Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 7, 2017
First Reading: Numbers 11.4b-15
4And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?5We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:6But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.7And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium.8And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.9And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.10Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased.11And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?12Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?13Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.14I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.15And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.
Psalm 81
1Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.2Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.3Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.4For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.5This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.6I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.7Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.8Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;9There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.10I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.11But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.12So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.13Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!14I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.15The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.16He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.
Gospel: Matthew 14.22-36
22And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.34And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.35And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;36And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and God's providence. The first reading from Numbers describes the Israelites' discontent with the manna provided by God in the wilderness, expressing a deep-seated longing for the comforts of Egypt. This passage highlights their lack of trust in God's provision and Moses' subsequent plea for relief from the burden of leadership. The second reading from Matthew presents a dramatic scene where Jesus walks on water, calming the disciples' fears and inviting Peter to step out in faith. Despite Peter's initial courage, fear creeps in, and he begins to sink, only to be saved by Jesus' merciful hand.
These readings, though separated by time and context, share a common theme: the human struggle with faith and trust in the face of uncertainty. The Israelites, despite God's repeated acts of deliverance, allow their physical hunger to overshadow their spiritual trust. Similarly, Peter, in his moment of doubt, learns that even the smallest faith can be the foundation for growth. Jesus' gentle rebuke—"O little faith, why did you doubt?"—is not a condemnation but an invitation to deeper trust.
In our daily lives, we often find ourselves in situations where fear and doubt arise. Like the Israelites, we may grumble against God's provision, forgetting the ways He has already blessed us. Like Peter, we may step out in faith only to feel the waves of uncertainty crashing against us. Yet, in these moments, Jesus extends His hand, reminding us that even our imperfect faith is enough to draw us closer to Him. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's providence, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Let us learn to embrace the moments of doubt as opportunities to grow in faith, knowing that Jesus is always with us, ready to save us from the storms of life.