Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 26, 2025

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 readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of legacy, gratitude, and the responsibility that comes with the gifts we receive. The first reading from Sirach praises the ancestors who lived virtuous lives, leaving behind a legacy of good deeds and a holy inheritance. It emphasizes the enduring impact of their righteousness, which continues through their descendants. The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the spiritual realm, where Jesus highlights the blessedness of His disciples who have the privilege of seeing and hearing what many prophets and just people longed for but did not experience. The context of Sirach is rooted in wisdom literature, celebrating the enduring legacy of those who lived justly and passed on their faith. It underscores the importance of remembering and honoring those who have gone before us, whose good works continue to inspire and guide us. In contrast, Matthew's passage is set in the midst of Jesus' ministry, where He emphasizes the unique privilege of His disciples to receive the revelation of the Kingdom of God. This privilege carries with it the responsibility to live in a way that reflects the values of the Kingdom. These readings remind us to be grateful for the legacy we have inherited, both from our ancestors and from God. We are called to live in a way that honors this legacy, using the gifts we have been given to continue the work of justice, mercy, and faith. Let us strive to live virtuous lives, mindful of the impact our actions will have on future generations. May we be faithful stewards of the blessings we have received, and may our lives reflect the wisdom and love of God.