Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 16, 2020
First Reading: Isaiah 26.7-9, 12, 16-19
7The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.8Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.9With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.12LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.16LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.17Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.18We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.19Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
Psalm 102
1Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.2Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.3For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.4My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.5By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.6I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.7I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.8Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.9For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,10Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.11My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.12But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.13Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.14For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.15So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.16When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.17He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.18This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.19For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;20To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;21To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;22When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.23He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.24I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.25Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.26They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:27But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.28The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
Gospel: Matthew 11.28-30
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the journey of faith, hope, and trust in God’s providence. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the voice of one who has walked the difficult path of justice and perseverance. The prophet describes the soul’s deep longing for God, even in the midst of tribulation and anguish. He uses the image of a woman in labor to express the pain and struggle of waiting for salvation, but also the hope that God’s justice will ultimately prevail. The reading reminds us that our efforts and struggles, though they may seem fruitless at times, are not in vain when we place our trust in God.
In the Gospel, Jesus offers a comforting invitation to all who are weary and burdened. He calls us to come to Him, to take His yoke upon us, and to learn from His meek and humble heart. Jesus promises rest for our souls, not because the journey will become easy, but because His yoke is sweet and His burden is light. This passage reminds us that true strength comes not from our own efforts, but from surrendering to God’s will and trusting in His grace.
These readings are deeply connected, as both invite us to trust in God’s plan even when the path is difficult. Isaiah reminds us to persevere in hope, while Jesus offers us the grace to do so. In our daily lives, we often feel burdened by our struggles, whether they be personal, relational, or societal. The readings encourage us to turn to God, to lean on His strength, and to find rest in His presence. Let us learn to walk humbly, to trust in His justice, and to surrender our burdens to Him, knowing that He will give us the peace and strength we need to carry on.