Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 26, 2017

First Reading: Sirach 44.1, 8, 10-15

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Psalm 132

¹O LORD, remember David and all the hardships he endured.²He swore an oath to the LORD and made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:³"I will not enter my house or go to my bed-⁴I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my eyelids,⁵till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."⁶We heard it in Ephrathah, we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:⁷"Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool-⁸arise, O LORD, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.⁹May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your saints sing for joy."¹⁰For the sake of David your servant, do not reject your anointed one.¹¹The LORD swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: "One of your own descendants I will place on your throne-¹²if your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever."¹³For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling:¹⁴"This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it-¹⁵I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food.¹⁶I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will ever sing for joy.¹⁷"Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one.¹⁸I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown on his head will be resplendent."

Gospel: Matthew 13.16-17

Matthew

Chapter 13

¹⁶But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.¹⁷For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the gift of faith and the legacy of those who have come before us. In the first reading from Sirach, we hear a beautiful tribute to the ancestors who lived virtuous lives, leaving behind a lasting impact through their good deeds and fidelity to God. Their legacy endures not only in their descendants but also in the covenant they upheld. This passage reminds us that our actions have consequences that ripple through generations, shaping the lives of those who come after us. It calls us to live with integrity, mercy, and faith, so that we too might leave a holy inheritance for others. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to his disciples about the privilege they have to see and hear what many prophets and righteous people longed to experience. This is not a boast but a humble recognition of the grace they have received. It reminds us that faith is a gift, and with this gift comes a responsibility to bear fruit. Just as the good soil in the parable receives the seed and produces an abundant harvest, so too are we called to nurture our faith and allow it to transform our lives and the lives of others. This passage encourages us to cultivate gratitude for the spiritual treasures we have and to use them wisely. As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us consider how we are living out our faith. Are we building a legacy of love, compassion, and fidelity, as the ancestors in Sirach did? Are we stewarding the gift of faith entrusted to us, as Jesus reminds us in the Gospel? May we strive to live in such a way that our lives honor the heritage of faith we have received and bear fruit that lasts for generations to come. Let us pray for the grace to be faithful and fruitful, that we might glorify God and inspire others to do the same.