Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 26, 2024

First Reading: Sirach 44.1, 8, 10-15

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Psalm 132

¹A Song of degrees. LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions:²How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;³Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;⁴I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,⁵Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.⁶Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.⁷We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.⁸Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.⁹Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.¹⁰For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.¹¹The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.¹²If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.¹³For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.¹⁴This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.¹⁵I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.¹⁶I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.¹⁷There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.¹⁸His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

Gospel: Matthew 13.16-17

Matthew

Chapter 13

¹⁶But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.¹⁷For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the legacy of faith and the blessings we have received. The first reading from Sirach praises the ancestors who lived virtuous lives, leaving behind a name and a heritage of faith. Their deeds of mercy and piety did not fade with time, but instead, their descendants inherited a holy legacy rooted in the covenants. This passage reminds us that our actions have consequences that extend beyond our lifetimes, shaping the lives of those who come after us. The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the present moment. Jesus tells his disciples that they are blessed because they see and hear what many prophets and righteous people longed to experience but could not. This is both a privilege and a responsibility. Just as the ancestors in Sirach left behind a legacy of faith, we too are called to live in a way that honors the gifts we have received. The prophets of old desired to see the Messiah and understand the mysteries of the kingdom, but that privilege has been given to us. With this blessing comes the call to live lives of gratitude, faith, and service. As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us consider how we are using the gifts and blessings we have been given. Are we living in a way that honors the legacy of faith passed down to us? Are we sharing the blessings we have received with others? The moral lesson here is clear: we are not only recipients of God’s grace but also stewards of it. Let us strive to live with mercy, piety, and generosity, so that we too may leave behind a legacy that continues to bear fruit in the lives of others. May we be faithful in our time, just as those who came before us were faithful in theirs.