Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 24, 2021
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: Matthew 13.24-30
24Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.26When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.27"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'28"'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'29"'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and the challenges of living in a world where good and evil coexist. The first reading from Exodus recounts the establishment of the covenant between God and the Israelites. Moses, acting as a mediator, reads the terms of the covenant to the people, who unanimously agree to follow God's laws. This moment is sealed with the sprinkling of blood, symbolizing the sacred bond between God and His people. This act signifies their commitment to live according to God's will, trusting in His guidance and promises.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a parable that challenges us to think about the nature of good and evil. Jesus describes a field where an enemy sows weeds among the wheat. The master, rather than pulling up the weeds immediately, allows them to grow together until the harvest. This parable reminds us that in this world, good and evil often coexist, and it is not always easy to distinguish between them. The master's patience teaches us to trust in God's timing and His ultimate judgment, rather than taking matters into our own hands.
These readings, though separated by centuries, are deeply connected. The covenant in Exodus establishes a relationship based on trust and obedience, while the parable in Matthew calls us to live out that relationship with patience and faith. In our daily lives, we are called to remain faithful to our covenant with God, even when we encounter challenges and evils. Like the Israelites, we must trust in God's plan and promises, knowing that He will ultimately bring justice and peace. Let us strive to live with the same commitment and patience, trusting that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it clearly.