Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 16, 2025
First Reading: Exodus 3.1-6, 9-12
1Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.2And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.3And Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned."4When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."5Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."6And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.9And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.10Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."11But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"12He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."
Psalm 103
1Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,3who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,5who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.7He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.10He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.13As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.14For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.15As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;16for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.17But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,18to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.19The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.20Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!21Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!22Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Gospel: Matthew 11.25-27
25At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.27All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound moments of divine revelation and the call to trust in God's plan. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses' encounter with the burning bush, where God commissions him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses, feeling unworthy and inadequate, questions his ability to fulfill such a daunting task. Yet, God reassures him with the promise, "I will be with you." This exchange highlights the theme of divine vocation and the importance of trusting in God's presence and guidance.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus praising the Father for revealing divine truths to the simple and humble, rather than to the wise and learned. Jesus emphasizes that true understanding comes from the Father through the Son, underscoring the necessity of humility in receiving God's revelation. Together, these readings remind us that God often calls the unlikely and the humble to fulfill His purposes, and that His grace is sufficient to overcome our limitations.
As we reflect on these passages, let us consider how they apply to our own lives. Like Moses, we may feel inadequate when faced with challenges or opportunities to serve. Yet, God's promise to be with us remains steadfast. Similarly, Jesus invites us to approach Him with childlike humility, trusting that He will reveal His truth and guidance to us. May we embrace this call to trust in God's providence and to seek His will with humble and open hearts.