Daily Readings for July 18, 2015

1ST READING

  

After 430 years of living in Egypt, the People of God are about to leave. Many who wanted to stay, preferring the certainty of the life they knew in Egypt, to the uncertainty of their exodus from there. The journey to come will be filled with many trials and suffering, but it will bring them to the Promised Land and the future glory of the Kingdom of Israel.

Exodus 12:37-42

37 The children of Israel set out from Rameses for Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, not counting the little ones. 38 A crowd of mixed ancestry also went up with them, besides their livestock, very numerous flocks and herds. 39 Since the dough they had brought out of Egypt was not leavened, they baked it into unleavened loaves. They had been rushed out of Egypt and had no opportunity even to prepare food for the journey. 40 The time the children of Israel had stayed in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. 41 At the end of four hundred and thirty years, all the hosts of the Lord left the land of Egypt on this very date. 42 This was a night of vigil for the Lord, as he led them out of the land of Egypt; so on this same night all the children of Israel must keep a vigil for the Lord throughout their generations.

P S A L M

Psalm 136:1, 23-24, 10-12, 13-15

R: His mercy endures forever.

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever; 23 who remembered us in our abjection, for his mercy endures forever; 24 and freed us from our foes, for his mercy endures forever. (R) 10 Who smote the Egyptians in their first-born, for his mercy endures forever; 11 And brought out Israel from their midst, for his mercy endures forever; 12 With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, for his mercy endures forever. (R) 13 Who split the Red Sea in twain, for his mercy endures forever; 14 And led Israel through its midst, for his mercy endures forever; 15 But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, for his mercy endures forever. (R)

GOSPEL

The Pharisees produce very little evidence against Jesus. As Jesus continues His ministry, He is aware that the Pharisees want to destroy Him. There will be conflict for those who speak the truth. Speaking the truth will always challenge those who have become comfortable with their sins and who do not want to change. We must learn to deal with this conflictcharitably to ensure that the ministry of the Gospel is protected and preserved.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Matthew 12:14-21

14 The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 15 When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, 16 but he warned them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: 18 Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. 21 And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

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