Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 1, 2019
First Reading: Genesis 18.16-33
16And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.17And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;18Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?19For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.20And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;21I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.22And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.23And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?24Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?25That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?26And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.27And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:28Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.29And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.30And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.31And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.32And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.33And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
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 forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
Gospel: Matthew 8.18-22
18Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.19And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.20And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.21And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.22But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of faith, intercession, and commitment, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with God and our spiritual journey.
The first reading from Genesis 18:16-33 presents Abraham as a model of faith and intercession. Abraham's negotiation with God over the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah illustrates his deep concern for others and his trust in God's justice. This passage highlights the importance of praying for others and advocating for God's mercy, even in the face of impending judgment. Abraham's willingness to intercede demonstrates his faith in God's character and his understanding of God's justice tempered with compassion.
In the Gospel of Matthew 8:18-22, Jesus teaches about the radical commitment required to follow Him. When a scribe offers to follow Jesus without understanding the challenges, Jesus warns him of the hardships ahead. Another disciple asks to bury his father first, but Jesus insists on prioritizing discipleship. This passage emphasizes that following Jesus demands a willingness to let go of worldly attachments and to trust in God's providence, even when it seems difficult or uncertain.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own faith and commitment to God. Abraham's intercession reminds us to pray for others and to trust in God's justice and mercy. Jesus' teachings challenge us to examine our priorities and to be willing to make sacrifices in order to follow Him more closely. May we, like Abraham, be bold in our prayers and, like the disciples, be willing to follow Jesus without hesitation, trusting in His plan for our lives.