Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 22, 2023
First Reading: Judges 6.11-24a
11The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites.12When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."13"But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian."14The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"15"But Lord, "Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."16The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."17Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me.18Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you." And the LORD said, "I will wait until you return."19Gideon went in, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak.20The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And Gideon did so.21With the tip of the staff that was in his hand, the angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the LORD disappeared.22When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, "Ah, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!"23But the LORD said to him, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die."24So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
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 19.23-30
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."27Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"28Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.30But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons on faith and trust in God. The first reading from Judges introduces us to Gideon, a man who feels inadequate and uncertain when called by God. Despite his doubts, Gideon is assured of God's presence and empowerment, leading him to trust beyond his own limitations. The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus teaching on the challenges of wealth and the rewards of discipleship, emphasizing that while human efforts may seem insufficient, God's power can overcome all obstacles.
Both readings highlight the theme of trust in God's plan. Gideon's story shows that God often chooses the humble and the weak to accomplish great things, teaching us to rely on His strength rather than our own. Jesus' teachings remind us that attachment to material wealth can hinder our spiritual journey, urging us to prioritize eternal values over earthly possessions. Together, these passages encourage us to embrace humility and trust in God's providence, even when we feel overwhelmed or lacking.
In our daily lives, these lessons invite us to reflect on where we place our trust. Like Gideon, we may face challenges that seem insurmountable, but God is always with us, ready to guide and empower. Like the disciples, we are called to let go of worldly attachments and follow Jesus with courage and faith. The moral lesson here is one of humility and trust: recognizing our limitations and placing our confidence in God's infinite power and love. By doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative grace that allows us to live beyond our own strength and to serve others with the heart of Christ.