Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 26, 2022

First Reading: Sirach 44.1, 8, 10-15

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Psalm 132

¹Remember, O LORD, in David's favor, all the hardships he endured,²how he swore to the LORD and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,³"I will not enter my house or get into my bed,⁴I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,⁵until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob."⁶Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar.⁷"Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!"⁸Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.⁹Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy.¹⁰For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed one.¹¹The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: "One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.¹²If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them, their sons also forever shall sit on your throne."¹³For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place:¹⁴"This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.¹⁵I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread.¹⁶Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy.¹⁷There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.¹⁸His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him his crown will shine."

Gospel: Matthew 13.16-17

Matthew

Chapter 13

¹⁶But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.¹⁷Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the legacy of faith and the privilege of encountering God in our lives. The first reading from Sirach praises the ancestors who left a lasting legacy through their virtuous deeds, emphasizing that their impact endures through generations. Their names and deeds are celebrated, not just for their achievements, but for their faithfulness to God's covenant. This passage reminds us that our actions have a lasting effect, shaping the future for those who come after us. In the Gospel, Matthew highlights the unique blessing bestowed upon the disciples. Jesus points out that many prophets and righteous individuals longed to experience the revelation that the disciples were privileged to witness. This underscores the significance of being part of a community that has received the gift of faith and the responsibility that comes with it. Just as the ancestors in Sirach left a legacy, we too are called to live in a way that honors our faith and recognizes the blessings we've received. As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded to live with gratitude and mindfulness. Our actions today will shape the legacy we leave for future generations. Let us strive to be faithful stewards of the gifts we've been given, just as our ancestors were. May we embrace the blessings of our time with humility and use them to build a legacy of love, compassion, and faithfulness. In doing so, we honor the past while contributing to a future rooted in God's grace.