Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 19, 2020
First Reading: Deuteronomy 7.6-11
6For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.7The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:8But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.9Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;10And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.11Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.
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.
Second Reading: 1 John 4.7-16
7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Gospel: Matthew 11.25-30
25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of God’s profound love for us and our response to that love. The first reading from Deuteronomy emphasizes that God chose the Israelites not because of their size or strength, but simply because He loved them. This love is not random; it is tied to a covenant, a mutual commitment. Moses reminds the people to keep God’s commandments as a way of living out this covenant. The second reading from 1 John deepens this theme, telling us that love comes from God and that we are called to love one another. John reminds us that God’s love was revealed in the gift of His Son, Jesus, and that if we love one another, God’s love is perfected in us. Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus invites all who are burdened to come to Him, promising rest. He reveals that His yoke is easy and His burden light, contrasting the heavy weights of the world with the gentle load of following Him.
These readings are deeply connected. Deuteronomy sets the stage by showing God’s initiative in love and the importance of living according to His ways. 1 John builds on this by highlighting that love is not just a feeling but a way of life rooted in God’s very nature. The Gospel then brings us to Jesus, who is the ultimate expression of God’s love and the one who makes this love accessible to all. Jesus’ invitation is not just to believe in Him but to follow Him, to take on His way of life, which is marked by humility and trust in the Father.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I responding to God’s love? Am I living out my faith in a way that reflects the covenant God has made with me? Am I taking on the yoke of Christ, which is easy and light, or am I still trying to carry the heavy burdens of the world on my own? Let us trust in God’s love, live out our faith with humility, and remember that true rest and peace come not from the world but from following Jesus. May we abide in God’s love and let that love flow through us to others.