Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 21, 2020
First Reading: Micah 7.14-15, 18-20
14Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, which lives by itself in a forest, in fertile pasturelands. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in days long ago.15"As in the days when you came out of Egypt, I will show them my wonders."18Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.19You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.20You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our fathers in days long ago.
Psalm 85
1You showed favor to your land, O LORD; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.2You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Selah3You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.4Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.5Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations?6Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?7Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.8I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints- but let them not return to folly.9Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.10Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.11Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.12The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.13Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.
Gospel: Matthew 12.46, 48-50
46While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.48He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"49Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers.50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the boundless mercy of God and the transformative power of living in accordance with His will. In the first reading from Micah, we hear the prophet’s heartfelt plea for God to shepherd His people with the same care and mercy that He has shown throughout history. Micah reminds us of God’s faithfulness, recalling the miraculous deliverance from Egypt, and expresses trust in God’s promise to cast our sins into the depths of the sea. This passage is a beautiful expression of hope and trust in a God who is always willing to show mercy, even when we fall short.
In the Gospel, Jesus expands our understanding of family and relationships. When his mother and brothers approach him, Jesus uses the moment to teach about the true meaning of kinship. He declares that anyone who does the will of His Father in heaven is His brother, sister, and mother. This teaching challenges us to look beyond biological ties and to see our spiritual family as those who share a commitment to living out God’s will. It reminds us that our relationships are not limited to blood but are defined by our shared faith and our efforts to live as disciples of Christ.
These readings call us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Micah’s emphasis on mercy encourages us to approach God with humility and trust, knowing that He is always ready to forgive. Jesus’ teaching on spiritual kinship invites us to build relationships rooted in love, compassion, and a shared commitment to following God’s will. As we go about our day, let us ask ourselves: Am I living in a way that reflects God’s mercy and love? Am I building a community of faith where everyone feels welcome and valued? May we strive to be part of that spiritual family, united in our pursuit of holiness and our trust in God’s infinite love.