Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 3, 2022
First Reading: Isaiah 66.10-14
10Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:11That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.12For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.13As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.14And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
Psalm 66
1Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:2Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.3Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.4All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.5Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.6He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.7He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.8O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:9Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.10For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.11Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.12Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.13I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,14Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.15I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.16Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.17I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.18If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:19But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.20Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
Second Reading: Galatians 6.14-18
14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.17From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.18Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Gospel: Luke 10.1-9
1After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.2Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.3Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.4Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.5And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.6And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.7And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.8And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:9And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter themes of comfort, transformation, and mission, woven together by the thread of God's enduring love and purpose.
The first reading from Isaiah 66:10-14 offers a vision of Jerusalem as a place of rejoicing and comfort. Using the metaphor of a nurturing mother, Isaiah conveys God's promise of peace and flourishing for His people. This passage, written in a time of exile and hardship, reminds us that even in difficult times, God's care and consolation are ever-present, like a river of peace.
Paul's letter to the Galatians shifts our focus to the transformative power of Christ. In Galatians 6:14-18, Paul emphasizes that our identity is no longer tied to earthly distinctions but to the new creation in Christ. He bears the marks of Jesus, symbolizing his commitment to this new life. This new creation brings peace and mercy, urging us to live according to God's will, unencumbered by the old ways.
The Gospel from Luke 10:1-9 calls us to action. Jesus sends out 72 disciples, like lambs among wolves, to spread the message of the kingdom. They are to trust in God's provision, living simply and bringing peace to those they meet. This mission is not just for the disciples but for us today, reminding us to trust in God's plan and to share the Good News with humility and faith.
These readings connect by highlighting God's comfort and transformation as the foundation for our mission. We are called to embrace our role as bearers of peace and the kingdom, trusting in God's provision and living with simplicity and humility. May we, like the disciples, go forth with faith, bringing healing and the message of God's kingdom to a world in need.