Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 29, 2017
First Reading: Exodus 24.3-8
3When Moses went and told the people all the LORD's words and laws, they responded with one voice, "Everything the LORD has said we will do."4Moses then wrote down everything the LORD had said. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel.5Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the LORD.6Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar.7Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey."8Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words."
Psalm 50
1The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.2From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.3Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.4He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:5"Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."6And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah7"Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God.8I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.9I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,10for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.11I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.12If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.13Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?14Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,15and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."16But to the wicked, God says: "What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?17You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.18When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.19You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.20You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son.21These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.22"Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:23He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."
Gospel: John 11.17-27 or Luke 10.38-42
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.18Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem,19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died.22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things,42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of covenant and promise. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses establishing a covenant with the Israelites, sealed with the sprinkling of blood, symbolizing their commitment to follow God's laws. This ritual binds the people to God, marking the beginning of a sacred relationship. The second reading from John presents Jesus as the source of eternal life, as He comforts Martha and Mary after Lazarus's death. Jesus's declaration, "I am the Resurrection and the Life," offers a new covenant through His own blood, promising eternal life to all who believe.
These passages are deeply connected through the themes of covenant and life. In Exodus, the blood of animals seals the covenant, while in John, Jesus's blood inaugurates a new covenant, offering not just a set of laws but the gift of eternal life. This transition from the old to the new covenant highlights God's enduring promise to His people, evolving from a legal bond to a personal, life-giving relationship through Jesus.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our faith and trust in God's promises. Just as Martha trusted Jesus's power, we too can place our trust in His promise of eternal life. This faith should inspire our actions and decisions, guiding us to live with hope and resilience, knowing that our ultimate hope is in the resurrection and life through Christ. Let us embrace this covenant with gratitude, living each day with the assurance of eternal life that Jesus offers.