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 3, 2021
First Reading: Numbers 12.1-13
1Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman.2And they said, "Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?" And the LORD heard it.3Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.4And suddenly the LORD said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, "Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting." And the three of them came out.5And the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward.6And he said, "Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.7Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house.8With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"9And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them, and he departed.10When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.11And Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord, do not punish us because we have done foolishly and have sinned.12Let her not be as one dead, whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes out of his mother's womb."13And Moses cried to the LORD, "O God, please heal her--please."
Psalm 51
1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.11Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.15O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.16For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.18Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;19then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Gospel: Matthew 14.22-36
22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,24but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.25And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear.27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."28And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."29He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."34And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.35And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick36and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that explore the themes of faith, doubt, and trust in God. The first reading from Numbers 12 tells the story of Miriam and Aaron questioning Moses' leadership, driven by jealousy over his Ethiopian wife. Their envy leads them to challenge Moses' unique role as God's prophet. God intervenes, affirming Moses' special relationship with Him and punishing Miriam with leprosy. Moses' compassionate prayer for her healing underscores his humility and faith.
The Gospel from Matthew 14 shifts the focus to Jesus and His disciples. After feeding the 5000, Jesus sends His disciples into a stormy sea while He prays alone. As the disciples struggle against the waves, Jesus walks on water to them, reassuring them. Peter's initial faith, walking on water, falters as doubt creeps in, causing him to sink. Jesus rescues him, teaching a lesson on the perils of doubt. The passage concludes with the disciples worshiping Jesus and the people of Genesaret seeking His healing touch.
Both readings highlight the importance of maintaining faith amidst challenges. In Numbers, the Israelites are in the wilderness, facing leadership struggles, while in Matthew, the disciples face a literal storm. These contexts remind us that faith is tested in adversity. The connection between the readings lies in their emphasis on trusting God's plan, even when circumstances seem insurmountable.
In our daily lives, we often face personal storms—challenges that test our faith. These readings encourage us to seek God's presence and healing, just as Moses prayed for Miriam and the people touched Jesus' garment. The moral lesson is clear: faith can overcome fear and doubt. By trusting in God's providence, we find the strength to navigate life's turbulent waters, seeking His guidance and healing. Let us strive to maintain unwavering faith, knowing that God is always with us, even in the most uncertain times.