Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 14, 2024
First Reading: Amos 7.12-15
12Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:13But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court.14Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:15And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
Psalm 85
1LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.2Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.3Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.4Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.5Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?6Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?7Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.8I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.9Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.10Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.11Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.12Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.13Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
Second Reading: Ephesians 1.3-10
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Gospel: Mark 6.7-13
7And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;8And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:9But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.10And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.11And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.12And they went out, and preached that men should repent.13And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of divine calling, trust in God’s providence, and the mission to share the Good News. The first reading from Amos illustrates the prophet’s unwavering obedience to God’s call despite opposition. Amos, a humble herdsman, is chosen by God to deliver a message to His people, emphasizing that our worth and mission come from God, not from our own merits. The second reading from Ephesians reminds us of our adoption as God’s children and the abundant grace we’ve received through Christ. It highlights that our lives are part of a larger divine plan to bring all things together in Him. In the Gospel, Mark shows Jesus sending out the apostles with minimal provisions, teaching them to rely on divine providence and to boldly proclaim the Kingdom of God.
These readings are deeply connected, as they all point to the universal call to mission and trust in God’s plan. Amos’s obedience, the Ephesians’ adoption, and the apostles’ mission all illustrate that our lives are not our own but are part of God’s greater plan. Each reading encourages us to embrace our role in this plan with faith and courage.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to trust in God’s providence and to be bold in sharing the Gospel. Whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, we are called to be missionaries, bringing Christ’s love and light to others. Let us embrace our mission with the same faith as Amos, the same gratitude as the Ephesians, and the same courage as the apostles. May we remember that our ordinary lives are our mission field, and may we live each day with the faith and trust that God is always with us.