Catholic Daily Reading + Reflection (Homily), 14 July 2021
Wednesday July 14, 2021
Weekday (15)
Vestment: Green
Today’s Rosary: The Sorrowful Mystery
St. Camillus De Lellis, P. (opt mem)
Death Anniversary: MAKURDI: Bishop Athanasius A. Usuh -14/07/2016
FIRST READING
“The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.”
A reading from the Book of Exodus (Exodus 3:1-6.9-12)
In those days: Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian; and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here am I.” Then he said, “Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. The Lord said, “Now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to me, and I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring forth my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God upon this mountain.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm103:1-2.3-4.6-7(R. 8a)
R/. The Lord is compassionate and gracious.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all within me, his holy name,
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And never forget all his benefits. R.
It is the Lord who forgives all your sins,
Who heals every one of your ills,
Who redeems your life from the grave,
Who crowns you with mercy and compassion. R.
R/. The Lord is compassionate and gracious.
The Lord does just deeds,
gives full justice to all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
And his deeds to the children of Israel. R.
ALLELUIA Matthew 11:25
Alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to infants.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 11:25-27)
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
The young Moses happened to be at Mount Horeb when God revealed himself to him in the blazing bush: “I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” The revelation leads to the all-important mission that Moses had to undertake: “So now I am sending you to Pharaoh, for you to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt”. Moses objected to this demand, but God assured him: “I shall be with you’. Moses’ weakness, inexperience and his youthful age did not matter to God. God saw his innate ability to lead and guide, and the goodness of his heart. Jesus in today’s gospel exclaims: “I bless you, father, Lord of Heaven and of Earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children.” The mystery of God’s choice is beyond our comprehension. But he chooses whom he wants and whom he chooses he empowers by his very presence.
Personal Devotional
“But I will bless those who put their trust in me. They are like trees growing near a stream and sending out roots to the water. They are not afraid when hot weather comes, because their leaves stay green; they have no worries when there is no rain; they keep bearing fruit. – Jeremiah 17:7,8
– Ask God for the gift of faith to trust Jesus as the shepherd of your life.
– Ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of those that put their trust in idols and gods that they may flee from destruction and surrender to the living God.
Let Us Pray
TAKE THIS PRAYER FOR TRUST IN JESUS BY ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA:
O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of your presence, your love, and your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to you, we shall see your hand, your purpose, your will through all things. In the name of Jesus. Amen