Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 26, 2024

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

In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the legacy of faith and the blessings we have received. The first reading from Sirach praises the ancestors who lived virtuous lives, leaving behind a name and a heritage of faith. Their deeds of mercy and piety did not fade with time, but instead, their descendants inherited a holy legacy rooted in the covenants. This passage reminds us that our actions have consequences that extend beyond our lifetimes, shaping the lives of those who come after us. The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the present moment. Jesus tells his disciples that they are blessed because they see and hear what many prophets and righteous people longed to experience but could not. This is both a privilege and a responsibility. Just as the ancestors in Sirach left behind a legacy of faith, we too are called to live in a way that honors the gifts we have received. The prophets of old desired to see the Messiah and understand the mysteries of the kingdom, but that privilege has been given to us. With this blessing comes the call to live lives of gratitude, faith, and service. As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us consider how we are using the gifts and blessings we have been given. Are we living in a way that honors the legacy of faith passed down to us? Are we sharing the blessings we have received with others? The moral lesson here is clear: we are not only recipients of God’s grace but also stewards of it. Let us strive to live with mercy, piety, and generosity, so that we too may leave behind a legacy that continues to bear fruit in the lives of others. May we be faithful in our time, just as those who came before us were faithful in theirs.