Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 21, 2018
First Reading: Micah 2.1-5
1Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning's light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.2They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud a man of his home, a fellowman of his inheritance.3Therefore, the LORD says: "I am planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save yourselves. You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a time of calamity.4In that day men will ridicule you; they will taunt you with this mournful song: 'We are utterly ruined; my people's possession is divided up. He takes it from me! He assigns our fields to traitors.'"5Therefore you will have no one in the assembly of the LORD to divide the land by lot.
Psalm 10
1Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?2In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.3He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.4In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.5His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.6He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble."7His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.8He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims.9He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.10His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.11He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."12Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.13Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?14But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.15Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.16The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.17You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,18defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
Gospel: Matthew 12.14-21
14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.15Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick,16warning them not to tell who he was.17This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:18"Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.19He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.20A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.21In his name the nations will put their hope."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages about justice, humility, and the consequences of our actions. The first reading from Micah condemns those who exploit the vulnerable and engage in unjust practices, warning that their actions will lead to their downfall. This passage reflects Micah's call to the people of Israel to repent from their sins and return to a life of integrity and fairness. The second reading from Matthew shows Jesus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah as the gentle servant who brings justice without force or arrogance. Despite the Pharisees' plots against him, Jesus continues his healing ministry, embodying patience and trust in God's plan.
These readings are connected by their focus on justice and the right way to achieve it. Micah emphasizes the consequences of injustice and the importance of living according to God's will, while Matthew presents Jesus as the model of humility and non-violent justice. Together, they remind us that true justice must be rooted in love, compassion, and trust in God. Jesus shows us that even in the face of opposition, we should remain steadfast in doing good and avoiding harmful actions.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to reflect on how we treat others and whether our actions align with God's will. We are challenged to stand against injustice, but to do so with humility and love, as Jesus did. Let us strive to live with integrity, treating others fairly and trusting in God's plan. May we be instruments of justice and peace in our world, following the example of Christ, the gentle servant who brought light to the nations.