Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 8, 2023
First Reading: Genesis 27.1-5, 9-10, 15-29
1When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, "My son.Here I am," he answered.2Isaac said, "I am now an old man and don't know the day of my death.3Now then, get your weapons-your quiver and bow-and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.4Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die."5Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back,9Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it.10Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies."15Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob.16She also covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with the goatskins.17Then she handed to her son Jacob the tasty food and the bread she had made.18He went to his father and said, "My father.Yes, my son," he answered. "Who is it?"19Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing."20Isaac asked his son, "How did you find it so quickly, my son?The LORD your God gave me success," he replied.21Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not."22Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau."23He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him.24"Are you really my son Esau?" he asked. "I am," he replied.25Then he said, "My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing." Jacob brought it to him and he ate; and he brought some wine and he drank.26Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come here, my son, and kiss me."27So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, "Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.28May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness- an abundance of grain and new wine.29May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed."
Psalm 135
1Praise the LORD. Praise the name of the LORD; praise him, you servants of the LORD,2you who minister in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.3Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.4For the LORD has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession.5I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods.6The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.7He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.8He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, the firstborn of men and animals.9He sent his signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants.10He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings-11Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan and all the kings of Canaan-12and he gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to his people Israel.13Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, through all generations.14For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.15The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.16They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see;17they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths.18Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.19O house of Israel, praise the LORD; O house of Aaron, praise the LORD;20O house of Levi, praise the LORD; you who fear him, praise the LORD.21Praise be to the LORD from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
Gospel: Matthew 9.14-17
14Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"15Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.16"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.17Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct narratives that, upon closer examination, reveal a common theme of transformation and the challenges it presents. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Jacob and Esau, where Rebekah assists Jacob in deceiving Isaac to secure the blessing intended for Esau. This tale highlights the complexities of human desire and the consequences of deceit, illustrating how our weaknesses can lead us astray.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus discussing fasting with John's disciples. He uses the metaphor of the groom and wineskins to convey that His teachings represent a new era that cannot be confined by old traditions. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of embracing the new, as old structures cannot contain the freshness He brings.
Both readings invite us to reflect on the interplay between the old and the new. In Genesis, the old order is disrupted by Jacob's deception, leading to a shift in the family dynamics. In Matthew, Jesus introduces a new paradigm that challenges existing practices. This duality encourages us to consider the inevitability of change and the importance of adaptability in our spiritual journey.
In our daily lives, we often face moments where we must choose between clinging to the familiar or embracing the new. The readings remind us that growth and renewal are essential, even when uncomfortable. They urge us to approach change with openness and honesty, trusting in God's plan rather than resorting to deception.
Ultimately, the moral lesson is clear: we must embrace the newness that God brings into our lives, even when it disrupts our comfort. By doing so, we align ourselves with His will, fostering a spirit of truthfulness and trust. Let us seek to be open to transformation, knowing that it is through such change that we grow closer to God.