Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 26, 2023

First Reading: Sirach 44.1, 8, 10-15

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Psalm 132

¹O LORD, remember David and all the hardships he endured.²He swore an oath to the LORD and made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:³"I will not enter my house or go to my bed-⁴I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my eyelids,⁵till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."⁶We heard it in Ephrathah, we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:⁷"Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool-⁸arise, O LORD, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.⁹May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your saints sing for joy."¹⁰For the sake of David your servant, do not reject your anointed one.¹¹The LORD swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: "One of your own descendants I will place on your throne-¹²if your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever."¹³For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling:¹⁴"This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it-¹⁵I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food.¹⁶I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will ever sing for joy.¹⁷"Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one.¹⁸I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown on his head will be resplendent."

Gospel: Matthew 13.16-17

Matthew

Chapter 13

¹⁶But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.¹⁷For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Sermon

The first reading from Sirach invites us to reflect on the legacy of our ancestors and the enduring impact of their virtuous lives. The author praises those who have gone before us, not merely for their achievements, but for their fidelity to God and their commitment to living according to His will. These individuals left behind not only a name but also a spiritual inheritance—a legacy of faith, wisdom, and righteousness that continues to inspire generations. The reading reminds us that our lives are not isolated events but are deeply connected to those who came before us and to those who will come after us. Our actions, like theirs, have the power to shape the future and leave a lasting impact. The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the present moment and the unique blessings we have received. Jesus tells His disciples that they are blessed because they see and hear what many prophets and righteous people longed to experience but did not. This is not a boast but a reminder of the profound grace we have been given to know and follow Him. The prophets of old looked forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises, and now, in Christ, those promises are revealed. Yet with this blessing comes a responsibility—to live in gratitude, to share the gift of faith with others, and to continue the legacy of those who came before us. Together, these readings call us to live with a sense of gratitude and stewardship. We are heirs of a rich spiritual tradition, and we are called to honor that legacy by living virtuous lives and sharing the blessings we have received. Let us not take for granted the gift of faith or the opportunities we have to grow closer to God. May we, like our ancestors, leave behind a legacy of love, mercy, and fidelity, so that future generations may also know the joy of living in God’s presence.