Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 1, 2019
First Reading: Exodus 40.16-21, 34-38
16Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.17And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.18And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.19And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.20And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:21And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.34Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.35And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.36And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:37But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.38For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
Psalm 84
1How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!2My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.3Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.4Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.5Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.6Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.7They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.8O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.9Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.11For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.12O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Gospel: Matthew 13.47-52
47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:48Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.51Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.52Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the presence of God and the ultimate judgment that awaits us. In the first reading from Exodus, we see Moses meticulously fulfilling God’s instructions to erect the tabernacle, a sacred space where God’s glory would dwell among the Israelites. The cloud and fire that cover the tabernacle symbolize God’s active and abiding presence, guiding His people through their journey. This passage reminds us that God desires to dwell among us, but it requires our fidelity to His will and our willingness to create space for Him in our lives.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the net to describe the kingdom of heaven. The net gathers all kinds of fish, but when it is full, the good are separated from the bad. This parable is a sobering reminder that our lives will be judged, and our choices will have eternal consequences. Jesus emphasizes that the kingdom of heaven is not just about inclusion but also about purification. The scribe who brings out both the old and the new from his storehouse represents the disciple who has deeply understood the teachings of the kingdom and lives them with integrity.
These readings call us to examine our relationship with God and our commitment to living according to His will. Like the Israelites, we are called to create space for God’s presence in our lives, whether through prayer, service, or acts of love. At the same time, the parable of the net challenges us to reflect on the state of our hearts and lives. Are we living in such a way that we are prepared for the day when we will stand before God? Let us strive to be like the scribe who treasures both the old and the new, rooted in tradition yet open to the fresh movements of the Spirit. May we seek to live with integrity, knowing that our ultimate fulfillment lies in union with God.