Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 23, 2017
Psalm 103
1Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.2Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,5who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.7He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:8The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.9He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;10he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;14for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.15As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;16the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.17But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-18with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.19The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.20Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.21Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.22Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Second Reading: 1 John 4.7-16
7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.13We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
Gospel: Matthew 11.25-30
25At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.26Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the essence of humility and love, which are central to our faith. The Second Reading from 1 John reminds us that love is not just a feeling but a divine gift from God, who is love itself. John emphasizes that to know God is to love one another, as love is the hallmark of being born of God. This letter, written to early Christians facing challenges, reinforces the importance of love amidst conflicts and false teachings, urging believers to remain steadfast in their commitment to one another.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this message with Jesus' invitation to humility. He reveals that divine truths are often understood by the simple-hearted rather than the wise, highlighting that spiritual insight comes from a humble and open heart. Jesus' words, spoken in a context of skepticism, encourage us to approach life with meekness, recognizing that our burdens can find rest in Him. His yoke, though it may seem heavy, is light because it is borne out of love and humility.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to embrace humility and love actively. Recognizing our limitations and seeking God's guidance with a humble heart can lead us to deeper understanding and peace. Practicing love, even in challenging situations, reflects our commitment to follow Christ. The moral lesson here is clear: by embracing humility and love, we find the rest and peace promised by Jesus, living as true disciples in a world that often values the opposite. Let us strive to embody these virtues, knowing that in doing so, we draw closer to God and find fulfillment in our journey of faith.