Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 2, 2022
First Reading: Jeremiah 30.1-2, 12-15, 18-22
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,2Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.12For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.13There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.14All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.15Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.18Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.19And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.20Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.21And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.22And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
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 14.22-36
22And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.34And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.35And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;36And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages of hope, faith, and restoration. The first reading from Jeremiah speaks to a people in exile, burdened by their sins and suffering. Yet, even in the midst of their pain, God offers a promise of healing and renewal. He declares that He will restore the tabernacles of Jacob, rebuild the city, and bring joy and prosperity to His people. This is not merely a distant hope but a divine assurance that God’s mercy and love will prevail, even in the face of great affliction.
The Gospel reading from Matthew complements this theme of hope and restoration through the story of Jesus walking on the water. After feeding the multitude, Jesus sends His disciples ahead in a boat, while He remains to pray. As a storm arises, the disciples are tossed about by the waves, symbolizing the trials and fears we all face in life. Jesus comes to them, walking on the water, and Peter, in a moment of faith, steps out to meet Him. Though Peter falters and begins to sink, Jesus immediately reaches out and saves him. This narrative reminds us that even when our faith is weak, Jesus is always near, ready to rescue us and bring us to safety.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like the exiles in Jeremiah’s time, we may feel wounded or lost, but God’s promise of restoration is ever-present. Like Peter, we may doubt or fear, but Jesus calls us to trust in Him, even when the waves of life seem overwhelming. Let us cling to faith, knowing that God’s power and love can calm every storm. In moments of uncertainty, may we turn to Jesus, the Son of God, and seek His healing touch, remembering that He is always with us, guiding us toward peace and wholeness.