Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 26, 2023

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 first reading from Sirach invites us to reflect on the legacy of our ancestors and the enduring impact of their virtuous lives. The author praises those who have gone before us, not merely for their achievements, but for their fidelity to God and their commitment to living according to His will. These individuals left behind not only a name but also a spiritual inheritance—a legacy of faith, wisdom, and righteousness that continues to inspire generations. The reading reminds us that our lives are not isolated events but are deeply connected to those who came before us and to those who will come after us. Our actions, like theirs, have the power to shape the future and leave a lasting impact. The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the present moment and the unique blessings we have received. Jesus tells His disciples that they are blessed because they see and hear what many prophets and righteous people longed to experience but did not. This is not a boast but a reminder of the profound grace we have been given to know and follow Him. The prophets of old looked forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises, and now, in Christ, those promises are revealed. Yet with this blessing comes a responsibility—to live in gratitude, to share the gift of faith with others, and to continue the legacy of those who came before us. Together, these readings call us to live with a sense of gratitude and stewardship. We are heirs of a rich spiritual tradition, and we are called to honor that legacy by living virtuous lives and sharing the blessings we have received. Let us not take for granted the gift of faith or the opportunities we have to grow closer to God. May we, like our ancestors, leave behind a legacy of love, mercy, and fidelity, so that future generations may also know the joy of living in God’s presence.