Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 2, 2021
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 14.13-21
13When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.14And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.15And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.16But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.17And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.18He said, Bring them hither to me.19And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.20And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.21And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, provision, and leadership. The first reading from Numbers 11 finds the Israelites in the wilderness, discontent with the manna God provided. They yearn for the abundance of Egypt, despite God's consistent provision. Moses, burdened by their complaints, feels overwhelmed by the responsibility of leading such a discontented people. This story contrasts with the Gospel from Matthew 14, where Jesus, having withdrawn after hearing of John the Baptist's death, encounters a large crowd. Instead of turning them away, Jesus heals them and, with compassion, multiplies five loaves and two fish to feed over five thousand people.
The context of these readings highlights themes of provision and trust. The Israelites, despite God's miracles, fail to trust in His plan, while Jesus exemplifies trust and compassion, turning scarcity into abundance. Moses' struggle with leadership contrasts with Jesus' selfless care for the crowd, showing two approaches to responsibility and provision.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us to trust in God's plan and find contentment in His provision. Like the Israelites, we may sometimes feel discontent, but Jesus teaches us to approach life's challenges with faith and compassion. As leaders or followers, we are called to emulate Jesus' example, turning to Him in trust and serving others with love. Let us learn to see God's abundance in our lives and serve with the compassion Jesus showed, transforming our struggles into opportunities for grace and growth.