Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 21, 2017
First Reading: Exodus 11.10 12.14
10And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.
14And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Psalm 116
1I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.2Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.3The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.4Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.5Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.6The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.7Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.8For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.9I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.10I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:11I said in my haste, All men are liars.12What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?13I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.14I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.16O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.17I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.18I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,19In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
Gospel: Matthew 12.1-8
1At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.2But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.3But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;4How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?5Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?6But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.7But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.8For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two significant biblical narratives that invite us to reflect on the balance between ritual observance and compassionate action. The first reading from Exodus recounts the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh, culminating in the institution of the Passover as a perpetual memorial. This ritual serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and the importance of honoring divine acts through tradition.
The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees' strict interpretation of the Sabbath. When His disciples pick grain to eat, Jesus defends their actions by referencing Old Testament precedents, emphasizing that human needs and compassion should sometimes take precedence over ritualistic observances. He asserts His authority over the Sabbath, highlighting that the spirit of the law, rooted in mercy, is paramount.
These readings connect by illustrating that while religious rituals and laws are foundational, they must be tempered with understanding and compassion. In Exodus, the Passover ritual commemorates God's action, while in Matthew, Jesus teaches that true religious observance must consider human welfare. This balance is crucial in our daily lives, where we are called to honor our faith traditions while responding to the needs of others with love and kindness.
As we apply these teachings, let us remember that the heart of our faith is not merely in following rules, but in embodying love and compassion. May we seek to understand the spirit behind our practices, allowing mercy to guide our actions, just as Jesus taught. In doing so, we honor God not just through rituals, but through lives lived in service and kindness to others.