Daily Readings for July 17, 2014

1ST READING Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19

7 The way of the just is smooth; the path of the just you make level. 8 Yes, for your way and your judgments, O Lord, we look to you; your name and your title are the desire of our souls. 9 My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you; when your judgment dawns upon the earth, the world’s inhabitants learn justice. 12 O Lord, you mete out peace to us, for it is you who have accomplished all we have done. 16 O Lord, oppressed by your punishment, we cried out in anguish under your chastising. 17 As a woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pains, so were we in your presence, O Lord. 18 We conceived and writhed in pain, giving birth to wind; salvation we have not achieved for the earth, the inhabitants of the world cannot bring it forth. 19 But your dead shall live, their corpses shall rise; awake and sing, you who lie in the dust. For your dew is a dew of light, and the land of shades gives birth.

P S A L M Psalm 102:13-14, 15, 16-18, 19-21

R: From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.

12 [13] You, O Lord, abide forever, and your name through all generations. 13 [14] You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to pity her. 14 [15] For her stones are dear to your servants, and her dust moves them to pity. (R) 

15 [16] The nations shall revere your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory, 16 [17] when the Lord has rebuilt Zion and appeared in his glory; 17 [18] when he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their prayer. (R) 

18 [19] Let this be written for the generation to come, and let his future creatures praise the Lord: 19 [20] “The Lord looked down from his holy height, from heaven he beheld the earth, 20 [21] To hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die.” (R)

GOSPEL Matthew 11:28-30

28 Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

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